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Romantic fiction author Penny Jordan dies at 65

Penny Jordan, the pen name of much loved British romantic fiction author Penny Halsall, passed away on 31st December 2011 at the age of 65.

Born in Preston, Lancashire in 1946 she began creating stories at the age of eight for her younger sister and credits a competition run by the Romantic Novelists Association, of helping her to garner her first publication deal.

After grammar school and secretarial college Penny's first job was as a typist in a High Street bank. She met her husband Steve Halsall at a jazz club. In a 2008 interview with the Lancashire Evening Post, she recalled how her husband supported her early writing efforts. "The turning point came when he bought me this small electric typewriter," she says. "It was 3 and 6 - a lot of money back in the Seventies. He could barely afford it but he knew I was keen."

Her first novel Duchess in Disguise was published in 1979 using the pen name Caroline Courtney under which she went on to write another 24 Regency romances. In the 1980s Penny wrote novels under the names Melissa Wright and Lydia Hitchcock and was signed by Mills and Boon in 1981 as Penny Jordan starting the beginning of a thirty year career as a bestselling and internationally popular author penning in total 188 romances for Mills and Boon.

In 2003 Penny's first historical novel as Annie Groves was published, adapting a story of her grandmother's. This heralded the start of a new career writing family sagas and many bestsellers. Her most recent Annie Groves novel, Home for Christmas, was published in September 2011.

Penny Jordan's books have sold over 85 million copies worldwide and she was presented last year with a lifetime achievement award from the Romantic Novelists Association. She was a much loved member of the romantic fiction community, always generous with her help and advice and will be missed by many in the industry as well as her legions of fans.

Tags: annie, groves, jordan, penny

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Comment by Alison K on January 5, 2012 at 11:31: I am shocked to read this as 65 is no age. I have a few old Penny Jordan romances in among my collection of old Mills and Boons, along with the Charlotte Lamb, Betty Neels, Anne Weale, Anne Mather and Carole Moritmer. I will have to dig them out and reread them and also look out for her newer novels. I didn't realise she also wrote historical novels as Annie Groves.

Comment by Pamela Strange on January 3, 2012 at 16:13: Death is always shocking and at such a relatively young age - how sad. I loved her stories which made you feel strongly for the characters whether good or bad. But what a wonderful legacy to leave so many novels as a permanent reminder of her talent.

Comment by Glynis Smy on January 2, 2012 at 14:39: A sad day. She will be missed.

Comment by Annie Burrows on January 2, 2012 at 14:04: I just heard Penny was ill on Friday...to learn she has died so quickly is very shocking and saddening. Her stories have brought so many hours of pleasure to countless numbers of her fans world-wide. She will be sorely missed.

Comment by Julie on January 2, 2012 at 9:26: RIP, Penny. I've been reading and enjoying your books for years and years. It's so sad to think that there will be no more Penny Jordan/Annie Groves books to look forward to. Readers all over the world will miss your wonderful stories, but thank you for the many hours of reading pleasure you've given us. Rest in peace.

Comment by Nell Dixon on January 1, 2012 at 21:06: So very sad, Penny was a wonderful author, a keen supporter of new writers and a beautiful and gracious lady. She'll be much missed.