Donna Alward Books in Order

Where to Start with Donna Alward

If you are new to Donna Alward's heartwarming small-town romances and emotional dramas, finding the right entry point in her vast bibliography of over 70 books can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, her series are organized by distinct settings and themes, allowing you to choose a starting point based on your preferred romance subgenre.

The absolute best starting point for contemporary romance readers is the Jewell Cove series. Set in a fictional coastal town in Maine, it perfectly showcases Alward’s strengths: second chances, close-knit communities, and deep emotional healing. You should begin with the first novel, The House on Blackberry Hill (2014).

For readers who prefer rugged heroics, the First Responders series is another excellent launchpad. Beginning with Off the Clock (2011), this series focuses on firefighters, paramedics, and police officers finding love under pressure. If you are a fan of classic ranch romances, starting with the Cadence Creek Cowboys series, beginning with The Last Real Cowboy (2012), will drop you straight into cozy Canadian heartland romance.

The Jewell Cove Reading Order

The Jewell Cove series is a beloved fan-favorite that blends family secrets with coastal charm. While each book can be read as a standalone romance, they share characters and progress chronologically, making it highly recommended to read them in order:

• 1. The House on Blackberry Hill (2014) – Follows Abby Foster as she restores a historic family mansion and finds love with contractor Sean McNally.
• 1.5. Christmas at Seashell Cottage (2014) – A cozy holiday novella featuring an ex-SEAL and an abandoned baby.
• 2. Treasure on Lilac Lane (2014) – Focuses on a historical mystery and a second-chance romance.
• 3. Summer on Lovers' Island (2015) – Explores a reunion between two former high school sweethearts.
• 4. Christmas at Evergreen Inn (2015) – A holiday-themed story centered around the local inn.
• 5. A Jewell Cove Christmas (2021) – A return to the beloved town for a festive family reunion.
• 6. Promise at Refuge Point (2024) – The latest return to Jewell Cove, focusing on healing and fresh starts.

The Cozy Charm of Darling, VT

Alward's Darling, VT series takes readers to a cozy Vermont town filled with gossip, support, and holiday magic. To get the full experience of the town’s timeline, you should start with the prequel novella before moving on to the main novels:

1. Get Me to the Church on Time (2017) – Prequel Novella
2. Somebody Like You (2017) – Book 1
3. Someone to Love (2017) (also published as Cowboy's Love) – Book 2
4. Somebody's Baby (2017) – Book 3
5. Deck the Halls (2017) – Book 4
6. Merry Christmas, Darling (2019) – Book 5
7. Doggy on her Doorstep (2022) – Book 6

Ranch Romances: Cadence Creek Cowboys

For readers who love sweeping skies and rugged ranch life, the Cadence Creek Cowboys series is Alward's signature western collection. Although some books overlap with the broader Cowboy Collection, the dedicated Cadence Creek timeline is best read as follows:

• The Last Real Cowboy (2012)
• The Rebel Rancher (2012)
• The Cowboy's Code (2012)
• Cowboy's Promise (2012)
• Little Cowgirl on His Doorstep (2013)
• A Cowboy to Come Home To (2013)
• The Cowboy's Doorstep Baby (2013)
• Coming Home to the Cowboy (2013)
• A Cadence Creek Christmas (2013)
• Her Rancher Rescuer (2014)

Other Key Contemporary Romance Series

First Responders Series

A fast-paced romance series focusing on everyday heroes. The order is:

1. Off the Clock (2011)
2. In the Line of Duty (2012)
3. Into the Fire (2012)
4. Beneath The Badge (2013)

Heirs to an Empire Series

A glamorous high-stakes contemporary series about powerful families and forbidden attraction:

• Scandal and the Runaway Bride (2020)
• The Heiress's Pregnancy Surprise (2021)
• Wedding Reunion with the Best Man (2021)
• Mistletoe Kiss with the Millionaire (2021)
• A Proposal in Provence (2022)
• The Heir's Cinderella Bride (2022)

Crooked Valley Ranch Books

A four-part seasonal series set in a tight-knit farming community:

1. The Cowboy's Christmas Gift (2014)
2. The Cowboy's Valentine (2015)
3. The Cowboy's Homecoming (2015)
4. The Cowboy's Christmas Family (2015)

South Shore Billionaires

A trilogy focusing on three wealthy brothers finding love on Nova Scotia's South Shore:

1. Christmas Baby for the Billionaire (2019)
2. Beauty and the Brooding Billionaire (2020)
3. The Billionaire's Island Bride (2020)

Texas Rodeo Barons

A fast-paced multi-author series contribution that focuses on high-stakes rodeo life and family secrets:

• Rodeo Rebel (2014)
• The Texan's Little Secret (2014)
• The Texan's Cowgirl Bride (2014)
• The Texan's Baby (2014)
• The Texan's Surprise Son (2014)
• The Texan's Christmas (2014)
• The Texan's Twins (2014)

St. Helena Vineyard Universe

Set in a beautiful California wine country background, these novels are best read in order:

1. Last Chance Lullaby (2016)
2. Love So Sweet (2016)
3. St. Helena Getaway (2017)

Chronological vs. Publication Order: Western Weddings

One area that often confuses readers is the Western Weddings series. This series was originally released in a specific publication order, but due to narrative timelines and character backstories, some readers prefer a chronological reading order. Here is how they compare:

Western Weddings: Publication Order

Reading in publication order lets you experience the stories as Alward originally released them to the public:

1. Wyoming Wedding (1996)
2. Bride On The Ranch (1997)
3. Rancher and Protector (2004)
4. The Rancher's Inherited Family (2007)
5. Inherited (2007)
6. The Bridal Contract (2007)
7. Coming Home to the Cattleman (2008)
8. The Rancher's Doorstep Baby (2008)
9. The Rancher's Runaway Princess (2008)
10. Texas Ranger Takes a Bride (2008)
11. The Cowboy and the Princess (2009)
12. Wedding Bells at Wandering Creek (2012)

Western Weddings: Chronological Order

If you want to follow the absolute narrative timeline, use this chronological path:

1. Rancher and Protector (2004)
2. The Bridal Contract (2007)
3. The Rancher's Doorstep Baby (2008)
4. Coming Home to the Cattleman (2008)
5. Inherited (2007)
6. The Rancher's Inherited Family (2007)
7. The Rancher's Runaway Princess (2008)
8. The Cowboy and the Princess (2009)
9. Wyoming Wedding (1996)
10. Bride On The Ranch (1997)
11. Wedding Bells at Wandering Creek (2012)
12. Texas Ranger Takes a Bride (2008)

Transition to Historical Fiction

For readers who appreciate historical depth, Alward transitioned to writing historical fiction under her full name, Donna Jones Alward. These are standalone novels that focus on major historical events and resilient women:

• When the World Fell Silent (2024) – A gripping historical novel exploring the devastating Halifax Explosion of 1917 through the eyes of three women.
• Ship of Dreams (2025) – A sweeping story about two women whose lives intersect aboard the ill-fated Titanic.

If you love historical fiction, these can be read in any order as they are completely standalone narratives with no shared characters.