Shelly Alexander
Shelly Alexander has published 13 books across 3 series. The recommended reading order starts with It's In His Heart (2015).
Shelly Alexander writes contemporary romance and women's fiction novels, including the Red River Valley series. She grew up traveling the world, earning a bachelor's degree in marketing and working in the business sector for twenty-five years. With four older brothers and a sister, Alexander's childhood was filled with Star Trek episodes, softball games, and G.I. Joes, a far cry from ballet classes or Barbie dolls. When she had three sons, she turned to romance novels to escape her male-dominated world, a habit that eventually led her to writing.
Her debut novel, It's in His Heart, was published in 2015. Alexander's books have been recognized with multiple accolades, including being a 2014 Golden Heart® finalist and a 2019 Rita® finalist. Her novel rainforest reached #1 Bestseller status in Contemporary Romance, Contemporary Women's Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Series, Single Women's Fiction, and Women's Fiction Romance. After earning a Master's Degree in Biblical Studies, Alexander moved to Tennessee, where she lives with her two toy poodles, Mozart and Midge.
Shelf & Shadows
Order of Angel Fire Falls Books
- TagsromanceDescriptionScarlett Devereaux’s life on the Gulf Coast went from riches to rags so scandalously fast that she barely had time to kiss her Jimmy Choos goodbye. Now, with a new alias, Lily Barns, a new budget tighter than a pair of Spanx, and a new job on the vacation island of Angel Fire Falls, she’s daring to reinvent herself. Single dad Trace Remington is devoted first and foremost to raising his young son, who has Asperger’s. With flying his floatplane and salvaging his family’s island resort too, he has time for little else. When his brothers goad him into action, Trace asks a sexy tourist for her number, only to discover afterward that she’s the resort’s brilliant new hospitality manager. The sparks of flirtation soon ignite into a flame too hot to ignore, but Lily and Trace both have pasts that threaten to tear them apart. Now, they’ll need to admit their secrets to each other, or risk ending their relationship before it really begins.Publication dateJuly 17, 2018Amazon rating4.5/5Print length288LanguageEnglishPublisherMontlake Romance
- TagsromancefantasyDescriptionMaking dreams come true is a red-hot challenge for two stubborn hearts risking it all on a second chance. Financial wizard Elliott Remington doesn't turn down a dare, and this one involves coordinating a service-dog boot camp for veterans at his family's resort. Success means a ticket to his dream career on the West Coast, but it comes with a hitch: he must team up with his ex, who vanished ten years ago with nothing more than a kiss-off note. Rebel Tate, a dog whisperer with a keen sense of survival, did what she had to do for both their sakes. Now back in Angel Fire Falls, she's doing what she loves next to the man she's never forgotten. While the flame between them still smolders, neither is ready to get burned. For Elliott, trusting Rebel is a gamble. For Rebel, sharing the secrets that sent her running is a risk. As they race to finish a job that could define both their futures, can two hearts collide for a second chance at true romance?Publication dateJanuary 15, 2019Amazon rating4.5/5Print length288LanguageEnglishPublisherMontlake Romance
Order of Checkmate, Inc. Books
- Tags---DescriptionThe world of professional tennis is a brutal one, where ambition and rivalry run as deep as the lines on the court. ForePlay delves into the lives of those who play the game, the coaches who guide them, and the fans who watch from the sidelines, all caught in a complex web of passion, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of victory. As players navigate grueling tournaments and personal struggles, the stakes are always high. But when a shocking secret threatens to unravel everything they've fought for, their carefully constructed lives begin to crumble, forcing them to confront the true cost of their dreams.Publication dateOctober 29, 2016Amazon rating4.2/5Print length204LanguageEnglishPublisherA Touch of Sass, LLC
- Tags---DescriptionThe story of a woman who moves to a new town and begins a new life. She finds a job at a library and starts a book club. She also begins a relationship with a local man. The book club becomes a place for the women to share their stories and support each other. The library becomes a safe haven for the woman, a place where she can escape her past and find solace. The relationship with the man offers her a chance at happiness. The book explores themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery.Publication dateApril 13, 2017Amazon rating4.4/5Print length202LanguageEnglishPublisherA Touch of Sass, LLC
- Tags---DescriptionSmart guys make the best lovers because they are curious and want to learn as much as possible, especially about women. As a founding partner of Checkmate Inc., Leo Foxx has built a career on this very thing, becoming a quasi-celebrity and the jet-setting playboy of the company. He can't commit to a serious relationship while overseeing an expansion that could bankrupt Checkmate if he doesn't keep his eye on the prize. Besides, the only woman he'd like to study and figure out is one he can't have. And since she's one of his closest friends and his business partner's sister, the playboy image is the perfect facade to hide his true feelings. But when his professional life threatens to collide with his personal desires, Leo must decide if he’s willing to risk everything for the one woman he can’t have.Publication dateJanuary 25, 2017Amazon rating4.4/5Print length190LanguageEnglishPublisherA Touch of Sass, LLC
