Johanna Lindsey
Best-selling Author
Helen Johanna Lindsey (b. 10 March 1952 in Germany), under the pen name “Johanna Lindsey”, is one of the most popular American writers of historical romance novels worldwide. All of her books reached the New York Times bestseller list, many reaching #1.
Personal life
Lindsey was born on 10 March 1952 in Germany, where her father, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was stationed. The family moved about a great deal when she was young. Her father always dreamed of retiring to Hawaii, and after he died in 1964, Lindsey and her mother settled there to honor him.
In 1970, when she was still in school, she married Ralph, becoming a young housewife. The marriage continued residing in Hawaii and produced three children; Alfred, Joseph and Garret, who already have made her a grandmother. After her husband’s death, Lindsey moved to Maine; she has not remarried.
Writing career
Johanna Lindsey was a fan of romance novels herself. She wrote her first book, Captive Bride in 1977, on a whim. “I started writting as a hobby,” she says. “I never thought of being a writer when I was young. Now I wouldn’t want to do anything else.” The book was a success, as have been the 30 plus novels which followed.
By 2008, over 60 Million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, with translations appearing in 12 languages.
Lindsey’s books span the various eras of history, including books set in the Middle Ages, Regency England, the American “Old West”, and the Viking era. She has even written a few sci-fi romances. By far the most popular among her books are the stories about the Malory Family, a Regency saga.
Lindsey’s stories are known for her feisty heroines and domineering heroes. In many of her tales, the heroine somehow falls into the hero’s power (e.g., she becomes his slave, serf, captive, etc.). Lindsey heroines are always high-born, younger than the hero, and temperamental. Lindsey heroes are always Alpha-males, who are self-reliant, powerful, and overtly sexual.
(courtesy wikipedia)
Johanna Lindsey is the finest romance author I have ever read. Her stories are totally believable, and if she were to describe a rose, you could close your eyes and almost smell the rose. I hope to read and collect all her novels, and am hoping for more to come from her pen.
Posted by Loretta | September 3, 2008, 4:27 amYou inspired me to start a collection of your books. When I start to read one of your books I wont stop untill I get to the end. You always add a twist to the story which makes it impossible to predict the end. That I like the most. Keep on writting because I will keep on reading.
Thank you for making reading so interesting!!!
Posted by Stephanie | May 28, 2010, 7:04 pmMy sister introduced me to Johanna Lindsey’s books years ago. I bought all of her books and have re-read them all several times, and plan to re-read them several more times, along with her new books. In her first books she seems so fiesty and sensual her newer books do not have as much spice as the first ones, but they are still good enough for me. I have written to Mrs. Lindsey personally several times and she has answered my letters on her personal letter paper in her handwriting. Her romance novels propelled me into two of the greatest love affairs of my 61 years. Boy have a had a blast because of her inspirational novels. I read at least a couple of novels a week.
Posted by C.Diane Canty | June 18, 2010, 10:20 pmI completely agree, I went to the library so I could read them until a new book store opened in the area. As soon as I could I went And bought all the books I didn’t already have. I just finished reading them all (all 10) the only one I will have to look for is The Present wrote in 1998 (I think). Please keep writing about this big, funny,mysterious, sexually charged family. at least the men. By the way were can I find mainly a Malory or maybe an Anderson man for myself!! When are you coming out with the next one, I can’t wait till it hits the shelf.
Posted by sally | December 16, 2011, 12:19 amYes, I agree with you, Loretta.
Thus, the site dedicated to Lindsey. I am so happy to receive my first comment here. Hope you keep visiting.
Posted by hc | September 3, 2008, 2:56 pmyou’re really fantastic!
Posted by melody feliciano | November 24, 2008, 1:09 amJohanna Lindsey is my favorite author. I am trying to collect all of her books and I am well on my way. I start a book and I just can’t make myself put it down until I finish it!!! I always look forward to the next one to be published. However, I would like to make sure I have a complete list of all of the books she has written, so if anyone can help me I would greatly appreciate it!!!
Posted by Donna | November 26, 2008, 12:29 amHello, Donna, you can check out the entire bibliography in this blog itself. You can just click on the link that says ‘by year of publication’ and you’ll get the novels, the years they were published in, book covers, and back cover synopsis’.
