He falls first...

And he falls hard. This is a gem about Marcus Dandridge, a gaming club owner, who falls for Lady Joanna at first sight and the lengths he goes to in order to gain her favor and her hand in marriage. He's crafty and fighting a huge class divide and her family and ton circle, to obtain his hearts desire. Lady Joanna. Joanna is intrigued and flattered by Marcus. She's young and not quite sure what to make of him. Just go with it, men like Marcus don't come around every day, if ever.
Recommend.

This book in The Lyon's Den Connected World series is extremely heartwarming and captivating. Rhe drama, action, past grievances, intrigue, family issues, attempted murder, and other emotional issues kept me very entertained. The characters were both tenacious, strong-willed, and very much in love. I enjoyed how their beautiful love for one another came a class difference, and family issues to become a forever love. I highly recommend reading!

Marcus fell in love with Joanna when he first saw her. However, he is from a poor background and made his money by running gambling dens. Knowing she is far above him in social class, Marcus attempts to force a marriage by blackmailing her brother, Geoffrey (The Lyon's Paw). This rightfully angered Geoffrey, who took steps to ensure that Marcus couldn't get near her. Desperate to win the lady, Marcus goes to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help.

Joanna is unimpressed with the men she has met so far. But a single dance with the mysterious Mr. Dandridge piques her interest, especially when her brother makes his displeasure known. Her attempt to meet with him ends in disaster, with Geoffrey even more determined to keep them apart.

Marcus doesn't give up and, through some deception, acquires an invitation to the same house party that Joanna attends. His arrival and unmasking show his determination and his negotiating skills. Seeing Marcus and Joanna convince their host to allow him to stay was fun. Marcus's attention gives Joanna the courage to be herself, and there are some amusing moments when she ruffles the feathers of the more conservative attendees at the party. I loved Marcus's matter-of-fact acceptance of her complaints and his willingness to do something about them. It doesn't take long for Joanna to return Marcus's feelings.

I loved the development of Marcus and Joanna's relationship. The depth of his feelings for her is evident throughout the book. While he is determined to win her heart, he also wants to protect her and her reputation. Joanna doesn't care what people think; she just wants the man she loves. The ups and downs of their road to happiness kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. The intense event that tipped the scales emphasized their feelings for each other. The ending was terrific, and I loved the epilogue.

This book was unusual in that Mrs. Dove-Lyon plays a very minor role. Rather than being the matchmaker that brings two people together, she is more of an advisor to Marcus.

When Marcus,aka Dandy, has trouble capturing the love of his life, he turns to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help. Always the matchmaker, Mrs. Dove-Lyon does her best to bring Marcus and Lady Joanna together. There are conflicts and hurdles to overcome which is why these stories are so popular among us. Only the best authors get to delve into Mrs. Dove-Lyon's world to bring the readers joy, happiness and romance.

Well written, but I would expect nothing less when it comes to this series and the authors who contribute.

Although this historical romance is part of the Lyon's Den world, our infamous black widow doesn't make the match this time. She just tries to talk some sense into someone who needs it.
Our hero is not part of society. He has dragged himself and his family up out of poverty. Consequently when he falls in love at first sight with a high society lady it's not going to be well received.
Our heroine is a lady with a mind of her own. Unfortunately her brother is being rather disagreeable about her choices.
We get a little intrigue and naughtiness from or characters. They have an almost impossible task ahead of them.
Good fun.

When a man loves a woman, he will do whatever he can to win the approval he needs to woo her, even if it is totally outrageous. At times, Marcus, otherwise known as Dandy, causes more friction than goodwill, but with Bessie Dove-Lyon's advice, he slowly makes inroads to achieving his goal of winning Lady Joanna's heart. He discovers that she has a mischievous streak, and when it comes to spending time with her, he quickly realizes that if he is to win her over, he needs to be somewhat unconventional. The novel ends on a delightful note with Joanna discovering a whole new world and Marcus finally finding the balm he needs for his wounded soul. I received a copy of this entertaining romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I really like this book it was a great tale with good characters and settings. I received a review copy from NetGalley but the views and opinions expressed herein are my own.

Loved reading the fabulous and fantastic romance story. Even though Joanna's brother doesn't want Marcus to have anything to do with Joanna, Marcus goes to great lengths to spend time with Joanna. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story.

