Lorraine Heath Books in Order: Her Texas Romances, Victorian Love Stories, and Complete Series Guide

Lorraine Heath is a bestselling romance author known for emotional historical love stories, complicated family histories, unconventional heroes, and heroines who refuse to fit neatly into society’s expectations. Her novels move between the American frontier and Victorian England, with recurring families and connected characters giving many of her books a shared world.

Because Heath has written several series over multiple decades, there is no single reading order that every reader needs to follow. The easiest approach is to read each series in publication order and use the standalone list for books that do not require a particular sequence. This guide covers her principal series, shorter works, and notable standalone fiction published under her own name.

Texas Trilogy Books in Order

The Texas Trilogy, also associated with the Leigh brothers, is one of Heath’s best-known Western historical romance series. The stories follow three brothers whose experiences of war, family responsibility, and love shape their lives in post-Civil War Texas.

1. Texas Destiny (1997)

A former Confederate soldier travels to collect his brother’s mail-order bride and escort her across Texas. The journey brings two people with very different expectations into close contact, setting up a romance shaped by sacrifice, loneliness, and unexpected attraction.

2. Texas Glory (1998)

The second novel continues the family-centered Western romance tradition, following another relationship shaped by duty, personal history, and the challenges of building a future in Texas. It expands the world established in the first book while giving a different couple the spotlight.

3. Texas Splendor (1999)

The final main novel completes the original trilogy with another Leigh family love story. It brings the brothers’ interconnected romantic journeys together through themes of loyalty, healing, and the possibility of happiness after hardship.

4. Texas Legacy (2019, novella)

This later novella returns to the Texas setting and extends the family story. It is often listed as book 3.5, so read it after Texas Splendor rather than treating it as a replacement for one of the original novels.

Rogues in Texas Books in Order

Also called English Rogues in Texas by some book catalogs, this series combines Western settings with heroes whose English backgrounds make them outsiders in the American frontier.

1. A Rogue in Texas (1999)
2. Never Love a Cowboy (2000)
3. Never Marry a Cowboy (2001)

The three novels share a Texas-centered romantic world, but each focuses on a different couple. Reading them in publication order lets you follow the connections between the characters without needing to treat the series as one continuous story.

Daughters of Fortune Books in Order

The Daughters of Fortune series follows women whose romantic lives are shaped by family expectations, social position, and the choices available to them in historical society.

1. The Outlaw and the Lady (2001)
2. To Marry an Heiress (2002)
3. Love with a Scandalous Lord (2003)
4. An Invitation to Seduction (2004)

The series moves between social respectability and romantic risk. Its heroines face different challenges involving wealth, reputation, and love, making publication order a sensible way to explore the connected books.

The Lost Lords Books in Order

The Lost Lords series is a separate historical romance sequence from Lost Lords of Pembrook. These earlier books focus on aristocratic heroes and the personal complications that arise when love challenges their expectations.

1. As an Earl Desires (2005)
2. A Matter of Temptation (2005)
3. Promise Me Forever (2006)

Read the three novels in this order to follow the series as it was published. Although the books share a historical romance sensibility, each centers on its own couple and romantic conflict.

Rogues and Roses Books in Order

This two-book series explores romance within the world of British aristocracy, where reputation, status, and personal independence can complicate a relationship.

1. A Duke of Her Own (2006)
2. Just Wicked Enough (2007)

These novels can be read fairly independently, but publication order is the natural starting point for readers who want to follow the series from its beginning.

Scoundrels of St. James Books in Order

Scoundrels of St. James is one of Heath’s most popular Victorian historical romance series. Its stories explore men with difficult pasts, unconventional backgrounds, and reputations that make respectable society wary of them.

1. In Bed with the Devil (2008)

This opening novel introduces the world of St. James and a hero whose dangerous reputation hides a more complicated personal history. The romance sets the tone for the series, balancing emotional vulnerability with the darker edges of Victorian society.

2. Between the Devil and Desire (2009)

The second novel follows another complicated relationship in the same interconnected world. Its central romance explores the tension between public reputation, private desires, and the possibility of trusting someone who seems unsuitable on paper.

