
Orders were orders, but battle-weary undercover agent Kit Anderson chafed at seeking refuge from death threats in the house of her new boss, Coast Guard Lieutenant Noah Trayhern. Noah's cold authority masked inner demons to rival her own; his rough k...
Fresh from grueling years of pilot training, Alyssa Trayhern couldn't believe the navy was about to crash-land her career. Butwhy else assign her as copilot to cocky jet jockey Clay Cantrell? Aly vowed to defy Clay's cruel hatred of her Trayhern name...
Marine captain Morgan Trayhern couldn't risk staying in the States, yet he didn't dare leave. Fragile, gutsy Laura Bennett had been injured saving his worthless skin, and a Trayhern never dodged duty. Despite the danger, he had to protect his sweet g...
To pilot Chase Trayhern, war was men's business: Korea in 1950 was no place for a woman! But when angelic nurse Rachel McKenzie saved his chauvinistic hide, Captain Trayhern was forced to change his tune.... Trapped behind enemy lines, Chase and ...
Wolf Harding might have left Morgan Trayhern's mercenary business, but he was still intrigued by worthy causes. One look at Sarah Thatcher and Wolf knew he had to get involved with the lovely spitfire--for her own safety. But who was going to pro...
THE MERCENARY...Anyone called me in for a job, they knew one thing: Jim Woodward worked alone. Risking my neck was as natural to me as breathing, and I'd never needed anyone to watch my back. Especially if she was a woman--and hotshot Pepper Sinclair...
AVENGING ANGEL Little Jason Trayhern, kidnapped! Only undercover operative Sabra Jacob's daring could save him. Yet the stakes had never been more heart-wrenchingly personal. It meant placing her life in the hands of her explosive, provocative new...
A DRIVING NEED Culver Lachlan wanted no part of teaming up with beautiful Pilar Martinez for a new mission. Seeing her again brought bitter memories of how she'd abandoned their love ...yet reminded him of the torrid passion they'd once shared ......
A FORGOTTEN WIFE He'd escaped with his life, but after his traumatic kidnapping and daring rescue, Morgan Trayhern's memory had been stolen from him. Now only his wife, Laura, could return this hero to love - and reawaken the passion of th...
Captain Reid Hunter had survived many of life's battles, but when it came to women, the rugged marine was like a wounded lion. So when his latest assignment had him keeping guard over beautiful Dr. Casey Morrow, he started snarling! Not only did the ...
A SOLDIER...AND A FATHER As powerful as the jaguar that was his emblem, Major Mike Houston was a dangerous man to love. But the battle-worn mercenary was the only man Dr. Ann Parsons could trust when her latest mission took her deep into enemy ter...
WHATEVER HUNTER WANTED... HUNTER GOT And the long, lean military man wanted his woman back from the moment he set his piercing gaze on her again. 'Cause Ty Hunter might have let Dr. Catt Alborak walk away once, but not even a passionate Texas hell...
THE TOUGHER HUNTER WAS... The harder he was bound to fall. But that didn't stop rugged mercenary Devlin Hunter from shrugging off his boss's order to partner up with pretty Kulani Dawson on his latest mission. After all, a man had his pride -- and...
LEAN, MEAN -- AND ABOUT TO FALL IN LOVE! Rock-solid, hard-bitten and no stranger to danger, mercenary Shep Hunter was going to run his latest mission without interference from Dr. Maggie Harper, the woman who'd stubbornly walked away from him year...
WOMAN OF INNOCENCE Banished by his aristocratic family, proud Rafe Antonio needed no one. The rugged ranger had pledged himself to the protection of the land he loved -- and the life of a lone wolf. Then, out of the world of privilege he'd walke...
She was known as Inca, a woman whose beauty was rivaled only by her legendary power -- a power that had earned her a price on her head. Sworn to protect her, rugged mercenary Roan Storm Walker struggled against his all-too-human emotions. For Inca wa...
A SOLDIER, STRONG AND TRUE Wounded and alone, Captain Thane Hamilton came home to Arizona a decorated hero -- and a bitter, embattled man. The doctors claimed he would never truly heal, never return to the Marine recon team he'd led and loved. ...
WOMAN, WARRIOR...WIFE? A tower of testosterone, Captain Jake Travers had the drive, the daring and the pulverizingly masculine muscles to rescue his kidnapped kid sister singlehandedly. All he needed was a guide through the perilous Peruvian jungl...
Powerful enemy...turned passionate lover They had met before. Battled before. And Captain Maya Stevenson had never wanted to lay eyes again on Major Dane York -- the man who once tried to destroy her military career! But she was ready for him now....
Morgan Trayhern's toughest mercenary is about to find his heart this Christmas when his matchmaking boss puts him in the path of Montana's prettiest widow....
SHE NEEDED TO BELIEVE...HE NEEDED TO LOVE Jenny Wright dreamed of adventure -- and longed to be chosen by her boss, Morgan Trayhern, for a true mercenary mission. But no one saw Jenny as anything more than Morgan's mousy assistant. Until the fatef...