Thank you NetGalley. The first time Marcus saw Joanna, He fell in love with her. He owned gambling clubs and was not in the same class as she was. He asked her brother for her hand in marriage but he told Marcus never would he allow them to marry. Marcus tries different situations for them to meet but her brother gets in the way. Finally they meet at a hunting party and now that she has been given a chance to get to know Marcus without her brother there she falls in love with him. But will they ever be together?

I adore a historical romance where a man is all for women doing what they want to and learning things society deems "unacceptable", so suffice to say I rather enjoyed the MMC and his adoration for the FMC in this installment in the Lyon's Den series.

I really liked the connection between Marcus and Joanna, it felt very genuine and caring. He is honestly just so down bad for her, it was exciting to read about him doing all these cute things just to be able to get a HEA with her.

I thought it was interesting that the Black Widow had very little intervention in the pairing for this story, but it was nice to see a sort of different aspect of her just being a friend to Marcus and encouraging him to go for the girl he wants on his own accord.

Marcus Dandridge has been in one with Lady Joanna ever since the first time he glimpsed her.
Her brother has refused his hand in marriage due to his dubious background.
But Marcus will not give up. He tries multiple ways to gain her for a wife.
An entrancing love story watching him capture her attention and his never give in attitude.

Ruthless, wealthy, social outsider Marcus Dandridge has fallen in love. Hard. So hard he’s already attempted to force marriage to Lady Joanna Longford by means of blackmail and failed utterly, gaining the eternal enmity of her brother. Now desperate, Marcus consults his friend, Mrs. Dove-Lyon at The Lyon’s Den. Lady Joanna Longford, just out and already bored by the conventional gentlemen she’s met, is suddenly intrigued by the darkly handsome Mr. Dandridge.
Another lovely addition to this connected world, although Mrs Dove-Lyons offers advice rather than matchmaking in this book. I loved Marcus who had fallen for Joanna at first sight & he is determined to make her his wife but her brother is equally determined to stop him. I also like Joanna who also fell for Marcus. Their journey to a HEA wasn’t easy but it did make for a very good & enjoyable read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Debts, Donations, Determination:
Ms. Jaxon is a new author for me and the story had interesting characters. Marcus was awesome in his patience, attraction and determination towards Joanna who was above Marcus in social society. Which caused her brother to make the most friction for a budding romance.
This Lyons Den book was a little off for me. The black widow really didn't take up much of a part of the match making like she usually does.
The story dragged a bit, but the last few chapters brought the romance story together for a very rewarding and passionate wedding night along with a HEA ending.

The Dandy Lyon is next book in The Lyon's Den Connected World series.

This book begins with Marcus Dandridge who is not of ton but has worked his way to become very wealthy. It is not so much that he wants to become one of them, more about that he saw Lady Joanna Longford and felt an instant connection to her unbeknownst to her. He tried to use methods that were not honorable and that failed miserably. It also did not endear him to Joanna's brother who is anxious to get her married and quickly. He consults with Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help, and she offers her advice.

Joanna's brother is a stuffed shirt believing men are born gentlemen by birth. Little does he know that Marcus is a better man than anyone he has ever known. It will be up to Marcus and Joanna to perceiver, if they want to be together.

This was a quick afternoon read. The characters are wonderful, and the story is entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed this welcome addition to the series.

The love Marcus has for Joanna is beautiful. He knows when he first sees her that she is the one for him. Unfortunately he is not a member of the ton. He owns gambling clubs. Their story is one of instant attraction and fighting to be able to be together. An enjoyable read!

I loved everything about this story, especially Marcus and Joanna. The attraction is instant but forbidden by her brother and society at that time. I like that they were both strong enough to fight for what they want and not give up. It is a long, hard struggle to finally get their HEA. The story is well written and entertaining. There are some surprises along the way that added to the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

This is a darker Lyon’s Den story than what is normally written and I found myself not liking the MMC character much at first. Marcus is born on the poverty side of society and works hard to make his way to the wealthy side , though hardened and vicious at times. But it is the way he melts into a puddle at the sight of the beauty, Joanna, that turns my emotions around. His suit of her is rejected soundly by her brother-for good reason (in my opinion) but watching him love Joanna from afar is so sigh worthy. What he goes through to win her hand shows his love beyond measure and the climax is definitely not what I expected. The wedding night scene was so precious as Joanna deals with her fear and longing. Their chemistry jumps off the page and I adored how he cared for her, no matter the cost to himself. Watching Joanna’s feistiness deal with her unrelenting brother was a bit of a hoot as well. An enjoyable story, though a bit different from the rest of the series.

I received this story for free and these are my own views.