Where is the best place to start reading Cindy Gerard's books?

The best place to start is with To the Edge , the first book in The Bodyguards series, or Show No Mercy , the first book in the Black Ops, Inc. series. These entry points introduce you to her shared universe of elite security and tactical operatives.

Are The Bodyguards, Black Ops, Inc., and One-Eyed Jacks series connected?

Yes. They are set in the same universe and feature character crossovers. Reading them in order ( The Bodyguards first, followed by Black Ops, Inc. , and then One-Eyed Jacks ) ensures you catch all the recurring character connections and timeline events.

Did Cindy Gerard write all the books in the Family Secrets series?

No. Both the original Family Secrets series and the Behind Closed Doors: Family Secrets series are collaborative projects written by multiple authors. Gerard contributed The Bluewater Affair (2003) and Fatal Deceptions (2020) respectively.

Can Cindy Gerard's novels be read as standalones?

Yes. Every novel contains a complete romance arc with a resolved relationship. However, the overarching suspense storylines, team dynamics, and character cameos span across the entire series, making them much more enjoyable when read in order.

What is Cindy Gerard's most popular series?

Her most popular and bestselling work is the 10-book Black Ops, Inc. series, which features military romantic suspense stories focusing on a covert paramilitary team operating globally.

Cindy Gerard Books in Order

Where to Start: The Core Suspense Universe

If you are new to Cindy Gerard, the absolute best place to start is with her contemporary romantic suspense novels. Her three major military and security-themed series—The Bodyguards, Black Ops, Inc., and One-Eyed Jacks—exist within a shared universe. While each novel features a self-contained romance with a happily-ever-after, characters frequently cross over, and the timeline flows sequentially from one series to the next.

For the complete experience, we highly recommend reading these three series in order of publication:

The Bodyguards Series (6 books)
Black Ops, Inc. Series (10 books, including novellas)
One-Eyed Jacks Series (4 books)

Reading in this order allows you to watch teams evolve and understand the backstories of recurring characters. For example, Gabe "Archangel" Jones makes crucial appearances in the final books of The Bodyguards before taking center stage in the opening novel of the Black Ops, Inc. series, Show No Mercy.

1. The Bodyguards Series

This series centers around E.D.E.N. Inc., an elite security and protection agency founded by former military and law enforcement operatives. The books combine high-stakes bodyguard assignments with intense, slow-burn romances.

To the Edge (2005)
To the Limit (2005)
To the Brink (2005)
Over the Line (2006)
Under the Wire (2006)
Into the Dark (2007)

2. Black Ops, Inc. (BOI) Series

Widely considered Cindy Gerard's signature work, the Black Ops, Inc. series follows a covert, private paramilitary team that handles dangerous international missions the government can't touch. These books are packed with action, suspense, and deep emotional bonds.

Show No Mercy (2008)
Take No Prisoners (2008)
Whisper No Lies (2008)
Feel the Heat (2009)
Risk No Secrets (2010)
Leave No Trace (2010)
With No Remorse (2011)
Last Man Standing (2012)
Dying to Score (2012)
SEALed With a Kiss (2014)

3. One-Eyed Jacks Series

A spin-off and direct thematic follow-up to the Black Ops, Inc. series, One-Eyed Jacks focuses on rogue operatives and black-ops veterans who operate in the shadows. The chemistry is explosive, and the stakes are higher than ever.

Killing Time (2013)
The Way Home (2013)
Running Blind (2015)
Taking Fire (2016)

Collaborative and Continuity Series

In addition to her standalone series, Cindy Gerard has participated in several collaborative, multi-author romance series. When reading these, keep in mind that Gerard only wrote specific volumes, but the overall continuity is shared across other romance authors.

Texas Cattleman's Club

This massive, multi-author romance universe takes place in the fictional town of Royal, Texas. Cindy Gerard contributed several key titles, which can generally be read as standalones, though they fit into broader thematic story arcs:

Texas Millionaire (1999)
Cinderella's Tycoon (1999)
Lone Star Prince (1999)
World's Most Eligible Texan (2001)
Her Ardent Sheikh (2002)
Entangled with a Texan (2003)
Locked Up with a Lawman (2003)
Remembering One Wild Night (2004)
Breathless for the Bachelor (2004)
Pretending with the Playboy (2004)
Fit For A Sheikh (2004)
A Most Shocking Revelation (2005)
Black-Tie Seduction (2005)
Less-Than-Innocent Invitation (2005)
Strictly Confidential Attraction (2005)
Round-the-Clock Temptation (2005)
Highly Compromised Position (2005)
Lone Star Knight (2011)
Billionaire Bridegroom (2011)
Secret Agent Dad (2011)

Family Secrets & Behind Closed Doors

Gerard also participated in Harlequin/Silhouette continuity series. For the original Family Secrets project, she wrote The Bluewater Affair (2003). For the 2020 collaborative series Behind Closed Doors: Family Secrets, she penned Book 5, Fatal Deceptions (2020), which deals with military memory loss, betrayal, and suspense.

Other Notable Series and Standalones

Before transitioning fully to romantic suspense, Cindy Gerard wrote category romance novels for Bantam's Loveswept and Silhouette Desire lines. These are great choices for readers who want lighter, relationship-focused stories with classic 90s romance aesthetics:

Northern Lights Books: The Bride Wore Blue (1996), A Bride for Abel Greene (1997), and A Bride for Crimson Falls (1997).
Outlaw Hearts Books: The Outlaw's Wife (1998), Marriage, Outlaw Style (1998), and The Outlaw Jesse James (1999).
Stormwatch: A shorter, rapid-release series from 2019–2020 (including Frozen Ground, Deep Freeze, and Wind Chill).
Legend Lake Trilogy: Out Of The Blue, Leap Of Faith, and Someone To Believe In (all published in 2020).