Cat Devon / Cathie Linz Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Cat Devon / Cathie Linz

Because Cathie Linz wrote across two distinct subgenres of romance under different names, the best place to start depends entirely on what style of romance you are in the mood for. Here are the two primary entry routes:

• For Paranormal Romance Fans (As Cat Devon): Start with Sleeping with the Entity (2013). This is the book that launched her paranormal alter ego, introducing readers to the magical Vamptown district of Chicago, where vampires, witches, demons, and bakers collide.
• For Contemporary Romance Fans (As Cathie Linz): Start with Good Girls Do (2006), the first book in the fan-favorite Girls Do Or Don't series. It features the signature wit, humor, and strong female bonds that Linz became famous for throughout her long career.

The Entity Series Reading Order (As Cat Devon)

Writing as Cat Devon, Linz created a lighthearted, sexy, and humorous paranormal world set in Chicago's fictional 'Vamptown' district. The series is best read in publication order, as the events of later books build upon the relationships and alliances established in the earlier stories.

1. Sleeping with the Entity (2013) – Focuses on Daniella Delaney, a cupcake shop owner, and Nick St. George, a vampire clan leader.
2. The Entity Within (2013) – Follows witch Zoe Adams and demon hunter Damon Thornheart.
3. The Entity Who Came for Christmas (2013) – A festive novella (often counted as book 2.5) featuring vampire commander Julian Gracen and human researcher Sarah Vance.
4. Love Your Entity (2013) – Centered on werewolf detective Jack Bowman and witch Chloe Morgan.
5. Tall, Dark and Immortal (2015) – Explores the story of vampire detective Alex Sanchez and his journey connecting historical events like the Crusades to modern Chicago.

Major Contemporary Romance Series (As Cathie Linz)

Under her own name, Linz published dozens of beloved contemporary romances. While many can be read as standalones, they are best enjoyed in order to watch recurring characters and families evolve.

Marines, Men of Honor Series

One of Linz's most popular contemporary collections, this military romance series highlights the lives, struggles, and loves of members of the U.S. Marine Corps. Readers should tackle these in order of release:

1. The Marine and The Princess (2001)
2. Married to a Marine (2002)
3. Sleeping Beauty and the Marine (2003)
4. Her Millionaire Marine (2004)
5. Cinderella's Sweet-Talking Marine (2004)
6. The Marine Meets His Match (2004)
7. The Marine and Me (2005)
8. Lone Star Marine (2006)

Girls Do Or Don't Series

This series focuses on independent, smart women, sisterhood, and the men who fall for them. It is highly recommended to read them sequentially to capture the character dynamics:

1. Good Girls Do (2006)
2. Bad Girls Don't (2006)
3. Big Girls Don't Cry (2007)
4. Smart Girls Think Twice (2008)

West Investigations Series

This mini-trilogy blends romance with light mystery and investigative work:

1. Mad, Bad and Blonde (2010)
2. Luck Be a Lady (2010)
3. Tempted Again (2012)

Three Weddings and a Gift Series

A charming mid-90s trilogy focused on matchmaking, family, and unexpected love:

1. Michael's Baby (1996)
2. Seducing Hunter (1996)
3. Abbie and The Cowboy (also published as The Cowboy Kidnaps a Bride) (1996)

Marriage Makers Series

Another classic late-90s trilogy featuring strong-willed protagonists who are initially resistant to settling down:

1. Too Sexy For Marriage (1998)
2. Too Stubborn to Marry (1998)
3. Too Smart for Marriage (1998)

Navigating Collaborative and Multi-Author Series

Throughout her career as a silhouette author, Cathie Linz frequently participated in massive, multi-author shared universes. For these series, Linz wrote specific books that fit into larger continuities. Here is how to approach them:

• Montana Mavericks: While there are dozens of books in the overarching Montana Mavericks universe written by various authors, Cathie Linz contributed a single book: Baby Wanted (1995), which is Book 10 in the original series run. You can read her contribution as a standalone, or read the surrounding books by other authors if you want the full Whitehorn, Montana experience.
• Royally Wed: In this shared-universe royal romance series, Linz wrote A Prince at Last! (2002), which is part of the Missing Heir sub-arc.
• Spellbound Series: A paranormal and time-travel themed romance collection by Silhouette Desire. Linz contributed A Wife in Time (1996).
• Jilted... Series: A themed miniseries from 1994 centered on brides and grooms left at the altar. Linz contributed Bridal Blues (1994), which serves as the final book in the six-book collection.

What to Know Before You Start

Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind as you dive into the bibliographies of Cat Devon and Cathie Linz:

• Tone Shift: As Cat Devon, the tone is highly paranormal, urban fantasy, and slightly steamier, incorporating typical tropes of the early 2010s urban fantasy craze. As Cathie Linz, the focus is purely on sweet-to-sexy contemporary romance, with a heavy emphasis on witty banter, family dynamics, and humor.
• Standalone Potential: Almost all of Linz's books—both paranormal and contemporary—function perfectly well as standalone reads. Each book features a self-contained romance with a satisfying, happy ending. Reading in order simply enhances the experience of spotting returning characters.
• The Librarian Connection: Linz worked as a university law librarian before writing full-time. Fans of books will love her contemporary novel The Major and the Librarian, which pays homage to her former career.