The Lyon Who Loved Me - Tracy Sumner (Dragonblade - Sept 2023)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 43)
 
Where broken engagements unveil hidden passions...
 
Wilhelmina Wright's unwavering determination for independence fuels her quest to find a desperate husband who has no choice but to embrace her fierce spirit. Enter the daring matchmaker, Bessie Dove-Lyon, who sees Wilhelmina as a risky yet captivating gamble. Who better to pair Wilhelmina with than her incorrigible nephew, Griffin Beckett, Viscount Kent?
 
A viscount enters the treacherous realm of love...
 
When Griffin is kidnapped on his wedding day, escape becomes his utmost priority, leaving apologies to his almost-wife for later. Little does he know that his path will again cross Wilhelmina’s when she’s forced to save him from himself.
 
Amidst broken engagements, hidden motives and second chances, Wilhelmina and Griffin must confront their pasts to unravel the true meaning of love and trust.
 
Can they find their way back to each other, or will they forever be lost in the shadows of a passion that threatens to destroy them?
 
Another good Lyon's Den book. I'm late to the party with this series, but I thoroughly enjoy them. In this story, Wilhelmina goes to Mrs. Dove-Lyons for help finding a husband. She's looking for a man who needs her money enough to support her unorthodox activities. Mrs. Dove-Lyons has the perfect candidate - her late husband's nephew, Griffin. Neither she nor Mina expected Griffin to be a no-show on their wedding day.
 
Griffin's estates are debt-ridden, thanks to his younger brother's gambling. He agrees to the marriage, but he is kidnapped before he can carry out his promise. His abductors require him to work for them until his debts are paid off but allow him to become a partner and earn a percentage of the profits. So he rolls up his sleeves and goes to work.
 
Almost a year later, we find Griff hiding outside the Lyon's Den in the dark. He's injured and feverish, and Mrs. Dove-Lyons is the only one he can trust, though he knows he's still in her black books from the wedding that never was. I liked the conversation between Griff and her; she would not let him off lightly from the previous year's debacle. Neither has she given up on making the match and turns Griff over to Mina for healing.
 
I enjoyed watching this relationship develop. Mina is in no hurry to forgive Griff for his actions, even after she knows the truth. She has another possible suitor in mind. But she didn't count on the sparks of interest and attraction resurrected when they met again. She also didn't expect Griff's determination to marry her.
 
Despite his rakish reputation, Griff is a good man with a generous and protective heart. That protectiveness is aroused as he gets to know Mina and becomes aware of her activities. Their banter is fun, as Mina is a strong, independent woman who knows what she wants, and Griff intends to take care of the woman he's come to care for. The painting scene was exciting and showed how they began to respect and support each other. I loved Griff's grand gesture at the end and how it showed how well he knew, understood, and loved her.
 
The epilogue was terrific. I enjoyed seeing Griff's hint of vulnerability while Mina is as strong and confident as ever.

Coulda Been a Cowboy - Brenda Novak (HQN - Mar 2014)

Series: Dundee Idaho (Book 8)
 
Old-fashioned values never go out of style
 
Grandpa Garnier used to say, Love is like a bucking bronco. It takes guts and determination to hang on, but it's worth the ride.
 
If only Grandpa was around now to help Tyson Garnier out of this mess. The famous pro football player is suddenly saddled with a very public scandal--and an illegitimate child. Tyson needs a good nanny now if he's going to salvage his career. And plain, no-nonsense Dakota Brown is the ideal candidate.
 
Dakota doesn't care for football or a man who doesn't seem to want his own son. But she needs this job, and that precious little baby needs her.
 
Dakota isn't Tyson's kind of woman. But the more he sees of her--and the more he sees of his son--the harder he wants to hang on.
 
Good book. Tyson is a pro football player in a world of trouble. He has an injured knee and must get back into shape before the season starts. He discovered he'd had a child with a woman he'd spent a short time with. He wasn't happy about that, as he'd never intended to have children but paid child support. Then he found out she wasn't taking care of little Braden properly and was able to get sole custody - which only cost him a million dollars. But that isn't enough for Rachelle, who begins making accusations of heinous behavior by Tyson, potentially costing him his job and endorsements. To top everything off, Tyson has no idea how to care for a baby and no interest in learning. So, he is in search of a nanny.
 
