A charmed life could definitely put you at risk for you to lose everything. A great story that will keep you reading long past your bedtime.

This was a sweeping and beautifully written book, and despite it being the second in a series, it can absolutely be read as a standalone historical fiction book (although now, I really need to read Book 1 to see how this all began!)

The research Bradford put into this one on Victorian England is evident, the detail is magnificent, and this was an easy one to escape reality with, accompanied by a cup of coffee or hot tea.

This was my first Barbara Taylor Bradford read, but it won't be my last! Thank you so much to Netgalley, Barbara Taylor Bradford and St. Martin's Press for my complimentary galley!

I began reading Barbara Taylor Bradford when I was a teen, with Woman of Substance. Her attention to historic detail makes the books she writes satisfying reads. One reads In the Lion’s Den not only for the story but to reconnect with the icon who writes them.

This is book 2 of the House of Falconer Series. James is rising up the ranks, but will lies, secrets, and love derail him, or will he continue down the path of a charmed life and succeed?

As per what you imagine you will come across in a Barbara Taylor Bradford story!

Richness in terms of story telling, saga and characters.

Throughally entertaining. Addictive and captivating.

Wonderful!

I keep requesting books based on authors I love before I read the details...
This is the second book in a series and I wish I had the first book to read and review.
This was greatly written as all BTB books are but I felt I needed to read the first book to really get the full effect of this one.

Going back to the first but will say BTB is an exceptional writer and if you enjoyed this first installment, you will most likely love this one as well.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review. Please excuse my tardiness in posting my review as my TBR continuously grows and I keep finding so many book with so little time!

So much gratitude for this copy shared with me, always xo

Barbara Taylor Bradford is a favorite author of mine and this book only adds to her appeal. The historical aspects, the romance, the drama, the mystery, and unexpected humor at times is wonderful. I found the story to flow very well. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

A beautiful tale of working your way up and using what you can to then be threatened that all you have could be jeopardized so quickly. If you love historical fiction then this is one for you!

I love sweeping sagas set in England. I love that Ms. Bradford always makes her heroines strong and smart; sometimes too smart for their own good. The families in this series are all well to do by manners even if not by station. I’m hoping for another book in the series but if not this was a excellent sequel.

"From New York Times bestselling author Barbara Taylor Bradford comes the highly anticipated second book in the House of Falconer saga.

James Lionel Falconer has risen quickly from a mere shop worker to being the right-hand man of Henry Malvern, head of the most prestigious shipping company in London. With Malvern's daughter Alexis running away to the country after a terrible tragedy and refusing to return, James' ascent to head of the company seems inevitable. But even a charmed life like James' is not without its setbacks.

A terrible fire threatens to end his merchant career before it's had a chance to truly begin. Mrs. Ward, James' former paramour, has a secret that could change his life forever. And his distaste for Alexis Malvern is slowly growing into feelings of quite a different sort. Can James continue to be the master of his own fate, or will all of his charm, intelligence, and wit finally fail him when he has to enter the lion's den?

Spanning the years from 1889 to 1892, In the Lion's Den is Barbara Taylor Bradford at her historical storytelling best."

I might be more than a little obsessed with anything during Victoria and Bertie's reign of late and I've been feeling a withdrawal setting in, thankfully Barbara Taylor Bradford has come to the rescue.

I haven't read a Barbara Taylor Bradford book for many years but I'm so glad that I went back to them. This is a classic family, business empire building saga that leaves you knowing that there is more to come. As always, Taylor Bradford build characters with depth and keeps the relationships very must relevant to the period that the story is set in. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series. and I will not be leaving it anywhere near as long to read another of Barbara Taylor Bradford's novels.

I didn't finish this book. I couldn't get into it so I put it aside for a bit and then I just didn't even want to bother with this book. It just not for me.

I didn’t enjoy this second book in the House of Falconer series as much as the first one but it was still a good read. After all it’s written by Barbara Taylor Bradford. A lot of excellent scene description and of course romance.

4.5 ⭐️!

In the second installment of the House of Falconer series, James is continuing his work with Henry Malvern and dreams of building his own retail empire. Alexis has secluded herself in Kent after Sebastian's untimely death while her father and friends hope to bring her back to work and London society.

I enjoyed catching up with James and Alexis and hope their story continues!

