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Adele Ashworth

Author of My Darling Caroline

16 Works 1,625 Members 36 Reviews 6 Favorited

About the Author

Includes the names: Adele Ashworth, Adele Ashworth

Series

Works by Adele Ashworth

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Common Knowledge

Legal name
Budnick, Adele
Other names
Ashworth, Adele
Birthdate
1963
Gender
female
Places of residence
Texas, USA
Education
University of Utah (BS|Mass Communication)
Awards and honors
AAR Annual Reader Poll (Favorite New Discovery - Honorable Mention, 1999)
Short biography
Adele Budnick was born in 1963. After graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in Journalism/Broadcast Newswriting, she did what so many graduates do—pursued a job in an entirely different field. Thus, in 1986, she became a flight attendant for America West Airlines. During the nearly seven years she worked for the airline, she read hundreds of books (most of them romances), including one in particular about getting a romance published. In 1990, Adele decided to write her first romance novel, though it took her three years to actually sit down and do it. In the spring of 1993, Adele resigned from America West Airlines to pursue writing full-time. She finished in April 1995, the manuscrit, My Darling Caroline, and two years later, her hard-working agent sold it to Berkley/Jove. My Darling Caroline, released in October of 1998 as Adele Ashworth, went on to win the prestigious Romance Writers of America RITA Award for Best First Book of that year. She lives in Texas with her family, spending most of her hard-earned money at Starbucks, where she's frequently seen chugging down coffee while typing out another fantasy that she hopes romance readers will someday enjoy.

Members

Reviews

Stolen Charms
3.5 Stars

The Black Knight, a Robin Hood-style thief, is the talk of the ton, and Natalie Haislett, who has had her fill of boring and boorish suitors, wants nothing more than to meet the infamous scoundrel. However, the only person who could possibly arrange an introduction is Jonathan Drake, a renowned rake with whom Natalie has a painful past. Can these two reconcile their differences or will their attraction dissipate in favor of the Black Knight?

Putting aside the completely anachronistic and unrealistic premise of a young unmarried woman traveling unescorted with a man across the Channel in 1847, this is quite an entertaining read.

To begin with, the story is set in France during the later reign of Louis Phillipe I, a rare time period in historical romance but one that is very interesting and Ashworth skillfully utilizes the conflict between the Legitimists and the Orleanists within the narrative.

Moreover, Jonathan and Natalie's intense chemistry, both physical and emotional, make them a particularly engaging couple. The fact that they are constantly trying to outsmart one another leads to some very amusing conversations.

In terms of the writing, the pacing is somewhat slow in places, and it is unfortunate that much of the actual action, such as the actual theft of the emeralds and the attempted assassination of the King takes place off page. Adding these scenes would have enhanced the tension and suspense.

Overall, a charming romance but not compelling enough to continue with the series at this time. Perhaps in the future.
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Lauren2013 | 6 other reviews | May 5, 2023 |
I have steered clear of romance novels as I thought they wouldn't be a genre I would enjoy. When I read some reviews for this novel I thought I'd give it a try; as it turns out, romance is definitely not for me.

In all honesty, if you took out the HUGE amount of material related to sex, I would probably have given this a 3/5. All of the sex stuff just made it so corny and smutty. Some of the talk seemed so out of place for the period it was set in ('you are so sexy' and 'she's a good f**k' etc). I just felt like everything had to lead back to sex, it didn't feel organic or natural at all.

What probably turned me off the most was Brent's use of the term, 'little one' in sexual scenarios (I use that exact term when speaking to young children or small animals, which is why it made me ill to hear it used after phrases such as 'I want to taste your nipples, little one' - yuck.

As I haven't read any other romance novels I have nothing to compare it to, and as it would be a decent story without the 'romance' then perhaps this is in fact a good romance novel. So if you like romance, give it a go I guess.
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spiritedstardust | 6 other reviews | Dec 29, 2022 |
Great beginning, first half wonderful, then snowballs into the grand finale. The plot is twisty and unexpected. Better than usual romance.
 
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Bookjoy144 | 2 other reviews | Mar 2, 2022 |

Awards

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Statistics

Works
16
Members
1,625
Popularity
#15,833
Rating
½ 3.6
Reviews
36
ISBNs
37
Languages
4
Favorited
6

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