A Year and a Day [Mass Market Paperback]

Virginia Henley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 1998

With over five million copies of her novels in print, New York Times bestselling author Virginia Henley has enchanted readers worldwide.  Now she sweeps us back to an intensely romantic, tumultuous time in Scottish history.  .  .  .  

When Lynx de Warenne, Edward Plantagenet's most prized warrior, invaded Dumfries castle, he took possession of Jane Leslie's home--and soon wanted something more from the headstrong lass.  Desperate for an heir, he proposed a handfasting: a Scottish custom whereby a man can lawfully take a woman into his bed, then, after a year and a day, the couple can either wed or part.  Any child of that union is deemed legitimate.  Jane had no choice but to surrender to the invader's knowing touch.  .  .  .

Fearless on the battlefield, Lynx was afraid to love.  But Jane slowly stole into his heart.  And as the fires of war raged around them, amid treacherous foes and brilliant intrigues, who would have thought that two such unlikely partners would fall in love--or that their breathless passion for each other would outlast .  .  .


Virginia Henley is the author of fourteen romantic novels, including the New York Times bestsellers Seduced and Desired.  Her work has been translated into ten languages.  A recipient of the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, she lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Ontario, Canada.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Set in Scotland during the time of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, A Year and Day features Englishman Lynx de Warenne and Celtic heroine Jane Leslie. Lynx is a powerful yet cynical knight who is delighted to lay claim to Scotland's Dumfries Castle as commanded by the king. In Dumfries, Lynx enjoys his steward, Jock Leslie, and Leslie's enormous family of 10 children and 31 grandchildren. Lynx, at age 30, is desperate for an heir and proposes that he marry the youngest Leslie daughter, despite that she is a commoner and has no interest in marriage. Lynx believes that the Leslies are so fertile that he is willing to marry beneath himself just for the sake of a child. Jane Leslie, a proud Celtic healer, is a sensitive creature who communes with wild animals and paints lodestones. Although Jane has strong wishes to the contrary, the two engage in a handfast: they will be together as husband and wife for a year and day; after that time, they will be able to choose whether to stay together. The love affair that ensues is tempestuous and passionate and pure Virginia Henley! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

An English nobleman who is desperate for a son and a free-spirited, clairvoyant healer who charms animals end up bound by the ancient Scottish handfast for "a year and a day." Despite their initial antipathy, they end up falling in love. The pageantry, politics, and violence of early-14th-century Britain provide the backdrop for this fast-paced story with a dash of mysticism. Historical characters such as Robert the Bruce and Edward Plantaganet add a touch of authenticity. Boldly drawn characters, graphic sex, occasionally unorthodox sexual fantasies, and an emphasis on action rather than character development will please Henley's many fans; but her less-than-polished writing style will not appeal to everyone. Henley (Dream Lover, LJ 10/15/96) lives in Florida and Ontario.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Island Books; First Thus edition (October 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440222079
• ISBN-13: 978-0440222071
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,745 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( H ) > Henley, Virginia

More About the Author

New York Times best-seller Virginia Henley is the author of 26 lush and lusty historical romances and 5 short stories. Her books are published in 16 languages around the world. She is the recipient of a dozen awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times, A Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers, and a Waldenbook Award for top-selling long historical for 1994.

The St. Petersburg Times calls Henley "The Queen of Steamy Romance."

Kathe Robin, RT Book Reviews says: "Henley's gift for bringing remarkable women to life in colorful, turbulent times is what turns her romances into keepers. Henley heats up the pages with her love scenes, and her skill at portraying actual historical personages with humanity while maintaining historical accuracy wins our minds. Henley knows what historical romance is all about and always gives the readers what they want."

Henley says: "My hero is always dark, dominant and dangerous. Then I create a woman who is a match for him...or more than a match!
Men come up to me at conferences and thank me for writing my books. One man said, "I don't read them, but I always know when my wife is reading a Henley!"

My next book The Dark Earl goes on sale September 6 and is the third in the series following The Decadent Duke, and The Irish Duke.

I have just turned two of my backlist books into Kindle ebooks. Wild Hearts and Bold Conquest are historical romances. My novella Hot As Fire, also available on Kindle, is my only contemporary. I have a short story up on Kindle called Letter of Love that is FREE.

