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Jess Haines

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Jess Haines has published 13 books across 5 series. The recommended reading order starts with Nocturnal (2010).

About Jess Haines

Jess Haines is an American novelist who writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Her H&W Investigations series is set in a world where supernatural beings emerged after the events of 9/11. Haines was born in New York and now lives in Southern California.

Haines describes her work as having a "penchant for the silly, the obscure, and the fantastical." Her first novel, Hunted by the Others, was published in 2010. She also writes the Blackhollow Academy series, a young adult contemporary fantasy.

Tags
horrormysteryfantasyromancesuspensethriller
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Order of Anthologies

  1. Tags
    romance
    Description
    Blackmailed into taking a treacherous case, P.I. Sara Halloway is thrust into a demon war. She seeks guidance from a charismatic mage, but their hunger for one another soon becomes a deadly distraction. The danger surrounding them only makes their urges more powerful, and surrendering to otherworldly desire has never been so dangerous—and deliciously satisfying.
    Publication date
    September 1, 2010
    Amazon rating
    4.3/5
    Print length
    532
    Language
    English
    Publisher
    Zebra
  2. Description
    A werewolf trophy wife is found dead in Vampire County. Heather McPhee goes undercover to investigate, trading her usual rugged style for a mascara-and-manicures facade. She's willing to learn, especially with a sexy vampire detective, Lucien Mead, posing as her husband. Meanwhile, in an exclusive gated community that’s home to one of the state's largest werewolf packs, Tiffany Winters isn't intimidated by her new neighbors. She intends to take her place among them, even as she discovers that no one in the upscale neighborhood is quite who they appear to be. Secrets, scandal, and supernatural drama abound.
    Publication date
    November 1, 2011
    Amazon rating
    4/5
    Print length
    304
    Language
    English
    Publisher
    Kensington

Order of Blackhollow Academy Books

  1. Tags
    fantasyhorror
    Description
    Kimberly can fool the world into thinking she's a normal mage, but she wields ultimate cosmic power. To graduate Blackhollow Academy and land her dream job, she needs a familiar. As an illusionist, she can’t summon one. Her only hope is to bind a supernatural creature. She sets her sights on a dragon, believing a powerful Other will secure her future—and a treasure hoard. But this dragon sees through her illusions. Now, they might just survive a world that wants to control or destroy them both.
    Publication date
    April 28, 2016
    Amazon rating
    4.4/5
    Print length
    290
    Language
    English
    Publisher
    Jess Haines

