I’ve got a big list of my novels here, with the books in order by series, but I’ll admit it’s a pretty long list these days, and there aren’t descriptions of the various series. I’ve been publishing for eleven-plus years as I write this, and I think I’m getting close to a hundred novels between my name and my pen name Ruby Lionsdrake (sci-fi romance, if you’re interested). It can be daunting for a new reader!
I’m putting together this post in case you’re new to my work, and you’ve read one or two of my series, but you’re not sure what you should try next. (This assumes you enjoyed the books you read and want more like them; if you hated them, my style doesn’t change much from series to series, so you’re probably better off checking out another author.)
I hope this helps!
(Note: some of my newer series are exclusive to Amazon. With the exception of the Ruby Lionsdrake books, they will eventually come out in the other stores. In the meantime, there are lots of books below that are available everywhere.)
Dragon Blood and the spin-off series Heritage of Power
Humor, romance, adventure, and a snarky sentient sword in a high fantasy setting. If you read the eight Dragon Blood books (plus Shattered Past and the novella Under the Ice Blades), then the next logical read is the Heritage of Power spin-off series.
Already read both? You might like my Emperor’s Edge series (no dragons, but there’s an assassin, and he’s just as cuddly as a dragon). If you love snark, can’t get enough of dragons, and don’t mind hopping over to a modern Earth setting, you could also try my Death Before Dragons series.
- Heritage of Power Book 1: Dragon Storm
- The Emperor’s Edge Book 1: The Emperor’s Edge
- Death Before Dragons Book 1: Sinister Magic
Dragon Gate
If you enjoy this series because it’s on the epic side with quite a few heroes that we hop between and worlds-spanning problems, then you might like my Star Kingdom series (which also features gates, because who doesn’t love gates?). That does shift from fantasy to space adventure sci-fi though. And it’s a little lighter with more humor.
If you like the Dragon Gate characters and the touches of humor in a high fantasy setting, then I suggest Emperor’s Edge or Dragon Blood. For another young hero who gradually learns he has power, consider my Chains of Honor series (Yanko gets a parrot rather than a dragon, but he otherwise has many similarities to Jak!).
- Emperor’s Edge Book 1: The Emperor’s Edge
- Dragon Blood Book 1: Balanced on the Blades’ Edge
- Chains of Honor Book 1: Warrior Mage
- Star Kingdom Book 1: Shockwave
For something that’s a bit of a nod to Dungeons & Dragons (with elves and dwarves and the like), you could also try my Agents of the Crown series.
- Agents of the Crown Book 1: Eye of Truth
Death Before Dragons
My first major contemporary fantasy series (and still my longest). It’s in first-person with a snarky half-elf heroine and a completely uptight and haughty dragon (he chills a bit as the series progresses) who turns into a human when he comes to Earth. These are relatively fast-paced novels with each one telling a complete tale, though you’ll hopefully want to read through all nine to see Val’s and Zav’s relationship develop (or just for the goblins, who try to steal the show).
If you’ve already read them, you could check out my A Witch in Wolf Wood series, which is also set in contemporary times, but with werewolves and witches instead of dragons and half-elves.
- A Witch in Wolf Wood Book 1: Mind Over Magic.
You also might like my Rust & Relic series (also contemporary and first person), but as of this post, I haven’t yet finished the series. When I first released it, the fans weren’t that excited about my switch to contemporary fantasy, and I ended up going back to high fantasy for a while. I do plan to write two more eventually to wrap things up.
- Rust & Relics Book 1: Torrent.
The Emperor’s Edge, Encrypted/Decrypted, and Chains of Honor
These two series, and the “Forgotten Ages” duology of Encrypted and Decrypted, are all set in the same world. Chronologically speaking, Encrypted comes first, though the original Emperor’s Edge novel was the first book I published. Sicarius, the assassin in that series, first appears as a boy in Encrypted, but it can be read as a stand-alone. Before you get to Forged in Blood 1 & 2 toward the end of the Emperor’s Edge series, you might want to read Encrypted and Decrypted as the characters in those play a role in those final books. Also, Tikaya and Rias are just fun geeky heroes.
