They unfold like a quilt. Each book is a separate, beautiful square with its own pattern and color. When you step back and look at them side by side (in order), you see the larger pattern they create together—a tapestry of Southern women's resilience. But each square is complete unto itself. You can admire one square for hours without needing to see the whole quilt. Order matters only if you want to see the grand design the maker envisioned.
Oh, great question. The series order can be a bit confusing if you just pick them up randomly. 'Carolina Chronicles' isn't a single linear series, but rather a collection of novels set in the same world, primarily in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 'The Prayer Box' kicks things off, followed by 'The Story Keeper'. Then you have 'The Sea Keeper's Daughters', and 'The Book of Lost Friends' is a more recent addition that ties into the same thematic universe. The books share a Southern atmosphere and themes of uncovering family secrets, but each features a different protagonist and standalone plot. You could technically read them out of order, but reading in publication order lets you appreciate Wingate's evolving style and the subtle connections she builds between the books.
Wait, I thought 'The Book of Lost Friends' was a prequel of sorts because it's set in the past? No? Okay, never mind. This is why series order questions always get messy.
I see them as a triptych. 'The Prayer Box' is about personal faith and recovery. 'The Story Keeper' is about the power of narrative itself. 'The Sea Keeper's Daughters' is about legacy and inheritance. Together, they form a beautiful meditation on what we hold onto and what we pass on. Viewing them as a single, unfolding triptych made my reading experience much more profound. The order is essential to see that larger picture emerge from three distinct panels.
2026-07-22 03:39:24
25
View All Answers
Scan code to download App
Related Books
The Heaven Hill Series
Laramie Briscoe
10
21.2K
Fall in love with these bad-boy bikers — with steamy stories ranging from second-chance romances to secret hookups.The Heaven Hill Series is created by Laramie Briscoe, an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author.
Fall in love with this next generation of bikers - ranging from stories of second chances to the love of a lifetime.18+, sex scenes, miscarriageThe Heaven Hill Generations is created by Laramie Briscoe, an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author.
“I reject you.”
Three words shattered her soul.
Her mate bond severed, her future stolen.
But in the silence of heartbreak… the Moon Goddess answered.
Four Alphas. Four packs.
One Queen Luna to unite them or be their undoing
Book One
A Choice Lost to Fate
Evandra Johnson is the Luna of the Pearl Pack and life is going great.... until it isn't. What she thought was a happy marriage to the love of her life, Jalen, her mate and Alpha, turns to something she doesn't recognize overnight. How did she not see the signs? He chose an Omega over her and now the pack will have a new Luna.
Now she is faced with heartbreak, pain, humiliation, and a new sense of hopelessness. She has no family to turn to, no friends outside of the Pearl Pack and nowhere to go. Staying a lone wolf means she accepts the status of a rogue. But approaching another pack's territory could cost her life.
After her mate's rejection and being banished from her pack, she must figure out her own way. Although she is a trained warrior and has a fierce wolf spirit within her, many dangers await in the forest. She is weakened by the strain of her mate's rejection, making her vulnerable and putting her at great risk.
Can she find herself before her wolf becomes a feral beast she no longer can control, or will she rise above?
*Sexually graphic scenes, multiple mates.
The Fated Series is a fast-paced shifter romance mini series presented to you in three parts.
Book One: A Choice Lost to Fate
Book Two: A Choice to Survive
Book Three: A Choice Bound in Blood
WARNING: THIS SERIES IS STRICTLY FOR ADULTS (18+).
Step into a world where every fantasy is explored and no desire is too forbidden. This collection of scorching short stories dives deep into raw passion, taboo cravings, and the kind of encounters that blur the line between temptation and surrender.
From intoxicating age-gap romances that burn with forbidden heat, to sultry girl-on-girl (GG) affairs dripping with desire, to explosive man-on-man (MM) connections that set the pages on fire — and many more sinful delights waiting to be discovered.
Each story is designed to push boundaries, awaken hidden desires, and leave you breathless for more. If you’re ready to indulge in the wild, the daring, and the downright irresistible… this series is your guilty pleasure.
As a little girl, Olivia was convinced that supernatural creatures were real. After all, she had met a werewolf in her own backyard. Unfortunately, no one believed her. She lost all of her friends at school for being the weird girl, and her parents were convinced that she was insane. A decade of research and searching went by until she finally found him again. Her mate. The Alpha. When her family hears that she is talking about the existence of supernatural creatures again, they decide that enough is enough. Since going to doctors and therapists didn't work, they decided to send her away to the only place that could help her, and protect their other daughter from Olivia's instability and hallucinations. An asylum. Alpha Gabriel is livid and wants his mate back. When he finds out the love of his life was taken away, he prepares his army to do anything that it would take to get her back. Little does he know that the enemy to his kind runs the facility, feeding off of the patients and keeping them locked up for eternity.
Rustlers and Romance:Desire in his eyes gave her a sense of power.Can life on his ranch be a fresh start from her volatile past?The flare of desire in his eyes filled her with a sense of power.An Uptown Girl and A Cowboy:A city slicker meets a world class outdoorsman.A rugged, stone-faced cowboy greets her with a mesmerizing stare. Will murderous evidence she innocently possesses kill her?Secrets and Deceptions:The years of separation have taken their toll, testing the strength of their love. Will she take the risk of revealing her secret? Can he leave the horrors of battle behind?The Saddle Creek Series is created by Lorelei Confer, an EGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.
I've seen this debate. Purists say publication order always. I say, read the summary and pick the one that appeals to you most. Life's too short for reading lists that feel like obligations. Wingate's books are emotional experiences; choose based on which story speaks to you now.
There's no wrong answer here. Seriously. I've never seen a fan get upset because someone read 'The Story Keeper' first. Her fanbase seems really welcoming, and the focus is always on the emotional story, not gatekeeping the 'proper' sequence. That says a lot about the kind of stories she writes.
From a book club leader's view, this is a frequent question. I tell members that with Wingate, we select a single title. We don't have to commit to a series. It's perfect for one-month discussions.
'Before We Were Yours' is our most popular pick by far. Its 'connection' to her other work is her compassionate narrative style and focus on hidden histories.
Honestly, just look at the Goodreads ratings and number of reviews. Start with the highest-rated one that appeals to you. The crowd isn't always wrong. 'Before We Were Yours' has that rating for a reason—it's accessible, emotionally gripping, and a brilliant intro to her style of blending fact and fiction.
It's a guaranteed hook. If you love it, you'll be motivated to read her deeper cuts. If it somehow doesn't work for you, her other styles might not either. It's an efficient litmus test.