Elizabeth White Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Elizabeth White

For readers diving into the bibliography of Elizabeth White (who also writes as Beth White), your starting point depends heavily on your preferred subgenre. White is a master of two distinct styles of inspirational fiction: historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense.

If you love sprawling historical family sagas, start with the Gulf Coast Chronicles, beginning with The Pelican Bride. This series showcases her ability to blend rich historical research with faith-filled romantic arcs, tracing a single family line across different generations and centuries. If you prefer high-stakes contemporary thrillers with a romantic core, start with The Texas Gatekeepers series, beginning with Under Cover of Darkness.

Gulf Coast Chronicles: Historical Family Saga

This historical trilogy is widely considered White's signature work under her "Beth White" moniker. The series follows the Lanier family line along the American Gulf Coast (primarily Mobile, Alabama) across more than a century of history. Because characters are descendants of previous protagonists, it is highly recommended to read this series in both publication and chronological order:

1. The Pelican Bride (2014) – Set in 1704 French colonial Mobile, the story follows Geneviève Gaillain, one of the French women sent to colonize the area, and Tristan Lanier, a French-Canadian soldier.
2. The Creole Princess (2015) – Set in 1776 during the American Revolutionary War. It follows Tristan and Geneviève's granddaughter, Lyse Lanier, in British-held Mobile.
3. The Magnolia Duchess (2016) – Set during the War of 1812, focusing on Fiona Lanier as she navigates conflict and love on the Gulf Coast.

Thematic Companion: While not officially part of the trilogy, the standalone historical novel Redeeming Gabriel (2008), published under the name Elizabeth White, features a protagonist named Gabriel Laniere and is set in Civil War-era Mobile, Alabama. If you want to follow the Lanier lineage into the 1860s, Redeeming Gabriel serves as an excellent thematic epilogue or companion piece to the Gulf Coast Chronicles.

Daughtry House Series: Reconstruction Era Romance

Set in post-Civil War Tupelo, Mississippi, this historical romance trilogy follows three sisters struggling to rebuild their lives and save their family plantation, Ithaca Plantation, during the Reconstruction Era. The sisters decide to convert their ancestral home into a railroad hotel, bringing them into contact with travelers, investigators, and new loves. These books have a tight continuity and should be read in order:

1. A Rebel Heart (2018) – Focuses on eldest sister Selah Daughtry as she attempts to save the plantation, and Levi Riggins, a Union veteran and Pinkerton detective posing as a railroad agent.
2. A Reluctant Belle (2019) – Follows Joelle Daughtry, an independent woman who finds herself working alongside a handsome physician assistant to manage the newly opened hotel.
3. A Reckless Love (2020) – Concludes the trilogy with the story of youngest sister Aurora Daughtry, who gets caught up in a dangerous mystery involving gold and a mysterious newcomer.

The Texas Gatekeepers: Contemporary Border Suspense

Written under the name Elizabeth White for Steeple Hill's Love Inspired Suspense line, this contemporary series follows Border Patrol agents working along the Texas border. The series combines fast-paced investigation, crime drama, and spiritual elements:

1. Under Cover of Darkness (2005) – Jack Torres goes undercover to dismantle a human smuggling ring and falls for landscaper Meg St. John.
2. Sounds of Silence (2005) – A suspenseful tale featuring a deaf schoolteacher and a border patrol agent trying to protect her from danger.
3. On Wings of Deliverance (2006) – Focuses on agents facing life-or-death situations while discovering faith and love on the border.

The Kincade Family: Romantic Mystery

This contemporary series follows the lives and romantic mysteries surrounding the Southern Kincade family. Originally published under Steeple Hill, these books are best read in order to follow the family's personal relationships:

1. Off the Record (2007) – Introduces Judge Laurel Kincade as she faces danger and a past romance when she presides over a high-profile case.
2. Fair Game (2007) – Continues the family drama with a mix of suspense and romantic tension.
3. Tour de Force (2009) – Follows Gillian Kincade, a talented ballet star, who must protect herself and find faith in the middle of a mystery.

The Gonzales Series: Memphis Romance

A smaller contemporary romance series focusing on the Gonzales family in Memphis, Tennessee. These books explore second chances, family dynamics, and overcoming personal struggles:

1. Miracle on Beale Street (2012) – A heartwarming story set in Memphis that tackles faith and family reconciliation.
2. The Trouble With Tommy (2020) – Follows the family's story further, resolving long-standing misunderstandings.

Standalone Novels, Novellas, and Collections

For readers looking for a self-contained story without committing to a full series, Elizabeth White has written several standalone works across different eras:

• Fireworks (2006) – A contemporary inspirational romance filled with small-town Southern charm.
• Controlling Interest (2008) – A contemporary mystery featuring detective Matt Hogan and Natalie Tubberville as they search for a missing heiress.
• Crescent City Courtship (2009) – A historical romance set in the slums of New Orleans, following Abigail Neal, a woman who dreams of becoming a doctor, and medical student John Braddock.
• Reforming Seneca Jones (2014) – A historical novella set in Mississippi.
• Dream Vacation (2000) – A collaborative collection of novellas featuring stories by Ginny Aiken, Jeri Odell, and Elizabeth White.

What to Know Before You Start

Understanding Elizabeth White's publication history is key to navigating her catalog. Her early works, including contemporary romantic suspense titles like The Texas Gatekeepers and Controlling Interest, were published under her full name, Elizabeth White. When she transitioned to writing sweeping historical sagas for Revell (Baker Publishing Group), she began using the name Beth White.

Regardless of the name on the cover, her books share core traits: vibrant Southern settings (particularly Alabama and Mississippi), deeply researched historical contexts, lighthearted humor, and characters whose personal growth is grounded in their Christian faith.