The four-novel Chains of Honor series is set after the events in the Emperor’s Edge series. It can stand alone, but Sicarius and Amaranthe do pop in and play a bit of a role near the end. And Akstyr and his hair have a guest appearance in Book 1. Oh, and Tikaya’s family (Encrypted/Decrypted) also play a small role in Book 1.
In short, you might want to read all of these if you’re a fan of the world.
- The Emperor’s Edge Book 1
- Chains of Honor Book 1 (Warrior Mage)
- Encrypted or (for both novels and a short story) Forgotten Ages
Already finished? I think you’d enjoy the Dragon Blood books, though if you want something a little grittier, you might also try my Dragon Gate series. I’m still writing this one as I pen this post, but it should be complete in 2022.
- Dragon Blood Book 1: Balanced on the Blades’ Edge
- Dragon Gate Book 1: Kingdoms at War
Agents of the Crown
Another high fantasy adventure series, this one is light on politics, empires clashing, and other world-wide happenings. I originally thought of it as a fantasy-mystery romance, which the romance evolving over five books.
If you already read it and want another series, I’ll point you toward Dragon Blood.
- Dragon Blood Book 1: Balanced on the Blades’ Edge
For a smaller story with romance that develops over the series, you might also like my Flash Gold novellas. They’re set on 1800s Earth rather than in a fantasy setting though.
- Flash Gold Story 1: Flash Gold
Star Kingdom
I originally tagged this one Big Bang Theory in space, because it’s got quite the collection of misfit geeks, with a pacifistic roboticist for the hero and a socially awkward microbiologist for his best friend. They’re not your typical action heroes (though Kim, the microbiologist, has a mean side kick and can hold her own in a fight).
With a number of point of view characters and a story that expands as the series continues, this ended up almost feeling like “epic” space opera. Is that a thing? I’m not sure, but if you like this, my other big space adventure series is Fallen Empire, so you might try that. If you like the grander scale and don’t mind fantasy, Dragon Gate might also be worth your time (it’s a bit darker than Star Kingdom though).
- Fallen Empire Book 1: Star Nomad
- Dragon Gate Book 1: Kingdoms at War
Fallen Empire
A pilot mother looking for her missing daughter in the aftermath of a great war, this is a one PoV-series with a slow-burn romance and lots of adventures in space. It’s a less epic story than Star Kingdom, but if you want more sci-fi by me, it’s the next logical choice. Although, you could also try…
If you don’t mind sex scenes and a different couple being featured in each book, you might also like the Mandrake Company series I wrote under Ruby Lionsdrake. Those are a bit Firefly-inspired but with much more romance and a big crew of mercenaries instead of a little crew of cargo haulers.
- Star Kingdom Book 1: Shockwave
- Mandrake Company Book 1: Mercenary Instinct
A Witch in Wolf Wood
This is the story of what happens when a divorced, 40-year-old heroine inherits her grandmother’s house in the tiny town of Bellrock, Washington, and learns that Grandma was a witch… and that she has the power to become one too. If she can just get past the werewolf who thinks the property is his to guard.
These are light stories with more pets (familiars) and a little less action than my usual. I originally envisioned them as cozy mysteries with magic, though they evolved into their own thing, as typically happens.
If you’ve already read these, you might enjoy my Death Before Dragon series (also contemporary fantasy).
Death Before Dragons Book 1: Sinister Magic
Flash Gold
My one and only steampunk-set-on-Earth series, these five novellas take place in the Yukon in the late 1800s. I’m not sure they’re quite like any of my other series, but there’s humor with a slow-burn romance (that tends to be a theme of mine!). If you enjoyed them and also like high fantasy with elves and dwarves and the like, you might try my Agents of the Crown series.
Agents of the Crown Book 1: Eye of Truth
The previously mentioned sci-fi romance of Ruby Lionsdrake
I wrote about 15 novels under this pen name over a few years. Ruby has been on a hiatus, but she may return one day. In the meantime, the main series are Mandrake Company (all the romances you can imagine happening on a mercenary ship) and Star Guardians (five human women kidnapped from Earth for adventures and romance in space). Also, those who like fantasy romance with naughty bits might like the stand-alone novel Dragon Bond.
