Rage, Sex, and Teddy Bears: Review–To Dream of a Highlander (Highland Fae Chornicles #2) by Samantha Holt

Published April 11th 2014

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.

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.

Whenever I read a historical romance from this time period, I often wonder how the human race survived when women were treated so abysmally. One of my theories is covered quite nicely in To Dream of a Highlander. We survived with a little supernatural help from the fairies. A green fairy named Tèile to be exact, who has been exiled to the human realm to make a match between Catriona and Finn without circumventing fate and causing untold havoc with her magic. Poor fairy didn't have a clue as to how difficult that would turn out to be.

Catriona is pretty stand up for a medieval woman. Especially since dear old dad is a major douche, who has no qualms about using his daughter as a bargaining chip. Granted, that's how things were done commonly in this time period, but did men just start loving their daughters in the twentieth century? Anyway, Cat goes along with DOD's plans and thus Finn enters the picture. Oh, there's lots of action leading up to the actual meeting, some mistaken identities, lies, guilt issues. The road blocks run the gamut. Actually, except for one pretty big whopper of a lie, Cat was pretty open, communication wise. It was refreshing.

Now, Finn. Finn, Finn, Finn had issues. Charming and flirtatious on the outside, bleeding and guilt ridden underneath, and OBLIVIOUS! Introspection was not Finn's strong suit. But he was blond, and a Highlander, AND.... he loved his horse. How could he not be exceptional? His plan to rescue the fair Katelyn aka Cat and then drop her off with his sister Lorna doesn't quite sit as well with him as he thought. So he stays and tortures himself by being around the woman he claims to have no feelings for. MEN!

This was a fun, cute read that had some very, very hot scenes, and also one or two very dramatic episodes and one incredibly heartbreaking passage. This definitely hooked me and pulled me into Samantha Holt's circle of fans. I am anxiously awaiting Lorna's book because I just don't see how Tèile can help her. Well done, Samantha and write faster.

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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.