Jennifer Crusie

Jennifer Crusie is a successful American author, best known for her contemporary romance novels. She accidentally ventured into writing while working on her dissertation about the impact of gender on narrative strategies. Her extensive reading of romance novels for research led her to start writing them. Crusie's work primarily consists of standalone novels, and she often collaborates with Bob Mayer.

Crusie was born in 1949 in Wapakoneta, Ohio, and pursued her higher education at Bowling Green State University, where she obtained a degree in Art and Education. She furthered her studies at Wright State University, earning a Master's degree in women’s literature and Professional writing. Her interest in women's roles in mystery fiction from 1840 to 1920 led her to complete all the Ph.D. coursework at the Ohio State University. However, her focus shifted to writing romances, leading her to abandon her pursuit of a Ph.D.

Crusie has an impressive publication record, with twenty-three novels, one book of literary criticism, numerous articles, essays, novellas, and short stories, and the editor of three essay anthologies. Her work has earned her recognition as a New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author. She has won the Rita award twice, showcasing her talent and popularity in the genre. Crusie's novels, including the Liz Danger mystery series, written in collaboration with Bob Mayer, have been highly successful, with her twenty-fifth book, "One in Vermillion," released in September 2023. Currently, she is working on the Rocky Start mystery series, also in collaboration with Mayer.