Once Upon a Tartan

MacGregors #2

by Grace Burrowes

HONOR OR HAPPINESS--HE CAN'T HAVE BOTH

Tiberius Flynn may be every inch an English lord, but smart, headstrong beauty Hester Daniels has no use for his high-handed ways--no matter how handsome, charming, or beguiling he is. They only see eye to eye in caring about the feisty little girl who is under their protection.

Tiberius's haughty insistence that his wealthy estate in England is a better place for the child than her beloved, rundown Scotland home sparks Hester's fierce protectiveness, and the battle lines are drawn...

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Scotland

405 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published August 6, 2013

About the author

Grace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.

It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.

While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")

Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)

To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.

Reviews

[Lady Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

5++ stars!

Once again, Grace Burrowes has created a fascinating couple of characters in Hester Daniels and Tiberius Flynn, Earl of Spathfoy. As with most of Burrowes’ books, it helps to know the backstory.

Hester first appeared in The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, when she accompanied her father, sister, aunt and cousin to Castle Balfour in Aberdeenshire, where they are guests of Ian MacGregor, the Earl of Balfour and his family. That book ended like an episode of Love Boat, with the sister, aunt, and cousin all married to MacGregor men. Then, in the novella Mary Fran and Matthew Hester's brother marries the lone MacGregor sister, Mary Fran, who has a seven-year old daughter from her first marriage to the no-good Gordie Flynn, Spathfoy’s younger brother. While on the Continent for their wedding trip, Mary Fran and Matthew have left little Fiona in the care of her step-aunt Hester and her elderly step-great aunt Lady Ariadne (Aunt Ree).

Tiberius shows up in Scotland without warning, ostensibly to pay a visit to his niece, young Fiona, but in reality he is there to fetch her back to live with her father’s family. Her grandfather, the Marquess of Quinworth, had questioned Fiona’s legitimacy and never shown any interest in her, but now he has commissioned his son to bring her back. Tiberius decides to wait a few days before taking Fiona, but during that time he becomes enamored of Hester and Aunt Ree. Actually, at first he and Hester do not like one another, but that begins to change the longer he stays in Scotland. In addition, he is charmed by Fiona and begins to feel guilty at the thought of taking her away from the only family she has ever known.

Tiberius is a complex, enigmatic man, quite unlike any other hero in Burrowes’ other books. I sometimes think that her heroes verge on too good to be true and have a bit too much 'feminine side' to their personalities. Tiberius, however, is 100% male, and I found him both maddening and fascinating. His interactions with Fiona are charming. Although the romance with Hester is naturally the main focus of the book, little Fiona is also a star. Burrowes has the knack of writing juvenile characters who are real people and not just cute side characters. Fiona is indeed cute, but she is also maddening, calculating, and stubborn – just like a real kid. (This talent also comes through in Ethan: Lord of Scandals).

This is not a criticism, but we modern readers may find it incomprehensible that the fierce MacGregor clan seems to accept Fiona’s fate once Tiberius reveals his mission to them. The idea that a distant paternal grandfather could just take a child from her mother is rather shocking to us, but it is consistent with the 19th century legal system. It is also a bit difficult to understand why Tiberius is so intent upon following his father’s commands, when it is clear that he has strong reservations about the plan. His motivation, however, comes out later in the book, so be patient.

As I’ve said elsewhere, I have a love/hate relationship with Grace Burrowes – I tend to love her stories and hate some of authorial tics that afflict her writing (hero brushing and braiding heroine’s hair; tea and cakes in every indoor scene, etc.) Here, however, I found almost nothing to annoy me (she brushes his hair!), and much to admire. This is one of Grace Burrowes’ best books, and I highly recommend it.

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

So much better than the first book in the series! At least, the hero is. The heroine is a confused muddle.

Tiberius Flynn has been dispatched by his imperious father, a powerful English marquess, to snatch his dead younger brother’s child from her Scottish family to be raised in the marquess’ troubled household. The child has been neither acknowledged nor financially supported by the marquess for years, but Tiberius justifies the hijacking by thinking little Fiona will want for nothing the rest of her life. Upon arriving in Scotland, Tiberius discovers two things: (1) Fiona is being raised by a host of loving relations and is lively, happy, and content where she is, and (2) a bothersome attraction to Fiona’s step-aunt Hester, Fiona’s temporary caretaker while her mother is traveling with her new husband. Hester is ruralizing in an attempt to recover from the public disgrace of jilting a fiancé who ruined her and then sued for breach of promise when she dumped him. Whether she had consented to sex with the fiancé or was coerced into it is an unanswered question in my mind.

Whether it was consensual or not, Hester goes after Tiberius like a cat in heat, which was a little disconcerting considering her recent public scandal. Disconcerting and unbelievable, and I had a problem with that. Also, the sex scenes were anti-hot. They were too cautious and too choreographed, and the “dirty talk” read more like contract negotiations between rival companies. Here’s some hot pre-sex talk for ya:


“Here is our dilemma,” he said, his hands moving slowly over her back. Hester liked that it was our dilemma. “If I take you to bed and avail myself of your charms, I am a cad and a bounder, regardless that you endorse such behavior. Nonetheless, you are in the grip of misguided female notions about proving something to yourself, and one doesn’t speak reason to a lady on such a course. If I send you on your eager, misguided way, you will be disappointed and emboldened to try again, if not with me, then with some other man who might not be at all considerate of you.”

Nevertheless, Tiberius is thinking marriage, Hester is thinking fling, and when Tiberius’s true reasons for visiting the household are revealed, the excrement hits the fan.

While I wasn’t in love with the romance in this book, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Tiberius fall in love with his niece, struggle with his conscience and honor, and suffer when his suit failed. He is more the worthy hero I’m used to in Grace Burrowes novels. But even Ian from The Bridegroom Wore Plaid redeemed himself a little…a very little. Fiona was a pretty delightful kid, although the reader really needed to know her age. Aunt Ree gave terrible advice. I spent most of the book thinking Hale annd Deidre were overprivileged idiots, but turns out there was a moving reason for their shenanigans. And I’m still upset that a child could be stolen from its mother by a male relative in this time period.

