Lorelei James

Lorelei James is an American author best known for her contemporary erotic romances set in the modern Wild West. She is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author with notable series such as Rough Riders and Blacktop Cowboys®.

Born and raised in western South Dakota, James draws heavily on her surroundings and personal experiences to bring her characters and settings to life. Her stories often explore the rugged lives of cowboys and ranchers, combining romance with a deep connection to rural America. Reflecting on her writing, James has said, "While I love my cowboys and the rugged terrain that defines the men and women who live in rural America, I like to mix things up.

James began her career writing the Rough Riders series, establishing her reputation for steamy, character-driven romance. She later expanded her repertoire with the Blacktop Cowboys® series and the Mastered series, both set in Denver, Colorado. Inspired by her time living in Minneapolis and St. Paul, she created the Need You series, which focuses on a hardworking, multi-generational family in Minnesota.

Lorelei James has written numerous books throughout her career that have reached the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. Her work has also won awards, including the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, the CAPA Award, and the 2016 RT Book Reviews Lifetime Achievement Award for Erotic Romance.

In addition to romance, James writes dark mystery novels under her real name, Lori Armstrong. Her mysteries, including the Julie Collins and Mercy Gunderson series, have been nominated for five Shamus Awards and have won two.

Lorelei James lives in western South Dakota with her husband and their corgi, Copper.

Photo credit: loreleijames.com