Shirlee Busbee was born on August 9, 1941 in San Jose, California. She received a certificate from the Burbank Business College in 1962. She has worked as a receptionist for the Marin County Title and Abstract Co., as plant supervisor for Fairfield Title Co., and as secretary and drafting technician for the County Parks Department of Fairfield, California. She started writing historical romance novels in 1977. She has written over 18 books including Gypsy Lady, Lady Vixen, Love a Dark Rider, A Heart for the Taking, and Love Be Mine. She has received numerous awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and Affaire de Coeur's Silver and Bronze Pen Awards.