[Mary - Buried Under Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Posted on: Buried Under Romance

I am always amazed at how Grace Burrowes seems to effortless craft one mesmerizing tale after another, each filled with scorching passion and tantalizing romance. This book is no different. In fact, I like this story much better than The Bridegroom Wore Plaid (MacGregor series #1) due to the poignant character dynamics explored between Tye and Hester.

Tiberius (Tye) Flynn, the Earl of Spathfoy, has been coerced by his father to retrieve his niece, Fiona, a task he finds most tiring due to his lack of interaction with children. Together with Fiona is Hester Daniels, who is in ways hiding from society due to an unfortunate scandal. At first, neither quite liked the other as Tye was used to being cold and austere and Hester dearly loved and wanted her niece to be happy. Yet somehow they struck an odd friendship, and even more quickly, found their smoldering passion too brilliant to ignore.

I find Tye to be a rather enigmatic individual, and more complex than Hester. He has the soul of a wounded child underneath the nonchalant exterior of an earl, where he resents his family and his fate, but lacks the strength to truly defy them until the end. His humor and mannerisms are also both childlike and aristocratic, which makes him a very conflicted hero for most of the book. While it was mostly amusing to watch Tye's inner struggles as he tries to be a good uncle and resist his desire for Hester, ultimately it is the meaning of true love that helped calm his raging soul. The relationship between Tye and Hester was in-between friends and lovers, but Hester's gentle love and selfless devotion to others helped to not only mend the hurt in Tye's heart, but also proved true the adage "love conquers all."

Once Upon a Tartan is yet another demonstration of Grace Burrowes's superb writing; her captivating characters are able to create life in any setting, themselves wholly intriguing and complex. Add to it a fantastic plot and a romantic Scottish setting, here is a book to enchant all lovers of romance. Highly recommended!

Plot: 7/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 10/10
Structure: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

*ARC received from the publisher via Netgalley

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Once Upon a Tartan we renew our acquaintance with the MacGregors of Balfour, previously seen in The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, which was one of my favourite books of last year. (And which figured on my recent AAR Top Ten list).

Unlike many authors embarking upon trilogies featuring siblings, Grace Burrowes chose not to allocate one book to each of the MacGregor brothers (Ian, Connor and Gil), opting instead to suit each brother with his bride of choice in the first book, although Ian and Augusta’s story was the principal focus.

I admit, that left me scratching my head as to which characters would feature in the two remaining books in the series, and I was surprised to discover that the heroine of this one would be Hester Daniels who had a fairly small role in the previous book. She is related to the MacGregors through her sister Genie, who is married to the middle brother, Gilgallon.

But Hester has changed much since we last encountered her. In Bridegroom she had all the vivacity and confidence of youth, but a year later, it’s like she’s had the stuffing knocked out of her, and she’s a very different young woman.

Having been the subject of scandal in London where she jilted a man who had manipulated her into an engagement she hadn’t wanted in the first place, Hester’s mother has sent her away in disgrace to Scotland, where Hester has decided to take on the role of spinster aunt. She feels used and unwanted and is ashamed of her stupidity in allowing herself to fall victim to a charming man who wanted only her money and ruined her in order to force her into marriage. Rather than allow herself to be trapped, however, Hester he broke off the engagement and has suffered social ruin as a result.

Her brother, Matthew, has married Mary-Frances Flynn (née MacGregor), and while they are on an extended honeymoon, Hester has agreed to look after Mary-Fran’s young daughter, Fiona. We learned in the first book that Mary-Fran had been handfasted (an archaic form of marriage in Scotland) to an English soldier and that Fiona was the result of their union. Fiona is a very precocious eight or nine year old in this story, and while I’m not normally a fan of children in romantic novels, I think that Grace Burrowes has a real talent for writing children realistically. Fiona comes across as a living, breathing person rather than a sugar-coated moppet who gets into scrapes and charms her way out of them with a gap-toothed smile. By turns she’s cute, annoying, vulnerable and extremely crafty – a description I’m sure any parent will recognise instantly!

The real star of the show, however, is the hero, Tiberius Flynn, Earl of Spathfoy, elder brother of Mary-Fran’s late husband and therefore another of Fiona’s big, strapping uncles. At first glance, he appears to be rather austere and terribly proper; handsome, charming and a perfect gentleman as befits an Earl and heir to a marquisate. I particularly enjoyed his manner of speech and the way he delighted in language, all so very correct and aristocratic – sometimes to the point of pomposity – but which could also make him seem somewhat childlike and incredibly charming. He has a lovely sense of humour and a sharp wit when he lets himself unbend a little, and his interactions with Fiona are delightful and ring very true.

One of my particular favourites was:

"Tell me some big words in French. You have to spell them.” “Here.” He passed her a pencil. “Spell this: pestilentiel.” “What does it mean?” “It’s French for niece.”

But underneath a seemingly unruffleable exterior, Tye is conflicted and harbours a great deal of resentment towards his family and his fate as heir to a grand title. His family has fractured – his father has grown increasingly dictatorial over the years and his mother was so devastated by the death of her younger son that she left Quinworth and refuses to see or correspond with him. Gordie appears to have been the favoured son, allowed to run wild while Tye did what was expected of him and made sure that his family was safe and secure and the family estates well-managed. In addition to his taking on an increasing number of his father’s duties, the departure of Tye’s mother has left his sisters to his care, responsibilities he takes very seriously – which is what allows the marquis to manoeuvre him into an uncomfortable and distasteful position.

Even though he has taken no interest in her since her birth, the Marquis of Quinsworth has sent Tye into Scotland in order to bring Fiona to England to live. Not having a great deal of experience with children, he regards his ‘mission’ with distaste, and expects to be back in England within a few days. But the Marquis has misled him. Tye arrives expecting to find Fiona neglected and in straightened circumstances, whereas what he finds is a happy, well-cared for child who is surrounded by the love and affection of her uncles and aunts. Hester immediately suspects the truth behind the reasons for his visit and is naturally distrustful of him – but she also finds him incredibly attractive, even as she is telling herself she doesn’t trust him or like him very much.

Tye is similarly smitten, but knowing what he has come to do, feels that responding to Hester’s obvious interest in him would be dishonourable and that he must keep his distance. But he has reckoned without Hester’s determination to seduce him – and somehow realising that she needs reassurance and affection, he finds himself incapable of resisting her and they embark upon a passionate – and incredibly tender – affair.

