McAlistair's Fortune

What a treat! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I hadn't read a regency romance in years, and I found this one to be romantic, refreshing, and lots of fun. McAlistair and Evie are appealing, engaging characters: strong-minded, independent people who march to the tune of their own drummers -- oh, how I enjoy such characters in a love story! And Alissa Johnson adds a healthy dash of humor, making their story irresistible. Highly recommended!

I'm two for two today with Alissa Johnson's "McAlistair's Fortune" as my second gem of the day! This is a wonderful historical brimming with snappy dialogue, humor, heart-warming romance, a tortured hero, and a not-so-perfect heroine. Evie's always been pretty sure that love and marriage weren't in her future. She does, after all, have a facial scar and a limp as a result of a carriage accident when she was a young girl. So she's turned her life towards different pursuits and helping abused women and children escape from their tormentors. But one night she 'overhears' (with her ear against a door mind you) a plot to find her a husband via a bogus threatening letter situation for her 'hero' to then save her from. And shortly later when she receives receives a real threat in the mail, she assumes it's all for show. And it's almost worth it when she realizes she'll get to spend time with the infamous Hermit of Haldon Hall. Especially since they once shared a romantic kiss! McAlistair is a man tortured by his past actions...he was an assassain for the war department. When he 'quit' he became a hermit, living in the woods in silence and alone...then one day he heard a woman laughing and his world changed. He knows he's not the right man for her, but he's also determined that he will protect this woman with every skill he ever learned. How romantic! Neither the hero or heroine is perfect, titled, ultra-rich, gorgeous, etc.; instead both are real people with real flaws. Johnson did a fabulous job writing a gradually unfolding closeness and intimacy between these two. There's even humor which they both need in their lives. It's a smart story with characters I grew to care for and when I finished I had a very large grin and the desire to read more of Alissa Johnson's stories. There is a connection between this and two previous books, but reading the others isn't necessary to enjoy "McAlistair's Fortune". Of course, my bet is that once you read this one, you'll be looking for Ms. Johnson's backlist!