The Montgomery / Taggart Series in Order

About the Montgomery / Taggart series

Series Premise

The core premise centers on the intertwined destinies of the Montgomery and Taggert families, two dynasties whose members repeatedly find themselves drawn together in romance across eras. The Montgomerys originate as a noble English family with roots in the medieval period—fierce knights, dukes, and warriors known for their honor, physical prowess, and sometimes brooding intensity. The Taggerts emerge later, often as rugged American frontiersmen, cowboys, or self-made men with Irish or Scottish heritage, bringing humor, stubbornness, and a more egalitarian spirit.

Each book typically features a standalone love story between a Montgomery or Taggert hero (or heroine) and their partner, but the narratives build a vast family tapestry. Marriages between the lines create ongoing connections, with children, cousins, and descendants appearing in later books. Plots revolve around classic romance tropes: arranged or forced marriages, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, mistaken identities, time travel (in standout entries like A Knight in Shining Armor), frontier challenges, societal obstacles, and personal growth through love.

Early books focus on medieval England and Scotland, with tales of castle intrigue, battles, and passionate unions amid political turmoil. Later entries shift to colonial and 19th-century America, incorporating Western adventures, ranch life, and industrial-era settings. Modern stories introduce contemporary elements like mystery, supernatural gifts, or small-town romance while tying back to ancestral legacies. Recurring motifs include overcoming misunderstandings, healing from past betrayals, and the redemptive power of true partnership, with family loyalty as the unbreakable thread binding the saga.

Main Characters

The series thrives on its vast ensemble, with hundreds of interconnected characters across generations.



- Early Montgomerys (medieval focus): Lyon (the Black Lyon, fierce conqueror), Gavin, Miles, Raine, and other brothers—tall, dark, commanding warriors who marry strong women like Lyonene, Judith, or Bronwyn, forging the family's legendary status.



- Key Taggerts: Kane Taggert (a rough, wealthy frontiersman who marries into related lines), often paired with refined heroines in opposites-attract dynamics.



- Standout crossovers and later figures: Nicholas Stafford (from A Knight in Shining Armor, the time-displaced earl whose story with Dougless Montgomery is iconic), various dukes, captains, and modern descendants like Darci Montgomery (with psychic abilities in the Forever trilogy).

Setting

Settings span centuries and continents, reflecting the family's migration and evolution. Early books immerse readers in medieval England and Scotland: stone castles, misty highlands, feudal courts, tournaments, and war-torn borders where Montgomerys wield power amid kings and clans.



As the lineage moves to America (often via Taggert branches or intermarriages), settings shift to colonial frontiers, the American West (ranches, mining towns, dusty trails), Victorian-era cities, and the industrializing landscape. Later stories venture into modern small towns, historic estates, or even international locales, with ancestral homes (castles, plantations, ranches) serving as recurring touchstones that evoke family history.



The vivid descriptions—crackling fires in great halls, windswept prairies, elegant ballrooms—ground the romance in rich sensory detail, making each era feel alive and immersive.

Tone & Themes

The tone is passionate, romantic, and often dramatic, with a mix of sweeping historical grandeur and intimate emotional moments. Deveraux excels at steamy yet tasteful sensuality—heroes are dominant and protective (classic alphas), heroines are feisty, intelligent, and unafraid to challenge norms—creating electric chemistry filled with banter, tension, and eventual surrender to love.

Humor lightens heavier themes: witty dialogue, quirky secondary characters, and self-deprecating moments from larger-than-life heroes add levity. There's adventure and peril—battles, kidnappings, wilderness survival—but resolutions emphasize hope, forgiveness, and happily-ever-afters. The series evolves from pure medieval historicals to include time travel, light paranormal (e.g., gifted descendants), and contemporary flair, keeping the vibe fresh while staying true to romantic optimism. It's empowering for heroines and swoon-worthy for readers, with low angst relative to drama and high emotional payoff.

The Montgomery / Taggert series by Jude Deveraux is a sweeping, multi-generational romance epic that captures the timeless allure of passionate love across history. From medieval knights to modern dreamers, the intertwined families remind readers that true connection endures through time, trials, and change. With its blend of adventure, sensuality, family warmth, and heartfelt triumphs, the saga offers endless re-read value—perfect for sinking into long, satisfying worlds where love conquers all. Whether discovering the fierce origins in medieval England or following descendants into contemporary happiness, the series delivers romance at its most enduring and enchanting. For anyone craving deep family lore wrapped in classic happily-ever-afters, Montgomery/Taggert remains an unforgettable journey through the heart.