J.R. Ward
Encyclopedia
Jessica Rowley Pell Bird (b. 1969 in Massachusetts
, U.S.A.
) is an American
novelist. Under her maiden name, Jessica Bird, she writes contemporary romance novels, and as J.R. Ward, she writes paranormal romance
. She has received the Romance Writers of America
RITA Award.
, U.S.A.
, she is the daughter of W. Gillette Bird, Jr. and Maxine F. Bird. She began writing as a child, penning her thoughts in diaries as well as inventing short stories. The summer before she went to college she wrote her first book, a romance novel
. After that, she wrote regularly, but for herself. Bird attended Smith College
where she double majored in history and art history, concentrating on medieval period. She then received a law degree from Albany Law School
and worked in healthcare administration for many years, including as the Chief of Staff at Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 2001, Bird married John Neville Blakemore III. Her new husband encouraged her to try to get an agent and market her manuscripts. She found an agent, and in 2002 her first novel, a contemporary romance called Leaping Hearts, was published. Several years later, Bird invented a world populated by vampires and began writing single-title paranormal romance
novels under the pen name J.R. Ward. These novels are a series, known as the Black Dagger Brotherhood
.
Bird likes to write series novels which incorporate characters from her previous books. She likens the process of creating a series to "meeting friends through other friends". Her heroes are most often alpha males, "the tougher, the cockier, the more arrogant, the better", while the heroines are smart and strong.
The Romance Writers of America
awarded her the RITA Award
for Best Short Contemporary Romance in 2007 for her novel From the First. She has also been nominated six times for Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, winning once for Lover Awakened.
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, U.S.A.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
novelist. Under her maiden name, Jessica Bird, she writes contemporary romance novels, and as J.R. Ward, she writes paranormal romance
Paranormal romance
Paranormal romance is a sub-genre of the romance novel. A type of speculative fiction, paranormal romance focuses on romance and includes elements beyond the range of scientific explanation, blending together themes from the genres of traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror...
. She has received the Romance Writers of America
Romance Writers of America
Romance Writers of America is a national non-profit genre writers association. It provides networking and support to individuals seriously pursuing a career in romance fiction and supports top authors such as Nora Roberts and Judith McNaught.-History:...
RITA Award.
Biography
Born Jessica Rowley Pell Bird on 1969 in MassachusettsMassachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, U.S.A.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, she is the daughter of W. Gillette Bird, Jr. and Maxine F. Bird. She began writing as a child, penning her thoughts in diaries as well as inventing short stories. The summer before she went to college she wrote her first book, a romance novel
Romance novel
The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
. After that, she wrote regularly, but for herself. Bird attended Smith College
Smith College
Smith College is a private, independent women's liberal arts college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. It is the largest member of the Seven Sisters...
where she double majored in history and art history, concentrating on medieval period. She then received a law degree from Albany Law School
Albany Law School
Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. It was founded in 1851 by Amos Dean , Amasa Parker, Ira Harris and others....
and worked in healthcare administration for many years, including as the Chief of Staff at Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 2001, Bird married John Neville Blakemore III. Her new husband encouraged her to try to get an agent and market her manuscripts. She found an agent, and in 2002 her first novel, a contemporary romance called Leaping Hearts, was published. Several years later, Bird invented a world populated by vampires and began writing single-title paranormal romance
Paranormal romance
Paranormal romance is a sub-genre of the romance novel. A type of speculative fiction, paranormal romance focuses on romance and includes elements beyond the range of scientific explanation, blending together themes from the genres of traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror...
novels under the pen name J.R. Ward. These novels are a series, known as the Black Dagger Brotherhood
Black Dagger Brotherhood
The Black Dagger Brotherhood is a paranormal romance series by author J. R. Ward. The series focuses on six vampire brothers and warriors who live together and defend their race against Lessers, de-souled humans who threaten their kind....
.
Bird likes to write series novels which incorporate characters from her previous books. She likens the process of creating a series to "meeting friends through other friends". Her heroes are most often alpha males, "the tougher, the cockier, the more arrogant, the better", while the heroines are smart and strong.
The Romance Writers of America
Romance Writers of America
Romance Writers of America is a national non-profit genre writers association. It provides networking and support to individuals seriously pursuing a career in romance fiction and supports top authors such as Nora Roberts and Judith McNaught.-History:...
awarded her the RITA Award
RITA Award
The RITA Award is the most prominent award given throughout the genre of romance novel and some other romantic fiction. It is presented by Romance Writers of America . It is named for the RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada. It signifies excellence in one of 13 categories of romantic fiction.-...
for Best Short Contemporary Romance in 2007 for her novel From the First. She has also been nominated six times for Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, winning once for Lover Awakened.