- Mandrake Company Book 1: Mercenary Instinct
- Star Guardians Book 1: Orion
- Dragon Bond
If you came to me via Ruby Lionsdrake and want more books like those, you might try my Fallen Empire series (but this is a slow-burn romance across a series instead of a hook-up in one book).
- Fallen Empire Book 1: Star Nomad
I didn’t mention everything here, but for a complete list, you can check the novels/reading order page.
Thanks, and if you’d like to leave a comment with suggestions of your own, that’s welcome!
I first read your work in the Fallen Empire series. I had listened to your old podcast, the Science Fiction & Fantasy Marketing Podcast. I wasn’t a fantasy reader (you converted me) but loved sci-fi. It was mentioned on the podcast the new sci-fi book/series (maybe five or six years ago) and your writing, story telling, and humor had me hooked. I read the series and then have just kept reading (or listening) to your work. I’m one who owns most ebooks and audiobooks. I’ve become a big fanboy. You are simply an amazing writer with awesome some awesome narration. I like Vivienne Leheny’s narration the best. Her voice with your words – simply the best.
I would also recommend Fractured Stars and the assorted short stories/novella: Bearadise Lodge, Here Be Dragons, and Junkyard. Set in the same world as the Fallen Empire series (so Sci Fi). It works fine as a stand-alone. It’s one of my favorites.
Based on my own favorites, I’d recommend “Emperor’s Edge” and “Death Before Dragons” together.
I came upon your writing while browsing randomly for free stories on smashwords. At the time, you were offering a free bundle of the first 3 (or was it 5?) books in Emperor’s Edge. And you could write! And plot! And oh my, develop some of the most delicious characters ever! I became slightly obsessed with Sicarius, a less-than-monosyllabic character who nevertheless is bigger than life. After that, I bought most of your fantasy books, and liked them all to various degrees. “Death Before Dragons” is my other favorite series, and I suspect the richness of your characterizations is also responsible for that.
I did try some of your “firsts” in sci-fi, but didn’t feel like going further in their respective series. However, I loved “Junkyard”, which I think you could recommend independently of anything, since it’s a short stand-alone story. And even a ‘fantasy-not-scifi’ gal like me loved it.
I love all of the fantasy and sci fi. While I did enjoy the Ruby Lionsdrake, it’s not as memorable to me, I prefer the slower paced slower burn stuff, and really getting to know the various found families . There is a strong neurodiversity positive vibe in my family so I really enjoy the socially awkward heroes and heroines that run through so many of your series!
how about a list of all your other pen name you know the naughty books?
Thank you for this guide! I found you through the A Witch in Wolf Wood series and Book Four just came out today, I’m so excited! 🫖📚 While waiting for the new installment, I started Death Before Dragons and am on Book Seven now.
How do you write so much, and have so many different kinds of stories in you? I’ve tried my hand at a couple of novels (one a contemporary fantasy-romance and another just romance), but I can’t seem to finish them. Stumped on ideas on where I want the stories to go. When I look at writers like you, who are so prolific and keep it fresh, I wonder what ingredient I’m missing…anyway, looking forward to Moment of Tooth!
Thanks for the guide – although I read it more to check that I hadn’t missed out of any of your books. Sadly I have indeed read them all including your Ruby Lionsdrake novels.
I love them all, though most of all Death Before Dragons, which I read when they first came out and I have just heard them now on Audiobook narrated by Vivienne Leheny. Just as excellent on audiobook as when reading them. Vivienne really do all the voices excellently.
Do you perhaps consider a revisit to this story?
I would love to read/hear more. I just love the various characters and the snarky comments.
As always looking forward to your next book 🙂
Death Before Dragons was by far my favorite of your books. I think you finished the series well, so I can’t see more for Zav and Val. However, after the last book, my mind wondered what the world might be like in a few years when Val’s daughter was an adult. What if she ended up in a similar job like her mom? Or perhaps with a paranormal police department. Perhaps the world is more accepting of the non-human people from the cosmic realms. I could see her teaming up with other fantasy characters and she’s already training in weapons with her mom. I could also see an ‘unlikely’ partnership with her and Zav’s sister.
hi, love you’re books audios huh…. Ok when are turning hammerd into a audiobook. I love you’re books. thanksbye