The Lyon's Perfect Mate
by Cerise DeLand

I love the Lyons Den and this is the first I've read by Cerise DeLand

The story of Cilla and Val is beautiful in every manner. Well written with characters of artfully as always with wonderful personalities. The story takes us on a journey of a newly married couple. Married a business agreement, they merge their strengths and weaknesses into the ideal couple who make great in roads in life. The story was told from the point of realism, emotional maturity as well as a hint of cynicism and gentle strength to overcome adversity.
A wonderful adventure.

Another great read in the Lyon collection. I loved watching these characters learn to get past their traumatic childhoods to build a better relationship with themselves and others. Wonderful!

Another entertaining addition to the Lyon's Den series! After enduring years of suppression at the hands of her parents, Cilla is ready to start her life on her terms. She wants to find a husband with a good reputation to do just that. And she's got the money to make that happen. With a little help from the famous Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Val is an honorable war hero, who has returned to find his estate in financial distress along with his family's reputation, thanks to his family members. He is willing to do whatever it takes to repair the damage done. He learns his younger brother is in debt to Mrs. Dove-Lyon and to clear that debt, he must marry the girl of her choosing. Val goes to confront her about his brother's debt, and ends up being the future groom. When he sees who the bride is, he recognizes her from when she was a child, and then becomes determined to provide her with the patience and support to help boost her self-confidence and self-esteem. They each started out as needing something from the marriage, and their relationship was built on mutual respect. Before long, real feelings began to develop between them, and they each had to figure out what really made them happy.
An engaging story with lovely characters, and I enjoyed following their journey.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

The Lyon’s Perfect Mate by Cerise DeLand
The Lyon’s Den Series

Mrs. Dove-Lyon does it again…she impresses me with her matchmaking acumen and the results are once again…perfection!

What I liked:
* Mrs. Dove-Lyon: Intriguing woman in disguise, manipulative, cunning, wise, and rather wonderful. I would LOVE to know her backstory
* Priscilla Catherine Taunton: survivor, difficult childhood, finally comes into her own after inheriting and setting things right, suffers from PTSD whether she knows it or not, even tempered, wise, giving, wealthy, and someone I would love to have as a friend
* Valerian Sanders Anderleigh, Viscount Mannington de Broke: came into title unexpectedly, Captain and fighting for 8 years, spent time away from home, returns to empty coffers and everything in disarray with hopes to put all right again
* The way Cilla dealt with her last stepmother…loved that!
* Val’s wisdom when it came to pleasing women even though his pride led to some difficult times for him
* The courtship honeymoon shared by Cilla and Val
* The communication between Val and Cilla
* Cilla’s ability to tame Val’s temper…usually
* The way Val’s family was “handled” in a wise and positive manner
* Evers: an extraordinary butler ;)
* All of it really…left me feeling good at the end of the story

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about what Cilla experienced growing up and what Val saw at war

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely

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

5 Stars

Here's another installment of the Lyon's Den Connected World! I absolutely loved this story because of the time period and also because it involves a military 🪖 man, Val, and they always struggle to readjust back into society due to what they have had to do or witness. Priscilla and Val's love story was endearing and 2 people who thought they didn't mean much were a powerful combination together!

Miss Priscilla Taunton is as rich as Croesus. But she can not find someone decent to marry, she wants a child.
Captain Valerian Anderleigh is as honest as they come. So much so it becomes a problem.
I totally enjoyed this book. It gave a different aspect to the marriage mart. I also enjoyed how she portrayed Mrs. Dove-lyon.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

Another entry in the books for Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Here she manipulates a marriage between a woman who only wants to be happy and a man who needs a lot of money. I found it difficult to really get into this story. I thought there were a lot of secondary characters that made a small appearance but had a big impact on the MC's and this was never really fleshed out.

Val kept needed money for his impoverished estates and all the people who he had responsibility over but then he kept saying he didn't want to use Cilla's money. Cilla had tons of money and wanted to use it to buy herself some love. Of course in the end it all works out but it was a struggle to get there.

Can a Lonely Heiress and a Viscount Find Love?

