Dawn Ryder Books in Order

Where Should You Start Reading Dawn Ryder?

Dawn Ryder is the contemporary and erotic romance pseudonym of bestselling historical romance author Mary Wine. Under this pen name, she writes intense romantic suspense, BDSM-themed contemporary stories, and dark historical erotica. If you are new to her catalog, the best place to begin depends on your preferred subgenre:

• For Romantic Suspense & Alpha Heroes: Start with Dangerous to Know, the first book in her popular Unbroken Heroes series. It features military special operatives, high stakes, and intense emotional arcs.
• For Contemporary Erotic Romance: Start with Rock Me Two Times, the first entry in her Rock Band duology. It explores the fast-paced, high-heat lifestyle of touring musicians and the women who keep them grounded.
• For Historical Erotica: Start with Improper Lessons, the first book in the Victorian-era Improper series. It is a classic example of her early, boundary-pushing erotic romance.

Unbroken Heroes Series

This is Ryder's most prominent series, focusing on a top-secret Special Ops unit. These books combine military-grade action with high-steam relationships. Because the characters belong to the same elite unit and interact across books, it is highly recommended to read this series in chronological order (which matches publication order):

1. Dangerous to Know (2016) - Focuses on agent Jax Sanders and a high-stakes mission that turns deeply personal.
2. Dare You to Run (2016) - Follows operative Logan Vance as he tries to protect a woman fleeing a dark past.
3. Deep Into Trouble (2017) - Centers on former Navy SEAL turned mercenary Ethan Harrison and his intense connection with a target.
4. Take to the Limit (2017) - Follows the romance of elite operative Cordell Thorne, who meets his match in a woman who refuses to be controlled.
5. Close to the Edge (2018) - Focuses on Shadow Ops specialist Nathan Cross as he navigates a dangerous rescue mission.
6. Don't Look Back (2018) - The final installment, wrapping up the series with operative Devlin Mercer's high-stakes mission.

The Protocol Series

Before writing the Unbroken Heroes, Ryder crafted the Protocol series, which leans heavily into modern military and security agency dynamics with explicit romantic themes. The reading order for this series can be slightly confusing due to collections and re-releases:

Note that the book Passion's Protocols (published in 2010) is a compilation volume containing the first two entries (Outside Protocol and Challenge Protocol). Reading this volume is an excellent way to catch up on the start of the series in one go.

The Rock Band Series

This contemporary duology focuses on the lives, music, and romances of rock stars. It is a quick, high-heat read that should be read in order:

1. Rock Me Two Times (2015)
2. Rock Steady (2016)

The Improper Series

The Improper series represents Ryder's foray into Victorian historical erotica. The books explore Victorian characters defying social taboos to discover their true desires:

1. Improper Lessons (2006)
2. Improper Longings (2007) - Listed in some catalogs simply as Improper.
3. Improper Pursuits (2007)

Hunter's Catch Series

This is a sci-fi erotic romance series set in a futuristic universe of penal spheres and specialized captors known as "Hunters":

1. Talon's Trophy (2006)
2. Hawk's Prey (2008)
3. Janus' Conquest (2008)

All three of these stories were compiled and published together in the trade paperback anthology titled Hunter's Catch in 2008.

Standalone Novels & Anthologies

For readers looking for self-contained contemporary romance or BDSM themes, Ryder has written several standalone works:

• Naughty Nights (2008) - An erotic romance anthology featuring Ryder's short story "Tempting a Lady" alongside contributions by other authors.
• Out of Bounds (2014) - A contemporary BDSM corporate romance following an ambitious businesswoman and a wealthy CEO in Alaska.
• Filthy Rich (2015) - A high-intensity contemporary romance focusing on power dynamics and light BDSM elements between Celeste Connor and Nartan Lupan.

What to Know Before You Start

Dawn Ryder's books are known for their explicit erotic content, strong power dynamics, and alpha protagonists. Many of her works, including Filthy Rich and Out of Bounds, explore BDSM themes. If you prefer historical romance with a bit more traditional plot development and less explicit content, you may want to look up her books published under her real name, Mary Wine, which focus heavily on Scottish Highlanders and English royalty.