Julie Garwood was born as Julie Elizabeth Murphy on December 26, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the sixth of eight children in a large Irish family. At the age of six, Julie had her tonsils removed, and complications from the surgery resulted in a long period of recuperation. Falling hopelessly behind in school, Julie stated, "I was a slow, slow reader. I hated it." At the age of 11, her mother discovered her difficulties and promptly enrolled her in a summer remedial reading class at the local high school. It was there she met Sister Mary Elizabeth, who became her mentor and friend, unlocking the door to the world of reading for Julie.

Julie married at a young age to Gerry Garwood, with whom she had three children: Gerry Jr., Bryan Michael, and Elizabeth. She began her writing career when the youngest of her children entered school. After publishing two young adult books, she dedicated herself to historical romance fiction. Her first romance novel, Gentle Warrior, was published in 1985 under her married name. Since then, she authored over 27 romance novels, including historical and suspense subgenres. Among her works is For the Roses, which was adapted into the television feature Rose Hill.

Garwood's novels have sold over thirty-five million copies, and she enjoyed a long-standing presence on the bestseller lists of major publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and more. Her reputation as a masterful storyteller is deeply rooted in her ability to craft stories filled with appealing characters, powerful emotions, and unexpected plot twists. Readers often praise the humor and poignancy in her novels that keep them thoroughly entertained.

Garwood attributed much of her success to her Irish heritage, stating, "The Irish are great storytellers who relish getting all the details and nuances of every situation. Early in life, I learned that self-expression had to be forceful, imaginative, and quick." Julie lived with her family in Leawood, Kansas, and was devoted to promoting literacy, especially enjoying sharing her love for reading with student groups.