3. Surrender to the Devil (2009)

A further St. James romance develops the series’ themes of redemption, loyalty, and emotional risk. The characters must confront the consequences of their pasts before they can decide what they want from the future.

4. Midnight Pleasures with a Scoundrel (2009)

This installment continues the romantic stories surrounding the St. James circle. It brings another couple together through secrets, attraction, and the challenges of reconciling desire with social expectations.

5. Last Wicked Scoundrel (2014, novella)

This later novella returns to the series and offers an additional romantic story connected to its world. Although it was published several years after the original four books, it is usually placed last in the recommended reading order.

London’s Greatest Lovers Books in Order

This series features historical romances set among London’s aristocratic circles, with relationships complicated by social expectations and the characters’ own desires.

1. Passions of a Wicked Earl (2010)
2. Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman (2010)
3. Waking Up with the Duke (2011)

Each novel centers on a different romance, with the shared setting providing continuity. Read them in publication order if you want to experience the series as Heath released it.

Lost Lords of Pembrook Books in Order

Lost Lords of Pembrook follows three brothers separated by a traumatic event in their childhood. As adults, they must confront their past and reclaim their place in the world while discovering love.

1. She Tempts the Duke (2012)

The first novel introduces the brothers’ story and the emotional history behind their separation. The romance combines the search for belonging with the challenge of learning to trust someone new.

2. Lord of Temptation (2012)

The second book follows another brother as he faces his own romantic and personal challenges. It expands the family storyline while keeping the focus on a distinct couple.

3. Deck the Halls with Love (2012, novella)

This shorter Christmas story revisits the series’ romantic world. It is commonly placed between the second and third novels as a bonus installment.

4. Lord of Wicked Intentions (2013)

The final main novel completes the brothers’ central romantic sequence. It brings the family story toward its conclusion while giving the last brother his own path to love.

Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James Books in Order

Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James continues to explore the interconnected world of Victorian romance. The series features aristocratic men and women whose relationships challenge conventional expectations about status, love, and respectability.

1. When the Duke Was Wicked (2014)
2. Once More, My Darling Rogue (2014)
3. The Duke and the Lady in Red (2015)
4. An Affair with a Notorious Heiress (2017)
5. Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses (2017, novella)
6. A Tempest of Desire (2024)

The books are best read in publication order. Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses is a shorter story rather than a full-length novel, but it belongs in the sequence for readers who want the complete series.

The series is also connected to Heath’s wider St. James fiction, so readers who enjoy recurring characters may want to explore Scoundrels of St. James as well.

Hellions of Havisham Books in Order

Hellions of Havisham follows a family whose unconventional upbringing and complicated relationships set its members apart from polite society. The novels combine traditional historical romance with family secrets and spirited characters.

1. Falling into Bed with a Duke (2015)

The opening novel introduces the Havisham family and establishes the series’ lively romantic tone. Its central couple must work through the difference between their expectations and what they actually want from one another.

2. The Earl Takes All (2016)

The second novel centers on a relationship complicated by family circumstances and an unusual personal predicament. It continues the series’ interest in emotional transformation and the ways love can challenge a carefully maintained public identity.

3. The Viscount and the Vixen (2016)

This installment follows another romance in the Havisham circle. The characters’ contrasting personalities and expectations create the tension that gradually develops into a deeper relationship.

4. When the Marquess Falls (2017, novella)

This shorter story returns to the Havisham world for another romantic installment. Read it after the three full-length novels for the recommended publication sequence.

Sins for All Seasons Books in Order

Sins for All Seasons follows a group of siblings raised in difficult circumstances who grow into adults with very different personalities and romantic challenges. Family bonds and the desire to overcome the past connect the six books.

1. Beyond Scandal and Desire (2018)
2. When a Duke Loves a Woman (2018)
3. The Scoundrel in Her Bed (2019)
4. The Duchess in His Bed (2019)
5. The Earl Takes a Fancy (2020)
6. Beauty Tempts the Beast (2020)

The series follows the siblings’ stories in sequence, making publication order the clearest choice. The Earl Takes a Fancy is often treated as a shorter installment, while Beauty Tempts the Beast completes the principal six-book sequence.

