Linda S. Howington, widely known under her pseudonym Linda Howard, was born on August 3, 1950, in Alabama, United States. She is a celebrated American author renowned for her best-selling romance and suspense novels. After spending 21 years writing for personal enjoyment, she decided to publish her work. Her first novel was published by Silhouette in 1982 and met with significant success.

Howard is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America, and in 2005, she was honored with their Career Achievement Award. She resides in Gadsden, Alabama, with her husband, Gary F. Howington, and two golden retrievers. Linda has three grown stepchildren and three grandchildren.