lissa Johnson
A
A Talent for Trickery
The Lady is a Thief
Years ago, Owen Renderwell earned acclaim—and a title—for the dashing rescue of a kidnapped duchess. But only a select few knew that Scotland Yard’s most famous detective was working alongside London’s most infamous thief…and his criminally brilliant daughter, Charlotte Walker.
Lottie was like no other woman in Victorian England. She challenged him. She dazzled him. She questioned everything he believed and everything he was, and he has never wanted anyone more. And then he lost her.
Now a private detective on the trail of a murderer, Owen has stormed back into Lottie’s life. She knows that no matter what they may pretend, he will always be a man of the law and she a criminal. Yet whenever he’s near, Owen has a way of making things complicated…and long for a future that can never be theirs.
"Johnson begins her new Victorian-set Thief Takers series with a bang with a richly nuanced cast of characters whom Dickens himself might envy, and an expertly crafted mystery sweetened with just the right amount of passion."
- Booklist
A Gift for Guile
Never Trust a Thief
Once a famous officer of Scotland Yard and now a renowned private detective, Sir Samuel Brass has better things to do than shadow a reckless hellion in her misguided quest for atonement. But when the daughter of a notorious criminal-and a former thief herself-returns to London to right an old wrong, Samuel is drawn back into the dangerously exciting world of Esther Walker-Bales.
Beautiful and conniving, maddening and brilliant, Esther is everything he shouldn't want. She's a liar. She's a con. She's a thief. And God help him, but he'd do anything to keep her safe.
Esther knows she's put herself in terrible danger, but nothing will stop her from making amends that are long past due-not her family's enemies, not old fears, and certainly not the domineering, interfering and undeniably handsome Sir Samuel Brass. Yet whenever he's near, Samuel makes her long for a life that can never be hers...and wish she were worthy of being saved.
A Dangerous Deceit
When Miss Jane Ballenger unexpectedly inherits her brother’s worldly goods—the furniture, paintings and bric-a-brac on which he frittered away their entire family fortune—the only thing to do is catalog the lot of it and sell it off piece by piece. How else will she continue to support Twillins Cottage, the one place she feels safe? Born with a peculiar hearing problem, Jane has long kept to her isolated home in the woods, content with the company of a few close friends, and far removed from those who would brand her an idiot and consign her to life in an asylum. So when the devilishly charming private investigator, Sir Gabriel Arkwright, turns up on her doorstep to claim her new belongings in the name of the crown, she'll do whatever it takes to protect her refuge, her loved-ones, and her well-guarded secret. Even if it means employing a bit of deception.
There are few things in life Sir Gabriel Arkwright enjoys more than a good mystery, especially when it’s a woman. Ever ready to take on an interesting puzzle, he’s determined to learn why the enigmatic Miss Ballenger has hidden herself away from the world. Before he can hope to ferret out the truth, however, Jane unearths national secrets hidden amongst her brother’s possessions. Now Gabriel must decide what’s more important, keeping state secrets out of the hands of a double agent, or protecting the woman who is quickly becoming more to him than just another mystery to solve...
A Christmas Dance
William Renwick, Earl of Casslebury, has begun his hunt for a wife as he begins all things in life, with careful planning and strict discipline. But his well-honed strategy to acquire the perfect countess goes awry when he finds himself captivated, not by the suitable young lady he intended to court, but by her unusual companion—the quiet, charming, and alarmingly unpredictable Miss Patience Byerly.
This Novella was originally published in "A Christmas Ball" anthology with Emily Bryan and U.S.A Today Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley.
The Haverston Family Series
Nearly A Lady
The woman makes the man…
Winnefred Blythe learned at a young age to make do with very little. After the death of her father, she taught herself to live on a pauper’s allowance—until a charming visitor promises her the funds that had been stolen from her through the years. But Freddie isn’t comfortable with the trappings of money—or the attentions of a stranger from London…
But can a man make a lady?
