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. MacKenzie 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 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.
What’s next for the clan? 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. There will be more than twelve brooches. 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
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Katherine graduated from Rowan University in New Jersey, where she earned a BA in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. Following college, she returned to Central Kentucky, where she worked as a real estate and tax paralegal.
Katherine is a marathoner and lives in Lexington, Kentucky. When she’s not running or writing romance, she’s enjoying her five grandchildren: Charlotte Lyle, Lincoln Thomas, James Cullen, Henry Patrick, and Meredith Lyle, and a dog named Ripley.
Please stop by and visit Katherine on her social media sites or drop her an email. She loves to hear from readers.
Website * Facebook * Twitter
I’m A Runner (Runner’s World Magazine Interview)
Email:
[email protected]
Family trees are available on Katherine’s website
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THE CELTIC BROOCH SERIES
THE RUBY BROOCH (Book 1)
Kitherina MacKlenna and Cullen Montgomery’s love story
THE LAST MACKLENNA (Book 2 – not a time travel story)
Meredith Montgomery and Elliott Fraser’s love story
THE SAPPHIRE BROOCH (Book 3)
Charlotte Mallory and Braham McCabe’s love story
THE EMERALD BROOCH (Book 4)
Kenzie Wallis-Manning and David McBain’s love story
THE BROKEN BROOCH (Book 5 – not a time travel story)
JL O’Grady and Kevin Allen’s love story
THE THREE BROOCHES (Book 6)
A reunion with Kit and Cullen Montgomery
THE DIAMOND BROOCH (Book 7)
Jack Mallory and Amy Spalding’s love story
THE AMBER BROOCH (Book 8)
Amber Kelly and Daniel Grant’s love story
Olivia Kelly and Connor O’Grady’s love story
THE PEARL BROOCH (Book 9)
Sophia Orsini and Pete Parrino’s love story
Coming next…
THE TOPAZ BROOCH (Book 10)
Wilhelmina Penelope Malone and Rick O’Grady’s love story
With Sophia and Pete
There are many more Brooch Books to come, and another generation ready for their own adventures!
If you would like to receive notification of future releases
sign up today at KatherineLLogan.com or
send an email to [email protected] and put “New Release” in the subject line
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Thank you for reading THE PEARL BROOCH.
I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Reviews help other readers find books.
I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative.
The Pearl Brooch Page 63