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Trouble Wears Tartan #3
Scotland to the Max
Max Maitland is willing to travel to Scotland if that's where the next big development project takes him, but when he arrives at the Brodie Castle site, nothing goes as planned. The locals, the investors, and even the legendarily romantic castle ghosts seem to be plotting against him. Single mom Jeannie Cromarty is on hand to troubleshoot and problem solve with Max, but she creates utter chaos in his usually orderly and schedule-driven heart. Max has always gone where the job needed him to go, but this time, he'll have to choose between the lady and the castle.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2018
131 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
190 books2,913 followersGrace 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 4, 2019
A romance where the main character is a project manager? And you get to see him working? In SCOTland?! I'm all in, baby, all in.
I could see where some might find all the project management-ness boring but I loved it.
(Why yes, I *am* a project manager. And yes it's a sexy profession ; )
Also there's a same sex side romance. I knew Burrowes would do this well!
I could see where some might find all the project management-ness boring but I loved it.
(Why yes, I *am* a project manager. And yes it's a sexy profession ; )
Also there's a same sex side romance. I knew Burrowes would do this well!
September 23, 2018
Max Maitland is in Scotland to oversee the refurbishment of Brodie Castle. Jeannie Cromarty is his guide along with her adorable baby Henry. As the two fight against ruthless investors, suspicious Scots, nasty ex-mother-in-laws, and ghosts (they don't actually have to fight against the ghosts), they also fight their growing attraction. But Max has responsibilities that tie him to the United States, though increasingly his heart belongs to the highlands.
Elias and Violet make appearances as well as an Irish investor who looks like he'll be in a future book. I always like series that bring back some of my favorite characters, though you don't need to read the previous books to know what's going on here (but you should anyway). Max is just adorable, kind and sweet to both Jeannie and Henry. Jeannie is family-oriented and loving, everything Max's battered heart needs, so they make a good match. I also liked the realistic portrayal of Max's sister, Maura, who is special needs.
My favorite quote: He picked up his knapsack. “Are all Scottish women so bossy?” “We have to be. We share the country with Scottish men and their offspring.”
This is another strong entry in Ms. Burrowes already impressive catalog.
Elias and Violet make appearances as well as an Irish investor who looks like he'll be in a future book. I always like series that bring back some of my favorite characters, though you don't need to read the previous books to know what's going on here (but you should anyway). Max is just adorable, kind and sweet to both Jeannie and Henry. Jeannie is family-oriented and loving, everything Max's battered heart needs, so they make a good match. I also liked the realistic portrayal of Max's sister, Maura, who is special needs.
My favorite quote: He picked up his knapsack. “Are all Scottish women so bossy?” “We have to be. We share the country with Scottish men and their offspring.”
This is another strong entry in Ms. Burrowes already impressive catalog.
May 31, 2022
This third book in the series tells a complete story. The H was one of the main secondary characters in the second book, but you don't really need to read either of the previous books to follow everything in this one. On the other hand, Max as H and his project are pretty much a spoiler to the story in the second book, and more than just knowing the expected HEA for the main characters there. So reading at least these two in order is recommended if you plan to read the second.
It felt to me like Jeannie and Max's relationship were accepted as given, despite his many early denials that it could be possible. The overriding tension came from the threat to Max's project and the schemes of Sutherland. And I felt like these schemes lacked sense. There were many efforts to make them sound plausible, but on many levels they were lame.
The baby Henry takes a big role in the everyday events of the story despite his not being able to say much more than single syllables.
After reading a few books in this genre recently where H's did much without asking permission, I was very glad to see Max ask Jeannie's permission for their first kiss. Max is a true gentleman and Jeannie is an appealing leading lady.
Mature themes: there are a couple of scenes of mildly explicit sex.
It felt to me like Jeannie and Max's relationship were accepted as given, despite his many early denials that it could be possible. The overriding tension came from the threat to Max's project and the schemes of Sutherland. And I felt like these schemes lacked sense. There were many efforts to make them sound plausible, but on many levels they were lame.
The baby Henry takes a big role in the everyday events of the story despite his not being able to say much more than single syllables.
After reading a few books in this genre recently where H's did much without asking permission, I was very glad to see Max ask Jeannie's permission for their first kiss. Max is a true gentleman and Jeannie is an appealing leading lady.
Mature themes: there are a couple of scenes of mildly explicit sex.
April 11, 2019
Sweet and enjoyable tale of Scotland single mom meets American developer remodeling her family’s castle. I enjoyed this one more than the previous books in the series, and I think it’s because it was set in Scotland instead of the US.
