A Place to Call Home
A well-regarded standalone novel that represents Smith's women's fiction and Appalachian settings.
Author guide
Deborah Smith Books in Order
Deborah Smith (born 1955 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American novelist and publisher known for romance, women's fiction, contemporary fantasy, and stories set in the Appalachian South. She was formerly a newspaper editor and is a New York Times bestselling author. Smith co-founded BelleBooks and has also published under the names Jackie Leigh, Jacquelyn Lennox, and Leigh Bridger.
romancewomen's fictioncontemporary fictionfantasynonfictionpoetry
Catalog record updated .
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
The Crossroads Cafe
The central entry point to Smith's Crossroads Cafe universe and related novellas.
Alice at Heart
A representative entry point to Smith's Waterlilies paranormal-fantasy series.
Read in order
Books by series
- 1 Hold on Tight
Book 1 · novel · 1988
- 2 Caught by Surprise
Book 2 · novel · 1988
Brig McKay was a rebel without a cause--and he was Deputy Sheriff Millie Surprise's duty for sixty days! But soon Millie wanted Brig with a wild possessive passion, and even though she feared her inner steel would frighten him away, Brig…
- 3 Never Let Go
Book 3 · novel · 1989
Confusion, fury, and disbelief filled Rucker McClure's soul when he saw his wife across the airport waiting room. A year ago, Dinah had vanished without a trace, but he'd never stopped looking for her, never given up hope - until now,…
- 4 Sara's Surprise
Book 4 · novel · 1990
- 5 Honey and Smoke
Book 5 · novel · 1990
He was tall, brutally handsome, his gun poised as he chased the mysterious figure deeper into the old moonshiner's cave. But when he tackled his prey, Max Templeton was astonished to discover that lying under his hard, muscled body was a…
novel series · complete
The Cherokee Trilogy
A romance series centered on Cherokee characters and heritage.
- 1 Sundance and the Princess
Book 1 · novel · 1989
- 2 Tempting the Wolf
Book 2 · novel · 1989
- 3 Kat's Tale
Book 3 · novel · 1989
- 4 The Beloved Woman
Book 4 · novel · 1991
- 1 Legends
Book 1 · novel · 1990
- 2 The Silver Fox and the Red-Hot Dove
Book 2 · novel · 1990
- 3 Heart of the Dragon
Book 3 · novel · 1991
- 1 Alice at Heart
Book 1 · novel · 2002
- 2 Diary of a Radical Mermaid
Book 2 · novel · 2004
novel and novella series · complete
The MacBrides
Contemporary romance novels and novellas connected to the MacBride family and Crossroads Cove.
- 1 The Biscuit Witch
Book 1 · novella · 2013
The Biscuit Witch Part One of The MacBrides A Crossroads novella Dear Dr. Firth: I know you are in your cups at this time, drinking, taking pills, and sleeping under trees, but I have some experience rehabilitating lost souls in that…
- 2 The Pickle Queen
Book 2 · novella · 2013
- 3 The Yarn Spinner
Book 2.5 · novella · 2014 Optional
- 4 The Kitchen Charmer
Book 3 · novella · 2017
The battle is on their doorstep and in their souls. These old mountains are smart, Lucy. They're alive. They can be gentle like mamas; oh, sure, they'll croon and they'll kiss you and they'll whisper while you sleep, and you'll learn what…
shared-world series · ongoing
Mossy Creek
A multi-author shared-world series of collective novels and story collections.
- 1 Mossy Creek
Book 1 · collective novel · 2001
- 2 Reunion at Mossy Creek: A Collective Novel
Book 2 · collective novel · 2002
- 3 Summer in Mossy Creek
Book 3 · collective novel · 2003
- 4 Blessings of Mossy Creek: A Collective Novel
Book 4 · collective novel · 2004
The new minister battles a stern church treasurer. Josie marries the local "Bigfoot." Hank and Casey have a new baby. Town gossip columnist Katie Bell persuades the citizens to confess their joys, trouble, and gratitude.
