Lauren Willig
Encyclopedia
Lauren Willig is a New York Times bestselling author of historical romance novels. Her books follow a collection of Napoleonic-Era British spies, similar to the Scarlet Pimpernel
as they fight for Britain and fall in love.
, Willig discovered romance novels when she was only six years old, while she was attempting to find books about her idol, Eleanor of Acquitaine. Her father gave her her first romance novel.
Willig attended Yale University
, where she majored in Renaissance Studies and Political Science, then studied graduate level early modern European history at Harvard University
before entering and graduating from Harvard Law School
. Willig briefly worked for Cravath, Swaine & Moore
, a law firm in New York, while authoring her "Pink Carnation" series of books, until she gave up law in order to focus full time on the series.
What makes the books unique is that the historical romance novel
structure of each novel is framed by a modern chick lit
-style story—following Eloise Kelly, an American grad student, as she attempts to write her dissertation and uncover the identity of the Pink Carnation (the leader of the ring of spies and Willig's Pimpernel). Along the way, Eloise finds love with an attractive Englishman (descended from a family of spies), Colin. The books also feature several different romantic adventures detailing the exploits of the fictional Purple Gentian, the Pink Carnation, the Black Tulip, and a host of other characters from early 19th century England and France.
Lauren's books have been named a Romantic Times Top Pick! and Lauren has been nominated for a Quill Award in 2006. She has won the RITA Award
for Best Regency Historical Romance and the Booksellers Best Award for Long Historical Romance.
In Spring of 2010, Willig taught Reading the Historical Romance at her alma mater, Yale University, along with fellow alumna and romance novelist Andrea DaRif, penname: Cara Elliott. The course received a great deal of attention for helping to bring the romance novel academic notice.
Scarlet pimpernel
Scarlet pimpernel is a low-growing annual plant found in Europe, Asia and North America...
as they fight for Britain and fall in love.
Biography
A native of New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Willig discovered romance novels when she was only six years old, while she was attempting to find books about her idol, Eleanor of Acquitaine. Her father gave her her first romance novel.
Willig attended Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, where she majored in Renaissance Studies and Political Science, then studied graduate level early modern European history at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
before entering and graduating from Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
. Willig briefly worked for Cravath, Swaine & Moore
Cravath, Swaine & Moore
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is a prominent American law firm based in New York City, with an additional office in London. The second oldest firm in the country, Cravath was founded in 1819 and consistently ranks first among the world's most prestigious law firms according to a survey of partners,...
, a law firm in New York, while authoring her "Pink Carnation" series of books, until she gave up law in order to focus full time on the series.
What makes the books unique is that the historical romance novel
Romance novel
The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
structure of each novel is framed by a modern chick lit
Chick lit
Chick lit is genre fiction which addresses issues of modern womanhood, often humorously and lightheartedly. The genre sold well during the 1990s and 2000s, with chick lit titles topping bestseller lists and the creation of imprints devoted entirely to chick lit...
-style story—following Eloise Kelly, an American grad student, as she attempts to write her dissertation and uncover the identity of the Pink Carnation (the leader of the ring of spies and Willig's Pimpernel). Along the way, Eloise finds love with an attractive Englishman (descended from a family of spies), Colin. The books also feature several different romantic adventures detailing the exploits of the fictional Purple Gentian, the Pink Carnation, the Black Tulip, and a host of other characters from early 19th century England and France.
Lauren's books have been named a Romantic Times Top Pick! and Lauren has been nominated for a Quill Award in 2006. She has won the RITA Award
RITA Award
The RITA Award is the most prominent award given throughout the genre of romance novel and some other romantic fiction. It is presented by Romance Writers of America . It is named for the RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada. It signifies excellence in one of 13 categories of romantic fiction.-...
for Best Regency Historical Romance and the Booksellers Best Award for Long Historical Romance.
In Spring of 2010, Willig taught Reading the Historical Romance at her alma mater, Yale University, along with fellow alumna and romance novelist Andrea DaRif, penname: Cara Elliott. The course received a great deal of attention for helping to bring the romance novel academic notice.
The Pink Carnation Series
- The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (February 2005) ISBN 0-525-94860-0
- The Masque of the Black Tulip (December 29, 2005) ISBN 0-525-94920-8
- The Deception of the Emerald Ring (November 16, 2006) ISBN 0-525-94977-1
- The Seduction of the Crimson Rose (January 31, 2008) ISBN 0-525-95033-8
- The Temptation of the Night Jasmine (January 22, 2009) ISBN 0-525-95096-6
- The Betrayal of the Blood Lily (January 12, 2010) ISBN 0-525-95150-4
- The Mischief of the Mistletoe (October 28, 2010) ISBN 0-525-95187-3
- The Orchid Affair (January 20, 2011) ISBN 0-525-95199-7
- The Garden Intrigue (February 16, 2012) ISBN 0-525-95254-1
External links
- Willig's website
- History Hoydens Willig is a contributor to this historical romance blog.