From New York Times bestselling author Barbara Taylor Bradford comes the highly anticipated second book in the House of Falconer saga. James Lionel Falconer has risen quickly from a mere shop worker to being the right-hand man of Henry Malvern, head of the most prestigious shipping company in London. With Malvern’s daughter Alexis running away to the country after a terrible tragedy and refusing … terrible tragedy and refusing to return, James’ ascent to head of the company seems inevitable. But even a charmed life like James’ is not without its setbacks.
A terrible fire threatens to end his merchant career before it’s had a chance to truly begin. Mrs. Ward, James’ former paramour, has a secret that could change his life forever. And his distaste for Alexis Malvern is slowly growing into feelings of quite a different sort. Can James continue to be the master of his own fate, or will all of his charm, intelligence, and wit finally fail him when he has to enter the lion’s den?
Spanning the years from 1889 to 1892, In the Lion’s Den is Barbara Taylor Bradford at her historical storytelling best.
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I am in love with this series. Barbara Taylor Bradford has brought James Falconer to life in the House of Falconer series and I cannot wait to learn more about this motivated, honest, and hard-working man. The first book gave us a look at his upbringing and how he has become the man he is. This book continues that story but also shows his skills as a man who has dreams to achieve.
In the Lion’s Den is the story of James starting to set the path of starting his own business while being faithful to the Malvern family. He knows that without the Malvern family he would not be where he is today and shows the respect that they have earned from him. He never loses sight of his dream of starting his own company but realizes that he can do both if he stays on path.
The Victorian era setting, the wonderful characters, and the amazing story make this a must-read book. I do recommend reading the first book as it sets up many of the character’s stories. Book three in this series cannot come soon enough. I cannot wait for more about James and his path to success.
I felt this was not a book, but rather a saga. There were many characters to remember, and I was happy to see in the front of the book a summary of who each person was. I found the main character James, whom everyone in the book loves, to be portrayed as cold and clinical to me. I couldn’t feel engaged by him and therefore did not care what happened to him nor anyone else in the book. The book is quite long, and I found I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my honest review.
In the Lion’s Den
Barbara Taylor Bradford
James Lionel Falconer a young man, ambitious, handsome, and very nice. His mind for business is like a steel trap. He is very good at watching the trends. He has a large family and feels blessed to have them. He did not come from a noble home, his mom was a housekeeper, and his dad head butler. He had a lot of friends but he still got lonely.
Alexis Malvern the daughter of his boss, in the retail business. She had lost her fiance to pneumonia about a year ago but was still morning him. The way she treated James was awful and she had not been to the office in two years. She was his heir and needed to know how to run the business if anything should happen to him.
An amazing read and so much happened. The story read smoothly, even, and cute. His and her emotions ran the full gambit. The characters were emotional and trying to be good people. I do highly recommend this book. There are some questions that need to be answered.
I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
Her 1979 debut novel, A Woman of Substance, ranks as one of the top-ten bestselling books of all-time, with more than 30 million copies in print. All 31 of her novels to date have been major worldwide bestsellers.
IN THE LION’S DEN continues the story of James Lionel Falconer who has now risen the ranks from working in his father’s market stall and crowning himself as the merchant prince, to now working side by side with the glorious shipping magnate, Henry Malvern of London’s Malvern & Malvern Co. in the setting of Victorian England, the ever handsome and ambitious James’ path to success was never easy – instead full of drama and intrigue.
In Bradford’s signature storytelling style, she writes this historical fiction drama full of complex characters, a story rich in historical detail, and an entertaining storyline and plot with a pacing so enjoyable that makes it hard to put down.
Historical fiction readers will endear to the Falconers family as we read about the intricate storyline full of ambition, romance and unexpected twists that makes this novel such an immersive and compelling read I enjoyed.
Barbara Taylor Bradford has done it again! She has created another wonderful story that will instantly pull you in, take you on a whirlwind ride and set you down unexpectedly and loving every minute of it. IN THE LION’S DEN was perfectly chiseled and took me to a time when I would find my mom reading through all her BTB books.
The plot line and the characters are beautifully penned. The Victorian era is vividly portrayed through this novel. There were so many times that I felt myself within the story, walking along side James and Alexis. I loved that feeling! The ups and downs of wondering what would happen with them, to them and around them, truly kept me hooked!