- Tags---DescriptionThey didn't become successful and smokin' hot by accident. The founding partners of Checkmate Inc. were smart enough to surround themselves with guys who helped them transform into the men they are today. Get ready for more stories about the hotties connected to Checkmate Inc. This fun, flirty, and dirty contemporary series features sizzling hot players who meet their matches. If you like smart, gorgeous, dirty-talking guys who love bold and bright women, this is the series for you.Publication dateOctober 30, 2018Amazon rating4.3/5Print length200LanguageEnglishPublisherA Touch of Sass, LLC
Order of Red River Valley Books
- Tags---DescriptionElla Dennings seeks solace in her Red River Valley cabin after her husband Bradley's death, hoping to finish her anonymously written book series. But a raging rainstorm reveals an unwelcome guest: Cooper Wells, Bradley's best friend, a man Ella despises and who is known for his charm. Coop, facing a nasty legal battle, has nowhere else to go, forcing them to share the cabin. Their forced proximity ignites a simmering animosity that begins to boil over into undeniable attraction. As they navigate their shared space, Ella's latest novel, filled with scandalous secrets, starts to make waves in their quiet town. Will her hidden identity be exposed, threatening to bring scandal upon them both?Publication dateAugust 1, 2015Amazon rating4.1/5Print length294LanguageEnglishPublisherMontlake Romance
- Tags---DescriptionAngelique Barbetta handles everything, from alligator wrestling to recovering from illness. But after finding her fiancé with their assistant, she needs a break. Her law firm sends her to Red River for a case that seems simple, until she meets her neighbor, Blake Holloway. He is one of the proprietors who stands to lose everything if Angelique wins. They are on opposite sides of a legal battle, with undeniable chemistry swirling between them. As Blake shows Angelique the town, her heart softens for the people whose businesses form its soul. Can she put aside her feelings to win? Or will he convince her there is more at stake than the case—like love?Publication dateNovember 3, 2015Amazon rating4.4/5Print length307LanguageEnglishPublisherMontlake Romance
- Tags---DescriptionMiranda Cruz is Red River's newest innkeeper, but first she must find the contractor who vanished with her life savings to start renovations. It's no easy task for a woman who relies on no one, especially a man. When a handsome old flame reappears, their rekindled passion threatens to destroy her dreams. Talmadge Oaks, an environmental architect, returns to Red River for family business, eager to escape a professional disaster awaiting him in Washington. An unexpected delay, however, entangles him in the renovations of his late grandmother's Victorian inn. He offers his skills to the inn's beautiful new owner, but his true intentions are not entirely selfless. Will his secret undermine everything they are building, or can their undeniable passion secure their future?Publication dateJune 14, 2016Amazon rating4.3/5Print length304LanguageEnglishPublisherMontlake Romance
- Tags---DescriptionThe gorgeous ex-SEAL has arrived. Mitchell Lawson, Cam's twin brother, returns to Red River after years away, a teenage rebel turned military man. He's back to mend fences with his sheriff father and the town, but his real mission is resisting Lorenda, the woman he's always wanted. Lorenda Lawson has carefully built a safe life for her two sons since their father's death, a life no one in town suspects was anything less than perfect. Now, with Mitchell's return and a series of suspicious fires igniting, all eyes are on him. Lorenda risks her reputation for his sake, but to truly bring this bad boy home, she'll have to risk her heart.Publication dateJanuary 3, 2017Amazon rating4.5/5Print length316LanguageEnglishPublisherMontlake Romance
- TagsromancechildrenDescriptionIn the mountain town of Red River, Kimberly Perez, shaped by a difficult past, proposes an ordinance to cut holiday decorations and festivities, believing the funds are better used to help children in need. Ross Armstrong, determined to honor his late sister's love for Christmas, must block Kimberly's proposal that would ban the holiday. Their public disagreement at a town council meeting divides Red River, forcing the chairperson to pair them up for a new tradition: the Wishing Tree. Can they find common ground and the true spirit of the holidays to reunite their town and nurture the feelings growing between them? Or will their clashing beliefs turn them into enemies and tear Red River apart forever?Publication dateNovember 12, 2019Amazon rating4.5/5Print length168LanguageEnglishPublisherA Touch of Sass LLC