Dakota has lived in Dundee all her life. Her mother died when Dakota was young, leaving her to be raised by her father. By the time this story begins, Dakota is twenty-six and lives with her father, who is sick and off and on abusive to her. Things in their past make her unwilling to leave him, so she works in town to make ends meet. A friend recommends her to Tyson as a nanny for Braden. I loved how Dakota was unimpressed by Tyson's fame and money and dismayed by his apparent lack of interest in his son. His desperation for her help was evident in the way he tried to get her to start that day.
 
I liked watching the relationship develop between Tyson and Dakota. Though the sparks of attraction are there, both try to ignore them. Instead, they form a solid friendship. I liked how Dakota supported Tyson as he faced Rachelle's unfounded accusations, especially the day the police detective came to question him. I also liked how Tyson was there to help Dakota deal with her father. His solution worked well to get her out of danger and help keep her father out of trouble. I enjoyed seeing their friendship grow and how Dakota helped Tyson learn to love Braden through her example.
 
Dakota didn't take too long to realize that her heart was in danger. Not only did she love little Braden, but Tyson was also becoming more important to her. She knows they have no future, as she is tied to Dundee, and Tyson will return to California for football season. What was fun and frustrating was watching Tyson fight his feelings. He did everything he could to convince himself he didn't care, even going so far as to introduce her to other men. The scenes at his barbecue were hilarious, especially his reaction to Dakota spending time with Joe.
 
While that broke through some of Tyson's resistance, he still refused to see the truth of his feelings. His issues cause him to pull away from Dakota, and she realizes that his fears are stronger than what they have between them. I liked that Dakota stood up for her needs and made plans to do what was right for her. Tyson earned his misery, and it took some straight talk from his friend Gabe for him to see the truth. His big moment at the end was a bit over-the-top, as he made his plans without asking the question first, but it worked out for him. The epilogue was good.

Vengeful Vows - Yvonne Lindsay (HD #2658 - Apr 2019)

Series: Marriage at First Sight (Book 3)
 
When she says “I do,” her plan is set in motion…
 
An arranged marriage to Galen Horvath is step one in Peyton Earnshaw's revenge against his family. For his part, the CEO only agreed to an arranged marriage to provide a stable home for his young ward. When desire ignites between them, Peyton starts to dream of a future with Galen. But what will happen when her secrets resurface?
 
Good marriage of convenience story with some twists. Galen wants to give his ward, a little girl named Ellie, a stable home after the trauma of losing her parents. He uses his grandmother's matchmaking program to find a suitable wife. He's not looking for a grand passion, only someone compatible with whom he can make a life.
 
Peyton is out for revenge against the Horvath family, especially the matriarch Alice, whom she blames for the devastation her family experienced. She manipulates the matchmaking program to ensure that she is matched with Galen. She expects the marriage to get her close enough to the family that she can get the information she needs for her exposé.
 
I liked Galen. He is intelligent, kind, and protective of those he loves. I loved seeing him with Ellie, who adores him. His sympathy and understanding of her loss is heartwarming.
 
I had a harder time liking Peyton. Her focus on revenge prevented her from seeing the possible collateral damage. She also allowed her personal bias to influence her research instead of the balanced writing she is known for.
 
Having never met before the wedding day, neither Galen nor Peyton knew what to expect from each other. The sparks of attraction are undeniable, but Peyton resists as long as she can. She has no intention of remaining in the marriage, and intimacy will complicate matters. However, during their "honeymoon," Peyton tries to guard her heart from more pain but discovers that Ellie and Galen have wiggled past her walls.
 
Galen quickly realizes that he has fallen hard for Peyton but can sense that she is hiding something. I liked his patient hope that she'll open up to him. I liked how he made Peyton part of parenting Ellie, even though she initially tried to hold back.
 
When the truth comes out, Peyton and Galen must decide if their marriage is worth saving. Grandmother Alice plays a big part in the ending as she reminds Peyton that every story has two sides. I ached for Peyton as she looked at her past from a new perspective. There's a twist that surprises Peyton, though I had my suspicions. I also hurt for Galen and his feelings of betrayal when he learned the truth. It takes a little time for each to realize that they belong together. I liked Galen's determination to convince Peyton of his love.
 
The ending was good, as Alice's matchmaking program and her instincts proved right again. 

