Kate Coscarelli

Kate Coscarelli (born Shirley Tyer) was an American novelist known for popular fiction about strong, mature women in glamorous settings. A late-blooming writer, she began publishing in the 1980s; her novels include Leading Lady (1991), Fame and Fortune (1984), Perfect Order (1985) and Heir Apparent (1993). Many of her books feature divorcees, widows or career women and combine romance with elements of suspense. She also worked on film productions and was active in civic organizations before becoming an author. Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) in 1992, she continued to write and died in 1999.