Kat Martin Books in Order: Raines of Wind Canyon, Historical Romances, and More

Kat Martin has been publishing romance and romantic suspense since the 1980s. Her bibliography stretches from historical romances such as Magnificent Passage and Creole Fires to modern romantic-suspense series such as Raines of Wind Canyon, Maximum Security, and Blood Ties. Her official bibliography groups her books by series, which is much more useful for readers than treating the entire backlist as one continuous sequence.

There are also a few bibliography complications. Some of Martin’s older books appeared under the names Kathy Lawrence and Kasey Mars, while later catalogs sometimes classify connected books differently. This guide follows Martin’s current official series groupings wherever possible and separates short stories, collaborations, and standalone titles from the main novels.

Kat Martin Books in Order by Series

Raines of Wind Canyon Books in Order

The Raines of Wind Canyon books are among Martin’s largest romantic-suspense sequences. The official site currently groups nine books under the original Against series, while later books about the Brodies of Alaska are presented separately.

1. Against the Wind (2011)
2. Against the Fire (2011)
3. Against the Law (2011)
4. Against the Storm (2011)
5. Against the Night (2012)
6. Against the Sun (2012)
7. Against the Odds (2012)
8. Against the Edge (2013)
9. Against the Mark (2013)

The books use different couples and cases while maintaining the larger Wind Canyon setting and recurring connections. Reading them in publication order gives the clearest progression through the characters and the fictional community.

Against the Wind

Raines of Wind Canyon #1 | 2011

The series begins with a romantic-suspense story that establishes the Wind Canyon setting and the combination of danger, investigation, family ties, and romance that defines the sequence.

It is the natural starting point for readers who want to follow Martin’s longest modern romantic-suspense series from the beginning.

Against the Fire

Raines of Wind Canyon #2 | 2011

The second novel continues the Wind Canyon world with another dangerous situation and a new romantic pairing.

The book expands the community established in Against the Wind while maintaining the series’ mixture of suspense and romance.

Against the Law

Raines of Wind Canyon #3 | 2011

A new case brings another couple into the center of the Wind Canyon story. As the investigation develops, the characters have to deal with both external danger and the complications of trust.

Against the Storm

Raines of Wind Canyon #4 | 2011

The fourth installment continues Martin’s pattern of pairing a suspense-driven threat with a developing romance. The Wind Canyon setting becomes increasingly familiar as characters and relationships overlap across the series.

Against the Night

Raines of Wind Canyon #5 | 2012

The series continues with another dangerous investigation and another romance. By this point, readers who have followed the earlier books will recognize the recurring community and connections among the characters.

Against the Sun

Raines of Wind Canyon #6 | 2012

The sixth novel brings another couple into a high-stakes situation involving danger, attraction, and the need to uncover the truth before it is too late.

Against the Odds

Raines of Wind Canyon #7 | 2012

The seventh installment continues the series’ combination of romantic tension and suspense while expanding the circle of characters associated with Wind Canyon.

Against the Edge

Raines of Wind Canyon #8 | 2013

Another Wind Canyon couple becomes caught in a dangerous situation. The novel continues the standalone-case structure while adding to the broader fictional community.

Against the Mark

Raines of Wind Canyon #9 | 2013

The ninth official Against book completes the original sequence of Wind Canyon romantic-suspense novels listed on Martin’s current series page.

The Brodies of Alaska Books in Order

The Brodies of Alaska books continue Martin’s romantic-suspense approach in a new setting.

1. Against the Wild (2014)
2. Against the Sky (2015)
3. Against the Tide (2015)

The official site treats these as The Brodies of Alaska, separate from the original nine-book Against sequence.

Against the Wild

Brodies of Alaska #1 | 2014

The first Brodies novel moves the action to Alaska and introduces the family at the center of the new sequence. The remote setting provides a natural backdrop for danger, isolation, and romance.

Against the Sky

Brodies of Alaska #2 | 2015

The second novel follows another member of the Brodies family while continuing to develop the Alaska setting and the family’s connections.

Against the Tide

Brodies of Alaska #3 | 2015

The third Brodies novel completes the main trilogy, bringing another romantic-suspense story into the family-centered Alaska setting.