Once Upon a Dukedom Books in Order

Once Upon a Dukedom is a historical romance trilogy built around aristocratic families, romantic misunderstandings, and the challenge of finding love when social duties pull in another direction.

1. Scoundrel of My Heart (2021)
2. The Duchess Hunt (2021)
3. Return of the Duke (2022)

Read these three novels in order for the most natural progression through the series. The books feature separate central romances but share a connected social world.

The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction Books in Order

The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction is another connected historical romance series, built around heroes whose reputations and personal histories complicate their search for love.

1. The Counterfeit Scoundrel (2023)

The first book introduces the series and its romantic world, using deception and questions of identity to create tension between the central characters.

2. The Notorious Lord Knightly (2023)

The second novel follows another hero whose reputation creates obstacles to a lasting relationship. It continues the series’ blend of attraction, social expectations, and personal transformation.

3. In Want of a Viscount (2024)

The third book completes the currently published trilogy. Its central romance offers another story of desire and the complications of finding a suitable match in aristocratic society.

Hard Lovin’ Books in Order

Hard Lovin’ is a contemporary romance series rather than one of Heath’s traditional Victorian or Western historical sequences.

1. Hard Lovin’ Man (2003)
2. Smooth Talkin’ Stranger (2004)

The books explore romance in a contemporary Texas setting. Readers who prefer modern relationships and small-town dynamics can start here without first reading Heath’s historical series.

Rawley Cooper Books in Order

Rawley Cooper currently has one listed installment connected to the Texas romance world.

1. Texas Legacy (2019, novella)

Because Texas Legacy is also associated with the Texas Trilogy, it is best read after Texas Destiny, Texas Glory, and Texas Splendor if you want to preserve the family chronology.

Sons and Daughters: A Multi-Author Series

Sons and Daughters is a multi-author romance series, not a series written entirely by Lorraine Heath. Heath contributed the first book, while other installments were written by different authors.

1. The Ladies’ Man by Lorraine Heath (1995)
2. The Wallflower by Linda Francis Lee (1995)
3. The Matchmaker by Debra S. Cowan (1995)
4. The Flirt by Rachelle Nelson (1995)
5. The Tomboy by Mary Lou Rich (1996)
6. The Perfect Gentleman by Elaine Crawford (1996)

If you’re building a Lorraine Heath-only reading list, include The Ladies’ Man and list the other books separately as related multi-author works.

Lorraine Heath Standalone Books in Order

These books can be read independently of the major series. They are useful for readers who want to explore Heath’s range without committing to a multi-book storyline.

1. Sweet Lullaby (1994)

One of Heath’s earliest novels, this historical romance follows a woman whose marriage of convenience becomes more complicated than expected. It explores family responsibility, personal sacrifice, and the possibility of love under difficult circumstances.

2. Parting Gifts (1994)

This early historical romance explores the emotional consequences of family obligations and unexpected relationships. It is a standalone story and does not require any knowledge of Heath’s later series.

3. Always to Remember (1996)

Set in the aftermath of the American Civil War, this emotionally charged romance deals with grief, loyalty, and the lingering consequences of conflict. It is a strong choice for readers who enjoy historical romance with a serious emotional foundation.

4. Samantha and the Cowboy (2002)

This Western romance returns to the American frontier setting that appears throughout Heath’s Texas fiction. The story can be read independently of the Texas Trilogy.

5. Amelia and the Outlaw (2003)

Another Western historical romance, this novel pairs a heroine with an unconventional hero. It offers a separate love story for readers who enjoy Heath’s frontier settings.

6. Reflections from the Water (2019, short story)

This shorter work provides an additional glimpse of Heath’s storytelling outside her major novel sequences. It can be read independently.

