Romance novelist Penny Jordan wrote more than 200 romance novels over the course of her life. Discover our guide to explore the best Penny Jordan books.

One of the most well-known romance authors’ best sellers) in the UK and the United States, Penny Jordan is known for writing about characters including Caroline Courtney and Annie Groves. In addition to writing many novels under her name, Jordan has also used the names, Melinda Wright and Lydia Hitchcock.

Table of Contents

Popular Penny Jordan Books

1. Marriage: To Claim His Twins: A Secret Baby Romance

Marriagefollows the tale of Ruby Wareham and Alexander Konstantinakos. Together, the two shared a night of passion in England, which resulted in two unexpected twins. Alexander arrives to claim custody of his twins, and the two begin to explore whether they can live together and create a family. Alexander is determined to win Ruby over–but she isn’t sure whether they’re the right fit. Want to read more romance books? Discover our list of authors like Elin Hilderbrand).

“Two black-haired, olive-skinned and dark-eyed identical faces looked back at him, their mother kneeling down beside them. The three of them were shabbily dressed in cheap-looking clothes. Tall, dark-haired, with the features of two thousand years of alpha-male warriors and victors sculpted into the bones of his handsome face the same way that their determination was sculpted into his psyche, he stood in the now silent room, the accusation his sister had just made was still echoing through his head.”

Marriage, Penny Jordan

2. Mistress To Her Husband

Mistressintroduces Kate, who arrives at her job expecting a typical 8-5 day at the office, but instead, she’s greeted by her new boss–who also happens to be her ex-husband. Her ex is still bitter about their divorce, and his feelings for Kate run deep. The pair can’t decide whether it makes sense to give their love another go or if they should keep their secret romps private. Readers love watching the two navigate the difficult waters of office romance and their complicated past.

“She could feel the tension cramping her stomach. It was hard enough for any mother to work full time–a constant finely-judged balancing act–but when one added into that delicate balance the fact that the mother in question was a single parent, fighting desperately hard to give as much emotional security as two loving parents would, plus the fact that she had not told her employers that she had child, then that balancing act became dangerously unstable.”

Mistress To Her Husband, Penny Jordan

3. A Secret Disgrace

A Secret Disgraceis a story of Louise Anderson on a mission in Italy, working to grant her grandfather’s dying wish. One problem–the man who can help her, is also the man who left her without even a call back following a night of excitement. Caesar, the only one who can help Louise, agrees to give her what she wants as long as she agrees to be his wife. Louise is left deciding whether she should give Caesar another chance, even though he didn’t show her the respect she deserved after their night of passion.

“The dispassionate male voice gave away as little as the shadowed face. Its bone structure was delineated with strokes of sunlight that might have come from Leonardo’s masterly hand, revealing the exact nature of the man’s cultural inheritance as they did. Those high cheekbones, that slashing line of taut jaw, the hint of olive-toned flesh, the proud aquiline shape of his nose–all of them spoke of the mixing of genes from the invaders who had seen Sicily and sought to possess it.”

A Secret Disgrace, Penny Jordan

4. Power Play

*Power Play *is set eleven years before the start of the novel, someone took what Pepper Minesse held most dear, and she was determined to get her revenge. On a mission, Pepper developed files on each of the men who devastated her, knowing that one day, she’d be able to destroy them. After killing three men, she’s left to decide what to do with her final perpetrator. Readers love following along with Pepper as she works to give payback once and for all.

“She caught the scent of the perfume that Pepper had specially blended for her in Paris, and envied the cut of the black suit. The body inside it was almost voluptuously curved, but Miranda suspected that her boss didn’t carry an ounce of surplus flesh.”

Power Play, Penny Jordan

5. The Wealthy Greek’s Contract Wife

In The Wealthy Greek’s Contract Wife, Elizabeth Wareham knew she owed Ilios Manos an unbelievable sum of money, and she wasn’t sure how she would ever pay it off. He wanted his money back, which needed to be repaid, no matter what it took. When Ilios looked at Elizabeth, however, he knew she was special and wanted nothing more than to make her his bride. Elizabeth goes back and forth on whether they will make it as a couple, but Ilios is determined to do whatever it takes to be with Elizabeth.

