_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!

The hero and heroine in this book are more likeable, believable, and loveable than in the majority of Henley's earlier novels. Their relationship progressed wonderfully, the plot was engaging, and the dialogue was very sexy. Even the relationship between the chief secondary characters was intriguing.

If you're already a Henley fan, this book is a must have. If you've never read her before, this is a great place to start.