Francis Ray (July 20, 1944 – July 3, 2013) was a New York Times and USA Today bestselling[1] African-American writer of romance novels. Her literary fiction series – Taggart and Falcon, the Invincible Women, Grayson Family of New Mexico, and Grayson Friends – consistently made bestsellers' lists. She lived in Dallas, Texas.[2]
Francis Ray | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 20, 1944 Richland, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | July 3, 2013 (aged 68) |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Alma mater | Texas Woman's University |
| Website | |
| francisray | |
Biography
editShe was born in Richland, Texas, and studied nursing, receiving a bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University in 1967.[3] She began writing in 1987, while continuing to work as a nurse, and had her first book published in 1992.[3] Ray was inspired to write after reading one of Kathleen Woodiwiss's books.[4] She was also inspired by J. California Cooper's writings.[5]
In 1995, she co-founded the Romance Slam Jam, which was an author-reader conference and first launched in Texas.[6]
Work
editRay's stories are character-driven and Ray spent time fleshing out full stories for the characters in her books, including their childhoods.[4] She feels that writing romance is often more emotionally difficult than for other genres because while the characters must have conflict, the resolution needs to be solved in a way that readers know "that the couple will stay together no matter what".[7] It was also important to her to include "accurate realistic portrayals of African Americans" rather than stereotypes.[4]
In 1999, Ray's novel, Incognito, was adapted by Black Entertainment Television (BET) for broadcast.[4]
She helped make the Arabesque imprint, which was owned by BET and dedicated to African-American romance, a success.[1] In 2004, she and other authors were celebrated for their contributions to Arabesque which is now owned by Kimani.[8]
Fiction
edit- Fallen Angel – 1992 reissue 2003 (Odyssey Books/St. Martin's Press)
- Undeniable – 1995 (Kensington/Arabesque)
- The Bargain – 1995 (Kensington)
- Incognito – 1996 (Arabesque Bet's first made-for-TV movie in 1999)
- Silken Betrayal – 1995 (Arabesque)
- I Know Who Holds Tomorrow – 2002 (St. Martin's)
- Rockin' Around That Christmas Tree – 2003 (St. Martin's)
- Spirit of the Season (Sarah's Miracle novella) – 1994 (Kensington/Arabesque)
- Rosie's Curl and Weave (The Awakening novella) – 1999 (St. Martin's Press)
- Winter Nights (Until Christmas novella) – 1998 reissue 2004 (Kensington/Arabesque)
- Della's House of Style (A Matter of Trust novella) – 2000 (St. Martin's)
- Welcome to Leo's (novella) – 2000 (St. Martin's)
- Going to the Chapel (Southern Comfort novella) – 2001 (St. Martin's)
- Getting Merry (The Wish novella) – 2002 (St. Martin's)
- Living Large (Strictly Business novella) – 2003 (NAL)
- Whole Lotta Love (That Wright Woman novella) – 2004 (NAL)
- Let's Get it On (Blind Date novella) – 2004 (St. Martin's)
- Big Girls Don't Cry (His Everything Woman novella) – 2005 (NAL)
- How Sweet the Sound (Then Sings My Soul novella) – 2005 (Harlequin)
- Chocolate Kisses (novella) – 2006 (Signet)
- On the Line (novella) – 2007 (Sepia)
- Twice the Temptation – 2010 (St. Martin's Press)
Series/Related Titles Grayson Friends Series
edit- The Way You Love Me – September 2008 (St. Martin's)
- Nobody But You – March 2009 (St. Martin's)
- One Night With You – November 2009 (St. Martin's)
- It Had To be You – April 2010 (St. Martin's)
- A Seductive Kiss – January 2012 (St. Martin's)
- Just With a Kiss – February 2012 (St. Martin's)
- A Dangerous Kiss – June 2012 (St. Martin's Press)
- All I Ever Wanted – February 2013 (St. Martin's Press)
- All of My Love – May 2013 (St. Martin's Press)
- All That I Need – June 2013 (St. Martin's Press)
- All That I Desire – Rio's book October 2013 (St. Martin's Press)
Invincible Women Series
edit- Like the First Time – May 2004 (St. Martin's)
- Any Rich Man Will Do – September 2005 (St. Martin's)
- In Another Man's Bed – February 2007 (St. Martin's)
- Not Even if You Begged – February 2008 (St. Martin's)
- And Mistress Makes Three – July 2009 (St. Martin's)
- If You Were My Man – March 2010 (St. Martin's)
Taggart/Falcon Series
edit- Forever Yours – July 1994(Pinnacle Books)(reissued March 2010 )
- Only Hers – April 1996 (reissued August 2004 in a 3-in-1 edition entitled Falcon Saga)
- Break Every Rule – August 1998 (reissued August 2004 in a 3-in-1 edition entitled Falcon Saga)
- Heart of the Falcon – April 2000 (reissued August 2004 in a 3-in-1 edition entitled Falcon Saga)
The Graysons of New Mexico Series
edit- Until There Was You – April 2000 (reissued November 2008 )
- You and No Other – March 2005 (St. Martin's)
- Dreaming of You – September 2006 (St. Martin's)
- Irresistible You – March 2007 (St. Martin's)
- Only You – October 2007 (St. Martin's)
Against the Odds Series
edit- Trouble Don't Last Always – February 2004 (reissue of The Turning Point from April 2001)
- Somebody's Knocking at My Door – May 2003
Family Affair/Hidden Legacy Series
edit- I Know Who Holds Tomorrow – April 2002 reissue October 30, 2012
- When Morning Comes – June 2012
- After the Dawn – June 2013
Awards
edit- Romantic Times Career Achievement
- EMMA
- The Golden Pen
- The Atlantic Choice
- Romantic Times 2008 Reviewers' Choice Award Winners for AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROMANCE Reviewers' Choice Awards – Best Books Not Even If You Begged, St. Martin's Griffin (February 2008)
- Borders 2008 Bestselling Multicultural Romance Award for Nobody but You
- Written's 2010 Readers Choice Book of the Year for If You Were My Man
Screen adaptations
edit- Incognito: TV 1999
References
edit- ^ a b Monkou, Michelle (July 8, 2013). "HEA and Michelle Monkou Pay Tribute to Francis Ray, Gone Too Soon". Happy Ever After. USA Today. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
- ^ "Nationally Bestselling Author Francis Ray is a Native Texas Who Lives in Dallas With Her Family". Baker & Taylor Author Biographies. Literary Reference Center. 2000. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
- ^ a b Simnacher, Joe (July 10, 2013). "Francis Ray, Dallas school nurse who became prolific romance novel writer, dies at 68". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Webb, Shawncey (January 1, 2007). "Francis Ray". Guide to Literary Masters & Their Works. Literary Reference Center. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
- ^ "Francis Ray - Q&A". Macmillan. Archived from the original on April 26, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ McBride, Marybel (August 28, 2013). "Tribute to Francis Ray's Life and Work at Next Romance Slam Jam". Nursing Standard. 27 (52): 31. doi:10.7748/ns2013.08.27.52.31.s44.
- ^ Landgraf, Greg (January 22, 2012). "PopTop Stage Hosts a Day of Romance". American Libraries. American Library Association. Archived from the original on January 7, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
- ^ Rosen, Judith (May 24, 2004). "Arabesque Sets Events to Mark 10th Anniversary". Publishers Weekly. 251 (21). Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2015.