BOSS, Inc. Books in Order

The BOSS, Inc. series is a three-book romantic-suspense sequence:

1. Into the Fury (2016)
2. Into the Whirlwind (2016)
3. Into the Firestorm (2017)

Martin’s official bibliography confirms this order.

Into the Fury

BOSS, Inc. #1 | 2016

The series begins with a dangerous case involving the private security world, where professional skills and personal relationships become closely intertwined.

Into the Whirlwind

BOSS, Inc. #2 | 2016

The second novel follows another high-risk assignment and another romantic pairing while continuing the world established by the first book.

Into the Firestorm

BOSS, Inc. #3 | 2017

The third installment completes the BOSS, Inc. trilogy with another suspense-driven romance.

The Texas Trilogy in Order

1. Beyond Reason (2017)
2. Beyond Danger (2018)
3. Beyond Control (2018)

Penguin Random House also identifies these three novels as The Texas Trilogy.

Beyond Reason

Texas Trilogy #1

Victoria Bradford is running from an abusive former fiancé when she reaches an isolated Texas ranch owned by Josh Cain, a former soldier. Her attempt to protect herself and her young daughter puts her directly into a new and dangerous situation.

Beyond Danger

Texas Trilogy #2

The second book continues the Texas romantic-suspense world with another couple facing a combination of personal danger and attraction.

Beyond Control

Texas Trilogy #3

The trilogy concludes with another suspense case in Texas, bringing the three-book sequence to its conclusion.

Maximum Security Books in Order

Maximum Security is one of Martin’s larger modern romantic-suspense series. There are four main novels and four related short stories.

Optional Short Stories

• Wait Until Dark (2018)
• After the Sunrise (2018)
• Shadows at Dawn (2019)
• Before Nightfall (2020)

Main Novels

1. The Conspiracy (2019)
2. The Deception (2019)
3. The Ultimate Betrayal (2020)
4. The Perfect Murder (2021)

The short stories provide additional material around the series, but the four main novels can be followed independently in their numbered sequence. Martin’s official series page separates the short stories from the principal books.

The Conspiracy

Maximum Security #1 | 2019

The first novel establishes the Maximum Security world and introduces a romantic-suspense case involving danger, investigation, and betrayal.

The Deception

Maximum Security #2 | 2019

A new case brings another couple into the series, with deception and hidden motives creating the central suspense.

The Ultimate Betrayal

Maximum Security #3 | 2020

The third main novel raises the stakes through a dangerous betrayal and another relationship caught in the middle of the investigation.

The Perfect Murder

Maximum Security #4 | 2021

The fourth novel revolves around a murder investigation and the people drawn into its consequences, completing the main Maximum Security sequence.

Blood Ties: The Logans Books in Order

The Blood Ties books center on the Logan family.

1. The Last Goodnight (2021)
2. The Last Mile (2022)
3. One Last Chance (2022)

There is also the short story ** One Last Kiss **, which the official site lists separately as a Blood Ties short story.

One Last Kiss

Blood Ties short story | 2021

This short story provides additional material connected with the Logan family and can be read before the main trilogy.

The Last Goodnight

Blood Ties: The Logans #1 | 2021

The first full-length Logan story establishes the family and the dangers surrounding them.

The Last Mile

Blood Ties: The Logans #2 | 2022

The second novel continues the Logan family’s story and introduces another romantic-suspense conflict.

One Last Chance

Blood Ties: The Logans #3 | 2022

The third novel completes the main Logan sequence.

The Ghost Trilogy in Order

This is Kat Martin’s newest completed series. The official website describes The Unseen as the final book in her ghost trilogy.

1. The Ghost Illusion (2023)
2. Haunted (2024)
3. The Unseen (2026)

The Ghost Illusion

Ghost Trilogy #1 | 2023

The series opens with a romantic-suspense story involving supernatural phenomena and an investigation into events that appear to have no ordinary explanation.

Haunted

Ghost Trilogy #2 | 2024

The second novel continues Martin’s supernatural romantic-suspense approach, combining an eerie mystery with a new relationship and another dangerous investigation.

The Unseen

Ghost Trilogy #3 | September 30, 2026

A 150-year-old skeleton is discovered near the Belle Reve mansion, after which frightening incidents begin occurring around the house.