Posted by HC | November 26, 2008, 4:47 pmJohanna Lindsey is my favorite author! I own every book she has ever published and have read each of them multiple times. I love the characters and stories so much I am starved for more. I have already purchased her newest novel “A Rogue of My Own” due out in June, but it is killing me to wait to hear what it will be about. There are so many characters from her previous novels that I want her to write a story for. I am praying she will continue to write for many, many for years.
Posted by Angela | January 11, 2009, 3:19 amYears ago, I was in a very bad marriage, with a physically abusive husband, desparately seeking love, tenderness and passion, it just so happened the book I picked up at the grocery store was Captive Bride, I been hooked ever since, I had a collection of book and when I moved my second husband thought they were junk and threw them away, needless to say I have replace every single one of them so much so that I now have duplicates I have read and reread them many times. They still make me laugh out loud and cry. My only regret is that she can’t write them fast enough.. I have taken to reading the book and immediately rereading because I don’t want to let my characters go,, And Yes the Mallory are definitely my favorite, And sometimes words my seem out of time period, but you know what I don’t care. Johanna Lindsey has been my lifeline for the past 35 years and will continue. And now my family knows they better not touch my Lindsey’s
Posted by Kathy C. | February 8, 2012, 4:04 pmHey, Angela. Thank you for giving me the information about ‘A Rogue of My Own’. I’ve updated the bibliography. Can’t wait for June!
Posted by hc | January 11, 2009, 2:45 pmglorious angel is a very beautiful story. good luck Johanna Lindsey. inspired more readers. God Bless… Mwah
Posted by rosalie cacal | February 19, 2009, 6:51 amGood luck Johanna Lindsey! Inspired more of your story. God Bless. Mwah
Posted by rosalie cacal | February 19, 2009, 6:54 amJohanna Lindsey is my favorite author. I was not into collecting stuff. But now I got all of her books. And I’m waiting for her newest “A Rogue of My Own”. I don’t get tired reading it again and again… She knows what the reader wants. And everytime I read her books it seems like I was there in that place, in that time. She’s really great!
Posted by Michelle | April 4, 2009, 2:10 pmJohanna Lindsey has become my favorite author of all time. I am moved in every aspect of her novels . I can not seem to stop reading and i want to know more of the characters and what happened to them. I love reading “The Malory novels” because “James Malory and George” -it feels so real!!!
Please do not stop writing. Your books relax me beyond anything.
I love your work and keep it up!!!!
Posted by gem | April 13, 2009, 7:59 amWill there be more Malory series? I loved every one of them and can’t wait to see if there will be more.
Posted by RCarmody | April 15, 2009, 5:03 amHey.
This blog is made by a fan (that’s me); so I really cannot answer that question.
Posted by hc | May 6, 2009, 8:08 pmI agree wholeheartedly. Can’t wait for “a rogue of my own”.
Posted by rachel | May 6, 2009, 8:01 pmI love the picture of Jeremy on here. It’s perfect.
Posted by rachel | May 6, 2009, 8:04 pmThanks, Rachel.
Posted by hc | June 22, 2010, 11:17 pmJohanna Lindsey is a superb author. Once you start reading her novels, you just can’t put it down until you know what happens at the end. I especially enjoy the Malory family. It’s like I can picture them as I read her novels. Looking forward for more stories.
Posted by Emily | June 3, 2009, 12:01 pmIs there any word if any of the Malory books will be made into movies? Are there going to be any more books written about the Malory’s?
Posted by Laura | June 4, 2009, 7:41 amI would like to say that the Malory series is my all time favorite. I would love to see this series as a mini movie on tv or a movie in general. I think it would be awsome. I have read and re-read the series. I think it is great. I can picture everything that is happening or what the characters look like because of such detail that she uses to describe them. Thank you so much for taking me out of reality for a while.
Posted by Browneyegirl | June 30, 2009, 4:56 amPut all these books into a movie that would be GREAT. but so hard to keep up with, just one request NO Phobeo.
Posted by sally | December 16, 2011, 12:24 amI agree with you all. The best adventure/lovestories ever. My personal favourites are the three novels about the Hardraad vikingfamily. Can’t count how many times I have read those novels. Only wish there were more of them. Ofcourse the Maloryseries is absolutely great also!
