Vanessa Riley

Vanessa Riley is the award-winning author of Island Queen, a Good Morning America Buzz Pick. Riley’s historical novels showcase the hidden histories of Black women and women of color, emphasizing strong sisterhoods and dazzling multicultural communities. Her works encompass historical fiction, historical romance, and historical mystery and have been reviewed by the AAMBC, The Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Publishers Weekly, and The New York Times. She’s received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist.

This Southern, Irish, Trini girl holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering and an MS in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University. Riley also earned a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Penn State University. Her research skills have helped NASA, GM, Hewlett Packard, and several startups. Yet, her love of history (Caribbean, Georgian, and Regency) and lattes overwhelmed her passion for math and has led to the publication of more than 20 titles.

Her latest releases are Island Queen (Historical Fiction), An Earl, The Girl, and A Toddler (Historical Romance), and A Duke, The Lady, and A Baby (Historical Romance). Upcoming in 2022: Sister Mother Warrior (Historical Fiction), A Duke, The Spy, An Artist, and A Lie (Historical Romance) and Murder in Westminster (Historical Mystery).

Vanessa is a member and former president of Regency Fiction Writers, a member of Georgia Writers Association, the Historical Novel Society, Crime Writers of Color, and on the Board of Directors of Christian Book Lovers Retreat. She’s an avid baker who loves creating her Trinidadian grandma’s cake recipes. You can find Vanessa writing on her southern porch with proper amounts of caffeine. Visit VanessaRiley.com for more.

Photo Credit: Celestial Studio