Regina Jeffers

A good mix of slow-burn romance and suspense. This is the first of a five-book miniseries within the larger Lyon's Den collection, and a good introduction to the characters. Richard is one of five adopted "sons" of Lord Duncan. They were taken in as children to protect them from unscrupulous relatives. Lord Duncan is also an operative for the British government and trained them also to work for the Crown. This training proves particularly useful during the book.

Lady Emma is the daughter of show more a career diplomat who has spent the past decade out of the country, leaving Emma at home to be cared for by servants. She is intelligent, stubborn, and has strong opinions that she acts on with enthusiasm. Most recently, she joined others blocking the entrance to White's, calling out its members for their various sins. For more than a year, she has caught Richard's attention. Though he shakes his head at her antics, she fascinates him.

Matters become complicated when Richard finds Emma badly beaten and confused in Covent Garden. His protective instincts kick in, and he takes her to Duncan's home for care and protection. Emma doesn't remember anything about what happened to her. Richard and his brothers join forces to investigate what happened to her. The twists and turns of the investigation kept me guessing to the end. The nail-biting final confrontation kept me glued to the pages until it was over.

I liked Richard's care and understanding as Emma slowly recovered from the attack. The time they spend together allows them to get to know each other. Richard falls hard for her and struggles to maintain focus when she is near. Emma's feelings for Richard grow, but she hesitates to give in while her memories remain elusive. I enjoyed their interactions and seeing how they balance each other. The ending had a cute twist that suited their relationship.

There is a secondary mystery that runs through the book. A mysterious assailant shot Lord Duncan at the beginning of the story. The brothers are determined to bring the shooter to justice, but clues are hard to find. The epilogue provides a hint of what is to come in future books. show less

In this Pride and Prejudice variation can Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy prevent the arranged marriage instigated by Sir Wesley Belwood between his nephew Colonel Fitzwilliam and his granddaughter Jane Belwood previously known as Bennet. A daughter from Mrs Bennet's first marriage. Do either Jane and the Colonel want the marriage or are there other options.
An entertaining and well-written story which thankfully other Bennet daughters stories were also told not just Elizabeth's. Though I would show more have prefered more time spent with Mary show less

This is the third book in a miniseries set in the larger Lyon's Den world, with the events of the books overlapping and told from differing viewpoints. There is one mystery running throughout the series, with an additional mystery that concludes in each book. The overarching mystery begins in the first book with the shooting of Lord Duncan and the efforts of his six adopted sons to discover who and why. It may or may not have something to do with an investigation into the flood of show more counterfeit notes happening in London. Mrs. Dove-Lyon is only peripherally involved, as the shooting happened at the Lyon's Den, where Lord Duncan enlisted her help in the investigation.

The investigation has focused on a man claiming to be a French marquis, his daughter, and his niece. As a result, Lord Duncan and his sons have set up a constant surveillance of the Frenchman's residence. One of the watchers, Lord Navan Beaufort, finds himself drawn to the niece, Audrey. He met her once before beginning the surveillance and hasn't been able to forget her. As he witnesses more of her uncle's treatment of her, his protective instincts awaken. I enjoyed watching their clandestine friendship develop. Audrey is both naïve and worldly, as her tragic past reveals, yet despite everything, she still wants to believe in people's goodness. Navan, on the other hand, is rather cynical and has the reputation of a rake. The focus on the Marquis reveals his involvement in the counterfeiting scheme. The subsequent investigation becomes dangerous before it is resolved, and several incidents kept me glued to the pages until it was resolved.

After the danger passes, Navan learns the truth about Audrey's past. I laughed out loud at the scene between Navan and his "brother" Alex. The strain doesn't stop Navan from pursuing Audrey and gaining her hand. But Navan still has things to learn about relationships, and manages to put his foot in it when he takes his new wife to his lands in Ireland. His behavior exacerbates Audrey's fears of abandonment, and it takes desperate action by her to open his eyes to the truth. Matters become complicated by the ongoing danger posed by the counterfeiting scheme and a shocking confrontation and revelation. There is another hint in the mystery of who shot Duncan that leads into the next book in the series.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. However, there was far more overlap than I expected. There were times when I felt I was reading a regurgitation of the previous book instead of something new. show less

Good book with an intriguing mystery. This is the second book in a series within a series, the first being Lyon in the Way. This series is about the five adopted sons of Lord Duncan, each rescued from dire circumstances by Lord Duncan. Each has grown into adulthood and assumed their titles. They are also agents for the Crown, following in Lord Duncan's footsteps. This book focuses on Lord Alexander, Earl Marksman, and Lady Theodora, Lord Duncan's daughter.

Alex and Dora have been friends show more ever since Lord Duncan adopted him. That friendship grew into more as they got older, and they have often spoken of marriage. But Alex made a promise to his dying father - he would find his mother and sister and bring them home. The story of why they are missing was heartbreaking. Alex won't rest or allow himself to marry until he finds them. This leaves Dora in limbo - no formal engagement, and a man whose devotion seems to be wavering. Frustrated, she talks her father into allowing her a London season so she can find a suitable match. Alex's jealousy stirs when another man attracts her attention, and he worries he could lose her. But can he give up his search to keep the woman he loves?

Complicating matters, Lord Duncan and the others search for someone who is passing forged banknotes. The ring is extensive, and they are determined to shut it down. Their focus on a single suspect reveals a twist that leaves Alex torn between duty and obsession. The suspense of this mission kept me intrigued to the end, and I enjoyed the resolution.

Mrs. Dove-Lyon has a minimal role in this book. Duncan and Alex recruit her assistance as she has also been a victim of the forger. At the same time, Dora asks for help finding a suitable husband. My favorite scene with Mrs. Dove-Lyon is when she reads Duncan and Alex the riot act over how they treat Dora. I loved the effect it had on both men, but especially on Alex. I thought he redeemed himself quite nicely.

The mystery of the forged banknotes was solved by the end of the book. The reader also learns a little more about who shot Lord Duncan at the beginning of the first book, and that he has no intention of giving up his plans. There are three more brothers, so I expect to learn a little more with each one until the end. show less