There’s a secondary relationship in the book that I sometimes found myself wishing was the focus instead, but overall it held my interest and everyone got their HEA.
There’s a secondary relationship in the book that I sometimes found myself wishing was the focus instead, but overall it held my interest and everyone got their HEA.
September 19, 2018
Brodie Castle is going to be renovated! After generations of good times and not so good times Elias Brodie, the current Earl has given investors a 99 year lease and the project is a go. If Max Maitland can pull it off. Jeannie Cromarty is just the woman to help him.
Satisfying read I am so happy that Jeannie got her story. I will be going back and reading the first part of the series.
Satisfying read I am so happy that Jeannie got her story. I will be going back and reading the first part of the series.
November 30, 2018
I always adore these books, and definitely turn to Grace Burrowes when I need a reading treat. If you haven’t read the series, start at the beginning and you will enjoy all the subtle and not so subtle connections more. Definitely a good read and I look forward to the next one. (I especially hope we get follow up peeks at the Earl and his love.)
September 17, 2019
Sweet romance about a developer renovating a Scottish castle into a hotel and conference center, and the single mom who's a cousin of the castle's owner. He has family responsibilities back in Maryland. There are backstabbing investors, a pushy mother-in-law, engineering challenges, and ghosts. It's a fun read. I liked it.
January 10, 2021
As I have come to anticipate with Ms. Burrowes books, "Scotland to the Max" delivered a fully captivating HEA - this time Scottish. Engaging personalities, smart dialogue and enough plot suspense (this time with conniving financial investors) kept me up late into the night. I do know better than to begin a Grace Burrowes book in the evening. Per usual, I cannot help myself.
October 1, 2018
Well...Four stars-ish.
Max Maitland arrives in Scotland to lead the project started by Elias Brodie (in the previous book) - renovate the Brodie family castle and develop it into a conference and vacation destination extraordinaire. Max meets single mom Jeannie Cromarty who’s been helping get the project rolling, and they fall hard for each other. Complications ensue: local opposition, a scheming investor, Jeannie’s uncertainty, and Max’s family ties...all conspire to keep the castle’s fate in doubt. However, it’s Grace Burrowes....so of course there’s a HEA.
While neither Max nor Jeannie are particularly memorable characters, the book is redeemed somewhat by the great writing, and of course the breathtaking setting in Scotland.
Makes me want to jump on the next flight to Edinburgh.
Max Maitland arrives in Scotland to lead the project started by Elias Brodie (in the previous book) - renovate the Brodie family castle and develop it into a conference and vacation destination extraordinaire. Max meets single mom Jeannie Cromarty who’s been helping get the project rolling, and they fall hard for each other. Complications ensue: local opposition, a scheming investor, Jeannie’s uncertainty, and Max’s family ties...all conspire to keep the castle’s fate in doubt. However, it’s Grace Burrowes....so of course there’s a HEA.
While neither Max nor Jeannie are particularly memorable characters, the book is redeemed somewhat by the great writing, and of course the breathtaking setting in Scotland.
Makes me want to jump on the next flight to Edinburgh.
August 19, 2020
It wasn't bad, but it didn't knock me out either. I liked the first book in this series so much and the follow up books just seem to fall a little flat for me. The writing was well done and comfortable to read.
October 10, 2024
The old becomes new!
I love reclaiming old things! Watching a castle being dragged into the 21st century was intriguing and finding a way to make it profitable was genius. I enjoyed the love story but felt it was sullied by the addition of a gay couple.
I love reclaiming old things! Watching a castle being dragged into the 21st century was intriguing and finding a way to make it profitable was genius. I enjoyed the love story but felt it was sullied by the addition of a gay couple.
January 13, 2019
Troubles remodeling the Castle
May 18, 2019
Goodness, I love this book!
January 28, 2020
Average to silly - Burrowes does so much better on her historical romances.
February 15, 2022
I liked this one a lot. I liked the community pulling together and I enjoyed the H/h as well as the side stories.
September 24, 2018
Max met Jeanne Cromarty when he came to Scotland to complete the changes to Brody castle.
April 29, 2024
Not a fan of her modern/current romance series. Conversations are old and stilted.
February 17, 2019
This definitely wasn’t meant to be read first. It’s a series. There were painful references to other books in the series—painful, in that I was meant to have read those first. I don’t think they really needed to be referenced at all. It was a book for insiders. Otherwise, cute love story with even cuter secondary love story.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews