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.Love is just a whim away…Free-spirited Opal Jones and straight-laced Peter Ravenshaw are childhood friends growing up in India, away from the structured mores of English society. But all good things must come to an end. The friends are sent to England and go their separate ways.Years pass but not Opal's love for Peter. Opal is determined to get her man, but she will need the help of Lady Dove-Lyon, the most notorious matchmaker in London.The Lyon’s Den will host a most unusual game: He who can stay awake the longest, wins the hand of the fair Miss Opal Jones. Peter is horrified that his beautiful, headstrong friend would give herself away on a game of chance, not realizing that Opal already holds all the cards.

    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.A woman seeking escape…Lady Emiline Hawthorne will do anything to avoid an unwanted union—even marry a stranger. To that end, she goes to The Lyon’s Den to enlist Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon’s help. There is only one problem; Emiline cannot pay the matchmaking fee. A man with a broken heart… Leonard Quinton, 6th Earl of Morton, returned from the war to discover everyone he loved had betrayed him. Now he must beget an heir without risking his heart. He proposes a simple arrangement to the first lady he sees at The Lyon’s Den—The use of her womb in return for his financial support. Two souls, one heart… When Emiline finds the old Countess of Morton’s diary, she learns the secrets of Leonard’s past. Secrets even he does not know. Will their revelation lead to happily ever after, or will they destroy the bonds Leonard and Emiline have formed?

    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.Viola Black is not conventional — she dresses as a man to sell her sought-after plays to London companies. She's lucky. Her father, wily solicitor Malcolm Black, turns a benevolent blind eye to her habits. That is, until one frigid night, when she’s cornered by ruffians. While Viola tries to dismiss the incident as a hazard of London life, Papa is more alarmed. She senses there is far more he's not telling her.But she's keeping something to herself, too. Though she was shaken by her attack, she also had the good fortune of running into Dr. Duncan Neilson — whom she can't banish from her head. When Papa insists the Black Widow of Whitehall find her a husband, Viola balks. None of the eligible bachelors will be the magnetic Dr. Neilson, for a start.Then he walks into the Black Widow’s parlor, charming and enigmatic as ever.But before the two can benefit from fate or providence, Viola is abducted and becomes entangled in an old feud she knew nothing about. Papa has been concealing his past from her, and it involves the same underworld as the Black Widow’s.As Viola keeps a level head and contemplates escape, her unexpected fiancée is working with her father to bring her home. Does love wait for her on the other side of intrigue and deception? She dearly wants to find out, and she’s certain that even her plays are less dramatic than all this...

    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.A high-stakes game…but who is playing?On the day the Princess of Wales goes into exile, Diana loses both her court place and her betrothed. Devastated, she staggers home in the small hours of the morning, alone, drunk—and ruined in the eyes of Society.In desperation, her mother takes her to the infamous matchmaker, the Black Widow of Whitehall. Abandoned and alone at the scandalous Lyon’s Den gaming house, Diana is disguised as a boy and there encounters her prospective groom, a wealthy Scottish nobleman, Lord Garvie.She is appalled!However, Mrs. Dove-Lyon plays a deep game, and nothing is quite as it seems at the Lyon’s Den, where Diana finds unexpected adventure, passion, heartache, and the true love she always dreamed of.

