Can Cassie Edwards' books be read as standalones?

Yes. The vast majority of Cassie Edwards' books are standalones featuring different couples, settings, and Native American tribes. While they are grouped into thematic series, you can read them in any order without losing track of a continuous plot.

What is the difference between the 'Wild' and 'Savage' versions of her books?

They are the exact same novels . Several books in the Wild Arizona and Wild Tribes series were later re-released under alternate titles that replaced 'Wild' with 'Savage' (for example, Wild Ecstasy became Savage Wrongs ) to align with her most famous branding.

What was Cassie Edwards' first book?

Her debut novel was Portrait of Desire , published in 1982. Her first Native American-themed historical romance was Savage Obsession , published in 1983.

Which Cassie Edwards book was involved in the plagiarism scandal?

While multiple books were scrutinized, the primary book that sparked the controversy was Shadow Bear (2007). Bloggers discovered that descriptions of black-footed ferrets and tribal customs were copied directly from non-fiction sources without credit.

What was Cassie Edwards' last novel?

Her final published novel was When a Child Cries , which was released in 2015.

How many books are in the main Savage series?

The main Savage series officially contains 40 books , published between 1993 (beginning with Savage Illusion ) and 2011 (concluding with Savage Skies ).

Cassie Edwards Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Cassie Edwards

With a sprawling bibliography of over 100 novels, Cassie Edwards is one of the most prolific voices in historical romance. Her stories are famous for their passionate, sweep-you-away romance, frontier settings, and deep focus on Native American cultures. Because the vast majority of her books feature standalone love stories with new couples and different tribal settings, you do not need to follow a strict, multi-book timeline. You can pick up almost any book and enjoy it as a complete story.

However, if you want the best possible reading experience, we recommend starting with one of these three entry points:

The Chippewa Series (Starting with Savage Obsession): Published in 1983, this is the book that launched Edwards’ signature Native American romance style. It establishes her formula of rugged, noble heroes, headstrong heroines, and dramatic frontier conflicts.
The Main Savage Series (Starting with Savage Illusion): If you want to dive straight into her most famous, long-running banner, this 1993 novel is the perfect place to begin.
The Wild Arizona Series (Starting with Wild Ecstasy): For readers who want a shorter, self-contained subseries with high-stakes adventure, the six-book Arizona sequence is an excellent alternative.

The Title Confusion: 'Wild' vs. 'Savage' Re-releases

One of the biggest headaches for Cassie Edwards collectors is the overlap of book titles. Throughout her career, several of her novels were originally published under one title and later re-released under a completely different name, often to fit into the marketing of the massive 'Savage' branding. If you aren't careful, you might accidentally buy the same book twice! Here are the key alternate titles you need to know:

The Wild Arizona Conversions

Wild Ecstasy (1992) was also published as Savage Wrongs.
Wild Rapture (1992) was also published as Savage Touch.
Wild Splendor (1993) was also published as Savage Nights.
Wild Embrace (1993) was also published as Savage Wind.
Wild Desire (1994) was also published as Savage Storm.
Wild Abandon (1994) was also published as Savage Lies.

The Wild Tribes Conversions

Wild Bliss (1995) was also published as Savage Darkness.
Wild Thunder (1995) was also published as Savage Rage.

Chippewa Series Reading Order

This early five-book series focuses on Chippewa characters and historical settings, establishing the passionate style that defined Edwards’ career through the 1980s. They are best read in order of release:

Savage Obsession (1983)
Savage Innocence (1984)
Savage Heart (1985)
Savage Torment (1985)
Savage Paradise (1987)

Savage Secrets Series Reading Order

This 12-book sequence blends historical frontier intrigue with sensual romance. Read them in order of publication:

Savage Surrender (1987)
Savage Eden (1988)
Savage Splendor (1988)
Savage Bliss (1990)
Savage Whispers (1991)
Savage Persuasion (1991)
Savage Dance (1991)
Savage Dream (1991)
Savage Promise (1992)
Savage Mists (1992)
Savage Sunrise (1993)
Savage Pride (1995)

The Savage Books Series

This is Edwards' flagship series. Spanning nearly two decades and 40 novels, it features a vast array of Native American tribes and heroes. While you can read them as standalones, here is the complete publication order:

Savage Illusion (1993)
Savage Spirit (1994)
Savage Secrets (1995)
Savage Shadows (1996)
Savage Passions (1996)
Savage Longings (1997)
Savage Tears (1997)
Savage Heat (1998)
Savage Wonder (1998)
Savage Joy (1999)
Savage Fires (1999)
Savage Grace (2000)
Savage Devotion (2000)
Savage Thunder (2001)
Savage Honor (2001)
Savage Moon (2002)
Savage Love (2002)
Savage Destiny (2003)
Savage Embers (2003)
Savage Hero (2003)
Savage Trust (2004)
Savage Hope (2004)
Savage Courage (2005)
Savage Vision (2005)
Savage Tempest (2006)
Savage Arrow (2006)
Savage Beloved (2006)
Savage Quest (2007)
Savage Intrigue (2007)
Savage Storm (2007)
Savage Touch (2007)
Savage Glory (2007)
Savage Wind (2007)
Savage Abandon (2008)
Savage Wrongs (2008)
Savage Lies (2008)
Savage Flames (2008)
Savage Sun (2009)
Savage Dawn (2009)
Savage Skies (2011)

Dreamcatcher Indian Books Series

This later-career series represents some of the last books Edwards published with Signet before their partnership ended. They should be read in chronological order of publication:

Running Fox (2006)
Shadow Bear (2007)
Falcon Moon (2008)
Raven Heart (2008)

Wild Arizona Series

Set against the rugged backdrop of the Arizona territory, this sequence is a fan favorite for its high action and vivid landscapes. As noted above, keep an eye out for their alternate 'Savage' titles:

Wild Ecstasy (also known as Savage Wrongs) (1992)
Wild Rapture (also known as Savage Touch) (1992)
Wild Splendor (also known as Savage Nights) (1993)
Wild Embrace (also known as Savage Wind) (1993)
Wild Desire (also known as Savage Storm) (1994)
Wild Abandon (also known as Savage Lies) (1994)

Wild Tribes Series

A short four-book series that takes readers through different tribal cultures, combining historical research with high-passion romance:

Wild Bliss (also known as Savage Darkness) (1995)
Wild Thunder (also known as Savage Rage) (1995)
Wild Whispers (1996)
Wind Walker (2004)

What to Know Before You Start: The 2008 Plagiarism Controversy

In January 2008, the romance community was rocked when the popular blog Smart Bitches, Trashy Books revealed that Cassie Edwards had used verbatim and near-verbatim passages from non-fiction reference works without attribution. Books like Shadow Bear contained paragraphs about wildlife and tribal customs lifted directly from sources like Defenders Magazine and Luther Standing Bear's 1933 book Land of the Spotted Eagle. Edwards later acknowledged taking the passages but claimed she was unaware of the academic requirements to credit research sources in commercial fiction. Penguin Group (Signet) subsequently terminated her contract in April 2008. While this controversy led to a sudden end to her long-running paperback contracts, Edwards went on to self-publish and work with smaller presses later in her career, releasing novels like Her Forbidden Pirate in 2009 and her final book When a Child Cries in 2015.