MacCorp News May 2024
What Have I Been Reading?
I was writing The Jasper Brooch and couldn’t get into Remy’s head, so I stopped and reread the entire series, except for one book.
I read The Topaz Brooch first and The Pearl Brooch last. It was a weird order. I hadn’t read The Sapphire Brooch in a decade and was surprisingly enthralled. It took five weeks to get through the series, and when I was through, I was like many of you – what do I read next?
So, what did I discover while rereading besides how much I enjoyed the stories?
Well, Sapphire is my favorite. It’s probably because I’ve been a fan of Gone With The Wind since I was a child, and I wrote the Burning of Richmond chapters with that story in mind. Charlotte is nothing like Scarlett, but the back and forth between Braham and Charlotte reminded me of Scarlett and Rhett. I also fell in love with David all over again.
I was reading an early version of The Last MacKlenna when David’s last name was Werner. That was my mistake. It was like naming Patrick Wilson Mallory after introducing Patrick O’Grady in The Broken Brooch. I can’t remember some characters from one book to the next.
Speaking of naming characters, Elliott started as a groom who always cared for Stormy, but as the story took shape, Kit needed someone to confide in. I still remember my vision of him standing on MacKlenna’s porch. I must have fallen in love with him then. If not, I certainly was by the end of The Ruby Brooch.
I fondly remember the people I met and the places I visited while writing The Emerald Brooch. From the World War II museum in New Orleans to flying on the Texas Raiders B-17 above Richmond to the Normandy American Cemetery, I found the research fascinating, enlightening, and humbling. I would gladly write the book again.
I have been fascinated with cowboys, pyramids, ancient astronauts, and dinosaurs since I was a child, and while I didn’t set out to satisfy my youthful hunger, I seemed to have done that.
A few years ago, I realized my sweet spot was 19th-century American history, but it will be a while before I get back there.
After the story of the Roaring Twenties, we’ll head to Australia, and then I’m thinking about writing an Eleanor Roosevelt book, but don’t hold me to it. I know you’ve been waiting a long time for Shane to find his soul mate. Australia is a great place to send our young warriors to experience the world without their parents. I mean, how much trouble could they get into?
I wish I had time to write spin-offs because I could write several novellas around Jack’s adventures. If I had started this writing journey in my forties instead of my sixties, I might have had the energy and focus to do that, but I’m finding it more challenging to write as quickly as I did even a few years ago.
In 2016, I released The Broken Brooch in April and The Three Brooches in December. Seven months later, The Diamond Brooch, and eight months later, The Amber Brooch and I still had time to travel. I slowed down during COVID and haven’t returned to the same hectic speed, or maybe it was turning seventy and getting a Goldendoodle. I still have a passion for the MacKlennas, so I’ll continue to write as long as I have stories to share.
Oh, one more thing. There has been an interesting discussion on The Celtic Brooch Series Facebook page about the twist at the end of The Moonstone Brooch. If you’re on Facebook, drop by and tell us what you think. If you’re not already a member be sure to answer the questions to gain access automatically.
For those of you in the U.S., I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.
Blessings to all, Katherine
Notes From Erin the MacKlenna Genealogist
In addition to the Celtic Brooch clan genealogy tree accessible via an app (update your email preferences and request access if you want the full map), I’m working on creating smaller family trees for the current family members, their immediate relations, and their connection to their ancestors. Here are the trees completed so far:
McCabe-MacKlenna-Montgomery family tree
Audiobook Update
Marnye and Patrick have finished recording, and the editor is halfway through the audio files. It should be about 26 hours long. I will post in the Celtic Brooch Series Facebook Group and on my Facebook Author Page with a link as soon as it’s live!
Buy Your Copy Today
The Celtic Brooch ebooks, print editions, and audiobooks are available at AMAZON.
Don’t stress over how long it takes. I read another series. One book release every April. Just before the book is released the shows a picture of the finished copy of the next book..It’s a long wait to read it. I am happy with one a year it is worth the wait. So thank you for theirs wonderful stories were you feel you know the characters. My favourite part out of all the books is Lincon seeing Bram for the first time and yelling My daddy My daddy is here.
That was definitely a sweet moment. Braham is a great character. I’m looking forward to Lincoln’s adventure one day!
I’ve just got to the Bloodstone Brooch, having started from the beginning again. My husband died suddenly on Easter Sunday and I needed something familiar to read that would help me change my mindset from my trauma to help me sleep. The series has got me through these last few weeks and enabled me to function. I have really enjoyed going through them again and it’s been great to pick up the important details that sometimes get lost when you have a few months gap between the books. My favourite remains the Sapphire Brooch but really they’re are all fabulous… Read more »
Louise, I’m so sorry for your loss. My husband died suddenly before Christmas several years ago, and it took me many years to recover from his suicide. I had just finished the first draft of The Ruby Brooch on Monday before he died on Friday. I couldn’t work on it again for several years. I’m so happy the books got you through the initial shock and pain and hope they’ll continue to provide comfort during a very difficult process. Blessings to you and your family.
Thank you Katherine, they have been a great comfort and escape from what’s happening right now. I didn’t realise you’d had a similar experience, I take hope that since then you’ve moved forwards and completed all these amazing books. Life does go on. Xx