Francis Ray
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 bestseller's lists. She lived in Dallas, Texas.[2]
Biography
She 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]
In 1995, she co-founded the Romance Slam Jam, which was an author-reader conference and first launched in Texas.[5]
Work
Ray'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".[6] 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.[7]
Fiction
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- I Know Who Holds Tomorrow- April 2002 reissue October 30, 2012
- When Morning Comes- June 2012
- After the Dawn- June 2013
Awards
- 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
- Incognito: TV 1999
References
- 1 2 Monkou, Michelle (8 July 2013). "HEA and Michelle Monkou Pay Tribute to Francis Ray, Gone Too Soon". Happy Ever After. USA Today. Retrieved 18 December 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 18 December 2015. (Subscription required (help)).
- 1 2 Simnacher, Joe (10 July 2013). "Francis Ray, Dallas school nurse who became prolific romance novel writer, dies at 68". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Webb, Shawncey (1 January 2007). "Francis Ray". Guide to Literary Masters & Their Works. Literary Reference Center. Retrieved 18 December 2015. (Subscription required (help)).
- ↑ McBride, Marybel (28 August 2013). "Tribute to Francis Ray's Life and Work at Next Romance Slam Jam". Nursing Standard. 27 (52): 31. Retrieved 18 December 2015. (Subscription required (help)).
- ↑ Landgraf, Greg (22 January 2012). "PopTop Stage Hosts a Day of Romance". American Libraries. American Library Association. Archived from the original on January 7, 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ↑ Rosen, Judith (24 May 2004). "Arabesque Sets Events to Mark 10th Anniversary". Publishers Weekly. 251 (21). Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2015.