Dorothea Benton Frank was a New York Times best-selling American novelist known for her Southern fiction. Her works often depict the Lowcountry of South Carolina, bringing to life the unique culture and landscape of the region.

Before embarking on her successful writing career, she worked in the apparel industry from 1972 until 1985. Following this, she dedicated her time to organizing fundraisers as a volunteer. Despite the career shift, she found her calling in writing and became renowned for her 20 novels, including popular titles like Porch Lights and By Invitation Only.