Rachel Belmond owns the mansion and is already in failing health. Her niece Nicole suspects something supernatural is happening and seeks help from Lucas Devereaux, a former priest believed to have experience dealing with unexplained phenomena.

The discovery of the skeleton and the strange events surrounding Belle Reve become the center of the final Ghost Trilogy story. Martin’s official site confirms that The Unseen is the final book of the trilogy and lists its release as September 30.

The Heart Trilogy in Order

Martin’s historical-romance bibliography includes the three-book Heart Trilogy:

1. Heart of Honor (2007)
2. Heart of Fire (2008)
3. Heart of Courage (2009)

The official Kat Martin site confirms this sequence.

These books are historical romances rather than contemporary romantic suspense, making them a useful entry point for readers who prefer Martin’s earlier historical work.

The Bride’s Trilogy in Order

1. Royal’s Bride (2009)
2. Reese’s Bride (2010)
3. Rule’s Bride (2010)

The three novels form a connected historical-romance trilogy centered on different characters.

The Necklace Trilogy in Order

1. The Bride’s Necklace (2005)
2. The Devil’s Necklace (2005)
3. The Handmaiden’s Necklace (2006)

The official website groups these three historical romances together as The Necklace Trilogy.

The Lords Trilogy in Order

1. Gypsy Lord (1992)
2. Sweet Vengeance (1993)
3. Devil’s Prize (1995)

These are historical romances from Martin’s earlier career. The author’s current site confirms the three-book sequence.

Southern Trilogy in Order

1. Creole Fires (1992)
2. Savannah Heat (1993)
3. Natchez Flame (1994)

The Southern books are historical romances set against the American South and are among Martin’s early series. Penguin Random House also lists these three books as the Southern series.

Sinclair Sisters Trilogy in Order

1. Midnight Sun (2003)
2. Desert Heat (2004)
3. Deep Blue (2005)

The three romantic-suspense novels follow the Sinclair sisters and form a connected trilogy in Martin’s bibliography.

Paranormal Series in Order

Martin’s official bibliography contains two separate paranormal groupings.

Paranormal Series 1

1. The Silent Rose (1999)
2. The Dream (2000)
3. The Secret (2001)

Paranormal Series 2

1. Scent of Roses (2006)
2. The Summit (2007)
3. Season of Strangers (2008)

The first grouping has an unusual publishing history because The Silent Rose and The Dream were originally published under the Kasey Mars name. Martin’s current bibliography places them in her paranormal catalog.

Two-Book Series

Martin also has several shorter historical-romance sequences.

Litchfield

1. Nothing But Velvet (1997)
2. Silk and Steel (2000)

Kingsland

1. Innocence Undone (1997)
2. Dangerous Passions (1998)

Clayton

1. Wicked Promise (1998)
2. Perfect Sin (2000)

The author’s official series bibliography groups these as three separate two-book series.

Standalone Kat Martin Books

Martin’s standalone backlist includes both historical romance and romantic suspense. The official site currently lists titles including:

• Magnificent Passage (1988)
• Dueling Hearts (1989)
• Tin Angel (1989)
• Captain’s Bride (1990)
• Lover’s Gold (1991)
• Bold Angel (1994)
• Midnight Rider (1996)
• Night Secrets (1999)
• Hot Rain (2002)
• Secret Ways (2003)
• Lethal Journey (2025)

Some of these were originally published under other names or with co-authors, so they are best kept separate from Martin’s main series.

A Note About Against the Heart

Against the Heart is one of the titles that can make Kat Martin reading-order lists confusing.

Some current third-party bibliographies place it as Raines of Wind Canyon #10, followed by Against the Wild, Against the Sky, and Against the Tide. Martin’s own current website, however, separates the original nine-book Against series from The Brodies of Alaska, and its grouped-series page does not include Against the Heart in either of those two displayed sequences.

For a Whimsy Read article, it is better to mention the title separately rather than silently inserting it into the official nine-book sequence.

Kat Martin Books by Genre

Historical Romance

Martin’s historical-romance bibliography includes:

• The Heart Trilogy
• The Bride’s Trilogy
• The Necklace Trilogy
• The Lords Trilogy
• Southern
• Sinclair Sisters
• Rogue’s Trilogy
• Two-book series
• Numerous standalone historical romances

Her official site currently has a dedicated historical-romance category containing these works.

