Benedict Frost is on his way to deliver a manuscript, when he notices the docks are unusually quiet. Benedict stops at the Pig and Blanket Inn. He learns the theft of the century happened at the Royal Mint: 50,000 pounds in gold were stolen and the guards killed. Benedict, who had a terrible accident during the war, could use the reward money to provide his sister with a decent dowry. But he is not the only patron listening discreetly to the conversations: Charlotte Perry is not missing a word. If Charlotte had that kind of money, she could become someone entirely different, not the courtesan who must hide in her own native village. Benedict asks Charlotte to sit at her table—how shocking! But it's the only place left, so Charlotte agrees to let the handsome man with a cane sit with her. And thus Theresa Romain takes her reader on a most enchanting journey.

How typical of Ms. Romain that a novel featuring a courtesan could be described as classy, charming, elegant and dare one say, sweet? Benedict is blind, and the author's unsurpassed descriptive skills make it a fascinating journey, seeing the world through Benedict's other senses. Charlotte's story is utterly fascinating, and several tissues were required because the author is so sensitive and subtle, you cannot help but care for what happens to those characters. FORTUNE FAVORS THE WICKED is an engrossing story of two people dreaming of a better future and hoping against hope. Charlotte and Benedict are simply sublime, entirely atypical of what we expect; their stories heartwrenching and riveting, and Charlotte is seduction personified, and Benedict never ceases to amaze, in the best of ways. And watching their relationship evolve was a complete delight, and the ending could not have been better.

Theresa Romain's writing is extremely refined, sprinkled with delectable humorous touches, yet nothing ever feels pompous, unless the character is. But the splendour of the narrative and the cleverness of the dialogues are nothing compared to the flair she displays at fleshing out characters who are very human, fallible, and endearing, and let's not forget her flair for thinking up plots that are new and fresh. In FORTUNE FAVORS THE WICKED Theresa Romain shines brighter than ever!