Always

I love Lynsay Sands' HRs -- they are steamy and keep me hooked with the plot lines. This book is no different!Aric is a warrior who has earned the trust and respect of his king, though his personal life leaves much to be desired. As the story begins, he is attempting to drink his sorrows away after discovering his bride-to-be getting it on with a man in the stables. Add that to the fact that his mother also strayed repeatedly in her marriage, and Aric has decided he will never marry. As he shares this sentiment with his best friend, a man disguised in robes ask him if he would reconsider should his life depend on it.... And Aric quickly discovers it is his king asking the question (though he would be ordering the marriage).The king's bastard daughter Rosamunde, has lived her life in the abbey and is preparing to take the veil when her father arrives out of the blue to inform her she is to be married... that day! She reluctantly obeys her beloved father's orders as he is concerned for her safety --- his sons attempt to overthrow him, and he wants to ensure the child born to his favorite love is well cared for by a man he believes to be the best choice for her: Aric. Given that the king is fleeing his enemies, he demands an immediate marriage and consummation -- a situation made even more unfortunate by the fact that Rosamunde is given the birds and bees lecture by a nun who tells her it is done just like the animals she has tended in the stables. Imagine Aric's reaction to enter his bride's bedroom with the king literally outside the door demanding he do the deed in 5 minutes to find her on all fours in the middle of the bed! But he has been ordered to quickly get the marriage consummated, so he attends to his husbandly duties. Obviously, this is a less than pleasurable experience for both of them, and Aric feels both guilty and irritated that his bride will now fear their joining in the future as he knows the king will carry out his threat to have Aric drawn and quartered should his dearest daughter be unhappy.Rosamunde does not know what to think of her new husband as he speaks little and seems to ignore her most of the time on their journey to their new holdings granted to her by her father. It is, of course, hard to get to know each other amidst other men every night at campsites with no tent, so she reserves judgement until they arrive at their new home. Upon arrival, there are many things that need immediate attention, and Aric refuses to allow Rosamunde to assist in anything beyond the keep as he worries about her incomparable beauty tempting others and cannot get the imagery of his former fiancee in the stables out of his mind. But the stables is what Rosamunde knows as a gifted animal healer and caregiver, so she is confused and dismayed that Aric refuses to allow her to assist. Will Aric learn to trust Rosamunde before she expresses her misery at being so limited that she wishes to return to her life at the abbey? And, if so, will they be able to unravel the mystery as to why someone seems to want them both dead?What I liked--- Great plot line with some good twists and turns along the way--- Oh the steamy goodness!What I didn't like as much:--- Aric was a little too over the top with the jealousy issues for longer than I felt was reasonable, so at times, he was a total dick to Rosamunde, which I didn't feel was necessaryOverall, a great read if you enjoy steamy medieval HRs with some intrigue.Plot --- 4/5Main Characters --- 4/5Supporting Cast --- 4/5Steam Level* --- 4/5Language --- not egregiousViolence --- not reallyPOV --- 3rd*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all

Lynsay Sands an extraordinary writer. She weaves her stories with magic and then remembers past loved characters. She is right up there with Johanna Lindsey and Julie Garwood when it comes to these type of formats. I will purchase them every time I find one. I discovered her last year and already have all her books. I have bought all hardback when I can. I love the large print ones the best as my library is extensive to these writers and my books are for keeps. Hard back books last longer. Thanks Ms. Sands. Exceptional. D'Nanna -

I didn’t really like this book. It was hundreds of pages of nothing really happening. I had a hard time finding any redeeming qualities the hero had. He was miserable throughout the book. How did the heroine fall in love with him? I understand that he has trust issues with women but he just came across as being a jerk.

I’ve read more romance novels throughout my long life but this one really caught me good. It had everything including a very funny sideline into the silly rules re sex laid down by the Christian Church at the time. I wish I had this book as a young bride in 1960 so I could laugh as much as I did 60 years later and I could’ve even learned a few pointers! It is truly a delight for the heart and I highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed this book, laughed out loud several times. King Henry brought Aric to wed his daughter, Rosamunde, who was in a convent shortly before he died. A well written hot and steamy book with lots of laughs.

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 fatherless 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 2001Book of the Year for 2001 (tied with Night Visitor by Melanie Jackson)

Rolling on the floor with laughter it was sooooo funny; humorous extraordinaire. Truly memorable characters and the biplay is riveting. The prose and tale serve to forgive certain anachronisms; one of the best I’ve read by this author. Thanks for the laughs - it’s priceless

I laughed and laughed at the wonderful words in this book. Lynsey Sands is a wonderful writer, she writes with humour, romance, danger all in one great book. Love this writer

I love how the lady was naive. The parents were horrible and her sister had the best ending. A taste of her own medicine

enjoyed while reading

This is a standard romance. It holds together reasonably well but something was missing all the way the way through. The characters were unusually bland for this author and even the climax was a let down. I am spoilt by the normal high standard of Sands's writing, this was just an ordinary historical.