This has a great storyline and intriguing characters. This has a little evil, some romance and a bit of amusement. It's a page turner with twists and turns that will leave you entranced.

Fall of the Lyon :The Lyon’s Den by Chasity Bowlin

Miss Margaret Upshaw flees to London on the impending death of her stepfather as her unscrupulous relatives want kill her for her inheritance. Mrs Dove-Lyon matchmaker arranged for her to marry Leo Viscount Amberley who needs money as he has been left responsible for his two sisters and has the estate to run with no money .

A fast moving novel with many twists and an evil uncle with murder on his mind.

It is lovely to see the relationship of the two characters unfold during their difficulties.

Well worth a read .

I enjoyed this fast paced novella. Meg and Leo find themselves in a marriage of convenience when Meg's stepfather dies. She needs to wed and Leo needs money. There is a lot of drama in this book and I couldn't put it down!

Margaret - or Long Meg as her beloved stepfather William Ashby, calls her, is in dire straits. Her loving and honourable stepfather is on his deathbed, and his evil younger brother Roger, and repulsive son Neville are hatching plots to marry her for her fortune and then dispose of her.

William has arranged a match through Mrs Doves-Lyon - the notorious matchmaker who arranges matches between desperate people through her gambling den.

Leander, Viscount Amberley is broke and needs an heiress fast. he has two half sisters and a bankrupt estate to save. When the chance to wed is presented to him, he is determined to do his duty to his family and his obligations. The lovely and young Meg Upshaw is as unexpected as the protective and lustful feelings she engenders in him.

Once married they travel to William's funeral, as discover that her evil uncle is also responsible for Leo's lame leg and lots more besides. When Roger and Neville try to get their hands on Meg's fortune and person, Leo is not about to let that happen to the woman he is coming to care deeply for.

For a short book, it didn't feel rushed or unsatisfying, there were deliciously wicked villains, a handsome and attractive hero and an innocent, yet intelligent heroine, who despite the length of the novel, don't fall for each other instantly. Their mutual attraction has time to develop in a satisfying way.

Recommended.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own

Fall of the Lyon is the sixth book in the Lyon’s Den Connected World. It was short but the plot was developed. The characters were charming, and the intrigue kept me reading until to the end. Another successful match for Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon.

Love the Lyon's Den Series and especially any chance to read more about Mrs. Dove-Lyon.

Miss Margaret Upshaw's stepfather is dying and he takes steps to protect her from his greedy brother and nephew. With Mrs. Dove-Lyon's help a marriage is arranged with Viscount Amberley, Leander Thurston-Hunter. Thank you Chasity Bowlin for a wonderful story!

Miss Margaret Upshaw’s stepfather is dying. As his last days are upon him, he tells Margaret to make her way to London, find the Lyon’s Den and seek the help of Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon. Margaret is heartbroken, as this is the only father she has known, and realizes that she can not stay with him. The real threat of unscrupulous relatives that will have her inheritance at any cost is very real. Leander Thurston-Hunter, Viscount Amberley has a very specific problem that money can solve. Mrs. Dove matches the two; when Margaret meets Leander for the first time, she is beautiful, alone, and vulnerable. He hopes that a marriage made from duty and necessity does not have to be an unhappy one. I really liked the plot of this book; the characters are well developed, and this kept you turning the pages.

This was definitely a fantastic quick read, I would have totally enjoyed a couple hundred more pages on this sweet, sexy couple. This had the fun great aspects tied into these pages. Fun stand alone story from a good series. I enjoyed this author and will definitely look into more of her writings.

In the Lion's Den, where matches can be made and wagers won and lost. Proprietress Mrs Dove-Lyon works her magic and brings two people together, each needing something from the other, with the hope life can be better.

Margaret Eleanor Upshaw and Leander Thurston-Hunter, Viscount Amberley were two such people. With their marriage, he would save her from her evil uncle who would marry her to his son upon the death of her beloved step-father. She would bring much needed money into his life to help support his family. Perfect you say?

Under the surface there are several secrets brewing that brings suspense, drama and a journey to a happy ending that will not be easy. Love this series and Chasity Bowlin always brings great twists and characters to her stories.

