LaVyrle Spencer is an American best-selling author of contemporary and historical romance novels. She has successfully published numerous books, with several adapted into movies. Twelve of her books have been New York Times bestsellers, and Spencer was inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame in 1988.

Spencer is renowned for creating realistic characters and stories that focus on families rather than solely on romantic relationships. Her characters are typically "ordinary" men and women who are warm and vulnerable, always portrayed sympathetically. Her heroines are often a mix of fire and warmth, strength, savvy, and soft-heartedness, overcoming adversities such as pregnancy, divorce, or lengthy separation.

She retired from writing in 1997.