Emilie Richards

Emilie Richards is an American author of over 50 contemporary romance and mystery novels.

Early years Emilie Richards was born in Bethesda, Maryland and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. After receiving an undergraduate degree in American studies from Florida State University, Richards earned a master's degree in family development from Virginia Tech.

She worked as a therapist in a mental health center, before becoming a parent services coordinator for families enrolled in Head Start and then working in several pastoral counseling centers. Richards' husband is a Unitarian Universalist minister.

Writing career Richards began writing in 1983 after the birth of her fourth child. Her son would sit on her lap as she wrote, and Richards titled her first completed work, Brendan's Song, after him. The book was published in 1985 in the Silhouette Romance category line. She has subsequently written over 40 novels for Silhouette, including six, all set in Australia or New Zealand, written during a four-month sabbatical in Australia. Richards has also been nominated three times for Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Awards and is a recipient of their Career Achievement Award.

Despite the occasional use of overly clichéd lines, Richards' writing "effortlessly flows from page to page." Her characters often sport unusual quirks, such as a penchant for strange sandwich ingredients, which gives the story an added charm.

Personal life Richards and her husband, Michael, have three biological sons and a daughter who was adopted from India. They have lived throughout the United States, including in Florida, Louisiana, California, Arkansas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. As of 2007, they reside in Arlington, Virginia.

Filmography A series of German TV films Sehnsucht nach Neuseeland (2009, based on Smoke Screen) Das Paradies am Ende der Welt (2009, based on Out of the Ashes) Emilie Richards: Für immer Neuseeland (2010, based on Aloha Always) Emilie Richards: Zeit der Vergebung (2010, based on From Glowing Embers) Emilie Richards: Denk nur an uns beide (2010, based on Sweet Georgia Gal) Emilie Richards: Sehnsucht nach Sandy Bay (2011, based on Bayou Midnight) Emilie Richards: Sehnsucht nach Paradise Island (2011, based on Rainbow Fire) Emilie Richards: Entscheidung des Herzens (2011, based on Whiskey Island) Emilie Richards: Der Zauber von Neuseeland (2011, based on Duncan's Lady) Emilie Richards: Spuren der Vergangenheit (2012, based on Good Time Man)