Where to Start with Elizabeth Jennings and Lisa Marie Rice
For readers diving into the adrenaline-fueled world of Elizabeth Jennings (best known to romantic suspense fans as Lisa Marie Rice), the best starting point is her signature Midnight Series. Specifically, you should begin with Midnight Man (2004). This novel introduces the author's trademark style: hyper-capable military/intelligence heroes (often Navy SEALs), highly intelligent and artistic heroines, intense physical chemistry, and fast-paced espionage plots.
If you prefer a shorter commitment before diving into her sprawling Midnight universe, the following trilogy-starters are excellent standalone entry points:
- Dangerous Lover (2007) – Kicks off the high-intensity Dangerous series.
- Into the Crossfire (2010) – The opening book of the action-packed Protectors series.
- Heart of Danger (2012) – Begins the sci-fi-tinged military suspense of the Ghost Ops trilogy.
The Midnight Universe: A Multi-Generational Reading Order
The author's most famous and expansive setting is the Midnight Universe. This world is split into multiple subseries that follow elite operatives, their security agencies, and the women they protect. While books can technically be read as standalones, they frequently feature crossover characters, making it highly rewarding to read them in the order of their release.
1. The Original Midnight Series
This series focuses on the founding members of the core team, setting the standard for the romantic suspense that followed.
- Midnight Man (2004) – Features John Huntington and Suzanne Barron.
- Midnight Run (2004) – Features Travis "Jax" Jacks and Chelsea Hamilton.
- Midnight Angel (2005) – Features Douglas Kowalski and Lorelei Patton.
- Midnight Shadows (2014) – Focuses on Catherine "Cat" Kowalski.
2. Men of Midnight Series
The saga expands as the characters establish Alliance Security International (ASI), a private security firm employing former special forces operatives.
- Midnight Vengeance (2014) – Introduces Morton "Jacko" Jack.
- Midnight Promises (2015) – Follows C-SOG operative Ian Henderson.
- Midnight Secrets (2015) – Follows former SEAL Sean "Sully" Sullivan.
- Midnight Fire (2015) – Follows former SEAL Nick Coleman.
- Midnight Quest (2016) – Follows ASI operative Marcus Henderson.
- Midnight Fever (2017) – Follows Jack "the Bear" Barrett.
- Midnight Renegade (2019) – Follows Ryan Cooper.
- Midnight Kiss (2020) – A holiday-themed story bridging into the next generation.
3. Women of Midnight Series
Focusing on the next generation and key female characters in the Midnight universe, this subseries continues the timeline into the 2020s.
- Midnight Kiss (2020)
- Midnight Embrace (2022)
- Midnight Caress (2023)
4. Black Inc. Series
A direct spin-off from the *Women of Midnight* series, this series follows the operatives of Black Inc., starting with a character fans met in earlier books.
- Jacob (2024) – Jacob Black, previously introduced in *Women of Midnight*, reunites with his childhood love, CDC scientist Alexandra Hethering.
The Dangerous and Protectors Series
Aside from the Midnight books, the author wrote two highly popular, interconnected series featuring dangerous missions and protective alpha heroes.
Dangerous Books
- Dangerous Lover (2007)
- Dangerous Secrets (2008)
- Dangerous Passion (2009)
- Reckless Night (2011)
- Hot Secrets (2012)
Protectors Books
- Into the Crossfire (2010)
- Hotter Than Wildfire (2011)
- Nightfire (2012)
Ghost Ops and Her Billionaire Series
For readers who enjoy a touch of high-tech operations or classic billionaire tropes blended with thriller elements, these trilogies are self-contained and easy to read.
Ghost Ops Series
This trilogy steps slightly into near-future military technology and features former elite soldiers operating off the grid.
- Heart of Danger (2012)
- I Dream of Danger (2013)
- Breaking Danger (2014)
Her Billionaire Series
A trilogy of high-society romances mixed with suspenseful secrets.
- Charade (2018)
- Masquerade (2018)
- Escapade (2018)
Standalone Novels & The Secrets Anthologies
Elizabeth Jennings has written several standalone contemporary romances and suspense novels, some under her own name and others as Lisa Marie Rice. A notable highlight is Dying for Siena (2005), which draws heavily from the author's real-life experience living in Italy and working as an interpreter. This book was later revised and published with higher-heat content under her Lisa Marie Rice pseudonym as Murphy's Law (2005).
Additionally, Jennings was a contributor to the long-running multi-author anthology series Secrets Volumes, specifically contributing a novella to Secrets: Volume 9 in 2003.
Key Standalone Novels
- Bernadette's Bluff (1998) (Later revised and expanded as Homecoming in 2006)
- Heart to Heart (2000)
- Joy Forever (2000)
- Taming Nick (2000)
- A Fine Specimen (2000) (As Lisa Marie Rice)
- Port of Paradise (2003) (As Lisa Marie Rice)
- Woman On The Run (2004) (As Lisa Marie Rice)
- Pursuit (2008)
- Shadows at Midnight (2010)
- Darkness at Dawn (2011)
- Don't Think Twice (2020) (As Lisa Marie Rice)
- Runaway (2022) (As Lisa Marie Rice)
- Protector (2022) (As Lisa Marie Rice)
- Taken (As: Lisa Marie Rice) (2022)
What to Know Before You Start
Elizabeth Jennings / Lisa Marie Rice novels are known for their high heat level, alpha-male protectors (often SEALs or elite security contractors), and fast, high-stakes thriller plots. If you are looking for cozy romance, these are not them—expect gunfights, international conspiracies, and high emotional intensity. The settings often reflect her love of travel, ranging from the rugged mountains of Idaho to the historic cities of Italy.