Such a great book! Most of the books I have read involving the Lyon's Den involve a reluctant male character that is not looking to get married anytime soon and a woman that desperately needs to get married. Those are good but I think this one was better.

The male character is not looking to get married but the idea of doing so doesn't makes him cringe. The woman is in a horrible situation, very well explained, and is considering life as a nun but getting married is not even one of the options crossing her thoughts. When these two end up meeting at the Lyon's Den, things end up weird... because somehow now they have a marriage contract and are eloping to Gretna Green.

Please, read this book to understand how these two end up getting to know each other while getting to Gretna Green... and how this ends up.

Mrs. Dove-Lyon yet again spreads her magic in this latest addition to the Lyon's Den series. Rowan, a Scottish Lord, was friends with Mrs. Dove-Lyon's husband before his passing, and when she calls on him to come to London, he agrees, if nothing to at least honor his late friend's memory. Beatrice's stepbrother wants to get rid of her, and after losing her father, he sends her to an asylum. But then she is offered a choice by Mrs Dove-Lyon's, submit to her step brother's plans, or marry a complete stranger. Rowan lost the love of his life years ago and has no interest in marriage, but he concedes to his friend's widow's wishes. As the two travel back to Scotland, the chemistry between them is clear. But before these two can embark on a happy and peaceful future, there will be some hurdles to encounter along the way.
A delightful and charming addition to the series! I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Lyon’s Roar by Tabetha Waite
The Lyon’s Den

Delightful way to spend my afternoon ~ Loved reading Rowan and Beatrice’s story ~ Great addition to the Lyon’s Den Connected World Series written by a variety of authors.

What I liked:
* Bessie Dove-Lyon: matchmaker, widow, owner of The Lyon’s Den, also known as The Black Widow of Whitehall, financially well off, creative ideas, so far has never had a match go awry…at least not that I have read about
* Rowan Scott, Laird of Garrison: Scottish, retired, knew and admired Colonel Sandstrom T. Lyons, nearly fifty, intrigued by the offer presented by The Black Widow, protective, caring, kind, a good match for Beatrice
* Miss Beatrice Bookbinder: daughter and healthcare giver to her father, put into an asylum by her stepbrother, reminded me a bit of Cinderella, stronger than she appeared at first, a good match with Rowan
* The supporting characters: Smythe/carriage driver, Mrs. Parks/innkeepers wife, thought there were more but…perhaps not
* That Beatrice was saved from a fate probably worse from death by being taken from the asylum
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* That I was able to escape the dreary rain and cold of the village for a few hours and live vicariously reading this charming story
* Thinking about what the future holds for Bessie and Rowan as they are older – will they fill the castle with children as their love grows?

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like – specifically Beatrice’s stepbrother and stepmother
* Thinking about how horrible asylums were and how easy it was for those in power to put family members “away” against their will and often without cause

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

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

5 Stars

Nice story about an older gentleman, near 50, and an older woman, near 40 and she has never been married. They meet via Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, who rescues Beatrice from an asylum. Rowan and Beatrice agree to marry and off they go to Gretna Green. Along the way they spend time together in the carriage, but I didn’t feel they really had enough time to get to know each other well enough. I think if they spent more time at his Scotland home after the wedding, we would have had a better feel for their future relationship, and I would have loved to hear about his ancestral home.

Not knowing why he was summoned he arrives at the Lions Den. Only to discover that he is needed for a rescue.
Pawned off into an asylum she is desperate to escape.
There are several underlying plots and all seems to be good and well. This was not my favorite book by this author. I did not feel like this book deserves a second reading. However it does address some realities and does not end well for everyone. It did however wish that I could read the next one to see if the friend is saved.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with guidelines.

As soon as he could after her father died, Beatrice Bookbinder’s step-brother sent her to an asylum. Bessie Dove-Lyon decides that the lonely abused woman would be a perfect match for an old acquaintance of her husband. Rowan Scott, Laird Garrison, comes from Scotland to answer Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s summons. Rowan and Beatrice, a bit tentatively, to wed. The trip to Rowan’s home in Scotland, by way of Gretna Green, gives them the opportunity to get to know each other, to share secrets, the past, and their hopes. The chemistry between them grows stronger. Perhaps Bessie is right again. Lovely romance and engaging characters.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

The Spinster and the Laird

Mrs. Dove-Lyon decided to match Beatrice, a lady down on her luck, with Rowan, a Scottish laird, not looking for a wife. We know how the lady found Rowan since he knew her husband, but how did she stumble upon Beatrice? Mrs. Dove-Lyon is a resourceful woman.

