Enter the world of the most notorious gambling den in London, where matches are made... unusually. Welcome to the world of THE LYON'S DEN: The Black Widow of Whitehall Connected World, where the underground of Regency London thrives... and loves.

If you haven’t read any of the books in The Lyon’s Den interconnected world get ready to enjoy a unique romance set in the Regency era but TOTALLY unlike a typical Regency book. Think of these books as “the marriage-mart gone rogue” and get ready for shenanigans and happily ever afters.

Abigail Bridges has written a boisterous yet heartfelt romance set in the provocative universe of The Lyon’s Den. I found this story to be entertaining and I loved the MCs who were ensnared in a intriguing plot. The story moves along at a steady pace and the ending ties up all the loose ends nicely, leaving the reader satisfied. I would gladly read more books from this author.




📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from the author/publisher via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher/author for allowing me the opportunity to review. Reviews are usually cross-posted to social media, goodreads, Bookbub, and blog. 🦄 #TheLyonsDen #Dragonbladepub #BookReview #ReviewbyJaime @Dragonbladepub
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A Heartwarming Tale

Their start was not a promising one, but Mrs. Dove-Lyon must have known what she was doing. You couldn't help but fall in love with Matthew. He wanted a bride quickly because he was ready to go back to the fight in Europe. However, he treated Sarah with kindness. He did not care about the deformity that was caused by the cruelty of her late husband. He also stood by her through the viciousness of the ton. His mother was a jewel, too. I loved everything about this book. It warmed the cockles of my heart. I fell in love with Matthew and Sarah.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this novella and this is my freely given opinion.

This is a short story in the Lyon's Den world and it packed a lot into it that I loved. I think this may also be the first time I am reading something from this author and this has me wanting to try more of her work (so many books - so little time!).

Sarah Ainsworth is an impoverished widow, despite being a Countess. She had just moved into her own household in London, with her few trusted servant, after years of an intolerable marriage to an abusive husband. She carries serious scars from that marriage, literal and figurative, and has no plans to ever put herself in the situation of being dependent on a man again. Because of her poor widow's portion, she went to Mrs. Dove-Lyons of the Lyon's Den to procure a loan to help purchase her home, to be paid in two years. She has a prior inheritance from her family which she would come into when she turns 30, which she would use to pay off the loan.

Except that the loan is called in early by Dove-Lyons, and Sarah finds this out when she is called into the office, and given the new terms.

Matthew Rydell has recently inherited his father's title, the Duke of Embleton, and he was forced to return from his military duties to English soil to take up the reins of his title. He is harried by his mother to do his duty to the dukedom and find a wife to sire an heir. However, he has many younger brothers, and does not feel doing the pretty at balls and soirees is needed. His brother offers the special services of the Lyon's Den as an option to avoid the Marriage Mart, and after being given options, he selects Sarah as a potential spouse who could manage his estates, and his family, while being able to stand up to his mother. It is a pure marriage of convenience. But Matthew is intrigued by the strength and fortitude of the woman he meets.

Sarah had no interest in marrying or being a part of Society again, especially with her injuries from her prior husband, and her reputation being torn to shreds by the current Earl and his wife, for their own greedy purposes. But she agrees to his courting, and it gives them time to learn about each other and for her to decide her future. This escalates the schemes of the Earl, and this threatens Sarah's freedom and life, provoking Matthew's protective instincts for her.

My only complaint about this story was that it was too short. I loved the MCs and the side characters such as Matthew's brother, and mother, and Sarah's servants, and I just wish there was more. Also more justice meted out against her in-laws, for the conniving liars they were.

4.75 stars out of 5

Mathew is a new Duke and now must find a wife. He meets the a widower who has been through so much different abuses from her first marriage. Mathew is nothing like that type of man. This is another great addition to the Lyon's Den Connected World series. The series is written by multiple authors who each bring a unique spin on the collection while keeping true to the ultimate goal of the main character. This one had my heart.

This is part of The Lyon's Den Connected World series and is yet another brilliant addition. Matthew has become the new Duke of Embleton after his father's unexpected death. He was not ready for this, but he knows what his responsibilities are. He is now in search of the right lady to become his wife so that she can manage the estate when he returns to Wellington. Matthew pays a visit to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for assistance in finding the right bride. She introduces him to Sarah, a widow. Sarah had endured much pain and abuse in her married life and carries those physical and emotional scars with her. Matthew is not looking to find a love match, only someone capable enough to manage things while he is gone. As he comes to know Sarah, he sees her inner beauty and bravery and courage as she stands up to the ton against lies and slander society throws her way. The two form a heartwarming bond and it was lovely to see their romance grow.
The story was well-written and the characters were wonderful. I fell in love with them from the start. The story completely captivated me from start to finish and kept me engrossed till the end. A lovely addition to a fabulous series!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

What a wonderful tale adding on to the tale of Mrs Dove-Lyon. I had thought that I liked the tales where Mrs. Dove Lyon is more involved however Abigail Bridges has proved me wrong. I finished this book in less than a day. I couldn't put it down. A great author to put on my favorites list. 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.

Into the Lyon of Fire, by Abigail Bridges. Guys if you love reading marriage’s of convenience then you are sure to love Robert Mathew and Sarah’s very interesting love story. I want to first put out a plea to the writer, I hope that there will be more books coming from the Rydell family. Mathew and his eight brothers and one sister are sure to add some of their rather intriguing experiences among the ton to some upcoming irresistible novels. While reading this wonderful book, the second brother Mark is a Rakel who embodies a little bit of mischief, a little bit of danger and a whole lot of sexiness.
Yes ladies, Mark’s story should be delicious. Back to the older brother Mathew and his future love to be. I could not get enough of the intoxicating love story between the two main characters, Sarah and Mathew. I loved that the writer introduced Mathew to the story as a man of honor. His loyalty and his kind heart was shown in so many ways throughout the book.
Sarah was truly a lady who all woman of the ton should inspire to be. I will say this though, how dare you let Lady Catherine get away with slapping you Sarah. I mean I know that the victim of the slap is suppose to take the high road, but come on. Sometimes a lady has got to do what a lady has got to do. All I’m saying is this.
Silk gowns, taffeta, sashes, and tiaras would have been scattered all over that ballroom floor. B**chs get stitches if you know what I mean man. Don’t let that hellion get away with that! Ok you devoted reader you, I must say that I loved that the story of Mathew and Sarah was an exciting page turner. Their story shares with you a number of entertaining mishaps and a good mystery to solve.
Let’s not forget the beautiful love story that blossoms in between. The book was very easy for me to read and enjoy. This writer is a new writer for me and I look forward to reading more from her. I give this two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!

I love this series and this book is exactly why.
Matthew is the new Duke of Embleton, not what he wanted, but his father died unexpectedly. He needs the right wife to manage the estate when he goes back to aid Wellington. Hope is that Napoleon does not escape Elba. On his brother Mark's suggestion, Matthew goes to Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Once again she brokers the perfect lady for a wife. Sarah Ainsworth has physical and emotional scars from her marriage. A widow for two years, Mrs. Dove-Lyon calls in her loan. Accepting the marriage is her only choice.
I love a book with subtle humor, romance and some steam.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Into the Lyon of Fire by Abigail Bridges
The Lyon’s Den Connected World

My first foray into The Lyon’s Den World did more than whet my appetite…it made me wish I had read more than the one book in this collection while introducing me to an author I immediately doing an online search to see what other books she might have written and whether Matthew’s many siblings might have books of their own now or in the future. I do love sinking my teeth into a well-seasoned sensual story that leaves me satisfied while wanting more!