“His summons couldn’t have come at a worse time, but the whole tone of Ilios Manos’s letter was too threatening for Lizzie to feel she could refuse to obey it. As apprehensive and unwilling to meet him as she as, the needs of her family must come first. She had a responsibility to them, a duty of love from which she would never abdicate, no matter what the cost to herself. She had sworn that–promised it on the day of her parents’ funeral.”

The Wealthy Greek’s Contract Wife, Penny Jordan

6. Shadow Marriage

Shadow Marriagetells the tale of the protagonist, Sarah, who was dealing with a broken heart and wasn’t sure how to move forward. She was furious that someone could have treated her like her ex-husband did. Years later, she reconnects with her husband, who tries to decide whether he can forgive her for moving forward so quickly after their time together. Together, the two embark on a journey of redemption and love, trying to decide whether they can rekindle the romance they once had.

“She had fought so hard to tell herself that it didn’t matter that her career had never been the success she had wanted that she had hardly dared to let herself hope that she might get a part like this. Now she no longer doubted that Guy Holland hadn’t been boasting when he claimed that half a dozen Hollywood greats were clamoring for it. She could only bless the perverseness that made him such a stickler for detail that he wanted a genuine long-haired redhead for his Joanna.”

Shadow Marriage, Penny Jordan

7. Prince of the Desert

In Prince of Dust, after seeing the wandering eye of her father negatively affect her upbringing and her family, Gwyneth promised herself that she would never give in to her desires. After a steamy night in Zuran, she can’t remember whether she slept with a man or had a fun time. Sheikh Tariq bin Salud, however, is determined to find her and show her the love he feels she deserves. Gwyneth has worked hard throughout her life to keep her sex drive at bay, but secretly, she’s always longed for a man who would be able to keep up with her.

“She shivered a little in the almost disturbingly sensual warmth of the Arabian Gulf night. It wrapped round her like silken gauze, teasing her skin with its subtle caress, cloaking the intimacy of its effect on her with its darkness, like a mystery lover whose face was hidden from her, his touch all the more erotic for being unknown. A deep shudder gripped her body as she tried to pull down the defensive inner blinds she always used to block out such sensual thoughts.”

Prince of the Desert, Penny Jordan

8. The Tycoon She Shouldn’t Crave

In the story of The Tycoon She Shouldn’t Crave, we explore how it was difficult for Chris to get Slater James out of her mind, especially after he cheated on her with her cousin… who he later married. After his cousin passes away, Chris faces a newly-widowed Slater and isn’t sure whether she should try to move forward with their relationship. Still, Slater is determined to fight to get his original romance back.

Readers love watching the twists and turns of the story as they root for Chris to stick to her guns… and as they keep up hope that the two will find their way back to one another.

“As she stepped into the shower stall, she swept her hair into a loose knot. Long and honey-blonde, it was thick and resilient enough to adapt to the different styles she had to adopt. She showered quickly and then stepped out, wrapping her body in a towel before starting to remove her make-up. As always when she had been wearing it for several hours she itched to be free of it.”

The Tycoon She Shouldn’t Crave, Penny Jordan

FAQs About The Best Penny Jordan Books

What is the name of Penny Jordan’s first book?

Published in 1981, Penny Jordan’s first book, Falcon’s Prey, was published by Mills & Boon (also known as Harlequin). Throughout her life, Jordan sold over 70 million copies and wrote 167 books for the company.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a great romance book?

Great romance books feature well-developed characters, emotional depth, and believable relationships. They should create genuine emotional connection between characters and readers, with satisfying character growth and relationship development.

Are romance books only for women?

No, romance books are for anyone who enjoys stories about relationships and emotional connections. While the genre has traditionally been marketed to women, many men enjoy romance books, and the genre is becoming more diverse in its readership and representation.

What are the different types of romance books?

Romance books include contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and many subgenres. Each type offers different settings, themes, and levels of heat, allowing readers to find stories that match their preferences.

Why do people love romance books?

People love romance books for the emotional satisfaction, hope, and escape they provide. They offer stories of love, connection, and happy endings that can be comforting and uplifting in a complex world.

How many pen names did Penny Jordan write under?

Penny Jordan wrote under several pen names, including Caroline Courtney, Melinda Wright, Lydia Hitchcock, and Annie Groves. Despite her penchant for pseudonyms, Jordan typically wrote under her given name.