Kelli McCracken writes paranormal romance and music-centered contemporary romance. Rock stars appear throughout her bibliography, but not every musician belongs to the same fictional world.
Her largest completed series is Soulmate, a six-book paranormal saga following psychics, elementals, reincarnated rulers, and a conflict with the Fallen. The books develop one continuing supernatural storyline and should be read consecutively.
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Her contemporary catalog includes Touched by Magic, Rock-N-Roll Heiress, and Heart & Soul. Despite the word “Magic” in its title, Touched by Magic is presented as contemporary rock-star romance rather than a paranormal companion to Soulmate.
McCracken also coauthored the unfinished Guardians of Magic series with Elena Gray.
The Fastest Way to Choose an Order
- Read What the Heart Wants first when you want Kelli McCracken’s principal paranormal series.
- Begin Touched by Magic with Only in Time for strict chronology or Longing for You for the main numbered sequence.
- Start Rock-N-Roll Heiress with Love Defined when you want every prequel detail. Readers preferring to begin with a full-length novel can start with Love Desired.
- Begin Guardians of Magic with Consumed by Magic and Destroyed by Magic for the complete backstory, or with Abducted by Magic for the main plot.
The most important warning concerns unfinished series. Guardians of Magic currently stops after Book 2, while Heart & Soul has only one confirmed published installment.
What Must Be Read in Strict Order?
Complete and strongly serialized
- Soulmate
- Rock-N-Roll Heiress
- Guardians of Magic, although the series remains unfinished
Connected but more flexible
- Touched by Magic
- Heart & Soul
Optional material
- Prequels such as Only in Time, Love Defined, Consumed by Magic, and Destroyed by Magic
- Multi-author boxed sets that originally contained some of those stories
Soulmate Books in Order
Soulmate is a six-book paranormal-romance series following Dylan McBride, Heaven Lewis, and Layne Perry.
The story begins with dreams and an unexplained emotional bond, then expands into psychics, elemental powers, reincarnation, Keepers, the Fallen, prophecy, and a struggle over the balance between good and evil.
This is not a set of interchangeable standalone romances. The main relationships and supernatural conflict continue from book to book, and later installments reveal major events from the earlier volumes.
1. What the Heart Wants
What the Heart Wants (2013; revised edition later released): Rock star Dylan McBride has repeatedly dreamed about a woman he has never met.
When Heaven Lewis travels to Los Angeles, Dylan recognizes her as the woman from those dreams. Their attraction reveals an unusual emotional connection, while secrets about Dylan’s identity and abilities threaten the relationship before either understands what has joined them.
The novel introduces the central trio, the psychic-elemental mythology, and the conflict that drives all six books.
2. What the Heart Needs
What the Heart Needs (2013; revised edition later released): Layne Perry attempts to repair his damaged friendship with Heaven for Dylan’s sake, even though his own feelings make that loyalty painful.
The relationships among Dylan, Heaven, and Layne become more complicated as hidden powers and supernatural responsibilities emerge. This is a direct continuation rather than a new-couple sequel.
3. What the Heart Takes
What the Heart Takes (2014; revised edition later released): A promised love, an ancient connection, and a Keeper’s sacrifice reshape the central characters’ understanding of destiny.
The supernatural conflict becomes more dangerous as the cost of protecting the people they love rises. The book depends on the emotional and magical revelations of the first two installments.
4. What the Heart Desires
What the Heart Desires (2015; revised edition later released): Doubt and divided loyalty place pressure on relationships that already carry supernatural consequences.
Devotion becomes dangerous when characters cannot distinguish fate, desire, and manipulation. The fourth book moves the series into its darker second half.
5. What the Heart Seeks
What the Heart Seeks (2020): Love, anger, and loss push the characters toward choices that threaten both their personal bonds and the wider supernatural balance.
A shattered relationship and an enraged soul set up the final confrontation. This book should be read immediately before What the Heart Keeps.
6. What the Heart Keeps
What the Heart Keeps (2021): Dylan is pulled toward darkness after losing what mattered most to him, while Heaven and Layne accept their roles as the reincarnated Sun Queen and Sun King.