    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. A match made in heaven. If he was sure of anything, it was this! Love can be found in the strangest of places… Lord Jason Glazebrook has no plans to settle down. He will not inherit for several years, and worse, he is at odds with his brother, Charles, Duke of Shewsbury, who believes him capable of a dangerous, dishonorable act. To escape the tension at home, Jason spends many hours at his club, the Lyon’s Den in Whitehall. When the unscrupulous matchmaker, Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon introduces him to a debutante, Miss Beverly Crabtree, Jason considers the beautiful young lady perfect for a dalliance, and invites her to ride with him in Hyde Park. When he discovers Beverly is a gently reared girl, he is determined not to see her again. But he cannot forget her and allows Dove-Lyon to draw him back into her net. Despite his brother’s warning, Jason refuses to relinquish the lovely Miss Crabtree’s company. He senses she is in trouble and wants to help. And much more. He has never met a woman he wanted for his own…until he met Beverly. But so much stands in their way. It is only a matter of time before shame and disgrace befall the Crabtree family. While her worried mother seeks a wealthy suitor for her, Beverly tries to deny her feelings for Jason. The noble Shewsburys will never accept her as his wife. Jason’s plan may be a possible way out of her troubles. With few options left to her, and the lure of spending days in his company, Beverly is determined to take the chance. Their journey into the countryside to mend a family rift might bring closure, or it could go horribly wrong. (Note: This is an introductory novella to the Never Series - Never Doubt a Duke, Book One, coming soon!) The Lyon's Den Connected World Into The Lyon's Den The Scandalous Lyon

    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. Can an earl put aside the ghosts of the past and accept a future with his scandal-plagued wife? On the night of her come-out, Lady Emma Spencer learns her father has bilked numerous peers. Not only is she humiliated, but her father flees England, leaving Emma penniless and homeless. She finds work as a companion, and years later, she winds up with a fortune. All she lacks now is the children she so desperately desires. That means finding a husband—and she turns to The Black Widow of Whitehall, Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, who pairs women touched by scandal with men in desperate need of money.Upon his father's death, Marcus becomes the Earl of Rutherford and finds he's bankrupt, thanks to his father losing the family fortune to poor investments and gambling. Though Marcus had wanted to wed for love, he turns to an infamous matchmaker, who arranges a marriage for him. Lady Emma Spencer is everything he dreamed of in a woman, and Marcus gallantly refuses to discuss her past, telling Emma he is her future.But secrets have a way of coming out, and Marcus learns he's married to the one woman he never would have chosen.Can Marcus put aside the ghosts of the past and accept a future with his wife?Find the answer in bestselling author Alexa Aston's The Lyon's Lady Love, a part of the new Dragonblade Publishing's The Lyon's Den series.

    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.He was only supposed to win the high stakes game of chance, not a bride along with it.Lord Matthew Lyon is often called upon by the Crown because of his mathematical brilliance, and participating in a high stakes game of chance at the notorious Lyon’s Den should have been the easy part of his assignment...only it goes terribly wrong. He wins the pot, as expected since his probability calculations never fail. But no one calculated on his winning the hand of Lady Danielle Haverfield, daughter of the Earl of Haverfield, the prime suspect in a treason plot against the Crown and the very man he is assigned to bring down. She was only trying to stop her brother from gambling his life away. Lady Danielle Haverfield knew she did not belong in the Lyon’s Den, but she had to stop her brother before he gambled away his entire inheritance. Not only did she fail to stop him, but she’s ruined her life as well. Lady Dove-Lyon will not allow her brother to go unpunished, even though the handsome Scottish lord who’s wiped him out is willing to forgive the debt. But the Black Widow of Whitehall has a fearsome reputation to maintain. Someone is going to have to pay for her brother’s inability to pay up, and she’s decided it is to be Danielle. Well, the handsome Scot could have asked for her only for the one night, but he’s proposed marriage instead. Can their love survive his secrets and her father’s betrayal?

    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.After being caught in the most embarrassing of situations that leaves her with a permanent limp, Evangeline Prescott's reputation is beyond repair, and so her mother takes it upon herself to approach the Widow of Whitehall in an attempt to find her a suitable husband.In London for a short season, Scottish Laird Camren MacLean accepts an intriguing invitation to a prestigious gambling den where he loses a high stakes card game. The price of his loss is for him to marry a stranger within a week. A beautiful socialite, a handsome Laird, and a game of chance. Can anyone win?