This story is about two people who start a marriage because they need each other. Val needs Cilla’s wealth, and she needs him because she is lonely. Can their need develop into love? They have a good start, working together, but Val does not want to use Cilla’s money. However, money is no object to her. If you like historical romance with steam, you might enjoy this entertaining story.

I enjoyed this story of how two strong-willed people learned that a little compromise can open a world of unexpected love. The story begins with a prologue introducing Priscilla. After a miserable childhood where two stepmothers physically and emotionally abused her, Cilla has reached the age where she has complete control of her inheritance from her father. After learning a little about what she'd been through, I loved seeing her take control of her life. She has big plans for changing her future.

Six years later, we are introduced to Val, Viscount Mannington de Broke, home from the war and newly come into the title. His late father and now deceased older brother beggared the estate with their spendthrift ways, his stepmother and her two daughters continue to do so, and his younger brother, Tom, not only burned through his yearly allowance by March, he also lost a considerable amount of money gambling at the Lyon's Den. Val is furious to learn that young Tom is expected to marry Mrs. Dove-Lyon's choice of a woman to clear his debt. As a man protective of his family and family name, Val rushes off to confront Mrs. Dove-Lyon and ends up as the bridegroom-to-be. His reaction to the identity of his bride-to-be was telling - he remembered her as a child and resolved to help her change and blossom.

The initial meeting between Val and Cilla did not go as either expected. I enjoyed the back-and-forth between them as each jockeyed for their requirements. I liked their honesty with each other and the sense of humor that was also evident. Both traits bode well for their marriage.

One of the things I liked about Val is his sensitivity to Cilla and what she's been through. His respect for her is evident in how he treats her. He has the patience to wait for her to get to know him rather than pushing for everything at once. His main failing is pride, which makes it difficult for him to accept more than the bare minimum of the funds she makes available. Cilla likes, admires, and respects Val, but her insecurities make it difficult for her to believe he would be interested in anything more than their initial agreement. I liked their time together for their honeymoon as they got to know each other. Their attraction was evident, and the passion they shared brought them closer.

But their marriage has its growing pains. Cilla's desire to help her new family runs up against Val's pride and drives a wedge between them. Each must decide if their marriage is worth fighting for and if they can find a way to meet in the middle. I liked the self-reflection that showed neither was blameless in their difficulties and that if they wanted that elusive happiness, each must make some changes. I liked the ending, especially catching up with them a few years later.

The secondary characters added extra depth to the complications of their marriage. As usual, though unconventional, Mrs. Dove-Lyon's talent for making matches remains unchallenged. I liked the firmness she used in her dealings with Val. The brief appearance of Cilla's second stepmother at the beginning of the book gives a brief glimpse of Cilla's treatment at her hands. Val's younger brother, Tom, is young and foolish, which is exactly what Mrs. Dove-Lyons needed to accomplish her plan. Cilla's influence on Val helped him handle Tom with more patience and understanding. Val's stepmother and stepsisters could have been a thorn in everyone's sides, but Cilla's experience enabled her to be the bridge between them and Val. I liked the secondary story involving Natalia.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

Enjoyable and pretty fast moving take from Cerise, cantering around my favourite Hell and Mrs Bessie Lyon it’s proprietress.

Great characters and great story, that keep your attention and fill a wonderful afternoon.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review




Sent from my iPhone

Miss Priscilla Taunton has thrown off the shackles of the past and is making the most of the fortune she inherited. There is only one more thing she wants and hopes Mrs Dove-Lyon can help with that.

Captain Valerian Anderleigh has come back from years at war to find his family on the brink of total ruin. He has no idea how to solve their money troubles.

A sweet historical romance with lovely characters. This book is part of the "Lyon's Den" series. Our devious widow is pulling people's strings and match making as usual.

Good fun.

The story of Cilla and Val is beautiful in every manner. Well written with characters of artfully created personalities, the story takes us on a journey of a newly married couple. Married as a business agreement, they merge their strengths and weaknesses into the ideal couple who make great in roads in life. The story was told from the point of realism, emotional maturity as well as a hint of cynicism and gentle strength to overcome adversity.

I have enjoyed every book in this series. Cilla is looking for a husband that can help her grow and learn to be more of an individual. Val is trying to save his brother and family from the poor house. They strike a deal and learn to help and teach each other about themselves and each other. They have some struggles throughout which makes this a great read.

Captain Val Anderleigh returns home from the wars and military service a hero and a legend. He inherits the title Viscount Mannington, and quickly realizes he is entering a whole new playing field with challenges he is not used to facing. He returns to find his estate flooded and his stepmother and daughters are spending lavishly. Then there is his wild younger brother who has amassed a massive gambling debt at the Lyon's Den. Val approaches Mrs. Dove-Lyon to find a solution to his brother's debt since he does not have the funds to pay it.
Cilla Taunton has had a difficult life between her mother and two stepmothers. After Cilla inherits her father's estate, she works on improving herself in many areas that have been ignored to date. As Cilla works on her self-confidence and self-esteem, she approaches Mrs. Dove Lyon to help her find a husband.
I enjoyed this story very much and Val and Cilla's story. They worked well together, as each had something the other needed. Val initially hated using any of Cilla's inheritance, and Cilla became stronger as Val's wife with the responsibilities given to her. Eventually they each realize they were a perfect match for each other!

Captain Lord de Broke has spent eight years fighting on the continent. As the second son, he never anticipated inheriting the title, a title heavily in debt. Priscilla Taunton had to bide her time until she could claim her inheritance at twenty-one. Three years later, she needs a husband. Mrs. Dove-Lyon will make the match. These two are not strangers to each other, but time and circumstances have made them the partners they both need. Passion and romance, DeLand gives just the right touch for Mrs. Dove-Lyon to once again make the perfect match. The lady matchmaker knows her business.
Mild descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

It is never made clear if our favorite veiled widow masterminded the match between Val and Cilla or if it was a last minute change to her plan, but I like to think she knew how this was all going to work out. There is no way Cilla would have been happy with Thomas. I liked how this book explored the tension that can exist between a couple when they marry because of a desperate need for money. Usually the men are fine with marrying a woman with a hefty dowry in order to refill their bank accounts, but here it is one of the biggest impediments to Cilla and Val finding their happy-ever-after. However, I could not figure out why he was so reluctant to use any of Cilla's money in order to make repairs to what was really "their" home - he continues to go on about how it is "his" estate. I felt like that kept the two of them from really forming a true partnership in their marriage. I will also say that Val is somewhat of a difficult character to like early on; part of me felt like he was just molding Cilla into the woman he wanted her to be rather than allowing her to be who she was. I also wasn't sure whey the author made a big deal about Cilla's stepmother at the beginning since we never see or hear from her again.

The Lyon's Perfect Mate is one of the 44 books in The Lyons Den Connected series, which is written by multiple authors. This is a stand-alone read but includes a few characters in the series.

Viscount "Val" Mannington returns home from eight years of military service to find that his father and older brother who are deceased have left many debts that have not been paid while he was away. His younger brother comes to him to tell him he has lost a sizable amount of money and now will have to marry as a result. Val decides to meet with Mrs. Dove-Lyon to see if he can alter the agreement to marry. After meeting with her he decides that he would be a better match and suggests his own terms as they come to an agreement. He has to marry within a week but needs to meet his bride to be immediately in order to accomplish getting married on time. This meeting will also be a negotiation with each laying out clearly what each other wants and expect from the other.

Priscilla, “Cilla” Taunton, had a difficult upbringing by her mother and father and two stepmothers. As a result, her self-confidence was lacking. Once she comes into her inheritance, she finds she is a wealthy young woman. She begins to make changes in her life so that she may marry. She worked on improving herself so others would not find her lacking. She wants a husband and child. Cilla meets with Mrs. Dove-Lyon in order to hire her to help her find a husband.

Their relationship in the beginning is based on needing something the other could provide. But soon the couple is at odds as they need to find out what is more important Val and his pride to not use so much of Cilla's fortune and Cilla finding her heart's true desire.

This was a wonderful story. I liked the characters and the way they found out what was important for each of them to be happy going forward. I liked Cilla's generous heart and Val's appreciation for all Cilla has provided for his family. In most instances the husband takes the money as his right and doesn't become partners which is what Val and Cilla become. It is a very touching story. A few things are glossed over more as memories which I would have loved for Cilla to have remembered with more detail for us to comprehend the hardships she encountered. The ending wrapped up too quickly. I wasn't ready to finish the story and wanted just a bit more. Still, it is a very good story and worth the time to read.

