Author guide
J. R. Ward Books in Order
J. R. Ward is the principal pen name of Jessica Rowley Pell Bird, who also published contemporary romances as Jessica Bird and suspense as Jessica Ward. Her work spans paranormal romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and fantasy, including the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Fallen Angels, Bourbon Kings, Lair of the Wolven, and Kingdoms of the Compass series.
paranormal romancecontemporary romanceromantic suspensefantasy
J. R. Ward's Newest Book
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
Dark Lover
The first novel and intended entry point to the flagship Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
The St. Ambrose School for Girls
A self-contained suspense novel with no series prerequisites.
Crown of War and Shadow
The first published novel in the Kingdoms of the Compass fantasy series.
Read in order
Books by series
series · ongoing
The Black Dagger Brotherhood
Paranormal-romance novels about a brotherhood of vampire warriors and their mates.
- 1 Dark LoverAmazon ↗
Book 1 · novel · 2005
- 2
Lover EternalAmazon ↗Book 2 · novel · 2006
- 3
Lover AwakenedAmazon ↗Book 3 · novel · 2006
- 4
Lover RevealedAmazon ↗Book 4 · novel · 2007
- 5
Lover UnboundAmazon ↗Book 5 · novel · 2007
- 6
Lover EnshrinedAmazon ↗Book 6 · novel · 2008
- 7
Lover AvengedAmazon ↗Book 7 · novel · 2009
- 8
Lover MineAmazon ↗Book 8 · novel · 2010
- 9
Lover UnleashedAmazon ↗Book 9 · novel · 2011
- 10
Lover RebornAmazon ↗Book 10 · novel · 2012
- 11
Lover at LastAmazon ↗Book 11 · novel · 2013
- 12
The KingAmazon ↗Book 12 · novel · 2014
- 13
The ShadowsAmazon ↗Book 13 · novel · 2015
- 14
The BeastAmazon ↗Book 14 · novel · 2016
- 15
The ChosenAmazon ↗Book 15 · novel · 2017
- 16
The ThiefAmazon ↗Book 16 · novel · 2018
- 17
The SaviorAmazon ↗Book 17 · novel · 2019
- 18
The SinnerAmazon ↗Book 18 · novel · 2020
- 19
Lover UnveiledAmazon ↗Book 19 · novel · 2021
- 20
Lover ArisenAmazon ↗Book 20 · novel · 2022
- 21
LassiterAmazon ↗Book 21 · novel · 2023
- 22
The BelovedAmazon ↗Book 22 · novel · 2024
- 23
Lover ForbiddenAmazon ↗Book 23 · novel · 2025
companion-series · ongoing
Black Dagger Brotherhood Guides
Author-created reference and anniversary guides to the Black Dagger Brotherhood world.
shared-world-series · ongoing
In the Black Dagger Brotherhood World
Standalone novellas and holiday stories set in the Black Dagger Brotherhood universe.
- 1
DariusAmazon ↗Book 1 · novella · 2023
- 2
Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella's StoryAmazon ↗Book 2 · novella · 2008
- 3
Dearest IvieAmazon ↗Book 3 · novella · 2018
- 4
Prisoner of NightAmazon ↗Book 4 · novella · 2019
- 5
Where Winter Finds YouAmazon ↗Book 5 · novella · 2019
- 6
A Warm Heart in WinterAmazon ↗Book 6 · novella · 2020
series · complete
Black Dagger Legacy
A Black Dagger Brotherhood spin-off focused on the training program for younger vampire warriors.
series · ongoing
Black Dagger Prison Camp
A Black Dagger Brotherhood spin-off set around the glymera's underground prison camp.
series · ongoing
Lair of the Wolven
Paranormal-romance novels about wolven living in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world.
series · ongoing
Kingdoms of the Compass
Romantic fantasy series of cursed kingdoms, dangerous magic, and star-crossed lovers.
- 1 Crown of War and ShadowAmazon ↗
Book 1 · novel · 2026
series · complete
Fallen Angels
Paranormal-romance series about fallen angels contesting the fate of humanity.
series · complete
The Bourbon Kings
Romantic-suspense trilogy about a wealthy Kentucky bourbon dynasty.
series · unknown
Firefighters
Romantic-suspense works centered on firefighters and arson investigation.
series · complete
The Moorehouse Legacy
Contemporary romance series about interconnected members of the Moorehouse family.
series · unknown
The O'Banyon Brothers
Contemporary romance series begun with the O'Banyon family's billionaire heir.
- 1 The Billionaire Next DoorAmazon ↗
Book 1 · novel · 2007
Outside the series
