Customer Reviews

What She Wants

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lynsay Sands is proving book after book she is a writer to be watched
with deft, crafts and natural voice, she weaves a medieval tale that
captures the reader from the very start. As she did in The Deed,
The Key and Always, she conjures characters that will live in your
heart long after the book is put down.

Hugh is the new 5th Earl of Hillcrest, the Earldom coming through to
him upon his uncle's death. The only provision he must meet is his
uncles request he marry Willa. Hugh presumed the girl who lives
in the cottage with the local witch, to be the biblow daughter of his
uncle and he is insulted his uncle tried to force such a match.
And, being typically male, he insults Willa by informing
he has no wish to marry the illegitimate daughter of his uncle.

To his horror, he later learn he does not have to marry Willa if
he does not want, and he will still be Earl of Hillcrest - just all
the money goes with Willa. No marriage, no money to run the
vast estate. Hugh has none of his own, since my father lost
their family fortunate a decade earlier, so in order to keep
Hillcrest he must marry Willa.

But then, Hugh is finding that option less repugnant as
time passes, for Willa is a beautiful young woman with a heart
gold. Hugh must quickly earn her hand in marriage in order
to save all. This task is complicated by the preditions of the
witch, who tells Willa if she does not hold out until Hugh
crawls on his belly to her, though they wed, Hugh will be
murdered within a month. She holds out and thinks
all will be well, but the witch warns there are many
evil forces at work that could see either of them dead.

Hugh at first scoffs at this, but soon learns there is a very
reall threat to Willa's life. The witch has warned he must
unravel the riddle of who Willa really is before an old
enemy could strike to destroy them both.

This book is another tour de force for Lynsay Sands, showing
a stronger side in the story line than in pervious works. Oh,
the trademark laugh out loud humour is this there - with such
wonderfully witty results, showing Lynsay's skill with storyteller
just grows better and better.

I think this is her best book to date...I look forward to the
Contemporary Loving Daylight next February and all
the other wonderful books to come.

WISE Readers and Writers Book of the Month September 2002

If you really want to laugh and enjoy a wonderful romance, this is the book for you. It is truly hilarious and, I have to admit, I began to feel sorry for poor Sir Hugh. He truly does suffer some trials and tribulations trying to win back the fair Willa (who was just waiting to fall in his lap until he opened his mouth and called her a nasty name!). His inept efforts lead to some great comedy material!

I want sequels for some of the supporting characters - they are much too wonderful to leave behind. Especially Sir Hugh's effeminate courtier cousin who fights like a very manly warrior. More to him than he is letting on! With a little work his book could be just as wonderful as this one!

Thanks to Lynsay Sands for another great one!

I am the male half of the management at WISE Writers and Readers, so I occasionally step out of the shadows and review a book I enjoy. Lynsay's newest is a wonderfully warm and touching romp. Her characters are vivid, and such tenderhearted people. And her writing is so funny. I always been so cheerful after reading her books. I laugh out loud...and that is a rare gift to move people to such laughter.
Highly recommended.

WISE Writer and Readers Book of the Month for September 2002

I know that I am in the minority, but honest, I'm not one of those "spoilers' who has to harshly critique great books. I really love Lynsay Sands humor, but I just didn't think this was that funny. I smiled a few times, but as for that laugh out loud humor that Sands is famous for..this isn't the book.

Maybe it was the whole witch theme, maybe it was Willa that I just never really "got" with her wolves for friends and cluelessness, maybe it was Hugh who so stupidly went about trying to court Willa, or maybe it was the long, drawn out explanation of her origins that left me skimming to end the misery as quick as possible.....whatever it was, I can't recommend this book.

I do recommend this author. My favorite book of hers is "Bliss". Now that is romantic comedy if I've ever read it. Skip this one and try that one first...you won't be sorry.

After finishing Lady Pirate, I could hardly wait to read this one. And when I started, I simply couldn't put it down.
It all takes place in the begining of the 13th century when Earl Hugh Dulonget of Hillcrest's uncle dies and the will says he must marry a girl called Willa. He goes to see her, but leaves after calling her a peasant. Soon he realizes he must marry her. Refusing to listen to any advice, he sets his mind to making her need him and that way she would forgive him and marry him. It is harder than he thought and if she would reconsider, would they live happily ever after?

The characters in Lynsay's books are strong individuals, both the males and females. But she also makes them very realistic and clever. The females are independant, but still emotional and caring. Although this book is hillarious the characters are never stupid, which makes her novels different from many others! She has her own way of mixing history, romance, humour and realism that works wonderfully and I'm very impressed with the works I've read by her so far! Can't wait to read more!!
I love this book, it's such a great read. Wonderful entertainment if you love romance novels or rarely read them. Filled with humor and strong minded characters makes it a huge hit. I don't know how many times I laughed out loud because of certain scenes or comments, it's a howl!!
I highly recommend this book to everyone. One of the best books I've read actually. Lynsay is a brilliant writer!!

