Review: Wonderful Short Story ***4 1/2 Stars***
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 1, 2014
I've read a number of Samantha Holt's novella's and have thoroughly enjoyed them all; "Hunting His Highland Lass" was no exception.  The story is well written, with an interesting plot, and three dimensional characters...something Holt manages to do despite the story's short length.  Rory returns home to find the English have taken possession of his castle.After fighting to reclaim his home, Rory discovers his wife, Isla, is missing.  He's not sure if she managed to escape, or if she's been captured by the English, but he's determined to find her.  The accounts he hears of Isla's participation in the battle against the English, does not jive with the quiet, timid woman he knows to be his wife.  When he's told that Isla intended to seek refuge with her father, Rory goes after her...despite the fact that it seems she'd rather he didn't.  Poor Rory thinks he's too big and rough for his tiny, delicate wife.  He suffers from the belief that he hurt Isla on their wedding night, and since then has withdrawn-emotionally and physically--from the relationship.As for Isla, she is a wonderful character.  Far from being timid, as her husband assumes, Isla is a brave, feisty, determined woman, who is more than capable of holding her own.  She suffers from a lack of confidence where her marriage is concerned, as she is convinced that Rory does not want her.  Both Rory and Isla's characters are fully developed--so often not the case with a story so short--as the reader is given a lot of insight into each of their thoughts.  IMO, they were both very sympathetic, and it broke my heart at the emotional suffering each had endured, due to the lack of communication between them.The story that unfolds is extremely poignant, as these two star-crossed lovers must work to overcome their insecurities and fear of rejection, to claim the love they each hold in their heart for the other.  The story was a joy to read.  I loved it and highly recommend it.  FYI, this is not a clean romance...I'm not sure, but I don't think Ms. Holt writes "clean" books (at least I've not read any.)  LOL  Happy reading!  BTW, this story is included in an anthology,Once Upon a Hero: Tales of Love Throughout History, which is where I read it.  That book includes this and three other stories, by different authors, all of which are pretty good.