Order of H&W Investigations Books

  1. Tags
    suspensethriller
    Description
    Shiarra Waynest, a PI, is hired by a mage. Her mission: recover an ancient artifact belonging to a powerful New York vampire. The job becomes a high-stakes game, pitting her life and heart against a battle between good and evil. She finds herself a secret weapon in the conflict.
    Publication date
    January 1, 2010
    Amazon rating
    3.9/5
    Print length
    346
    Language
    English
    Publisher
    Zebra Books
  2. Tags
    mysteryhorror
    Description
    Werewolves, vampires, mages, and creatures of the night are real, and for New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest, dealing with their business was once just a way to stay solvent. Now, her work is becoming dangerously complicated. Shiarra's relationship with the sexy werewolf Chaz has reached a new level, and she's ready to meet his pack. A rollicking full-moon weekend in the Catskills turns ominous with threatening notes and a ransacked cabin, pushing Shiarra to uncover the source of the danger. Is it rebellious teenagers, or something far more sinister? As rumors of her vampire ties stir hostility, Shiarra faces not only a deadly adversary but a threat from within.
    Publication date
    July 1, 2011
    Amazon rating
    4.1/5
    Print length
    352
    Language
    English
    Publisher
    Zebra
  3. Tags
    mysteryhorror
    Description
    Shiarra Waynest's life, once focused on keeping her P.I. agency afloat, is now turned upside down by the world of the Others. Two vampires, enemies for centuries, both want her. Max Carlyle seeks revenge for his progeny; Alec Royce's interest is more personal. This rivalry escalates as Shiarra's werewolf boyfriend, Chaz, watches. A vampire-hunting faction recruits Shiarra, forcing her to question her long-held beliefs about vampires and blurring the lines of her loyalties and desires.
    Publication date
    January 1, 2011
    Amazon rating
    4.1/5
    Print length
    352
    Language
    English
    Publisher
    Zebra
  4. Tags
    urban-fantasyfantasymysteryhorror
    Description
    Vampires, werewolves, mages—the Others are real, and wreaking havoc in Shiarra Waynest's life. But now, she's returning the favor. Once, she was one of the good guys—or as close as a New York P.I. can get. Then Shiarra Waynest was drawn into the world of the Others. Every faction has its own loyalties and agenda. Shia's recent betrayal by her ex-boyfriend means she may be on the verge of becoming a rogue werewolf at the next full moon. With threats against her, Shia isn't sure she'll live long enough to find out. The enigmatic vampire Royce wants her back, as do two powerful werewolf packs, along with the police. Instead of going into hiding, Shia enlists her enchanted hunter's belt and every dirty P.I. trick she knows. If she's going down, she'll take out as many enemies as she can—and hope she keeps whatever humanity she has left.
    Publication date
    July 3, 2012
    Amazon rating
    4.3/5
    Print length
    352
    Language
    English
    Publisher
    Zebra
  5. Tags
    urban-fantasyfantasyhorror
    Description
    The Others have arrived. Vampires, werewolves, and creatures of nightmare now share the mortal world. For private investigator Shiarra Waynest, this means constant mayhem. One night with a charismatic vampire can cost you eternity. Shiarra knows this. Yet she wakes beside Alec Royce with a pounding head and a sore neck. Her only escape: a pack of East Coast werewolves eager to make her a chew toy. On Royce's advice, Shiarra flees to Los Angeles. But something is rotten in California. Vampires are being attacked by zombies. Who has the power to control them? Who is reckless enough to target the immortal? Shiarra follows the trail to a terrifying truth and an ancient enemy with a personal grudge.
    Publication date
    July 2, 2013
    Amazon rating
    4.3/5
    Print length
    336
    Language
    English
    Publisher
    Zebra
  6. Tags
    urban-fantasyfantasyhorror
    Description
    Vampires, werewolves, magi, and worse—the Others have joined the mortal world, and there’s no turning back now. As a New York P.I. and Other specialist, Shiarra Waynest has been in plenty of trouble before. But waking up in a windowless room, the prisoner of a vampire slave trader, is a shock for anyone. Shia has her wits, her bravado, and a couple of used staples, so maybe she can take on a mansion full of serious evil. But although she's desperate to escape, Shia needs some answers too. Her friends are in danger, and there are betrayers and spies among them. Even if she can figure out what's going on and somehow get a message out, she's still a captive of the worst kind.
    Publication date
    July 1, 2014
    Amazon rating
    4.5/5
    Print length
    352
    Language
    English
    Publisher
    Zebra
  7. Description
    Christoph, a werewolf, needs to rescue a girl from a vampire. He's not good at this, and he and his packmate are caught, magically neutered by enchanted collars. A mute vampire, Mouse, claims Christoph. She hungers for him but dislikes causing fear. They must learn to live together with his collar, without disrupting the vampire household. This story features characters from Jess Haines's H&W Investigations series and explores the Goliath werewolves of E. Blix.
    Publication date
    July 28, 2020
    Amazon rating
    4/5
    Print length
    457
    Language
    English
    Publisher
    Jess Haines

Order of Phoenix Rising Books

  1. Description
    Legend says a phoenix will rise again—but all that remains of the immortal bird are ashes and whispered fairy tales. Lyra Adams, a rare books dealer, finds her quiet life shattered when an angry wizard demands a unique tome from her store. She fights back, but the wizard retaliates by flinging ashes in her face, transforming her into a red bird. Her only hope of regaining her human form rests with James Pierce, her ex and a sorcerous thief who recently tried to steal the same book. Lyra knows she cannot trust him with her heart or her inventory, but can she trust him to reverse the spell and return her to normal? The question is whether she can rely on the man who betrayed her to save her from this feathered fate.
    Publication date
    May 12, 2017
    Amazon rating
    3.9/5
    Print length
    150
    Language
    English
    Publisher
    Jess Haines