Chef Sugarlips - Tawna Fenske (Capstone - May 2018)

Series: Ponderosa Resort (Book 2)
 
Sean Bracelyn can whip up a saffron-laced lobster risotto in his sleep, but relationships? That's one recipe he hasn't nailed. Not that he has time, between launching a new restaurant and building a luxury resort with his awkwardly blended family. But when his dream girl nearly knocks him unconscious with a dead turkey, it's all Sean can do to keep his eyes on the gazpacho and off Amber King's perfect curves.
 
Amber's done with guys propping her on a pedestal. Transforming her family's reindeer ranch into a country-chic wedding venue is consuming enough, and the last thing she needs is an extra serving of love drama. So what is it about the stupid-sexy chef that gets her desires bubbling like a pot of hot spaghetti?
Keeping their distance is tough enough before Sean and Amber get tossed together by wacky weddings, lingerie mishaps, and a surly three-legged cat. When Sean's mom shows up to dish out huge helpings of family drama, a big secret threatens to spread faster than a kitchen fire.
 
Can Sean and Amber find the right blend of sugar and spice, or will love fall flat as a burnt soufflé?
 
Fun book. Amber is the co-owner of the local reindeer ranch, along with her sister Jade. Her love life has been unsatisfactory, thanks to guys who stick her up on a pedestal instead of seeing the woman she is. So, she is concentrating on turning the ranch into a wedding venue. When she runs into a catering issue, she heads next door to the soon-to-open Ponderosa Resort to talk to Sean, the chef at the resort's restaurant.
 
Sean is a Michelin-starred chef who is heavily involved in the start-up of the resort and his restaurant. That leaves no time for relationships, which is okay with him. His success rate is dismal, with women claiming he is too closed off. He has no idea how his life is about to change.
 
I loved the initial meeting between Sean and Amber. He's so stunned by her beauty that he falls off the ladder. Once he recovers, they talk about a few things, including that neither is looking for a relationship (despite the sparks flying between them) and that Amber is looking for someone to cater one of their weddings. Sean's enthusiasm was adorable, especially as he won't be doing catering on a regular basis.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Sean is adorably tongue-tied and/or flummoxed whenever he is around Amber. Seeing him impress her with everything from cooking to helping with her sister's cat clinic was fun. He has a savior complex, as he seems compelled to want to help whenever he sees someone in trouble. Amber is just as attracted to Sean and often gets flustered around him, too. Plenty of sweet moments between them, and some funny situations bring them closer together. I especially enjoyed the wedding reception he rescued and its unexpected aftermath.
 
But not everything is smooth sailing. Sean's mother unexpectedly visits the resort, leaving Sean wondering what she's up to. Theirs is a strained relationship, the reasons for which are heartbreaking and the root cause for Sean's inability to be open with those closest to him. Keeping his mother's presence secret eventually comes back to bite him when Amber believes he doesn't trust her or care for her. I ached for them both, especially for Sean, as he had to face the issues he's been burying for years. I liked the ending and the realism of knowing they each have work to do, but doing it together is best for both.
 
I loved seeing the family dynamics. Amber's relationship with her sister is close, and I like how they support each other. Sean's family has an interesting background, and it is easy to see the effects on each sibling. I loved how they are developing the resort together, each having a particular set of needed skills. I especially enjoyed how everyone stood behind Sean to support him while he was dealing with his mother. I can't wait to read the rest of the books. 

 

Wyoming Cowboys - Regan Black, Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Pub - Sept 2023)

Series: Never Too Late for Love: Wyoming Cowboys (Books 1 - 3)
 
Maria's Cowboy

Maria Boyne feels like she’s living inside a country song, and not in a good way.
 
Everything that could possibly go wrong has... from a husband who died and left her with major debt on her tiny ranch, to a horse that’s gone missing, to feeling like she’s being watched.
 
At 50, she never thought this was the life she’d be living: alone, broke, and scared.
 
Cowboy Huck Samuels came to Sweet Pine, Wyoming to work on a friend’s ranch and start a new life. Most people assume his scars and limp are from his rodeo days.
 
That’s better than them knowing the truth.
 
When the gentle beauty at the neighboring ranch needs help with her horses, one of the few things Huck’s ever been good at, he’s more than happy to volunteer.
 
It doesn’t take him long to realize Maria’s string of bad luck is actually something much more sinister. And that, despite his injuries, he’s not going to let her face them alone.
 
It’s not too late for him to be the man he once was.
 
And it’s never too late for love.
 
Terrific combination of romance and suspense. Maria is the widowed owner of a struggling ranch. When her husband died, he left her with a lot of debt she is slowly paying down. But lately, it seems like nothing is going right. Her best horse has gone missing, putting her riding lesson business in jeopardy. the debt feels overwhelming, and she feels like she's being watched. When her friend drags her to a bar for a night out, Maria meets Huck, a cowboy she thinks is just passing through. She connects with him and relieves her loneliness with him, believing he'll be gone the next day.
 
Huck is a former rodeo cowboy who has been hired as foreman on his friend Cole's ranch. He has some pain in his past that makes it difficult to believe in a happy future for himself. He's surprised to see Maria again, and hopes to get to know her better.
 
I ached for Maria and all the trouble she has. Because of it, she's started avoiding people, tired of being the one who needs help. But when her horses get sick and she has an intruder on the ranch, Huck suspects that what she has isn't bad luck, it's vandalism. He believes someone has a vendetta against her. Even with that knowledge, Maria is reluctant to accept Huck's help. It takes a great deal of patience and understanding for Huck to work past Maria's pride. When the person working against her goes too far, Huck is there to save the day.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Each has a lot of pain in their past, but patience and understanding helps them realize that a happier future is possible. I liked seeing them together, from sharing their pasts to working around her ranch. The sparks between them are undeniable, and that attraction also brings them closer. I loved the ending and the epilogue and seeing how their lives have changed.
 
 
Teresa's Cowboy
 
Teresa is a city girl, on the run after she witnessed a murder. She stops running in Sweet Pines, Wyoming, when she is offered a job at the coffee shop there. Add in the attentions of local rancher Cole and she feels she has found a safe haven. Then her past catches up to her.
 
This is the story of Cole, a secondary character in the first book (Maria's Cowboy) and Teresa, a newcomer to town. Cole has been smitten with Teresa since she arrived in town, but is slow about asking her out - until his friends Huck and Harvey tease him into it. Unfortunately for Cole, Teresa is wary of getting involved as she initially doesn't plan to stay in Sweet Pines. But when Teresa's past comes looking for her, Cole steps in and offers her a place at his ranch.
 
It isn't long before the time they spend together shows that Teresa's attraction to Cole is as strong as his is to her. I enjoyed seeing Cole introduce the city girl to ranch life, and how easily Teresa took to it. I loved seeing her make friends and begin thinking about a future there.
 
Ricky, the man after Teresa, shows up in town looking for her, but leaves when the town rallies around her to convince him she isn't there. But I spent a lot of time waiting for the other shoe to drop, sure that he would return. I was on the edge of my seat when he made his move, knowing that Teresa was in terrible danger. I loved that she kept her head and took steps to try to save herself. I felt Cole's fear when he realized she was missing and his determination when he went after her. I laughed out loud at Harvey's way of helping and was glued to the pages during the final confrontation.
 
The ending was sweet, and the epilogue was fantastic. I loved Cole's big moment.
 
 
Callie's Cowboy
 
Callie is on the run from an abusive ex and hides on a trail ride led by Harvey, one of Cole and Huck's rodeo friends. Their attraction is clear, but Callie's lack of honesty could pull them apart.
 
Sweet Pines, Wyoming, is the latest stop in Callie's attempt to escape from Calvin, the abusive ex who won't give up. Before she can check into her rental house, she comes to the aid of Olivia, a young woman who fell and sprained her ankle. As a nurse, Callie knew what to do and helped her to the hospital. There, she discovered that Olivia had planned to go on a trail ride that is now impossible. Desperate to get a few days respite, Callie takes Olivia's name and place on the trail ride.
 
Harvey is bowled over by the beautiful woman who showed up late and ill-prepared for the trail ride. He senses that something isn't right and is ready to send her back when she comes to the rescue of a snake-bit rider. Against his better judgment, he allows her to continue, fighting his attraction to her.
 
The trip into the mountains is a rollercoaster of good and bad. Harvey and Callie grow closer as they spend time together, but he becomes more convinced that she is hiding something. There are moments of sweet connection between them, such as sharing the beauty of nature around them. But a possible intruder in the camp one night ends the trip early, and a violent storm separates Harvey and Callie from the rest of the group. Then Harvey discovers Callie's deception, and his feelings of hurt and betrayal drive a wedge between them.
 
Callie and Harvey were miserable after their parting, with Callie's guilty feelings piling on to her heartbreak. Fortunately, both receive some good advice that brings them back together. I liked how Callie opened up to Harvey about her past and her fear, and Harvey's promise to keep her safe. Things look promising for their future until her past rears its ugly head. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see how it worked out. The resolution was fantastic.
 
