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LaVyrle Spencer

ラヴィル・スペンサー

Ravyrle Supensā

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1943-07-17 (Browerville, Minnesota)
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Browerville, Minnesota → Stillwater, Minnesota → North Oaks, Minnesota

Career

Occupations
Teacher's aide, Novelist
Active Years
1979-1997
Memberships
Romance Writers of America
Influenced By
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

Awards

RITA Award
1983
Work: The Endearment
Category: Best Single-Title Historical Romance
Organization: Romance Writers of America
Result: Winner
RITA Award
1984
Work: Hummingbird
Category: Best Single-Title Historical Romance
Organization: Romance Writers of America
Result: Winner
RITA Award
1985
Work: Twice Loved
Category: Best Single-Title Historical Romance
Organization: Romance Writers of America
Result: Winner
RITA Award
1988
Work: The Gamble
Category: Best Single-Title Historical Romance
Organization: Romance Writers of America
Result: Winner
RITA Award
1990
Work: Morning Glory
Category: Best Romance of 1989
Organization: Romance Writers of America
Result: Winner
RWA Hall of Fame
1988
Organization: Romance Writers of America
Result: Inducted

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Morning Glory

1989 Romance

During World War I, convict Will Parker is released early to work on widow Elly's farm, and they fall in love.

Abiding loveFamily tiesStrength in difficult times
Adaptations
  • [Film] Morning Glory / Ernest Day (1993)

The Fulfillment

1979 Romance

A story based on the author's grandmother's life on a Minnesota farm.

FamilyLoveEmotional drama
Adaptations
  • [TV movie] The Fulfillment

Hummingbird

1983 Historical Romance

A humorous romance mostly set in a single house.

HumorEmotional impact

Bibliography

  • The Fulfillment (1979)
  • The Endearment (1982)
  • Forsaking All Others (1982)
  • Hummingbird (1983)
  • A Promise to Cherish (1983)
  • The Hellion (1984)
  • Sweet Memories (1984)
  • Twice Loved (1984)
  • Separate Beds (1985)
  • Spring Fancy (1985)
  • A Heart Speaks (1986)
  • The Gamble (1987)
  • Years (1987)
  • Vows (1988)
  • Morning Glory (1989)
  • Bitter Sweet (1990)
  • Forgiving (1991)
  • Bygones (1992)
  • November of the Heart (1993)
  • Family Blessings (1994)
  • Home Song (1995)
  • That Camden Summer (1996)
  • Then Came Heaven (1997)
  • Small Town Girl (1997)

Adaptations

  • The Fulfillment (TV movie)
  • Morning Glory (film)
  • Home Song (TV movie)
  • Family Blessings (TV movie)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realistic charactersFamily-focused storiesEmotional depth
Recurring Motifs
Abiding loveFamily tiesOvercoming adversity

Legacy

Best-selling author of contemporary and historical romance novels, inducted into RWA Hall of Fame. Twelve New York Times bestsellers, several adapted to film. Retired in 1997.

In Popular Culture

  • Several works adapted into TV movies and films.

Trivia

  • Married high school sweetheart Dan Spencer shortly after graduation; three daughters.