BORN TO BATTLE HIM -- AND TO LOVE HIM She had never needed anyone before. Never ached for a man before. Until her latest mission put Apache pilot Akiva Redtail in the hot seat next to army officer Joe Calhoun. As they rode the thunderous skies, ...
Reunited on a mission for Morgan Trayhern, lieutenants Niall Ward and brie Phillips found themselves stranded at sea -- with only each other to cling to. Would the power of love give them the strength to carry on until recue -- and beyond?...
The "Big One" Hits California on New Year's Eve Hundreds Trapped by Quake Racing against time to save victims in a ravaged, burning city, golden boy Lieutenant Wes James discovered an angel in disguise: plain-Jane rescue worker Lieutenant Callie ...
Sharing flight duty with beautiful Lieutenant Rhona McGregor was dangerous. But with lives at stake in the earthquake-shattered L.A. Basin, Nolan didn't have time to argue. He needed a copilot, and he'd just have to draw on his military disci...
When Lieutenant Quinn Grayson reached the earthquake-ravaged L.A. Basin, he discovered devastation. But when he looked into survivor Kerry Chelton's eyes, he saw hope. For the spirited deputy sheriff had single-handedly kept her community going -- un...
Epidemics run rampant in wake of earthquake Marine Recon team leads lady doctor to the scene His job was to keep her safe. Dr. Samantha Andrews, the head of E.R. at Camp Reed -- and Captain Roc Gunnison's nemesis. But as the world-weary marine le...
He had come to South America to find her, to learn from the legendary healer what it was to mend lives. But Sergeant Burke Gifford hadn't expected the surge of powerful feeling Angel Paredes would stir in his heart. After all, he was a rough-and-tumb...
Honor meant everything to Cam Anderson. And as commanding officer on her latest mission, she finally had a chance to prove herself. But the moment she met Officer Gus Morales, she knew she was in trouble. For the men under Gus's command weren't used ...
Captain Tara McCain was the kind of woman who never took no for an answer. Not even from sexy captain Dave Johnson, who believed a combat-shy woman was a detriment to his team. But calm, capable Tara was ready to face the heat of war...and passion....
BORN HERO Jason Trayhern wore his father's glorious military legacy like a thorny crown.Though a skilled fighter pilot himself, Jason's rebel tactics didn't sit well with his commanding officers.They expected more from Morgan Trayhern's son, wh...
"GROWING UP, I DENIED AUTHORITY, DENIED MY MOTHER'S WISHES..." She'd left her family and her tribe to serve her country. Now Lieutenant Kai Alseoun's military career was over, shattered by betrayal. And so the prodigal daughter came home -- to fin...
SHE'D FOLLOW ORDERS -- HER WAY Her orders were clear -- recover the legendary, powerful crystal star totem from a dangerous criminal and return it to the Eastern Cherokee nation. And Chief Warrant Officer Vickey Mabrey would obey -- even though ...
On the other side of the world in the lair of a criminal mastermind waited one woman's destiny.... She was the cream of the Black Jaguar Squadron. Under her call sign "Wild Woman," Jessica Merrill had proven her air combat prowess with zero failed...
Marine Black-Ops helicopter pilot Kathy Trayhern wanted one thing from the Garcia Drug Cartel... REVENGE Garcia had kidnapped and tortured her family. Now she would do the same to his -- and wipe out his whole illegal jungle operation as well....
NOTHING'S MORE DANGEROUS THAN A LOVE YOU DIDN'T EXPECT... He's tackled tough military projects in hot spots around the globe...but Marine engineer Major Pete Trayhern has never faced anything as challenging as civilian Calandra Roland. Attractive ...
When pilot Mike Murdoch learns a woman has been sent in to tame his unruly task force, he's prepared to hate her. But the more he flies with Dallas Klein, the more she gets under his skin...and into his heart. Can their love withstand a dangerous Chr...
THERE'S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO FLY... Expert pilot Kelly Trayhern thrives on risk--and nothing's more exciting than fighting fires, dropping water from her helicopter onto the blazes below. But on one especially perilous mission, the furious flames ch...
When photojournalist Kamaria Trayhern goes undercover at the Mason family ranch, she's hoping to find her real father, not romance. But keeping everyone convinced she is who she claims to be will be harder than she expects--especially where one sexy ...
Let Operation Seduction begin. Captain Nike Alexander is in Afghanistan for one reason only -- to use her pilot skills. She doesn't have time for men, especially military men. Playing hard to get with Captain Gavin Jackson comes as naturally to Nike...
WHEN DREAMS TURN INTO NIGHTMARES... One tragic decision dashed Rachel Carson's plans and made her scared of her own shadow. Now on the run, she must forever give up the hope of love--or a baby. But with her new identity, she can help care for a mot...
Her mission to succeed Helicopter pilot Captain Emma Cantrell has a chance to clear her military record in war-torn Afghanistan. She's not about to let anyone get in her way -- especially Afghan Captain Khalid Shaheen. Emma can't deny Khalid is tota...
A FIERY PASSION ABOUT TO IGNITE... Lieutenant Matt Sinclaire has always loved fighting fires -- until the fateful day when the flames came for his family. Arson took his wife and has left him alone with an eight-year-old daughter too traumatized to...