The Fallen are preparing to conquer both humans and Psi, forcing the central trio to confront their shared history, inherited powers, and conflicting loyalties. Published on December 27, 2021, the book completes the principal Soulmate storyline.
Soulmate Reading Order
- What the Heart Wants
- What the Heart Needs
- What the Heart Takes
- What the Heart Desires
- What the Heart Seeks
- What the Heart Keeps
There is no safer alternate order. Each installment advances the same mythology and relationship conflict.
Is the Soulmate Series Complete?
Yes. The six-book sequence concludes with What the Heart Keeps.
Older author plans mentioned possible prequels, character projects, and companion material. No additional Soulmate novel with a confirmed publication date should be added to the completed six-book order.
Touched by Magic Books in Order
Touched by Magic is a contemporary rock-star-romance series. Its title can make it sound paranormal, but the official descriptions focus on musicians, old relationships, secrets, regret, and second chances.
Each book follows a different couple. The characters belong to the same connected social and music world, making chronological order useful without making every volume essential to one unresolved plot.
Prequel: Only in Time
Only in Time (2013; later reissued): Ally and Jonah were separated by secrets and lies, but Jonah returns with a confession that could change how Ally understands their past.
He refuses to give up until she hears the truth, while Ally must decide whether another chance with him is worth the risk of being hurt again.
The novella was originally associated with the Mystique Antiques label. It is now presented as the Touched by Magic prequel.
1. Longing for You
Longing for You (2015; later reissued): Theo McCabe returns home carrying regret over the mistake that ruined his chance with Cassie Clarke.
When he asks Cassie to help reunite two of their friends, their unresolved chemistry returns. Theo’s pride and a concealed truth threaten his attempt to earn another chance.
This is the first numbered Touched by Magic book.
2. Colliding with You
Colliding with You (2018): Jesse saves Cori from a dangerous situation and unexpectedly revives feelings neither has completely left behind.
Jesse wants a future with her, but his plan could interfere with Cori’s ambitions and cost her the life she is trying to build. Their story continues the connected rock-star world while changing the central couple.
Touched by Magic Reading Order
- Only in Time
- Longing for You
- Colliding with You
Readers who prefer to begin with a full-length novel can use:
- Longing for You
- Only in Time
- Colliding with You
The prequel adds background but is not required to understand Theo and Cassie’s principal romance.
Mystique Antiques and Touched by Magic
Older editions identify Only in Time as a Mystique Antiques novella.
The author’s current catalog places it within Touched by Magic as Book 0. This is a change in series presentation, not a second version that must be read separately.
References to an unfinished second Mystique Antiques book survive in old interviews and reader discussions. No reliably confirmed second published title belongs in the current order.
Rock-N-Roll Heiress Books in Order
Rock-N-Roll Heiress takes place around Music Haven, a desert community tied to musicians, performance, and a powerful family legacy.
The three numbered novels follow Ayden McAllister and Mia Brooks across one continuing romance. Their relationship does not resolve within Love Desired, so all three main books are required.
Prequel: Love Defined
Love Defined (2018): The prequel establishes the emotional and family history behind the Music Haven story before Ayden and Mia’s principal relationship begins.
It supplies additional context for the wounds, expectations, and definitions of love that influence the trilogy. Readers may treat it as optional, but it belongs first chronologically.
1. Love Desired
Love Desired (2018): Musician Ayden McAllister has been damaged by his previous relationship and channels his pain into his band’s music.
Mia Brooks may be his best opportunity to achieve professional success, but she is also the heiress connected to the famous Music Haven resort. Both resist trust even as their attraction becomes increasingly difficult to ignore.
2. Love Damaged
Love Damaged (2019): Ayden and Mia’s relationship continues under pressure from jealousy, hidden motives, emotional wounds, and the demands surrounding the Music Haven legacy.
The second book deepens the consequences of their initial choices. It should not be approached as another couple’s romance.
3. Love Deserved
Love Deserved (2019): Life on tour leaves Ayden desperate to return to Mia, but she has concealed information that could place his career at risk.
He demands answers while Mia tries to protect him from the consequences of the truth. The third book completes the trilogy’s principal romantic arc.
