Reading Order List β€” Book Series Reading Order Guide
Janet Dailey

Janet Dailey Reading Order

18 series Β· 169 books Β· Born 1944-05-21

Janet Dailey is an American romance author who has built one of the most prolific careers in the genre, with over 165 books spanning 17 series since 1974. Her work blends contemporary and western romance with literary depth, featuring memorable characters in settings ranging from small towns to sprawling ranches across America. With sales exceeding 300 million copies translated into multiple languages, Dailey's influential series like the Bannon Brothers and Americana collections have established her as a cornerstone of modern romance fiction.

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A Cowboy Christmas Series

Complete

3 books (2015–2017)

Janet Dailey's A Cowboy Christmas trilogy consists of three complete romance novels published between 2015 and 2017, each standing alone as an independent story set in the American West. The three books in publication order are Long, Tall Christmas, Christmas on My Mind, and Just a Little Christmas. While each entry can be enjoyed separately, reading them in the order they were published provides the intended experience of Dailey's seasonal western romance collection.

Start with Long, Tall Christmas and read in order.

Start this series with Long, Tall Christmas

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#Title
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Cover of Long, Tall Christmas
Long, Tall Christmas
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Christmas on My Mind
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Cover of Just a Little Christmas
Just a Little Christmas

Americana Series

Complete

50 books (1974–1982)

Janet Dailey's Americana series spans 50 complete romance novels published between 1974 and 1982, with each book featuring a different American state as its setting and central theme. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Savage Land: Texas and continuing through regional romances set across the United States. This extensive collection showcases Dailey's exploration of American landscapes and cultures through interconnected standalone stories that celebrate the diverse character of each state.

Start with Savage Land: Texas, the first of 50 books in the Americana series.

Start this series with Savage Land: Texas

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#Title
1
2
Cover of After the Storm: Colorado
After the Storm: Colorado
3
Cover of Boss Man From Ogallala: Nebraska
Boss Man From Ogallala: Nebraska
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Cover of Darling Jenny: Wyoming
Darling Jenny: Wyoming
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Fire and Ice: California
6
Cover of Land of Enchantment: New Mexico
Land of Enchantment: New Mexico
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Cover of A Lyon's Share: Illinois
A Lyon's Share: Illinois
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Cover of Dangerous Masquerade: Alabama
Dangerous Masquerade: Alabama
9
Cover of Night of the Cotillion: Georgia
Night of the Cotillion: Georgia
10
11
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Valley of the Vapours: Arkansas
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Cover of Big Sky Country: Montana
Big Sky Country: Montana
14
Cover of Bluegrass King: Kentucky
Bluegrass King: Kentucky
15
Reilly's Woman: Nevada
16
Six White Horses: Oklahoma
17
Cover of The Indy Man: Indiana
The Indy Man: Indiana
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Cover of The Matchmakers: Delaware
The Matchmakers: Delaware
19
Cover of The Widow and the Wastrel: Ohio
The Widow and the Wastrel: Ohio
20
Cover of To Tell the Truth: Oregon
To Tell the Truth: Oregon
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Cover of Beware of the Stranger: New York
Beware of the Stranger: New York
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Giant of Mesabi: Minnesota
23
Cover of Green Mountain Man: Vermont
Green Mountain Man: Vermont
24
Cover of Sonora Sundown: Arizona
Sonora Sundown: Arizona
25
Cover of Summer Mahogany: Maine
Summer Mahogany: Maine
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Cover of The Bride of the Delta Queen: Louisiana
The Bride of the Delta Queen: Louisiana
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Cover of Tidewater Lover: Virginia
Tidewater Lover: Virginia
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Cover of A Land Called Deseret: Utah
A Land Called Deseret: Utah
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Cover of Bed of Grass: Maryland
Bed of Grass: Maryland
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Cover of For Mike's Sake: Washington
For Mike's Sake: Washington
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Cover of Low Country Liar: South Carolina
Low Country Liar: South Carolina
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Cover of Sentimental Journey: Tennessee
Sentimental Journey: Tennessee
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Cover of Strange Bedfellow: Rhode Island
Strange Bedfellow: Rhode Island
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Cover of That Boston Man: Massachusetts
That Boston Man: Massachusetts
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Cover of Difficult Decision: Connecticut
Difficult Decision: Connecticut
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Cover of Enemy in Camp: Michigan
Enemy in Camp: Michigan
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Cover of Heart of Stone: New Hampshire
Heart of Stone: New Hampshire
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Cover of Lord of the High Lonesome: North Dakota
Lord of the High Lonesome: North Dakota
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Cover of Southern Nights: Florida
Southern Nights: Florida
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Cover of The Mating Season: Kansas
The Mating Season: Kansas
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Cover of The Thawing of a Mara: Pennsylvania
The Thawing of a Mara: Pennsylvania
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Cover of Wild and Wonderful: West Virginia
Wild and Wonderful: West Virginia
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A Tradition of Pride: Mississippi
45
Cover of Dakota Dreamin': South Dakota
Dakota Dreamin': South Dakota
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Cover of One of the Boys: New Jersey
One of the Boys: New Jersey
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Cover of That Carolina Summer: North Carolina
That Carolina Summer: North Carolina
48
Cover of The Travelling Kind: Idaho
The Travelling Kind: Idaho
49
Cover of With a Little Luck: Wisconsin
With a Little Luck: Wisconsin
50
Cover of Northern Magic: Alaska
Northern Magic: Alaska