    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.It’s amazing how quickly a marriage of convenience can become so very complicated...Kingston Barclay cannot inherit the dukedom soon enough. With siblings to support and a nearly bankrupt estate, an opportune marriage is his last hope. But his best-laid plans are upended when he discovers his best friend’s lovely sister sneaking around the Lyon’s Den. His immediate attraction to her would make her a most inconvenient bride, given his circumstances. Convincing his heart of that, however, is another matter entirely...The last thing Vanessa Becket needs is another man in her life. Between her conniving stepbrother, a parade of fortune hunters, and the investigator who failed to reclaim her stolen jewels, she’s had enough. But when she finds herself in a notorious gaming hell, she discovers something far more valuable than missing gems. A temporary arranged marriage to Kingston could solve all her problems. If she manages to not fall for him in the process, that is... It was supposed to be a simple arrangement. But given their histories—and the secrets Kingston is keeping—the road to happily ever after will surely be anything but simple.

    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.When it comes to stealing a Lyon's fortune, it takes two to right a wrong.Visitors to the Lyon’s Den, run by the mysterious Mrs. Dove-Lyon, usually wish to find a spouse, but Audrey has quite another goal in mind. She needs help to secure an invitation to Lyon’s masquerade, the annual event hosted by her once-stepfather, Vincent Lyon, so that she may retrieve the statue he stole from her late mother.Mrs. Dove-Lyon knows just the person to take Audrey to the ball, a shrewd matchmaker that she is, also sees an opportunity to help Lord Peter Dermott, who has been recommended to her as being in urgent need of a wife.When Peter meets Audrey, the attraction is instant, but she presents him with a huge dilemma. Her plan to take the statue is daring, and if it fails, his reputation will be ruined. However, if he walks away, he will most likely lose her, and the chance to make her his...

    Ten New York Times, USA Today or Internationally bestselling authors bring you their twist on the holidays using some of your favorite characters in STARS ARE BRIGHTLY SHINING . This collection includes: "Heart of Thanks" by Paula Quinn -  ‘Tis the season of miracles, and when Elysande MacPherson begins falling in love with the son of her father's worst enemy, she's going to need one. A very big one. "The Hope of Love" by Meara Platt - Felicity Billings, raised as an orphan, has always hoped for a family of her own. Will her wish come true when she takes a tumble and Wellesford's handsome doctor comes to the rescue? "A Christmas Kiss for the Highlander" by Collette Cameron - A prisoner of his past, Quinn Catherwood scorns heritage and kin. Skye Hendron cherishes family and traditions, and she offers him freedom and a future…but can he pay the price? "Christmas Heart" by Mary Lancaster - A quarrel with her husband sees the Duchess of Alvan travelling to her parents’ home for Christmas. But the road is blocked by snow and there is no room at the Hart Inn… "Starlight Night" by Alexa Aston - A child from the streets. A couple with love in their heart. A warm, wonderful Christmas. "One Beastly Christmas" by Sydney Jane Baily - A frigid Christmas Eve, an infuriated husband, and beloved family members gone missing. Forlorn Lady Lindsey needs a holiday miracle, or maybe three! "Warming Winter's Heart" by Elizabeth Ellen Carter - Julian Winter has had his heart broken a time of two. And he's tired of his well-meaning family trying to set him up with yet another vapid debutante. His attitude to attending a winter house party is frosty indeed until he meets fellow guest Caroline, a widow with a young son. As Christmas draws near Julian finds there is warmth in Winter's heart, after all. "A Bunch of Mistletoe" by Lynne Connolly - When Matilda, chaperone and aunt to the most scandalous family in London, takes a tumble from a tree, she's rescued by the most unlikely saviour. Toplofty stickler Harold, the Duke of Trensom, is more than annoyed to find Matilda on his property. Worse when he finds himself falling for her. "A Solitary Candle" by Avril Borthiry - Lost in a winter storm, a cold-hearted man is drawn to a flicker of light in the darkness. Will he find the warmth he seeks? "A Merry MacNaughton Mishap" by Aubrey Wynne - When Calum MacNaughton rescues a rival clan member from an icy drowning, he is unexpectedly rewarded with the clansman’s most precious possession. Now Calum has until Twelfth Night to convince her to stay. From Dragonblade to you, we wish you a very happy holiday season! (Note: This collection will be approx. 500 pages)

