Blog Tour-- Review + Character Bio: To Dream of a Highlander by Samantha Holt

 

Title – To Dream of a Highlander Series – Highland Fae Chronicles #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.

My thoughts:
A historical romance novel with highlanders is sure not to be missed. My attention was caught with the premise of the book and the gorgeous cover. I was hesitant at first to read it because it was the second in the series, but was glad to see that it could be a stand-alone book. This was my first Samantha Holt book and it was a delightful read.

I very much enjoyed the story between Catriona and Finn. Catriona had to take her dead sister's identity and pretend to marry her sister's betrothed. After being rescued from a siege, Catriona began to fall in love with her savior Finn. The whole time I was wondering how Catriona's true identity was going to be revealed and I simply could not wait for Catriona and Finn to kiss. When her sister's betrothed arrived, my heart thudded with the excitement on how everything would unravel. How would the engagement be broken so the two love birds would marry?

The relationship between the two main characters was sweet. Finn was the savior while Catriona was the damsel in distress. They were immediately attracted to each other and while they spent some time together, they came to fall in love. The fact that it wasn't instant love, even though it was just a few days they spent together, won many points for me. Also, the love scenes between them were very tender. These scenes weren't as graphic as many other novels, but there was enough that would make a light-hearted person swoon.

Though I did enjoy this book, the thing that did not work for me was the magical part. I knew that there were fairies in this book but it did not work for me. The fairies' task was to get the two main characters to meet and fall in love. This sounded cute, but it felt out of place. The transitions between the main storyline to that of the fairies' did not go smoothly. I kept wondering why these scenes with the fairies were there. I simply wanted to get back to the main plot.

Overall, this was an enjoyable book. This was great to read after a long hard day of work. Even though I was not completely taken with the idea of the fairies, I was completely taken by Catriona and Finn's relationship and the plot was entertaining. I rate it:

Character Bios:

Finn mac Chalium

Following the death of his young wife and child, Finn has steered clear of women and his responsibility to them. He lost his mother to illness to while his father died a warrior’s death. Finn knows how easily attachments can be broken. Now the only things he takes pleasure in are drinking, fighting and bedding the occasional woman. And he does so with a ready smile and a quick wit—the easiest way of hiding the hurts he has suffered. But all that may change soon enough…

Lady Katelyn of Bute

Born on the beautiful Isle of Bute, Katelyn takes her duties to protect it seriously. So seriously that she intends to do all she can to defend it—even lie about her identity. Neglected by her father and hated by her sister, she’s used to looking after herself, even if she longs for someone to care for her. Her sheltered life is soon turned upside down when the Vikings invade their peaceful island.

Abouth the Author:

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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