Darlene Franklin Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Darlene Franklin

With a bibliography spanning over seventy novels, novellas, and devotionals, finding the perfect entry point into Darlene Franklin's work can seem daunting. Fortunately, her bibliography is divided into distinct genres, making it easy to choose based on your reading preferences. We recommend two primary starting paths:

• For Cozy Mystery Fans: Start with Gunfight at Grace Gulch (2008), the first book in her popular Dressed for Death Mystery series. It introduces her signature blend of historical charm, lighthearted sleuthing, and clean romance.
• For Historical Romance Fans: Begin with Romanian Rhapsody (2005), which is her debut standalone novel, or dive into The Prodigal Patriot (2010), the first installment of the Green Mountain Brides series.

The Dressed for Death Mystery Series

The Dressed for Death Mystery series is Darlene Franklin's most famous mystery project. Set in the fictional small town of Grace Gulch, Oklahoma, the series follows Cici Wilde, the spirited owner of a vintage clothing boutique who has an uncanny knack for uncovering local secrets and solving murders.

These cozy mysteries are best read in order of publication to follow Cici's personal journey and relationships:

1. Gunfight at Grace Gulch (2008): Cici Wilde investigates a deadly shooting during a local historical gunfight reenactment, exposing a century-old town feud.
2. A String of Murders (2009): Mystery, blackmail, and pearls collide as Cici finds herself communicating with an online threat, drawing direct inspiration from classic Agatha Christie novels.
3. Paint Me a Murder (2015): Cici tackles a case involving arson, suspicious art, and buried treasure to round out the trilogy.

Historical Romance Series and Multi-Author Collaborations

Darlene Franklin was highly regarded in the Christian fiction community for her contribution to historical romance. While she wrote several solo series, she also participated in popular multi-author collections. Because these are shared worlds or themed collections, readers do not need to read the entire series to understand her books, though reading them in order can enhance the experience.

Green Mountain Brides

This historical series set in Vermont centers around love, family, and faith. Franklin wrote the initial volume:

• The Prodigal Patriot (2010)

Holidays of the Heart

A heartwarming holiday-themed historical series tracking romance across various festive seasons:

1. Christmas Visitors (2014)
2. My Candy Valentine (2015)
3. Love's Glory (2015)
4. Holidays of the Heart (2015)

Newport, Rhode Island

This series captures East Coast elegance and historical faith-based drama, featuring:

• Beacon of Love (2009)

Love's Sporting Chance

This is a multi-author sports-romance collaboration. While multiple writers contributed, Franklin wrote the winter-themed entry:

• Tobogganing for Two (2016)

Other titles in the Love's Sporting Chance project include The Reversal (2015) by Janice Thompson, Lured by Love (2015) by Debby Mayne, On Thin Ice (2015), Taking the Plunge (2016), and Love Over Par (2018).

Runaway Bride Series

Another collaborative effort where different authors wrote novellas centered on runaway brides. Franklin's primary contribution is:

• Cinderella's Boot (2017)

Other companion books in the collection include Never Too Late (2016) by Debby Mayne, His Eyes Told Her So (2016), Just One Kiss (2017), Rescue Me (2017), and Bride on the Run (2017).

Christmas Traditions Series

A multi-author historical holiday series celebrating vintage Christmas customs. Darlene Franklin contributed the fourth novella, An Apple for Christmas. The broader collection includes works by other authors, such as:

• Christmas Lessons (by Patty Smith Hall)
• Handcarved Christmas (2014) (by Cynthia Hickey)
• Sadie's Gift (2014) (by Niki Turner)
• The Fruitcake Challenge (2014) (by Carrie Fancett Pagels)
• A Nutcracker Christmas (2014)
• Holly Daze (2014) (by Gina Welborn)

Standalone Novels

If you prefer self-contained stories without worrying about overarching series continuity, Franklin wrote numerous standalone historical romances. They are listed below in publication order:

• Romanian Rhapsody (2005): Her debut novel, featuring rich historical themes.
• Bridge to Love (2010)
• Plainsong (2011)
• Love's Raid (2011)
• A Bride's Rogue in Roma, Texas (2012)
• Hidden Dreams (2013)
• Golden Dreams (2013)
• Homefront Dreams (2014)
• Colorado Melodies (2014)
• Small-Town Bachelor (2015)
• A Bride's Rogue (2016)
• Merry Christmas with Love (2017)
• Love Comes Calling (2018)

Short Stories and Collections

Franklin also wrote shorter fiction, which was frequently published in thematic anthologies or small single-author collections. These are ideal for quick, uplifting reads:

Short Stories and Novellas

• Pride's Fall (2013)
• Lucy Ames, Sharpshooter (2015)
• The Face of Mary (2016)
• First Christmas (2017)
• Acadian Hearts (2017)
• Her Rocky Mountain Highness (2017)
• All Roads Lead Home (2018)
• Of Cash and Cats (2018)

Short Story Collections

• Maple Notch Brides (2011)
• When Pines Whisper (2014)
• Courting Cortlands (2017)
• Love's Turning Point (2017)
• Maple Notch Days (2017)
• New England Courtships (2020)

Non-Fiction and Devotional Works

Beyond romance and mystery, Darlene Franklin was a dedicated devotional writer. Her non-fiction works reflect her strong Christian faith and her personal journey through hardships, including writing from an Oklahoma nursing home while living with physical disabilities. Her devotions are designed for daily or monthly reflections:

• It Is Well with My Soul (2013): A collection of devotions exploring peace during trials.
• A Reader's Journey through Matthew (2015)
• An Advent Journey through Matthew (2015)
• Beginnings: 30 Days in Genesis-Exodus (2016)
• 3-Minute Devotions for a Cat Lover's Heart (2016): A lighthearted, faith-focused devotional for pet lovers.
• A 12-Month Guide to Better Prayer for Women (2018)
• Pray through the Bible in a Year Journal (2018)

What to Know Before You Start

Franklin's books are known for their warm, positive, and faith-filled tone. As clean historical fiction and cozy mysteries, they do not contain graphic violence or explicit content. Her historical romances are deeply researched, capturing the spirit of pioneer life, the American West, and early New England. Knowing that she wrote many of these novels from a nursing home later in life adds a unique layer of appreciation for her resilience, which shines through in her characters' determination and optimism.