It's not easy.
But nothing is easy right now. Going to the grocery store is like planning for a trip out of town. You have to be sure to take your supplies: gloves, face mask, sanitizer, and shopping list so you can get in and out as quickly as possible.
But for writing, I can't gather my supplies and sit down to write. The news is too distracting and the constant flow of it is overwhelming. I'm afraid to turn it off. What if I miss something important?
That's not going to happen. I get constant alerts so there no chance I'll miss anything.
So why can't I write?
It's a lack of focus!
Before everyone was told to go home and stay safe, I could write twelve hours a day, seven days a week. But now, if I make it through an hour, that's progress.
So to help me get through this season of life, I'm getting a puppy.
She's a miniature Goldendoodle and her name is Maddie.
I thought about changing her name to Charlotte or Meredith, Kenzie, JL, Amber, Olivia, Amy, Sophia, Penny, Billie, or even Ensley (The Sunstone Brooch heroine), but I couldn't pick a favorite name. That would be like picking a favorite child. I couldn't do it. So I'll keep the name she' was given at birth.
Back to the book…
Another problem I've had is figuring out who James Cullen is as an adult. How is he different from the teenager we met in The Three Brooches? He's been influenced by a very strong father, a superhero Uncle David, and a charming Uncle Jack.
The Marines in the family: Rick, Connor, and Pete have been strong everyday influences, and then there's the bigger-than-life Braham McCabe. And don't forget Cullen, the intellectual. And I can't forget Matt Kelly, a loving and gentle grandfather with an insatiable appetite to teach the next generation of MacKlennas about the world they live in and its history. And Pops, who just wants to love and guide them with a gentle hand.
And that's just the men in the family. How have the strong, kick-ass women influenced him? What has he learned about being a man from watching them? That's my challenge.
And I haven't even gotten to Austin yet!
We haven't seen him since The Broken Brooch. Was he emotionally damaged by the kidnapping and JL's lies. Does he have trust issues?
I don't know yet.
Give me your thoughts. Who do you think these men are now?
Stay safe out there.
Katherine
P.S. If I can get my mojo back, The Sunstone should be out by October.
P.S.S. – June 18: I'm happy to report that I got my mojo back, and I'm moving along with The Sunstone Brooch. I've written about two hundred pages, which might be half of the book or a third. I'm not sure yet what's going to happen.
Here's Maddie at three months.
Awe Maddie is cute. Maybe one of the guys will find a love interest with that name.
Now, that’s a great idea.
Maddie is adorable. I see James as strong, both emotionally & physically. However he has a great deal of respect for women & wouldn’t want a wife partner that doesn’t speak up & become a true full partner in his adventure.
Now Austin is a 180 from James. Trust issues with everyone but his team. He is strong but has the true hero deep down that will come to the fore when the chips are down. A female partner will have to win him over despite his trust issues with understanding, strength, honesty & love.
Did you read the prologue blog post about Austin’s injury? That will have a huge impact on how he relates to a woman along with his trust issues.
I hope you don’t miss interpret this. But I see James Cullen as being very low on the Autism scale but high functioning. His “melt down” in The Three Brooches reminds me of my Grandson. He’s in his sophomore year in college studying to be a Bio Medical Engineer. On the Presidents list all his “career”. Straight 4.0. Smart as a whip. But Socially shy. When the direction changes in his story he has to refocus using his knowledge to lead him forward. This virus and having to finish his coarse’s on line has caused many “melt downs” in Noah’s home. It’s not his ‘normal’.
They have lawyers, security experts and one medical person to handle a growing family of “risk takers”. James Cullen could be an engineer of sorts in the medical field.
Okay. I’ve daydreamed enough. I’m not the writer. You are. Waiting for his place in the family.
I guess I forgot he studied law. Oops.
He’s practicing law in D.C. now. It was mentioned in the last two books, I think, that he was at Harvard and going to law school. He’s an interesting character getting to know. There’s something missing and I haven’t figured it out yet.
I hope your grandson’s success continues!
Did I miss mention of his brother Kevin? A strong role model from birth even before they knew their relationship.
Maddie is adorable. We have one in the family. She is very loving and protective, except around my cat. Cats are chase toys! James Cullen was a sweet young boy, but always looking for the next challenge. I believe he will continue that trait as an adult man. Austin needs to trust himself first. Then he can believe in his space in this world. Looks like he will have intensive physical therapy to heal. Perhaps his PT will challenge him in many ways.
It’s interesting because he’ll meet Teddy Roosevelt as he’s grieving over the loss of his wife and mother who both died on the same day within hours of each other.
love your books, Maddies cute. would love to see James Cullen and Emily together. Love all the cast. can hardly wait till October, oown all your books on audio as I am 74 bedridden aned nearly blind, I listen to your books over an over thank you,Kitty
Maddie is simply adorable! I’m imagining a new character in your next book named Madeline (aka: Maddie). She’s a sweet, loving, trustworthy, independent, confident and exceedingly loyal blond with wavy blond hair and beautiful brown eyes.
PS: I see Paula had the same ideas! Great minds think alike!
For sure, Maddie will have to appear in a book either as a dog or a character. I’ll have to memorialize her as a heroine.
I vote for more dogs involved! Haven’t really remembered a dog since Kit’s book!
Elliott had a dog in The Last MacKlenna
Jack had a cat in The Sapphire
Elliott’s dog was in The Emerald
JC found a dog in The Broken Brooch
Kit had a dog in The Three Brooches
I don’t remember one in The Diamond
Ripley was in The Amber
I don’t remember one in The Pearl or The Topaz
Will Teri Schnaubelt be returning as narrator on The Topaz Brooch and The Sunstone Brooch audio books? She become part of the books with her narration up through the Amber Brooch. Love the series. Listening a second time around.
Here’s the blog post about the narrators for The Topaz Brooch https://www.katherinellogan.com/the-topaz-brooch-audiobook-update/
Teri will not be returning. Sales have dropped since The Broken Brooch, and I don’t sell enough audiobooks to afford her.
Initial reviews of The Topaz Brooch audiobook:
“The narration rocks! By far the best in the series to date. Narrators Patrick and Marnye nailed it.”
“Always Worth the Wait. The best narration I’ve ever heard made the book come alive. A host of questions were answered about the brooches with new ones waiting for answers in future adventures.”
Maddie is adorable, but not sure I’d name a heroine after her. I see her more as a precocious little girl with strawberry-blond curls and blue eyes who ends up in a travel in a later book as Madeline (or Madison). I have listened to and thoroughly enjoyed all 10 of your current books.
Maybe the next heroine could start out as a client that has James been wondering about personally. As a client they can’t have a relationship, but he can’t stop thinking about her. When her problem is taken care of, they part and James’ caseload is busy and does not follow up. Some months later she is in the news about inheriting some Viking artifacts from a great uncle she never met and is having them appraised with consideration to donating them to a museum. After the appraisal is complete and before she can chose a museum, she disappears and is in the news again. This is when/where James’ inner hero steps up to the plate. With no personal relationship, but the nagging need to find her, James sets out to do just that. Maybe she goes back to Scotland to the castle at a period in time where she finds out something about the broaches, is in danger and, possibly, to whom a broach went. She would need some understanding of Gaelic. James becomes convinced that she has a broach and has traveled. He needs help and to convince Elliot he has to go get her. Now I have no clue how he does this, but the heroic deeds he has witnessed and heard about in the family meld with the man within him and he is determined to be a force to be reckoned with. He is not military or law enforcement, but he is smart, dedicated to the mission with the drive and determination to find her and bring her back to her place and time in his life. OR not…just some thoughts.
It sounds like you have a story of your own to write! I don’t know who JC’s ladylove will be, but she will be a woman he finds challenging. His love story will probably be the last of the four Roosevelt books.
Had the Sunstone Broach been releases?
It won’t be finished until October.
I’m just finishing the “Ruby Brooch”. Wonderful writing. I’ve just found you. Your new puppy Maddie is adorable. I can’t believe no one has thanked you for the “eye candy”. Multiple thank yous. Looking forward to the next “Brooch”.
I’m so glad you enjoyed The Ruby Brooch. You have a wonderful adventure ahead. The Last MacKlenna picks up where The Ruby leaves off with Elliott’s struggle. Enjoy!
You’ve got this! The pup is adorable!
It’s taking a lot of patience to handle a baby again, but she’s adorable and gets me up and moving around instead of sitting for hours while I write!
You aren’t alone. Finding a new rhythm in the midst of all the uncertainty in the world is a challenge so many of us our facing! I hope that you are able to naturally find your groove back and not just push through leaving behind that unique part of you that shines through in your books that we have come to love. We will wait for the timing of the next release to be right! Your pup reminds me of my own mini goldendoodle. They are the best companions! All the best!
It’s slowly coming back and I’m moving into a rolling wave. I can only write in 2-hour blocks because Miss Maddie wants attention. For the first time, I’m not sitting and writing for long stretches of time, which is a good thing.
I’m figuring out who James Cullen is and while he’s a little mysterious about what he’s been doing, Elliott and Meredith did a really good job raising him.
On my girlfriend, I’ll take either one of them. I love this Katherine, putting the male photos like this. It gives us a chance to visualize what the characters look like. You can send Collin over here and I’ll teach him to shoot, run sleddogs, take incredible photos and make passionate love…… That is if he doesn’t mind me being 81yrs old
!
He probably won’t care since he’s a creation of my 70-year old mind!
I am in love with your books!!! I’m getting ready to start number 9 and was getting nervous because I didn’t know if you had a 10. So happy that I looked you up and found out all about you and the 10th book. I don’t want them to end so you have to get yourself together 😁
Nancy, I’m working on The Sunstone Brooch now. Did you see the blog posts about the next four books? The next one will be out this fall. I’m so glad you have enjoyed the MacKlenna Clan stories. I enjoy writing them. Stay safe!
Maddie would be a welcome addition to my home or anyone’s, she is adorable. I will be looking forward to Sunstone coming in October.
So glad you’ve got your mojo back! You’re so talented!!
July 09, 2020
Dear Katherine,
Bless your heart! iKr!?!?! on the almost maddening inability to accomplish anything except trying desperately to keep up! Waking every morning with the sickening truth of knowing I WILL learn terrible new things, every single today. Being thankful for the 1st time in over 10 years that I’m disabled now. Because I find myself virtually incapable of tuning out. I have LIVED to read since I learned at 5. Until early March I read myself to sleep every night for 47 years. Yet here I am learning Twitter of all things because it seems about 80% of 2020’s chaos is taking place on there.
Some primordial piece of me wants desperately to fly away, to awaken from this nightmare, to speak Gaelic words over a brooch and go almost anywhere else to maybe fix this, or at least leave it behind. It’s wonderful & horrible to know I’m not alone. Even one of my all time favorite authors has the same feeling about the contrast between staying home for ages & having to stay home! Looking up Dan Rather’s book, What Unites Us suddenly lit a voracious fire in me to find out how many brooches I’m behind & take a “fly away”! (Not for lack of love, for disability income that reaaally doesn’t cover extras) Because if anyone could get me out of here, it’s YOU!
Congratulations on finding some peace & joy with Maddie! I know whatever you decide w/James it will be amazing!!! I have yet to come away from your stories wishing something different! I’ve never written to an author before, but your letter to us really spoke to my heart & I wanted to thank you for sharing your feelings with us!
OH, THOUGHT-LET! This is probably not the appropriate way to offer, but ever since my joints (autoimmune rheumatoid) stopped allowing me to hold books without being severely punished, I’ve been forced to go digital. I DO love the marvelous REACH for zillions of books, except for ONE THING that makes me crazy! Proofreading! I literally cannot read anything without just auto proofing it. It’s the gift/curse I was born with. I even had the opportunity for awhile to be a final proofer before print at Morris Press. As much as healthcare is (was) my love, I was born for that job! Unfortunately I wasn’t born for office politics & a supervisor with unpredictable behavior who might start screaming at everyone for no discernible reason or just throw a book at you at any given moment. (Sadly I’m not kidding or exaggerating!) When management & HR failed to assist us, the rest of our department put in our resignations en masse.
The discovery that digital formats have an astonishingly low threshold for typos is maddening! It’s utterly irrelevant how an author actually writes or spells. At the same time it’s so distracting that publishers don’t prioritize this relatively simple adjustment & factor it in addition to editing. Many times I’ve thought how much I’d love to proofread for an author. With you being a fave of faves, I would be honored to offer proofing for you! I’d gladly do it as a “beta” who just gets to enjoy reading the book without sidetracking spelling etc. If that’s even a “thing” & you’re interested, please feel free to email me at the address attached to this novella, lol and I can sample proof something of your choice.
If it’s NOT a “thing” or you’re not interested, absolutely no hard feelings! Just keep brooch-ing us forever, because I so LOVE a fantastic never ending series & in THAT respect, you are my Queen!!!
Much love & best wishes!
Stephanie Mattson
P.S. don’t go by my “speaking style” writing! 😘
I have been a fan for a number of years. Can’t wait for the next novel to come out! I would like to mention that I didn’t care for the over-use of profanity. The novels are so wonderfully engaging, you actually feel as though you know them. Thank you for your gift that you share.
Thank you for being a fan for a number of years. I feel like I know the characters, too, but they still surprise me, and I struggle right along with them. I tried to balance the violence, profanity, and sex. It was hard, but I was very pleased with the outcome.
I believe James should be a chip off the block of his uncle David. Some ones got to take his place as David is getting older. James was great in the Broken Brooch and the Three Brooches Using his intelligence to notice the code in Kit’s portrait. He loves being with David and wants to be like him. He does not have autism! Everyone is entitled to a melt down occasionally. He will find his soul mate I sure with another brooch. It would be nice if he found her back in the early 19 century maybe in an Indian village. A strong willed and resourceful women who is smart and athletic. A runner and a marshall arts expert. Love your Maddie. I have two of my own Sully and Mazie.
I am rereading the Topaz Brooch. I can hardly wait for your next book the Sunstone Brooch. I have read all your books at least twice. Love your work and imagination.
I’m so glad you are enjoying the books. !
Thanks for writing such wonderful books. I just finished the Topaz Brooch again and have read all of them at least twice. You are a very gifted writer. Your books have adventure, history,mystery, and most of all personal relationships with love and family relationships to work through.
I also love the added fantasy-sci-fi dimension. It makes them more interesting and complex.
It will be hard to wait till October when you have the new book out.
I can certainly see how they would take a lot of research, but I think that’s what makes them so good.
Maddie is adorable.
Thanks so much
Thank you, Sharon. I’m so glad you have enjoyed the books and the added dimension of the fantasy-sci-fi element. You’re the first person to mention that.
Maddie is precious. She’s at a 4-week agility/obedience/adventure camp, and I miss her like crazy. Hopefully, when she comes home in two weeks she’ll come when she’s called, sit when asked, and not jump up on people when she sees them (happy, healthy, and well socialized). We will see. I’m taking advantage of the quiet time to churn and burn and get the first draft of The Sunstone finished.
I love your books and they have kept me sane during the last seven months of isolation due to covid. I’m 81 and live in a senior living facility and we have been kept away from the outside world as much as possible. Your fantastic stories and character development have kept my mind focused in a most enjoyable way. I can’t wait for your next book.
Gail, I’m so glad you have enjoyed the books. The last seven months have been hard on us seniors. I usually spend several weeks with my grandkids but haven’t been able to visit this year and it’s been hard. Hopefully next year we can enjoy the outside world again. The next book should be out in November. Blessings, Kathy
Maddie is cute and I’d love to hear whether the Sunstone brooch will be out by October 8th!!!
Yep, she’s cute. If The Sunstone is out by December 8, I’ll be thrilled. I have not had my typical focus on writing this year and I’ve discovered over the last week that the story is taking on a new dynamic that I wasn’t expecting. Thanks for asking.
Maddie is adorable! One of my best friends has a Goldendoodle…they are lovely! I’m just starting the Topaz Brooch and have to say the Pearl Brooch was one of my favorites. I’m really looking forward to the Sunstone Brooch!
I had a Maddie which was short for Madelyn Esther Lily (I got her one Easter) she was an AKC registered Maltese who at her adult weight was 10 pounds and of course pure white as is her breed. Your dog is adorable. My Maddie just in July of died of cancer unfortunately after a good life. She liked to hike in the State Parks of Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York. I took her south but she wasn’t fond of the southern heat in summer. As to the adult characters of James Cullen, I think while he is is own person in many ways he is his parents son in particular I think he will be his father’s and brother’s reflection in many ways. Austin will be more like his maternal grandfather who raised him. I see him getting “caught” in the same situation his parents had as that stuff just seems to happen. And he may have learned something from his parents that changes his reaction to the situation. I actually don’t think he will have the trust issues so many want him to have I think his loving home has offset that and the relationship he has with his father now with basketball has help him to put that stuff already in the past. Austin may have different issues having been outside the family travel business though and that may be problematic for him. I think overall both will be fine men in their own right and fun to be around and very protective of their friends within their group of travelers.
Is Shane ever going to get his story? Or did I miss what happened to him besides that he’s in Australia?
My plan has always been to do his story set in Australia but I just haven’t gotten around to it.
Maddie is absolutely adorable! Looking forward to reading the next installment of the Celtic Brooch Series!
I figured this is the only way to get a message to you. I am an avid reader. I also have severe anxiety. To control it, I read. I escape into words.. I found you books and read them one after another until #8 then I had to wait. I just want to thank you for sharing your imagination with all of us. So, Thank You.
Thank you for writing. I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the stories but I’m surprised they control anxiety. They are intense stories. So you’ve put off reading 9 and 10 until later? That’s probably a good time to take a break as book 10 is very stressful. Book 11, The Sunstone Brooch will be out in a few weeks. Blessings, Kathy
I’ve read them all. I meant at the time I had to wait for the others to come out. They help me escape for my own neurosis.
Can’t wait!! Even though I have purchased all of your books, have only “read” them in the audible format as my job historically requires a whole lot of driving. But one of the Covid “silver linings” is that I haven’t been doing that, so plan to actually “read” Sunstone the MINUTE it comes out 😊😍. I was an avid (voracious maybe) reader growing up and used to hide behind a chair in the living room by the furnace vent to read. I have a spot picked out and am ready!!
Oh, that sounds like fun!
Oh my how adorable 🥰 ill trust whatever you wright and ill love the Sunstone broach like I did all the rest. Im just anxious and don’t want to miss when it comes out. The best to you and your new fur baby 💗🤗
Maddie is just the sweetest looking fluff ball!!!
As for James Cullum and all the “ kids”… I see them all as good and kind and honorable ( even Jack). That being said, they are internally strong and probably have great senses of humor! Thinking humor because of all their “adventures” and these larger than life, brave and brilliant characters intertwined within their lives! They really are “ quite the crew!!!”
When can we expect The Sunstone Brooch to be released?
Waiting with bated breath!!!!!
❤️ every single book!!!!
Michele
Maddie is a cutie. I was wondering if you have a genealogical chart of the characters, as I get older it is hard to keep track. I’m excited for the upcoming books I’ve always been fascinated with Teddy Roosevelt’s life.
There are family trees on the website along with a post that includes the ages of the family members.
And yes, Teddy is a fascinating character. I’m looking forward to the next book that meets him in NYC in the mid-1890s.
All righty then. All ten Brooches under my belt and scrambling my brain, and (!) I’ve even read the Prologue and first Chapter in Sunstone (thanking you kindly) …
I may be your oldest fan in years, but not in spirit!. I am ready to join Ensley & Austin whenever you are ready, dear lady.
Thanks to you for about six solid weeks of wonder-filled reading, while some dishes & a bit of dust accumulated. Time Very Well Spent. And your website is just perfect. So ~
I await your muse …
Um, did I mention my horse, when I was about 8 or 9, was named Stormy? (quarter horse/thoroughbred cross.). A wonderful friend…
PS: Maddie is adorable!
02/01/2021.Sonoma County, California
Jane, I’m so glad you have enjoyed the series. I thought Austin and Ensley’s story would be a short one – a quick trip with TR. Well, it hasn’t turned out that way and the Illuminati, in all its evilness, has struck again, this time bringing an even more terrifying plotline. So the book has grown and grown and will be almost as long as The Topaz. It took a while after Penny and Rick to fall in love with Ensley and Austin, but wow! Those two will be regulars from here on out.
I’m now down to the last 3-4 chapters and hope the book will release the end of February!
Blessings, Kathy
Maybe a Maddie dog could be James emotional support dog. Okay, how is the book coming. We’re dying out here. Need a distraction other than what we’ve been getting. Maddie is adorable.
I’m writing the end of the story!
Hello Katherine!
I just wanted to say how very happy I am to find your brooch series. In the early 90s I was given the first 3 outlander books, which introduced me to time travel romance, but I thought it was a trilogy that ended there. Many years later I saw the series on tv & found out there were more books. I quickly read them all as I’m now on disability and limited income but a lot of time.
After that, I looked in the same genre on amazon for another series. I ordered 1 starter book from what appeared to be 3 good authors. Yours was the only one I loved and have been ordering a couple at a time as I can afford.
I’m tickled so many are already written and I’ve ordered 2 at a time and am on #8 amber brooch. (I couldn’t find a way to get comment in that book’s area?)
I absolutely love your blend of history- (a different era for each book is great) and that you continue to keep the characters in each book. The way the time travel happens is ingenious and I look forward to the final explanation about the brooches. But not yet!
I’m near your age I think, and am holding you to keep writing and we will all keep reading! I personally think the different historic times is a perfect setup for tv episodes.
I was going to suggest a fire opal, as thats my b-stone, but I see you plan to use it already. The sparkling colors shooting out from the brooch could mean something important.
I’m also enjoying Amber brooch as I live in Colo Springs, and have friends in leadville but never knew about the gorge wars. I do know amatuer paleontologists up there though. I was surprised when I picked up the book and saw local history!
I’ve enjoyed your great research so much that when I read about Lincoln’s trial, and saw you worked in the trial manuscript used from the movie Conspirator.. I rented it right away. Your work is just great and I only wished I had a good imagination for writing! It’s been wonderful to see the last 3 I ordered were even longer books. I’m amazed you can get one done in a year. So great for us readers not to wait 4 years!
If you ever need another early reader just ask! I’m always home and my family all live out of state. It would be a privledge!
Blessings & thanks! Liz J.
Colorado Springs
Nickname: river siren
River Siren – I am so glad you are enjoying the series and thank you for being a loyal fan!