NOLA STARs

Jennifer Blake 

Jennifer Blake has been called a "Legend of Romance" and an "Icon of the  Romance Industry," for her enduring career in the genre. Her first book was published in 1970, and she became a New York Times Best Selling author in 1977. A charter member of Romance Writers of America, Jennifer is a recipient of the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award and belongs to the RWA Hall of Fame. She holds numerous other honors, including the Frank Waters Award for Excellence in Writing, two Holt Medallions and a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine. With more than 60 books to her credit, she has been published in 19 languages with 35 million copies in print worldwide.

Robin Caroll                  

 Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin Caroll is Southern to a fault. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of nineteen years, her three beautiful daughters, and their four character-filled pets at home—in the South, where else? An avid reader herself, Robin loves hearing from and chatting with other readers. Although her favorite genre to read is mystery/suspense, of course, she’ll read just about any good story. Except historicals! To learn more about this author of deep South mysteries of suspense to inspire your heart, visit Robin’s website at www.robincaroll.com.

Beth Cornelison
  

Three-time Golden Heart finalist, Beth Cornelison received her degree in Public Relations from the University of Georgia. She debuted with Silhouette Intimate Moments in April 2005 and her June 2006 release, IN PROTECTIVE CUSTODY, won the Golden Heart in 2001. In September 2006, she made her hard cover debut with Five Star Expressions with CHASING A DREAM. Beth has served as the conference coordinator and contest coordinator for her local RWA chapter and has presented workshops to numerous conferences across the country. Mrs. Cornelison lives in Louisiana with her husband and son.

Connie Cox                    

Connie Cox is a 2007 Golden Heart finalist and saw her first book, Taking Flight, in print in 2008.  Her hardcover debut book experienced a sale-through of over 66% in the first four months of release, a phenomenon that CRM Elizabeth Hadwin attributes to Connie’s promotional efforts in conjunction with  booksellers.

Delilah Devlin           

Award wining author Delilah Devlin has won numerous RWA Chapter Contests and found her niche in hot, steamy romantica writing. She’s sold numerous novels/novellas to Ellora’s Cave, she’s contracted for four erotic paranormal novels for Avon Red, she writes cowboys for Kensington Aphrodisia to name just a few of her accomplishments. She’s a powerhouse writer with Writer’s Attention Deficit (WAD). Former officer in the US Army, she’s led a life of adventure, which inspires her books. In September of 2004, Delilah left her job as a Project Management Professional to take a job with more time off to pursue her writing career. For more information visit: www.delilahdevlin.com
 
 

Winnie Griggs    

 Louisiana native Winnie Griggs leads a very busy, fulfilling life.  In addition to writing historical romance novels for Dorchester Publishing and Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired Historical line, she's also a utility industry professional, the mother of four, and a board or committee member for several writers’ organizations.  She's an active member of her church and speaks regularly at regional and national writers’ conferences throughout the country.
In 2009 Winnie will have two new books hit the shelves, the first of which, The Hand-Me-down Family, comes out in March.  Winnie loves hearing from readers - you can e-mail her at winnie@winniegriggs.com.  And be sure to visit her website www.winniegriggs.com for information on her latest releases and appearances.       

Elizabeth Hoyt 
              

Publisher’s Weekly called Elizabeth Hoyt’s storytelling “mesmerizing.” The author of The Raven Prince, The Leopard Prince, The Serpent Prince, and To Taste Temptation, Elizabeth writes wickedly witty historical romance. She also writes deliciously fun contemporary romance under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in central Illinois with three untrained dogs, two angelic, but bickering children, and one long-suffering husband. Please visit her websites for book excerpts, contests, and upcoming appearances: www.elizabethhoyt.com, www.juliaharper.com.

Elle James

Elle James’s first novel was the 2004 Golden Heart Winner TO KISS A FROG and was published in March of 2005. Since then, she’s contracted with Harlequin Enterprises Ltd to produce eleven Harlequin Intrigues between 2006-2009. Writing as Myla Jackson, she’s published nine novels/novellas with Ellora’s Cave, contracted to publish four novellas with Kensington Books and two novellas with Avon Publishing. Elle belongs to the Romance Writers of America, and is a member of the Diamond State Romance Authors, San Antonio Romance Authors, Oklahoma Romance Authors, Society of Childrens Bookwriters and Illustrators, American Screenwriting Association, Published Author Special Interest Chapter, Mystery Writers of America, Novelists Inc. and RomVets chapters.

Karen King

Karen L. King fell in love with romance when her mother fed her voracious, third-grade appetite for books with a romance novel.  She began writing short stories in and graduated to penning novels.  Sidetracked by real life, kids, husband and a career at a major Midwestern newspaper where she authored a few incident reports and a system manual, in 2002 she returned to her love of romance with her debut novel, THE WEDDING DUEL, a HOLT Medallion finalist for best first book.  She is the author of three additional novels and two novellas. 

A former Golden Heart finalist, and past president of Mid-America Romance Authors, Karen lives with her family in Kansas City and is active in her local RWA chapter.

