Mary Jo Putney (born in New York) is an American author of over twenty-five historical and contemporary romance novels.
Her books are known for their unusual subject matter, including alcoholism, death, and domestic abuse.
She attended Syracuse University, earning degrees in English literature and Industrial design.
She began work on her first novel, a traditional Regency romance, which sold in one week.
Her books have been ranked on the national bestseller lists of the New York Times, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly.