Customer Reviews

Always (Leisure historical romance)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is my first Lynsay Sands novel and it will not be my last.Always is a novel tat has it all: Humor, romance and Mystery.The parts of the story with Aric and Rosamude's wedding night as well asAric trying to teach his wife to enjoy the " Matial Bed" are priceless.The real humor however, is when Rosamude dressed Aric's horse up in his clothes by the fire in the Keep to help the animal get over a cold. I laughed s hard people on the bus were looking at me.Although these two people did not start out loving each other the relationship and the love was so much fun to read. Learning about themselves and learning to trust easc other was wonderful.The novel also contained a little myster, Who killed Rosamude's mother and why issomeone trying to kill her is a question that takes center stage is the later part of this book.This book is one I will read over and over again.Great love stories never grow tried.

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.

After catching his betrothed Delia in the arms of another man, Aric of Burkhart drowns his sorrows in the company of his trusted friend, Robert of Shambley. Well into his cups, he is in the middle of condemning all women, vowing to never marry even under the threat of torture when a cloaked man suddenly appears and asks him if he would still keep his vow under the threat of death. Outraged by the man's audacity, he turns around only to find himself faced with his liege, King Henry II. Adding to his shock, the king wastes no time in announcing his intention to marry off his illegitimate but beloved daughter, Rosamunde, in order to protect her from possible danger with his throne currently under threat from his own sons' betrayal. And he declares his choice of husband for her to be Aric. Fearful of being drawn and quartered, Aric reluctantly obeys the king and they immediately ride off to the abbey where Rosamunde has lived since she was born. As fate would have it, they arrive in the abbey just in time for Rosamunde was about to take the veil the very next day. Now out of love for her father, Rosamunde obediently accepts her father's request for her to marry Aric.

What follows is a hilarious beginning to their marriage. Having grown up in the company of nuns, Rosamunde has no idea what takes place in the marriage bed and briefly gets a crash lesson from Sister Eustice. After exchanging vows, King Henry orders them to consummate the marriage to ensure that it cannot be annulled, locks the two up in Rosamunde's small bedchamber and gives them a few minutes to get the deed done. What occurs is one of the most hilarious love scenes (if one can call it that) I have ever read. Due to ignorance, Rosamunde does and say some funny things that shock Aric! And the hilarity doesn't end there but continues all the way to their trip home to Goodhall Keep.

Although some things were pretty far-fetched, you won't be able to help but laugh. Initially, Rosamunde comes across as a bit dense, but it is understandable because you do see how torn she is trying to hold true to the vow she's made to God and her father to obey her husband, and also the need to put Aric in his place when he becomes too stubborn and arrogant. As for Aric, even when he acts like a real jerk sometimes, it is amusing to see him struggle to suppress his feelings for Rosamunde and his ever-growing concern for her happiness and safety.

Fun and entertaining, ALWAYS is a nice way to spend a leisurely afternoon when you're after a light-hearted read.

THE BEST romance I have EVER read! I laughed and smiled all the way through it! This is the first book by Lynsay Sands I have read, so I am anxious to read more from her. I could not put this book down. I love the characters Aric and Rosemunde, she is absolutely DELIGHTFUL, and Aric has a charming temper, yes... charmimg! I laughed at her antics and at his response to her antics! I'm smiling as a type this remembering. The story is weaved so well and carries you through from one delight to the next. I agree with the other post, the deflowering was hysterical! Rosemunde's ignorance of what goes on in the marriage bed was charming and sweet, besides being rib-tickling funny! A DEFINITE buy and a DEFINITE KEEPER. Thank you Ms. Sands!

This book was such a wonderful surprise- I really enjoyed it and will read all her other books. Some parts of this book made me laugh out loud they were so funny. The romance was also very enjoyable-The romance scenes were just hot enough-I like a little spice and there was enough in this book along with a story to keep you interested. I really liked Rosamunde she was a wonderful lead character and Aric was just perfect for her-Just enough tension -I highly recommend this book

I had the joy of reading a pre-pub copy of this book and it had become my favorite Lynsay Sands novel. It contains the most hilarious deflowering I have ever read! Many parts of this story made me laugh until the tears flowed. I recommend this book highly.

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...

Lynsay Sands is rapidly becoming one of my favorite romance authors. Always is the second book that I have read and like the first it is a winner.

Always has it all an engaging couple with fantastic chemistry.
A believilbe mystery and interesting secondary characters makes for a very entertaining read.

Always begins with King Henry ordering a resently unengaged knight named Aric to marry his illegitimate daughter or die. Rosamunde is a convent raised girl ready to take the veil. Wishing to make her father happy she agrees to marry an total stranger. The marriage is consumated in a very fuuny scene comes up a few more times through out the book. All I will say is that Rosamunde spent alot of time around animals and had just one sexual position stuck in her head.

There were some sad moments but more than enough comedy to make me laugh again and again.

The love between Aric and Rosamunde is what romance novels are all about.

I highly recommend this book.
Sensuality rating 4.5 out of 5.

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.

I read this story a few years ago, then stuck it on my home library shelf and forgot all about it. I found it on my shelf and decided to reread it so I could give it a star rating and short review in my library directory. (I use the directory to keep from re-buying books I already own, and to help me remember which authors I'd like to read more books from.) I now know why absolutely none of this story was memorable. It is basically a circle of unexciting events repeating themselves.

The hero is unreasonably jealous and constantly shouting/bellowing/losing his temper for no reason. The heroine at first seemed sweet and innocent, but about half-way through the book she became thoroughly too stupid to live. She had no common sense, no capacity for learning from past mistakes and experiences, and no sense of self preservation. (Gee... there might be someone hiding in the loft who has been trying to kill me. There are men right outside who would come and help me if I asked them to, but why do that when I can climb up this latter and see for myself... Someone tried to stab me in my bed the other night, but I'm sure it was just a silly misunderstanding because I'm so sweet no one would want to hurt me.) This sort of thing went on and on. She ignored the warnings of a bull keeper and her husband, climbing right into a bull pen with the angry beast. (Again, she was sure the bull wouldn't hurt her. She'd make friends with him because she "had a away with animals".) She wandered out into the woods alone even after it was apparent that someone in their company was trying to kill her. It got to the point where I was wishing the killer would put her out of MY misery.

The characters were bad enough to warrant a 1 star rating, but the author was very funny in beginning of the book. That bumped it up to 2.