Jade Lee

Children of mixed races have their own set of rules.  As the daughter of a Shanghai native and a staunch Indiana Hoosier, Jade Lee struggled to find her own identity somewhere between America and China.  Her search has taken her throughout Asian and the United States.  In the end, the answer was found not only at home, but in her own head.  Her imagination allows her to explore pre-Communist China in her Tigress series, dragon power in her fantasy romance Dragonborn, and of course, the amazing power of love in all of them.

Jade’s also a popular speaker appearing all over the country throughout the year.  Her other joys include playing racquetball, rollerblading, and watching her two daughters play volleyball.  She loves getting mail from readers, so please e-mail her at jade@jadeleeauthor.com.  Or visit her on the web at www.jadeleeauthor.com.

Allison Pittman         

Allison Pittman is the author of the popular Crossroads of Grace series (Multnomah Publishers). Her first novel, Ten Thousand Charms, was the Reader’s Choice winner for the Faith, Hope and Love chapters of Romance Writers of America, as well as a 2007 RITA finalist for Best First Book and Best Inspirational Romance. The following books, Speak Through the Wind and With Endless Sight were equally well-received by reviewers and readers alike. Her first non-fiction book, Saturdays with Stella, recounting the spiritual lessons she learned when she took her dog to obedience school, will bring a highly-anticipated, fresh new voice on the Christian book scene.

At home in San Antonio, Texas, Allison heads up the Christian Writers Group of the Greater San Antonio Area where she acts as a mentor/instructor/encourager for nearly 30 writers. She uses those instincts and skills as a reader for The Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service. She has served on the faculty of the Glorieta Christian Writers Conference and has presented workshops for area American Christian Fiction Writers chapters and other writing groups.

When she’s not busy with all-things-writing, Allison and her husband, Mike (the undisputed best guy in the world) stay busy taking care of their three boys. On any given day you’ll find them at the baseball park, a school play or an art exhibit. On a really good day, you can follow them around as they ride one roller coaster after another.

Ramona Richards         

Ramona Richards is the award-winning author of six books, an editor with Thomas Nelson Publishers, and a frequent speaker to both writers’ and women’s groups. She has written novels, devotionals, biographies, Bible studies, short stories, and nonfiction articles on a wide array of topics. As an in-house editor, she’s overseen the production of children’s books, a national magazine, novels, nonfiction, and Bibles, reference books, and curriculum. Her most recent books include A MURDER AMONG FRIENDS and THE FACE OF DECEIT (Steeple Hill), and her next book THE TAKING OF CARLY BRADFORD (Steeple Hill) releases in May 2009.

Renee Ryan

Renee Ryan grew up in a Florida beach town where she learned how to surf and skateboard very poorly.  As a teenager, she gave up on both pursuits and began entertaining herself during countless hours of "laying-out" by reading all the classics.  It wasn’t until the summer between her sophomore and junior years at Florida State University that she read her first romance novel.  Hooked from page one, she spent hours consuming book after book while working on the best (and last!) tan of her life.
Two years later, armed with a degree in Economics and Religion, she explored various career opportunities, including stints at a Florida theme park, a modeling agency, and a cosmetic conglomerate.  She moved on to teach high school Economics, American Government and Latin while coaching award-winning cheerleading teams.  Several years later, with an eclectic cast of characters swimming around in her head, she began seriously pursuing a writing career.
Renee recently reconciled her writing with her faith and began penning Inspirational Romances for Steeple Hill.  She lives in Southern Georgia with her husband, teenage daughter and a large fluffy cat many have mistaken for a small bear.  For further information about Renee, check out www.ReneeRyan.com  

Terry Spear                   

Terry Spear has published in many genres, including romantic suspense, contemporary, paranormal, and under the name Terry Lee Wilde, young adult paranormal and fantasy romances. She's the award-winning author of Winning The Highlander's Heart (Vintage), The Vampire...In My Dreams, Deadly Liaisons (Samhain), Heart of the Wolf, April, 2008 Don't Cry Wolf, April 2009, Betrayal of the Wolf, Allure of the Wolf (Sourcebooks), Relative Danger (Wild Rose Press).  She also writes nonfiction for numerous genealogy, WWII, teen, and family magazines, and has had romantic fiction published in magazines. Her website: www.terryspear.com

Sara Thacker

Sara Thacker is a multi-published author, writing as Sara Thacker in the suspense genre and Sara York in the erotic genre. Around every corner and behind every wall it lurks, and for Sara Thacker each corner or wall is a renewing experience where she gleans information to incorporate into her next suspense. The world can be a dangerous place and Sara Thacker takes the mundane and makes it murderous.

Sara Thacker has spent most of her life in Texas, half with cows and horses, and the other half in the city. Both existences give her fodder for her novels. Of course like most women, Sara can’t live without romance. Great Romances are neither born nor given, but worked on everyday to improve their greatness. At times, Sara puts away the murder and suspense and picks up her romance writing, helping her characters to realize that obstacles can be overcome and love can conquer even the most Alpha male in existence.