- TagsromanceDescriptionRed River's most eligible bachelor has been keeping secrets. Flight medic Langston Brooks has built a good life in his hometown, with a close-knit circle, an exciting career on a life-flight helicopter, and good looks that make him the catch of the town. The only thing missing is someone to share it with. His secret lover for the past decade isn't a forever kind of girl. Burdened by a tarnished reputation over something she didn't do, she sees an international winter sports event she's brought to Red River as her ticket out of town, a chance for a clean break and a payday. The only problem is leaving Langston behind. After years of keeping their relationship under wraps at her insistence, she breaks it off for good, believing moving on alone is best for everyone, especially Langston, who deserves better than her troubled past. But when they're forced to work together to make the event a success, can she maintain the pretense that she doesn't love him anymore? Or will she finally give in and become his forever love? Return to Red River, where the nights are cool and the romance is hot, for a sexy novella about a secret love affair that's lasted a decade.Publication dateFebruary 24, 2019Amazon rating4.3/5Print length98LanguageEnglishPublisherA Touch of Sass, LLC
- Tags---DescriptionDylan McCoy is ready to take over his uncle's Red River bar, Cotton Eyed Joe's, but first, he must prove his worth. He's putting his past in L.A.'s music scene behind him and hosting a songwriter's workshop, bringing in big names to attend. Life is good until the neighboring business owners threaten his establishment just as the musicians arrive. Meanwhile, Hailey Hicks, a seasoned hairstylist, returns to Red River after six years away, carrying a secret. She's back to help her cousin expand her salon, but the renovations are drawing fire from the saloon next door. When she confronts Dylan, the exes' chemistry ignites. Can they heal the wounds from their past breakup, or will her secret burn them both again?Publication dateMay 28, 2019Amazon rating4.5/5Print length116LanguageEnglishPublisherA Touch of Sass, LLC
Frequently Asked Questions about Shelly Alexander
Shelly Alexander writes contemporary romance and women's fiction. She is known for her series, including Red River Valley, Angel Fire Falls, and Checkmate, Inc. Her debut novel, It's in His Heart, was published in 2015. Alexander grew up in a large family and spent twenty-five years in the business sector before turning to writing. She earned a Master's Degree in Biblical Studies and currently lives in Tennessee with her two toy poodles. Her books have received finalist nominations for awards like the Golden Heart® and Rita®.
A good starting point for Shelly Alexander's books is her debut novel, It's in His Heart, which is the first book in the Red River Valley series. This series allows readers to become familiar with her writing style and common themes. Alternatively, readers interested in a different setting might begin with the first book in the Checkmate, Inc. series, ForePlay, or the first book in the Angel Fire Falls series, Dare Me Once. These series offer distinct worlds and characters to explore.
It is generally recommended to read the books within each of Shelly Alexander's series in the order they were published. This is because her series often feature interconnected characters and plotlines that develop over multiple books. Reading them out of order may lead to spoilers or a less cohesive understanding of the story arcs. However, some readers may find that individual books within a series can still be enjoyed as standalones due to the focus on specific couples or situations in each installment.
Shelly Alexander primarily writes series. Her notable series include the Red River Valley books, the Angel Fire Falls books, and the Checkmate, Inc. books. While each book within a series often focuses on a particular couple or storyline, there are ongoing elements and character developments that connect them. Readers typically find the most complete experience by reading the books within each series in chronological order. She has not published standalone novels.
As of late 2023, Shelly Alexander has written at least 20 books across her published series. The Red River Valley series contains at least 8 books. The Checkmate, Inc. series includes 4 books. The Angel Fire Falls series contains 2 books. There may be additional books in the Red River Valley series not listed. Readers should check publication dates for the most current information on her bibliography.
The first book Shelly Alexander wrote and published is It's in His Heart, which was released in 2015. This novel also serves as the beginning of her Red River Valley series. The book introduces readers to her contemporary romance and women's fiction style. It has been followed by several other books in the same series, exploring the lives and relationships within that setting.
The most recent book by Shelly Alexander, as of late 2023, is It's In His Christmas Wish, published in 2019, which is part of the Red River Valley series. This holiday-themed novel continues the stories within that established world. Readers looking for her latest work should note the publication dates of her books.
Shelly Alexander writes contemporary romance and women's fiction novels. Her books often focus on relationships, personal growth, and emotional connections. She is known for creating engaging characters and developing storylines that resonate with readers of these genres. Her work tends to be character-driven and explores the complexities of modern relationships.
Skyler Mason
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We verified the reading order for Shelly Alexander's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: July 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “Shelly Alexander Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/shelly-alexander