MacCorp News March 2024
SPOILER ALERT….
If you haven’t read The Moonstone Brooch, the first two paragraphs contain spoilers.
The Moonstone Brooch was released last month and seems to be well received. Several reviewers said, “And then that happened…”
I know readers were surprised by the ending. So was I, but anything can happen when you write a 700-plus page sci-fi, fantasy, time travel, historical adventure. Does this mean Erik is gone for good? He came back once before. Can he come back again? If the plans he put in place start unraveling, the Elders might send him back permanently. But would the family welcome him? Or could they ever trust him again? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Several readers noted the cast has become too big, and they can’t remember all the characters. It’s always a challenge figuring out who to include, and while I try to limit the number, the entire family wants to be part of major decisions. Trying to do anything without people finding out never works. I’m not sure what the answer is, but I’ll figure something out.
In the meantime, we have a long way to go before the series ends. Although a lot of readers thought The Moonstone Brooch was the last book. It’s not! How many books will there be? I don’t know. I turn 74 next month, and I still have stories to tell. The next two books will be The Jasper Brooch, set in 1928 Chicago, and The Opal Brooch (Shane’s story), set in Australia.
In 1932, Australia took over as the major producer of opals in the world and remains the largest producer to this day. And dinosaur bones from Lightning Ridge in New South Wales have been uniquely preserved in opal! So late in 2025, look for The Opal Brooch. Will this be another dinosaur book? Probably not, but it would certainly interest Amber and Noah! But that will be after The Jasper Brooch with Remy, his Army buddy and band member Bastien Bonnard LeBlanc, and Bastien’s sister Marcelle.
But wait a minute, what happened to the story in New Orleans? Remy’s gig in NOLA gets postponed when his trumpet player goes missing. Why couldn’t she go missing in New Orleans? She could have, but nothing there tickled my muse. Chicago had gangsters, flappers, and jazz. After all, jazz was born in New Orleans but grew up in Chicago.
What about the Audiobook?
When I finish a manuscript, I release the ebook and print editions and send the completed manuscript to the audiobook narrators.
But since I don’t know when I’ll finish a manuscript, I can’t ask the narrators to block out time to work on my book.
That’s why the audiobook has never been released with the ebook and print editions.
As you can see from the cover, Maryne and Patrick will be back for this June release.
The Heroine in The Jasper Brooch?
Marcelle “Celle” Bonnard LeBlanc is an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Chicago and a trumpet player with the Chicago Philharmonic.
She’s from New Orleans and the sister of Remy’s Cajun Army buddy and band member. She’s on her way to the Philharmonic’s Roaring Twenties fundraiser when she disappears hours before she intends to fly to New Orleans for Mardi Gras.
What does this mean for Remy? I don’t know, but he’ll be heading back to 1928 to play drums in a roaring 20s jazz band and run into Al Capone and Eliot Ness.
Who gets the girl in this story? I don’t know, but can you see Remy with a college professor?
Here’s a quote from The Moonstone Brooch: “F*** no. Not me. I doan want a brainiac.”
What am I reading and listening to right now?
I’m reading Eliot Ness – The Real Story by Paul W. Heimel and Scarface and the Untouchable: Al Capone, Eliot Ness, and the Battle for Chicago by Max Allan Collins and A. Brad Schwartz.
What am I listening to? Nicotine Dolls with Sam Sieri. Sam is a charismatic artist who is unassuming and confident. What’s interesting about him is that the way he uses his voice when he sings is so different from how he speaks. He has a raspy singing voice. I love this line from “What Makes You Sad.” She wants to know what’s stuffed inside that’s tearing me up into the pieces on the floor…
I’m also listening to Calum Scott. His version of “Dancing On My Own” gets to me whenever I hear it. For some jazz, how about Herbie Mann? He was a jazz flute player, and I love his sound. I can see Remy pushing Clay to include jazz in his repertoire.
Since many of my characters have musical talents you might wonder if I have any. The answer is no. I took piano lessons as a teenager. I even had a collection of five-inch porcelain composure statuettes. They all lost their heads! I also played hootenanny songs on the ukulele. If you have to Google that, I’m really showing my age! Let’s hear it for The Kingston Trio! Maybe I should write a scene with the MacKlenna kids singing hootenanny songs around a campfire as a surprise for Meredith. “Charlie handed in his dime at the Kendall Square station…”
Genealogy Tree Access
If you try to follow the clan ancestry, the genealogy tree has been updated through The Moonstone Brooch. The app should have updated to the newest version, but if not, you can follow the instructions in this documentation to download the updates. You’ll know you have the updated version if Violet is included and has an asterisk (*) next to her name, as does Erik.
If you would like access to the genealogy, email KatherineLLogan@gmail.com. You’ll then receive two emails with information and instructions on accessing the tree.
I liked how Emily and jc finally got together. It was very sweet to read. How they loved each other since they were 13 years old. yay
Their relationship will be fun to follow. Their character arcs will continue and they will grow as a couple and as individuals.
I’m always excited about all the books and I’m looking forward to the Jasper BUT always thought you should set the Opal in Australia. I’m now on pins and needles waiting on that one too!!
Shane’s story in Australia has been part of the plan for several years. Now it looks like it will happen.
I’m thrilled there will be a book set in Australia, being an Aussie I cannot wait for The Opal Brooch. I love Amber, Daniel and Noah and would love to see more of them. Like everyone else I am excited for the Jasper Brooch as well. I would love to see what Lincoln and the twins are up to.
There are a lot of Aussies who have been waiting for Shane’s story!
Sounds like Remy will need to rethink his attitude toward educated women (at least one woman)!
I don’t think we have seen the last of Erik. His children and Elliott have to many questions.
I think you’re right about Remy and Elliott and the children.
I also have been waiting for JC and Emily to get together, glad they finally did. I still would like to see more of these two together in the coming books.
I have gone back and reread the whole series just to get the family relationships in order. Not sure if there is an answer to keeping up with everyone. Hope you find a way.
I always look forward to your books. The research must daunting but fun there are so many little tid bits in history that we never knew.
JC and Emily’s relationship will continue to grow throughout the rest of the series sort of like Elliott and Meredith. As for research, I’ve gone down a rabbit hole this morning researching metaphysics.
I personally love all the characters and having them in the stories. I don’t feel There isn’t too many to remember.