Sad news from the romance world: author Beverly Barton passed away suddenly this morning. Barton was the author of over 55 novels published by Harlequin , Kensington, and Open Road Media. The Open Road videos of Barton are really wonderful footage, particularly the moment where she describes most Southerners as storytellers. Isn’t that the truth, ma’am.
Barton was a longstanding member of the romance community known for her support and enthusiasm, grace and style.
Harlequin has set up a condolence page here at their community page (Login may be required). Barton’s Facebook page has also become a memorial for fans to leave messages about her passing.
Barton has a book coming out just next week titled Dead By Morning. I did question whether to link to it given the chilling effect of the title, but when I went to Barton’s site the first thing she had written on her home page is that she was so excited for 2011, because 2010 had been such a great year for her. I hope her fans will make a point to find her book to make her wish for a successful 2011 come true, even if she is not here to celebrate it.
My condolences to her family, friends, and the many, many readers who adored her books.
She was one of my earliest Silhouette IM keeper reads. *Sigh*
Rest in Peace, dear lady.
She was one of my first silhouette authors. I read Roarke’s wife. other smexy romance books (temptations mainly) had always glossed over oral sex but the way she wrote it made it seem okay and very sensual.
Rest In Peace
I remember reading her SIMs, too, particularly her The Protectors series. RIP.
Keeping Annie Safe was the first category romance I ever checked out of the library when I discovered romance novels. I loved her Protectors series so much- I have all of them. RIP
How sad! Her Protectors series was my introduction to the entire romance genre! I then went out and bought every book of hers that I could find, I will certainly make sure to get her new book, and will be so sad that no more will be coming… RIP
How sad for the romance community and of course her family and friends. I have quite a few of her novels and enjoy/ed reading her books.
Very sorry for this loss.
Very sad to hear this. Ms. Barton was a talented writer and a well-respected author. She will be missed. RIP
That’s really, really ironic…Just this morning I found a piece of paper I had written her name on as a reminder to put her on my TBR list…one of those authors I’ve always seen around but have yet to read. I pitched it, thinking, “Oh, I know I’ll come across her again, I won’t forget.”
What a sad day. Mrs. Barton will be missed in the world of romance writing. My prayers are with her family! Rest in peace dear!
When I first got serious about writing for publication, the first thing I did was join RWA. The second thing I did was visit the local chapter, Heart of Dixie. Beverly Barton was one of the first people I met. She was warm, welcoming, sassy and sweet. Within no time, I felt as if I’d known her all my life.
I don’t get to the Heart of Dixie meetings as much, now that there’s a chapter closer to where I live. But when I was able to make them, Beverly was the first person I looked for, because I knew I’d get a hug and a smile.
I had planned to be at the June meeting, where she, Linda Howard and Linda Winstead Jones were going to be doing an “ask the author” program. I’m devastated to think that she won’t be there now, that I won’t get that hug and smile again on this side of heaven.
I can’t imagine how much harder it is for the Heart of Dixie members who saw her all the time and considered her a sister and a mentor. Keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.
Heart of Dixie is reeling at the loss of Beverly. She was a founding member of our chapter and a great friend and mentor to so many of us.
Beverly nagged me to finish my first book and then nagged me until I submitted it. And when the rejection came in the mail, Beverly had a hug for me. (And then she asked me what I was sending out next!) She was one of the first people I called when I sold.
It’s an understatement to say Beverly had a loving, generous heart. Both personally and professionally, she was a great and classy lady, and the world is a sadder place without her.
Bev was a warm, generous and gracious lady. I met her at an Emerald City Writer’s conference in 1997. She took me aside, answered all my newbie writer questions and inspried me to keep writing and NEVER give up. She will be missed by many of us who she always greeted with a warm and welcoming smile. You are in our thoughts and our prayers, Bev….
Ms. Barton will be greatly missed in my heart. “As Good As Dead” was my first book and then I had to have and read all of her books. She became one of my most favorite writers. My deepest sympathy and prayers to her family. LF