Posted by Ida | July 7, 2009, 1:53 pmDid Johanna eevr have a heroine named Sara?
Posted by Stefanie | October 5, 2009, 9:49 pmNot so far, no.
Posted by hc | June 22, 2010, 11:18 pmi have read everyone of her books. i can’t wait for the next one to come out
Posted by sherri | October 22, 2009, 10:19 pmLook for “Promised to a Rogue” in June of 2010. This will be the newest in the Malory family series.
Posted by Lindseyfan | December 30, 2009, 12:44 amWho story will “Promised to a Rogue” be about?
Posted by Kimberly Walker | January 23, 2010, 10:57 pmDo you know who it is about?
My guess is that it could be about the next generation of malorys !!! i dont know . cant wait.
Posted by Josie | February 11, 2010, 3:59 amshe is the only author that am ready to read a novel that contain over 200 page of a novel without being bored in half of it
i loved the viking novels and the Malory serie
cant get enough of them
Posted by noor | January 19, 2010, 4:00 amMy favorit two favorit books are A Man to Call My Own and Until forever.. Until forever made me cry.. Thanks Lindsayfan I was wondering when she would come out with another Malory book. I was woudering when she was going to write Julia or Jack’s storie. I guessing but I think it well be the one of the girl’s.
Posted by Celest | January 24, 2010, 12:31 amI can’t wait for another of your great novels, I haven’t had a good read in sometime.
Posted by Lynn Mitchell | January 26, 2010, 9:26 amI think her next story will have to do with Georgina’s brother. If you think about it, she has 5 brothers and 3 of them have found love in her book, the other already has kids and is in his forties, so that leaves Thomas. I cant really pin point anybody else being the main characters. My favorites of hers were the Haardrad series.
Posted by Melody | February 1, 2010, 9:17 ami love johanna lindseys books. ive collected almost every book except secret flame and the recent one promised to a rogue. but im a little dis appointed with the pursuit. i was hoping melissa and justin megans son will end up together.is there a chnce of revision on that one ms. lindsey plsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Posted by paloma | February 9, 2010, 8:15 amDo you know who “Promised To A Rogue” is about? Is there a synopsis to read?
Posted by Renee | February 9, 2010, 4:55 pmCheck this => Promised to a Rogue
Posted by hc | February 14, 2010, 7:04 pmat first I was really not into romantic novels. but a friend introduced me to a novel by her (defy not the heart) and then i became addicted instantly, i finished reading it within a day. the next one i read was once a princess and was also very good. i’d really say, you can’t be bored reading any of her books. they’re an absolute page turner and thus i was instantly addicted. to this page’s admin, really nice idea of putting the cover of each book. i really loved it, i got to see the covers of the books that i haven’t read yet. inpires to hunt for the books even at second hand bookstores and online book shops. thanks!
Posted by glacier | June 7, 2010, 9:06 pmHere’s a little more info on JL. It’s really hard to find info about her…I guess she doesn’t do many interviews…enjoy.
http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Johanna-Lindsey/18227659/author_revealed
Posted by Viking Princess | June 20, 2010, 8:30 pmThank you. It was a lovely read – will put it up on the blog as well.
Cheers!
Posted by hc | June 22, 2010, 10:07 pmi love all of your books, suchs a romantic book.beautiful stories…
i really hope u can make another Malory’s books.
Posted by FelliesiaRegina | June 26, 2010, 11:18 amThe first book I read was Paradise Wild and I was a teenager back then. And I just finished reading That Perfect Someone…still reading her books 25+ years later. She is an incredible author and I absolutely love the Malory Series. Some of you mentioned the possibility of a movie or mini-series! I couldn’t imagine how fabulous that woud be!!! I hope the Malory books will continue..you could always write another book on James Malory!!! My favourite character ever!!! Thank you for keeping my entertained with such great novels for most of my life.
Posted by Sue | July 4, 2010, 8:09 amMy first romance novel i ever read in my whole life was Prisoner of My Desires, my second favorite book by Johanna Lindsey. My outmost favorite is A Heart So Wild. I hope someday her books will be made into movies.
Posted by Maribel Garcia | July 5, 2010, 3:44 amJohanna, your the best writer of our times. Your stories bring readers into another world. The Malory saga is great. It should be a tv mini series. My favorite is man of my dreams.