I loved the ending and seeing Callie and Harvey find happiness together. The epilogue was great, and Harvey's surprise for Callie was sweet.
 
 
In all three stories, the couples are older, in their forties or fifties. It's great to see romances that show that love has no age limit. Though the "I love yous" came quickly, the epilogues show that the couples take time to get to know each other. 

Navy SEAL's Deadly Secret - Cindy Dees (HRS #2074 - Jan 2020)

Series: Runaway Ranch (Book 1)
 
He made it home from a war zone.
But danger remains in the mountains of Montana…
 
Navy SEAL Brett Morgan has come home to recover after a disastrous deployment, desperate to remember what happened. As he struggles to find his feet as a civilian, he intervenes in an armed robbery, saving the life of waitress Anna Larkin. But there's more to Anna's past than meets the eye and as that past circles dangerously closer, Brett will have to draw on all of his combat experience to keep them both alive..
 
This book pulled me in and kept me hooked from start to finish - though Harlequin's titling department blew it on this one. Brett is not a Navy SEAL and never has been. He was in the Army's Special Forces, a Ranger. Nor did he have a deadly secret.
 
After his last disastrous deployment, Brett returned to his hometown and his family's ranch. Hurting in mind, body, and soul, he can't remember the events leading up to the event that left him and the dog Reggie as the only survivors. Fighting survivor's guilt and PTSD, Brett has holed up in a cabin on the ranch, drinking too much and only leaving the cabin once a month for supplies. Everything changes during his latest trip to town when he saves a waitress from an armed robber.
 
Anna left town right after graduation, along with the town's golden boy, Eddie. Both had Hollywood dreams that turned into a nightmare for Anna. She gave up her dreams to support them while Eddie drank and drugged his life away. Eddie became an abusive husband, and her time with him was heartbreaking. Her escape from him left her with deep-seated feelings of guilt and a belief that she didn't deserve to live. That belief is front and center when a drugged-up armed robber takes her hostage when he attempts to rob the café where she works.
 
I enjoyed reading about the ups and downs of the relationship between Brett and Anna. Brett was a reluctant hero when he saved her from the robber. He couldn't stop himself from intervening, but it was a subconscious reaction, not something he wanted to do. He was stunned to realize that Anna expected to die and wouldn't fight it. Stopping the robber was, as Anna described it, "A totally one-sided smackdown." Anna and Brett parted ways, but Anna later drove to Brett's cabin to return something to him. He wasn't wholly welcoming, but an accident formed an unexpected connection between them. Brett found himself visiting Anna the following day to find out if she was okay and ended up helping her with her house project.
 
The events that haunt Anna and Brett have each trying to escape the memories. Because they understand each other's pain, their time together gives them some of that escape. As their feelings for each other grow, they discover that the pain begins to fade. I liked how they were sensitive to each other's triggers and took care with what they said and did. I liked how their support of each other helped further their healing, but that each knew there was still work to be done.
 
The suspense was excellent. After her husband's death, Anna returned to her hometown but could not escape the memories. She also had to deal with Eddie's family, who blamed her for his failures in California and his death. Brett's protective instincts are aroused when unexplained things happen, like a brick through her window and someone running her off the road. Nasty confrontations with the exes add stress, and matters are complicated by the creepy store owner who provides Anna with her home renovation supplies. When Anna disappears, it's up to Brett and the sheriff to figure out what happened. I was glued to the pages until the final confrontation ended, and Anna was safe.
 
I felt for Brett, his fear for Anna, and how his flashbacks fought with his efforts to find her. Combined with Anna's flashbacks about Eddie's death, this was a very emotional section of the book. I liked how some good came out of the ordeal, including Brett and Anna admitting their feelings.

Night of Lyons - Chasity Bowlin et al. (Dragonblade Pub - Aug 2023)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 42)
 
It's London's hottest ticket!
 
The Lyon's Den, London's most notorious gambling hell, is having a Mystère Masque in honor of the proprietress' birthday. It's a night of gambling, dancing, and most of all, of sexy and forbidden romance. While London's ton shuns the ball, it's secretly the hottest ticket in town.
 
The event is an exclusive invitation-only gala, except for a few invitations that are mysteriously delivered to certain homes. Called Invocation Mystère, no one knows how or why the invitations arrive, only that they do - and everyone wants one.
 
