Joan Johnston received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida, an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois in Urbana, and a J.D. with honors from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. She has worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic, a director of theatre, a college professor, and an attorney. She is currently a full-time romance author. She has written over 50 novels including Sisters Found, The Cowboy, The Texan, The Loner, The Next Mrs. Blackthorne, No Longer a Stranger, and The Price. She also writes the Captive Hearts series and the Bitter Creek series.