American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold more than 300 million copies worldwide. Dailey was both an author and entrepreneur. Her novel Foxfire Light was made into a movie.
She introduced the Western romance, romance novels set in the American West. The Western romance focused on the female, who was often marginalized in traditional Western novels. Many of the themes in her novels were groundbreaking for the genre. Her heroines, unlike most, lost their virginity. Others fell in love with poor or unattractive heroes.
She wrote a total of 57 novels for Harlequin. Among these novels were 50 in the “Janet Dailey Americana Series,” in which every state in the United States was represented. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized her for this achievement of setting a novel in every state.
Dailey was sued in 1997 by fellow novelist Nora Roberts, who accused Dailey of copying her work over a period of more than seven years. Dailey acknowledged the theft and blamed it on a psychological disorder. In April 1998 Dailey settled the case. Although terms were not released, Roberts had previously indicated that any settlement funds should be donated to the Literacy Volunteers of America.
She died at her home in Branson, Missouri on 14 December 2013 from complications of heart surgery, aged 69.
Link to Wikipedia biography