Where to Start Reading Eileen Nauman / Lindsay McKenna
Eileen Nauman is a true pioneer of the military romance genre, writing the vast majority of her fiction under the incredibly popular pseudonym Lindsay McKenna (and occasionally Rebecca Flanders or Beth Brookes). If you are looking to dive into her library, you will quickly discover a massive, sprawling universe of high-stakes action, military veterans, and intense romance. Navigating her bibliography of over 100 novels can be daunting, but readers generally choose one of two distinct starting paths:
- The Classic Military Romance Route (The Morgan's Mercenaries Universe): If you want to experience the saga that defined the military romance genre, start at the very beginning of the Morgan's Mercenaries universe. You should begin with the Love and Glory series, starting with A Question of Honour (1989). This introduces the Trayhern family and lays the narrative foundation for decades of stories.
- The Modern Western Romance Route (Wind River Valley or Wyoming Books): If you prefer contemporary stories centered on healing, horses, and ranch life, start with the Wind River Valley series, beginning with Wind River Wrangler (2016). This series focuses on military veterans finding peace and new beginnings on Wyoming ranches, and functions beautifully as a standalone jumping-off point.
The Sprawling Morgan's Mercenaries Universe
The core of Lindsay McKenna's fiction career is the massive, multi-generational Morgan's Mercenaries saga. Rather than a single linear list, this universe is broken down into thematic sub-series that follow different branches of the Perseus security firm and various families. The best reading path is to follow these sub-series in their chronological publication order:
1. Love and Glory (The Foundation)
Though not carrying the official "Mercenaries" tag initially, this series establishes the Trayhern family dynamics and military operations that shape the entire franchise.
- A Question of Honour (1989)
- No Surrender (1989)
- Return of a Hero (1989)
- Dawn of Valour (1991)
2. The Original Morgan's Mercenaries Trilogy
Here, the saga officially begins, focusing on Perseus—the elite private military organization founded by Morgan Trayhern.
- Heart of the Wolf (1993)
- The Rogue (1993)
- Commando (1993)
3. Morgan's Mercenaries: Love and Danger
This sub-series explores the next generation of operatives, mixing intense hostage situations with deep romantic connections.
- Morgan's Wife (1995)
- Morgan's Son (1995)
- Morgan's Rescue (1995)
- Morgan's Marriage (1996)
- Morgan's Legacy (2004)
- Morgan's Honor (2004)
4. Subsequent Mercenary Sub-Series
McKenna continued to expand this universe through several other specialized blocks. For the best continuity, read these blocks in order:
- The Hunters: Centered on high-profile protection operations. Begins with Heart of the Hunter (1998).
- Maverick Hearts: Follows rugged operatives in wild terrains. Begins with Man of Passion (2000).
- Ultimate Rescue: Focuses on life-and-death search and rescue operations. Begins with The Heart Beneath (2002).
- Destiny's Women / Women of Destiny: Showcases strong, resilient female military officers and pilots, starting with Woman of Innocence (2002) and Destiny's Woman (2002).
[!NOTE]A Series Connection Caveat: While databases often group First Born (2004) and Enemy Mine (2005) under the Destiny's Women series, First Born actually serves as the kick-off to the Sisters of the Ark trilogy (followed by Daughter of Destiny and Sister of Fortune). They are all set within the same overall universe, but represent distinct storyline arcs.
Modern Western & Contemporary Suspense Series
If you prefer to step away from the mercenary network, McKenna has written several modern romantic suspense series set in the rugged landscapes of the American West. These series have a more grounded, community-focused feel:
The Delos Series
This 21-book series is one of McKenna's most ambitious contemporary projects, focusing on the Culver family and the Delos organization, a philanthropic group that coordinates protection for vulnerable individuals. The series transitions from traditional romance formats to highly specialized novellas and character-focused side stories. You should start with the prequel novella Last Chance (2015) followed immediately by the first full-length novel, Nowhere to Hide (2015).
Wyoming Books & Wind River Valley
Set in the breathtaking open ranges of Wyoming, these books focus on military veterans reintegrating into civilian life. While Wyoming Books (beginning with Shadows from the Past in 2009) offers classic romantic suspense, the Wind River Valley series (beginning with Wind River Wrangler in 2016) focuses on healing, PTSD recovery, and rural community life.
Shadow Warriors & Shadow Team
For readers who love high-stakes military operations, the Shadow Warriors (starting with Valkyrie / Danger Close in 2000) and the newer Shadow Team series (starting with Hot Pursuit in 2021) deliver modern, action-packed military romance centering on Navy SEALs, helicopter pilots, and black-ops teams.
The Multi-Author Time Raiders Project
One common area of confusion for readers is the Time Raiders series (2009-2011). While database catalogs sometimes list the entire series under Eileen Nauman or Lindsay McKenna, this is actually a shared, multi-author paranormal romance project. McKenna only wrote the first book in the series, The Seeker (2009). The subsequent books were written by authors such as Cindy Dees, P.C. Cast, and Merline Lovelace. You only need to read The Seeker if you are strictly following McKenna's bibliography, though you may want to read the others to finish the overarching storyline.
Eileen Nauman's Non-Fiction
In addition to her romance empires as Lindsay McKenna and Rebecca Flanders, Eileen Nauman publishes extensively under her own name. These works are non-fiction and focus on her decades of expertise in alternative medicine, homeopathy, and astrology. Her major titles include Medical Astrology (originally published in 1982), American Book of Nutrition and Medical Astrology, and practical manuals like Homeopathy 911 and Homeopathy for Epidemics. These do not connect to her romance universes but represent her work as a practitioner and educator.