Madeline Hunter

Madeline Hunter
Born(1952-06-08)June 8, 1952
Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania
DiedApril 15, 2025(2025-04-15) (aged 72)
OccupationsProfessor, Novelist
Writing career
Period2000–2025
GenresRomance, historical
Notable worksStealing Heaven, Lessons of Desire
Notable awardsRITA award – Long Historical Romance
2003 Stealing Heaven
RITA award – Historical Romance
2008 Lessons of Desire
Websitemadelinehunter.com

Madeline Hunter (June 8, 1952 – April 15, 2025) was the pen name of an American author of romance novels. She was a two time winner of the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award.

Biography

Hunter was born on June 8, 1952 in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Joseph and Anna Cirillo.

Hunter's first book By Arrangement was published in 2000 and she received the award for Waldenbooks Bestselling Debut Author that year.

Hunter spoke at writers' conferences and events on craft and industry. She had a Ph.D. in Art History and was a professor at Duquesne University. She lived in Pennsylvania.

She died of cancer on April 15, 2025.

Bibliography

Medieval Historicals

  • By Arrangement
  • By Possession
  • By Design
  • The Protector
  • Lord of a Thousand Nights
  • Stealing Heaven

The Seducer Series

  • The Seducer
  • The Saint
  • The Charmer
  • The Sinner
  • The Romantic

The Seducer Spin-offs

  • Lord of Sin
  • Lady of Sin

The Rothwell Series

  • Rules of Seduction
  • Lessons of Desire
  • Secrets of Surrender
  • The Sins of Lord Easterbrook

The Rarest Bloom Series

  • Ravishing in Red
  • Provocative in Pearls
  • Sinful in Satin
  • Dangerous in Diamonds

The Fairbourne Quartet

  • The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne
  • The Conquest of Lady Cassandra
  • The Counterfeit Mistress
  • The Accidental Duchess

The Wicked Trilogy

  • His Wicked Reputation
  • Tall, Dark, and Wicked
  • The Wicked Duke

Other

Awards and recognition

Year Honor Notes Ref.
2000 Reviewers' Choice Award for Best First Historical Romance, for By Arrangement Presented by the Romantic Times
2003 RITA Award for Long Historical Romance, for Stealing Heaven Presented by the Romance Writers of America
2008 RITA Award for Historical Romance, for Lessons of Desire Presented by the Romance Writers of America

In 2000 Hunter received a rare starred review from Publishers Weekly for her book By Possession. This happened again in 2003 with The Charmer.

She was nominated four times and twice won the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award. Fifteen of her books appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. She also appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List and the Waldenbooks Paperback Fiction Bestseller List. Romantic Times has awarded four and a half star reviews to fifteen of her books.

References

  1. 1 2 "Madeline Cirillo Archer". Beinhauer Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services. Archived from the original on 24 January 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  2. ↑ "Press Kit Biography" (PDF). Madeline Hunter Official Website. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
  3. ↑ "Madeline Hunter Biography". Madeline Hunter Official Website. Archived from the original on 2000-09-29. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
  4. ↑ "In Memory of Madeline Hunter". Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
  5. ↑ "RT Award Nominees & Winners". RT Book Reviews. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Past RITA Winners". Romance Writers of America. Archived from the original on 20 April 2026. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  7. ↑ "Starred Reviews of Madeline Hunter". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2009-05-01.[permanent dead link]
  8. ↑ "Romantic Times Book Review". Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved 2009-05-01.