Rock-N-Roll Heiress Reading Order
- Love Defined
- Love Desired
- Love Damaged
- Love Deserved
Readers skipping the optional prequel should begin with Love Desired and continue without interruption through Books 2 and 3.
Rock-N-Roll Heiress Boxed Set
Rock-N-Roll Heiress: The Complete Trilogy (2019/2020 edition): The collection contains Love Desired, Love Damaged, and Love Deserved.
Despite its “complete trilogy” label, the set may not include the separate prequel Love Defined. Check the contents before assuming the prequel is included.
The boxed set replaces the three numbered novels rather than following them.
Heart & Soul Books in Order
Heart & Soul is a contemporary emotional-romance series involving memory loss, family protection, music, and the effort to recover a life changed by trauma.
Only one confirmed installment is currently published.
1. Heartstrings
Heartstrings (2015): Jo Hayes wakes from a coma and discovers that amnesia has erased six years of her life.
Her brother Brighton tries to protect her, while the mysterious Adam Hart triggers feelings and flashes of memory she cannot explain. Recovering the truth may help Jo reclaim her life, but the strain of those returning memories could also place her in danger.
The author’s current series page identifies Heartstrings as the first Heart & Soul installment.
Is Heart & Soul Complete?
No sequel has been confirmed with a title and publication date.
The book should therefore be treated as the beginning of an inactive or unfinished series rather than a completed standalone sequence. Its central emotional arc can still be read independently, but readers should not expect a confirmed Book 2.
Connection Between Heart & Soul and Rock-N-Roll Heiress
The author’s current Heart & Soul page also describes Heartstrings as a Rock-N-Roll Heiress prequel.
This creates a catalog overlap:
- It is listed as Heart & Soul Book 1.
- It also supplies background connected to the Rock-N-Roll Heiress world.
For a broad connected reading route, place Heartstrings before Love Defined and the main Music Haven trilogy.
For a simple Rock-N-Roll Heiress reading project, Heartstrings is optional rather than a required fourth main novel.
Guardians of Magic Books in Order
Guardians of Magic is a slow-burn reverse-harem paranormal series coauthored by Kelli McCracken and Elena Gray.
Its world includes witches, shifters, mages, reapers, supernatural councils, forbidden relationships, inherited magic, and guardians bound by oath.
The published books do not complete the larger story. The official series page still lists Book 3 as unannounced.
Optional Origin Story: Consumed by Magic
Consumed by Magic (2018): This short story provides early supernatural history connected to the characters and events that later shape Guardians of Magic.
It originally appeared in a multi-author anthology and is not as consistently available as the principal books. Read it first when a legitimate edition is available.
Prequel: Destroyed by Magic
Destroyed by Magic (2020): Sun witch Samara Haylan is expected to become one of the strongest witches in her academy.
She violates supernatural law by practicing old magic and becoming involved with a human while also maintaining relationships with a shifter and a mage. Her attempt to find missing friends places her under suspicion from the council.
The story was originally published in the Paranormal Academy boxed set.
1. Abducted by Magic
Abducted by Magic (2020): Human Katarina receives a dying witch’s magic and unexpectedly inherits four supernatural guardians.
Kat cannot control the power, while the guardians are forbidden from forming the relationships developing between them. A killer searching for Kat forces her to confront the tarot readings and premonitions she has avoided since childhood.
The book was originally released through the Fated Mates boxed set.
2. Enlightened by Magic
Enlightened by Magic (2019/2020 edition): Kat has inherited a witch’s powers and a new role as a reaper, while her bond with her guardians continues to grow.
She is still searching for Samara’s killer when one of her guardians, Slade, disappears. Kat must find him while protecting the veil between realms and surviving the person trying to kill her.
Edition records disagree on whether the first wide release should be dated 2019 or 2020. Its reading position as Book 2 is not disputed.
Guardians of Magic Reading Order
For all available background:
- Consumed by Magic
- Destroyed by Magic
- Abducted by Magic
- Enlightened by Magic
For the main Kat storyline:
- Abducted by Magic
- Enlightened by Magic
The short story and prequel enrich Samara’s history but do not replace the main first book.
