Once Upon a Tartan (MacGregor Series, 2) Mass Market Paperback – August 6, 2013

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  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: A Novella  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 (Lonely Lords) ).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, becomes 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.

I loved most of the characters in novel from the very beginning—the doting “spinster” aunt Hester who came north from England to stay with her new Scottish step-niece Fiona while her newly married brother and his Scots wife, Fiona’s mother, were on an extensive trip in Europe, the elderly four times married great aunt, and the truly dependable Scots laird Uncle Ian and his New English wife Aunt Augusta. The only character who had to grow on Aunt Hester (and the readers) was visiting (new) Uncle Tiberius who kept warning Hester not to trust him and seemed to be deliberately underhanded. But, spoiler alert. even he turns out to deserve being loved.

After this effort I may just put the author back onto auto-buy. I haven't been thrilled with the Lonely Lords series but I've discovered that they were earlier works only being published now. I think there was probably good reason not to publish some of them. However everything I love about this writer is in this book. Thank heavens that we don't have an h who is against marriage in this story, I think the author has overused that plot device in the past. I wasn't crazy about  Bridegroom Wore Plaid , but this book is great. I think I prefer the characters from the first book more in this story than in their own book.I think it helps to have perhaps read at least  Mary Fran and Matthew: A Novella  to understand the background to this book. I hadn't read it but I had read the first book in the series so I kind of knew. I've subsequently bought and read the novella because I liked this book so much.We knew right from the beginning that the H and h were going to be on a collision course over Mary Fran's daughter Fiona. I liked that the H did warn the h not to trust him, although he doesn't tell her why. Their love story develops nicely although in a few short weeks. The h had jilted a previous fiance after he forced himself on her and I liked the fact that she stood up for herself by not marrying him. I loved the H who is such a wonderful and caring man, which we see repeatedly through the book. They are both essentially lonely and I love that they find each other.I loved that this story wasn't too angsty or too emotional, just a great, satisfying read. Can't wait for the next in this series.

Grace Burrowes writes exceptionally well - her characters aren't flawless, the story is (for the most part) credible and exactly the right pace, romance and satisfying twists to keep you reading through to that seemingly elusive ending.One tiny criticism - the happy ever after was a bit rushed, and I was so involved with the story, I was almost looking for another chapter. However, I actively seek Grace's work, it's just such a good read.

a fascinating family, and although relatively predictable, Grace Burrowes writing is far above the average and her characters are interesting and sympathetic, monsters rather than straightforward villains mixed in with thoroughly decent people trying their best.

As usual with Grace Barrows family sagas you are drawn into their Robles and aspirations. I loved their turning their client's social aspirations against them by setting up distant views of their VIP neighbours! Amusing and a good read.

Great

A poignant story, lovely characters. A very realistic child and humourous moments. I thoroughly enjoyed this one but I am a great fan of hers.