Customer Reviews

A Year and a Day

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

I can't say enough good things about this book. _A Year And A Day_ is the first book I read by Virginia Henley, and it won't be my last. There were so many good things in it. Let me just say that if you do not want a book that is dripping with history, you may want to stay away from _A Year And A Day_. The book is filled with historical events, and although some of the phrases may not be totally accurate (i. e. helluva woman), it is still a book that is full of research about Edward Plantengenet's reign over England and Robert Bruce's rise to the throne of Scotland. Some people may not like _A Year And A Day_ because a lot of the detail of what was happening in history consumes the story. Anyway, I degress...

_A Year And A Day_ is the story of an English warlord who storms Dumfries castle. Lusting for an heir he has yet to produce, Lynx's thoughts are consumed with babies. When the steward of Dumfries Castle, Jock Leslie, suggests a handfasting (a Scottish tradition where a man and a woman live together and act as man and wife for a year and a day. Any child that comes from the union is legitimate even if the two people do not end up married, which most do) to his youngest daughter Jane, it seems an answer to Lynx's prayers. The Leslie family seems to have amazing success with the child bearing buisness. Jane is a very timid girl, and is very wary of all men. She is furius with her father for selling her to this handsom lynx. But, as seeds are sewn, Jane becomes pregnant. And a love blossoms between this unlikely couple. But, trouble is brewing in Scotland. Will this newfound love outlast a year and a day?

Lynx was a hero you would feel compelled to take a bullet for. He is tall, handsom, and very concerned for the welfare of his lady. When he is hurt, you hurt too. Not that you are jealous of Jane for having him... I found myself rooting for the pair. Jane was a romanctic heroine I have never encountered before. At the begining of the book, she was very timid and meek. Her fear of men is overwhelming, and I found myself wondering why on earth Virginia Henley had this girl for her heroine. I always thought that the heroines would have the opening scene of their book start off where they were shooting a gun or weilding a knife. That is not the case with Jane. If you are looking for that kind of book, stay away from this one. Jane is very shy, but she overcomes it through the book. Infact, the change is enormous. By the end of the book, Jane has gone through an amazing change. Because of her handfasting to Lynx, she fears no one, and is more herself. While living with her family, she would give in, but as she changes, Jane bends to no one, least of all Lynx. I was very happy with the secondary characters and plots. They were so much a part of this book, that I'd say the book is not just about Jane and Lynx. Jory and Robert's torrid affair kept things lively, and Taffy's love for Jane added sweetness. I really hated Alicia and Fitz-Warren; they were written extremly well. Lincoln Robert, the little baby, was perfect! Children are a great element to add to a romance, and it is one thing I really appreciat, even in the worst of books. So, if you liked Braveheart, read _A Year And A Day_. If you like romances, read _A Year And A Day_. Heck, if you like books, read _A Year And A Day_. You'll see it is one "helluva" book!

During the reign of Edward I, rebellion is a normal way of life, but some nobles like Lynx de Warenne remain loyal to English crown. Lynx is like most of his peers, living for the next battle. However, he knows that he must produce an heir, but believes that he is incapable of siring a child.

Following royal orders, Lynx secures Scotland's Dumfries Castle. The castellan, Jack Leslie, learning of Lynx's fears, proposes that the new lord of the castle handfast with his youngest daughter Jane. Lynx agrees to the arrangement that makes any child born during the year and a day of the handfast legitimate. If by some chance, the chit gets pregnant, Lynx plans to marry her anyway to make it legal under British law. True to her Celtic beliefs, Jane wants nothing to do with the Norman warrior. However, she reluctantly accepts for the sake of her family. The newlyweds engage in a battle of wills as the Scottish lass leads her English Lord on a merry chase, determined to make him earn her love.

Any fan of historical romance will want to read the best book ever written by one of the great writers of historical erotic romances, the incredible Virginia Henley. Similar to "Braveheart" (but less winded), the story brilliantly mixes erotic sex and history in a manner that will please the audience, most of whom will read the book twice in one sitting.

Harriet Klausner

Virginia Henley is one of the better romance writers out there and i look forward to all her books. Actually i have all her books. Lyn de Warenne is every woman dream. Unfortunately Jane Leslie does not see this at the time. Lyn is a soldier and a powerful man in Edward Plantagenet court. The one thing he wants above all else is to have a child but he thinks that something is wrong with him. Little did he know that all was in tact. He met Jane Leslie a servant in one of his castles ,he realizes that all her sisters are very healthy child bearing women so he get handfasted to her and she bares him a son.During this time Edward court is rock with trouble and intrigue but the hero and the heoine wins in the end. If you haven't read it yet go buy it or order it. I will most definitely read it again.

I found myself wishing the story would move along a little faster. The conversations among warlords and details of war movements were dull. . I didn't like that Lynx was so selfish sexually during his first two nights with her. Lynx didn't trust women. He thought they were deceitful. Jane became that way too. I didn't like that she was purposely playing hard to get with Lynx. It worked to create more lust, but that is not the kind of story I like to read. Lynx's former mistress and sister were also game playing and/or deceitful. On the positive side, two scenes come to mind that surprised me, one was with the lynx animal at the beginning. The other was the nourishment she gave to Lynx during his healing. Other than those, nothing else surprised or delighted me. I didn't laugh at anything. I was annoyed at a few things. I didn't respect, like or admire the main characters enough.

I see that some reviewers were complaining about the language in this book. Who knows how they talked back then and who cares. All I know is I understood the characters and it didn't take away from the time period. I love Lynx and Jane but the story of Robert Bruce and Marjory was so exciting! The way she described Robert Bruce, he must have been breathtaking. I just want to say if you are looking for history well pick up a history book. But if you are looking for romance this book will fulfill this need. Virginia you are wonderful, I anxiously await your next book.

I have to agree with the other reviewers, this is one of the best of Ms Henley's books. Lynx wants nothing more from Life than to have an heir, although you get the impression that any child would do. Jane comes from a large family and is a healer. Her father is concerned for her and so agrees to Lynx's propsal to hand fast Jand to him. As their love grows so does the conflict around them. A must read book.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE LOVES STORIES, WHERE IT WILL LEAVING YOU CRYING. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEN LINX AND JANE IS SO BEAUTIFUL. ALTHOUGH IT STARTS OFF KINDA OF CRAZY BY THE END YOU FEEL LIKE YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE. EVEN THE STORY OF JORY AND ROBERT IS INTERESTING AND GOOD. IT DOES NOT TAKE AWAY FROM THE MAIN CHARACTERS BUT ADDS TO IT.