That should be a movie.. I’m sure other fans would love these as movies as well. Please consider.
Posted by Michele | July 15, 2010, 8:51 pmJohanna, you are such a great author, and the first that made me fall in love with romance novels!!! You create such stories that brings us readers into a captivating and enthralling world with such excitement and passion and tender love stories that leave me satisfied at the end of each and every one of them!!!
Posted by Renee | July 19, 2010, 8:44 amJoanna, I too became hooked on romance novels reading Kathleen E. Woodiness and Rosemary Rogers. I became hooked on your novels with your first one Captive Bride and have been a fan ever since. Have every book you have ever written and look forward to more..The Malory’s are my favorites..and my daughter has become a fan as well. She loves Amy and Warren. Can’t wait to read you new one. I would also love to see a movie made about the Malory’s.
Posted by Debby | July 28, 2010, 5:35 amyes please Joanna……make dreams us come true…to watch the Malory family on the mini series movie …please…please
Posted by Tina | August 5, 2010, 7:04 pmhi johanna first time i read ur book it was pirate’s love , second time the book was captive bride , after i read it i told my self i have to know who’s the auther , ur writing was passable , sorry if i’m frank i think ur ability to describe love is very low , how can a man in love with a woman call her bi*ch , i was very disappointed , rape is like ok in ur books , the woman fall in love easilly , it’s the same level as erotic stories , it contain nothing ,only a waste of time , hope ur new books be better
Posted by sarvenaz | September 11, 2010, 8:45 amI love Johanna Lindsey’s books! She’s the one who got me hooked on reading romance novels, and throughout the years I’ve read almost all her books. I really like that she doesn’t write in only one period, and that her books are set from medieval France, to the american wild west, Russia, Regency and victorian England, etc.
Posted by Luthien | November 27, 2010, 5:04 amYour book is stunning! I’m from Indonesia, not many of your book published here, but I promise my self to search for more, when I read You Belong to Me,I know that time I will not stop! It’s interesting to read something that intimate but also hilariously funny at the same time.
Posted by ccristefany | December 12, 2010, 4:16 pmI love Johanna Lindsey Novels. I have read many other romance novelist and none compare in my book. I own all of her novels. I can wait till puts out a book each year. To bad she doesn’t put more than that! Keep writing, I would probably go insane if did stop. Well..I guess I’d have to find another author who can fill your shoes!!
Posted by Ruby | December 25, 2010, 10:09 amYour books are great and I like it very much especially The Malory Family. Why don’t you make move about it ? I really want to see if you make the movie C=
Posted by Beatrice | December 31, 2010, 3:49 pmRead all but one of your books… That Perfect Someone wanting to purchase if anyone has it???
Posted by Margaret Gilchrist | January 19, 2011, 3:12 pmI used to be more than happy to seek out this web-site.I needed to thanks to your time for this glorious read!! I undoubtedly having fun with every little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.
Posted by snake | February 10, 2011, 8:02 amThank you.
Posted by hc | February 11, 2011, 8:08 pmI love the Malory Family. Are there any more in the works? I do hope so.
Posted by Beth | March 21, 2011, 5:36 amHi Beth, I am sure there will be more books coming with someone from the Malory clan as main protagonists.
Posted by hc | March 26, 2011, 7:50 amhas there been any movies made from johanna lindsey’s novels? i love the books and i would love to see some of them made to movies. If anyone knows i would appreciate the reply. Just what movie and when it was made would be great so i oculd try and find it. Hopefully there is one!!! Thanx sooo much everyone!
Posted by Kala | March 24, 2011, 11:13 pmHello, Kala. I don’t think there has been a movie made on a Johanna Lindsey novel yet.
Posted by hc | March 26, 2011, 7:49 amJohanna and her family lived across the street from us in Kaneohe, Hawaii. We were very good friends. Her son and our son were best friends. When we moved to Nevada, and she moved back to the mainland, we lost track of each other. Please pass on my name and contact information to her, and ask her to contact me. Thank you so much. Babette “Babs” Clough, Sparks, NV, Phone: 775-425-1156, HorseFolks@aol.com
Posted by Babette "Babs" Clough | March 29, 2011, 9:25 amHello, Babette, this is a pleasure indeed to hear from a friend of Ms Lindsey. This blog is an unofficial fan page of Johanna Lindsey and so I have no means of contacting her. All I can hope is that she chances on coming across this site and seeing your message. I do hope this happens for the most obvious reason being that I am a fan who would love for a beloved author to read or write on this blog and secondly, that this blog could be a means for you two to catch up again. All the best.
