MacCorp News April 2023
What’s Next: The Moonstone Brooch
Why do I enjoy writing historical fiction? Because the world is already created. I don’t have much of an imagination when it comes to creating anything from the future. I must not have a forward-thinking mind.
It hit home this week when I had to create a computer used decades from now. What would it be like? How would it work? What would power it? Would there be some connection to your mind so you only had to think of what you wanted and the computer would know?
What was the context around this computer I was imagining? To tell you that would be a spoiler but I think James Cullen might know. Over the next few books, we’ll discover what he learned during that healing year in the future and how it can benefit the family in the present. Right now I have no idea.
Just like I have no idea what’s behind the door in the cave. I just hope my muse figures it out as it circles around the outside of the door, trying to get in, and wondering what’s there. I don’t think it’s going to be like Dr. Ellie Arroway’s (Jodie Foster’s character in CONTACT) experience or some kind of jumping-off spot to another time. It would have been nice to have this all figured out from the beginning, but I only know what’s going to happen one page at a time. I take that back! I know how each book ends – with Elliott blessing his family, but other than that, I’m clueless.
Does Erik know? Hmm. Not sure, but I believe he knows most of the story. He’s just not going to tell us.
Character Profile: Sarah Gage
Parents: Kristen Montgomery Gage (daughter of Kit and Cullen Montgomery) and Lyman Gage. Named after Sarah Barrett, Kit’s long-time friend.
Occupation: Graduated from Vassar and earned a nursing degree from Columbia University’s School of Nursing. She’s currently a nurse at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C., on a one-month tour of duty at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition.
Description: Brunette with hazel eyes
Summer travels: Growing up she spent her summers working at Montgomery Winery and considers herself a wine connoisseur.
Character Interview
A BLAST FROM THE PAST: An Interview with Meredith Montgomery, President of Montgomery Winery, Napa California.
Question: Welcome Meredith. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and the part you play In Katherine Lowry Logan’s contemporary romance The Last MacKlenna.
Answer: When Katherine told me she wanted to include me in her story, I said “No, thank you.” Although I live in a glass house, I’m a very private person. From a very young age, my father told me that everything I did would reflect on the winery. I had to excel in the classroom, score the most goals, and run the fastest. I had to be the best. And when I dressed up for functions at the winery, I was expected to look glamorous and hold my own in conversations with vintners, politicians, and movie stars.
Question: I bet that was a lot of pressure. How did you handle it?
Answer: As a teenager, I rebelled and showed up at a cocktail party in ripped jeans and a t-shirt. I wasn’t rude to anyone, but I didn’t go out of my way to be pleasant either. My father didn’t say anything, and he didn’t punish me. He didn’t have to because the winery employees I had known all my life showed their disappointment in a myriad of ways. They left the room when I walked in. They didn’t invite me to join them for lunch. They ignored my birthday. I got the message and toed the line from then on.
Question: What about your mother? Were you close to her?
Answer: She died when I was born. I was an only child and didn’t have any aunts or grandparents. The closest I had to a mother figure was Dad’s secretary. We were close enough that I could ask her questions that young girls ask their mothers.
Question: Tell us about your education. I assume it is wine-related:
Answer: I have a Bachelor of Science degree from UCLA and a Master of Business Administration. Although my background is in finance, I found my niche in marketing. I spent ten years directing the winery’s marketing efforts. When my father died, I moved into the president’s office.
Question: That must have been a hard transition to make.
Answer: It hasn’t been easy. There has been a male Montgomery at the helm since the winery was founded in 1853. It’s not that the employees object to having me as their boss, it’s my own feelings of inadequacy. Now that we’re about to launch my legacy wine, I’m scared to death. What if it’s not well-received? I review financials daily. I know what lackluster sales could mean for the company. We’ve invested four years and hundreds of thousands of dollars in research and development. If the wine is not a success, we’ll have to sell off part of the company.
Question: I can see why you’re scared. How do you handle your stress?
Answer: I run! I’m forty-two, a widow, and I’ve never had children. My life is the winery business. I live and breathe it. I’m currently training for a Boston Marathon qualifying race. If I can stay healthy, I should meet the 3:45 qualifying time for my age group. The term “staying healthy” has two meanings. Staying healthy to run and staying healthy to live since I’m a breast cancer survivor.
Question: I didn’t know. I’m sorry to hear you had to go through that. How long ago was it?
Answer: It’s been five years. I had a mastectomy. The disease didn’t spread to the lymph nodes, so I didn’t have chemo or radiation. I was lucky. I do regular breast self-exams and have annual mammograms. Everything’s been good so far.
Question: You mentioned that you’re a widow. You’re a beautiful woman. I’m sure you get asked out all the time. Are you dating anyone now?
Answer: My husband died two years ago. I’ve had a few dinner dates, but I don’t have time for men. And to be honest, the men I’ve met are intimidated by a wealthy, successful woman. And the wealthy, successful men want women much younger than I am.
Question: If you met someone who wasn’t intimidated by your wealth and success would you consider a relationship?
Answer: No. Yes. Maybe. Let me just say the man would have to be extraordinary, and I’m not sure there are many men out there who would meet my criteria for a boyfriend.
Question: Tell us about your perfect man.
