Title – To Dream of a Highlander
Series – Highland Fae Chornicles #2
Author – Samantha Holt
Genre – Historical Romance
Publication Date – 11th
Length (Pages/# Words) – 65000
Cover Artist – Kim Killion
April 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.
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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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.
Edinburgh lambswool tartan scarf
1 x Paperback of To Steal a Highlander’s Heart
Code:
"How do you make the characters come to life"
I really wish I knew where my characters came from.
Generally, when I’m in pantser mode, they spring to life
on their own. That said, I do make sure they have three
things—GMC. Goal, motivation and conflict. These three
words drive and shape them. Their goals and motivation
get them through the story while the conflict provides
some nice bumps along the way. For example, in To
Dream of a Highlander, Catriona is in disguise. This
provides her conflict. Her goal is to ensure the safety of
her home and her motivation is her love for her people.
We now know she’s a dutiful and courageous character.
I also love to give them little flaws. A scar here, a freckle
there, a few laughter lines perhaps. If my character is
a happy one, he should have some creases around his
mouth. Often it gives the hero or heroine something to
obsess about. They’ll itch to run their finger over that scar
or trace those lines.
It doesn’t always run smoothly. My characters often come
up with their own traits. I don’t always write in order which
helps me shape them. If a scene brings about a new
character trait (which the steamy scenes have a habit
of doing!), I can work it into the story. Mostly I enjoy that
these characters can surprise me. It makes the whole
experience really fun and rewarding, and better yet,
creates individual and compelling characters who grow
with time.
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.
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Suzanne Halliday writes what she knows and what she loves – sexy adult
contemporary romance with strong men and spirited women. Her love for creating
short stories for friends and family has developed into a passion for writing
romantic fiction with a sensual edge. She finds the world of digital, self-publishing
to be the perfect platform for sharing her stories and also for what she enjoys most
of all – reading. When she’s not on a deadline you’ll find her loading up on books to
devour.
