Will a road brake lever work with a v-brake?
Not typically.  They have different pull ratios.  However, you can get a device called a travel agent to make this work.

Some companies such as Paul's make a cyclocross specific v brake such as the Mini Moto which have the same pull ratio as road brake levers.

If you're not using brifters and have separate brake levers and shifters, you can buy linear pull drop bar levers like Tektro RL 520 that will work with your v-brakes without buying separate travel agents.