Posted by hc | March 30, 2011, 8:16 pmI love your work. I really enjoy the Malory family and would love to read more. Are you planning any more books in the near future?
Posted by Kim | March 31, 2011, 3:33 amJohanna Lindsey has a new release coming ou June 14, 2011 titled When Passion Rules.
Posted by Viking Princess | April 12, 2011, 2:40 amThanks for the heads-up. Am updating the blog as I write this.
Posted by hc | April 12, 2011, 5:27 amI have a question and I’m dying to find out. I have 6 out of (I think the 10) books in the Malory series. I still need the other 4 and am deeply curious: are Warren and Amy mentioned in any of the other books after their own? They are two of my favorite characters and I notice everyone seems to pop up in everyone else’s books. Please tell me they are!
Posted by Jennifer Bell | June 14, 2011, 9:56 amI have been a fan since my first book, in 1988 Defy Not Thy Heart!! A few years later I was able to add an original well loved copy of Captive Bride from a thrift store for 50cents! LOL!!! I have been a bit lax in her work, but I will make up for it very soon!
Posted by BKG | June 23, 2011, 1:19 amWow, what a life. I have to say that the Malory’s are her best works of art.
Posted by Kirstie Proffitt | November 11, 2011, 3:00 amFabio was great, in his time, for all your novels.
However, I find its time for an upgrade. In the form of Jason Momoa!!
What a hottie; and brains to match!
Posted by amanda johnson | November 29, 2011, 9:05 pmI am 16 & i absolutely love her books.. My mum almost has every book of hers.
Posted by Anastasia Doesntgiveafark | January 10, 2012, 8:23 pmI love Johanna Lindsey Malory series and have for years. I would always read them but with time came kids and not much time for reading so I had lost track of them. With my kids older and a Nook for Christmas I have caught up on 3 novels in 4 days!!!! Sure to catch the rest in the next few!
Posted by Maria Eddows | January 13, 2012, 11:12 pmJohanna Lindsey is my number one out of three favorite authors. What I would love to see is all the Malory novels made into movies. I have seen several little videos where people have chosen who should play each charactor, but they don’t look look anything like the charactors are supposed to. So if Johanna Lindsey could make them into movie’s that have charactors that actually look like the ones in the books that would be great. Everyone already knows that if they stick to the books and don’t change much of anything that they will definately be a success! Keeping my fingers crossed!
Posted by Fawna Bland | January 19, 2012, 3:41 amThey should make a miniseries about the Malorys! if not individual movies! I’m sure I am not alone in my curiosity in seeing the characters on screen!
Posted by Mayra | February 6, 2012, 8:23 amJohanna Lindsey started me reading english. I have followed her books through bad and good. I don’t know who reads these comments? But I want to give others the joy of reading. I was hoping that Johanna Lindsey would donate 5 books. I am an educator at a disatvantaged high school. We cannot afford to buy books and the government have closed most libraries. Jennifer, South Africa
Posted by Jennifer Delport | March 11, 2012, 4:25 pmThanks for those beautifully woven stories… You have indeed created more of a zeal in me to read more…
Posted by Sudharshini | March 21, 2012, 2:27 pmI read my first Johanna Lindsey novel about 10 years ago. It was a Malory novel and I was immediately hooked. Since then she has become my favorite author and I have read all of her novels, most more than once. Her writing is truly amazing and I usually cannot put one of her books down until I finish it. Her last few novels have been good but still left me wanting more of the magical stuff she had in her previous books. Still, it never affects my desire to run out and buy her latest work.
Posted by bizzy1x3 | May 20, 2012, 8:31 amI read a book years ago about a girl that was feeding a malnourished dog and come to find out it was a wild wolf, I loved this story and cannot remember who wrote it. It sounds like one of Johanna Lindsey’s books. Can someone help me?
Posted by Pam | May 23, 2012, 6:52 pmit might be hearts aflame by johanna
Posted by sa | May 27, 2012, 2:56 am