This book in The Lyon's Den Connected World series was an engaging and exciting historical romance. A wager between two lords leads to an arranged marriage. The intended couple are interesting, complex, and likable characters. Their slowburn relationship builds into a strong chemistry and a delightful, happy, and loving relationship. I highly recommend reading!

This was a decent read with surprisingly was also a full length book that you don't often find in the lyons series. Bound by a debt forgiveness Amelia and Chase slowly fall in love with each other while learning to compromise in their marriage. There also a mystery with someone targeting Chase.

I would give this book a 3.5 as the pacing got a bit slow in the middle.

#TheLyonWhisperer #NetGalley

Fun story where a high-stakes card game brings two people together - Colonel Lord Chase Culver, a man who prefers order and stability, and Lady Amelia Duval, a free-spirited young woman whose antics concern her father.

After Chase's return from the war, he concentrates on revitalizing the property awarded to him by the king. He also finds himself attempting to make his uncle's properties solvent again after the man's gambling debts bring him close to bankruptcy. He has no interest in marriage until everything is in order. But when his uncle loses a substantial amount to Amelia's father, the two men decide that if Chase marries Amelia and turns her into a "proper lady," the debt will be fulfilled. If he does not, Chase's uncle will owe twice the amount.

Though not entirely happy about the forced marriage and its requirements, Chase is intrigued by Amelia. He met her briefly a few days earlier and hasn't been able to forget her. With his reputation for bringing order out of chaos, he anticipates little trouble in fulfilling the earl's demands. Amelia doesn't give in easily. I loved seeing her confront Chase with her own demands.

I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Amelia's sunnier attitude nicely balances Chase's seriousness. Though Chase is initially disturbed by Amelia's seemingly reckless actions, it doesn't take him long to see that it is her soft heart that motivates her. I laughed to see him fall under her spell, with the pup Roddy wiggling his way past Chase's walls. I especially enjoyed seeing Chase's growing appreciation of Amelia's differing viewpoints and his willingness to stand up for her. Amelia quickly loses her heart to Chase despite his occasional attempts to rein her in. Neither can deny the sparks of attraction between them, which help bring them closer together.

There is a bit of suspense included in the story. Someone is setting fires on his property, destroying the timber he sells to get his finances back in order. Chase is determined to stop the culprit and is none too pleased when Amelia gets involved in the investigation. Some interesting developments provided a twist at the end that I didn't see coming.

I especially enjoyed the puppies in this book and how they affected some of the plot points. Roddy was my favorite. It was fun to see his effect on Chase.

It Started with a Bet—Could It End in Love?
When Chase’s uncle loses a bet at Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s infamous establishment, the stakes are steep: Chase must marry—and tame—Lady Amelia Duval, or the loss will double. Known as the Iron Lion of Barrosa for his military prowess, Chase agrees, confident he can bend the willful daughter of an earl to his will.
Amelia enters the marriage unaware of the wager made between her father, her husband, and his uncle. What begins as an obligation soon shifts into something deeper. Chase tries to rein in Amelia’s behavior, but instead finds himself captivated—and slowly undone—by her warmth and eccentric spirit. Amelia, in turn, starts to see her husband not as the stern strategist others fear, but as a man capable of deep loyalty and love. As their connection grows, so do the challenges, especially when a series of attacks threaten Chase’s business and test the fragile trust between them.
This was a captivating historical romance with a touch of suspense and emotional depth. It’s one of the longest entries in the Lyon’s Den series I’ve read—and I’ve read them all. If you enjoy marriages of convenience, spirited heroines, and slow-burn love tangled in secrets and sabotage, this one delivers.

If there were 10 stars this book would get all the accolades! First book for me by Kimberly Keyes and I cannot say enough how much I loved this book. Reading the description you may wonder how the author handles a secret that brings about the marriage of Amelia and Chase but misunderstandings and hurt feelings have no place for two adults not afraid to actually talk to each other. Too many books have a simple, or not so simple, secret or misunderstanding between the main characters that have them dancing around each other with bitterness and anger bubbling up. I cannot shout loud enough how refreshing it is to have both head for the other when they question something. Amelia is headstrong but so caring and loving and Chase is everything an honorable Regency era man should be. This story is so lovely I’m sure to reread it soon.

A fun and quick read for harlequin romance lovers who enjoy historical themes. Good tension between the love interests in this one. The pace keeps moving and the story develops quickly. The female lead has a strong personality that will appeal to the modern reader! No meek and mild behind the hearth going on here. To top it off the story includes dogs, so what’s not to love there?
If you’re looking for a quick and saucy romance set back in time, give this one a try.

Love this read, could not put the book down till the end. Love the story line.
Love this author, looking forward to the next book.

Thanks #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #TheLyonWhisperer by Kimberly Keyes in exchange for an honest review.

This book started a bit slow for me but once it picked up, I was hooked. I figured out the mystery but at just the right time. Not too early where I lost interest in the mystery plotline and not too late where I stressed about the outcome of the mystery plotline and how it affected the romance. This is one of those rare romance stories where the hero and the heroine both have great character arcs. I love that in romances so I was excited to see it here. This book also really sets up the next book in the series but could easily be read as a standalone as this is the only book I've read in this series (so far anyways). I look forward to seeing whatelse Kimberly Keyes writes next!