It’s not long afterwards that Tye finally admits to himself the depth of his feelings for Hester and proposes to her, even while he also acknowledges that having her as his fiancée will undoubtedly be of help when it comes to removing Fiona from the rest of her family.

While Ian does his best to delay Fiona’s departure, he knows he cannot prevent it entirely, as it seems that Gordie Flynn appointed his father as his daughter’s guardian. It may seem that Ian gives in to Quinworth’s demands too easily, but he knows that if what the marquis has told Tye about the will is true, then they don’t have a legal leg to stand on. But that doesn’t mean Ian won’t fight for his niece – he’s just biding his time.

But he can’t hold off forever, and the time comes when Tye has to depart, taking Fiona with him. Hester is furious, believing Tye’s offer of marriage to have been made simply to keep Fiona sweet. While he cannot deny that he thought having someone she loved near would have helped Fiona to adjust to her new life, Hester cannot help but feel betrayed – and that Tye is yet another man who wanted to use her for his own ends.

It’s not until after they’ve been at Quinworth for a few days that Hester learns the real reason for Tye’s actions with regard to Fiona. Despite his feelings for her and his conviction that Fiona belongs with the MacGregors, Tye has too much honour and loyalty to his family to have revealed his reasons for acting as he did, but when one of his sisters tells her the truth, Hester finally comes to realise what a terrible position he was forced into.

Ultimately, it’s Tye’s feelings for Hester that enable him to finally stand up to his father and send Fiona home. It’s not that Tye is a weak man –far from it. As Hester observes, his problem is that he “loves too well” and that he tries too hard to do the right thing for everybody. So much so that he often forgets to do the right thing for himself.

One of the things I enjoyed most about the novel was the fact that, unlike many series books, the reappearance of characters from previous stories wasn’t limited to tiny cameos. Ian MacGregor plays a strong secondary role and he his wife Augusta are shown to be very happy in their marriage one year down the line. I adored Ian’s thoughts and pronouncements about “His Wee Bairnship” and watching as he and his wife adjusted to parenthood. I also thought that the relationship that was beginning to develop between Ian and Tye was a very promising one, and as Tye and Hester were to settle in Scotland, I’d love to see more of that in the next book.

Once again, Grace Burrowes captivated me with a wonderful story and a tender romance featuring a thoroughly engaging central couple. I felt that Tye was the more strongly drawn of the two, seeming to be a fairly straightforward prospect at first, but turning out to be one of her most complex heroes to date. She captures familial relationships so beautifully that they feel completely natural and her characterisation is consistently strong and well-developed.

I’m chalking her up yet another winner.

[Jultri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5. GB writes beautifully but sometimes her plot gets bogged down by her gorgeous prose and charming dialogues to the point of stagnation. That was what happened between 30-70% of the book. There were a lot of much ado about nothing between the characters, gentle teasings back and forth, flirtations so subtle that the frequent premarital sex by contrast was too brazen and overt. And what is it with the shocking disregard for propriety by the heroine?

Hester scandalously broke an engagement because her fiance pressured her into anticipating their vows, and although she was not exactly forced, he did not make it pleasurable for her. So she hides away in Scotland, biding time looking after her brother's wife's child, while the newlyweds are honeymooning. The hero, Tiberius, heir to an English marquessate is sent by his tyrannical father to fetch the child to England, as she is the only offspring (legitimate) of Tye's late rascally younger brother. Turns out this errand is anything but simple for Tye, complicated by an adorable lively little girl, Fiona, her adoring extended family who are not willing to give her up without a fight and the beautiful woman who seems to muddle his very rational and articulate thoughts.

I really like the hero, who lives up to his extravagant name with his fanciful words and florid allocution style of speech which impresses his whip-smart niece. There is self-deprecating humour and gentle affection conveyed within his eloquent verbal expressions. The heroine, I'm less fond of. I just don't get why she would throw herself bodily at Tye. Her behaviour was definitely not that of a traumatised woman. After what her fiance put her through, you'd think she would like to be more cautious about who she grants physical favours. In fact, given that her sister in law fell pregnant to a bounder who seduced her, Hester and her whole family ought to be more reticent about encouraging her to pursue sexual intimacy out of wedlock. Why am I the only one to express outrage at such careless indifference for Victorian propriety and social conduct? I like the secondary love story between the estranged parents of Tye - their reunion was quite moving. Little Fiona was at times too precocious in her speech, but she was still a cutie nevertheless and so affectionate towards all around her. Perhaps it might be due to her neglectful mother, whom she clearly adored, and who appears to have earned a novella of her own, which I will skip, because I have not formed high opinions of her as a mother.

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review from 2013

In Once Upon a Tartan, the second book of Ms. Burrowes’ MacGregor trilogy, we renew our acquaintance with Hester Daniels, one of the secondary characters in The Bridegroom Wore Plaid.

Hester has been packed off to Scotland in disgrace, following her breaking of a betrothal she didn’t want, to a man who tried to force her into marriage for her money. She has been badly emotionally bruised by these events, not just because the man in question seduced her and proceeded to bandy her name about society, but because he made her doubt her own judgement, making her feel less than she was. Even Hester’s own mother made her feel degraded by sending her away from London.

Hester is staying near the estate of her brother-in-law and his wife, Ian and Augusta MacGregor, Earl and Countess of Balfour. Her brother, Matthew, has recently married Ian’s sister, and Hester is looking after their daughter, Fiona, while the pair are travelling abroad. Also in residence is Ian’s great-aunt Ariadne (Ree), who is one of those splendidly forthright and flirtatious dowagers so beloved of historical romance. While Hester is outwardly content, shrewd Ian knows that all is not well with her, but is at a loss as to what to do to help her.

The unexpected arrival of Tiberius Lamartaine Flynn, Earl of Spathfoy, does nothing to improve Hester’s peace of mind. Spathfoy is another of Fiona’s big, strapping uncles (the others being Ian and his brothers), and the elder brother of Fiona’s late father. Hester is immediately suspicious of his motives for arriving unannounced, but she can’t help but be charmed by the way he deals with Fiona, who is a very precocious (though not brattish) child. At the same time, she can’t help but be attracted by his good looks, his innate kindness, and his beautiful voice.

The fact that Tye is possessed of an exquisite voice is mentioned several times in the book; so knowing, even before I read the print version, who would be narrating the audiobook meant that I knew I wouldn’t find myself listening to it and thinking there was no correlation between that aspect of the character as he was written and as I heard him. I may have had issues with some aspects of Roger Hampton’s performance in the previous book in this series, but there’s no denying that he has a gorgeous voice – soft, and slightly husky which, in this story, was not far short of perfect for the hero.

Tye is a wonderful character. He’s everything one would expect of a romantic hero – honourable, sensitive, intelligent, and ridiculously handsome; but he’s also apt to be a bit of a stuffed shirt. I particularly enjoyed his love of language and the way he loved to use ten words when one would have done. It made him seem a bit pompous yet rather loveable at the same time. Mr. Hampton does a very nice job of differentiating between these different aspects of Tye’s character. When we first meet him, his tones are quite clipped and he sounds terribly proper, even when he is playfully admonishing Fiona; but as he begins to unbend a little, and then to fall in love, he adopts a much more appealing, softer tone. When he’s warring inwardly over his feelings for and actions towards Hester, the listener can hear the conflict in the slight gruffness that creeps into his speech, and in the love scenes … well, let’s just say that Hester wasn’t the only listener to have been seduced by the beauty of Tye’s voice!

The longer Tye spends in Hester’s company, the deeper his fascination with her becomes. When he discovers that the fascination is mutual, he is terribly conflicted. He’s very attracted to Hester and recognises that she has been badly shaken by her experiences with her ex-fiancé. He senses that she needs affection and reassurance, things he is more than prepared to provide, but he is also assailed by guilt, knowing that once the true purpose of his visit is revealed, Hester will despise him. But he can’t resist her and they embark upon a passionate and tender affair.

As is usual in Ms. Burrowes’ romances, the love scenes are erotic in their sensuality rather than overly explicit, and I think that is especially true in Once Upon a Tartan where there’s such a strong sense of the emotional connection between the two protagonists.

Tye is the novel’s heart, a man who strives to do the best for everyone around him, usually to the detriment of his own wants and needs. He’s a complex character who maintains a calm and collected exterior, but underneath, is full of contradictions. He loves his family and resents them at the same time; he has been put into an untenable position by his father, the Marquis of Quinworth, whose tendency towards despotism has only increased since his wife’s recent desertion, and has taken on more and more of the responsibility for the running of the marquisate. At the same time, he is doing his best to look after the interests of his younger unmarried sisters who, while they have all the advantages wealth can bring, are at their father’s disposal and under threat of being summarily married off without any consideration of their own wishes on the matter.

It takes Hester a while to work it out, but once she – and the listener – does, it’s obvious. Tye isn’t weak or unfeeling, he’s just the opposite. He cares too much and it’s that quality that has allowed his father to force him into such a horrible position. Fortunately, that quality is also his saving grace, when his feelings for Hester enable him to take a stand against Quinworth and do the right thing.

Once again, Grace Burrowes has penned a thoroughly captivating and well-characterised romance full of warmth and affection. She has a gift for writing children as real people rather than just “endearing moppets” and her characterisation of Fiona is superb. I had reservations about Mr. Hampton’s voicing of her in the last book, and knowing she was a much more prominent character in this one, I admit to being concerned that I was going to find it difficult to listen to her. Fortunately, however, that wasn’t the case. I went back to The Bridegroom Wore Plaid to remind myself of how she’d sounded, and while she is, in terms of inflection and accent, the same, the narrator’s interpretation has lost much of the squeakiness I’d disliked before.

I also very much enjoyed re-encountering some of the other characters from the first book, most notably Ian and Augusta. Unlike some series books, in which past characters appear in purely cameo roles, Ian is a prominent secondary character and I enjoyed the relationship that was beginning to develop between Ian and Tye and hope to see more of it in the next book.

Overall, I’m pleased to say that in listening to Once Upon a Tartan, I experienced none of the reservations I’d experienced in listening to the previous book in the series. It’s always pleasing when a book you loved in print is just as satisfying in audio, and I have no hesitation in giving this one a hearty thumbs up!

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting: Regency-era Scotland
4 1/2 stars

Tye Flynn is ordered by his father to travel to Scotland and bring back his long lost brother's daughter,Fiona. Since Fiona's parents are on holiday, her aunt Hester is caring for her. Hester was unaware of Tye's impending arrival and is determined to keep Fiona safe and in Scotland. Hester has a reason of course not to trust men,but she is slowly drawn into a friendship with Tye. By the time Tye is supposed to leave to bring Fiona to England, Hester is contemplating Tye's marriage proposal. Fate brings her to Tye's mothers's home,where she learns about Tye's past and his family's problems. When danger strikes, Hester sees Tye's devotion to Fiona and realizes she must set herself free from the past and grab onto to the future with him. The author did a great job with Tye and Hester's tale. She created a powerful story replete with heartfelt emotion with rich characterization. The paring up with the love of a child with the understanding of honor and trust and the growth in a relationship,really worked well and made for a very satisfying read. So far I like this one the best in the trilogy and look forward to what book 3 brings.

[Lady Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just about my number one favorite Grace Burrowes story, and a key attribute of the hero, Tiberius Flynn, is his beautiful voice. Fortunately, Roger Hampton indeed has a beautiful voice, which makes this audiobook a five-star listen. He also has a wonderful Scots accent, which mostly applies here to the female characters, but his narration also has a touch of the Highlands about it. His voice for nine-year-old Fiona is a bit squeaky, but I quickly got over that. My favorite voice was Ian MacGregor, Earl of Balfour and the hero from the first story in this series. Ian and his wife Augusta are prominent secondary characters here, and growly, grumpy, besotted-with-his-wife Ian's Scots burr is simply delightful.

Highly recommended.

[Elaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so boring! I couldn't even finish it properly without skipping pages. I just didn't care for it. It was too slow. The hero and heroine weren't interesting, in fact they were boring and the hero was a doormat while the heroine really made some questionable decisions based on her previous experiences. The only bright spot in the story was the niece, Fiona, but even she can't redeem this book.

