A Year and a Day

La familia Leslie es famosa por dos cosas: por ser los cuidadores y mayordomos del castillo de Dumfries, en el sur de Escocia y por su gran fertilidad. Por su parte, Lynx de Warrenne, gran soldado y heredero del conde de Surrey, está desesperado por conseguir un hijo a toda costa. Cuando le asignan como guardian del castillo de Dumfries, no puede evitar notar a la inmensa familia Leslie, y una idea empieza a formarse en su mente, especialmente cuando conoce la antigua y honorable tradición escocesa del matrimonio a prueba que une a una pareja, como si de un matrimonio se tratase, durante un periodo de tiempo de un año y un día. Después, la pareja ha de decidir si desea permanecer unida pero aunque no sea así, todos los hijos concebidos durante ese periodo son considerados légitimos ¿Y si eso resultase? Lynx no pierde nada por intentarlo, y menos cuando el mismisimo Jock Leslie,cabeza de familia, le ofrece a su hija menor, Jane, una timida pero temperamental pelirroja que le servirá para calentarle la cama en las largas noches del invierno... Centrada en los años de la independencia escocesa, la novela incluye algunos personajes tan conocidos como Robert de Bruce, Eduardo I o el famoso William Wallace al que todos conocemos por Braveheart.

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 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 J

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 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.