Barbara McMahon was an American author of contemporary romance novels. She wrote over 60 books, many of them published by Harlequin and Silhouette. Her stories often featured characters who found love in exotic or unexpected settings, overcoming personal challenges. She received awards for her work, including the RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. Before dedicating herself to full-time writing, she worked as a teacher. She was known for her emotional plots and well-developed characters.