Member Reviews
This book has an interesting storyline, wonderful characters and a sweet ending. There's a whirlwind of activity throughout the book that will capture your attention. I really enjoyed reading it.
This is a wonderfully-written story of Kingston and Vanessa, two unlikely characters to fall in love -- but they do. I loved the twists and turns Collette Cameron adds to her stories and the depths of her characters. The story is a fast-paced read and kept me up to finish it.
I have loved this series since it began. Collette Cameron has done a wonderful job with her tale of Kingston Barclay and Vanessa Becket. Kingston is badly in need of funds to provide for estate and his younger sisters. Vanessa, on the other hand, is having trouble keeping her annoying stepbrother from controlling her money. Vanessa is in the Lyon’s Den looking for her stepbrother that stole her heirloom brooch to gamble with. Kingston sees her there and they end up in Mrs. Dove Lyon’s office. Of course, after counseling, a match is proposed and they agree to a 6 month marriage of convenience. I enjoyed the plot, the characters and the romance that always comes into character.
Loved By The Lyon is the first that I have read from this author and as this book was novella length (which I didn’t know when I started reading it) this review will probably be slightly shortly than I normally put out on this site. I was drawn to this one when I saw it on Netgalley, because quite frankly anything with “marriage” in a trope I will be gravitated towards. And I have been really curious about this author for quite some time and I just wanted to be able to focus on this book because the blurb just sounded so fascinating. And once upon reading this one, I was captivated by this story. I really wish the length had been longer because I fell hard for this pairing and their story. The set up of the story was interesting in that we see the hero seeking marriage with a heiress to take care of his siblings and the heroine is the sister of his best friend who was killed in the war. Great chemistry and build up. Of course, it was way shorter in length so one does need to take that into account here. But such a charming and delightful regency romance and is also part of the KU if you are looking for that. 🙂
Loved by the Lyon by Collette Cameron
Penniless Kingston who is waiting for his elderly miserable uncle to die so he can become duke as the only heir and bring the family home back to its rightful state and Fred & clothe his siblings properly & Vanessa is a rich heiress who is the sister of his best friend whose death he feels is responsible for. They have an arranged marriage curtesy of the ‘Black Widow of Lyons Den.'
A lovely well written period romance. I loved how the story unfolds and some parts made you laugh and some made you want to cry. Very quick read
Vanessa Euphemia Samantha Becket, "was a woman alone in an unkind and often unforgiving world." But she was set to action.. She had no choice. Her wastrel stepbrother Owen had stolen another piece of her jewelry and she was going to get it back.
Having followed him to the famous Lyon's Den, she was desperate to get back her broach and she would confront him. It seemed though that fate had other ideas and she ran into Kingston, the best friend of her older brother Gabriel, who had gone off to war together. What was he doing her?
The famous proprietress, Bessie Dove-Lyon was the best matchmaker around and Kingston was desperate to find a bride with a dowry. Then the perfect idea occurred. Kingston and Vanessa can marry, save her from her stepbrother and him from peunery and then annul their marriage in 6 months.
But "the heart had a will of its own when it came to whom is chose to love." Oh yes it did. So sit back and enjoy.
I have to mention Collette's dedication stole my heart because I know how she feels. How wonderful she used Tito as Kingston's beloved horse's name. She always has amazing animals in her stories that bring this heart joy!
Chance encounter!
Our hero needs an heiress, the heiress needs a hero. Ye old 'marriage of convenience' trope works nicely here. Vanessa Becket makes her way to the Lyon's Den looking to find out if her despicable step brother, Owen Elligon, has stolen her sapphire heirloom brooch for a gambling stake in this gambling hell. Kingston Barclay, heir to a dukedom has made an appointment with the Black Widow of Whitehall to broker an arranged marriage to ensure funds to provide for his siblings and put his estate in order.
Barclay was injured in an explosion during the Battle of Waterloo that killed his best friend, and Vanessa's brother Gabriel. His survivor's guilt has frozen him into inaction with regards his responsibilities.
I don't need to go any further, I'm sure you can read between the lines.
There are challenges and some altogether too knowing glances from the younger Barclay sisters.
A pleasant short read, with some threads that could have been pulled tighter.
A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
A Delightful Historical Romance
She went into the Lyon’s Den to retrieve a brooch; she left with something, far more valuable than gold. He went into the Lyon’s Den to find a woman to marry for her dowry; he left with something far more precious than he knew.
Two people marry for convenience, but will they seize the chance at love? Kingston fears that his secrets will cause him to lose Vanessa’s friendship. What really happens when she finds out those secrets. I enjoyed this romance and would recommend it to those who enjoy historical romance with wit and charm.
Returning from the war Kingston Barclay found his estate in bankruptcy, he cannot inherit the dukedom soon enough. The next best thig is to marry an heiress to help support his sibling and his family. He turns to the Black Widow, Mrs. Bessie Lyons for her matchmaking skills, but as he arrives he spots his best friends sister Vanessa Becket in the gambling hall. All Vanessa is another man in her life, her step-brother is stealing everything and bartering her hand in marriage to his friends and fortune hunters. Vanessa and Kingston come to an agreement that’s the best for all, but will they discover a marriage is what they both want after all and love means everything to them both? I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story.