After the war, Lord Gideon Haverston resolved to never again burden himself with the troubles of others. Still, he was expecting to be greeted as a hero by the tough young woman his stepmother cheated out of house and home, not suspected as a conspirator. Indeed, the situation is more complicated than Gideon had expected—and the task of taming Winnefred Blythe, much more alluring…
An Unexpected Gentleman
Her heart was a target…
Adelaide Ward has but one goal—to obtain an offer of marriage from the respectable, if less-than-appealing Baron Maxwell before her family is ruined. But it’s the devilishly handsome Connor Brice who captures her imagination—and a kiss in broad daylight—in front of a dozen members of the ton. Now Adelaide must decide if the charming scoundrel who stole away her reputation might still be trusted with her heart.
His aim must be true…
Connor Brice seeks a long overdue revenge on the baron. And what better way to launch his campaign than to steal the lovely Miss Ward for his own? A quick “compromising” and an even quicker wedding ought to do. But if Connor wants to establish any sort of domestic tranquility, he’ll have to regain Adelaide’s trust and choose what means more to him—his thirst for vengeance, or his need for Adelaide.
Practically Wicked
For some, virtue is a vice
As the illegitimate daughter of a scandalous woman, Miss Anna Rees is almost as well-known for having been raised in the hedonistic demimonde as she is for her quiet nature. Anna longs to leave behind her mother's world of courtesans. . .until she unexpectedly meets the handsome, charming, and decidedly wicked Lord Dane. If only she could convince him to join her in search of respectability. . .
For him, vice is a virtue
Viscount Maximilian Dane is perfectly content being a rake. After years of obeying the dictates of proper society - with disastrous results - he stopped following the ton's ridiculous rules, and he sees no reason to begin courting respectability anew. Except that it may be the only way for him to win the lovely and fascinating Anna Rees - if only he could convince her that the grass is greener on the wicked side of the fence. . .
The Providence Series
Available for Free on Kindle Unlimited
As Luck Would Have It
A WOMAN OF THE WORLD...
After years of wild adventures overseas, Miss Sophie Everton is in no hurry to return home to the boring strictures of the ton. But she's determined to reclaim her family's fortune—even if she has to become a spy for the Prince Regent to do it.
A MAN ON A MISSION...
Before she can get her first assignment, she lands right in the lap of the dark and dashing Duke of Rockeforte. She's faced hungry tigers that didn't look nearly as predatory. Somehow the blasted man manages to foil her at every turn—and make her pulse thrum with something more than just the thrill of danger.
AND THE FICKLE FINGER OF FATE Both are caught in a daring dance of espionage and desire. But to make a true love match, they'll have to learn to trust in each other...and, of course, a little bit of luck.
Tempting Fate
Whittaker Cole, The Earl of Thurston, is reputed to be one of the most unflappable men in all England. Nothing ever puts him in a temper. Until. . .
He comes within twenty feet of Miss Mirabelle Browning. The women in his household believe divine providence sent Mira to live on an adjoining estate. After the hellion breaks his nose, Whit decides that the divine has nothing to do with it. Until. . .
He kisses her. After all, it was either that, or wring her neck. But when sparks fly, he’s forced to admit there might be something to this destiny thing. If he can just convince Mirabelle to give fate—and love—a chance.
McAlistair's Fortune
Miss Evie Cole, ignorance was never bliss. That principle had driven her to become quite adept at a most unladylike pursuit—eavesdropping. And it was while honing this skill that she heard her guardians’ elaborate scheme to find her a husband. Too bad she’d vowed never to marry. At least she knew the peril they were planning to help entrap her was only pretend.
What she didn’t hear would change everything. James McAlistair wasn’t supposed to be part of the bargain. Not only was the retired assassin dark, silent and intimidating, but Evie also happened to know from an accidental encounter on a warm, moon-drenched night that the man was an exceptional kisser. Now the danger was real. Because now Evie might fall in love.
Destined to Last
Lady Kate Cole was a young woman of exceptional beauty, extraordinary talent, and notable charm. She was also a woman so remarkably prone to accidents that it was generally considered wise to keep as much distance from her as possible.
Yet Andrew Hunter simply couldn’t stay away. No other woman would do for his wife. He would give her adventure, fidelity, and a fortune so vast she’d need several lifetimes to go through half of it. What woman could ask for more?
All Kate asked for was a true love match. And Mr. Hunter clearly had no room in his heart for such a silly emotion. But then how was it that no matter what adventure he dragged her on, no matter what mishap befell her, the look in his eyes told her they were Destined to Last.