Is Guardians of Magic Complete?
No.
The official series page identifies an untitled Book 3 but provides no confirmed title or publication date. The series therefore ends on unresolved plot and relationship developments after Enlightened by Magic.
Older pages once suggested Book 3 would arrive in 2022. That projected date passed without a confirmed release and should not be presented as current.
Anthologies and Multi-Author Collections
Seduce My Heart
Seduce My Heart (2018): This is a multi-author romance collection featuring work by Kelli McCracken and several other writers.
It is not a standalone novel written entirely by McCracken. Readers should check the contents to identify her contribution and avoid duplicating a story already owned elsewhere.
Paranormal Academy
Paranormal Academy (2019): This multi-author boxed set originally included Destroyed by Magic.
Readers who own the later individual edition do not need the anthology for Guardians of Magic continuity.
Fated Mates
Fated Mates (2020): This shared collection originally included Abducted by Magic.
The individual edition is the clearer option for readers following Guardians of Magic in order.
Other Paranormal Boxed Sets
Consumed by Magic also appeared in anthology form before some of the later Guardians books were released individually.
These collections are publication formats rather than additional numbered installments.
Current Unique-Book Checklist
A practical Kelli McCracken checklist contains the following unique works.
Soulmate
- What the Heart Wants
- What the Heart Needs
- What the Heart Takes
- What the Heart Desires
- What the Heart Seeks
- What the Heart Keeps
Touched by Magic
- Only in Time
- Longing for You
- Colliding with You
Rock-N-Roll Heiress
- Love Defined
- Love Desired
- Love Damaged
- Love Deserved
Heart & Soul
- Heartstrings
Guardians of Magic
- Consumed by Magic
- Destroyed by Magic
- Abducted by Magic
- Enlightened by Magic
This checklist excludes boxed sets that merely reproduce those stories.
Do the Series Share One Universe?
No complete master chronology has been confirmed.
Rock musicians appear in Soulmate, Touched by Magic, Rock-N-Roll Heiress, and Heart & Soul. That repeated theme does not mean every band and supernatural system belongs to one continuous fictional timeline.
The strongest confirmed overlap is between Heart & Soul and Rock-N-Roll Heiress. Heartstrings is presented both as the first Heart & Soul book and as background to the Music Haven world.
Guardians of Magic is a separate coauthored paranormal continuity. It should not be inserted into the Soulmate sequence simply because both series involve supernatural powers.
Recommended Kelli McCracken Reading Plan
Route One: The Complete Paranormal Saga
- What the Heart Wants
- What the Heart Needs
- What the Heart Takes
- What the Heart Desires
- What the Heart Seeks
- What the Heart Keeps
This is the only fully completed long paranormal sequence.
Route Two: Music Haven and Rock-N-Roll Heiress
- Heartstrings
- Love Defined
- Love Desired
- Love Damaged
- Love Deserved
Heartstrings and Love Defined are supplementary entry material. The three numbered Love books form the essential continuing romance.
Route Three: Touched by Magic
- Only in Time
- Longing for You
- Colliding with You
This route changes couples and is less serialized than Soulmate or Rock-N-Roll Heiress.
Route Four: Guardians of Magic
- Consumed by Magic
- Destroyed by Magic
- Abducted by Magic
- Enlightened by Magic
Begin this route only when you are comfortable entering an unfinished series.
Latest Kelli McCracken Book
As of July 19, 2026, the latest confirmed unique Kelli McCracken release is What the Heart Keeps, published on December 27, 2021.
What the Heart Keeps (2021): Dylan, Heaven, and Layne confront the final battle between the Psi and the Fallen while personal loss threatens to pull Dylan permanently into darkness.
The book concludes the six-part Soulmate series.
Later retailer dates attached to older titles generally reflect revised editions, new uploads, or wider distribution rather than newly written sequels.
Upcoming Kelli McCracken Books
No forthcoming Kelli McCracken book has a confirmed title and publication date as of July 19, 2026.
The author’s works-in-progress page contains older plans for Guardians of Magic Book 3, Soulmate companions, and several possible paranormal series. Those entries are not reliable release announcements because their projected dates have passed.
