Romance series are usually strikingly different from other series types. Mystery series usually carry on with the same protagonist in each book, and fantasy series can be that way too. Most romance series, however, usually trace a family or a group of friends (for instance The Malorys and Immortals After Dark). The connections are often loose between each book, and sometimes, like in the Arcane Society books and the Curtain books, the characters rarely even know of one another from book to book.
Although some romance series do follow the relationship of a main couple from one book to the next, as in Amanda Quick’s Lavinia Lake and Tobias March series, these aren’t my favorites. I like to explore the relationship between new couples in every new book.
The Malory Family novels are Johanna Lindsey’s most popular series of books. I hope this list helps you find the books you want. Click any title for more information or to buy the book.
Buy Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey if you buy no other Johanna Lindsey book. Click the image to buy!
It seems to me that this book marked a turning point in the types of stories Johanna Lindsey began writing. The books before, I can take or leave, the books after, I have almost always enjoyed tremendously–many of which I still reread every so often.
Gentle Rogue introduced me to the Malory clan–I went back later and read Tender Rebel, which I liked, and Love Only Once, which I didn’t care for much. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that this book is the single most important book in the Malory Family series. Without Georgina and her brothers, three of the following books would be missing their heroes.
I haven’t read tons of pirate romances, but I’ve always enjoyed this one. There are a few others that come to mind, but when I think pirates, I think James Malory–who would remind me to call him a Gentleman Pirate.
Gentle Rogue overflows with humor. There’s a magical quality to this book that brings me back time and again to James’ and George’s romance. If you never read another Malory book, you shouldn’t miss this one.
Even though I loved The Magic of You and have read it several times, I can’t deny that I have issues with it. Amy is young–seventeen–and she’s bound and determined to have Warren Anderson as her husband. The thing is, she wants to change him back into the man she supposes he was before he became embittered by a love gone wrong.
It’s funny to watch Warren try to deal with Amy, because she wants him and she isn’t afraid to tell him. He, on the other hand, has to deal with the fact that she’s a beloved niece of the Malory men and nearly 18 years younger than him. No matter what happens, if he gives in to his desire, he’s going to look like the seducer of an innocent.
My problems weren’t with the age, or the theme. Amy’s character just seemed to be walking that fine line between impetuous, determined debutante out to get her man, and stalker. In the end, she gets away with it because I loved Warren enough to overlook a few faults with Amy.
A Loving Scoundrel brought to an end Jeremy’s scoundrel ways. He needs a thief to pull off a burglary and he gets Danny. When she loses her position with her band of orphans because the leader thinks she’s too pretty for a boy, she goes to Jeremy for a job as a maid. Jeremy agrees, with the absolute intentions of seducing her into his bed.
Danny’s accent/dialect was great and I enjoyed reading Jeremy’s story. The ending was a little rushed, and honestly, there’s a place near the end that didn’t make much sense–it should have taken pages, but it was glossed over in a few paragraphs. However, the rest of the book made up for it on the whole, and I will imagine I’ll be rereading this one sometime.
Gabrielle has been sent to London to find herself a husband. When Drew accidentally-on-purpose ruins her chances of making a good match by sullying her reputation, she decides on a little revenge by proving what a pirate she is.
The best parts of this book definitely begin once Gabrielle has set out on her revenge. Unlike many of Lindsey’s past novels, this hero and heroine rarely have any ill befall them and the book loses a lot of steam just from lack of follow-through on what could have been great captor-captive stuff. There are many missed opportunities for Gabrielle to have a little extra revenge, but she seems a bit faint hearted when it comes to carrying it out. So, in the end, there’s not a lot for her and Drew to overcome other than his generic resistance to marriage.
I would have loved to have spent more time seeing the story from Drew’s perspective, although Gabby was a great character and interesting enough that I didn’t ever get bored with her, only occasionally disappointed in her inability to squeeze some remorse out of Drew for what he’d done so thoughtlessly to her reputation.
I got a kick out of several scenes in the book, proving this as one of Lindsey’s more successful humorous novels of late. One scene in particular, where Gabby ends up on her rear, shocked a laugh out of me and I loved that.
Captive of My Desires was a nice addition to the Malory series, but certainly not up to par with Gentle Rogue or Tender Rebel.
anthology)
(from Charmed
anthology; Harmony
includes After Dark and the novella Bridal Jitters)
(Aurora City Guild, Cadence City – Cooper Boone, Elly St. Clair)
(Cadence City – Davis Oakes, Celinda Ingram)
(Crystal City Guild – John Fontana, Sierra McIntyre)
(Regina Ashton and Nicholas Eden)
(Anthony Malory and Roslynn Chadwick)
(James Malory and Georgina Anderson)
(Amy Malory and Warren Anderson)
(Derek Malory and Kelsey Langton)
(Christopher Malory and Anastasia Stephanoff; Jason Malory and Molly)
(Jeremy Malory and Danny)
(Drew Anderson and Gabrielle Brooks)
(Boyd Anderson and Katey Tyler)
(1990)
(1993)
(2001)
