To Dream of a Highlander - spotlight and review

Title – To Dream of a Highlander
Series – Highland Fae Chornicles #2
Author – Samantha Holt
Genre – Historical Romance
Publication Date – 11th April 2014
Length (Pages/# Words) – 65000
Cover Artist – Kim Killion

Sent on a rescue mission, Finn Mac Chaluim is prepared to do his duty, hand over the lass and return home.

But fate has other ideas.

In the midst of a Norse invasion, Catriona barely escapes with her life. Masquerading as her sister, she finds herself in the hands of Finn who intends to hand her over to her sister’s betrothed, Laird Gillean. In the interests of bringing peace to her home, Catriona is determined to continue the ruse—even if it means going along with the marriage and denying her growing attraction to a man who keeps his hurts hidden behind a quick grin.

If the green faery, Tèile, has anything to do with it, Catriona and Finn will come together—but only at the right time. Thanks to her last attempt at matchmaking, many paths were changed and now it’s up to her to put it right. Can she help Finn— who learned the hard way that sharing your life with someone only leads to heartache—get past his doubts? And will the battle-scarred Catriona even accept him into her heart? When Laird Gillean’s attentions toward Catriona become dangerous, both Finn and Tèile will find they have an uphill battle on their hands.

Like many a night, he found himself gazing up at her window. Warmth radiated from it. She would be in a chemise, the thin material moulding to her breasts. Unbound hair likely spiralled over her shoulders. Mayhap she had washed and her skin remained dewy and ebony curls clung to her face. A shudder swept through him and his blood boiled. He gripped the pommel of his sword. Lord, give me strength.
A movement sent his heart into his throat. His jaw dropped as Katelyn leaned out of the window. Sure enough, white cotton hugged her arms and her hair hung loose. Candlelight surrounded her in a fuzzy halo like an angel. She gazed out into the night, entrancing him. How he longed to know what she was thinking.
Did she think of him?
Her gaze snapped down, locking onto him. He peered around, realising the torchlight on the walls revealed him. Breath imprisoned in his throat, he met her challenge. Stance strong, chin lifted, he stared her out, waiting for her to crumble and retreat. The air around him became cloying and thick while his pulse pounded sickeningly. His arousal grew painful.
Abruptly, she turned away, broke the connection and left him panting and weak. He dropped his shoulders. Damnation. A moment to relieve himself was called for. Should he return to his chambers or just suffer it, like some kind of penance for a desire he should not have?
Swivelling, he stomped down the steps into the courtyard. He paused and gritted his teeth. Time alone would not cure him of her. And wine held no appeal any longer. He was lost.
The hall doors opened and a figure came barrelling out. He nearly cursed aloud when he realised it was Katelyn. Her chemise flowed around her legs, barely covered by a thin robe. He noted her bare feet and cursed properly this time. What was the lass doing outside in such a state?
Before he managed to ask her as much, she flung her arms around him and flattened a desperate kiss to his lips. He caught on quickly. With a growl, he bundled her to him, shaking hands splayed over her back and in her hair.
“Hell fire, Katie,” he murmured as he took another kiss from her. Breaking away, he glanced around and shook his head. “What are ye doing? Anyone could see. Gillean could see.”
“I care not,” she whispered.
When she leaned up for a kiss, he released her, snatched an arm and dragged her over to the stables. One more frantic glance around and he shoved her into the doorway and pressed her against the wall. No candlelight greeted them here, only the glow from the torches outside permeated the building, slipping through the gaps between the wood. It was enough. He saw all he needed. Once more he speared his fingers under her hair, unable to resist those glossy lips, slick from his kisses. Katelyn whimpered when he captured her mouth and curled her fingernails into his back.
“Ye play a dangerous game, lass,” he muttered against her mouth.
She tugged against the hold he had on her hair and eyed him. “I am no’ afeared of Gillean.”
“Ye are, ye cannae lie to me. But I mean with me. Ye play with fire here.”
“I need ye, Finn. I am no’ afeared of ye either. I’m willing to risk getting burned.”
“Ach, we shall both be burned. No good shall come of this.” His chest heaved at the enormity of it all, at what she said. He’d always known he was secretly weak. His bold endeavours and brash behaviour covered his fears. When others saw a warrior, Katelyn saw him for who he was. Weak for her.

My Review:

Before I review this, I have to apologize.  I had been so looking forward to reading this, I cleared my schedule for it, I told my stinking MOM about this great book I couldn't wait to start reading.  And then I got super busy and forgot all about it.  The sharpie marks in my planner didn't help, at all.  From now on, I will never mark in my planner with a sharpie.  Scout's honor.  So, here's my super late review...without further hooplah.


First of all, Ms. Holt has a way with setting up a novel rife with conflict.  Forced to masquerade as her sister, by her father, (because women were chattel in the middle ages, ugh) Catriona tries to escape her home castle during an invasion.  Nearly raped by a Norseman, she is rescued and then kidnapped by another norseman (she thinks, anyway).  And all that's just the first two chapters, folks...

Ms. Holt builds up chemistry like nothing I've ever seen.  I had serious feelings for the characters.  FEELINGS.  I loved them, I hated them, I needed them to get together.  I was super invested in this story, even though I thought I knew what was going to happen.  I love Samantha's treatment of women's issues during the time period.

Honestly, I kept forgetting I was reviewing this book, so I don't have many notes...but this was a great book.  It swept me into the story, and had me fighting for Finn and Catriona.  One thing I will note that I LOVED, was that Finn didn't get all high and mighty when he finds out she had been pretending to be her sister.  I could have kissed him for that.  Hell, I'd kiss him anyway, but that was refreshing, not creating conflict just to have more.

Five stars Ms Holt, way to go!  When are we getting together for tea?

Samantha lives in a small village in England with her gorgeous twin girls and husband who is a trained bodyguard and ex-soldier. She traditionally writes historical romances involving chivalrous knights and hot highlanders, but occasionally dabbles in contemporary romance.

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