Anthologies Series

Complete

6 books (1991–2018)

Janet Dailey's Anthologies series comprises four complete collections published between 1991 and 2013, spanning romance and western themes. The books should be read in publication order: Christmas Magic, Marry Me, Cowboy!, Unmasked, and You're Still the One, concluding with Happy is the Bride. Each volume brings together stories that showcase Dailey's range across contemporary romance and literary fiction.

Start with Christmas Magic, the first of 4 books in the Anthologies series.

Aspen Series

Complete

2 books (1991–1997)

Janet Dailey's Aspen series consists of two complete romance novels published between 1991 and 1997. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Aspen Gold followed by Illusions, to experience the full arc of this western romance saga.

Start with Aspen Gold and read in order.

Bannon Brothers Series

Complete

3 books (2011–2013)

Janet Dailey's Bannon Brothers series consists of three complete western romance novels published between 2011 and 2013. The trilogy should be read in publication order, beginning with Trust, followed by Honor, and concluding with Triumph. This series blends romance and literary fiction within a western setting, offering readers a connected narrative arc across its three installments.

Start with Trust and read in order.

Bennetts Series

Complete

1 book (2014–2014)

#Title
1
Cover of Christmas in Cowboy Country
Christmas in Cowboy Country

Calder Brand Series

Ongoing

5 books (2021–2025)

The Calder Brand series is an ongoing Western romance sequence by Janet Dailey comprising five books released between 2021 and 2025. Readers should follow the books in publication order, beginning with Calder Brand and continuing through Calder Grit, A Calder at Heart, Calder Country, and Calder Strong. The series blends romance and literary fiction within a Western setting, with new installments still being added to the saga.

Start with Calder Brand, the first of 5 books in the Calder Brand series.

Calder Saga Series

Complete

11 books (1981–2010)

The Calder Saga is a complete romance and western series spanning eleven books published between 1981 and 2010. This sweeping saga follows the multi-generational story of the Calder family and their Montana ranch across nearly three decades of publication. Readers should begin with This Calder Sky and continue in publication order to experience the full arc of the family's history, relationships, and struggles. The series concludes with Calder Storm, with Santa in Montana serving as a holiday-themed addition to the collection.

Start with This Calder Sky, the first of 11 books in the Calder Saga series.

Christmas Tree Ranch Series

Likely Complete

6 books (2018–2023)

The Christmas Tree Ranch series by Janet Dailey comprises six romance novels published between 2018 and 2023. Each book in the series should be read in publication order, beginning with My Kind of Christmas. The series appears to be complete, with all six entries now available: My Kind of Christmas, It's a Christmas Thing, Holding Out for Christmas, Santa's Sweetheart, Somebody Like Santa, and The Sound of Sleighbells.

Start with My Kind of Christmas, the first of 6 books in the Christmas Tree Ranch series.

