[.ca] Always (ISBN 0843947365)

Always is a MUST!!:
Lynsay's newest book proves she is a writer to watch. She broke into the romance world with a bang with The Deed, and has proven with such great books as The Switch, Lady Pirate and The Key that she can do it again and again. Her style is fluid, her voice so natural, and there is no one else like her around. Her books are warm, intelligent and with a ton of humour. When I am reading anything by Lynsay, I am always smiling or laughing out loud!! So many times when someone tries the light touch with historical, their heroine comes out like an idiot. Lynsay deftly walks that fine line between jest and joke, with intelligent resourceful characters that often do silly things - but for good reasons!! Most especially, her books are never contrived. In Always, her Rosamunde is a gently raised fartherless daughter of King Henry, and just before his death he arranges a marriage for her to Alric. He is coming off a bad engagement and has little trust for women, but sees no choice in the forced marriage. While Rosamunde is not totally against the idea of a husband, she brings a vast lacking in knowledge to the marriage bed due to the concepts instilled in her by the nuns . Rosemunde is an adorable, charming, witty character and one you will long remember. I read a lot, so often books tend to blur together. Years from now I will think of Rosamunde and remember her well!! Pick up Lynsay Sands and you are guaranteed a good time!! WISE Writers and Readers Book of the Month for April 2001 Book of the Year for 2001 (tied with Night Visitor by Melanie Jackson)

Hilarious!:
This is my favorite book from Sands. Rosamunde was endearing and sweet and the dialogue was to die for. I was reading this book while waiting for an oil change, and I laughed out loud in the waiting room. I could just picture the bedding scene in my mind so clearly. There are so many humorous things in this book, that if you want a romance that is lighthearted, then this is the one for you.

Irritating after a while:
This book did have some humorous moments and the love scenes were steamy. However, the heroine really started to get on my nerves. She was made out to be just plain stupid at times. She seemed to follow Aric around like some insipid ninny. After a while, it seemed that she was just a sex toy and had no brain. This was a major flaw in the novel and one I couldn't get past enough to read the remainder of the novel (I read about 3/4).

Humor and love:
As with all of Lynsay Sands stories this one has a lot of things that will make you laugh out load. You will also hate the hero at parts for being the most stupid of men. This is the story of Rosamunde who is about to "take the veil "when her father (the king) shows up to marry her to a knight and see her set up in her life so that he knows she will be happy. The only problem is that she was not raised to be a wife and is more comfortable around horses and animals that people. But, that changes slowly with he growing caring for her new husband. There is a lot of humor in this story and a strong woman character. One of the best scenes is where Aric walks into the great hall to discover not only is there a gassy horse there but it is wearing his new hat and his great cloak...

Another winner!:
You've gotta love the lengths to which Rosamunde will go to not "disobey" her new husband. Being that "to obey" is a pretty important wedding vow, and we all know how men feel about being obeyed..... Once again Sands delivers a charming and bright story about two who go through some interesting changes in order to become one. Aric has just enough stubborness so that we're sure he's all man, but put the threat of being drawn and quartered on his plate and...... Well, he's no dummy. And what can we say about Rosamunde? Sweet, intelligient, easy to get along with, undercover rebel (that kinda thing happens when you're raised in a convent) and well schooled in the art of mating. Animal mating, that is. Makes for some interesting lovemaking, you think? Enough said about that. I don't know how Ms. Sands keeps coming up with these great stories; I'm just glad she does. It's always such a pleasure to be surprised, amused by and truly interested in the characters.