Both The Lyon’s Gambit and The Lyon’s Alliance are finalists in the 2025 Heart Awards from the Oklahoma Romance Writers Guild. The winners will be announced at the Heart Award Gala on August 2.

I won’t know the results until August, so for now I’m just thrilled (and maybe a little twitchy with anticipation). These stories were such a joy to write, and seeing them both recognized in this way is something I’ll treasure, no matter what happens next.

To all my fellow writers, readers, and late-night brainstormers, thank you for being part of this wild, wonderful journey.

The Lyon’s Gambit

In a world bound by rules, love becomes the ultimate gambit.

In the glittering world of London, where society dictates everything, Nathaniel, Marquess of St. John, learned the hard way that playing by those rules doesn’t always guarantee a happy ending. Jilted by a woman chosen for him by his father, Nathaniel swore off marriage and embraced the life of a steadfast bachelor.

Louise Hartfield is a talented seamstress with a disdain for the ton’s rigid expectations. Trapped by her mother’s antiquated insistence that as the elder daughter she must wed before her younger sister, Louise scoffs at the idea of conforming to such a preposterous rule.

When Nathaniel and his friends bet on whether love can transcend class, they turn to Mrs. Dove-Lyon, whose Lyon’s Den hosts their daring experiment. As Nathaniel and Louise navigate society’s expectations, they find themselves drawn together in a quest for true love. Will they defy tradition or succumb to its demands? In this high-stakes gamble for love, who will emerge victorious?

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/LD-Gambit

The Lyon’s Alliance

In a world where alliances are everything, love becomes the most daring and unpredictable alliance of all.

In the heart of Regency London, amidst the glittering ballrooms and shadowy alleyways, a mystery unfolds that threatens to unravel the very fabric of high society. The intertwined fates of two men navigate a web of secrets, desire, and betrayal—all for the love of one woman.

Christina Hartfield, beset by her family’s recent financial woes and devoid of a dowry, assists Mrs. Dove-Lyon with her charity work. She finds herself caught between Viscount Wolfton, with his mercurial charm and mysterious past, who seeks to win her heart while hiding a wager with Mrs. Dove-Lyon that could ruin them both, and Richard St. John, steadfast and sincere, who battles his doubts as he strives to prove his worth and protect Christina from the shadows that lurk around them.

Inspired by a discussion with Richard, Christina develops an ambitious project for indigent children, which gains momentum, but whispers of embezzlement and scandal threaten to derail her efforts. The stakes are high, with reputations, fortunes, and hearts on the line. In a world where appearances can be deceiving, Christina must discern who she can truly trust.

Will the truth come to light before it’s too late? Can love triumph over deceit? Or will the shadows of the past destroy any chance of happiness?

In a tale where love and loyalty are tested, the final twist remains shrouded in secrecy, proving that in the game of hearts, the most profound alliances are often those least expected.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/LD-Alliance