Where to Start Reading Elizabeth Cole
Elizabeth Cole has built a diverse bibliography spanning multiple romance subgenres. If you are new to her work, your ideal starting point depends on your preferred setting:
- For Regency Spies & Intrigue: Start with A Heartless Design, the first full-length novel in the Secrets of the Zodiac series. Often described as "Jane Austen meets James Bond," this series is her most celebrated and features an overarching plot best read in sequence.
- For Medieval Romance: Begin with Honor & Roses, which launches the Swordcross Knights (also known as Swordsworn Knights) series, set in war-torn medieval Britannia during the Anarchy.
- For Witty, Character-Driven Regency: Dive into the Wallflowers of Wildwood series with Daisy and the Duke, perfect for fans of classic, lighthearted Regency tropes.
- For Paranormal Romance: Pick up the prequel novella One Touch of Silver before diving into the Brothers Salem series, which follows modern demon-slaying siblings.
Secrets of the Zodiac Reading Order
This series follows the elite agents of a secret intelligence ring protecting the British Crown during the Napoleonic Wars. While many of the books can function as standalones, the author recommends reading the first three in order due to an ongoing conspiracy storyline. Note that A Reckless Soul (2014) is Book 2 in the chronological and publication sequence, bridging the story between Book 1 and Book 3.
- Lady in Pearls (Novella, 2013)
- A Heartless Design (2013)
- A Reckless Soul (2014)
- A Shameless Angel (2014)
- The Lady Dauntless (2015)
- Beneath Sleepless Stars (2015)
- Lady in Sapphire (Novella, 2015)
- A Mad and Mindless Night (2017)
- A Most Relentless Gentleman (2018)
- Breathless in the Dark (2020)
Swordcross Knights Reading Order
Set during the historical period of civil war in medieval England known as "The Anarchy," this series details the lives and loves of a band of sworn brothers-in-arms. It is best read in publication order to appreciate the character relationships and political background.
- Honor & Roses (2016)
- Choose the Sky (2016)
- Raven's Rise (2017)
- Peregrine's Call (2019)
Wallflowers of Wildwood Reading Order
These lighthearted Regency romances feature witty, determined heroines finding love in unexpected places. They can easily be read as standalones, but reading in order reveals the delightful connections between the characters.
- Daisy and the Duke (2021)
- Rose and the Rogue (2021)
- Camellia and the Christmas Curse (2021)
- Heather and the Highlander (2021)
- Poppy and the Pirate (2022)
The Brothers Salem Reading Order
A departure from historical romance, this urban fantasy/paranormal romance series centers on the Salem brothers, a family of demon slayers battling supernatural threats. It is highly recommended to read the prequel novella first to understand the world-building.
- One Touch of Silver (Prequel Novella, 2017)
- Keep Me Close (2018)
- Reach For Me (2019)
- Wake Me Up (2019)
Other Works by Elizabeth Cole
Regency Rhapsody Series
A collection of sweet, traditional-style Regency novellas with a touch of mystery, starting with:
- A Winter's Knight (2012)
Standalone Novels and Anthologies
- Love on the Run (Standalone Novel, 2012)
- Taste Me, Tempt Me: Eight Tales of Sweet and Spicy Romance (Anthology, 2015)
What to Know Before You Start
Elizabeth Cole is known for blending meticulous historical research with witty dialogue. If you are embarking on the Secrets of the Zodiac series, keep in mind that the spy ring elements tie the early books together closely, so skipping books early on might make the overarching plot hard to follow. The later books in that series, as well as the Wallflowers of Wildwood stories, offer much more flexibility and can be read out of order or as standalones without losing significant context.