A few years Emma Spencer learned the night of her first London season that her father had bilked several peers out of their fortunes and now he’s escaping with their money. She’s now the companion of middle aged woman Mrs. Blackwell when she finds out her father left a fortune when he died. Emma decides she wants to marry and have children and Mrs. Blackwell convinces her to go the matchmaker at the Lyon’s Den. Marcus Rutherford finds his father has bankrupt the estate by losing the family fortune to poor investments and gambling. Marcus is the Earl of Rutherford and finds he needs a wealthy bride to save the estate. He goes the matchmaker too. The Lyon’s Den is a famous gambling house with Black Widow of Whitehall making money of connecting wedding matches. Emma and Marcus meet and she decides she does want to marry Marcus. Marcus doesn’t want to know about her past, they both have past and ignorance is bliss. Eventually the truth comes out and Marcus is devastated to learn his wife’s father is the one man who caused all his families troubles and stole all their money in a get rich scheme. A captivating story of overcoming obstacles, and how they learn they are stronger together if only they can forgive and forget the pasts and let love conquer all. An excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a review.

The Lyon's Lady Love by Alexa Aston is part of the The Lyon's Den Connected World Series. This is the story of Marcus, the Earl of Rutherford and Emma Spencer. Emma is left in dire straits when her father takes off with everything they have and with other peoples money too. Emma has no choice but to go into the workforce as a companion. Later in their present day she learns she has inherited money and now all she needs is to create a family for herself. So she goes to the Matchmaker who helps those with scandal attracted to their name find men that are in need of money. This leads her to Marcus. Marcus inherited the family title but learns that it has lost the money to it. So he needs to marry a wealthy women which leads him to the matchmaker. Emma and Marcus find that they are strongly attracted to each other and decided to move forward leaving the past behind them. But sometimes that past comes back all to quickly. Enjoyed their story.

I highly recommend this story.
This book is about a lady who faces horrible odds to survive. On the eve of her coming out ball, her father takes everything of value and leaves her after telling her she is worthless. He rips her mother's jewels from her neck and she is forced to face his investors and others he is indebted to. She was lucky to survive and get a position as a companion and she lives like that for about 6 years. A women comes to the house from Portugal, where her father has been hidden. Her father's death bed confession causes his wife, the lady previously mentioned, to return all of her father's assets to the heroine. The lady from Portugal is independently wealthy and dies not want his ill-gotten gaines. The heroine realizes that no one in society will allow her back because her father stole money from so many people. And she doesn't know how to start to pay them back because there were no records. She engages the services of a match maker and is paired with the hero whose father committed suicide because he invested with the heroines father and lost everything.
This story was so good. I enjoyed the story plot and the telling of the story. It was swift and easy read. All the parts made sense and I didn't have to re-read sections because they did not make sense. The characters were all likeable and easy to understand. The grammar and spelling were accurate. The people spoke in a more formal way, appropriate for the period. There is some sensuality, but the story is not dependent on it. I highly recommend this book 5 stars

I have to confess that this is the first book in the series ‘Lyon’s Den Connected World’ that I had read and yet I found it easy to follow the storyline. ‘The Lyon's Lady Love’ follows Lady Emma Spencer, who finds on the night of her come-out, that her father is fleeing the country. Having caused many men of the ton to suffer considerable financial loss at his hands, he leaves but only after informing Emma of her uselessness, since she was not the son that he wanted. Fast forward several years and Emma has been working as a companion to Mrs Blackwell. She receives a visit from a woman who married her father, yet on his deathbed, became aware of Emma’s existence. She finds Emma and reveals that she does not want her late husband’s money, having money of her own, and wishes Emma to have it. In doing so, Emma may finally be able to have the family that she has always wanted. However, to do so, she must marry, and this is where Marcus Powell, Viscount Aubrey comes in. Marcus, having been left almost destitute from his father’s financial loss, decides to marry Emma, having met through organised the marriage, through Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, owner of the Black Widow of Whitehall.
This was quite an interesting plot, with a couple that were easy to like. There appears to be little in the way of their romance progressing, yet both have a past, that might be their undoing. I must admit that I had hoped for a longer book, which might have had a few more twists and turns. Overall, a lovely romance.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Lyon's Lady Love by Alexa Aston is part of the Lyon's Den Connected World series of books and was a lovely book with overtones of a modern-day Bernie Madoff. Lady Emma Spencer was dressed and ready for her come-out when her father rushed in, grabbed a few items, and informed her that he was leaving and she was not a son and therefore, not his problem. As he left he ripped the jewelry she was wearing from around her neck and off her ears. He was a criminal and he was gone. Marcus Powell, Viscount Aubrey, has spent his time trying to recoup the losses his father incurred through bad investments but he has come to realize the only way that can happen is if he marries a woman with a huge dowry. He can't seem to find one he thinks her can stand for the rest of his life. At this point Emma has been working as a companion to a wonderful older lady, Mrs. Blackwell, and was happy with her new life, until the day she learned her father had died and left her very well off. Enough money for a dowry but where would she find a man willing to marry the daughter of a thief. She would return the money but she had no idea to whom she would return it.

