Jill Gregory American writer Country: USA

1. Jill Gregory: A Biography
2. A Shining Debut
3. A New Phase of Creativity
4. A Successful Collaboration
5. Ongoing Success and Personal Life

Jill Gregory: A Biography

Jill Gregory, an American writer, has a creative legacy that spans over 30 historical and contemporary romance and adventure novels. Her works have received awards such as the 'Reviewer's Choice' for best western in 1989 and the 'Romantic Times' award for best writing career in 2002. Gregory's books consistently appear on the bestseller lists of 'New York Times' and 'USA Today', and they are published in twenty-four countries, enjoying immense success. She is a member of the 'Doubleday' and 'Rhapsody Book' clubs.

Born and raised in Chicago, Jill Gregory later graduated from a university in Illinois with a bachelor's degree in English literature. Her early writing attempts were typical of many female authors working in the entertainment literature genre, focusing on marriage, domestic responsibilities, raising a daughter, and the search for creative fulfillment.

A Shining Debut

Gregory's first novel, 'To Distant Shores,' was published in 1980 by Ace Publishing. This extraordinary story of love and hate unfolds against the backdrop of high society London, exotic Calcutta, and revolutionary Philadelphia. It gained immense success, and rights to the book were purchased by other publishers. Despite this brilliant debut, Jill did not rush headlong into her writing career, publishing no more than one novel per year, considering her main priority in life to be taking care of her husband and daughter.

A New Phase of Creativity

However, it was precisely the upbringing of her daughter that gave a new impetus to Gregory's creativity. Rachel, the writer's daughter, attended a daycare center and befriended a boy named Mitchell and his younger brother Stephen. The boys' mother, Karen Tintori, also became a friend of Jill Gregory, who by then had already become the author of several bestsellers. The friendship between successful writer Jill and Karen, a journalist specializing in PR activities, led to a creative partnership.

A Successful Collaboration

The first collaborative work by Gregory and Tintori was a book that provided answers to children's questions about morality, religion, and the universe. It was published in 1991 by Simon & Schuster. However, their real success was yet to come. Inspired by their first joint work, Karen and Jill wrote a historical-mystical fantasy book under the pseudonym Jillian Carr, which combined their own names. The novel, titled 'The Book of Names,' is a mystical tale about the secrets of Kabbalah, the search for the descendants of thirty-seven righteous souls, and the salvation of the world.

Ongoing Success and Personal Life

The successful creative collaboration between the two writers continues to this day. At the same time, each of them has an impressive bibliography of their own works. Jill Gregory's latest novel, 'Blackbird Lake,' was published in 2013. Currently, 'AST' Publishing has released 21 novels by Jill Gregory, including those written in collaboration.

Gregory's novels, such as 'Chasing a Falling Star,' a historical-mystical fantasy about the love between a barbarian leader and a young princess forcibly given to him in marriage, have received high ratings from readers. Her westerns 'Untamed Heart' and 'Tamed Passion,' as well as her Regency era novel 'Long and Happy,' have also garnered significant acclaim.

Currently, Jill Gregory resides in Michigan with her husband. She enjoys the opportunity to admire forests and observe deer, squirrels, owls, and other wildlife. Jill has a great love for animals, especially Yorkshire Terriers, one of which usually sleeps at her feet while she works on her books. In her free time, she prefers long walks and the company of friends.