With impending loss of her stepfather Miss Margaret Upshaw flees to London as her step-father requests to see Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon to arrange a fast and speedy marriage to keep her safe from his brother’s clutches. Leander Thurston-Hunter, Viscount Amberley, or Leo is desperate to marry, he’s impoverished trying to preserve his families standing in society with two sister yet to raise and in need of a wealthy wife. Leo finds himself defending his new wife from her relatives who want her wedded and murdered for her fortune. I love how the two work together to undermine her Uncle, but can love grow under these unusual circumstances? I have voluntarily read and reviewed the excellent book.

An exceptional historical romance. Good solid characters and well-written. I really enjoyed the characters and how their relationship evolved throughout the book. Totally enjoyed it!

Fall of the Lyon by Chasity Bowlin is Bowlin's entry into the Lyon's Den Connected World of Dragonblade. Margaret Upshaw's stepfather, Sir William Ashby, is on his deathbed. He loves her as he would his won daughter and has made arrangements to save her from his unpleasant brother and his evil son, who plan to coerce her into marrying the son as soon as he is dead and gone, thereby securing all his money and property for themselves. He has a plan, which he is putting into action, as the time for his death approaches. He is sending her to Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon where she will procure a husband for Margaret, one of Ashby's choosing. Leander Thurston-Hunter, Viscount Amberly, is looking for a wealthy bride as has come to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for that purpose. His father had made some very poor decisions with the family fortune and it had come to this for Leander. He had two sisters to take care of and very few options at this point. But, when he discover that his prospective bride it the stepdaughter of the man who was responsible for his ruined leg, he has second thoughts. The, he decided to move forward.

There are many truly horrible people in this world, and several of them have taken up residence in this book. Bowlin has written a fabulous story with them front and center. It is also one of a gentle love growing between two people who seemed to have everything against them. The original plan had been to get her money, then get her with child and abandon her to a house in the country. Working together to save her inheritance proved to be the beginning of something wonderful. The road to getting there was wrought with peril and proved to be more dangerous than they anticipated. In the end, things worked out, Sir William was vindicated, and Margaret loved her new sisters. I recommend this read. You will love it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Fall of the Lyon by Dragonblade through Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #fallofthelyon

Sir William Ashby is the only father Miss Margaret Upshaw has ever known, and he is dying. He has loved and treated her as his own daughter. In order to see to her wellbeing and protect her from her vile uncle and cousin, he has reach out to the infamous matchmaker, Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon. Mrs. Dove-Lyon brokers a marriage between Leander Thurston-Hunter, Viscount Amberly, and Meg. She needs his protection and Leo needs her fortune to restore his family’s name and estates, and to take care of his half-sisters, so they marry.

Meg and Leo are strong, wonderful characters. They are wary of each other and the marriage at first, but want to get to know each other and make the best of their situation. The story is interesting (a little chilling at a couple of points). Meg and Leo are confronted with Sir William’s death, a painful event from the past, a mystery, and villains determined to destroy them, and finally forming a family. This is a short engaging read with a delightful epilogue.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This is a lovely book. I’ve read a lot of books from this author and this is one of my favorites.
Leander Thurston-Hunter, Viscount Amberley, needs to marry an heiress. When Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the most scandalous matchmaker in all of London, informs him that she’s made the perfect match for him, he’s not exactly thrilled, but certainly willing to do his duty to preserve his family’s standing.
Miss Margaret Upshaw is devastated by the impending loss of her stepfather and the all too real threat of unscrupulous relatives who would have her inheritance at any cost, so she flees to London. Her stepfather has tasked her to make her way to the Lyon’s Den to seek the assistance of Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon.
When Leo meets Meg he is instantly drawn to her. She is beautiful, vulnerable, terribly alone… and she makes him question for the first time whether a marriage born out of duty and necessity has to be an unhappy one.
But her relatives are not going to stop their plans because of her husband. Even though he knows
they are responsible for the brutal events that nearly ended his life and left him permanently scarred. And now Leo and Meg have to fight for the chance to enjoy the unexpected happiness they found in each other arms.
I love this books. Both the heroine and the hero are well developed and real. The dialogs between them are deep and meaningful. They like each other, and enjoy the time together so much more than just like lovers. Leo is sweet, considerate and respectful. He is always thinking about Meg’s needs first. She is strong and loyal, and I really like that she is not ashamed of her desires and emotions. Beautiful couple and beautiful story. I absolutely recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Margaret Upshaw is devastated. The only father she has known is dying. Sir Ashby is adamant that she must leave prior to his death to protect her from his brother and nephew. Viscount Amberley is desperate. His father, before his death, and step-mother have wasted all their money-which leaves him with the distasteful task of finding a rich heiress to wed. Once again, Mrs. Dove-Lyon will come to the rescue of them both.
There were many plots twists in this latest episode of The Lyon’s Den. The heroine is naïve, but endearing. The hero is a charmer, but ends up charmed by sweet Meg. It was a very enjoyable read and one that I will definitely read again.