Rowan might not have been looking for a wife, and Beatrice might have been reluctant to marry a man she did not know. However, surely, marriage must be better than living in the asylum where Beatrice's stepbrother put her after her father died. Then, the two met, and marriage did not seem so distasteful, or just a way out of misery. Happiness just might be in the cards for the couple, but first, they had to get to their destination.

I enjoyed the story, and unlike many readers, I loved the short length. I wanted more to happen to Beatrice's stepbrother. There must be justice, at least in books. Despite this, I recommend this story to lovers of historical romance novellas.

Ordinarily I don’t love an insta story, but when a book is 94 pages long, one can’t really expect a lengthy slow burn. (Bad pun ahead), so knowing that, I went into The Lyon’s Den unaware (this was my first book of the series).

Beginning a new series in the middle is always disconcerting, and going into such a well established series with so many titles and spin-offs was a bit intimidating and I do wish it had been a full length novel as there were a lot of parts that felt incomplete when the story was done and I finished this with more questions than answers.

It probably wasn’t the best title to start the series with, but I’m sure readers of the series will enjoy it.



Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

Good book. Once again, Mrs. Dove-Lyon brings together two people who need each other. Forty-nine-year-old Rowan has led a somewhat lonely life after losing the woman he loved many years earlier, but he isn't interested in risking his heart again. He's surprised to receive a letter from the widow of an old mentor, asking him to come to London. The last thing he expected was a request for him to marry a woman in desperate circumstances. He's wary but listens to what she has to say.

Beatrice spent most of her thirty-seven years taking care of her ailing father while doing her best to avoid her obnoxious stepmother and stepbrother. When her father dies, her stepbrother wastes no time sending Beatrice to a private asylum to get rid of her. She feels hopeless about her future until Mrs. Dove-Lyon offers her a way out - marriage to a stranger.

Bessie Dove-Lyon has incredible insight when it comes to finding the perfect mates for her customers. She somehow knew that Beatrice's plight would arouse Rowan's protectiveness and that her strength of will would stand up to his occasionally overbearing nature. I liked that both insisted on meeting before making a final decision. When they did, Beatrice's beauty and something in her eyes made Rowan believe they would suit, but the kiss he requested sealed the deal. Beatrice was also profoundly affected by it and thought their marriage wouldn't be terrible after all.

And so they set off on the trip to Scotland via Gretna Green. Their constant proximity over the long days of carriage travel gave them time to get to know each other. I loved how well they connected, finding it unexpectedly easy to talk to each other. Neither expected the growing attraction that made it increasingly difficult to keep their hand off each other. Rowan and Beatrice are wary of the speed of their growing feelings, uncertain if the other feels the same. They have some obstacles to overcome on their journey, including an unexpected encounter with Beatrice's nasty stepbrother, but they face them all with humor, teamwork, and passion. I loved the ending and the romantic way Rowan welcomed her to his home.

My only disappointment was that her stepbrother did not get the comeuppance he deserved. Hopefully, that will happen at some point in the future.

An entertaining read with two captivating characters and a steamy relationship that develops inside a marriage of convenience (my favorite trope!). I really felt for Beatrice; it’s really awful to think that many unwanted woman were not so lucky and spent their lives in those terrible places. Rowan is a great character, passionate and kind and honorable. I always like the books of this great interconnected world that centers around the Lyon’s Den.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a short read, but still has the emotional turmoil in a Lyon's Den book. Miss Beatrice Bookbinder was betrayed by her step-brother and placed in an asylum. Mrs. Dove-Lyon sends for Rowan Scott, Laird of Garrison, to take Beatrice as his wife. The first kiss is a positive outlook on their marriage, but Beatrice is not willing to let a man take control of her life again. This one moves pretty fast with the laird and the lady proving once again Mrs. Dove-Lyon made the right match.
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Our Lyon's Den widow is at it again in this historical romance. She's found a woman in desperate need of rescue and a Scottish Laird she believes can help. Our lead characters this time are older than those in most stories of this type. That made a nice change. They have the length of England to learn if they can make it work.

Good fun.

A fast paced story of Beatrice who finds herself sent to an asylum by her devious step brother. Mrs. Dove-Lyon gets her out of there and even arranges a marriage between Beatrice and Rowan. This story didn't have the usual humor or true involvement with Mrs. Dove -Lyon which was a bit disappointing. Plus the secondary characters seemed a bit rushed. Steam ran throughout the story as well as plenty of dialogue between the characters, something I very much enjoyed. Overall nicely done.

