The Stone Lyon: The Lyon's Den Connected World

by Leslie Vollard

132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2026

About the author

Leslie Vollard writes award-winning historical romance spanning from the medieval period to the early 20th century. Romance reigns supreme in her steamy novels about how love conquers all. A 2023 Passionate Plume winner and 2025 Romance through the Ages finalist, she lives on Long Island with her delightfully nerdy husband and cat. She loves gardening, baking, and reading love poems in dead languages.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Stone Lyon by Leslie Vollard is a novella that captures what Bessie Dove-Lyon does best: select the appropriate coupling. David Preston, the Earl of Whitcomb, was at the Lyon’s Den to negotiate the debt his brother, Charles, owed. When she handed him the note, his breath caught. He didn’t have that much, even if he sold properties. And, what would that leave for his son, Timothy? He knew her reputation for arranging marriages. But, Charles would be a disaster as a husband. Bessie knew that, too, and she had a different groom in mind: him. The bride was to be the daughter of the Duke of Wellington. Could this be worse? He would never let himself fall in love again. The first time had ended in disaster. He didn’t have it in him again.

Clarissa was the victim of rumor by a man trying to force a marriage: he needed the generous dowry she carried. She was the eternal optimist and when she saw David she knew she would love him and he her. He didn’t plan to, but she was a force of nature and it didn’t take long for both he and his son to be head-over-heels. It was short and very sweet. Little plot, but that’s OK.

I was invited to read The Stone Lyon by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine.. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #LeslieVollard #TheStoneLyon

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the Black Widow of Whitehall threatens his brother Charles with prison if he can't pay his exorbitant gambling debts, David must strike a bargain, and Mrs. Dove-Lyon knows exactly how he can pay. Clarissa, daughter of the Duke of Wellington, dreams of a love match, but her former fiance, Lord Effingham, is spreading vicious rumours that he has compromised her virtue
Another addition to the connected world. I enjoyed this novella but had to make myself forget that Clarissa’s father was the Duke of Wellington, why the author used such a well known figure & then give him a fictional daughter I don’t know. Plus it didn’t sit right that someone would dare to threaten the Iron Duke’s daughter. I liked David & Clarissa but didn’t love them she was too sunny & I didn’t rate her intelligence highly. He was grumpy but gradually relaxed
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2
We have Lord David Whitcomb in the Lyons Den because his brother Charles amassed a huge gambling debt. David is the eldest son so he is called to save Charles from the debtors prison! Bessie Lyon has a counter offer of course since David is a widower he is free to marry! But his heart is frozen since his deceased wife betrayed him! His future bride is his former superior officer none other than Duke of Wellington he has a ray of sunshine in Lady Clarissa. She believes she is extremely lucky and that will win the day! But she has an ex who has been spreading vicious untruths even at the reading of the Banns! I can’t imagine her father standing for such foolishness as the famous General was. They think they have routed Lord Effingham but some people will not give up. So let the games begin where love and sunshine meet. Bravo I received an ARC copy from Netgalley for my unbiased opinion.

[Pat Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so love grumpy/sunshine stories. Clarissa is in a class all by herself, believing life is on her side. I could almost feel the sun blaring in my eyes, she is so sunshiny! David had a horrible first marriage and encased his heart in stone. His brother, Charles is the scoundrel that put David in Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s sight and it was not surprising that David’s anger spilled over on him. The villain is a true wastrel and it was rather funny how he got caught. I did find David’s turnaround a bit quick, but being a short story, it almost had to be. This is a quick, easy read with no crass language (thank you, Author!), some spicy love scenes and a true sense of “daffodils and unicorns.” I enjoyed watching Clarissa pull David back into life and Timothy is such a cutie, I just wanted to hug him! Great , quick read.

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

[Tiffany P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella. David was forced into a marriage at the Lyon’s Den to cover the debts of his younger brother. Clarissa needed to get married right away to counteract rumors of her ruin started by her jilted ex-betrothed. She was all sunshine and optimism, and he was a widower of all gloom with a frozen heart after the betrayal from his first wife. They were destined to be together. She slowly chipped away at his heart and they found their HEA. This story had funny witty dialogue that made me laugh and sweet precious moments that made me smile. I enjoyed the characters and their interactions. They did have to deal with the villainous ex, but things worked out the way they should.

I received an advanced copy of this novella from Net Galley and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Mindy B (reader_of_the_lost_arcs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clarissa has been compromised by a jerk of a man and her very famous father turns to Mrs Dove-Lyon to save her reputation. David's brother is a wastrel and owes Mrs Dove-Lyon a lot of money. Mrs Dove-Lyon comes up with a scheme that David marry to pay off his brother's debts.

I really liked Clarissa. She's very positive and has a "fake it 'till you make it" outlook. Not even David can resist her charms. I always like real historical figures dropped into the story too. David eventually did find his charming true self too. Great book!

Thank you to Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clarrisa was in a mess her fiance had been discovered to be rotten he had seduced somebody else while engaged to her so her engagement had been broken off and,she was now an outcast from the ton. Her parents had approached Mrs Dove-Lyon to arrange a match.
Charles meanwhile had been forced because of his brother's debt to accepts an arranged match from Mrs Dove-Lyon
This was a nice sweet romantic novel by an author I haven't read before.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade publishing for my arc copy

[Vonna Fortner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow-Just skip this

Have you ever been frustrated by a main female character who according to the story, makes such a monumentally stupid and dangerous decision that is, well, unbelievable? Well it happens in this story after about 100 pages in and that ended it for me. A waste of time. No one even a century ago could be that obtuse.