This was a terrific plot, bringing a modern day problem into a historic setting. Mrs. Dove-Lyon is an interesting character, another woman who has to make her own way. It is always good to see her pop up in a book. As always this was pretty much a character driven book and the two leads were both strong and loving characters. Marcus was a good man who didn't always think things through before he made a move, but it usually caught up with him before things could go too haywire. Emma was a strong, creative woman, who continued to put others first. The combination made for an excellent story, on of Mrs. Dove-Lyon's best. I recommend it to all readers of historical romance.

I received a free ARC of The Lyon's Lady Love from Dragonblade through Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #dragonblade #thelyonsladylove

What Happens When the Past Comes Calling?

No one can outrun the past. Secrets tend to come into the light. When Emma and Marcus chose not to discuss the past, they did not know that it would come back to haunt them. How does Marcus react when he finds out Emma’s secret? There is one part of the book that might cause you to reach for that box of tissues you should have on hand.

This is another enjoyable story in the Lyon’s Den connected world. The stories are truly standalone. They are only connected by the theme of matches made at the Lyon’s Den, a notorious gaming hell.

Lady Emma Spencer has had a very difficult life. Having never received the love of her father, a Season to find a husband or financial stability; she becomes a companion to a delightful older woman. Marcus, the Earl of Rutherford is in dire straits. Due to the betrayal of one Lord Seton, his father’s death and the realization that there were no funds, only debts. He needs a wife-preferably one with money.
Emma wishes for a husband and children, but doesn’t believe, due to the actions of her father, she will ever be able to fulfill that wish. Marcus and Emma both approach the rather infamous matchmaker and find each other. But, will their love and subsequent marriage survive with the secrets they both keep?

I love Alexis Aston’s stories. They encompass real life experiences with love makes this such a small and loyalty. This one is no different and I loved every word written.

The sins of the fathers are visited on the children in this sad romance that fortunately does have a happy ending. Lady Emma is devastated to learn about her father's treacherous dealings, and even worse that he left her destitute to save his own skin. Lord Marcus discovers that upon the death of his father, he has been left with a bankrupt estate and after doing everything in his power to turn the family finances around, he finds that it still not enough. Marriage is the only answer, preferably to a bride with the resources he needs. Emma unexpectedly comes into a fortune but knows that marriage will be almost impossible through the usual channels and instead she visits The Black Widow of Whitehall to arrange a match for her. The Black Widow may have a shady reputation, but she does recognise a good match when she sees one and pairs Emma and Marcus, together, with the advice that the past should stay there. There is always a fly in the ointment and when a malicious troublemaker stirs the pot, the truth surfaces, and Marcus is devastated. I love the main characters in this book and Marcus and Emma really did need each other to becomes whole again. Getting over the hurdle thrown in their path could be the thing that destroys them, but ultimately this standalone romance does come to a delightful conclusion. The story is well written and emotive, drawing one's sympathies for the characters in their distress. I received a copy of this book as a gift from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This was a well written and engaging Historical Romance novella, set in 1812 to 1817. I enjoyed reading it and intend to read more from this author, as this is the first book I have read by her. Emma did not meet Marcus until 40% into the story however and some scenes in the second half felt a bit rushed in places. I liked the chapter where they met. The ending was wrapped up neatly after the inevitable misunderstanding and the story had a lovely epilogue. The sex scenes were well written and I felt the love connection between the H/h. Their character development was pretty good.

There were a couple of Historical details I questioned though:- I don't think an illegitimate Duke's daughter (a side character at the beginning) would be called 'Lady' and there was mention of a money transfer from Portugal to London.

My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me the e-ARC in return for my honest opinion. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Upon his father’s death, Marcus becomes the Earl of Rutherford and finds he’s bankrupt, thanks to his father losing the family fortune to poor investments and gambling.When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Alexa Aston is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book

The Lyons Lady Love by Alexa Aston

Lady Emma Spencer was left penniless when her husband swindled his peers and fled the country leaving her to face the shame. She becomes a companion for an army majors widow . Marcus Has become their Earl of Rutherford on the sudden death of his father only to discover that the family is on the verge of bankruptcy. Both go to a marriage broker for woman with questionable past looking for a good match. Can they overcome their past and be happy together?

A well written easy read book. Really enjoyed it considering it’s not my usual.

Thanks goes to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of The Lyon’s Lady Love by Alexa Aston for the purpose of reading and reviewing prior to publication. My opinions are my own and no one has influenced them.