THE ICONIC COWBOY Pure alpha male, fiercely protective of all he holds dear. The last of a dying breed. Otherwise known as a pain in the rear. City girl. It was written all over her like a sign warning him to keep off. Sure, Slade McPherson would t...
"Why the hell are you here?" Captain Ty Hamilton knows the woman hates him, especially since he'd tried to sabotage her military career. All those years ago, the formidable Rachel Trayhern had fought back and won. Ty paid a high price for his a...
Can a city boy make good in the Wild West? After Wall Street collapses, investment banker Griff McPherson trades in his suits and ties for Stetsons and cowboy boots. He returns to the Wyoming ranch he co-owns with his brother, but it's not exactly...
After escaping her troubled past, all Katie Bergstrom wants is to put down roots on her raptor rehabilitation facility outside Jackson Hole. She doesn't count on reconnecting with her estranged birth mother -- or the recent appearance of a sexy ranch...
"YOU MAKE ME FORGET EVERYTHING ELSE." Luke Collier knows his duty. A marine corps combat medic, his job is to save lives-not satisfy his own desires. Megan Trayhern is his corpsman, but the beautiful redhead can't be anything more. Luke has alread...
The core premise centers on a network of elite, battle-hardened operatives—former military men and women—who work as mercenaries or special contractors under the umbrella of missions tied to justice, protection, and often covert operations. At the heart is Morgan Trayhern, a charismatic, principled ex-Marine captain who assembles and leads a team of skilled individuals scarred by war yet driven by honor. These "mercenaries" take on dangerous assignments around the globe, from hostage rescues and counter-terrorism to personal protection in volatile regions, where personal stakes intertwine with professional duty. Romance blooms organically as each story pairs a tough, capable protagonist—often dealing with PTSD, loss, or betrayal—with a strong partner who challenges and heals them, proving that vulnerability and connection can thrive even in the harshest environments.
🔄 Best Read in Order · Start with Book 1: A Question of Honor
Standalone stories, but characters and relationships develop across the series.
The series is best read in chronological or publication order for the richest experience. While many individual stories function as standalone romances with complete resolutions, recurring characters appear across multiple books, family ties deepen over time, and overarching arcs—particularly around Morgan’s own life, his siblings, and the evolution of his team—build progressively. Events from earlier tales influence later ones, relationships evolve, and references to past missions add layers of continuity and emotional resonance. Starting with the foundational Love and Glory books that introduce the Trayhern family and moving into the core mercenary narratives allows readers to fully appreciate character growth, shared history, and the interconnected world McKenna constructs.
Explanation of reading order types
Central to the saga is Morgan Trayhern himself, a towering, commanding figure whose integrity and leadership inspire unwavering loyalty. Scarred by betrayal and captivity in his past, he rebuilds his life by forming a team of exceptional operatives, each bringing unique skills and personal demons. His siblings—Noah, Alyssa, and others—feature prominently in early stories, establishing the family foundation. Recurring team members include rugged, skilled men like Wolf Harding, Sean Killian, Jake Randolph, and later figures who join the fold, often ex-special forces with expertise in combat, survival, and strategy. Heroines are diverse and formidable—doctors, journalists, military women, indigenous healers, or civilians caught in danger—each bringing emotional depth and agency to the partnerships. Supporting characters encompass extended Trayhern family, loyal friends, occasional antagonists tied to past betrayals, and a growing ensemble of operatives whose lives intersect across books, creating a found-family dynamic.
Settings span the globe, reflecting the international scope of mercenary work, but frequently return to the United States—particularly rugged, beautiful landscapes like the Peruvian jungles, South American mountains, or American Southwest deserts—or conflict zones in Latin America, the Middle East, and beyond. Perilous environments such as remote villages, war-torn regions, or isolated outposts heighten tension, while quieter domestic scenes in family homes or safe houses provide contrast and space for intimacy. The sense of place is vivid, with McKenna’s details grounding the action in sensory reality, whether it’s the humidity of a rainforest or the stark beauty of high-altitude terrain.
The tone is intensely passionate and dramatic, balancing pulse-pounding suspense with tender, sensual romance and moments of quiet introspection. McKenna’s writing is earnest and evocative, emphasizing emotional authenticity over cynicism, with heroes who are protective alpha types and heroines who match them in strength, intelligence, and resilience. The themes center on healing from trauma—both physical and psychological—redemption through love, the cost of duty, loyalty to comrades and family, empowerment (especially for women in male-dominated fields), and the transformative power of trust and partnership. Military honor, sacrifice, and the search for peace after war recur powerfully, often explored through characters confronting their pasts while fighting for a better future.
In the end, Morgan's Mercenaries transcends typical romance by weaving tales of courage, redemption, and unbreakable bonds against backdrops of real-world peril. McKenna crafts heroes and heroines who fight not just external threats but inner battles, emerging stronger through love that honors their scars rather than erasing them. The series resonates as an ode to resilience, the quiet strength found in vulnerability, and the belief that even in a world of shadows and danger, connection can light the way home—leaving readers uplifted by the promise that honor and heart can conquer anything.
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