It's a night to remember at the great Mystère Masque at the notorious Lyon's Den, where anything goes!
 
A Lyon With No Name by Chasity Bowlin 

The only solution to William’s inheritance of an impoverished Earldom is to marry a wealthy heiress, but instead, he meets Ellie, who needs a husband before her stepfather forces her to marry a disease-ridden roue.
 
Newly come to the title, poor and cynical William attends the masked ball at the Lyon's Den, hoping to find a wife with enough money to help him get his estate back to a profitable state. He doesn't expect to encounter Ellie, the daughter of his former commanding officer, for whom he had a great deal of respect. He was drawn to her the moment she arrived. Ellie was there to find a husband to rescue her from the marriage her stepfather had planned for her.
 
William may be a hedonistic rake but also has a strong sense of honor. He knows the man her stepfather is going to give her to, and there's no way he can let that happen. I loved their honesty with each other as they decided to take a chance on each other. William's protectiveness was fantastic, and his kindness made all the difference to Ellie. I loved seeing William stand up to her stepfather.
 
The epilogue was great.

 
The Lady and the Lyon’s Scandal by Ruth A. Casie 

A deceived lady learns the truth and finds love.

Lady Eva became a seamstress after her parents' deaths and the loss of his money. Her employer knows who she is and arranges an invitation to Mrs. Dove-Lyons' birthday ball. There, she meets the charming Lord Amherst, and they connect over their appreciation for honesty and fairness. But Eva has no idea Drew has a secret connecting him to her family. I ached for Eva and her feelings of betrayal when he revealed that secret. I hurt for Drew because he had tried to make things right and felt terrible about what had happened. I liked Mrs. Dove-Lyons' words to Eva and the difference it made.

 
In Pursuit of a Lyon by Sandra Sookoo 

Astrid had a hard upbringing but was given a hand up by a good Samaritan. Years later, she can both thank him and indulge in fantasies with him.
 
Astrid goes from a seamstress in one of the poorest parts of London to the widow of a viscount thanks to a helping hand from a man determined to help those less fortunate than himself. Years later, thanks to an invitation from Mrs. Dove-Lyons, she gets the opportunity to see him again. Sutton has always remembered the hazel-eyed beauty he saw that day. When the invitation from Mrs. Dove-Lyons allows him to reconnect with her, he can't resist. I loved their instant connection over their desire to help others. The attraction that flared between them brought them even closer.

 
A Lyon’s Word of Honor by C.H. Admirand 

Alasdair vowed years ago to protect his commanding officer’s daughters if anything should happen to the Colonel. It appears the Colonel is dying, and now he must once again face his former love, the feisty spitfire Eglantine Merriweather.
 
Alasdair and Eglantine come face to face when he is called to his former commanding officer's bedside. He and Eglantine were in love and planning to marry until she forced him to choose between her and his duty to his country. Not long after, he was injured and left the military. He now lives in London and offers his healing services to the poor. Eglantine recently broke off another engagement with a man who refused to give up his mistresses.
 
Years ago, Alasdair promised the colonel to watch over his daughters if something happened to him. Now, the colonel may be dying, but Alasdair suspects Eglantine won't be happy to hear of her father's decision. He's right - her reaction is explosive and decidedly negative. It was fun to watch the confrontation between them - it's evident that their feelings for each other are still there if somewhat overshadowed by antagonism. Eglantine's solution is to appeal to Mrs. Dove-Lyons for help, not realizing that the lady knows exactly what Eglantine needs. Eglantine and Alasdair both receive invitations to the masked ball. I liked how Alasdair's protectiveness brought them together.
 
Some shared characters with the author's Duke's Guard series also played a part in this story.

 
Don’t Tempt the Purring Lyon by Sara Adrien 

Bessie Dove-Lyon ventures into Jewish matchmaking.

The companion story to Don't Wake a Sleeping Lyon. Seth is Alfred's brother and the one Alfred turns to for help. While disguised as Alfred, Seth met and fell quickly for Lucy. Lucy has been compromised thanks to a sprained ankle and a late-night trip to the doctor's office - but by who? Thanks to the deception, an emotional scene at the Lyon's Den nearly ends in disaster.

 
Unmasked by the Lyon by Belle Ami 

Lizzie suffers from a debilitating stutter around male strangers. Will a mask and costume allow her to channel someone else and enjoy a ball? Perhaps finding a match?
 