Next month I will be offering a new ebook that is a Southern family saga.
MASTER OF PARADISE tells the story of Nicholas Peacock who is disinherited of his title and wealth in England. He sails to Charleston, South Carolina, and starts a cotton plantation just before the Civil War disrupts everyone's life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Historical yet interesting all the same..., July 7, 2001

By 

Abbys (Moreno Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Year and a Day (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is my "FIRST BOOK" in three ways... One, it's my first book of Virginia Henley (and certainly not the last). Two, it's my first book that the heroine is a very typical commoner who doesn't even know how to read. I actually thought I'd be turn off by this but as I read through, I learn to understand her situation and sigh for her. Then eventually, I wanted much, much more for Jane. Three, this is my first book that is perhaps about 70% filled with historical facts and events reigned during England's King Edward Plantagenet, The Longshanks, with Scotland's Robert Bruce and William Wallace, the famous BRAVEHEART epic. If you are the type of person who prefers more romance/love story and less historical facts on your books then this one is probably not for you. Because I saw and love the movie BRAVEHEART, I was and still AM particularly interested in Robert the Bruce & William Wallace's historical (con)quest for rights and freedom, that is why I wasn't bothered with the factual events that seems to overflowed more than the romance of the hero/heroine. I guess u can say that IF I was NOT already 'drawned' to such topic, I'd probably find this book very tedious.

Since the Editorial Reviews pretty much sum up the book synopsis, I'd just give my opinion without summarizing the content any longer...

Jane and Lynx love story was a bit ordinary for me. Aside for Lynx obsession to have an heir and Jane's adjustments to her new life, their love story didn't have any impact on me, however, it wasn't boring at all either. There are funny times and heart warming occurances as well but I find Jory's and Robert's love story much more heart wretching. Mind you, theirs wasn't even detailed bec. they are only the secondary characters yet for some reason, their relationship and Jory's love for Robert seems more fetching. I wanted to read more of them... I also enjoyed Jory's character more than Janes. Jory is uppity, manipulative and a big flirt yet she is also unselfish, charming and full of heart. I guess you can say that in my opinion, Jory's character overshadowed Jane's. I did have an admiration for Jane though but she should have been more develop. Jane was timid and too naive. Except for her herbal/healing talents, she was a bit ignorant which is fitting for her role and station in life of that time, i guess. She did improve a bit towards the end but I was left unconvinced, perhaps I just wanted more... What i specially like about Jane is her willingness to try and her willingness to learn. She doesn't pretend and she wasn't ashamed to accept her flaws... then ask for help to improve. "I will and I shall", she always said.... That is what I admire most about her.

I want to clarify a comment given by a reviewer about beastiality... For me, there was NO beastiality in this book at all. I'd say read this book for yourself and decide if it is indeed beastiality in your opinion. However,In my own comprehension, it wasn't. That part with the lynx in the forrest pool was simply a METAMORPHICAL description. A metaphormic vision. There is also another occurance where readers might find disgusting or wierd... I won't mentioned it here for those who have not read the book yet but i know readers will know what i mean once they have read the book. This is where i admire Virginia Henley most. She has the guts to create new ideas and implemented it. I do believe that when people read, see or even feel new things or ideas, we tend to shun upon it. I am always open minded for new things, new ideas and however strange it might be at first, I often times accept it and move on... Afterall, If it was thought of, it most certainly can happend.

I have to agree with few reviewers here that some of the dialogue doesn't sound right. The expressions Virginia Henley used such as "Dream on", "Hellavu Woman" and few more didn't fit in to the time period. Those inconsistencies wasn't a lot to get me annoyed however, so I manage to overlook that matter, especially because I did enjoy most part of this book. I do prefer consistencies in all the books I read but sometimes, it doesn't hurt to let small matters go and simply enjoy the story as it is. I will pick up more of Ms. Henley's work and that is for sure.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book with a very originalstory line!, August 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Year and a Day (Mass Market Paperback)

When I bought "A Year and A Day" I thought that it would be a mindless distraction for a few hours, but I really didn't want to stop reading for anything.After I finished reading this book I went out and bought all the others by Virgina Henley that I could find. Lynx de Warenne is a prized warrior to the English. The one thing he wants more than anything is an heir. Jane Leslie is half celtic, half morman, who lives in a Scottish castle of Dumfries that was invaded by Lynx. When Lynx finds out that his steward Jock Leslie has ten children he thinks that the chance of having children with one of Jocks daughters would be a good chance. He proposes to Jane a handfasting for a year and a day. Jane never wants to marry or be handfasted to anyone but he is her lord so she must surrender... I have read this book more than five times i just the year I've had it. I highly recomend this book!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy Land, November 27, 1999

By 

Katherine Lesley - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Year and a Day (Mass Market Paperback)

I thought this book was very charming. It is the tale of a young girl who unwillingly falls in love with a Fabio type warrior. The part that made me teary-eyed was when he was fatally injured, but this maiden suckled him back to life with her own breast milk. Come on folks that is love. This book is a good read for all us innocent and devoted to love.