- 5 A Day in Mossy Creek: A Collective Novel
Book 5 · collective novel · 2006
Maybe it's the post-New Year's boredom. Maybe it's the cold frisky air. Whatever the cause the citizens of Mossy Creek seem determined to get into trouble on a clear winter day in mid-January. Police Chief Amos Royden and his loyal…
- 6 At Home in Mossy Creek
Book 6 · collective novel · 2007
- 7 The Critters of Mossy Creek
Book 7 · short-story collection · 2009
novel and novella series · ongoing
Crossroads Cafe
A series of novels and novellas set around the Crossroads Cafe and its Appalachian community.
- 1 The Crossroads Cafe
Book 1 · novel · 2006
- 2 The Yarn Spinner
Book 2 · novella · 2014 Optional
- 3 The Apple Pie Knights
Book 3 · novella · 2014 Optional
- 1 Saving Jonquils
Book 1 · novella · 2014
- 2 Hearing Wings
Book 2 · novella · 2014
- 1 Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes
Book 1 · short-story collection · 2000
- 2 More Sweet Tea
Book 2 · short-story collection · 2005
A second collection of stories in the tradition of: Sweet tea and Jesus shoes.
- 3 On Grandma's Porch
Book 3 · short-story collection · 2007
Stories and "True Facts" about growing up Southern in the good old days. More than a dozen southern authors contribute warm, nostalgic stories and fun trivia about "the era before shopping malls, Disney, and Wal-Mart." Includes the…
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Novels (24)
- Proud Surrender
novel · 1986
- Cupid's Verdict
novel · 1987
- No Holds Barred
novel · 1987
- A Sweet-Talkin' Man
novel · 1987
- Young at Heart
novel · 1987
- Angel on My Shoulder
novel · 1987
- Jed's Sweet Revenge
novel · 1988
- California Royale
novel · 1988
- Hot Touch
novel · 1989
- Stranger in Camelot
novel · 1991
- Follow the Sun
novel · 1991
- Miracle
novel · 1991
- Blue Willow
novel · 1993
- Silk and Stone
novel · 1994
- A Place to Call Home
novel · 1997
- When Venus Fell
novel · 1998
- On Bear Mountain
novel · 2001
In a tense, exciting coming-of-age novel by the author of A Place to Call Home, the strange iron sculpture of a bear brings together New Yorker Quentin Ricconni and Southerner Ursula Powell. Reprint.
- The Stone Flower Garden
novel · 2002
- Sweet Hush
novel · 2003
- Charming Grace
novel · 2004
The acclaimed author of "Sweet Hush" continues her bestselling tradition with her latest comic, heartbreaking novel about a Gerogia woman whose world changes forever when Hollywood comes knocking on her door.
- A Gentle Rain
novel · 2007
- The Haunted Heart Hotel
novel · 2013
- Where the Foxgloves Bloom
novella · 2014
Short fiction (1)
- The Coin
short story · 2016
Poetry (1)
- Cat Haiku: The Silly Art, Poetry and Cartoons of a Usually Serious Author
poetry and cartoon collection · 2009
Frequently asked questions about Deborah Smith
Who is Deborah Smith, and what is she best known for?
Deborah Smith is an American novelist who was a newspaper editor before becoming an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romances. Penguin Random House says she has published more than 30 novels.
Where was Deborah Smith born, and what did she do before becoming a novelist?
She was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1955, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, and worked as a newspaper reporter, editor, and medical writer before establishing her fiction career.
What themes and settings are associated with Deborah Smith’s fiction?
Her novels are known for romantic Southern family stories, with many settings and characters connected to Georgia and the modern Appalachian South.
Sources: readinggroupguides.com (opens in a new tab)penguinrandomhouse.com (opens in a new tab)
How did Deborah Smith contribute to independent publishing?
Smith was a founding partner and vice president of BelleBooks, a press created by veteran authors to showcase Southern storytelling and support emerging fiction voices. She is now listed as recently retired from the company.
Which awards and honors has Deborah Smith received?
Her honors include Romantic Times’ Lifetime Achievement Award, a Series Romantic Suspense Award, Georgia Romance Writers’ Maggie Awards, and Romantic Times’ Best Fantasy Novel award for Alice at Heart.