Romantic Suspense

Her romantic-suspense catalog includes:

• Raines of Wind Canyon
• Brodies of Alaska
• BOSS, Inc.
• Texas Trilogy
• Maximum Security
• Blood Ties
• Ghost Trilogy
• Sinclair Sisters
• Earlier paranormal/suspense books
• Standalones such as Hot Rain and Lethal Journey

The current official romantic-suspense category confirms the breadth of this section of her bibliography.

Do You Need to Read Kat Martin Books in Order?

You do not need to read Kat Martin’s entire bibliography chronologically.

The better approach is to read individual series in order. For example:

Raines of Wind Canyon

1. Against the Wind
2. Against the Fire
3. Against the Law
4. Against the Storm
5. Against the Night
6. Against the Sun
7. Against the Odds
8. Against the Edge
9. Against the Mark

Maximum Security

1. The Conspiracy
2. The Deception
3. The Ultimate Betrayal
4. The Perfect Murder

Blood Ties

1. The Last Goodnight
2. The Last Mile
3. One Last Chance

Ghost Trilogy

1. The Ghost Illusion
2. Haunted
3. The Unseen

Within the historical-romance trilogies, publication order is likewise the clearest starting point.

Where Should You Start With Kat Martin?

Readers looking for romantic suspense have several possible entry points. Against the Wind begins the long Raines of Wind Canyon sequence, while The Conspiracy opens the four-book Maximum Security series.

Readers more interested in historical romance can start with The Heart of Honor or one of Martin’s earlier historical trilogies such as Creole Fires.

For supernatural romantic suspense, The Ghost Illusion is the beginning of the newest Ghost Trilogy, followed by Haunted and The Unseen.

What Is Kat Martin’s Latest Book?

As of September 30, 2026, Kat Martin’s latest book is The Unseen, the third and final book in the Ghost Trilogy.

The official author website describes it as the final book in the trilogy and gives September 30 as its release date.

How Many Kat Martin Books Are There?

The exact number depends on what is counted as a book. Martin’s official website maintains a very large bibliography containing novels, short stories, collaborations, and older works published under other names. Third-party bibliographies currently count more than 80 titles when series books, short fiction, and other works are included.

Because editions, anthologies, short stories, collaborations, and pseudonymous publications can change the total, it is better not to use a single number as the definitive count.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kat Martin’s first book?

Magnificent Passage, published in 1988, is generally listed as Kat Martin’s first published novel. Her official bibliography places it first among her standalone titles.

What is Kat Martin’s latest book?

The Unseen, the final Ghost Trilogy novel, is her latest book as of September 30, 2026.

Is The Unseen part of a series?

Yes. The Unseen is Ghost Trilogy Book 3, following The Ghost Illusion and Haunted. Martin’s official site specifically calls it the final book in the trilogy.

What is the order of the Ghost Trilogy?

The order is:

1. The Ghost Illusion
2. Haunted
3. The Unseen

What is the order of the Raines of Wind Canyon books?

The official Kat Martin site lists nine books in the original Against sequence, beginning with Against the Wind and ending with Against the Mark.

What is the order of the Maximum Security books?

The four main novels are:

1. The Conspiracy
2. The Deception
3. The Ultimate Betrayal
4. The Perfect Murder

There are also four related short stories.

Are Kat Martin’s books historical romance or romantic suspense?

Both. Her earlier bibliography contains a substantial amount of historical romance, while many of her later books are romantic suspense. Her official website maintains separate historical-romance and romantic-suspense categories.

Did Kat Martin write under other names?

Yes. Her bibliography includes books associated with the names Kasey Mars and Kathy Lawrence. Some early books now appear in Martin’s current bibliography under her Kat Martin catalog.

Final Thoughts

Kat Martin’s enormous bibliography is easier to approach through her individual series than through one chronological master list. Her romantic-suspense readers can start with Raines of Wind Canyon, Maximum Security, Blood Ties, or the newer Ghost Trilogy, while historical-romance readers have several older trilogies and shorter series to explore.

For readers interested in her newest work, The Ghost Illusion, Haunted, and The Unseen provide a complete three-book supernatural romantic-suspense sequence. For her broader backlist, the official series groupings are the safest way to avoid mixing standalone novels, short stories, pseudonymous works, and connected series.

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.