"Hilarious Medieval from a Master Wordsmith"

THE PERFECT WIFE is another 'perfect read' I have come to associate with anything Lynsay Sands puts her writing brilliance to. Having discovered Lynsay by way of her early medieval novels THE DEED, and THE KEY, I was thrilled to see her setting this story in that same medieval era.

In this story, the lead heroine is Avelyn, a well-rounded, buxom lass who is fast approaching her wedding day to Paen de Gerville, a young man returned from crusades. Having been betrothed in early childhood Avelyn hardly remembers him or what he looks like. Consequently, over the years she has been mercilessly taunted by her three cousins about her weight so much so that her self-esteem has hit a new low. Determined to lose weight before the wedding she instructs the seamstress to take in her wedding gown a few sizes smaller than her size! UNFORTUNATELY, her dieting efforts were about as successful as my own, and she does not fit into her wedding dress. From this begins a calamity of events that lead Paen (who truth be told was looking forward to a pleasingly plump bride to warm his bed) to believe his bride to be frail and accident prone. What follows are a plethora of comical misunderstandings, each funnier than the last, between the two leads that will leave you with a bellyache from laughter.

*** This was for me another laugh-out-loud hysterical read that seems to be the trademark of Ms. Sands. The heroine of Avelyn was simply delightful and one that most women can relate to, especially with weight related self-conscious issues. The reader will fall in love with Avelyn who after so many embarrassing incidents let's her natural optimism and kindness carry the day. Paen is also another darling character to love who after being away at war for so many years needed lessons in how to interact towards his wife and not pat her on the head as he would his hounds or his horse. In addition, Sands skillfully weaves in the subplot of someone trying to dispatch Avelyn to the great beyond which also had some lighter moments. The laughs were pretty much non-stop in this delightful story that was supported by secondary characters including both of their engaging lovable parents, a young bumbling squire, and the biggest surprise of all -- a little piglet that ends up as the hero of the day! Sands has been an auto-buy for me for years and continues to solidify that standing. Her books should all be stamped "Satisfaction -- GUARANTEED"!

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

Reviewed by Marilyn Rondeau
Posted October 11, 2006

Summary

It was to be hoped that her groom was partial to cherries. For Avelyn feared she would very much resemble one at their wedding feast. Too round, to red in the scarlet gown that was all she could fit into...and perhaps too tart for his taste? No doubt he longed for a sweet, biddable bride, one who was as tiny and trim as she was trying to appear.

Paen Gerville longed for a lively, well-rounded woman, one whose plump breast would cushion his head after the lonely, harsh life of a solitary fighting knight. At first his wife-to-be promised no such delights—her form was unbending, her health apparently fragile as she fainted into his arms as their first kiss. But one split bridal gown later, her assets were eye-poppingly apparent and Paen could only grin as he anticipated the surprises yet to come on his wedding night with... THE PERFECT WIFE