Start this series with My Kind of Christmas

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#Title
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My Kind of Christmas
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Cover of It's a Christmas Thing
It's a Christmas Thing
3
Cover of Holding Out for Christmas
Holding Out for Christmas
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5
6
Cover of The Sound of Sleighbells
The Sound of Sleighbells

Cord & Stacy Series

Complete

3 books (1974–1978)

Janet Dailey's Cord & Stacy series consists of three complete romance novels published between 1974 and 1978, following the relationship between its titular characters across different settings and circumstances. The trilogy should be read in publication order, beginning with No Quarter Asked, followed by Fiesta San Antonio, and concluding with For Bitter or Worse. Dailey blends Western and literary romance elements throughout the series, which is now out of print but remains a notable work from her extensive backlist.

Start with No Quarter Asked and read in order.

Start this series with No Quarter Asked

Buy Book 1 πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈπŸŽ§ Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
2
3

Frosted Firs Ranch Series

Complete

2 books (2024–2026)

Start this series with Evergreen Christmas

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#Title
1
2

New Americana Series

Ongoing

8 books (2016–2024)

Janet Dailey's New Americana series comprises eight interconnected romances set across American landscapes, beginning with Sunrise Canyon and continuing through Lone Oaks Crossing. Published between 2016 and 2024, the series remains ongoing with new installments still being released. Each book can be read as a standalone story, though reading them in publication order enhances the experience by revealing connections between characters and communities across the collection. The series blends romantic storytelling with literary fiction elements and Western settings characteristic of Dailey's work.

Start with Sunrise Canyon, the first of 8 books in the New Americana series.

Rivalries Series

Ongoing

3 books (2024–2026)

Janet Dailey's Rivalries series is an ongoing romance and western collection that launched in 2024 and currently spans three books. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with One in a Million, followed by Lie for a Million and Kill for a Million. New installments are planned through 2026.

Start with One in a Million and read in order.

Start this series with One in a Million

Buy Book 1 πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈπŸŽ§ Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
2
3

Short Story Collections Series

Complete

1 book (2004–2004)

#Title
1

Standalone Novels Series

Complete

55 books (1976–2013)

Janet Dailey's collection of 55 standalone novels spans from 1976 to 2013 and should be read in publication order, beginning with Something Extra. Each book is independent and can be enjoyed on its own, though following the chronological release sequence allows readers to trace the author's evolution across romance, western, and literary fiction genres. The series is complete, offering a comprehensive body of work from one of the era's prolific romance writers.

Start with Something Extra, the first of 55 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#Title
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Cover of The Best Way to Lose
The Best Way to Lose
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24
Cover of Silver Wings, Santiago Blue
Silver Wings, Santiago Blue
25
Cover of The Pride of Hannah Wade
The Pride of Hannah Wade
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27
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36
Cover of The Proud and the Free
The Proud and the Free
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Cover of Maybe This Christmas
Maybe This Christmas
45
Cover of The Not Forgotten War
The Not Forgotten War
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50
51
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54
Cover of A Cowboy Under My Christmas Tree
A Cowboy Under My Christmas Tree
55
Cover of Merry Christmas, Cowboy
Merry Christmas, Cowboy

The Champions Series

Likely Complete

3 books (2020–2022)

Janet Dailey's Champions trilogy consists of three contemporary western romance novels published between 2020 and 2022. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Whirlwind, followed by Whiplash and Quicksand. Though the final book was released in 2022, the series appears to be complete.

Start with Whirlwind and read in order.

The Tylers of Texas Series

Complete

6 books (2014–2019)

Janet Dailey's Tylers of Texas series consists of six complete romance novels set in the American West, published between 2014 and 2019. The books follow the Tyler family across their Texas ranching legacy and should be read in publication order, beginning with Texas True and concluding with Texas Forever. This Western romance series explores the lives and relationships of the Tyler family members as they navigate love, duty, and life on their sprawling ranch.

Start with Texas True, the first of 6 books in the The Tylers of Texas series.

Untamed Series

Complete

1 book (2027–2027)

#Title
1
Shadows on the Canyon

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Janet Dailey written?
Janet Dailey has written 169 books across 18 series. Their published works span from 1974 to 2027.
What is the first book in each Janet Dailey series?
Here are the first books in Janet Dailey's series: A Cowboy Christmas: Long, Tall Christmas; Americana: Savage Land: Texas; Anthologies: Christmas Magic; Aspen: Aspen Gold; Bannon Brothers: Trust.
What order should I read Janet Dailey's books?
We recommend reading Janet Dailey's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is Janet Dailey still writing new books?
Yes, Janet Dailey has 3 ongoing series: Calder Brand, New Americana, Rivalries.

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