C.J. Bishop Books in Order

How to Read C.J. Bishop’s Interconnected Romance Universes

Writing under her main pen name C.J. Bishop (and occasionally A.M. Snead), this Oregon-based author has built two sprawling romance hubs: the gritty, action-packed Cowboy Gangster universe and the emotional, character-driven Phoenix Club series. Alongside these contemporary M/M romances, she also writes the dark paranormal Soulscape series and a collection of spicy standalones known as The Porn Chronicles.

Because Bishop’s books are highly serialized with recurring characters, crossover events, and subseries that branch off from main plots, jumping in at random can spoil key storylines. This guide outlines the best starting points and reading paths to ensure you do not get lost in the action.

The Cowboy Gangster Saga Reading Order

This is C.J. Bishop's flagship romantic suspense series. It follows the high-stakes lives, dangerous missions, and intense romances of Clint 'The Cowboy' Maddox, Axel Anders, and their close-knit crew of protective allies. The main series is full of drama, crime elements, and heavy themes, requiring readers to follow the storyline sequentially.

Main Cowboy Gangster Series (Publication Order)

To understand the core relationships and overarching conflicts, start with the primary sequence:

• Shot Through the Heart (2015) - The essential starting point introducing the core cast.
• Gunnin' for Love (2015)
• Outlaws of Love (2015)
• Wanted Hearts (2016)
• Beneath the Bullets & Blood (2016)
• Precious Jules (2017)
• The Innocent (2018) - Also functions as the first entry in the focused Innocent subseries.
• Cowboy Love (2018)
• Hope (2019)
• Reaper (2019)
• Cowboy Up (2019)
• A Show of Love (2024)

The Innocent Subseries

Focusing on the emotional arcs of specific characters introduced in the main saga, this trilogy should be read in conjunction with the main series around the time you reach The Innocent (Book 7 of the main series):

1. The Innocent (2018)
2. Hope (2019)
3. Reaper (2019)

Lost Books Subseries

This darker, high-suspense offshoot centers on rescue operations, FBI investigations into human trafficking, and prison survival. It is inspired by real-world human rights issues and is best read after finishing the core books of the main Cowboy Gangster saga up through Reaper:

1. Paradise Lost (2020)
2. Innocence Lost (2020)
3. Lost World (2020)
4. Lost & Found (2020)

Cowboy Gangster: Regulators

This spin-off shifts focus to the security and protection agents working within the Cowboy Gangster universe, keeping the gritty action going:

1. Recruitment (2021)
2. Highwaymen (2021)
3. Refuge (2021)

The Cowboy Gangster & The Base Crossovers

Co-authored with fellow LGBTQ+ romance writer H.M. Wolfe, this major crossover series merges C.J. Bishop's characters with Wolfe's popular Base series. Read this after completing the main Cowboy Gangster line and the Lost subseries:

1. The Vanished (2021)
2. The Lost Boys (2021)
3. The Hunted (2021)
4. The Reapers (2021)
5. The Homecoming (2022)

Cowboy Gangster Miniseries & Companion Novels

• Guilty by Blood (2017) - Part of the Santiago Family line, introducing allied mafia elements.
• Outlaw (2023) - Part of the Dark Ages miniseries.
• Saddle Up (2021) - A quick-read Cowboy Gangster novella.

The Phoenix Club Universe Reading Order

For readers who prefer emotional contemporary romance, the Phoenix Club series is the perfect place to start. Set around the staff and patrons of a popular gay dance club, these books deal with heavy pasts, healing, and finding a supportive family. While some early novels like It Can't Be You (2014) laid the groundwork, the series was organized into a dedicated reading sequence starting with a formal prequel invitation.

Main Phoenix Club Books

Read these in order to follow the evolving lives of the club's dancers, security, and staff:

1. Private Invitation (2018) - The official introduction to the club.
2. Abel (2021) - Follows Abel's emotional journey.
3. Caleb (2021)
4. Angel (2022)
5. Gabriel (2022)
6. Maxwell (2022)
7. His Secret Santa (2023)
8. Rhythm of the Sea (2024)

Phoenix Club: No More Victims

A spin-off focusing on characters escaping abusive situations and finding refuge and empowerment:

1. No More Victims (2022)
2. Victims No More: Daddy Dearest Ep 1 (2022)
3. Victims No More: Daddy Dearest Ep 2 (2022)

Cole: A Phoenix Club Serial Thriller

This serial shifts the tone into romantic thriller territory, following the dark and dangerous path of Cole. Read these in order:

1. Mind of Madness (2023) - The prelude.
2. The Mangler (2023)
3. The Demons (2023)
4. The Madman (2024)

C.J. Bishop's Standalone & Paranormal Series

Soulscape Series (Paranormal Romance)

If you want a break from the gritty real-world crime of the Cowboy Gangster books or the contemporary club romance of the Phoenix Club, the Soulscape series delivers dark paranormal M/M romance. These must be read in order:

1. Dark Soul (2015)
2. Black Heart (2015)
3. Burning Love (2015)
4. Deadly Devotion (2016)
5. Malicious Intent (2021)

The Porn Chronicles

This is a collection of standalone M/M erotic romance stories and quick novellas. While they feature varying characters and can be read in any order, the publication sequence is as follows:

• Ex-Factor (2022)
• Flying Colors (2022)
• Hole in Time (2023)
• Unshackled (2024)
• My Husband's Valentine (2024)
• My Boyfriend's Bully (2024)
• Wet Dreams (2024)
• The Artist (2024)
• Coping Mechanism (2024) - Erotic short story companion.

What to Know Before You Start

C.J. Bishop's books are highly emotional and frequently feature dark themes, including trauma recovery, human trafficking, and violence. The relationships are deeply passionate, blending steamy M/M romance with a strong underlying message of acceptance, universal love, and faith. For the best experience, start with Shot Through the Heart if you want romantic suspense, or Private Invitation if you want contemporary club romance.