[NatalyaVqs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aunt Ariadne is a mischevious treasure.  Fiona is a delightful child. Spathfoy is a great study of conflicted hero, under his father's thumb, wanting to do the right thing.  I give Hester props for being a decisive heroine.  However, the plot development is agonizingly slow and momentum gets lost over and over again. 200/288

[EmpK · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the underwhelming "Bride groom wore Plaid" I thought this would be equally terrible. But it was actually DELIGHTFUL. It's almost as if Mary Balogh created the English hero in this book-- he's so deliciously starchy, borderline pompous, and gentlemanly without being too much of a goody-two-shoes.

It helps to read the previous books in this series, because the focus of this book is actually a custody battle, with a love story interwoven between it all.

It's also one of the few Burrowes heroines who didn't make me want to hit my head against the wall. Her reasons for her behavior are logical and understandable. She also doesn't have any annoying catch phrases like other Burrowes women. I'll put these two up there with the couple in Lady Maggie's Scandal.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! This book has so many interesting side stories, and wonderful characters, Fee being a favorite. Tiberius and Hester’s journey is a must read. 💛💛💛💛💛

[Melann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un peu dans le même style que le 1er car le héros agit mal à un moment, il le sait et s'en sent coupable, mais ne fait rien pour lutter contre.
Mais le style de l'auteure est efficace et cela fonctionne néanmoins.

[Kathie (katmom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the MacGregor Trilogy. I haven't read the first one, but felt like I was all caught up as this one began. Ms. Burrowes is very adept at giving us back story without making us feel like we aren't moving forward.

Hester has broken her engagement to a really nasty young man. She is now rusticating in Scotland, taking care of her brother's new step-daughter while he and the child's mother take their marriage tour. She is also hiding from the shame and the pain of her short lived engagement. She is shocked when Tye arrives. She's also just a bit swept off her feet.

Tye believes that he is just there to pick up his niece. His father has led him to believe that it was his dying brother's wish and that Fiona will be much better off in their hands. Right off, Tiberius figures out that not is as he was told. The child is cared for, loved, and living in a wonderful home. He's also a bit swept up by Hester.


There are lots of little tangles going on here. Why is Tye's father so devious? Why haven't his parents spoken in ages? Lots of little messes that slowly get swept clean. That is one of the big draws for me to Ms. Burrowes writing. She sets the scene and then lets us work our way through to that HEA payoff. This one is a winner, for sure.

I've taken just a bit of rating away for the lack of finality about one thing. I would have liked to see Hester's mother get some kind of payback for being so mean to her daughter. Then again, maybe we'll see her get that in the third book!

Four and a Half Bookmarks! (Rounded up for GR system)



This review, and others, can be seen at my blog:

www.firstpagetothelast.com

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued to read the follow up to our book club book for last month 'The Bridegroom Wore Plaid' which was an light and easy read with perhaps a little too much over the top 'mushy stuff'. Once Upon a Tartan was more of the same but I think I preferred it to the first book as I felt more invested in the romance and in the conflict between Tye, Hester and Fiona, though I think I preferred Augusta as the heroine to Hester who I could never really get a sense of. I will probably go on to read the third book to round off the trilogy as I'm hopeful of seeing a reunion between Asher and his brothers. If you're a fan of historical romance or romance in general, you will probably enjoy this series but if you're wanting something with a bit more depth, I would steer clear. Overall I liked it, it was a fun, light read which is exactly where I'm at reading-wise at the moment!

[Rachel T · Rating 5 out of 5]

As posted at The Reading Cafe 24 Aug 13
ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review

http://www.thereadingcafe.com/the-bridegroom-wore-plaid-and-once-upon-a-tartan-by-grace-burrowes-a-review/

COMBINED REVIEW with The Bridegroom Wore Plaid

5 out of 5 for this reader folks! I have to say, I REALLY REALLY love Grace Burrowes writing. She is quickly becoming on of my ABSOLUTE FAVE authors. I am currently on summer vacay and it is killing me that I have to put my book down as often as I am, because she writes page turning stories. These two books are the first two books of her MacGregor Trilogy (note .. there is a novella in between book 1 and 2 but I have yet to read it). Our genre is regency/historical/Victorian romance with a serious dash of yummy "trying to be proper, but serious are so much yummier when they aren't" highlanders.

The stories revolve around the MacGregor family and the English folk that they seem to hate in one second and take a fancy to the next. These families all seem to link into one another and create hilarious, action packed, angsty, HEA stories full of lust, bad guys, traditions and LOTS OF WIT!

Let's meet them shall we??

BOOK 1 - THE BRIDEGROOM WORE PLAID

DESCRIPTION

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes keeps winning reader awards for her gorgeously imagined books. If you're already a fan, you'll devour her new characters and if you haven't yet discovered the richly drawn worlds of Grace Burrowes, you're in for a treat....

"Memorable heroes. Intelligent, sensual love stories. This author knows what romance readers adore."-RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

His Family or His Heart - One of Them Will Be Betrayed...

Ian MacGregor is wooing a woman who's wrong for him in every way. As the new Earl of Balfour, though, he must marry an English heiress to repair the family fortunes.

But in his intends penniless chaperone, Augusta, Ian is finding everything he's ever wanted in a wife.

"Historical details enrich Burrowes's intimate and erotic story, but the real stars are her vibrant characters and her masterful ear for dialogue. Burrowes is superb at creating connections that feel honest and real."-Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

REVIEW

I swear this book should of been called "The Highland Hookup"! LOL While we do have a main love story, there are quite a few other love stories that are going on that keep it exciting. This is definitely a case of two families made for each other!

Our main character is Ian MacGregor. He is an assumed Earl as his oldest brother has gone MIA and thus declared deceased. With this comes the responsibility of being the head and provider of his family. He is also assuming responsibility of removing the MacGragor family from ruin by agreeing to marry an English heiress.

