Joanna Wayne

Jo Ann Vest, who writes contemporary romance novels under the name Joanna Wayne, was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. She began reading at the young age of four and quickly developed a love for books, making weekly trips to the library to check out as many books as she could read before going to bed at night. This love for reading never waned and would eventually lead her to become a successful romance author.

Vest grew up in Shreveport as the middle child of a large family. In 1984, she moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, where she married her current husband. The city of New Orleans provided Vest with a rich cultural and historical background that would later influence her writing. It was here that she attended her first writing class and joined her first professional writing organization, marking the beginning of her career as a romance author.

Vest has published over forty books under the name Joanna Wayne and is known for her suspenseful and emotional stories that feature ordinary people in life-threatening situations. Her work has been well-received by both readers and industry professionals, earning her a spot on the Walden Bestselling List for romance and numerous industry awards. In addition to her writing, Vest is also a popular speaker at writing organizations and local community functions, and has taught creative writing at the University of New Orleans Metropolitan College. She currently resides in a small community north of Houston, Texas, with her husband, where she continues to write and publish romance novels.