Jessica Rowley Pell Bird Blakemore is an American novelist celebrated for her work in contemporary and paranormal romance genres. Writing under the pseudonym J.R. Ward, she has achieved critical and commercial success, notably with her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Her original works under her maiden name, Jessica Bird, focus on contemporary romance.

She has been awarded the Romance Writers of America RITA Award three times: once as Bird for Best Short Contemporary Romance for "From the First," and twice as Ward for Best Paranormal Romance for "Lover Revealed" and "Dearest Ivie." Her books have consistently featured on The New York Times Best Seller list.