4 stars
A Good read. Kingston is the heir to a Dukedom but is currently impoverished. He has 3 sisters and 2 brothers and having returned from Waterloo is suffering with his consciounce over the death of his best friend. The best friends sister is an heiress, but because he feels so bad about Gabriel he hasn't been in touch. Vanessa has her own problems, her creep of a step brother is stealing from her and she suspects is trying to angle her into a marriage so he can grab her fortune. In an effort to find a particular jewellry piece she follows Owen to the Lyon's Den. Kingston is also on his way there to get the owner to set him up with a moneyed wife in a marriage of convenience. As expected Vanessa ends up marrying our hero and helping him turn his estates around. It was a nice quick read and suitably passionate near the end.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kingston Barclay will inherit the Caerleon dukedom, eventually. He has five siblings to support, and his estate is nearly bankrupt and crumbling. He needs to marry an heiress, and quickly. He goes to see Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the Black Widow and matchmaker extraordinaire. Vanessa Becket has come to the Lyon’s Den to find her stepbrother and retrieve the jewels he stole from her. She spots him, but in her effort to get to him, she gets lost. Kingston and Vanessa come face to face just outside Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s office. They know each other. Vanessa’s brother was Kingston’s best friend. After talking, they decide they can help each other. She has money to help his family, and he can give her protection from the evil stepbrother. They agree to marry, for convenience, for six months. Great solution. They can make it work. Right…
This is a beautiful story about two people who come together to solve two problems. Kingston needs money, and Nessa needs help staving off her horrible stepbrother. I love the characters in this one, except for the stepbrother, of course. Kingston is a hard worker. Nessa is a real take-charge lady. They do have a couple of issues to work through. Kingston’s siblings know Nessa, but are a little wary at first. But things have a way of working out. I like that a couple of my favorite Dukes from other stories were around to give Kingston some advice. A good story with great characters. You don’t want to miss it. Wondering where the stepbrother went? It’s a surprise.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
I love the Lyon's Den Series and all the matches that the Black Widow is somehow involved in creating!
Vanessa Becket is all alone in the world and desires a family and children. Right now she needs protection from her cousin. Her brother's best friend, Kingston Barclay, steps up and offers to marry her and offers his protection. Kinston needs money to help take care of his siblings and estate, and Vanessa offers him her money to help.
They decide on a marriage of convenience but True Love is waiting for them.
This is a delightful story, and Collette Cameron keeps your attention throughout with her engaging characters and the rocky path to true love.
Is there such a thing as a temporary marriage in the 1800's?
I found that I enjoyed this installment in the Lyon series.
Vanessa has had it with her stepbrother stealing from her to gamble away her jewelry. So, its off to get her jewels back.
Whence she encounters Kingston, in dire need of an heiress (of which Vanessa is one).
So its a temporary marriage (that's quite far fetched for the time).
Kingston needs money and the quickest way to get it is to ,marry it, one way or another.
Recommend.
Vanessa Becket has a problem. His name is Owen Elligon, her step brother. Stealing her sapphire brooch was the very last straw. She contemplates her next step, which happens to be confronting him in The Lyon’s Den. Kingston Barclay is broken, in spirit and financially. His only recourse is a wealthy heiress and the reason for his visit to the woman considered “The Black Widow of Whitehall. A chance meeting between Vanessa and Kingston sets in motion the solution that both need. But Kingston is keeping a secret from Vanessa. One that keeps him away from her and from fully loving his beautiful wife. Will their love overcome his secret and the renovation of his home?
Loved by the Lyon by Collette Cameron is a lovely short novel published as part of Lyon's World by Dragonblade. Vanessa Becket is being robbed blind by her loathsome stepbrother, Owen Elligon. He has gone through his inheritance and seems to thing he can have hers, too. Well, no. He has been sneaking into her house, stealing her jewels, but her had gone to far this time. He has taken a brooch handed down through generations of the women in her family and she is not having it. She has called the police, to no avail. Now she has followed him to the Lyons's Den, a notorious gambling house that offers all sorts of debauchery for people like Owen. She is well inside when she is discovered by Kingston Barclay, of all people, her late brother's best friend. Her friend, since childhood. His is there to have Mrs. Dove-Lyon locate him a rich bride what is looking for a title, as he will be a duke, by and by. He wants to love, no consummation, just her money. Mrs. Dove-Lyon retrieves her brooch, and arranges a temporary arrangement between Vanessa and Kingston, which will have her covering his immediate financial needs and file for an annulment in six months. He will repay her when he inherits. All is well. Except for falling in love and his guilty conscience about her late brother's death.