Rowan Scott, the Laird of Garrison receives a summons from the widow of a man he’d long admired. However, when he makes the journey from Scotland to London, he hadn’t been prepared for the gaming den owner and matchmaker to approach him with a proposition. Miss Beatrice Bookbinder was a woman long past the blush of youth. She had devoted her life to taking care of her ailing father while dealing with a stepfamily who cared nothing for her. On the heels of a devastating loss, Beatrice is sent to a private asylum by her stepbrother. Mrs. Dove-Lyon offers her a choice—continue the path that has been set before her or embark on a marriage to a complete stranger. She chooses the latter, not knowing that it might just be the best thing that has ever happened to her.
A quick read, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I really liked both Rowan & Beatrice they were both mature & I loved how their feelings grew & deepened on their journey across England. There were some twists & turns, one I wasn’t expecting & one resolution which was the exact opposite to what I was expecting.
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Charisma, Desperation, Romance
This is another Lyons Den story where Ms. Lady Dove Lyon comes through again for another fantastic matchmaking pleasurable story.
It is a short story that has everything I enjoy in a good read.
The beginning has Beatrice in a disturbing and sad situation but at that point I was intrigued with Beatrice's character and the challenges she is to face.
Meeting Rowan who is the epitome of a charming manly rescuer kept my attention with his lusty thoughts and tender kisses.
At first sight the fiery attraction between them takes us from a desperate situation into a whiz-bang romance ride to a happy ending with a couple of jaw-dropping surprises.
My first time reading this author and it was short, jumping right away into a splendid romance story that left me with a smile on my face.
✔Mature rating 2 out of 5

When Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s plays a part in a story, you can expect the unexpected to happen and this story is just that. I loved Beatrice and the fact that she is a survivor even though at the present time it may not seem that way. The big Scot, Rowan could be every woman’s fantasy and he does not disappoint. The matchmaking may not always seem to be the best option but in the end a HEA is obtained. It’s an excellent story but wish it had been a little longer to have fully developed the storyline. I love stories that have an Epilogue, and this one does but it leads into the next match. Would loved to have had a look at their marriage after a year or so to see where they were, especially since they are of an older age than most of the Lyon stories. That being said, I loved the story and would highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

Rowan knew he was being suckered into a situation beyond his control, but when he comes to realize what Beatrice has been through, nothing and no one will hold him back from protecting the woman the Black Widow chose for him as his bride. Not wanting to marry, Rowan nevertheless takes the task of keeping Beatrice safe very seriously. I was disappointed in the outcome to some extent as I would have liked to see Beatrice's step-brother receive his just reward, but things didn't turn out that way. Nevertheless, this novel comes to a happy and sweet conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

The spark of attraction ignited when their eyes first met. It develops into love's roar as they journeyed home into their HEA. A lovely novella full of steam and humour as well as support, understanding, protection and tenderness.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

My first Tebetha Waite book, The Lyon's Roar, is part of the Lyon's Den group of books connected by the gaming hell owner and matchmaker Bessie Dove-Lyon. It was a novella at 103 pages and I found that I was wanting to know more about Rowan and Beatrice! It was unique to have characters in their 30's and 40's and they were more intriguing due to the wealth of background experience between the two. Watching the two discover each other on their trip to Scotland, dealing with obstacles and misunderstandings while trying to understand and resist the rapidly developing attraction all combined to create a sweet love story. Beatrice discovering the wonders of love was written realistically with accompanying feelings of jealousy and lingering insecurities. Rowan's need to protect causes quite a few tense moments as he learns to respect Beatrice. It was a quick road to falling in love.
After they arrive in Scotland, I wanted a few more chapters allowing us to see into their continuing relationship and how they navigate their new marriage. That is not a criticism , but a complement to Tabetha because I was invested characters and their unfolding story.
I enjoyed reading the Lyon's Roar (The Lyon's Den)!
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review based on my personal reading experience.

An ongoing novella series by different authors. I have read a few and enjoy the quick read. This time the matchmaker Bessie from Lyon’s Den saves an unknown from a private asylum. Beatrice was committed there by her evil stepbrother. She is offered a way to escape by marrying a stranger.
Rowan receives a strange summons from his mentor widow, Bessie. He makes haste from Scotland to London only to find out she had matched him with Beatrice.
A bit on the unrealistic side, in my opinion but still a good read. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley LyonsRoar