I enjoyed this historical romance novella set in 1814, plus it was very well written. The story was interesting and the details of the regency period were well done. The romance was slow burn at the beginning and the sex scenes, when they finally happened, were tastefully handled. I liked the chemistry between Meg and Leo. The novella was full of drama and intrigue in the second half, though I thought everything turned a tad melodramatic by the end and the story was very neatly wrapped up. Also, there were a handful of points of view from the cousin and uncle that I felt - while they gave information to the reader - didn't quite fit.

Meg is only 19 and to me, she came across as a woman many years older. Also, I thought the dialogue - while excellent and well thought out by the author - was very unrealistic in the last few chapters. It included long-winded sentences packed with information. Also there were so many modern sayings and quotes that I felt were not in context with a historical romance. Excellent for creative writing though!

I do recommend this book, as it was a great escape for a few hours and I'll be reading more from this author. My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the gift of the e-ARC in return for my honest opinion. 3.5 stars.

A Marriage of Convenience

He married her because he needed her dowery. She married him to escape her step cousin’s evil clutches. Could they find love? This is a fun read with romance, secrets, mystery, intrigue, and danger. Love just might be the least of their worries as Leo and Meg fend off those who would see them dead.

Dangerous waters!

With the knowledge that his step daughter will be threatened after his death by his rapacious heirs, Sir William Ashby arranges for her to flee to London and the care of Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, of the notorious Lyons Den. Margaret Upshaw will inherit her stepfather's wealth that is not entailed. However with English laws as they are, a husband of Meg's gets to inherit all she has. Her repulsive cousin has been more than eyeing her off and her devious relations need that money!
Leander Thurston-Hunter, Viscount Amberley needs money desperately, Meg needs protection. It seems like a match where all parties win. But nothing is ever that simple.
Secrets involving Meg's relations and their previous dealings with Leo nearly bring them undone.
A racey and entertaining read using the marriage of convenience trope, a young woman pushed to extremes, betrayal and danger as the plot careens towards Leo and Meg finding their HEA.

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Chasity Bowlin brings us back to the world of the Lyon’s Den with Fall of the Lyon. Leo, Viscount Amberley, is in dire need of a wealthy wife after his father and stepmother run through their fortune. Meg Upshaw is sent to London by her ailing stepfather in order to avoid marrying her nefarious cousin Neville. When Leo and Meg enter a marriage of convenience, the two realize that their pasts are entangled far more than they knew, and their shared enemies pose a threat not only to their lives, but also to their marriage.
I always enjoy Bowlin’s characters in each of her stories. They always contain the elements that make Regency romances so readable: drama, intrigue, enemies to lovers/marriages of conveniences, and she does a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life in Fall of the
Lyon. Solid writing for this genre.

Fall of the Lyon, by Chasity Bowlin was a great read for me. This author is a new writer to me. Chasity totally blew me away with her writing in this book. She was able to grasp my attention not only with the growing romance between Meg and Leo, but she sucked me in with one of my favorite genres, romantic suspense. Chasity kept the anticipation of the suspense going and building as the story progressed.
She didn’t fill her story with overwhelming words that would leave the reader struggling and asking, “ what does that mean”? She kept it simple, so that the reader could enjoy the comfort of reading her romance story. This short story is about an heiress, Meg who has to flee her home and her dying stepfather, before her sadistic uncle forces her to marry her cousin. Megs father gives her good parting words that leads her to introduction of her husband, Leo. Well this is not good news nor does it make Megs uncle and cousin happy.
Later Meg returns home to bury her father. Once after the Will is read, Meg and Leo sense something is a foot. Forced to remain in the house, evil lurks the halls. This sends Leo and Meg on the defense. Leo realizes how important that Meg is becoming to him.
He needs to persuade Meg that she is the only woman for him. I see more great stories coming from this writer. <img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/21abbc6d2f62a80d56d9e8ae6c15dff82ebee8dc" width="80" height="80" alt="25 Book Reviews" title="25 Book Reviews"/>