Lyon of the Highlands by Emily Royal
The Lyon’s Den Connected World

Wilhelmina “Mina” Redstone was a pawn, chattel, used and abused by the men that should have loved and cared for her. Damaged after over a decade with her horrible husband, he dies. She is free of him but not free of the demons that follow and suffers nightmares, fears, and what sounds a lot like PTSD. Can she find happiness and heal? Her stepson’s wife believes she can and suggests the perfect way to make sure this time Mina chooses the perfect man to marry.

What I liked:
* Duncan: laird of his clan, a gentle giant, bold, kind, capable, sensitive, caring, nurturing, and perfect for Mina
* Mina: widow with a difficult backstory, has trust issues, survivor, endures horrible headaches, loves children, is safe with Duncan
* Lily: her stepson’s wife who met her husband through the Lyon’s Club – missed her story but like her
* Flora: Mina’s new sister-in-law, caring, kind, wise, mother, takes no guff from the men, Mina’s champion
* The tender care Duncan took of Mina
* The trust that Mina was gradually able to enjoy…as well as other things
* The growth in more than one character during the story
* Big Hamish: a stag that made a difference

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The idea that women were chattel without rights and owned by men in their lives…couldn’t have been easy

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade for the ARC – This is my honest review

5 Stars

This is The Lyon's Den Connected World from Various Authors. My first book from this author, and it is an interesting story. Matchmaking to another level, wow.

Mina a widow have trauma for previous husband, being blame and cant get pregnant make her drown in negative thinking. Burden. Unworthy. Not wanted. She longing for her own family and then Lily sugest to find a husband.

Duncan search wife with dowry to build his castle into glory again. He go to Lyon den and do some test. The question games was funy but so clever!.

When they married and Mina move to Kilduggan Scotland, it is not easy to adapt but she try. She want to be strong and brave, leave her past behind. Duncan support her in many way, he want to protect her.They relationsip star building with trust, they fall for each other.

“Hold on to me, lass,” he said. “I’ll be here to catch ye when ye fall—and to show ye how to be strong, so that ye'll never fall again"

#LyonoftheHighlands #LyonDen #LyonDenBooks #EmilyRoyal #DragonbladePublishing #NetGalley #ARC

A Tender Passionate Story

I think this has to be one of my favourite stories within the Lyon’s Den series. Duncan was sexy, passionate beast of a highlander but with a gentle soul and one who worshiped women and knew how to treat them!

When he won Mina at the Lyons Den, he knew it would be hard to gain her trust, he could see something had happened to her previously but he’d take each day as it came and win her trust with his tenderness and understanding.

A beautiful well written story, some funny moments, passion and steamy moments, both their personalities shining through on every page! I have to say the questions had me giggling. A forever love that grows from trust with a really beautiful ending!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Although Laird Duncan MacLeish didn't ride in on a white horse, he nevertheless represents everything that Lady Wilhelmina Redstone needs in her life. Broken and lacking self-confidence, she agrees to her daughter-in-law's plan to find a husband who will love and protect her. Espying the lady with soulful eyes on the balcony at the Lyon's Den, Duncan agrees to play the games the Black Widow decrees, little realizing that he holds the winning ticket. When introduced to Wilhelmina, he no longer cares about the dowry she will bring into the marriage, everything in him calls to his protective instincts and he knows that Wilhelmina needs him at an elemental level. Marriage is by no means smooth sailing, but bit by bit, Duncan helps Mina to bury her demons and deal with the past. An extraordinary encounter brings the restoration that Minda desperately needs and in Duncan, her heart is made whole once again. Beautifully written and heart-warming, this novel touched me and I found I was reluctant to put it down when I came to the last page. I received a copy of this wonderful romance through Dragonblade and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

An unusual path to getting married, a woman with a tragic pastand living with the painful consequences, a man with a need for her dowry does not bode well for the future. But one can’t help but feel awed at her strength and admire his support and caring as well as the other characters in the story that a tissue might be required for their HEA.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

Anytime I see an Emily Royal book on NetGalley, I jump at the chance to read it. I love her swoon-worthy historical romances, and Lyon of the Highlands is no exception. The story is part of The Lyon’s Den world, and after reading half a dozen books in this world by a variety of authors, I was eager to see who Bessie Dove-Lyon, the proprietress of The Lyon’s Den, would pair next. And boy did she help to make a fantastic match!

The story follows Laird Duncan MacLeish, who goes to the Lyon’s Den because he needs to marry a woman of wealth to save his land from bankruptcy, and Wilhelmina “Mina” Redstone whose relative convinces her to make a match at the Lyon’s Den. Duncan is the only one who easily passes the unconventional test given, and though they seem a bit mismatched, Duncan and Mina are a wonderful pair.

Duncan is so kind, caring, and patient, and his treatment of Mina is lovely. He sees her so clearly from the first moments he meets her, and he is unbelievably supportive. I love how tenderly he treats her and how deeply he cares for her. Mina never really experienced love and caring from a man before, so to have this big burly teddy bear of a man show her affection and love is astonishing to her. I thought Duncan was super swoon-worthy!! He takes Mina under his wing, brings her into the fold of his family, and shows her what it means to be loved. It is sweet and heart-warming, as are many of the people that welcome Mina.

After an abusive marriage, Mina is broken. She is so timid and frightened, and she struggles with migraines, her need for laudanum, and her lack of self-worth. As she gets to know Duncan and his people, she slowly begins to heal, gain confidence, and see a promising and full future for herself. Her journey is transformative in the best of ways.

I also love that Mina is befriended by a strong and outspoken woman. Duncan’s cousin-by-marriage is feisty and opinionated, and she quickly takes Mina under her wing. She’s like a protective mama bear, especially when it comes to the treatment of Mina, and she puts more than one person in check. I think it’s great that Mina has a woman like this to support, encourage, and befriend her. There are great messages about female empowerment and friendship.

Though the story deals with heavy topics like addiction, abuse, and trauma, it is balanced by the friendships, the growth, and the love story. As I mentioned before, the book is part of The Lyon’s Den world, but you don’t have to read the other books in the series to follow this one. It is easily read as a standalone.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

I absolutely adored this story! A quick read, everything here worked for me, and was exactly what I didn’t know that I needed to read ❤️

This was my first book of Ms. Royal’’s. At this point, I’ve already borrowed more on Kindle Unlimited, so it's fair to say that it absolutely won't be my last.

4 Stars!! Cute & enjoyable book. This is part of the ‘Lyon’s Den Connected World’ series and can be read as a standalone. The main characters, Duncan & Mina, were perfect for each other. Duncan was so kind, caring & patient with Mina. Mina was timid, scared & came off as a bit weak. I do prefer strong female characters but still enjoyed reading this book. The epilogue was a great way to wrap up the story. This was my first time reading this author and I’d definitely plan to check out her other books!
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

He needs a wife with money and she needs a man who will love her and protect her so they both ask the help of madame Lyon . After what she had suffered from her late husband she feels unworthy , unloved and because she has migraines she takes laudanum . He tries to make her happy and be part of his family . Will she be able to fight the nightmares of the past and be truly happy and loved ?
I received this book from netgalley and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .