The Pearl Brooch Author Notes
In March 2016 I saw Hamilton: An American Musical on Broadway.
The music is simply brilliant. I listen to the songs when I work, run, and drive my car. When my granddaughter, Meredith, gets in the car with me, if the album isn’t playing, she turns it on. Hamilton’s story is so much more than his duel with Aaron Burr, which is the only thing I remember from high school history classes.
Once the music was in my head, I knew I wanted to write a story that included the Founding Fathers, but I was already committed to writing The Pearl Brooch, a story about an Italian painter. While researching female artists, I stumbled upon Maria Cosway, an Italian-English musician, society hostess, and portraitist. Her dear friend was Angelica Schuyler Church, Alexander Hamilton’s sister-in-law.
Wow! A connection to the Founding Fathers.
Then I discovered Cosway was rumored to be the love of Thomas Jefferson’s life. The more I read about Jefferson, the more interested I became, and decided to focus on him instead of Hamilton. The day I referred to Jefferson as Thomas, I knew I had a story to tell.
Keeping all the balls in the air was indeed a challenge. And finding a way to tell a love story without the hero and heroine showing up on the same page until the end was a huge obstacle to overcome. If I wrote the story the way it was demanding, it would throw out the blueprint I’ve used in the other books—girl goes missing, hero goes to rescue her, and all sorts of bad stuff happens until they find their happily ever after. In this story a rescue wasn’t even necessary.
The deeper I dug into Sophia’s backstory and passion for art, the more I grew to love her. I think Sophia had repressed her emotions for so long that she was able to continue putting her art before her own true happiness. The idea of being considered the only female Old Master was too compelling for her to walk away from.
The Brooch books always surprise me. I never know where my muse is going to take me or what it intends to reveal. Each one is a wonderful journey. The revelations about the brooch history and Mr. Digby were as much a surprise to me as they probably were to you.
I traveled to Florence in May 2018. One of the tours I scheduled was a wine and dinner tour which included dinner at the Osteria Toscanella. After the meal, we walked down the cobblestone street past the Studio d’Arte Toscanella. I backed up, went in, and introduced myself to the owner/artist Lukas Brändli. The next morning, I had a three-hour art lesson with Lukas.
Originally from Switzerland, Lukas moved to Florence in 2003 seeking a classical artistic education at The Florence Academy of Art. He paints and exhibits in Switzerland, France, and Italy. In 2014 he opened Studio d’Arte Toscanella.
When I returned home, I sent him an email and asked if I could put his studio on the cover. He happily agreed and created a picture. I was a little slow to understand his concept, but while gazing at the picture one day, I slapped my forehead, just like Blane. The bicycle mirrors the brooch.
And that’s not the only mirror.
There are three overarching ones: JL and Sophia’s storylines of fear and holding on to hope, Sophia’s forced separation from Pete and later from Jefferson, and her travel by ship to America mirrored her flight to Italy as a seventeen-year-old.
My deep dive into Jefferson’s life—America’s first foodie and wine connoisseur—revealed a man full of contradictions, but I couldn’t help being swept into his orbit. He inherited debt, spent a great deal of money on Monticello, and died in debt. His positions on religion and women are well documented, and I (or Sophia) enjoyed debating with him.
For more information on Jefferson, check out the Th Jefferson Monticello website.
The events on Bastille Day are close to what actually happened. The real rescuer of the woman almost set on fire was Aubin Bonnemer, but for story purposes I changed it to artist Jacques-Louis David, who was an active participant in the revolution. He has a very interesting history. Mr. Watin is a creation of my imagination.
The Hôtel de Langeac was demolished in 1842. There’s a plaque on the corner of the Champs-Élysées and the rue de Berri to mark its location. If you’re in Paris, see if you can find it and send me a picture!
Mr. Petit was encouraged to come to America, and he served as Jefferson’s maître d’hôtel in Philadelphia until Mr. Petit returned to France in 1794.
The trip from Paris to Norfolk was documented by Jefferson and others he met along the way. The fire on the Clermont did happen and none of their belongings were destroyed. I removed the girls’ luggage for ease of explanation.
I talked to several women who had preemies and JL’s experiences were a compilation of what they went through. McKenzie Hicks, who was the inspiration for our beloved Kenzie McBain, is a NICU nurse at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She was a fantastic resource.
When I was in Paris last summer, I met Sherrin Hersch from New York City, who was visiting Paris with her granddaughter. I sent Sherrin my French dialogue for corrections. The mistakes, if any, are my own!
I am deeply indebted to Dr. Ken Muse, retired Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of Kentucky. Ken has walked me through all the medical disasters in the Brooch books and always comes up with an interesting little plot twist.
I couldn’t have made it through this book without the help, guidance, and assistance of my fantastic Editor Faith Freewoman and my Virtual Assistant/Story Development Consultant Annette Glahn, along with three awesome beta readers: Robin Davis Epstein, Marjorie Lague, and Paula Retelsdorf.
So what’s next?
The Topaz Brooch, a time travel set in New Orleans with Rick and Wilhelmina Penelope Malone and Pete and Sophia. My sweet spot seems to be America in the 19th century. I can’t wait to tell Robbie and Henry’s stories. Can you imagine them as thirty-year-olds? I can’t!
Nor can I imagine writing a book outside the MacKlenna world, so as long as you keep reading, I’ll keep writing!
Blessings to all, Katherine
Dear Katherine, I love all the Brooch series books. Each one is better than the last. I’ve been to Monticello and was captivated by the Jefferson home and story. You’ve brought this historical figure to life. What a fun way to learn history. The Pearl Brooch is “Hamilton” in book form! I enjoyed both. Thank you.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the story!
When or will an audio version of this book be released? I absolutely love these books and story lines.
The audio will out in late April!
This is the best news I have had all year, your audiobooks are my biggest addiction!
Hurrah for the audio! Your narrator interprets the emotional energy of your books perfectly.
Love your books and the attention to historical detail!
I’m so glad!
Thanks! Love the series. Have enjoyed the audio series. Was tough waiting for the release but glad I did. Was fun. You may have given Jefferson a human face and I may still be judging with current eyes but I still have little respect for the man. He started the US down a road of debt from which we have never recovered. I think how to be solvent needs to be taught in High school. I’ve read he could be accused of plagiarism as well.
Cynthia, I’m glad you have enjoyed the series. Jefferson was a complicated man and I enjoyed getting to know him. Thanks for reading/listening!
Dear Katherine, I’m sitting here typing this while watching Ken Burns’ American Lives series, Thomas Jefferson. After finishing your book earlier today I am obsessed with the man that you showed us. I’ve listened to the whole series and this one is by far without equal…a fact that is “self-evident”. I am now in mourning that it is over. What is a girl to do? I’ve started the book “America’s First Daughter: A novel” to get my fix of Jefferson. I am a fan of this genre and you do it so well. To see these historical periods through the… Read more »
Kim, I’m thrilled you enjoyed the book and that you were encouraged to read more about Jefferson. He was a fascinating man and I loved my research. He was so much more entertaining than I ever imagined and he fit seamlessly into this book. It’s my favorite in the series. The next one will have Andy Jackson. I wonder which president we will meet after that!
Thank you for your reply! Well I guess I need to read up on AJ so I can be prepared. It’s amazing how these historical figures come to life in your books. I don’t suppose you could have Sophia stop in for a visit with Thomas in the next book…just a short visit? It was so emotional when they parted and I think we all must have fallen in love with him. I don’t suppose you have a chart of all the characters and their relation to each other. It is hard to always recall who belongs to whom, especially… Read more »
The idea of Sophia visiting Thomas crossed my mind and it definitely crosses hers! But it would be hard on both of them. And well, I’ve sort of done that before when Kenzie went to see Cav later in his like. I can’t wait for the kids to grow up. They will be so much fun to write stories about.
I found the Cast of Characters and Family summaries. Very helpful! I don’t suppose you have been approached for a television series that follows the books? It would be wonderful! I loved the Outlander book series and listened to the books several times….okay I admit obsessively. It was interesting to see it brought to television. Now with Game of Thrones finishing, I would think there would definitely be room for a new series! With the diverse plots and strong characters in the Brooch Series, it would be a hit! Thank you for your reply and for entertaining us all! Though… Read more »
Thank you. I haven’t been approached but I agree, the series would work well on TV. My heart was broken over Thomas because my research told me he was deeply hurt by the death of his wife and the loss of Maria Cosway, so the pain you feel for him is legitimate.
Good Morning, I am curious if you will be returning to Teri Schnaubelt as your narrator of the remainder of your Brooch Series especially in view of the many bad reviews of Carolyn A. Lee’s rendition of your wonderful series. Such a shame since Teri Schnaubelt has made every character come to life.
Sheila, sales for the last four audiobooks have declined. I can’t afford Teri’s hourly rate.
Ooo Nooo! So sorry to hear the sales have declined. These books are so incredible and Teri brought your beautiful writing to life. I tell everyone about how great these books are!
KLogan: We are loyal and avid readers of the series. They are phenomenal! However, we worry that without Terri’s unique talents as narrator it really will have a further negative effect on your readership. PLEASE…find a way to bring her back! But we will continue reading your books, we may not listen as much. We just can’t relate to the new narrator.
I produce audiobooks out of my own pocket, and they are very expensive. Some narrators are now out of my price range. I am thrilled with Maryne and Patrick and they will continue to narrate the series as long as I continue producing audiobooks.
Thanks for the reply. We respect your decision. Up until now, we have listened to the series. Going forward we will read instead. Keep writing. You are terrific!
After Topaz I wasn’t going to do any more audiobooks, but listeners kept writing asking me to please reconsider because they didn’t have time to read, or it hurt their eyes, or they had long commutes, and they wanted to finish the series. I personally prefer reading because occasionally my mind will wander and I’ll have to rewind to find what I missed instead of turning the page. So I hope you continue to enjoy the series in whatever format you choose. Blessings, Kathy
I ABSOLUTLEY LOVE THE BROOCH SERIES… THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL BOOKS AND FOR CONTINUING TO WRITE..
I’m so glad you have enjoyed the series. The books are so much fun to write!
That’s disappointing. I am always in anticipation of your next release and relisten to the stories often!
Just….LOVE. This series is so amazing. Time travel is my pash! Thank you for making it so interesting for me. :) xxx
I’m so glad you have enjoyed the books! I love writing them!
Dear Katherine, I love this series and the Pearl is taking me time to get through, I actually started this on Bastille Day, had to stop and research that history, Then had to get Jon Meacham’s Thomas Jefferson The Art of Power, in-between I am refreshing my memory with the painters. It is now July 22, 8 days later, I am exhausted, but feeling exhilarated with all my new knowledge. I have 6 more hours to go on my audiobook, and think I will have to re listen right away. I do not think I have ever stopped a book… Read more »
Andrea, I’m so glad you have enjoyed the series and are encouraged to do your own research. I loved researching Thomas Jefferson’s life as I have enjoyed all the other research I have done. The characters are very much part of my life and I’m thrilled that other people love them as much as I do. Blessings, Kathy
I so enjoy your books. The characters feel like old friends. I always anxiously await each book. In between I try to find other time travel series but nothing compares and they are just time fillers. Thank you so much for your dedication to each book. You are a delightful author!
Carol, I’m so glad you have enjoyed the books, and thank you for your kind comments.
Dear Katherine, I just finished the first 8 books in the Brooch series. I loved them all. I just purchased the Pearl Brooch but have not started reading it yet. I am so excited to read it because this past weekend I visited Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia. I purchased the book without reading the storyline because I enjoyed all of the other 8 books so much, I was confident that that the 9th would be just as good. It is such a coincident that I just read all of the comments on the book and am more excited… Read more »
Diane, what a wonderful adventure. I hope you enjoy reading The Pearl Brooch!
I have never enjoyed a series as much as I have your Celtic Brooch series. They encompass all spectrums of history, personalities, and emotions. I would love to see them in film, although I can’t imagine that justice could be done. You truly are an amazing writer, thank you for sharing tour wonderful imagination.
Darlene, thank you for your lovely comments. I’m so glad you have enjoyed the series! Kathy
Any release date for the Topaz Brooch? February again? Love this series as I do many historical fiction series. Almost 70? No way. You look much younger.
I was hoping to finish by Thanksgiving but it will probably be closer to Christmas! This is the longest book in the series and comes with a warning: Sexual violence and profanity. With war, pirates, PTSD attacks, and an evil force the story gets very tense and the soldiers and Marines in the family are put in very dangerous situations.