Order of Short Stories/Novellas

  1. Description
    Therrell is the sole survivor of a massacre, and the only one who knows of the growing danger to his kingdom. He must reach the city with his warning before the monsters, beasts, and creatures too foul to name carve their way inside. They know he saw them. They know he is coming. They hunt him. He must survive. The messenger must deliver his report before it is too late.
    Publication date
    June 26, 2020
    Amazon rating
    5/5
    Print length
    23
    Language
    English
    Publisher
    Jess Haines
  2. Tags
    fantasy
    Description
    The lake holds secrets. The stories about it vary. An evil wizard turned a princess into a swan. A witch transformed a queen into a duck. A prince stole a woman’s veil. These tales hold a sliver of truth. But this story is mine. Time changes everything. Even me. This is the adult retelling of the Swan Princess.
    Publication date
    June 3, 2020
    Amazon rating
    3.2/5
    Print length
    46
    Language
    English
    Publisher
    Jess Haines

Frequently Asked Questions about Jess Haines

Jess Haines writes several series, and each generally needs to be read in order. The H&W Investigations series began in 2010 with Hunted by the Others. The Blackhollow Academy series started with Smoke and Mirrors in 2016. The Phoenix Rising series began with Ashes of the Phoenix in 2017. Short stories and novellas like Kill the Messenger and Swan Song were published in 2020. Readers can start with any series' first book to begin reading Jess Haines's novels. The Nocturnal and The Real Werewives of Vampire County books are anthologies that can be read at any time.

A good starting point for Jess Haines's novels is Hunted by the Others, the first book in her H&W Investigations series, published in 2010. This urban fantasy series is set in a world where supernatural beings emerged after the events of 9/11. Alternatively, readers interested in young adult contemporary fantasy can begin with Smoke and Mirrors, the first book in the Blackhollow Academy series, published in 2016. Both offer an entry into her distinct writing style.

Yes, it is generally recommended to read the books within each of Jess Haines's series in the order they were published. This is particularly true for the H&W Investigations series and the Blackhollow Academy series, where plotlines and character development progress across the books. While some short stories or novellas might be read independently, the main narrative arcs are best experienced sequentially to fully appreciate the unfolding story and character relationships.

Jess Haines primarily writes series. Her most well-known series include H&W Investigations, a paranormal romance and urban fantasy series, and Blackhollow Academy, a young adult contemporary fantasy series. She has also published books within the Phoenix Rising series. While she has released individual short stories and novellas, her longer works are typically part of these interconnected series, allowing for character and plot development over multiple books.

Jess Haines has written more than fifteen books across her various series and collections. Her H&W Investigations series alone has at least eight books. She has also published the Blackhollow Academy series, the Phoenix Rising series, and collections of short stories and novellas. The exact number can fluctuate as new works are released, but her bibliography includes a substantial number of titles within her preferred genres.

The first book Jess Haines wrote was Hunted by the Others, published in 2010. This novel launched her H&W Investigations series, an urban fantasy and paranormal romance line set in a world where supernatural beings became known after 9/11. The book established the series' core premise and introduced readers to its characters and the unique setting. It serves as the starting point for one of her most recognized literary contributions.

The most recent books by Jess Haines mentioned are the short stories/novellas Kill the Messenger and Swan Song, both published in 2020. These offer a glimpse into her work outside of her longer series. Information about future releases is not available at this time. Readers can explore her existing bibliography, which includes the H&W Investigations series, the Blackhollow Academy series, and the Phoenix Rising series.

Jess Haines writes in the genres of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. She also writes young adult contemporary fantasy. Her work often features supernatural beings and explores themes within these speculative fiction subgenres. She has described her writing as having a "penchant for the silly, the obscure, and the fantastical," indicating a playful approach to these genres.

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How We Verified This Reading Order

We verified the reading order for Jess Haines's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.

Last verified: July 2026

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Shelf & Shadows. (). “Jess Haines Books in Order.” Retrieved , from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/jess-haines