Mary Ellis is a bestselling American author, known for her novels that primarily fall under the genres of Christian-themed romantic suspense, as well as Amish fiction and historical romance. Born in Cleveland, Ellis spent her formative years in eastern Ohio, where she developed an appreciation for the Amish community and their values. She often visited farmer's markets and woodworking fairs, which allowed her to experience the peaceful lifestyle and strong Christian values that are characteristic of the Amish community. As an adult, Ellis continues to live in Ohio, not far from the largest Amish population in the United States, and she spends her weekends there to purchase produce, conduct research, and immerse herself in the simpler ways of the Amish community.
Prior to becoming a full-time author, Ellis worked as a middle school teacher and in sales for Hershey Chocolate. In her free time, she enjoys a variety of hobbies, including reading, traveling, gardening, bicycling, and swimming. Ellis is a prolific writer, having written twenty-six novels to date. Many of her novels have been successful, earning prestigious awards and recognition throughout her writing career. In particular, Ellis is well-known for developing the plots of her novels around the Amish community, and she has written several series that are set in this community. Over the course of her career, she has written seven to eight novel series, each comprising of no more than three to four books.
In addition to her Amish-themed novels, Ellis has also written several mystery novels, including the Secrets of the South series, which is set in New Orleans. Her latest book in this series, Midnight on the Mississippi, was a finalist for the RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award. Ellis's latest book in the Bourbon Tour Mysteries series from Severn House is One for the Road, and One Hundred Proof Murder releases in July 2021. She has also recently published an Amish novella, Missing at Amazon Kindle. Ellis continues to write and publish novels, and she currently lives in Ohio with her husband and dog.