Enter the Daniels family. Eager to marry his daughter Genie to a titled man, Baron Atstax (AKA CREEPOID) moves his entire family in for a long visit with the MacGregor family. Part of this family is Augusta who is the Baron's niece and chaperon to Genie. It is Augusta who Ian takes a shine too though. Don't feel bad for Genie though, she has her eyes set on Ian's brother Gill. Ian's other brother is hooking up with another Daniels member as well, and Ian's sister is falling in love with the Baron's son. Have you processed all that?? LOL

A slow simmering relationship (which comes to a serious hot, steamy boil), between Augusta and Ian begins. These two are clearly made for each other. They embark in a physical and emotional relationship believing that they only have this short time to treasure before saying goodbye. In the midst of this budding relationship, the ugly Baron Alstax is plotting Augusta's murder as he is a devious, selfish and harbouring a secret that could land him in some serious hot water. Ian begins to slowly put the pieces together and between his family members, some of the Daniels family and his smart, beautiful Augusta, weave together a terrific climax of this story.

The bad guys NEVER win in a Grace Burrowes novel, but she can seriously make you sweat! LOL

BOOK 2 - ONCE UPON A TARTAN

DESCRIPTION

Hester MacDaniel is recovering from an engagement gone awry by summering at her brother's holding in the Highlands, and looking after her brother's young step-daughter, Fiona. Tiberius Flynn, heir to the English Marquis of Quinworth, appears on Hester's doorstep claiming he's Fee's paternal uncle, and he's been sent by her English relations to make the girl's acquaintance. Tye believes his brother's dying wishes compel him to take Fee south with him, but he doesn't plan on Hester capturing his heart, even as she fights him tooth and nail for custody of Fiona.

REVIEW

This was a fantastic continuation of this trilogy. In the first book we met our heroine of this book. Hester Daniels in book one was a easy going, full of life young lady coming into her own. Between these books, Hester is involved in a scandalous affair that she has taken to heart and has come back to Scotland to take care of her niece and properly hide from society. My heart really broke for Hester in this book.

One day, in trots this English, arrogant, aristocratic, pompous man named Tiberius Flynn (Tye), Earl of Srathroy and future Marquis of Quinworth who is claiming to be a paternal uncle to Hester niece Fiona. Fiona just adores this man from the beginning while Tye is a little taken back by the little girl who one minute has impeccable manners and the next minute can be found singing in tree branches and mucking around horses. However, little Fiona is known to take her Uncles hearts and wrap them around her finger, and soon Uncle Tye is in this position.

Hester and Tye really dislike each other at first and go at it with their words, bantering back and forth. Soon enough though they begin a friendship which develops into a fierce lusty and loving affair. They are stuck between a rock and a hard place though as they stand across from each other on opposite sides of a dilemma. Tye is very much a mutli-layered character and I loved seeing some of these layers peeled back. He is put into a horrible position by his family, to claim custody of a niece the family took no interest in. He is also finding a much needed peace in this country and in Hester's arms. Hester has issues she is working out and it's wonderful to see her come back into the strong beautiful woman she is. She is extremely loyal to her niece and she was just overall an easy leading lady to adore.

Like all of Grace Burrowes stories, she develops situations that you know will work out, but shock you with the amount of thought and creativity it takes to get there. I was so happy with this book and while there are some similarities to the first book, there was so much more to be had here! Sorry .. no spoilers .. WINK! LOL


You can read these as stand alones but you would enjoy the second book so much more with the first book read. We see many of the characters return and get a continuation of their story. If you love the highland settings and a good regency romance, I highly recommend this series. Grace Burrowes always delivers a thorough well thought out stories with some depth to her characters. She writes the steamy classy but hot too! LOL

HAPPY READING! :)

[Rachel-RN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hester's sister Genie married one of the MacGregor brothers in the previous book (her cousin Augusta was the main story-line with Ian). Her brother Matthew married Mary Francis, the MacGregor sister.
Mary Francis and Matthew are on an extended honeymoon, so Hester comes to stay with Fiona, Mary Francis's daughter. Tiberius (Tye)'s brother Gordie (deceased) is Fiona's father. At his father's order, he arrives in Scotland to take Fiona with him to live with her paternal side of the family. There is frustration on the MacGregor side, because Tye shows up without warning and the Flynns have never acknowledged Fiona before now. So, what changed?
Tye decides to stay and wait. While he gets to know Fiona, he and Hester fall for each other. Hester is a much stronger character in this book. She suffered a scandal; she broke her engagement to someone who only wanted her money. There is an explanation by the end of the book in regards to why Tye was sent to get Fiona. Grief and they way some people handle grief play into various people's actions (and reactions). Tye's parents (who have been estranged) get some time and there is a resolution in regards to their relationship. In part helped along by Hester (and Tye).

[Emanuellen Trizi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tye and Hester story is a bit fast, but no less sweet because of this. Its nice to see Fiona again, she's so cute. Its hard to understand all Tye's motives and the reader discover the truth basically at the same time Hester does. I wish we had a bit more of Quinnworth to understand all the family bussiness, because that scene - THAT SCENE - at the grave is so bittersweet and ultralovely that I cried like a baby. Both characters arrived at the story with a background that really moved them, broke them, so it takes a while to really connect with them, but they are meant to each other. Tye is less stiff with Hester and she is more confidant with him. I dont know why, but I picture him with fair hair all the book, even if he has dark hair. Nothing reaaaaaly oustanding in this book, only the absence of Mary Fran and Matthew (I was worried sick that they might have died in the continent). Lets now see what Ash book is about!

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my! This is a wonderful book. Fiona is the most endearing little girl. I loved Hester and Ty as well. The writing is emotionally charged and the plot is engaging. So glad I listened to this book. The narrator is fabulous. Happy reading 📖!

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, I read a book called Once Upon a Tartan. What are you gonna do. These things happen.

[melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Burrowes puts so much non sexual intimacy into this book while both the hero and heroine are unclothed… I was actually struck by how natural and sweet it was. Wowowow, just really wonderfully done imo

[Issa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 - 3 stars. Just can't decide.

The feisty girl is Fiona who we meet, along with her family in the Bridegroom Wore Plaid. Fiona’s mother Mary Fran and Fiona’s father married in a handfasting ceremony not recognized by her father’s family. When her father died, his family had nothing to do with him and Mary Fran moved in with her brother, Ian MacGregor, the Earl of Balfour. But Fiona is not fading away in Scotland, she’s been looked after by her uncles. Mary Fran marries Matthew, brother of the Countess of Balfour and the two of them are out of country on vacation when Tiberius comes calling. I do not recall if we met Hester but she is the sister of Matthew, so an aunt but not by blood.