The Lyon Whisperer begins the First Comes Marriage series within The Lyon’s Den connected world with a unique romance between Amelia and Chase, a relationship that started with a bet, yet will be so much more than either ever expected.

Everything you need to know about The Lyon Whisperer by Kimberly Keyes can be found in the cover description. What you won’t find there are the emotions, the laughter, the steaminess, and the enduring love that grows between this couple. I loved Amelia, she is not so much headstrong but caring, and doesn’t easily fit in with her time. Chase is holding on to a secret, one that he is trying to protect Amelia from, yet it will only damage the growing trust and emotions between them.

I had such a good time in this world, and will definitely be back for the next book. If you love a well-written, romantic, engaging, funny, and intense historical romance, then The Lyon Whisperer by Kimberly Keyes would be perfect for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Chapter One of The Lyon Whisperer quickly draws the reader into this delightful storyline with compassion for both Lady Amelia Duval and Lord Chase Culver, aka the “Iron Lion of Barrosa.” It sets up their forced marriage and how they negotiate it.

The infamous Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, the Black Widow of Whitehall, makes several appearances in this book adding mystery with her match making skills. Everything about her personality and her antics in every The Lyon's Den Connected world books is unique and intriguing.

The lesson I got from this book is that appearances and reputations can be very misleading. Give people the benefit of the doubt they may be hiding their loving selves.

Author Kimberly Keyes created fun, dimensional characters that warms the heart and at times made me laugh. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more by this author.

The Lyon Whisperer by author Kimberly Keyes is an absolute delight. Filed with humorous moments, dastardly secrets, and delightful puppies. Lady Amelia Duval is an absolute sweetheart and complete opposite of the stringent follower of rules and structure, Lord Chase Culver. The ending ties everything into a neat bow and redeemed her father in my eyes. Because I was ready to jump into my Kindle and have words with that man! I look forward to reading more from this author.

Amelia is a lady but also an amazing free spirit. This has held her in good steed as a child but now it is a cause of great concern for her father. With the help of Mrs. Dove-Lyon's a game of chance becomes a cage of restrictions for the beautiful Amelia. Chase must tame the lovely Amelia or lose everything yet his love for her free spirit stands in the way. This is an unusually long story for this series yet it is creatively done, holding the readers attention from beginning to end. Always a favorite series of mine to read.

One has to wonder who tamed whom in this romance, as Lady Amelia is used as a pawn in a game of chance. Thinking to curb her impulsive nature, Amelia's father takes up the bet proposed by Chase's uncle to marry her off to a man known for his rigid rules and demeanor. As much as Chase may be a stickler for good behaviour, when faced with a bride who can charm his household staff and is a nurturer at heart, he finds himself falling under her spell. However, there are those who wish to destroy all he is working for, and Chase discovers that his wife can more than stand up to the bullies and thwart their plans. However, it is those closer to home who have done the most damage, bringing Chase to Amelia's defence, thereby forcing a confrontation where Amelia takes a stand. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a copy of which I received as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

The Lyon Whisperer by Kimberly Keyes is a stunning example of a Lyon’s Den story, although Mrs. Dove-Lyon appears only peripherally. Colonel Lord Chase Culver has no intention of marrying. He has too much to do to make his uncle’s properties solvent again, not to mention those he has been given by the king as a reward for his bravery. When he visits the Duke of Fallsgate he hears some woman’s voice that sounds for all the world like a woman in the throes of passion. My God! Must he take the man’s servants to account? Then he discovers it to be a young woman bathing some puppies. He further discovers the young woman to be the duke’s daughter, Amelia, who is the most beautiful woman he’s even seen, even in the midst of bathing puppies. Several days later he discovers he has been the brunt of a bet made by his uncle while playing cards with the old duke. And now, he must marry this woman and make her into a lady within six months or his uncle loses double what he had already lost. Money they can ill afford. The idea, except for the bet, does not entirely repel him.

Chase is a good man, if anything a little too serious. Amelia is a beautiful, if slightly wild, woman, who begins falling in love with him almost immediately. She gets into minor scrapes but they are due to her big heart. Chase falls more and more under her spell. Meanwhile, someone is setting fires on his property and burning uncut timber; timber he needs to sell to get back on an even keel. Of course, Amelia helps solve the mystery. What a couple of terrific characters! The plot is so simple and yet so effective. The other characters veer from somewhat boring to wonderfully interesting. The character of Roddie, the one-eyed dog is exceptional; particularly after Chase discovers the puppies are named after characters in a book. This is a genuinely good story: well written and detailed. Interesting to the max!

I was invited to tread The Lion Whisperer by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #KimberlKeyes #TheLionWhisperer

3.75 stars

Boy oh boy, I have quite a few things to say about this book. First of all, so excited to pick up a full length Lyon's Den novel, when I've been used to their novella length ones so far! I quite enjoyed the way the author told this story about a marriage based on a bet. Like, I really enjoyed the plot itself and the way the story progressed. Characters were very well developed, and I loved the heroine, Amelia.