I ached for Lizzie and the childhood trauma that caused her to stutter. The suffering it caused her was compounded by the teasing she endured as a debutante, and she retreated to the family estate. She spends her time in her greenhouse surrounded by plants that do not judge. Her initial encounter with her cousin's friend Lucien does not go well, and she flees in embarrassment. But Lucien is smitten and, with Mrs. Dove-Lyons' help, finds a way to meet her again under better circumstances. I loved the scene at the ball, with Lizzie's unexpected boldness and Lucien's growing love. There's a hiccup in his plans when Lizzie goes her own way, but Lucien's patience pays off in the end.

 
To Tilt at a Lyon by Abigail Bridges 

A second chance romance. Bessie Dove-Lyon brings together a couple who have not seen each other for ten years.
 
Two lovers, parted by families who disapproved of their relationship, find each other again after ten years apart. I liked Ella's first reaction when she saw him again. She expressed her hurt and anger quite forcefully. I liked Gordon's determination to make things right with her. Their talk of the past was very brief before the flames of their reunion consumed them.

 
The Lyon’s Wager by Jenna Jaxon 

The Duke of Welwyn makes two wagers, rescues a lady from an unwanted marriage, and defeats a blackmailer.
 
Charles, Duke of Welwyn, loves making wagers. The story opens with him making a wager with his best friend about invitations to Mrs. Dove-Lyons' ball and his plans for that ball. Meanwhile, Bess is forced by love for her father to accept the proposal of a man threatening blackmail. When Bess receives one of the coveted invitations, she defies her fiancé to attend. There, she and Charles reconnect after her father had refused his suit months before. When Charles learns of her predicament, he has the perfect plan to win his wagers and the girl.

 
Crossing the Lyon by Jude Knight 

Bessie Dove-Lyon foils a vengeful plot and uncovers a secret.
 
Good story about misunderstandings and wrongly focused revenge. After the scandal of their father's death, Ursula and Lenora struggle to find their feet. Eventually, both find positions that suit them and friends who look out for them. But when invitations arrive for Mrs. Dove-Lyons' ball, both need clarification about why. Their confusion turns to anger at the arrival of suspiciously decorated masks, and they take their anger to the source. There, they discover there is more to the story than they knew. Along with them are their friends, the Beaumont brothers, who are determined to protect the ladies.
 
I liked Mrs. Dove-Lyons' reaction to what had happened and her steps to foil the revenge seeker. There were a couple of unexpected twists that changed the expected outcome. The epilogue was great.

 
Mistaken for a Lyon by Rachel Ann Smith 

A story featuring Agents of the Crown attempting to find and capture the traitor in their ranks.
 
Charlotte and Elijah are agents for the Crown. Charlotte is frustrated by leadership's unwillingness to give her missions overseas while the men get all the best assignments. The current big mission involves unmasking and capturing the traitor in their midst. On the night of the ball, Eljah and Charlotte have their ideas of who the traitor is and use their attendance to capture him. Neither realizes the problem with their deductions until it is almost too late.
 
Forced to recognize each other's abilities, they decided to work together to find the real traitor. They also discover that underneath their professional competitivity is an attraction they were reluctant to admit. I enjoyed seeing their banter and cooperation as they pursued their quarry. When their pursuit is interrupted by a devious trick, both must call on their strengths and trust each other to complete their mission. The epilogue and the lead-in to another Lyon's Den book were good.
 
 
The Lyon’s Last Chance by Aurrora St. James

A wager and a promise has kept Owen from the woman he loves for years, but seeing her once more at the Lyon’s Den masque, he knows he cannot give her up again.
 
Good second chance story. Grace's brother George is Owen's best friend. Years earlier, Owen gave Grace her first kiss, partly because of a bet but mostly because he wanted to. But when George gave Owen an ultimatum about leaving Grace alone, Owen disappeared from Grace's life, breaking her heart. The reasons behind Owen's agreement were heartbreaking, and I ached for the pain it brought to both.
 
Ten years later, they meet at Mrs. Dove-Lyons' ball. Owen has never stopped loving Grace and is happy to see her. However, Grace's reaction isn't as pleasant. Mrs. Dove-Lyons steps in to enlighten Grace about some things she didn't know and sends her back to Owen. I liked seeing them put the past to rest before looking forward to the future. The only remaining obstacle is George. It was interesting to see the struggle between love and friendship in the scene with Owen and George. I liked how it ended.