Where to Start Reading Debra Parmley
Debra Parmley is a highly versatile author who writes across multiple romance subgenres. Because her works are divided into distinct series and standalone novels, the best place to start depends entirely on your preferred genre:
- For Historical Western Romance: Start with her debut novel, A Desperate Journey (also published as Gone to Texas: A Desperate Journey). First published in 2008, it is a gritty western historical romance that follows a mother's perilous quest to find her son in the Wild West.
- For Contemporary Romance: Start with Check Out (2016), the first book in the Bobbins Sisters Books. This sweet romance features a local librarian and a Marine veteran dealing with PTSD.
- For 1920s Historical Romance: Start with Trapping The Butterfly (2013), which introduces the Butterflies Fly Free Books series following independent women during the Roaring Twenties.
- For Dystopian Romantic Suspense: Start with A Change of Scenery (2015), which kicks off the Hunger Road Books series.
Bobbins Sisters Books
The Bobbins Sisters Books is a contemporary romance series that follows the romantic journeys and personal growth of the Bobbin sisters. The series features veteran themes and sweet, emotional connections.
- Check Out (2016) – Introduces Betsy Bobbin, a librarian who forms a deep connection with Nash Ware, a Marine veteran coping with PTSD.
- Check In (2021) – Shifting the focus to Leann Bobbin, Betsy's younger sister, as she navigates her own path to love and healing.
Butterflies Fly Free Books
Set during the Roaring Twenties in Hot Springs, Arkansas, this series follows the lives, choices, and independence of young "flapper" women navigating a changing society.
- Trapping The Butterfly (2013) – Focuses on Bethany, a sheltered young woman seeking independence from her controlling aunt and uncle.
- Dancing Butterfly (2018) – Follows Suki, a dancer who gets unexpectedly entangled with a local gangster named Frank.
Hunger Road Books
The Hunger Road Books series is a dystopian romantic suspense series. The story focuses on Navy SEAL Warren West and belly dancer Clarissa Heat as they navigate a dangerous post-collapse environment.
- A Change of Scenery (2015) – The initial release introducing the main characters.
- Another Change of Scenery (2024) – A revised and expanded novella version of the first installment, outlining the beginning of their journey from Atlanta, Georgia, to the Florida Everglades.
Collaborative Worlds and Multi-Author Series
Debra Parmley has contributed to two major collaborative multi-author universes. While these series contain dozens of books by various writers, Parmley's books are designed to be enjoyed as standalone stories within their respective worlds.
American Mail-Order Brides Series
This massive multi-author project features 50-plus books, each written by a different author and representing a different U.S. state. Debra Parmley contributed a single entry, which she co-authored with Robert Arrow:
- Isabella: Bride of Ohio (2016) – Follows Isabella Britta Stolt, a Swedish immigrant who travels to Ohio as a mail-order bride to meet a man whose letters promised security, only to face unexpected dangers.
Brotherhood Protectors World
Based on the original universe created by author Elle James, the Brotherhood Protectors World is a collaborative military romantic suspense series featuring elite bodyguards and veteran heroes. Debra Parmley's specific contributions to this world should be read in publication order:
- Defensive Instructor (2018)
- Marine Protector (2018)
- Montana Delta Rescue (2021)
- Montana SEAL Protector (2022)
To navigate the broader publication chronology of the shared Brotherhood Protectors World series, here is the order of releases including other authors within the project's timeline:
- Dylan (2014)
- Soldier's Heart Part One (2016)
- Ruthless River (2017)
- Ranger In Charge (2017)
- Soldier's Heart Part Two (2017)
- Wild Horse Rescue (2017)
- Midnight Ranger (2018)
- Soldier's Heart Part Three (2018)
- Hidden Danger (2018)
- Carved In Ice (2018)
- Hot Colorado Nights (2018)
- Rough Justice (2018)
- Rainhorse (2018)
- Reaper's Ride (2018)
- Shielding Shayna (2018)
- Protecting His Cowgirl (2018)
- Fear the Reaper (2018)
- Saving Sidewinder (2018)
- Falling for Her Bodyguard (2018)
- Falling for Her Temporary Bodyguard (2018)
- Moving Target (2018)
- Ranger Loyalty (2018)
- Lost Signal (2018)
- Off The Radar (2018)
- Elite Protector (2018)
- Grayson's Angel (2018)
- Conrad (2018)
- Stormy Montana Nights (2018)
- Rescuing Montana (2018)
- Persuading Piper (2018)
- Defensive Instructor (2018)
- Going In Blind (2018)
- Protecting Bobbi (2018)
- Catching Lana (2018)
- Winter's Last Chance (2018)
- Rough Around the Edges (2018)
- Flying Rescue (2018)
- Falling for Her Unexpected Bodyguard (2018)
- Rainhorse: The Return (2018)
- Daniel's Choice (2018)
- Noah's Love (2018)
- Marine Protector (2018)
- Guarding Jenna (2018)
- Soldier's Heart Part Four (2018)
- Relentless (2018)
- Sinner's Redemption (2018)
- Ranger Pride (2018)
- Courting Juliet (2019)
- Rescuing Emery (2019)
- Devil's Fork (2019)
- The Last Betrayal (2019)
- Rough Ride (2019)
- Brand (2019)
- Unmasking Evil (2019)
- Handling Harley Ann (2019)
- Her Last Word (2019)
- Sultry Seattle Nights (2019)
- The Mechanic (2019)
- A Killer Talent (2019)
- Protecting the Flame (2019)
- The Last Days of Christmas (2019)
- Brett (2019)
- Bryson's Treasure (2019)
- The Marshal's Protection (2020)
- Toxic Truth (2020)
- Seduced By Denial (2020)
- Billionaire Bodyguard (2020)
- Gamble (2021)
- Saving Evie (2021)
- Montana Delta Rescue (2021)
- Mystic New Orleans Nights (2021)
- Jager's Prey (2021)
- Defending Casey (2021)
- Unleashing Kokou (2022)
- Montana SEAL Protector (2022)
- Steel / Steeling His Heart (2022)
- Chill in the Air (2022)
- Fighting for Kora (2023)
- Fighting for Fiona (2023)
- Lobo's Protection (2023)
- Ryder's Watch (2024)
- Walker's Mission (2024)
- Quinn's Battle (2024)
- Carter's Battle (2024)
- Bowie's Battle (2024)
- Flint's Battle (2024)
Standalone Novels and Short Stories
If you prefer self-contained stories, Debra Parmley has written several standalone novels spanning historical westerns, contemporary romance, and holiday novellas. They can be read in any order:
- Dangerous Ties (2008) – A contemporary romantic thriller.
- Aboard the Wishing Star (2012) – A lighthearted contemporary romance.
- Twilight Dips (2013) – A collection of poetic musings and short romance stories.
- Jenna's Christmas Wish (2015) – A heartwarming holiday romance.
- A Desperate Journey (2016) – The updated release of her debut western romance.
- Deadly Adversaries (2019) – A high-stakes romantic suspense novel.
- Another Change of Scenery (2024) – The revised start to the Hunger Road dystopian romance line.
What to Know Before You Start
Debra Parmley's romance writing is heavily influenced by her life on the open road. In 2020, she and her husband sold their home to live full-time in a motorhome, traveling across the United States. Many of the natural landscapes, local cultures, and small towns described in her contemporary and western books are inspired by these travels.
Additionally, her husband is an Air Force veteran, which inspires her realistic and respectful depiction of military veterans, PTSD, and recovery in series like the Bobbins Sisters Books and the Brotherhood Protectors World. For readers interested in her fantasy and fairytale stories, she writes under the pen name Debra Bishop.