What I liked:
* Sarah: intelligent, strong, enduring, compassionate, steadfast, responsible, abused, scarred, practical, deserved so much more than her life provided before she became a widow
* Matthew: capable, protective, military background, recently invested as Duke of Emberton after his father died unexpectedly, eldest of many children, in for a surprise as he sets his future course to include Sarah
* Mark: brother to Matthew and heir to the duchy, more lighthearted than his brother, in the know, has a great idea to help Matthew back to his military career
* Phyllida: mother of a brood that includes Matthew and Mark, bold, intrepid, strategist keen, puts her family first, misses her husband, someone I would like as a friend and not as an enemy.
* That a novella could pack so much into so few pages
* Being drawn into the story, getting to know and care about the characters, and hoping that a happily ever after would occur for the couple
* That in spite of all that Sarah had suffered and endured, she was able to find the strength to move forward and do so in a positive way – she reminds me of a piece of Kintsugi porcelain repaired with gold…perhaps broken but stronger and more beautiful in the aftermath

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to – Owen the horrific husband and the couple that came after him
* Thinking about how difficult Sarah’s life must have been

Did I enjoy this book? YES!
Would I read more by this author? Definitely
Would I read more in this series/World? Eagerly

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

5 Stars

After Matthew Rydell’s father passes away unexpectedly, he finds himself the newly minted Duke of Embleton. Wanting nothing more than to go back to the front line alongside the Duke of Wellington, Matthew knows the only thing which will put his mother’s mind at ease is to find himself a wife. Enter Sarah Ainsworth. Sarah has just been trying to survive after her late husband left her with a mountain of debt and wounds which go more than just skin deep. After borrowing money from a gambling hell it’s time to pay up. Matthew needs a wife and Sarah needs the financial security being his duchess would provide. But Sarah has been burned before (both literally and figuratively) and doesn’t accept Matthew merely at face value. Both Matthew and Sarah have seen the darker side of life but perhaps together they could find some happiness after the traumas of their pasts.

There’s something quite refreshing about characters who are exactly as they present themselves to be. Sarah wants nothing more than honesty from Matthew and is candid and forthright in return. This is not a story where the drama thrives on misunderstandings or miscommunications. Matthew and Sarah both know what they want (even if they don’t know themselves what they need) from a marriage and partnership.

And it was a pleasure getting to witness them find each other. They both have ghosts from their pasts haunting them and those demons do make an impact on their present day lives and relationships. Sarah is a woman who has been through so much yet she has emerged on the other side. She might be bruised and scarred but she’s not broken and she’s still determined to fight for those she cares for and wants to protect. I also liked Matthew. He’s a somewhat modern man who doesn’t believe that a wife is his property and from the start is open to learning about Sarah and her thoughts and feelings. He’s so very respectful. But the kind of respectful where he can still give her a wedding night she’ll never forget. I think it’s a tricky thing for an author to tackle more intimate scenes when a character has had a traumatic sexual history but I thought it was handled well.

Overall this was a great story about finding love with characters who are refreshingly practical. It works as a standalone story within a much bigger world and delivers a thoughtful and romantic love story.

Into the Lyon of Fire by Abigail Bridges is a motivating story of a young man who doesn’t care to get married, really he doesn’t care to go through the endless balls and formalities of courtship so he seeks the services of Mrs. Dove-Lyon. She gives him three names, and he selects one. By the time he does he has thoroughly researched her and there are no surprises. Sarah, Lady Crewood, is a widow who had been badly burned through the actions of her husband. The entire side of he body had scars, including facial, but she was managing. She had paid off her father’s debts, and her husband’s and had, perhaps unwisely, taken a mortgage from Mrs. Dove-Lyon, believing she had two years to pay it off. Mrs. Dove-Lyon changed the terms when she found the perfect husband for Sarah: Matthew Rydell, the Duke of Embleton. They met and on the walk home from the Lyon’s Den, they discussed what each of them were looking for and decided to continue the courtship, for now. He even convinced her to lift her veil, discovering that the burn marks were not as bad as they could have been. He had the first bann read that Sunday. Of course, his mother found out and insisted on meeting Sarah. Prepared for a fight, Matthew was surprised to learn his mother approved and would even help.

This is a wonderful story about looking past the superficial into another’s heart. Neither were looking for love but grabbed it when it was offered. Sarah had been stoic, as one might be when hurst so badly, both physically and emotionally. She had loyal servants, mostly because she was good to them. He first husband had died and now there were whisper she had poisoned him. She had been sedated with laudanum and bed-ridden at the time. Had her loyal servants done it for her? She is a terrific character, the likes of which we rarely seen in Regency novels, as different was not condoned at the time. Matthew was a hero, on the battlefield and off. He didn’t care for society but he loved his family, including Sarah. She was a strong woman who could stand up to his mother. One of the traits he was most looking for. Once again Mrs. Dove-Lyon was right about two people. It was a lovely story, with strong characters, and just enough personal angst to keep it going. I liked it.

