In Adele Ashworth’s classic historical romance Stolen Charms, the privileged Natalie Haislett wishes to meet the Black Knight, a Robin Hood–type crook who steals from the rich and gives to the poor.

Against her better judgment, she enlists the help of Jonathan Drake, a known rogue who has left many hearts in his wake. Will Natalie be his latest conquest or will it be the Black Knight who’ll capture her heart?

A suspenseful mystery with plenty of sexual tension and romance in Victorian England, Stolen Charms is a sophisticated, sultry read that will appeal to fans of Cathy Maxwell, Christina Dodd, and Lisa Kleypas.

The thief of hearts . . .

Bored with stuffy balls and pompous suitors, Miss Natalie Haislett longs for romance and adventure—and dreams of wedding England's most notorious thief, the Black Knight. To this end, she approaches the renowned rakehell Jonathan Drake, reputed to be a friend of Natalie's would-be lover, and begs him for an introduction . . . unaware that the outlaw she so desires is as close to her as a kiss.

Intrigued by Natalie's devotion and determination—and intending to use the unsuspecting beauty to pull off a brazen jewel theft—Drake agrees to escort Natalie to France, where the Black Knight is rumored to be. But while traveling in the guise of a married couple, an intimate friendship blossoms and the fires of reckless passion are stoked—as the daring bandit sets his sights on the priceless treasure he knows he must purloin: his lady's heart.

I've always loved to write, but after my first attempt at a novel (nine chapters of Plastic City, the story of underwater-dwelling orphans in the twenty-third century that I wrotein the sixth grade), I took some time to get my bachelor'sdegree and to try my hand at other careers before I returnedto my first passion: creative writing. After lots and lots of perseverance, hard work, and a bit of very good luck, My Darling Caroline went on to win the Romance Writers of America's RITA® Award for Best First Book of 1998.

I live in Texas with my family, exploring history as Idelve into the hearts of my characters.