Mrs. Dove-Lyon was not heavily involved in this story but nonetheless, her matchmaking was brilliant. Val's younger brother lost heavily while gambling at the Lyon's Den. When Val learns of this, he charges over to the club to see what can be done. Not having the funds to pay the debt, Val winds up getting himself pledged in marriage to Cilla. He vaguely recalled meeting her when she was an awkward child. She was now a rich woman and he decided that he would try to make a go of things. When Cilla learns that she has been matched with Val, she is thrilled but also terrified. Surely the handsome young man she remembered, would not want to be with someone like her!
I think that the novella length may have hurt the story somewhat. The relationship of Val and Cilla was beautifully developed, but I felt that some other elements were missing. Maybe the motivations of the characters could have been explored further? She wanted to be more than a pocketbook and he was ashamed when he needed her money. The couple never truly had a conflict, but the dark cloud of their initial marriage arrangement was always hovering.
This is the first book that I've read from this author. Her writing is well paced, and the dialog was rather humorous at times. The clever writing kept things sizzling, to the point where the relative lack of steam was not really noticeable. Unfortunately, the book ended far too quickly for me. Suddenly, I was in the epilogue and I'm not sure how that happened!
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Our Cinderella-ish story has so much going on it is wonderful to see in a new light. How being told you are nothing and will be nothing only to pull yourself up and dust off the naysayers, rise above the pettiness and shine true and bright.

Priscilla Catherine Taunton, our Cinderella, is bold, strong, loving, kind, and generous. She was the opposite in her marriage from what she has seen in her parents.
Suzette Anne-Marie Taunton, née Berthold, was her father’s third wife, the second evil stepmother, is vindictive, demanding, and greedy. She deals her blows verbally, unlike the first evil stepmother,
Mary, a Puritan who loved her strap.
Thanks to a codicile in her fathers will delivered by solicitor, Phillip Quinton, took over from his father, solicitor, Phillip Quinton, Senior, Priscilla has the ability to get her wishes granted. With her new found wealth, bold courage, she kicks her stepmother out and goes after her dream.

Valerian Sanders Anderleigh, now Viscount Mannington de Broke, due to the death of his older brother, Edward, in a duel over a lady.
His younger brother, twenty-two-year-old Thomas, has gambled his year allowance away and more to MS Dove-Lyons and her establishment. His last lost he was given an option which he accepted, a marriage. Valeria declare it will not stand and demands himself take the marriage if the lady is agreeable plus his pride stall on as half the amount owed.
While his twelve-year-old sister, Jessica, is not as familiar with him since he left for the military when she was two, she and he do get along. He however butts heads with his stepmama, Caroline, and her two daughters, Isobelle and Natalia, who just want the glitter and glamour of the hair ton.

Once Val learns who the bride is he sets out to make her shine like he knows she could. As the two get to know each other and how to become husband and wife the have a few issues to work on but mostly get along.

Priscilla was treated poorly all her life. Now she is independent and has worked hard for a new life. Val, Viscount Mannington-Broke (he hates that last name because it is true), is back from the war with a title and an estate in shambles financially. His younger brother is a bit wild. He has lost a considerable amount of money at the Lyon’s Den. Neither he or Val can pay the hefty debt. Of course, Mrs. Dove-Lyon has a plan to clear the debt. Tom must marry. That won’t do, and the groom ends up being Val. The bride, Priscilla, is not unfamiliar to Val. He just hopes she isn’t the shy, scared mouse he remembers. This is another lovely story in the Lyon’s Den World. Bessie Dove-Lyon always has a plan and rarely, if ever, get it wrong. Val and Priscilla will wed. They both have stipulations, and agree to them. They work well together, and Priscilla is just what he and his family need, not just the money, but the gentle lady who comes with it. There are some bumps in the road, some disagreements, but there is also fun, passion, and humor. A lovely story, likable and engaging characters, and a wonderful ending.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.