7. Girls of Flight City (2022)

This historical novel moves beyond conventional romance into the world of women and aviation during World War II. Inspired by the history of women pilots and the communities around them, it is a good choice for readers interested in Heath’s historical fiction beyond her Regency and Victorian romances.

Short Stories, Novellas, and Anthologies

Some of Heath’s shorter works appear within series, while others were published as part of multi-author collections. They can be easy to miss when browsing only the main novels.

• The Gunslinger (1999): A shorter Western story associated with the anthology To Tame a Texan.
• The Reluctant Hero (2006): A short story published in My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.
• Deck the Halls with Love (2012): A Christmas novella connected to Lost Lords of Pembrook.
• The Last Wicked Scoundrel (2014): A novella associated with Scoundrels of St. James.
• When the Marquess Falls (2017): A novella in Hellions of Havisham.
• Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses (2017): A shorter story in Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James.
• The Earl Takes a Fancy (2020): A shorter installment in Sins for All Seasons.

Heath also contributed to multi-author collections such as To Tame a Texan, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys, The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance, and A Christmas to Remember. These are anthologies rather than standalone Lorraine Heath novels, so check the individual contents if you are trying to collect every story she wrote.

Which Lorraine Heath Series Should You Read First?

If you’re new to Lorraine Heath, the best starting point depends on the type of romance you enjoy.

• For Western historical romance: Start with Texas Destiny and continue through the Texas Trilogy.
• For Victorian London and morally complicated heroes: Begin with In Bed with the Devil, the first Scoundrels of St. James novel.
• For connected family stories: Try Lost Lords of Pembrook or Sins for All Seasons.
• For aristocratic romance: Start with When the Duke Was Wicked or The Counterfeit Scoundrel.
• For contemporary romance: Read Hard Lovin’ Man.
• For historical fiction beyond romance: Try Girls of Flight City.

You do not need to read every Lorraine Heath series in one master sequence. Most are designed to be enjoyed on their own, although reading within each series in publication order helps preserve the connections between characters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first Lorraine Heath book?

Sweet Lullaby, published in 1994, is generally listed as Lorraine Heath’s debut novel. If you want to begin with one of her best-known series instead, start with Texas Destiny or In Bed with the Devil.

How many books has Lorraine Heath written?

Bibliography sites list more than 60 books under Lorraine Heath’s name, depending on whether they count novellas, short stories, anthologies, and related titles separately. Her work includes numerous historical romance series, contemporary romances, and standalone historical fiction.

Should I read Lorraine Heath’s books in order?

Read each individual series in publication order, especially if you want to follow the connected characters and family relationships. You can choose the series that interests you most without reading all of her books from the beginning of her career.

Are Scoundrels of St. James and Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James connected?

Yes, they share a broader St. James setting and related characters. They are cataloged as separate series, so start with the first book in whichever sequence interests you, then explore the other series for additional background.

Is Texas Legacy part of the Texas Trilogy?

It is a later novella connected to the Texas family stories and is commonly listed as book 3.5. Read it after Texas Splendor for the recommended sequence.

Is The Earl Takes a Fancy a full-length novel?

It is often cataloged as a shorter installment in Sins for All Seasons. It belongs between The Duchess in His Bed and Beauty Tempts the Beast in the series reading order.

Does Lorraine Heath write under other names?

Yes. She has also published young adult fiction under names including Rachel Hawthorne, Jade Parker, and J.A. London. Those books belong to separate bibliographies and are not included in this Lorraine Heath historical-romance guide.

What is Lorraine Heath’s latest published novel?

The most recent released novel in the series lists covered here is A Tempest of Desire (2024), the sixth Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James installment. Her official website also lists A Midnight Proposal as forthcoming for June 2027, so it should not be counted as an already published book.

Final Note

Lorraine Heath’s bibliography offers several ways into historical romance, from the open landscapes of Texas to the complicated social world of Victorian London. Start with one series that matches your taste, follow its books in publication order, and explore the shorter stories afterward if you want a fuller picture of the connected characters. For most readers, Texas Destiny and In Bed with the Devil are two excellent entry points into her work.

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.