Picture a Midwest storyteller who spins tales of heart-pounding suspense and steamy romance—meet Victoria Helen Stone, also known as Victoria Dahl! A RITA award-winning and USA Today bestselling author, she’s crafted over 25 novels that dance between contemporary romance, historical love stories, and dark psychological thrillers. From cozy Jackson Hole romances to chilling revenge plots, her versatile pen keeps readers hooked.
Born and raised in the flat plains of the Midwest, Victoria’s journey from an 11-year-old bookworm to a literary star is as captivating as her stories. Her ability to weave complex characters and gripping narratives has made her a beloved name in fiction, with fans eagerly flipping pages in multiple languages worldwide.
The Making of Victoria Helen Stone
Growing up in Minnesota, Texas, and Oklahoma, Victoria Dahl found her love for storytelling early, curled up with her mother, devouring novels. By 11, she was hooked on romance, a passion that shaped her future. After college, she penned her first manuscript, kicking off a career that would blend her Midwest roots with tales of love and intrigue. Her debut novel, To Tempt a Scotsman, won the Golden Heart Award, signaling her arrival as a romance powerhouse.
Now settled in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, Victoria draws inspiration from her surroundings—summer hikes fuel her creativity, while winter firesides keep her cozy as she crafts her next bestseller. Her shift to suspense under the pen name Victoria Helen Stone marked a bold new chapter, proving her storytelling knows no bounds.
Victoria Helen Stone’s Unforgettable Stories
Victoria’s romance novels, written as Victoria Dahl, are beloved for their wit, passion, and relatable characters. The Jackson Hole series, starting with Close Enough to Touch, follows rugged cowboys and spirited heroines finding love in Wyoming’s wild landscapes. Her Donovan Brothers Brewery series mixes family drama with steamy encounters, earning praise for its heartfelt storytelling.
As Victoria Helen Stone, she dives into psychological suspense with chilling precision. Jane Doe, a runaway hit, introduces a calculating anti-heroine seeking revenge, blending dark humor with edge-of-your-seat tension. Evelyn, After explores betrayal and obsession, while Follow Her Down unravels a nurse’s traumatic past. Victoria’s suspense novels are lauded for their deep character studies and shocking twists, earning her a Wall Street Journal bestseller spot.
Her writing style—whether romantic or thrilling—shines with emotional depth and sharp dialogue. Themes of resilience, betrayal, and redemption thread through her work, reflecting her knack for capturing the human experience in all its messy glory.
Why Victoria Helen Stone Matters
Victoria Helen Stone’s impact lies in her fearless genre-blending and authentic storytelling. Her romance novels redefine love stories with strong, flawed characters, while her suspense works challenge readers to question morality and justice. Winning the American Library Association’s Reading List Award in 2016 for outstanding genre fiction, she’s left a mark on both romance and thriller communities.
Translated into languages like Russian, Japanese, and Thai, her stories resonate globally, proving that love, revenge, and redemption are universal. Victoria’s ability to reinvent herself—from romance darling to suspense maestro—inspires aspiring writers to take risks and tell their truth.
- Pen Names: Victoria Dahl (romance), Victoria Helen Stone (suspense)
- Key Works: Jane Doe, Evelyn, After, Close Enough to Touch, Follow Her Down
- Awards: RITA Award nominee, Golden Heart Award winner, American Library Association Reading List Award (2016)
- Hobbies: Hiking, dessert enthusiast, true crime lover
Snag Jane Doe or Close Enough to Touch and dive into Victoria Helen Stone’s thrilling, romantic world—your bookshelf will thank you!