The Lyon’s Lady Love is a well-written novella with compelling characters and a plot that will pull at your heartstrings. The pacing is excellent keeping me enmeshed from the first page to the last.

Lady Emma Spencer’s character is endearing, and her backstory is heartbreaking. From the time she lost her mother, she had no one to watch out for her. On the night of her come-out, her father returns and grabs his belonging and rips her mother’s jewels from her neck, leaving her to face the men who arrive to capture her father. My heart ached for her bewilderment and fear.

Marcus, the Earl of Rutherford is a fantastic hero. When his father dies, he discovers he’s inherited nothing other than the entailed estate and London townhouse. He must find a wife with a generous dowry. While he’d dreamed of a union with a woman he loves, that must be put aside. I could feel the pain and loss, and the fear of providing for his mother and tenants. When he meets the heroine, he’s relieved to find such a charming young woman through the matchmaker. His optimism for the future touched me.

The romance between Emma and Marcus is sweet and fulfilling, perfect for a Regency historical. Each have suffered through no fault of their own. I truly wanted them to find their happy ending.

If you enjoy historical romances set in the glittering Regency period with engaging characters and a heartfelt plot, then you will love The Lyon’s Lady Love as much as I did. I look forward to reading the next book in this delightful series. Happy reading!

A very easy book to read. It had good characters and storyline. Emma and Marcus have both had traumatic lives but come together to live happily. There was enough drama to keep me interested and do recommend that the book be read.

Marcus, Lord Rutherford is broke. His father died and left him in debt. What property not entailed was sold including all the furnishings, horses and carriage, etc. He needs a rich wife....now. Desperate, he goes to the Black Widow for help. Lady Emma Spencer has inherited money. Enough to find a husband, but the scandal of her father's thievery prohibits from having a season. Besides she's too old. So her friend and employer suggests The Black Widow of Whitehall for a match.
Lady Emma Spencer and Marcus Powell, Lord Rutherford are a well made match, or is it. A lie of omission is standing between them. A very emotional and gripping read.

On the night of her coming out, Emma learns that her father has taken the money from his peers in an investment scheme. Left with nothing, she finds a job as a companion. Several years later, she comes into money. Emma desperately wants a child, so she enlists the help of the Black Widow of Whitehall to find a husband for her. Someone that will overlook her scandal and marry her.

When Marcus's father passes away and he becomes the Earl of Rutherford, he learns that is family is bankrupt. After losing money to an investment, Marcus's father tried to regain his fortune by selling off property and gambling with the proceeds. He was not successful. As hard as Marcus has tried to get back on the road to solvency, he knows that he will have to marry to make it happen. When he is introduced to Emma, he thinks that she is the answers to his prayers. She comes with a ton of money and he actually likes her.

While Emma and Marcus have agreed that the past should stay in the past, things have a way of coming out. Will their marriage survive the secrets that are revealed?

I really enjoyed Marcus and Emma's story. I alway enjoy marriage of convenience stories as we get to see the H/H fall in love by their everyday interactions with one another. Having already gotten married, there is nothing keeping them from spending time with one another as there is with a traditional historical romance (rules of the ton). I really enjoyed watching their friendship blossom and then turn to love.

This is my first book by Ashton and I will definitely back for more as I really enjoyed it. While this story is part of the Lyon's Den Connected World, it is also tied to Aston's St. Clairs series. Having gotten a glimpse of some of the players, I need to go back and read that series!!

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given in my own words, for this ARC. What a lovely story. Two people who should have the world by it's ears and yet two people who should never be together fall into the only choice they have. Short but so well done.

Marcus, Lord Rutherford and Emma are matched by the mysterious underworld Lady Dove-Lyons. She provides matches for people who otherwise cannot make their own. Marcus’ father lost all of his money through a investment scam run by Lord Seton. He must find a wife with a large dowry. Emma unbeknownst to Marcus is the daughter of Lord Seton. She doesn’t know for certain that Marcus’ father was a victim of her father and Marcus stipules that they never talk of their lives before they met. But of course he learns the truth at their first ball. Can Marcus accept Emma knowing what he knows? And will he be in time to find her before disaster falls?
This is a delightful book. The characters are true and sympathetic. Though it is an often used romance plot she is able to breathe new and fresh life to it. It has pleased me enough that I will be searching for others of her different series. Although this is part of a series it can easily be read alone.
I would recommend this book to my patrons. Some adult content.

2 stars:
The story line of the book had a good premise, but there wasn't enough substance in the middle to hold it up! It was a nice, easy read ...I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either ...it just didn't emote any emotion from me! If I didn't know any better, I would have thought this was a Christian novel ...this was pretty tame, even down to the steamy bits!!!

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review of this novel

What a great book. Hooked right from the beginning. Emma has heart and a good head on her shoulders. The way she took charge of her life and kept going was amazing. Chemistry between the main characters was awesome! I will definitely add this to my read again list!!