Betty Lee Duran was born on 1942 in Ozark Mountains, Missouri, U.S.A. She traveled throughout the U.S.A during her childhood. She studied Journalism in her native Missouri. She worked in the U.S. Navy, and married with a U.S. Marine. They formed in Illinois a family, with four daughters. Later, she worked as newspaper reporter in California, with her husband. In 1984, she suffered an aneurysm, followed by three brain surgeries.

Duran sold her first novel as Ruth Jean Dale on July 8, 1988. She also collaborated with her friend, the writer, Margaret Brownley, they sold a two-year story projection to the CBS. They also wrote in collaboration Spittin' Image, a mystery book in 2001. Duran retired temporarily in 2000 after her husband suffered a stroke.

As Ruth Jean Dale

Stand alone novels

• Extra! Extra! (1989)
• Together Again (1990)
• One More Chance (1990)
• A Million Reasons Why (1992)
• Society Page (1995)
• The Seven-Year Itch (1996)
• One in a Million (1999)
• Parents Wanted! (1999)
• Fiance Wanted! (2000)

The Taggarts of Texas! Saga

1. Legend! (1993)
2. Fireworks! (1992)
3. The Red-Blooded Yankee! (1992)
4. Showdown! (1993)
5. Hitched! (2000)

The Camerons of Colorado Saga

1. Kids, Critters and Cupid (1996)
2. The Cupid Conspiracy (1996)
3. The Cupid Chronicles (1996)
4. Cupid's Revenge (1998)

Runaway Wedding Series

1. Runaway Wedding (1996)
2. A Simple Texas Wedding (1996)
3. Runaway Honeymoon (1996)

Gone to Texas! Series

1. The Wrangler's Woman (2000)
2. Almost a Cowboy (2000)
3. The Cowgirl's Man (2000)

Rebels & Rogues Series Multi-Author

• The Red-Blooded Yankee! (1992)

Back To The Ranch Series Multi-Author

• Wild Horses! (1994)

Matchmaking Moms Series Multi-Author

• A Royal Pain (1997)

Simply the Best Series Multi-Author

• Breakfast in Bed (1997)

Whirlwind Weddings Series Multi-Author

• Dash to the Altar (1998)

Hero for Hire Series Multi-Author

• A Private Eyeful (1998)

Texas Grooms Wanted! Series Multi-Author

• Bachelor Available! (1998)

The Lyon Legacy Series Multi-Author

• The Lyon Legacy (1999) (with Peg Sutherland and Roz Denny Fox)
• Family Secrets (1999)

Bachelor Auction Series Multi-Author

• Shane's Last Stand (2000)

A Walk Down the Aisle: Wedding Celebration Series Multi-Author

• Trading Places (2001)

Collections

• Something About Ewe / Purrfect Man (2001)

Omnibus in collaboration

• Friends, Families, Lovers (1993) (with Kathleen Eagle and Sandra Kitt)
• Honeymoon Suite (1995) (with Jennifer Blake, Margaret Brownley and Sheryl Lynn)
• Flower Girls (1996) (with Janet Dailey, Beverly Beaver and Margaret Brownley)
• Bridal Showers (1998) (with Jule McBride and Kate Hoffmann)
• One in a Million / Love, Texas Style (1999) (with Kimberly Raye)

As Lee Duran

Single novels in collaboration

• Spittin' Image (2001) (with Margaret Brownley)

Single novels

• Meant For Each Other (2008)