Back to the story, the plot is one seen many times before. That alone didn’t scare me off, the simplest of romance tropes can be good if written well. This one has its moments. Tiberius is here to take Fiona back to the family seat based on his father’s orders. He falls for Hester and vice versa and the relationship moves at a predictable pace with the inevitable lies, evasions, and betrayals. Burrows had potential with this one, but too many weak points made it unsalvageable.

What worked: The dialogue. Tiberius has a way of speaking that drew me in…flat tone with big words with subtle wit. Tiberius’s discussions are full of amusements and slights of phrase.

Hester. She s a well rounded character who avoids falling into a doormat role. She makes unusual choices and shows more strength than I would have expected. I wanted a happy ending for her.

Earl and Countess of Balfour: Ian and August appear again and they continue to be two of my favorite Burrows characters.

Now for what doesn t work.

Tiberius the character: Despite his sexy speech, I couldn’t warm up to him. He’s the doormat of the story. The one that falls in line with his father’s orders to take the child knowing he’s taking her from a loving environment. The reason why stunned me as well as Hester and my opinion of him plummeted even further.

The MacGregors. Despite the unity they had in the previous book, they are all gone here (except Ian) and there is no explanation why Fiona’s mom never responds to Ian’s wires about the problems with her daughter. Their absence was a shadow over the story.

Tiberius’s father: There s a whole side story to Tiberius’s father, his mother, and what drove his father to do what he did. I found it childish and a painful addition to the book.

Pacing: When it becomes clear what Tye’s intentions towards Fiona are, we wait and wait and wait for the inevitable to happen. There s a good 50 pages I could have yanked out and with little impact on the story.

I give this one three stars. An okay story, not a bad read, but easily forgettable.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much like the first book, Once Upon a Tartan has romance blossoming in the midst of legal woes. I find this really interesting, even though in general, legalities don't really spark my interest. Tye is on his way to Scotland to fetch his niece, Fiona. He's not too savvy to all of the reasons, but his father has tasked him to bring Fiona back to London since his late son's will says she should be raised there. Upon his arrival, Tye sees that Fiona's mother and stepfather are away on their honeymoon, and she's been left in the care of her aunt Hester. From there he attempts to woo them back to London with him.

I wasn't quite sure about Once Upon a Tartan in the beginning, since as many of you know, I have an issue with children being the driving force of a romance. Fiona is very much center stage in the plot, but luckily, since she's not the child of either love interest, she is not what ultimately brings them together. She's just the side-plot, and has a more important role in someone else's schemes. I was quite curious as to why her grandfather was suddenly interested in her, as was the rest of her Scottish family. I can honestly say that I never would have guessed why! After Hester's fathers nefarious plans in The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, I had suspected something along those lines, but it is nothing like that at all. It was actually pretty sweet in a misguided sort of way.

As for the romance, I really enjoyed it! Tye and Hester bump heads at first, since he's not exactly the most charming man, and she certainly doesn't trust him after he shows up with no warning and fails to properly introduce himself. But she can't deny that she's attracted to him, and uses him to "get back in the saddle" at her aunt Ariadne's suggestions. I must say that I loved Aunt Ariadne! She's super old and super funny! That woman is scandalous! But she certainly points Hester in the right direction, and helps her overcome her guilt at "using" Tye or taking advantage of him. There's also more sex in this sequel, and Hester and Tye are certainly not lacking in chemistry!

I really liked Once Upon a Tartan. I did have a few issues with the plot. Mostly just that no one had any idea what was going on with Tye's father's sudden interest in Fiona, and didn't bother investigating it. All of her other uncles say that they'd fight to get her back and use all legal action at their disposable, and yet they didn't do that in the first place to see if what Tye claimed was in the will was even what was really in the will. That didn't seem believable to me at all. Other than that though, it's a sweet and sexy romance, with a side of family reunion.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel very conflicted with Grace Burrowes’s historical romances. Each one of her books that I have picked up, I have either loved or hated. I had read the first of the MacGregor Trilogy and loved it; so far it has been the only Burrowes book that I have really liked. Therefore, I was rather excited to read Once Upon a Tartan, which features Hester MacDaniel, who was mentioned the first book. I ended up really liking this one, but it wasn’t without the problems that I dislike in Burrowes other books. There were instances where I felt confused with plot and its rationale; I find that Burrowes can overdo it with plot complications.

Hester has come to her brother’s holding in the Highlands while recovering from a broken engagement to watch over her step-niece, Fiona. While there, Hester gets an unwanted guest, in Tiberius Flynn, uncle of Fiona’s late father. Fiona’s father had seduced her mother and continues to be unacknowledged by her father’s family. By all appearances, it appears that Tiberius has come to acknowledge Fiona and take her back home with him. Hester is not about to let that happen, especially since her brother and Fiona’s mother are away on their honeymoon. However, Hester finds herself desperately attracted to Tiberius and sorely tempted to explore that attraction after what has happened with her former fiancé. Tiberius also feels this attraction, but is under orders to bring Fiona back to his father’s home, despite his own personal misgivings about taking a young girl from her loving family.

I really enjoyed the romance aspect, and I loved Tiberius and Hester together. Hester deserved to have someone treat her well after what happened at the hands of her fiancé; however, the way that this romance was complicated really threw me off and left me rather confused. It just seemed to convoluted as to why Tiberius’s father wanted to claim Fiona at this point, and to me, it didn’t really make sense that everyone just bowed to his whim despite the fact that everyone knew how wrong he was to take a child from her family. While I was rather confused and disbelieving concerning the plot that drove the novel, I was quite happy with the romance aspect of it. Tiberius and Hester was great together, and it was good to see that they would get their own happily ever after despite Tiberius’s father’s machinations. Fans of The Bridegroom Wore Plaid will be sure to enjoy this book in the trilogy, and will be anxiously awaiting the conclusion with the return of the lost heir in The MacGregor’s Lady.

*A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read Book One in the MacGregor Trilogy , The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, I wondered where this trilogy was going. Every main character in that book got their HEA so instead of setting up the next story it looked like there was not place to go for a new story. I should have known that Grace Burrows had a plan and a very good plan at that. Like book one Once Upon a Tartan is set in the Victorian Age.

