Danelle Harmon Books in Order

How to Start Reading Danelle Harmon

If you are looking for sweeping high-seas adventures or sharp-tongued aristocratic family dynamics, Danelle Harmon is one of historical romance’s best-kept treasures. Her books are highly detailed, full of humor, and populated by stubborn, unforgettable characters. For new readers, there are two primary entry points depending on what theme you prefer:

• For Regency & Georgian Family Intrigue: Start with The Wild One (1997), the first book in the De Montforte Brothers series. This series is famous for its commanding, Machiavellian oldest brother Lucien, Duke of Blackheath, who orchestrates the lives and loves of his siblings.
• For High-Seas Adventure & Privateers: Start with Captain of My Heart (1992), which introduces the Heroes of the Sea series. It is a fantastic maritime romance set against the backdrop of colonial America and England.

Both of these series are set in a shared literary universe. While you do not need to read one to understand the other, characters from the De Montforte family make delightful cameo appearances in the Heroes of the Sea series, rewarding readers who explore both.

The De Montforte Brothers Series

The De Montforte Brothers series is Harmon’s most famous work. It follows the aristocratic, headstrong siblings of the De Montforte family in 18th-century England. The family is dominated by Lucien, the cold and calculating Duke of Blackheath, whose machinations drive much of the plot. While readers usually follow the publication order, there are a few chronological details to keep in mind.

De Montforte Brothers in Publication Order

This is the order in which the books were released, and it is the most popular way to read the series:

1. The Wild One (1997) – Lord Gareth de Montforte’s romance.
2. The Beloved One (1998) – Lord Andrew de Montforte’s romance.
3. The Defiant One (2000) – Lord Charles de Montforte’s romance.
4. The Wicked One (originally published in 2001, re-released in 2012) – Lord Lucien de Montforte’s highly anticipated romance.
5. The Fox & the Angel (2014) – A spin-off novella featuring Lord Gareth's companion, the highwayman.
6. The Wayward One (2016) – Lord Harry de Montforte’s romance.
7. My First Noel (2016) – A festive holiday novella featuring Lord Lucien and Lady Eva.
8. The Homecoming (2023) – A family reunion sequel focusing on Lady Nerissa de Montforte and Captain Ruaidri O'Devir.

Chronological and Story Caveats

Some readers like to read the series strictly in chronological sequence. If you want to follow the timeline of events rather than the publication history, you will want to shift a few things. Crucially, the novella The Admiral's Heart (which is part of the Heroes of the Sea series) actually takes place before the events of The Wild One, and features prominent appearances by the De Montforte family. Additionally, The Beloved One begins slightly earlier than The Wild One in terms of historical dates, though they run near-concurrently.

Heroes of the Sea Series

The Heroes of the Sea series focuses on maritime adventures, dashing American privateers, and the spirited women who capture their hearts. It is set during and after the American Revolutionary War. Unlike many series where publication order is best, the Heroes of the Sea series has a highly distinct chronological flow that differs slightly from its publication order.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

To see how the timeline differs, compare the two lists below:

Publication Order:

1. Captain of My Heart (1992)
2. Master of My Dreams (1993)
3. My Lady Pirate (1994)
4. Taken by Storm (1995)
5. Wicked At Heart (1996)
6. Lord of the Sea (2013)
7. The Admiral’s Heart (2013)
8. Scandal at Christmas (2017)
9. Never too Late for Love (2019)
10. Heir to the Sea (2020)
11. My Saving Grace (2020)

Chronological Reading Order:

1. The Admiral’s Heart (2013) – A prequel novella set prior to the main action.
2. Master of My Dreams (1993) – The romance of Devran and Christianne, which sets off the timeline.
3. Captain of My Heart (1992) – The story of privateer Brendan Merrick and Lady Mira.
4. My Lady Pirate (1994) – Maeve Merrick's high-seas romance.
5. Taken by Storm (1995) – Featuring Captain Arielle and Lord Samuel.
6. Wicked At Heart (1996) – A Beauty and the Beast retelling on the waves.
7. Lord of the Sea (2013) – Captain Connor Merrick’s romance.
8. Heir to the Sea (2020) – Focusing on the next generation of Merricks.
9. Never too Late for Love (2019) – A mature-romance novella.
10. Scandal at Christmas (2017) – A festive holiday romance.
11. My Saving Grace (2020) – A late-period continuation of the family saga.

The De Wolfe Pack Connected World

Readers looking at online lists of Danelle Harmon's works are often confused by a massive list of nineteen books under the header 'De Wolfe Pack Connected World'. It is important to know that this is a shared-world project created by Kathryn Le Veque. Numerous authors write stories in this universe, but Danelle Harmon did not write the entire list. Her sole contribution to this multi-author project is Heart of the Sea Wolfe (2018), which features Captain Lord Dorian de Wolfe and ties her signature maritime romance elements into Le Veque's world.

Standalone Novels, Collections, and Anthologies

Outside of her major series, Danelle Harmon has written a few other pieces that readers should look out for:

• Pirate in My Arms (1992): Harmon’s standalone debut novel. It features a classic romance between a New England colonist and a daring pirate during the Revolutionary War. It won a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award in 1993.
• It Happened One Holiday (2020): A collection of festive romance novellas containing some of her shorter holiday-themed works.
• Anthologies: Harmon has contributed to multi-author anthologies such as From Rogue to Ruin (2022) and Just One Kiss Away (2024).

What to Know Before You Start

Danelle Harmon’s historical romances are known for their meticulous attention to 18th-century nautical terms, historical details, and setting. If you are starting the Heroes of the Sea series, expect a lot of shipboard action, privateer operations, and descriptions of 18th-century sailing vessels. If you are starting the De Montforte series, expect emotional family dynamics, sibling rivalry, and witty banter. Although the books in both series can technically stand alone as complete romance stories, reading them in order prevents spoilers regarding who ends up with whom and preserves the overarching family progression.