Christina Dodd Books in Order

Where to Start with Christina Dodd

With over a hundred published works spanning historical romance, paranormal fantasy, and romantic suspense, tackling Christina Dodd’s bibliography can feel overwhelming. The best way to approach her books is not by publication date, but by grouping them into their respective genres and reading the interconnected series in chronological order. Depending on your preferences, here are the three best starting points:

• For Historical Romance Lovers: Start with the Governess Brides series (specifically Rules of Surrender) or her award-winning debut Candle in the Window.
• For Romantic Suspense & Thriller Fans: Begin with Virtue Falls, the opening novel of her atmospheric Washington coast thrillers, or Dead Girl Running to jump straight into the fast-paced Cape Charade spinoff.
• For Paranormal Romance Enthusiasts: Dive into Scent of Darkness, the first book of the Darkness Chosen series, which introduces her shapeshifter lore.

The Historical Romance Reading Orders

Dodd built her reputation on rich, witty, and sensual historical romances. Many of these are structured as duologies, trilogies, or longer series that share settings and minor characters.

The Governess Brides Series

This is arguably Dodd's most famous historical romance series, focusing on independent young women who find love and intrigue through a London governess agency. While the books are standalone romances, reading them in order allows you to see characters grow and reappear. Note that That Scandalous Evening was written first and serves as a prequel, introducing the founder of the agency.

1. That Scandalous Evening (1998)
2. Rules of Surrender (2000)
3. Rules of Engagement (2000)
4. Rules of Attraction (2001)
5. In My Wildest Dreams (2001)
6. Lost in Your Arms (2002)
7. My Favorite Bride (2002)
8. My Fair Temptress (2005)
9. "Hero, Come Back" (2005) (Anthology containing Dodd's novella The Kidnapped Governess)
10. In Bed with the Duke (2010)
11. Taken by the Prince (2011)
12. A Pirate's Wife for Me (2015)

The Medieval Castle and Knight Duologies

Dodd’s earliest works are medieval romances set in England. Although they share a medieval backdrop, they are divided into two distinct, self-contained duologies with no crossover characters:

My First / Medieval Series (Castle Duology):

1. Candle in the Window (1991) - Dodd's award-winning debut featuring a resilient blind heroine.
2. Castles in the Air (1993)

The Knight Series:

1. Once a Knight (1996)
2. A Knight to Remember (1996)

The Lost Princesses and Princess Duologies

Dodd has written two royal-themed historical series. Despite their similar themes, they are set in different universes and do not connect:

The Princess Series (1999):

1. The Runaway Princess (1999)
2. Someday My Prince (1999)

The Lost Princesses Series: This trilogy follows three royal sisters sent to England for their protection after a revolution in their homeland, Beaumontagne.

1. Some Enchanted Evening (2004)
2. The Barefoot Princess (2006)
3. The Prince Kidnaps a Bride (2006)

Switching Places and Well Pleasured Series

These shorter historical series are highly recommended for their humor and romantic tension:

Well Pleasured Series:

1. A Well Pleasured Lady (1997)
2. A Well Favored Gentleman (1998)

Switching Places Duology: Two cousins swap identities to escape unwanted marriages and save their family fortune.

1. Scandalous Again (2003)
2. One Kiss From You (2003)

Daughter of Montague (Shakespeare Reimagining)

In this series, Dodd crafts a clever historical mystery setting where Romeo and Juliet survived their tragic play and went on to raise seven children. The stories follow their eldest daughter, Rosie Montague, as she investigates murders in Verona.

1. A Daughter of Fair Verona (2024)
2. What Dreams May Come (2025) (Novella)
3. Thus with a Kiss I Die (2025)
4. Much Ado About Mistletoe (2025) (Novella)
5. Teach the Torches to Burn (2026)

Paranormal Romance: Darkness Chosen and The Chosen Ones

For readers who enjoy a touch of the supernatural, Dodd created a dark, interconnected world of ancient pacts, shapeshifters, and eternal conflicts. While retailers sometimes bundle these together, they are two separate series that should be read in their own internal order.

