Interview with Meredith Montgomery
This interview took place prior to Meredith meeting Elliott Fraser!
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.
When Katherine told me she wanted to include me in her story, I said no thank you. Although I do live in a glass house, I’m a very private person. From a very young age, my father told me that everything I did reflected on the family 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.
I bet that was a lot of pressure. How did you handle it at such a young age?
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. Needless to say, I toed the line from that point on.
What about your mother. Were you close to her?
She died when I was born. I was an only child and didn’t have any aunts or grandparents. The closest to a mother figure in my life was dad’s secretary. We were close enough that I could ask her questions that young girls ask their mothers.
Tell us about your education. I assume it’s wine related?
I have a Masters of Business Administration and Bachelors of Science degree from UCLA. Although my background is 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.
That must have been a hard transition to make.
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 the 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.
Wow. I can see why you’re scared. How do you handle your stress?
I’m forty-two, a widow, and I’ve never had children. My life is the business. I live it and breathe it. And I run. 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. For me, the term “staying healthy” has two meanings. Staying healthy to run and staying healthy to live. You see, I’m a breast cancer survivor.
I didn’t know. I’m sorry to hear you had to go through that. How long ago was it?
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 got lucky. I do regular breast self-exams and have annual mammograms. Everything’s been good so far.
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?
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.
If you met someone who wasn’t intimidated by your wealth and success would you consider a relationship?
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.
Oh, you have a list. Tell us about your perfect man?
He has to love wine and horses and annual trips to Scotland. He has to be passionate about what he does, whatever that is. His balance sheet has to 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 has to be physically fit and extra points are given 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.”
It looks like you’ve got it covered. Do you think there are any men who can meet your qualifications?
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.
Are you saying if the perfect man came along you wouldn’t pay any attention to him?
Not at all. If the perfect man came along, I’d probably fall right into his arms.
I wish your books would come out in audio quicker. I usually end up buying the book and can’t wait until it is an audio book and listen to it again. But they take so long to come out in audio that I end up going back and listening to all the previous ones again even though I may have already read the next book. I have loved all of your books to date and can’t wait for all of your future stories! I especially like the audio versions because I love the voices and accents. Thank you for sharing… Read more »
I’m so glad you have enjoyed the stories. The Broken Brooch will be out in audio very shortly. It’s currently in Audible’s quality control. The narrator has blocked out time for The Three Brooches as soon as it’s released in October and she can have the finished manuscript to work from. It generally takes her six weeks.
I, like I’m sure lots of your fans, have both the written version and audio version of your books…and I am enthralled by the Entire family history and how they come all come together! In this time of genealogy research and DNA mapping, it’s lots of fun to follow along! Oh, and THANK YOU so much for the family trees ~ VERY helpful! I’m watching another Celtic series on a cable channel, but I was thinking it would be wonderful to see this series on the Hallmark Channel! Their programming is family oriented and I think it would be WONDERFUL… Read more »
The Three Brooches will be out in a couple of weeks. This is a long story. The Diamond Brooch will be out in the spring, and then The Pearl Brooch after that. A contemporary story will probably be in between The Diamond and The Pearl. I would love to put the stories on the Hallmark Channel. That would be awesome. I’m so glad you have enjoyed the books. And thank you for stopping by and leaving a note! Blessings, Kathy
I really love your books! This series is amazing, I can’t imagine all the research and cross references that has to gone into the creation of this set of books. They flow effortlessly from one to next. I, like one of the previous readers, read the kindle version because I couldn’t wait on the audio version it was too slow in being released. Then I listened to the last two audible version as well. I also the enjoy the way you interweave new characters along side previous ones, while updating us (the reader) about their lives, along the way. It… Read more »
I am thrilled you have enjoyed the stories. The Three Brooches should be out next week. It’s a wild ride!
You mentioned the pearl broach. Have I missed missed one of your amazing books?
The Three Brooches just released. The Diamond will come out in the spring or early summer and The Pearl in the winter unless I write a story about the Colorado ranch that Elliott is buying between those two brooch books.
Hi Katherine, I am a newbie to your books, and a new fan. With each book you grow by leaps and bounds as a writer. With the Broken Brooch, it story was so well written, it tickled all of my senses. Like all of your fans, I can’t wait for The Diamond Brooch. It will be amazing. Your books have kept me company while dealing with cancer and subsequent surgery (removal of my right upper lung lobe). Meredith’s breast cancer and then the scare with her lung legions was quite the weird timely coincidence! Needless to say, your books have… Read more »
Thank you so much for reading my books and your lovely comments. It seems we find our way to books/music that will help us get through trying times. I wish you the best as you continue to heal. Blessings, Kathy
You have become my favorite author and the reader is outstanding. I am curious why your books and audio books aren’t available at my library, I asked them to purchase them but they said something about “not available for library purchase”? I would probably purchase them after borrowing them from the library because they are stories I have listened to more than once and am so glad I took a chance on a unknown -to me- author and reader. Thanks for the wonderful stories and am looking forward to getting the 6th book on audible.com!
Hi Kathleen. The print books are published through Createspace and are available for library distribution. Check with your librarian again and let the person know the books are available. I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the stories. The Three Brooches should be out on Audible in another 2-3 weeks. Blessings, Kathy
Please Tell me which book explains who Kit’s parents are?
Kit’s history is told in The Ruby Brooch. The story identifies her birth parents and adoptive parents. There are family trees for each book on this site.
How does Kit know that Elliott will meet Meredith?
I don’t think she knows that. Did I write that and don’t remember?
Great interview. Tells us about her before Elliott. Boy was she surprised. Love all the.books and can’t wait for the next one. Actually all the rest of them to know what happens when the breaches all together.
Love the books and being of Scottish heritage just adds to my love of these books. So far 2 of my birthday stones are books only the Alexanderite is missing. I listen to the on audiable.