Lurlene McDaniel


Lurlene McDaniel is an American author who has written more than 70 young adult books. She is well known for writing about young adults struggling with mortality and chronic illness, a career that began as a therapeutic way to deal with the trauma when her son, then 3, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Her characters have grappled with cancer, diabetes, organ failure, and the deaths of loved ones through disease or suicide. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida - Tampa and currently resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Research

To make her novels medically accurate, she interviews health professionals and works with various medical groups including hospices. She also studies the Bible to help infuse her work with "the human element—the values and ethics often overlooked by the coldness of technology."

Other types of work

In addition to her young adult catalog and a magazine column, she has also written for radio, television and marketing campaigns.
She is a frequent guest speaker, seen everywhere from schools to conventions.

Partial bibliography

Novels

For Better, For Worse, ForeverHeart to HeartI’m a Cover Girl NowMore than Just a Smart GirlMother, Please Don’t DieWhy Did She Have To Die The End of ForeverWhat’s It Like to Be a Star?Where’s the Horse for Me / Three’s a CrowdAlways and ForeverBriana’s GiftIf I Should Die [Before I Wake (novel)|If I Should Die Before I Wake]Last danceLetting Go of LisaAngel of HopeSometimes Love isn't Enough Too Young to Die Goodbye Doesn't Mean Forever Somewhere Between Life and Death Time to Let Go Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep When Happily Ever After Ends Mourning Song Baby Alicia Is Dying Don't Die, My Love Saving Jessica I'll Be Seeing You Till Death Do Us Part For Better, For Worse, Forever The Girl Death Left Behind Starry, Starry Night: Three Holiday Stories Telling Christina Goodbye A Rose For Melinda How Do I Love Thee: Three Stories Garden of Angels The Time Capsule

Trilogies

The Angels TrilogyAngels Watching Over Me Lifted Up By Angels Until Angels Close My Eyes
The Angels in Pink TrilogyAngels in Pink: Kathleen's Story Angels in Pink: Raina's Story Angels in Pink: Holly's Story
The Mercy / Journey of Hope Trilogy

Quintets

The Dawn Rochelle QuintetSix Months to LiveI Want to LiveSo Much to Live ForNo Time to Cry