MacCorp News October 2023

October 21, 2023 | 5 comments

What’s New?

I’m hard at work on The Moonstone Brooch, hoping to release the book by the end of the year. Right now it seems doable (if Maddie the Mauder will stay off my research), but I still don’t know for sure what’s behind the cave door and how it fits in with the series. In a couple of months we’ll know, and I’ll be glad to have that question answered.

Character Profile: William Cullen Montgomery

First introduction: Outside Waldo, Hall & Company (freight company) in Independence MO, 1852 (The Ruby Brooch).

Birth Family: Cullen was born in Scotland to William and Mary Margaret (McKenzie) Montgomery. His half-sister, Kristen, passed away when they were children. Cullen married Kit (McCabe) MacKlenna in 1852 while on their Oregon Trail journey. Cullen & Kit have four children – Thomas, Abigail, Clare, and Kristen – and a total of 10 grandchildren (although one died in a riding accident).

Description: Cullen had thick, wavy black hair that has turned salt & pepper with vibrant dark blue eyes. He’s a little over six feet tall with full lips, dimples, high cheekbones, a square jaw and a lean body but a broad chest. While he has a deep voice, he sings as a tenor. He has a long, jagged scar below his shoulder from his fall in the Deschutes River during The Ruby Brooch.

Cullen’s “ghost”: While Cullen first appeared, in-person, in Independence MO in 1852, he has been haunting MacKlenna Farm, and Kit, for 15 years in her present. His appearance is that of a 19th century lawyer in a double-breasted frock coat, often rubbing his thumb over the front of his watch or stretching his arm to her as if asking Kit to join him. Several of the instances Cullen appeared to Kit were on personally important/impactful days to Kit. In Cullen’s life, those appearances coincide with his decisions that ultimately place him in Independence to meet Kit.

Where is he now?: He spends most of his time at Mallory Plantation to be near Braham.

Last Appearance: The Bloodstone Brooch

Next Month’s Character Profile: James Cullen “JC” Fraser

Excerpt from Chapter 12 of The Moonstone Brooch

During the flight home from Buffalo, JC read The Secret Society that Hijacked Europe, which he found on the standing desk in Archibald’s library, and while he’d never read the book, he somehow knew what would be on every page. It wasn’t the first time this had happened, but it was the first time it pissed him off. He hadn’t said anything about it to his dad or Paul because he couldn’t explain how it was possible and knew they wouldn’t be able to either.

Elliott called an eight o’clock family meeting even though the O’Gradys had all gone to Denver for Austin’s game, and the college-age kids were having a party, so half the family couldn’t attend. The team wanted to leave in the morning but couldn’t until the rest of the family knew about the trip. They could all watch the video of the meeting later.

Kit and Emily strolled in with their heads together, whispering. Whenever JC heard them whispering, he thought they were talking about him—a hangover from his youth. Cullen entered behind them, looking intently at his phone, probably watching Austin’s ball game. JC was recording the game and would watch it later. Everyone knew not to mention any game score for at least twelve hours following the buzzer in basketball and hockey or the last out in baseball. Or, God forbid the final seconds of a football game. Game endings became so significant that if you spoiled the outcome for anyone, you automatically lost your bet, even if your team won.

When Emily saw JC, she rushed toward him, arms wide for a hug, squealing, “JC! I’m so glad to see you.”

He picked her up and swung her around. Her soft curls feathered against his cheek, and his hands melted into her cashmere sweater, feeling the defined muscles in her back.

“I’m just as happy to see you.” He gave her forehead a light kiss. Tonight was the first time they’d seen each other since he returned from the monastery, and his body reacted to holding her this close. He almost hyperventilated from inhaling her tantalizing scent of fresh and floral orange blossom, jasmine, and cedarwood.

She planted a kiss on his cheek. “You look terrific.”

His hands itched to keep holding her, but he reluctantly let go. “You look better than that.” He tugged on her earlobe. “You got a second hole in your ears.”

“And you”—she brushed aside his forelock—“let this grow longer than I’ve ever seen it. What does Grandpa Elliott say about it?”

“He’s just glad I’m no longer bald.”

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

The first annual family chess tournament is on! We’re still deciding on a date, but brush off your chess boards, get in some matches, and come prepared to protect your Queen! Who will win bragging rights?

Readers in the Facebook Celtic Brooch Group were asked to rank the top three chess players in the family. The following characters received votes: Braham (7 ), Cullen (6), Elliott (4), Erik (4), Austin (3), Kenzie (2), Sam, David, Tavis, JC, Jack (1).

The teen members of the family have asked for a project that supports the “family business.” After giving it some thought, Matt decided to have them research the stones in the missing brooches. Besides gemology research, they’ll also be pulling together more information about the stones spiritual beliefs, native uses, etc., and looking for historical references about the gemstones.

The winner of the September giveaway (name your favorite couple) was Vickie Cilloniz. David and Kenzie won! Others receiving votes were: Kit & Cullen, Charlotte & Braham, Meredith & Elliott, Jack & Amy, and Amber & Daniel.

New Giveaway!

In the March newsletter excerpt (re-read it here), we discovered that Erik thought Clay MacIntyre’s Uncle Archibald was a Guardian. If Archibald, or a family member, originally had four brooches but only had the Moonstone left, which of his original brooches – Jasper, Opal, and Jade – should be the name of the next book, which is Remy’s story set in New Orleans during Mardi Gras? Tell us HERE what you think for a chance to win an ebook of your choice.

Throughout history, JASPER has been associated with strength, protection, and grounding energy. In many ancient civilizations, jasper was used as a talisman to ward off dark and negative forces. It was also used for courage and determination.
The OPAL stone represents amplification, higher hope, and divine purity. These light dancing gemstones are here to boost those feelings of balance and peace and to help you sift through your thoughts and feelings and throw out what doesn’t work. The Opal is also about deeper spirituality.
JADE symbolism includes associations with nobility and wealth. Many consider it a protector of generations, living and dead. Jade has been and always will be the “Gem Supreme” and the “Jewel of Heaven,” stone of the heart.