Backstory: The basis for Once Upon a Tartan is the early marriage of Mary Fran and the child she had from that marriage. This was a marriage that the groom’ s family never recognized and a child (Fiona or Fee) they never acknowledged.

Plot: Fee has a loving family in Scotland and now Tiberious Flynn has come to take Fee away to live with her father’s family.

Tension: Plenty of internal and external tension. The need to protect Fee, the attraction between Tiberious and Hester, Hester’s past, the split between Tiberious’s parents, Tiberious’s must do as his father wants even though he does not think it is a good idea

Writing: Very well written. Every thing moves at a nice pace with the story evolving in a way that held my attention through the book.

Characters: Tiberius Flynn’s character is shown through his actions. In spite of what he has to do he is very likeable. Hester MacDaniel has had a very troubled past with her parents and the man they wanted her to marry. Her backstory is well told and let me know the kind of woman she was. Both are very strong and likeable characters. There are some of the characters from the first book that play a important role in the book and then there are Tiberius parents who are mostly in the background but are an essential part of the plot.

I loved Once Upon a Tartan. I had a hard time putting it down before I finished and am waiting to see where Burrows goes with book three.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

She smiled at him, and the grace and beauty of it, the sheer loveliness, was such that Tiberius Lamartine Flynn, for the first time in his nearly thirty years, felt as if a woman's smile illuminated him from within.



"My great, impressive vocabulary fails me, Hester Daniels. My wits fail me; my reason fails me. I only know that I have met the love of my life, a woman who can help me to face life's hurts and wrongs with courage, a woman in whose love and trust I can repose my entire heart, if she - if you - will have me."



I enjoyed Tye and Hester's story. Ms. Burrows did a nice job of letting the characters get to know each other. The banter was nice. The secondary characters were such a treat.

I liked this book but didn't love it. Some parts rather bored me but quickly picked back up. I've always loved Grace Burrowes and her writing. She writes with such efficiency it could only be termed amazing.

**ARC graciously provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Romancing the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Rachel
Book provided by NetGalley for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

As with most Grace Burrowes’ books (and I’ve literally been on a reading frenzy with her titles) I was totally captivated…

Tye is probably one of my favorite historical heroes—EVER! The beginning chapters had me laughing out loud. His dry sense of humor is killer and really draws the reader into his no nonsense personality. It set up the story beautifully with his relationship with the little girl, Fiona. He always said what was on his mind and his sarcasm always hit it’s mark. Brilliantly done. I could understand, as a reader, where there would be a conflict with him wanting to bring Fiona back to his father. You could tell he was honor bound by duty, and I actually appreciated that he didn’t let that cloud his judgement when it came to Hester.

Hester, okay, I have to be honest. I’m not a huge fan of her name. When I hear Hester I think spinster, and maybe that’s what Miss Burrowes was trying to convey. Hester’s saving grace was her sharp wit and ability to keep Tye on his toes. Her love for her niece is amazing and I loved seeing how the niece was clever enough to bring them together. Stupid adults…sometimes they ned a little pushing.

The story itself was a bit slow, but as most Burrowes’ books there is always a reason she lays the plot the way she does, she is a brilliant mastermind at the way she works her stories, so I knew it would end up being okay as long as I just kept reading.

All in all it was a very satisfying, heartfelt read. I think my only complaint is that there was no epilogue.

Well done!

[The Window Seat · Rating 4 out of 5]

When this story was originally announced I was a little confused about the choice of hero and heroine. The series is the MacGregor Trilogy, so in following the first book I expected the second to expand on one of the original hero’s brothers or their sister since they are eponymous family. However author Grace Burrowes had her own ideas about which characters deserved a full story, with Once Upon a Tartan reintroducing readers to Hester Daniels, an almost honorary member of the MacGregor clan.

Hester’s ties to the clan run deeper than just being the cousin to the laird’s wife. Her older brother Michael fell in love and married the laird’s sister Mary Frances a year earlier and Hester’s older sister is married to another of the MacGregor brood. As the last unwed daughter of the Daniels’ family, Hester remained in her mother’s household after the death of her conniving father Baron Altsax but was under the impression that her hand had been promised to one of his cronies before he died. Not questioning the arrangement, Hester found that her new betrothed was cut from the same bad cloth as her father and ended their engagement in a scandal that forced her to flee to her brother’s holdings in Scotland. Now being the ruined Miss Daniels in social circles, Hester takes on the mantle of spinster and being ever dutiful to her family agrees to be the temporary guardian to her brother’s step-daughter Fiona Flynn while he takes a long postponed honeymoon with his wife.

For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...

[Heather Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely fits within my 'men in kilts' category even though hunk Tiberius Flynn doesn't don a kilt, though I can easily imagine him strutting around in one.

English Lord Tiberius Flynn has travelled to Scotland to retrieve his young niece, Fiona, from her maternal family after the death of his elder brother. He doesn't count on her family putting up a fight for her, nor is he prepared to deal with her guardian/aunt, Hester Daniels, and the effect she has on his heart.

Both Tye and Hester are trying to do the right things for their respective families, but can't find a way to do it without hurting the other. As their feelings for each other grow, so does their anguish. Both are strong characters and put family and propriety ahead of their own desires. Definitely a product of the times. I particularly liked the character of Fiona's great aunt Lady Ariadne MacGregor and would like to read a book of her back story. She seems to know so much about everyone that I suspect she must have many secrets hidden away. (Should author Grace Burrowes read this review, I hope she takes this suggestion).

Once Upon a Tartan is the second book in a series, the first being The Bridegroom wore Plaid. You can read this as a stand alone, but you'll want to read the first book to fill in some story lines, so you might as well start thee.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a great fan of Grace Burrowes, and have been looking forward to reading more of her books.

The one thing that strikes me most about Burrowes' work is how she keeps the importance of family as one of her central themes. It runs through all the Windham books, and it stays prominent in "Once Upon a Tartan."

Tiberius (Tye) Flynn has been sent by his father to Scotland to bring back Fiona, his dead brother’s daughter, and meets Hester, her aunt. It's a wonderful story to read. The characters are vivid and the language is rich, the dialogue just sparkles, and there's incredible heart in the story.

I look forward to reading the next in this series.