Answer: He must love wine and horses and annual trips to Scotland. He must be passionate about what he does, whatever that is. His balance sheet must match mine so there’s no fear that he’s dating me for my money. His plane doesn’t have to be bigger, but it would be nice if he had one. He must be physically fit, and extra points if he’s a runner. Looks are important, but they’re not everything. Generosity, a good heart, a wonderful sense of humor, and a circle of caring friends are “must-haves.”
Question: It looks like you’ve got it covered. Do you think there are any men who can meet your qualifications?
Answer: Honestly, no, and I think that’s why my list is so specific. I don’t really want a man in my life right now. I have too much going on and I don’t need the distraction of a relationship. Maybe after I launch my new wine, I’ll be more open to the possibility, but not right now.
Question: Are you saying if the perfect man came along, you wouldn’t pay any attention to him?
Answer: Not at all. If the perfect man came along, I’d probably fall right into his arms.
And the rest of the story is history!
Answers to a few of your questions:
Answer: Hmmm. He might be. I don’t know, yet.
Question: Do you think all the brooches will ever be found?
Answer: I hope so. I will continue to write Brooch books as long as readers want to read them.
Question: Where are Erik and Samantha now and how do they figure in The Moonstone Brooch?
Answer: Samantha and Aislinn are working on the papyrus scroll and Erik continues to advise Elliott.
Question: May I (reader) come to the next New Year’s Eve celebration?
Answer: That’s an interesting question. Maybe we should have a contest and the lucky reader can be there in name only!
Question: What is Patrick’s relationship with James Cullen now and how does it figure in The Moonstone Brooch?
Answer: I’m not sure yet, but I would think Patrick would start out being protective until he realizes JC can take care of himself.
Unedited Work-in-Progress Snippet
This scene takes place in Chapter 1 in Clay’s Uncle Archibald’s library
After dinner, he returned to the library and added wood to the fire. He didn’t feel like boxing anything up, so he wandered around the room, picking up knick-knacks and examining them. They were all handmade in Scotland, which didn’t surprise him. His uncle often visited extended family and friends in Edinburgh, but his dad never wanted to go and never explained why.
Clay heard raised voices and hurried out into the hallway. Two men were arguing—his dad and uncle—standing nose to nose, jabbing their fingers into each other’s chest.
“Ye have to tell him,” Uncle Archibald yelled.
“No, I don’t.”
“It’s yer obligation. The heir is yer son, not mine,” his uncle said.
“I didn’t want any part of that business when I was Clay’s age, and I don’t want him exposed. It’s a family curse.”
“You’ve never run away from the benefits.”
“I had nothing to do with that. I was a beneficiary of Dad’s trust, but I’ve never touched a penny. But you did, and you tried to influence Clay. He’s not yours. He’s mine.”
“He’s a MacIntyre, and this is his responsibility. Ye can’t deny him.”
“I can, and I will.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Clay asked, stepping toward the two men in his vision.
But they vanished into the proverbial thin air. His visions were both a curse and an asset.
He didn’t know what they were arguing about, but his gut told him this was the final argument that drove them apart. Clay was an investigative reporter for The New York Times. If he couldn’t discover what it was about, nobody could. At least nobody he knew.
Please do not copy and paste this copyrighted excerpt and post it elsewhere or use it without my express permission. The information in this newsletter appears on my blog and you can share the link to that webpage instead. Thank you.
Family News!
What’s new! We’ve all had that conversation (or several of them) with Meredith where she tries to explain all the ins and outs of how we fit into and onto our family tree. To better support new family members who join us, and assist in understanding the twists and turns of our own history, Meredith’s genealogy team recently began the process of adding all the family tree information we’ve had via digitized documents into an electronic application! Nearing completion, once rolled out we’ll be able to interact with the family tree itself via the app by navigating between branches and truly see how we’re all related. It’s a process, though, and as we all know, our family is COMPLICATED! Click the following links for a couple of sneak peeks!
Guess who?! Hello! I was asked to introduce myself, so…I’m Erin Channell, a fan of the Celtic Brooch series since my first read of The Ruby Brooch back in 2015. I am a project manager by training (as well as personality) who previously spent nearly 20 years working in various aspects of higher education. I love to travel (especially cruises), read, attend science fiction/fantasy conventions, and love on my dog Zan. I volunteered to help with the Facebook Celtic Brooch Christmas/holiday card exchange two years ago and now assist Kathy as her newsletter wizard and brooch family genealogist.
Survey Says!
March Giveaway winner: Christine Cornelison — CONGRATULATIONS! I’ve been in touch about her prize.
I received some great questions to pose to the family members in future newsletters; I can’t wait to share them with you!
Giveaway!
Here’s your chance to win an ebook or audiobook of your choice! Please tell me…
How many family members do you think are on the current genealogy tree for the Celtic Brooch world/family?
Enter your guess here.
Buy Your Copy Today
The Celtic Brooch ebooks, print editions, and audiobooks are available at AMAZON
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Exciting teasers
They are! I absolutely love these books and avidly follow Ms. Logan’s page for all the great teasers!
If you are on Facebook, you should check out the Celtic Brooch Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheCelticBroochSeries Be sure to answer the questions to join.