Where Should You Start Reading Eileen Dreyer?
Eileen Dreyer is a master of two very different literary worlds: gritty, authentic medical suspense and swoon-worthy Regency romance. Because her books span different genres and are published under both her real name and her famous pseudonym, Kathleen Korbel, choosing a starting point depends entirely on what flavor of story you are in the mood for.
If you love historical romance with high-stakes espionage and witty banter, your best starting point is Barely a Lady (2010), the opening novel of the acclaimed Drake's Rakes series. For fans of intense, realistic forensic thrillers, you should start with Bad Medicine (1995), which introduces trauma nurse Molly Burke and draws heavily on Dreyer's real-life sixteen-year career as a trauma nurse and death investigator.
If you prefer paranormal romance, start with Daughter of Lore (2022) (originally published in 2006 under her Kathleen Korbel pen name as Dangerous Temptation), the first book in the Daughters of Myth trilogy.
The Regency Universe: Drake's Rakes & Drake's Damsels
Eileen Dreyer's most popular historical romance series is the Drake's Rakes saga. The books follow a group of aristocratic British gentlemen who act as secret agents during the Napoleonic Wars. This series is heavily interconnected, with recurring subplots involving espionage, political schemes, and romance, making publication order the absolute best way to experience them.
Drake's Rakes Series Publication Order
We recommend reading the core Drake's Rakes novels in their original publication order:
- Barely a Lady (2010) – Introduces the covert group of agents and the romance between Olivia and Drake.
- Never a Gentleman (2011) – Follows the dangerous games of Dice and Grace.
- Always a Temptress (2011) – Focuses on the reunion of Sir Harry McLean and his long-lost love.
- Once a Rake (2013) – Concludes the original core lineup with Ian's redemption.
The Spin-Off: Drake's Damsels (The Return of Drake's Rakes)
After finishing the original Rakes, you can slide directly into the spin-off series, officially titled Drake's Damsels ~ The Return of Drake's Rakes. This series carries on the Regency drama, focusing on a new generation of characters linked to the original agents. It also connects to characters from Dreyer's Last Chance Academy.
While Miss Felicity's Dilemma was written and published earlier than some of the newer entries, it is chronologically and structurally treated as the final piece of the Damsels puzzle. The recommended reading order for this continuation is:
- It Begins with a Kiss (2012) – A bridge novella that sets up the next generation of characters.
- Twice Tempted (2014) – Book 1 of the Damsels, featuring the romance of Georgiana and the Earl of Sterling.
- Ill Met by Moonlight (2023) – Book 2 of the Damsels.
- Dueling With the Duke (2023) – Book 3 of the Damsels.
- Three Times a Lady (2023) – Book 4 of the Damsels.
- Miss Felicity's Dilemma (2019) – Book 5 of the Damsels (originally published in 2019, re-released in 2023).
The Medical Suspense Universe: Molly Burke Series
Before Dreyer captured historical romance bestseller lists, she made her name writing dark, twisty medical thrillers. Drawing on her extensive real-world experience in trauma medicine, these books have a grit and authentic detail that sets them apart from typical thrillers.
Her primary medical suspense series revolves around trauma nurse and death investigator Molly Burke. This series must be read in order:
- Bad Medicine (1995) – Molly Burke uncovers a dark, lethal conspiracy within her own hospital.
- Head Games (2004) – Molly returns to solve a psychological puzzle that threatens her career and her life.
If you finish the Molly Burke books and want more medical thrills, pick up her standalone thriller Brain Dead (1997), which features nurse Timmie Leary-Parker uncovering sinister hospital experiments, or With a Vengeance (2003).
The Paranormal Romance Universe: Daughters of Myth
Writing under her pen name Kathleen Korbel, Dreyer penned a fan-favorite paranormal romance trilogy focusing on ancient magic and modern-day passion. In 2022, these books were re-released under Dreyer's real name with brand new titles, making them much easier to find for modern readers.
Whether you find the older Silhouette paperbacks or the modern e-book reissues, the reading order remains the same:
- Daughter of Lore (originally published as Dangerous Temptation in 2006)
- Daughter of Light (originally published as Dark Seduction in 2008)
- Daughter of Destiny (originally published as Deadly Redemption in 2008)
Classic Romance Series as Kathleen Korbel
As Kathleen Korbel, Dreyer was a staple of the Silhouette line in the late 1980s and 1990s. Many of these books won RITA Awards or were featured in publisher-wide collections. Because they were published as category romances, they are generally standalone in terms of plot, but they are grouped into loose family and thematic series:
The Kendall Clan
This series centers around the lives and loves of the Kendall family. The first book was a massive hit in the 90s, and Dreyer surprised fans by adding two follow-ups in 2021:
- Simple Gifts (1994)
- Jake's Way (2021)
- Some Men's Dreams (2021)
The Campbells
A short, heartwarming contemporary series about the Campbell cousins:
- Don't Fence Me In (1996)
- Sail Away (1999)
The Moritania Series
A charming, lighthearted duology featuring fictional royalty and classic fairy tale tropes:
- A Prince of a Guy (1987)
- The Princess and The Pea (1988)
What to Know Before You Start
When searching for Dreyer's older contemporary romance catalog, keep in mind that many books were originally published as part of massive, multi-author marketing programs run by Silhouette (such as the Man of the Month, Men at Work, or American Heroes lines). You do not need to read the other books in those publisher lines to understand Dreyer's contributions; her novels stand completely on their own.
For a fun collaborative treat, look for The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes (2007). This contemporary fantasy novel was co-authored by Eileen Dreyer, Jennifer Crusie, and Anne Stuart, with each author writing the perspective of one of three magical sisters on the run.