Single novels
- Leaping Hearts 07/30/02 ISBN 0-8041-1988-0
- Heart of Gold 06/03/03 ISBN 0-8041-1989-9
- An Unforgettable Lady 03/02/04 ISBN 0-345-45895-8
- An Irresistible Bachelor 03/30/04 ISBN 0-345-45896-6
The Moorehouse Legacy Series
- Beauty and the Black Sheep 07/01/05 ISBN 0-373-24698-6
- His Comfort and Joy 01/01/06 ISBN 0-373-24732-X
- From The First 04/01/06 ISBN 0-373-24750-8
- A Man in a Million 01/01/07 ISBN 0-373-24803-2
Collections in collaboration
- Plain Jane's Secret Life / Beauty and the Black Sheep (2005) (with Cathy Gillen ThackerCathy Gillen ThackerCathy Gillen Thacker is an American author of over seventy romance novels.-Biography:Thacker began writing to occupy herself while she was raising small children. She wrote seven books as she taught herself how to be an author. Her eighth attempt was finally published in July 1982...
) - "The Billionaire Next Door" in Mistress: Taken by the Tycoon (2009) (with Jan Colley and Kristi GoldKristi GoldKristi Gold is an American writer of over 25 romance novels since 2000.-Biography:Kristi Gold decided at the age of twenty to write her first book. In 2000 her first book was published. Gold is married to a physician, and they have three children...
)
Black Dagger Brotherhood series
- Dark Lover 09/06/05 ISBN 0-451-21695-4
- Lover Eternal 03/07/06 ISBN 0-451-21804-3
- Lover Awakened 09/05/06 ISBN 0-451-21936-8
- Lover Revealed 03/06/07 ISBN 0-451-41235-4
- Lover Unbound 09/25/07 ISBN 0-451-22235-0
- Lover Enshrined 06/03/08 ISBN 0-451-22272-5
- Lover Avenged 4/28/09 ISBN 0-451-22585-6
- Lover Mine 05/01/10 ISBN 0749941789
- Lover Unleashed 03/29/11
- The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide 10/01/08 ISBN 978-0-451-22500-9
- Lover Reborn 03/27/12 ISBN 978-0-451-23584-8
- J.R. Ward Box Set: Dark Lover, Lover Eternal, Lover Awakened, Lover Unbound, Lover Revealed, Lover Enshrined (omnibus) (2009)
Fallen Angels series
- Covet 9/29/2009 ISBN 0-451-22821-9
- Crave 10/05/2010 ISBN 0-451-22944-4
- Envy 09/06/2011 ISBN 0-349-40020-2
Collections in collaboration
- "The Story of Son" in Dead After Dark (2008) (with Sherrilyn KenyonSherrilyn KenyonSherrilyn Kenyon is a bestselling US writer. Under her own name she writes Urban Fantasy, but is best known for her Dark-Hunter vampire series. Under the pseudonym Kinley MacGregor she wrote historicals also with paranormal elements...
, Susan Squires, Dianna Love) - "Dark Lover" in Blood Lust 6 (2010) (with MaryJanice DavidsonMaryJanice DavidsonMaryJanice Davidson is an American author who writes mostly paranormal romance, but also young adult literature and non-fiction....
, Christine FeehanChristine FeehanChristine Feehan is an American romance-paranormal writer. She has published more than 26 novels, including five series, and numerous novellas since 1999.-Biography:...
) - "Lover Awakened" in Blood Sample 7 (2010) (with MaryJanice DavidsonMaryJanice DavidsonMaryJanice Davidson is an American author who writes mostly paranormal romance, but also young adult literature and non-fiction....
, Laurell K Hamilton, Charlaine HarrisCharlaine HarrisCharlaine Harris is a New York Times bestselling author who has been writing mysteries for over twenty years. She was born and raised in the Mississippi River Delta area of the United States. She now lives in southern Arkansas with her husband and three children...
, Katie MacAlisterKatie MacAlisterKatie MacAlister is a Seattle-area author of fiction and non-fiction. Her most popular titles are historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance. She also writes young-adult books under the pseudonym Katie Maxwell and mysteries under the pseudonym Kate Marsh.MacAlister's contemporary and...
)