The hero of the story, Lord Culver, however....I felt so much hatred towards things he said, but I didn't want to stop reading until I was sure he'd fall in love with his new wife and treat her right.

The audacity of this man to say, "I don't like the feeling I'm being told less than the truth," when he is also not telling the truth is BEYOND me lol. Boy, what do you mean?? Don't ask her to tell you every detail of everything when you are offering nothing! I could not believe. But I kept devouring every single chapter, one after the other, because I stayed INVESTED in their story. I was not disappointed. The vibes were vibing, the conflicts were conflicting, and the giddy feelings got more intense as time progressed.

I am very intrigued to see what happens in the follow up story to this <b>First Comes Marriage</b> series by Kimberly Keyes within the Lyon's Den world. Maybe I'll get lucky and be able to pick it up as a NetGalley ARC again <3

Lady Amelia Duval is used to being indulged, an earl’s daughter she has evaded each and every suitor her father has put before her. She knows she’s pushed him too far, however, when her litter of mud-covered puppies upends a meeting between him and the darkly handsome colonel, Lord Chase Culver, aka the “Iron Lion of Barrosa.” Lord Culver stays calm in the face of disaster—such as when his uncle informs him of the fortune-crushing bet he lost in the notorious Lyon’s Den. To satisfy the debt, Chase must marry Amelia or the loss doubles.
Another in this connected world & a new author to me . A well written entertaining romance. I really liked both Chas & Amelia & thoroughly enjoyed their journey to a HEA. I loved how Amelia ran rings around Chase, she certainly wasn’t the meek wife he was expecting. There is also a villain threatening Chase. A captivating romance with humour, sizzling chemistry & also some intrigue
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

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

When two men enter a game of chance with a young woman is the prize in a bet and one of the stipulations is she must be turned from the 'disobedient' woman her father sees she is to a proper lady of the ton with-in six months. Lord Chase Culver aka. the “Iron Lion of Barrosa.” learns he must marry the wayward young woman, or the wager must be doubled and potentially bankrupt a family.

Chase fully aware of the gambling debt to Amelia’s father, enters the marriage with the idea that this will be an easy task. With his reputation for expecting his charges to follow the rules, he will discover that his new wife is anything but an agreeable miss. Amelia has a mind of her own and runs circles around Chase as she agrees to follow the rules but in her own interpretation of them.

The story is well written with were great characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and had tons of spice. I loved Amelia who was fun and interesting. Her personality was refreshing, and I loved watching how her mind worked to get around Chase. Truly a fun story.

Amelia is such an endearing character. She tries so hard to be what her father wants, but never feels she can never meet his expectations. Chase struggles to control all of his feelings as he never wants to be like his parents. As a wager matches them together, they quickly find a passion that ignites. The mystery of the troubles Chase faces adds depth and intrigue to the story. The dialogue is witty, heartfelt and very believable. I received an advance copy of this novel and enjoyed it greatly.

Deemed too disobedient by her unnecessarily strict father, Lady Amelia Duval is married off to the legendary Lord Chase Culver aka. the “Iron Lion of Barrosa.” Because of Chase’s uncle’s substantial gambling loss to Amelia’s father, the marriage occurs with the expectation that Chase will force ladylike behaviors onto Amelia within six months. This Taming of the Shrew style setup is especially ironic because Chase and the reader quickly learn that Amelia is loving, generous, devoted, and not at all a hellion. Amelia and Chase’s arranged marriage becomes one of deep love.

I absolutely adored this book, and I am Kimberly Keyes’ newest fangirl. One major strength of this book is that it offers so many classic historical tropes, including family secrets, “touch her and die” moments, carriage intimacy, and satire of the gossiping ton. If you are looking for a beautiful story that offers everything you love in a classic historical romance, meet your new summer book!

The exceptionally crafted scenes of intimacy, which are PLENTIFUL, also shine as a major strength. Amelia and Chase’s intense lust and longing for each other draw the reader in, and this book becomes highly addictive. This book is high in spice, but it does not lose the sweetness and the softness of a beautiful romance, which is a feat not easily achieved.

I would reread this one or give this book as a gift, and I can see so many readers loving it. I want to thank NetGalley and Dragonblade for the opportunity. I will be following Kimberly Keyes to catch her next book, and I am eager to explore more of her catalog.

This is a new author to me and a new favorite. I loved her writing style with just enough description without dragging it out, no crass language and wonderful characters that come alive in the story. Chase and Amelia’s story is very original with a bet that could go wrong in so many ways. I adored how each of them had to deal with feelings neither wanted to address. Amelia’s proclivities to get into trouble without even trying, just to help others- human or animal was a hoot and Chase’ s prim and proper attitude needed loosening. Her father needed an attitude adjustment, though in the end, it was explained. I loved how Chase stood up to him concerning Amelia- that was precious. Roddy was a hoot and Chase’s “aversion “ to him was so cute, especially the conversation with Lady Frommer concerning his sisters. The villain is well hidden thought there are clues along the way. I really enjoyed this story and will be reading more from her. (The editing was perfect, as there were no issues that I found-that was refreshing!)

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