Barbara Samuel reports that the great Romance author Jo Beverley has left this mortal coil. I had one brush with Jo and that was when we Penguin authors were treated to a glorious night at the 21 Club, an experience I will never forget since I was seated next to her quite by accident. Resplendent in lace and pearls, she seemed almost prudishly Victorian in her demeanor until I asked what kind of Romance she wrote.

“Penetrative and non-penetrative sex,” she responded in a wonderfully rich British brogue. (If the British can have a brogue.)

I went out and promptly bought (and devoured) five of her books.

Fare thee well, Jo. May there be plenty of love in your afterlife.

Sarah