I REALLY LOVED THIS BOOK. IT HAD HUMOR ALONG WITH THE ROMANCE. THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK I HAVE READ BY THIS AUTHOR, I AM HOOKED.

Lynsay Sands is a master at dialog - I almost think she must have been a stand up comic in a former life as the dialog in this book will have you on the floor laughing hilariously.

Earl Hugh Dulonget of Hillcrest, warrior and knight extraordinaire has just inherited an Earldom. Nothing for nothing, being the case there was one minor caveat - that being that he must marry. Not that the would be bride wasn't pretty enough - Lady Willa was beautiful - but dressed as she was - he assumed she was a peasant and had just insulted her by calling her one! Now, if you could picture in your mind, Larry, Moe and Curly (the three stooges) giving advice on how to win back her esteem, you can just imagine the attempts Hugh has been going through to get back in her good graces! Hugh's men-at-arms, his cousin and Willa's uncle were almost as clueless as Hugh in how to court a Lady!

The old witch who was Willa's guardian, told Willa that the only way she could accept Hugh for her husband and live happily ever after would be for him to crawl on his belly - seriously - Willa was not to accept his suit until he performed this task. Hugh being the stalwart warrior that he was would find this to be a difficult task - of course, he was not aware that this was what would get Willa to say yes either! As it so happens, through a series of mishaps, Hugh does end up crawling through the mud and Willa does agree to marry him.

One would think that this knight would then know what to do next other than the fact that through some misguided attempts by both the parish priest and the old witch with their instructions for the marriage bed - one wonders that the deed was ever done. In a more serious vein, there is also woven into this story, the mystery of the many attempts on Willa's life, and the prediction that Hugh and Willa would have a long and happy life - once Hugh solves a puzzle.

There were numerous secondary characters that added a full body lushness to this very funny, medieval mystery. Between the witch, the men at arms, the gay cousin, etc. the double entendres and extremely witty conversations will keep you laughing out loud and turning the pages well into the night to finish the tale. The one exception I had, to giving this an overall 5 rating was the fact that Hugh was too often made to look like a complete buffoon and I really like my heros to be more herolike! This is, of course, just my opinion. Other than that - I really do recommend this book for anyone looking for a lot of laughs and a light and entertaining read.

This is the 3rd book by Lynsay Sands that I have read. She writes such adorable romantic comedy. All of her characters are all usually somewhat insecure in their love lives and they do such funny things to try to win one another over. This book is no exception. Her writing just gets better and better and it is a great escape. I have her on my must buy list now.

Hugh Dulonget is a formidable knight. Handsome and courageous, he has women falling at his feet. But intimacy is all they want from him, for despite his reputation as a warrior to be reckoned with, he is landless and therefore hasn't had any luck in getting someone to marry him. But it all changes on the death of his uncle, the Earl of Hillcrest. Inheriting the earldom and all its wealth, Hugh relishes the power that comes with it. And then he finds out that it comes at a price. Earl Hugh Dulonget of Hillcrest must marry the lass chosen by his late uncle. And what's worse, Hugh finds out that woman chosen is just a lowly village wench. Well, at least that's what he thought... until he realizes he's just made the biggest mistake of his life by calling Willa a peasant. So the fun begins.

I have read two other books by Lynsay Sands (ALWAYS and THE DEED) and I must say that she has a real knack for creating stories that provide enough entertainment and comedy. Her heroes have just the right touch of arrogance and vulnerability when it comes to women. It was fun reading Hugh grovel to change Willa's mind and accept his marriage proposal. I liked how he tried to take his flamboyant cousin's advice in courtship and how he practically made a fool of himself because of his "ineptness" when it comes to actually wooing the opposite sex. As for Willa, she is smart, funny, naïve in a lot of ways, but never stupid. I enjoyed the part when she's riding in front of Hugh thinking there was something wrong with the saddle because "there appears to be some great hard thing" poking her from behind. Scenes like that are some of the trademark humor I have enjoyed in Lynsay Sands' books.

WHAT SHE WANTS, with its blend of laugh out loud scenes, lovely characters and a bit of history, is another entertaining book from Sands. And, of course, there is also the murder mystery plot that adds a little bit of twist to the story and keep you guessing.

I highly recommend this for a nice, lighthearted read.

Okay, I'm not one who likes to have to keep track of numerous
characters, and this book challenged me to the limits in that
regard, but that aside, I thought it was a very good read.

I must say, though, that part of the charm for me was yet another
cover with Stefan Andreas Schwarze featured. That man is the Brad Pitt of romance cover models, let me tell you!!!

Anyway, Stefan Schwarze aside, I did enjoy this book very much.
The perserverance of the main character was exlempary. I think he would still be sitting in the rain right now, if not for the
event that changed the course of the book. I must say, Willa got
over Hugh being snotty in the wink of any eye. I would have thought her unhappiness with his attitude would have lasted longer than it did. I must say she is a very forgiving woman.

I will read another Lynsay Sands book again, but for now, I'm
taking a break from them to try out some other authors I think I
might be intrigued by.