These Lyon's Den books are all about reluctant parties to marriage who come wound to live in the end. They are entertaining books with brief, but complete storylines. The characters are good, but not well-rounded, which is all right. They are likeable, generally good-looking, and more than ready for love and marriage. This is no different. Cameron has a way with words, which make this book extremely readable. It is what it is. I like it. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Loved by the Lyon by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #lovedbythelyon
The Lyon's Den proves once again that even when a marriage is arranged, there is a chance for love to evolve and grow. Kingston and Vanessa have known each other for years, albeit through Vanessa's older brother, but when Kingston find Vanessa creeping into the Lyon's Den in a bid to wrest her possessions from her ne'er do well step-brother, he finds that The Black Widow never misses an opportunity to make a match. Although a fairly short novel, this story touches the heart as Kingston tries to find a way to solve his family's problems, and Vanessa needs a family even more than the heir apparent's desperation for funds. Although part of a series, this romance is a standalone and comes to a happy and satisfactory conclusion. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Vanessa Becket is furious with her step-brother and men in general. She is perfectly capable of looking after herself and her finances but men don't think so. She has followed her step-brother to a well known gambling den where he has taken the jewels he has stolen from her.
Kingston Barkley once thought nothing was more exciting than going off to war with his bestfriend. The reality and consequences teach him otherwise. His young siblings have suffered from his neglect for too long, now it's time for him to make a big sacrifice for them.
An exciting and very emotional story with intelligent and sensible characters. The widow at the Lyon's Den has an unexpectedly easy task with this one.
I have read many books from the different authors involved in this "World" . They have all been fun.
Great fun.
4.25 Stars
Kingston Barclay cannot inherit the dukedom soon enough. With five siblings to support and a nearly bankrupt estate, an opportune marriage is his last hope. But his best-laid plans are upended when he discovers his best friend’s lovely sister sneaking around the Lyon’s Den. The last thing Vanessa Becket needs is another man in her life. Between her conniving stepbrother, a parade of fortune hunters, and the investigator who failed to reclaim her stolen jewels, she’s had enough. However a temporary arranged marriage to Kingston could solve all her problems. It was supposed to be a simple arrangement.
A delightful charming novella, which I read in a sitting, strong characters with depth & a story that never lagged had me engrossed from cover to cover. I loved both Kingston & Vanessa, he was riddled with guilt over his best friend Gabriel’s death, she was wealthy & desperate to escape her stepbrother Owen. Their attraction sizzled but they also liked each other & rapidly fell in love but that wasn’t the arrangement. I loved their journey to a HEA, however the icing on the cake was that characters from the author’s other series made an appearance & Kingston was a descendent of a previous character too
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the second book I've read from this series (the first was The Fall of the Lyon, which I absolutely loved) and when I saw it was available to request I jumped. I just knew I had to continue reading all these amazing stories.
Kingston Barclay has five younger siblings and no money to support them all. He's been away from them for far too long and now it's time to make ammends. Vanessa Becket is set to inherit a cleverly protected fortune in a bit over a week, but she needs help avoiding her awful thieving stepbrother who's envious of all she stands to gain.
When said stepbrother steals her priceless brooch, Vanessa finds herself in the Lyon's Den and face to face with her dead brother's best friend whom she hasn't seen in years. Mrs. Dove-Lyon sees a good match in the making, even though the two end up working out their own deal.
Kingston's siblings are skeptical of the match, but Vanessa is determined to help them...and win their eldest brother's heart in the process.
While I did love the story, I can't give it five stars because some things were missing and/or not used fully.
The biggest example of this is Vanessa's stepbrother. The beginning of the book makes it seem as if he's going to be the main villain and that he's going to stand in the way of their love, possibly even steal something else. But no, after one confrontation we never see him again (and it's not as if he ended up behind bars, we would've been told).
Another example is that most of the book was somewhat slow-burn and then the ending was rushed. It would've been better if the book was a bit longer so the reader could feel the full effect.
Now on to the good stuff.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon gets better and better each time. I love that woman.
The brooch story was clever and so was the idea to have generations of women protect their own fortune from their husbands.
It's good that Kingston was on the way to get his own fortune too, although I'm a bit on the fence about how soon he got it. I'm not saying his siblings could've waited...but, if they already did so for a few years, it wouldn't be that much of a difference.
The romance was cute, with both of them pining for each other and then Nessa making the final move. YOU GO GIRL, SEDUCE YOUR HUSBAND.
The rest of the characters didn't have huge roles but they were nice all the same. I love the abundance of pets.
Speaking of pets, that dedication was so sad. All dogs go to Heaven, you can't convince me otherwise.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Without marrying, Kingston Barclay will not inherit the dukedom, so he plans to find arrange for one with the help of the owner of The Lyon’s Den. This will solve all his financial woes, but all does not go to plan when he finds his best friend’s siter, Vanessa Becket attempting to reclaim jewellery, lost by her stepbrother whilst gambling. A marriage of convenience may not be so easy when emotions run high between the couple.
An entertaining read with great chemistry between the couple. There is plenty of emotion running high in this book, with Kingston hiding many secrets from Vanessa. I enjoyed two characters obviously destined to be together, face the hurdles that their past brings.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.