Darkness Chosen Series

This series centers on the Wilder family, whose ancestor made a pact with the devil, giving his descendants the ability to shapeshift into predators. They must battle the darkness within themselves and find love to break the curse.

1. Scent of Darkness (2007)
2. Touch of Darkness (2007)
3. Into the Shadow (2008)
4. Into the Flame (2008)
5. "Wilder Family Halloween" (2012) (Novella / Short Story)

The Chosen Ones Series

Set in the same paranormal universe, this series follows the descendants of the "Chosen" (warriors of light) fighting the "Others" (minions of darkness). Read these after Darkness Chosen for the best experience.

1. Storm of Visions (2009)
2. Storm of Shadows (2009)
3. Chains of Ice (2010)
4. Chains of Fire (2010)
5. Stone Angel (2012) (Novella)
6. Wilder (2012)

Romantic Suspense & Coastal Thrillers

In her later career, Dodd shifted toward darker romantic suspense and coastal thrillers. She created a fascinating, interconnected universe set along the coast of Washington state that bridges three distinct series.

The Washington Coast Crossover (Bella Terra, Virtue Falls, & Cape Charade)

If you want the ultimate continuity experience, Dodd has linked these three series through settings and characters. The Yearning Sands Resort (the main setting for Cape Charade) is first mentioned in Virtue Falls, and its owners, the Di Luca family, are the protagonists of the Bella Terra series. Sheriff Kateri Kwinault also crosses over between Virtue Falls and Cape Charade.

Step 1: The Bella Terra (Scarlet Deception) Series

1. Secrets of Bella Terra (2011)
2. Revenge at Bella Terra (2011)
3. Betrayal (2012)

Step 2: The Virtue Falls Series

1. The Listener (2014) (Prequel Novella)
2. Virtue Falls (2014)
3. The Relatives (2015) (Short Story)
4. Obsession Falls (2015)
5. A Dark and Stormy Night (2016) (Virtue Falls collection)
6. Love Never Dies (2016) (Novella)
7. Because I'm Watching (2016)
8. The Watcher (2017) (Novella)
9. The Woman Who Couldn't Scream (2017)

Step 3: The Cape Charade Series

1. Dead Girl Running (2018)
2. Hard to Kill (2018) (Novella)
3. What Doesn't Kill Her (2019)
4. Families and Other Enemies (2019) (Novella)
5. Strangers She Knows (2019)
6. Hidden Truths (2019) (Novella)

Lost Texas Hearts (Lost Hearts) & Fortune Hunters

These contemporary romance and suspense novels follow families searching for lost siblings or dealing with secrets. They are connected by the holiday novella Gabriel's Gift, which features characters from both series.

Lost Texas Hearts:

1. Just the Way You Are (2003)
2. Almost Like Being in Love (2004)
3. Close to You (2005)
4. Gabriel's Gift (2014) (Christmas crossover novella)

Fortune Hunter Series:

1. Trouble in High Heels (2006)
2. Tongue In Chic (2007)
3. Thigh High (2008)
4. Danger in a Red Dress (2009)

Last Seen in Gothic & Murder in Alaska

These are standalone romantic suspense series set in isolated locations:

Last Seen in Gothic Series:

1. Point Last Seen (2022)
2. Welcome to Gothic (2023) (Novella)

Murder in Alaska Series:

1. Wrong Alibi (2020)
2. Right Motive (2020) (Novella)

Chronological vs. Publication Order Caveats

For almost all of Christina Dodd's series, publication order and chronological order match perfectly, as she prefers to write stories sequentially. The main exception is the Governess Brides series, where the prequel That Scandalous Evening was published first, followed by the core series starting with Rules of Surrender. Most readers recommend starting with Rules of Surrender because it establishes the primary governess dynamic, and then reading That Scandalous Evening later as a flashback, though reading in publication order is also perfectly fine. Additionally, when reading the Washington Coast crossover, make sure to read the novellas (like The Listener) in their proper chronological spots to avoid minor spoilers regarding the town's secrets.