Once again, I highly recommend this beautifully chiseled novel. Bradford is a timeless story teller who never fails to deliver a story that will play out like watching a movie on the big screen. Her characters are always life like, her story line always full of rich details that make the reader feel as though they are truly the center of the story. I can’t wait to read the next book! Well done, Bradford. Well done!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Author/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.* Barbara Taylor Bradford
Generational Saga in 1890’s Britain
It is obvious from the start that this book is not the first in a series. It seems to start in the middle of a story that you should already know. Since I hadn’t read any prior book, it took quite some time to ‘get in’ to the story. I would strongly suggest reading them in order. At ay rate, this is a generational saga. It involves intertwined families of both working and blue blood classes. It is somewhat of a soap opera with romance, evil bad guys and Eagle Scouts. When bad things happen, it is really bad. When good things happen, you hold your breath that it will last. While I don’t really enjoy this type of novel, it is very well done. There are many characters and this reader was able to keep them straight without needing to refer to the guide. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
James Falconer has taken a job with the Malvern shipping company and risen to be the right-hand-man of Henry Malvern, the owner. When Malvern’s daughter Alexis, the heir apparent, retreats to her home in Kent after a devastating loss, it’s quite possible James may become the heir apparent. But James faces set-backs and may not survive them.
Bradford has set her well-written second book in the House of Falconer series in Victorian London between the years of 1889-1892. There is a large cast of characters most of whom were first introduced in the first book, but Bradford does an outstanding job of giving the reader who has not read the first book enough information about the characters to not leave them in the dark and not enough of retelling events from the first book to bore the reader who read the first book to tears.
This is a slow-paced unfolding of events. Along the way, Bradford describes the city streets, the homes, family dinners, and what the characters are wearing so the reader can actually feel like she’s in Victorian London amongst the well-do of London society.
The ending is predictable, but any other ending would have negated the rest of the book.
All-in-all, if you’re a fan of historical romance novels, this book should be high on your to-be-read list. If you don’t like novels that unfold at a leisurely pace while the author sets the scene for the events, you’ll probably want to pass on this book.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Edelweiss for an eARC.
Wow! Barbara Taylor Bradford, the author of “In the Lion’s Den”, “The House of Falconer” Book Two, has written an intriguing, compelling, captivating, and entertaining novel. This is the second book in the series, and I really think one would benefit by reading the first but could read this as a stand-alone. The genres for this novel are historical fiction, women’s fiction, romance, suspense, and fiction. The timeline for this story is from 1889-1892. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated.
There are many characters from the first novel in this one, and there are also some new characters. James Lionel Falconer is now the right head man of Henry Malvern, who owns a shipping company. James now has a job that not only is responsible, but respectable. He certainly has worked his way up the ladder. There are certain secrets and threats that will change James’ life forever.
Henry Malvern’s daughter Alexis is still depressed after a tragedy. Alexis shows no interest in running her father’s company. At times she seems to be mean spirited, and rude when she sees James. A close friend to Jane says something to get Jane to realize that it might be the time to move on.
I love the way that Barbara Taylor Bradford vividly tells her story through her characters, settings, and plot. I look forward to the next novel in the series. I highly recommend this entertaining and thought-provoking book.
There is a lot going on in this story. You have to pay close attention to follow all the many characters and their stories. Lionel and Alexis are dealing with different issues in their lives while pretending the other doesn’t exist. Lionel is working on getting his empire off the ground while discovering that there are secrets to be discovered. Alexis is still mourning the death of her fiancé until her friends stage an intervention. This leads her back into the world and into the arms of Lionel and a happily ever after.
In the Lion’s Den is a beautifully written book that comes alive and you feel that you are right there in Victorian England with the Falconers and the Malverins.
James story continues as he learns , makes mistakes and you cant help but turn the pages to see what will happens .
I wont give anything away but you will be waiting for book 3 to see how James’s story continiues. I cant wait !! First in line !!
Although you can read In The Lions Den as a stand alone, I would recommend you read book 1 first.
Barbara Taylor never fails to entertain and provide a great story. (Women of Substance is still one of my favourites).
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to spend some time with James once again.
I received an ARC from the author and through a Goodreads Giveaway.
This is the second book in the House of Falconer. I thought it was fabulous. James has risen thru the Malvern Store. Alexis, the heiress to the company, has ran away to the country.
The book spans from 1889-1892. BTB gives you a chance to continue watching the Falconers. From James to his grandparents. He has risen thru the ranks, his uncles continue to do good. There are surprises for James along the way. Some good, some bad. But thru everything he has his family and his posse.
Alexis runs away to the country. Her friends wonder, as well as the reader, if she will ever return to London. She has a few surprises thrown her way, as well. But she has her close friends that help her along the way.
BTB lets us glimpse at London and the surrounding areas during the 1890’s. She gives us a chance to see what life may have been like during this time. Her writing transports the reader to the 1890’s and when one closes the book, it takes a minute to realize you are back in 2020.
I can not wait to see what book 3 has in store for James Falconer and Alexis Malvern. I’m sure with BTB writing we will be transported again back in time and allowed a glimpse of the 1890’s.