Janet Dailey Romance Books Take Readers Through Every State and Subgenre

If there’s one word that describes this romance it’s, “epic.” We open in the 18th-century Alaska, as forbidden sparks fly between Tasha Tarakanov, a native Aluet, and a Cossack hunter named Andrei. 

Their relationship reverberates through seven generations of bold choices in life and love, reaching through two hundred years of Alaskan history. From the state’s initial settlement to World War II, The Great Alone is a sweeping saga about family, sacrifice, joy, and heartbreak that’ll keep you saying, “Just one more chapter…”

Fans of bold, dramatic stories will gobble up this New York Times bestseller, which serves “mysterious threats, heated affairs and the heady scent of revenge” on a gilded platter (Publishers Weekly). 

The love between developer Chace and the redheaded Flame Morgan (yes, Flame) seems to be written in the stars. But with such beauty and power comes deep-seated corruption—and Chace has traitorous ulterior motives. His quest to swindle the Morgan’s ancestral estate incites a lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romance that’s filled with bitter rivalries and bad blood. Fun, wild, and addictive—this is soap opera at its most delicious.

As Dailey’s first novel, No Quarter Asked introduced a new American queen of romance—not to mention a hot rancher, Cord. After Stacy’s father dies, she retreats to a Texas cabin for a safe space to peacefully grieve. 

Meeting Cord Harris throws a wrench in her plans—especially once he tells her she’s a city slicker who doesn’t belong. Wrong move, dude! But this duo’s petty fights soon fan the flames of a passion, igniting an all-consuming love that’s bigger than the Lone State.

Following the death of her father, nineteen-year-old Coley McGuire is looking for a fresh start in Texas with her Aunt Wilhelmina. She finds just that and transforms from a shy, slouching girl into a charming beauty. 

Jase Savage, however, remains unmoved. In fact, he seems intent on ignoring her altogether. But in this enemies-to-lovers story Coley is determined to figure out why Jase seems so angry… and what it has to do with a scar that his grandfather calls “the mark of Cain.”

Tangled Vines is a tangle of suspense, drama, and romance—all set in Napa wine country—that “begs to be made into a TV miniseries” (Publishers Weekly). When newscaster Kelly Douglas is assigned to report on the Rutledge winery, she reluctantly stays with her abusive father, who lives near the vineyard. 

She feels an immediate chemistry with the winery’s manager, though his own family tensions create rifts in their relationship. Throw in a compelling murder mystery, and this book is the perfect pairing to an Olivia Pope-size glass of red.

Fans of classic love triangles will enjoy Aspen Gold, which takes readers to the slopes of Colorado. In this one, Kit Masters has finally gotten her big Hollywood break and been cast opposite John Travis, one of the most famous movie stars in the world. Best of all, she can go back home to start shooting the film. Unfortunately, there's baggage back in Aspen: Her old flame, rancher Tom Bannon, is still there, and suddenly Kit finds herself caught between two incredibly appealing choices.

Dailey takes readers down to Arizona in this one, which follows Brandy Ames, who's just lost her horse. Abandoned, Brandy is lucky enough to stumble upon a campfire… and the gorgeous Jim who can offer her shelter from the coming sandstorm. What she doesn't know is that Jim has a secret, and it's going to make every woman in Sonora incredibly jealous.

The death of Abbie Lawson’s father leads to two shocking revelations: A) She has a have sister, Rachel. And B) that very sister is inheriting all of the family money. 

So begins a rivalry that is fraught with animosity and resentment, as Rachel continues to climb the social ladder while Abbie languishes on the sidelines. Nothing—not even Abbie’s relationship with a tough Texas oil man—is off-limits when it comes to winning this vicious sibling feud. As they say: All’s far in love and war.

Los Angeles secretary Laurie Evans has come to Mobile, Alabama, to meet the future in-laws of her cousin LaRaine. The only problem? LaRaine isn't coming. In fact, she wants Laurie to pretend to be her, because LaRaine has just landed a movie role. 

No one should know the difference, right? LaRaine's fiancé won't be there, and the rest of his family has never met LaRaine. So what could possibly go wrong? But things change when the fiancé in question, hotel magnate Rian Montgomery, shows up… and agrees to the ruse.

Though Janet Dailey wrote some fabulous romances, she’s most well-known for her Americana series. In this first three-book volume, Dailey turns her eye and pen to Alabama, Alaska, and Arizona: In the Heart of Dixie, a secretary falls for her cousin’s millionaire fiancé while playing a dangerous game of deception. 

Up in Anchorage, Shannon cozies up with the man who’s helping her find her missing lover. And in the searing heat of the desert, a sandstorm brings a wayward traveler and a sexy cattle thief together….

As Publishers Weekly wrote of the series, “Dailey does the genre proud with plenty of intrigue, subplots, twists and, of course, love.”

This Calder Range is the first installment in Dailey’s 11-book Calder Saga. Spurred by the promise of riches in late 19th-century Montana, Chase and Lorna travel from Texas through the prairies and cities of the West. It’s a transformative journey that brings them to the wilds of Montana, where they lead a life of high-stakes adventure on the open range. 

You’ll be rooting for their romance, but you’ll also root for Lorna, who goes from a timid city gal to a tough-as-nails frontier woman. If you’re looking for a western historical romance and a series that’ll sweep you away, this is a perfect pick.

This Dailey series features a trio of tough, sexy brothers. In the first book, Trust, injured police officer R.J. is on disability when he gets intrigued by a cold case—the long-ago disappearance of a millionaire’s daughter. 

It’s an obsession that carries over into his relationship with Erin, a beautiful artist, whom he suspects has a connection to the missing child. But as the truth trickles out, so does the danger, and R.J. is left to wonder who he can really trust. A “fast-paced, compelling romantic mystery,” this Bannon Brothers novel is a showcase of Dailey’s ability to ratchet up the suspense.

Fellow romance author Kat Martin called Texas True “big, bold, and sexy,” and it’s a deserved review. Our romantic hero is hot, a cowboy, and a military man. 

Back from his tour of duty, he crosses paths with Natalie, a new widow and the “one who got away.” Beau is eager to rebuild his life on his Texas ranch, but can he and Natalie rebuild the love they once shared? 

Christmas is always more cheery with some cowboys, right? In this third book of Dailey’s series, ‘tis the season for second chances: Fresh from the big city with a divorce certificate, a poodle, and a bun in the oven, Ellie returns to her hometown feeling down on her luck. 

Things get merry and bright when she reunites with her ex, Jubal, who’s now a rancher and the single father to an 8-year-old daughter. Can these former flames find a way to come back together and generate some heat in the winter cold? 

With its heartwarming premise and adorable cover (a guy holding a pup in the snow!), Just a Little Christmas is the perfect curl-up-and-read romance for any time of year.