Romance novelist Johanna Lindsey dies, aged 67

US romance novelist Johanna Lindsey has passed away at the age of 67, it has been announced.

The writer, who was published by Simon & Schuster imprint Gallery Book in the UK, died at her home in Nashua, New Hampshire, on 27th October.

Her death was made public this week by her son Alfred, who told the New York Times she had suffered from lung cancer. He said the family were too distraught to reveal the news earlier.

Lindsey's début Captive Pride (Avon) was released in 1977 and she went on to publish around 55 novels, selling at least 60 million copies worldwide, according to her publisher.

Her last novel Temptation’s Darling, billed as a “dazzling” Regency-era romance was released in July.

Liz Perl, the marketing director of Simon & Schuster in the US, told the paper Lindsey was a very private person.

She said: “On several occasions, her mother would accompany her, which was really sweet. Her mother was quite outgoing, so Johanna would sign the books, and her mom would stand next to her and tell fans anecdotes about Johanna when she was young.”

“When she turned her books in, she wouldn’t celebrate by buying a car or going to Paris, but by buying a video game and playing it for 12 hours before starting her next book," she added.

Lindsey is survived by Alfred and two other sons, Garret and Joseph, along with four grandchildren.