This book is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Barbara Taylor Bradford. I missed the first in the series and I’m immediately going to read that one as well. James Falconer has risen from a shop worker to the right-hand man of the company’s owner, Henry Malvern. Originally this position was expected to go to Malvern’s daughter Alexis. However, Alexis has suffered a recent tragedy in her personal life and has no interest in the company. James aspires of beginning his own company soon. Unfortunately, his pet project which he is hoping to launch his career suffers a terrible fire and is quite a setback. Besides his business life, his romantic life is also in a bit of a quandary. I was so interested in this book that I read it straight through. I’m looking forward to the next book in this fascinating series.

Also reviewed on B&N and Kobo

In the Lion's Den
Barbara Taylor Bradford

James Lionel Falconer a young man, ambitious, handsome, and very nice. His mind for business is like a steel trap. He is very good at watching the trends. He has a large family and feels blessed to have them. He did not come from a noble home, his mom was a housekeeper, and his dad head butler. He had a lot of friends but he still got lonely.
Alexis Malvern the daughter of his boss, in the retail business. She had lost her fiance to pneumonia about a year ago but was still morning him. The way she treated James was awful and she had not been to the office in two years. She was his heir and needed to know how to run the business if anything should happen to him.
An amazing read and so much happened. The story read smoothly, even, and cute. His and her emotions ran the full gambit. The characters were emotional and trying to be good people. I do highly recommend this book. There are some questions that need to be answered.
I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.

I am in love with this series. Barbara Taylor Bradford has brought James Falconer to life in the House of Falconer series and I cannot wait to learn more about this motivated, honest, and hard-working man. The first book gave us a look at his upbringing and how he has become the man he is. This book continues that story but also shows his skills as a man who has dreams to achieve.

In the Lion’s Den is the story of James starting to set the path of starting his own business while being faithful to the Malvern family. He knows that without the Malvern family he would not be where he is today and shows the respect that they have earned from him. He never loses sight of his dream of starting his own company but realizes that he can do both if he stays on path.

The Victorian era setting, the wonderful characters, and the amazing story make this a must-read book. I do recommend reading the first book as it sets up many of the character's stories. Book three in this series cannot come soon enough. I cannot wait for more about James and his path to success.

Solid Historical Fiction

I always enjoy reading Barbara Taylor Bradford's books. I am also a big fan of historical fiction. So, I have read both books in this series with great enjoyment. Book 2 in a series is always a bit of a struggle; do you remember all the characters and plot from the first book, especially a problem when the publication date is pushed back, such as happened here. But, In the Lion's Den is worth the wait. Can't wait for the next book in the series!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

This is the second book in Barbara Taylor Bradford's House of Falconer series and I loved it. There is just something so magical about her family sagas and I find myself completely swept up in their stories...and this one is no exception.

While I only read the previous book last week, I think I would have had no problem getting back into the swing of things had it been longer. That's because of the way BTB writes - she just pulls you into these characters' lives as if you are right there alongside them and I feel that way about every single book she writes. I love that as it's such a comforting feeling.

I really think it would be beneficial to read the first book in this series before picking this one up. While this one does stand on it's one, there are quite a bit of threads that are carried over that would make for a richer reading experience if you have already read the earlier book. But that's just my opinion.

In this latest installment, we continue to follow the lives of James Falconer and Alexis Malvern. James continues to prove himself at Malvern & Malvern Company and has risen the ranks to be working side by side with Henry Malvern. But his dreams of owning his own shop are still there. Alexis is still mourning Sebastian but she is also conflicted because during her trip to London with James (an event from book 1), something stirred in her and she's not quite sure how to deal with it.

This book is full of drama, secrets, scandal and of course romance. It is so easy to get wrapped up in this story and escape the world for a few hours - something I'm sure many of us could use right now! - and that is what I love about these books. I find myself so consumed in the characters and what is happening that I completely lose track of everything else. Each character has their set of challenges and there are some obstacles along the way, but that's what keeps things moving, and the twists and surprising developments really kept me glued to the pages.

I loved this story and all the new developments and cannot wait to see what happens in the next book. I have always been a fan of Barbara Taylor Bradford and this new series just proves why. If you enjoy family sagas, this series is a must-read!!!

Another enjoyable story in the House of Falconer series that takes place in Victorian England. As we have come to expect, you know that it is a story of how people improve their social and economic status along with romance. It is a story easy to get immersed in and it’s a story in which the story line is as important as the characters.