Guardians of Magic Book 3 remains the most visible unfinished project, but it should be listed only as unconfirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Kelli McCracken’s first book?
What the Heart Wants (2013): Rock star Dylan McBride recognizes Heaven Lewis as the woman who has appeared repeatedly in his dreams.
Some listings show an earlier 2012 date or a later reissue date. February 2013 is the most commonly documented original commercial release period.
What is the best Kelli McCracken book to start with?
Begin with What the Heart Wants for paranormal romance.
Choose Longing for You for contemporary rock-star romance or Love Desired for the Music Haven trilogy.
Do the Soulmate books follow the same characters?
Yes. Dylan, Heaven, and Layne remain central throughout the six-book supernatural story.
The relationships and larger conflict do not reset between installments.
Can the Soulmate books be read out of order?
No. Later books reveal powers, relationships, betrayals, and losses established earlier.
Is Soulmate complete?
Yes. What the Heart Keeps is the sixth and final main book.
Is Touched by Magic paranormal?
Despite the series title, the official descriptions present it as contemporary rock-star romance.
It should not be confused with Soulmate or Guardians of Magic.
Is Only in Time part of Mystique Antiques or Touched by Magic?
Older editions call it a Mystique Antiques novella.
The author’s current catalog places it as Touched by Magic Book 0.
Is Only in Time required?
No. It is an optional prequel following Ally and Jonah.
Longing for You remains the first numbered novel.
Do Longing for You and Colliding with You follow the same couple?
No. Longing for You follows Theo and Cassie, while Colliding with You follows Jesse and Cori.
Do the Rock-N-Roll Heiress books follow one couple?
Yes. The three numbered novels follow Ayden and Mia.
Love Defined is the prequel.
Does the Rock-N-Roll Heiress boxed set include Love Defined?
The official description names Love Desired, Love Damaged, and Love Deserved as the three included full-length novels.
Readers should obtain Love Defined separately when they want the prequel.
Where does Heartstrings fit?
It is Heart & Soul Book 1 and is also described as background connected to Rock-N-Roll Heiress.
Place it before Love Defined in an expanded Music Haven reading route.
Is Heart & Soul complete?
No second confirmed book is currently available.
Did Kelli McCracken write Guardians of Magic alone?
No. The series was coauthored with Elena Gray.
Is Guardians of Magic a reverse-harem series?
Yes. The official descriptions present it as slow-burn reverse-harem paranormal romance in which the heroine is connected to multiple guardians.
Should Destroyed by Magic be read before Abducted by Magic?
It is chronologically earlier and supplies Samara’s history.
It is optional for readers who prefer to begin with Kat’s main storyline in Abducted by Magic.
Is Consumed by Magic required?
No. It is an optional short origin story and may be harder to find outside its original anthology.
Is Guardians of Magic complete?
No. Only the prequel material and Books 1–2 have been published.
What happened to Guardians of Magic Book 3?
It remains listed without a confirmed title or date.
An older projected 2022 release did not become a verified publication.
Are Kelli McCracken’s boxed sets new books?
No. Most collect stories also available individually or originally introduced one story before its separate release.
What is Kelli McCracken’s newest book?
What the Heart Keeps (2021): The sixth and concluding Soulmate novel.
Has Kelli McCracken announced a new release?
No future book with a firm title and publication date could be confirmed as of July 19, 2026.
Conclusion
The most complete introduction to Kelli McCracken is the Soulmate series beginning with What the Heart Wants. All six books should be read consecutively through What the Heart Keeps because they form one escalating psychic-elemental story.
For contemporary romance, Touched by Magic begins chronologically with Only in Time and continues through Longing for You and Colliding with You.
The expanded Music Haven route begins with Heartstrings, adds the prequel Love Defined, and then follows Ayden and Mia through Love Desired, Love Damaged, and Love Deserved.
Readers beginning Guardians of Magic should know that the coauthored series remains unfinished. Its fullest available order is Consumed by Magic, Destroyed by Magic, Abducted by Magic, and Enlightened by Magic.
Frank is the editor of BookSeries.blog, focusing on publication order, chronological timelines, and spoiler-free reading guides for book series and fictional universes.