Ever since her first novel publication, All That Glitters, in 1982, Linda Howard has not stopped putting out quality, entertaining books in the romance and romantic suspense genres. Although she’s held many positions in life – Romance Writers of America Lifetime Achievement Award Winner in 2005, bass fisherman’s wife, and Alabama trucking company worker in her early years – novelist is the title she’s most known for.
Linda Howard’s bibliography spans five decades, eight series, and includes dozens of standalone novels and anthology inclusions. In each one, she deftly combines rich romantic relationships with intense elements of mystery and suspense. They have drama without angst, thrills without horror, and emotional depth without forcing readers to get bogged down by overblown descriptions. Linda Howard’s books have a highly accessible and ‘can’t put them down’ writing style.
Diving into the Linda Howard books for the first time usually means picking a series that sounds intriguing and going from there. A chronological list doesn’t make sense because some of her series overlapped with each other. We’ve organized the series and included standalone with brief descriptions.
- Spencer – Nyle Co Books
- Rescues – Kell Sabin Series
- Mackenzie Family Saga
- Western Ladies Historical Romance
- Patterson – Cannon Family Duo
- CIA Spies Series
- Blair Mallory Duology
- Vampire Series
- Raintree Four-book Series
- GO-Team Romantic Suspense
- Standalone Picks from Linda Howard Books
Spencer – Nyle Co Books
From tragic accidents and marriages of convenience to dramatic deliveries in snowstorms, this early series includes two novels, Sarah’s Child and Almost Forever, and a novella, Bluebird Winter. They were published from 1985 to 1987.
Rescues – Kell Sabin Series
This four-book series takes readers on adventures from the steamy Costa Rican jungle to Florida beaches and cattle ranches. Midnight Rainbow weaves a tale of military missions and rescues. Diamond Bay continues the rescue theme with a man washed up on the beach. Heartbreaker focuses more on emotional heartache and the love that can help, and White Lies rounds out the series with FBI involvement and a case of amnesia.
Mackenzie Family Saga
Enjoy the books in this bestselling series in chronological order from 1989 to 2000. It starts with Mackenzie’s Mountain and a new schoolteacher coming up against an emotionally distant but supremely attractive man. As the small-town saga unfolds, the family of troubled but desirable men each find their forever love. Mackenzie’s Mission, Mackenzie’s Pleasure, and A Game of Chance introduce navy seal involvement, a hunt for a terrorist, and stubborn, beautiful, resourceful, and loving women.
Western Ladies Historical Romance
Travel back through time to the rugged and romantic New Mexico territory in this three-book series of Linda Howard books. A Lady of the West, Angel Creek, and The Touch of Fire bring sweet touches, wildfire passion, and exciting suspense in the author’s unforgettable style. This trilogy offers intelligent, passionate women who need their men for more than old-world protection.
Patterson – Cannon Family Duo
Duncan’s Bride (1990) features the classic arranged marriage or mail-order bride trope with a unique and intriguing spin. The follow-up novel, Loving Evangeline, also explores the drama of men and women trying to hold onto everything they hold dear and each other.
CIA Spies Series
Linda Howard’s books leave the Wild West for a while and head into a new type of adventure with this trilogy published from 1998 to 2004. Kill and Tell, All the Queen’s Men, and Kiss Me While I Sleep offer a heavy dose of adventure and suspense for agents, homicide detectives, arms dealers, and hired assassins. Amid the cat and mouse games and mysterious clues, romance blossoms.
Blair Mallory Duology
The titular heroine, Blaire Mallory, features in both the books in this short series published in 2004 and 2006. To Die For involves a look-alike stalker’s murder and a contentious yet passionate relationship with the police lieutenant who works on the case. Drop Dead Gorgeous starts during their wedding planning when another attempt on her life occurs. The power couple has to work together to solve the case so they can enjoy their happily ever after.
Vampire Series
Linda Howard takes a step into the paranormal with co-author Linda Jones for this series about the dark and passionate world of the undead. The first novel, Blood Born, tells the story of a born vampire’s hunt for an assassin and a woman who can channel spirit warriors. The second book, Warrior Rising, is credited solely to Linda Winstead Jones.
Raintree Four-book Series
This is another collaborative series that focuses on romantic fantasy adventures with collaborators Linda Jones and Beverly Barton. The first book, Raintree: Inferno is listed in the bibliography of Linda Howard’s books. It tells the tale of Caribbean wizards in a modern world fighting against an ancient foe. The other books included are Haunted, Sanctuary, and Oracle.
GO-Team Romantic Suspense
Troublemaker and The Woman Left Behind focus on an elite paramilitary group that answers the call to action against deadly threats across the United States. The skilled men and women meet their matches in the form of a small-town police chief and a squad fitness trainer. While passions ignite and relationships build, an undercurrent of threats and double-crosses play out.
Standalone Picks from Linda Howard Books
While this accomplished and popular author attracts and keeps readers with her seamless series, she’s also released dozens of standalone novels that combine romance, passion, suspense, adventure, and more.
Running Wild (2012) is actually listed as book one in “The Men From Battle Ridge” series, but there isn’t another book out yet. It’s a western romance with a cattle rancher and hired housekeeper in Wyoming.
Other standalone books from Linda Howard include:
- All That Glitters
- An Independent Wife
- Against the Rules
- Come Lie with Me
- Tears of the Renegade
- The Cutting Edge
- The Way Home
- Overload
- Heart of Fire
- Dream Man
- Lake of Dreams
- After the Night
- Shades of Twilight
- Son of the Morning
- Now You See Her
- Blue Moon
- Mr. Perfect
- Open Season
- Strangers in the Night
- Dying To Please
- Cry No More
- Killing Time
- Cover of Night
- Up Close and Dangerous
- Death Angel
- Burn
- At His Mercy
- Veil of Night
- Prey
- Ice
- Shadow Woman
- Frost Line
- After Sundown
The list of Linda Howard books continues to grow. Whether she releases more individual stories, starts new series, or collaborates with other authors for interesting anthologies, there is no doubt her words are met with enthusiasm and excitement from fans. The number of bestsellers keeps adding up. Readers who hunger for romance mixed with suspense, thrills, adventure, and emotion cannot go wrong with any pick from Linda Howard’s extensive bibliography.
We also recommend to check out The Naturals Book Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