    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.Heiress to a fortune, Jenny Hambling needs a husband, before she is made to marry a man she despises. The Lyon’s Den is her only option to buy a husband fast.But she runs into the last man she wants to meet, Miles, The Duke of Goldthorpe. He ruined Jenny’s debut by calling her a Mill Girl. Now he will ruin her bargain with his friend.Three years ago, Miles saw Jenny and tumbled head over heels in love. Doubting his feelings, he called her a name he later regretted, but he arrived at her house too late to apologize. Jenny had gone home. Philosophically, Miles put the whole incident down to a brief infatuation and went on with his life. But infuriatingly, he could never forget her.Now, he can do no less than make amends for her disastrous first season.Thrown together, Jenny and Miles find their attraction as strong as ever. But their lives have moved on, and they find themselves in a new place. Miles is a duke with all the pomp and responsibility that entails. Jenny has an industrial empire to manage in the north. The obstacles seem too great. But are they really?

    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.Haunted by his wife’s death, he vowed to never marry again...until he meets her! Evan Prescott, the fifth Earl of Clarendon lost his wife during the birth of their child. Broken, Evan seeks solace in the Lyon’s Den, a world of drink, cards, and excess—where wins and losses are easier to navigate than responsibilities. Overconfident and in his cups, he makes a bet that will change his life. Still mourning the loss of her father and elder brother… Lady Charlotte Grisham saves her young brother from the path of a speeding carriage. In a fit of pique, she throws propriety to the wind and storms up the steps of the owner’s London townhouse—and meets the man that upends her world.The stars align when his high stakes bet and her lapse in judgement give the Black Widow of Whitehall the perfect opportunity to spin her web of hearts, while untold danger lurks a step behind. Can a marriage of convenience give rise to love in time to avoid deadly disaster? (Note: This is an introductory novella to the Rakes of Mayhem Series - The Earl of Excess, Book One, coming soon!)

    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.Can a woman and her daughter heal the broken heart of a grieving man? Or will ghosts of old keep him forever distanced?When her rake of a husband promises her to another before he dies, Clara Ainsworth, Duchess of Surrey, has no choice but to seek out matchmaker Mrs. Dove-Lyon and the protection of another marriage. More so, she must trick her childhood love, Isaac, into a union, not just for her sake, but his. At one time, he had been there for her, so she's determined to return the favor and see him free of his self-destructive ways.Having suffered more loss than most, Isaac MacLauchlin, Marquess of Durham, frequents the Lyon's Den to drown his grief in liquor. Or so he leads others to believe. In truth, he's keeping tabs on his lost love, Clara. So, imagine his surprise, when she tricks him into a marriage contract to avoid the results of a pre-duel agreement. Naturally, he will protect her, but marrying her is another story. It might come at too high a risk to his wounded heart. Will Isaac and Clara be able to find their way back to each other and deal with the madman who might be on his way? Find out as the past merges with the present in a tale of regret, forgiveness, and new beginnings.

    As a child, her own heart was broken the night her mother dragged her from the Marquess Devereaux’s mansion and forced her into a stranger’s carriage. It was not the fear of meeting her mother’s new lover that had Julianna sobbing, but the fact she was leaving Bennet Devereaux—the marquess’ young son and Julianna’s only friend. Their parting words became a mantra she recited every night before bed.Promise you’ll find me when you’re old enough.Promise you’ll return if you can.Two promises made and broken.Someone is trying to kill Bennet Devereaux. The twenty-seven-year-old marquess has received copies of his obituary, witnessed two staged murder scenes and fears the third might be his last. Desperate to uncover the culprit, he seeks to hire an enquiry agent. Imagine his surprise when the only available agent is a woman—a woman who was once his childhood friend and confidante.Two people thrown together by fate.Bennet and Julianna must find the villain before it’s too late. But the deep bond they forged as children quickly develops into an intense attraction. How will they navigate these uncharted waters when Julianna refuses to be any man’s mistress? What options are left for Bennet when he can’t make a courtesan’s daughter his wife?Find out in The Devereaux Affair - Ladies of the Order Book 1