I was invited to read Into the Lyon of Fire by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #AbagailBridges #IntoTheLyonOfFire

Scarred by a fire, widow Sarah tries to make money by gambling with the ladies in the Lyons Den. Wanting to quickly get a wife so he can get back to fighting with Wellington, the newly inherited Matthew turns to Mrs. Dove-Lyon to find him a wife. Sarah is not sure she ever wants to be married again. Matthew finds much to admire about her and sets out to woo her. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

Another fantastic matchmaking romance by Mrs. Dove-Lyon of the most notorious gambling den in London, The Lyon's Den.
She's making another match through her match making service in Into the Lyon of Fire. Abigail Bridges has given readers a book that is well-written, filled it with great cast of characters that come off the pages and pull you into this emotional ride that keeps you involved until the very end, with secondary characters who being fun and laughter to the story, passion, drama, easy flowing dialogue that brings this story together perfectly

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

Enjoyable and fun read, I adore this series centring on the hell of The Lyon’s Den, and the proprietress Bessie.

Her games are inventive , her clients singular and unique in their own ways.
These stories are all different but relate to marriage and relationships.
Good read and great writing

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

When his father died in an accident Matthew Rydell was called home from France to take his responsibility as the newly invested Dule of Embleton. He wants to find a bride before he returns to France and service under Wellington. At his brother’s suggestion, he consults with Bessie Dove-Lyon to help in his search. Sarah Ainsworth owed money to the Black Widow, and was given a choice, pay her debt or agree to marry. She believed the pair was a good match and arranges the marriage between Matthew and Sarah. Sarah bears the scars of an abusive marriage, but Matthew sees them as proof of courage and survival. There is some trouble during the courtship, a new introduction to society, and a dowager who handles it all. An emotional heartwarming story with a brave heroine and a patient, caring hero and a wonderful epilogue.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

I have read almost every single one of the books in the Lyon's Den Connected World Series, and I can honestly say this was my favorite!
What strong, complex characters Matthew and Sarah were, I so enjoyed reading about them. Add in Phyllida and Mark, and humor in the story, what a treat!
Abigail Bridges, I hope at some point in the future you give us Mark's story! I know Mark has a story to tell.
I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment.
I received an ARC of this book, and chose to post this review.

This book! Ugh, So Good!! Sarah's story beginning to end is heartwarming and full of emotions. You can't help but like her. Who doesn't love a soldier turned duke. These two together and their story...So Good!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this story. Matthew has become Duke and his mother is pushing him to find a bride. He is trying to get his affairs in order so he can return to Wellington. His brother thinks he should look for a bride at the Lyon's Den. Sarah owes Mrs. Dove-Lyon some money.
Sarah is a widow who was badly mistreated by her first husband. She does not want to marry again. But Matthew convinces her to be his bride. He goes off to Wellington and leaves the estate in Sarah's hands. They both come to some realizations. There is much more to this story but I don't want to spoil it.

Matthew Rydell, newly minted Duke of Embleton is under pressure from his mother to marry.
I think she just wants another woman in the house with all those sons she handles so well.
One of our hero's brothers comes up with an idea to help.
Sarah Ainsworth is quite happy being a widow. Although she is in debt to the owner of the Lyons Den gambling house, she is at last safe.
Our heroine is a survivor of a terribly abusive husband. The scars are both physical and mental.
This is a witty and emotional historical romance with fabulous characters. I don't know if this book is linked to a series separately from the Lyons Den but I would definitely like to know more about the family of our hero.
A very entertaining novella ideal for a short sweet read.
Great fun.

A lovely well written tender and emotional love story with a HEA I loved Matthew’s character and how caring and patient he was with Sarah, building up her confidence and how his family fully supported her. Sarah was a great character too and they are a well-suited pair as always in this series. Recommended. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.