Hughes was born in Williamston, South Carolina; soon after her birth, her family relocated to Texas. While she was a voracious reader as a child, she didn't care for the canonical works. She's said, "In high school and college, I was force-fed a lot of what is considered great literature. I must’ve been a shallow person because I didn’t appreciate it at the time, and I don’t remember most of what I read."

Hughes began her writing career in the early 1980s as the features editor of a small newspaper. She wrote humorous short pieces before venturing into longer works.

Charlotte Hughes, the New York Times best selling author, has written almost 40 books. These award winning books run the gamut from romance to mystery, as well as humor, horror and suspense.

Hughes was one of the first category romance writers to secure a top-50 ranking on USA Today's list. A two-time recipient of the Maggie Award, she has also won the Talisman Award for best short story writer.

Max Holt (with Janet Evanovich)

• 1. Full House (2002)
• 2. Full Tilt (2002)
• 3. Full Speed (2003)
• 4. Full Blast (2004)
• 5. Full Bloom (2005)
• The Full Box (omnibus) (2006)
• 6. Full Scoop (2006)

Novels

• Too Many Husbands (1986)
• Straight Shootin' (1987)
• Travelin' Man (1988)
• Sweet Misery (1988)
• Tigress (1989)
• Scoundrel (1989)
• Private Eyes (1990)
• Restless Night (1990)
• Louisiana Lovin' (1990)
• Tough Guy, Savvy Lady (1991)
• The Lady and the Cowboy (1991)
• Rascal (1992)
• Island Rogue (1992)
• The Incredible Hunk (1993)
• Kissed by a Rogue (1993)
• The Devil and Miss Goody-Two Shoes (1994)
• Husband Wanted (1995)
• Ready-Made Family (1995)
• Belated Bride (1996)
• Tall, Dark, and Bad (1996)
• Valley of the Shadow (1998)
• Just Married...Again (1998)
• The Last Southern Belle (1998)
• Night Kills (1998)
• New Attitude (2001)
• Hot Shot (2002)
• Millionaire Cop and Mom-To-Be (2002)
• And After That, The Dark (2004)
• What Looks Like Crazy (2008)
• Nutcase (2009)
• High Anxiety (2009)

Omnibus

• Tall, Dark and Cranky / Millionaire Cop