Mary Ellen Taylor Books In Order

Publication Order of Alexandria Books

Publication Order of Union Street Bakery Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Author Mary Ellen Taylor grew up in a Southern family that embraced stories of any and all kinds. Be it a good yarn, a tale tale, or a well-told anecdote. It might very well have been inevitable that Taylor would take her storytelling heritage to some new heights, moving beyond just the oral tradition into becoming a published author.

As someone who views baking and cooking to be important creative outlets, Taylor explores a few of the comforts and challenges of these pursuits in her novels set during the Alexandria period. These books, that explore themes like adoption, belonging, personal history, and family, are influenced by her family as well as her life.

Taylor was born and spent the majority of her life in Richmond, but also lived, for four years, in Alexandria. She got her degree in English from Virginia’s Hollins University. She worked in the fields of sales and marketing before she was convinced that she was able to pen and sell one of the many stories floating around in her brain.

Mary Ellen Taylor is the pen name that author Mary Burton uses to publish. She hikes, practices yoga, and visits historical sites and lives with her two miniature dachshunds, Bella and Buddy.

“The Union Street Bakery” is the first novel in the “Union Street Bakery” series, which was released in the year 2013. Daisy McCrae’s life lies in ruins at the moment. She just broke up with her boyfriend, she lost her job, and has recently been reduced to living in the attic right above her family’s store, known as the Union Street Bakery, while she learns the business. Unfortunately, the bakery has hit a serious hardship. What makes things worse is the constant feeling she has of not really feeling like a “real” McCrae since she was adopted as a child and has got a less-than-perfect relationship with both of her two sisters.

A long-time senior customer dies, and for some reason she bequeathed Daisy a journal that goes back to the 1850s. It was written by a slave girl whose name was Susie. While she reads the journal, Daisy learns more about her own heritage and family. Much more than she ever dreamed. Susie begins to haunt Daisy’s dreams, and beckons Daisy to locate her. It compels Daisy to look further into both the past of her family and the town.

Daisy finds the answers she has been seeking her whole life, and an opportunity to start again with the desire and courage she believed she had lost for good.

The book does a great job of illustrating what is really important and finding happiness in all of the mundane things in life. The story is an interesting and intriguing, fast paced tale of family, sisters, careers, hidden family secrets, and betrayal. Readers find that they fall in love with each of the characters, especially Daisy.

“Sweet Expectations” is the second novel in the “Union Street Bakery” series, which was released in the year 2013. Running the family bakery and living in the attic of the store may not be the life Daisy dreamed of, but she is starting to comprehend what content feels like. Then she gets some rather unexpected news.

In just a moment, Daisy’s calm life turns into chaos. She struggles to keep it all together, especially with the renovations at the bakery spiraling out of control. A box of mementos and recipes is found behind a wall in the bakery, it gives Daisy something to hold onto. A mystery that is echoing her own troubles and allows her the chance to figure out what she really wants out of her life.

It is great to see the sisters working with each other to solve their issues, and not just waiting around for a rich guy to swoop down and help them. Each of these characters Taylor creates in this one are very relatable. Right from the beginning, readers were pulled in and their attention was held until the very last word. Each page of the book was beautifully written with some compelling characters.

“At the Corner of King Street” is the first novel in the “Alexandria” series, which was released in the year 2015. Adele “Addie” Morgan was raised in a house filled with loss and pain. With a determination to live her life on her terms, Addie moves off to the country and finds a job with a vineyard and finds happiness, stability, and, best of all, love with the owner of the place, Scott.

An unexpected call pulls Addie out of her improved and new life abruptly. Her sister just gave birth and Addie’s Aunt Grace wants her to head back home to help out with the family. Even if she has to confront things that she would rather forget.

Addie shows up, and soon finds that she has not totally let go of her previous life, not completely, anyway. She makes a surprising connection with her sister’s kid and Zeb, her sister’s ex-husband. It makes her have to choose between the family roots she believed she left behind forever and the wonderful future she had with Scott.

“The View from Prince Street” is the second novel in the “Alexandria” series, which was released in the year 2016. Rae McDonald was just fifteen after a car wreck took the life of her sister and tossed her own into reckless turmoil. She got knocked up a year later, and found a loving couple that would adopt her kid. Since then, she has buried both her guilt and grief under a heart made of stone.

Lisa Smyth survived this fateful crash, but kept silent about the truth over what really happened. A family obligation pulls her back to Alexandria, the weight of her guilt gets heavier with each passing day.

As the two women confront a past that refuses to be forgotten, some long-buried artifacts have been found by the Shire Architectural Salvage Company. They point to a shared history between both of the families. Rae and Lisa have to ask themselves if denying the past is worth giving the future up for.

6 Responses to “Mary Ellen Taylor”

1. Robyn Rogers: 2 months ago

   I have reluctantly turned the final page of “The Words We Whisper”. I thank you for the hours I spent with Zara, Nonna, and Gina. I was sad it ended but satisfied that all my answers were there. What a gift you have. I have read all your books and look forward to the next one.

   Reply
2. Viv Rathgeber: 2 years ago

   I have read all of your books and they are magnificent. You give your characters life and this allows the reader to connect with them. They are so real. I feel as though I have been a part of each story. Thank you.

   Reply
3. Pamela shultes: 2 years ago

   I loved winter cottage and spring house. I would love to see a third book in that series.
   I’m reading my way through all of your books.
   I love them.
   Pam

   Reply
4. Amy Dempsey: 3 years ago

   I’ve read Winter Cottage and Spring House. Will you be writing another book in this series? I feel like there are more secrets to uncover, and I’ve grown fond of the characters, both past and present. I’m hoping for a yes! Thank you.
   Amy Dempsey

   Reply
5. June Robbens: 3 years ago

   I’ve just finished Winter Cottage and I loved it. I will certainly read all your other books. Thank you.

   Reply
   • Fran miedlar: 2 years ago

     Just read words we whisper for book club. It was such a beautiful story and well told. Won’t be the last of MS. Taylor’s books for me. Thank you.

     Reply