A family mystery sends a paramedic back in time to 1852 to solve a murder and discover her true identity, but her quest is thwarted by a lawyer bent on seducing the untrustworthy, eccentric “widow.”
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~Anaïs Nin
Can a 21st century paramedic find her heart's desire on the other side of time?
From the white-plank fenced pastures of Lexington, Kentucky, to the beautiful Bay of San Francisco, The Ruby Brooch, a saga steeped in family tradition and mystery, follows a young woman's journey as she searches for the truth on the other side of the heather-scented mist.
As the lone survivor of a car crash that killed her parents, paramedic Kit MacKlenna makes a startling discovery that further alters her life. A faded letter and a well-worn journal reveal that she was abandoned as a baby and the only clues to her identity are a blood-splattered shawl, a locket that bears a portrait of a nineteenth-century man, and a Celtic brooch with mystical powers.
After studying the journal, she decides to continue her father's twenty-year search for her identity and solve her birth parents' murders. For safety reasons, she adopts the persona of the Widow MacKlenna. Although a perfect cover for her eccentric behavior, she will be forced to lie and MacKlennas don't lie, or so she thought. Finally, dressed and packed, she utters the incantation inscribed on the ancient stone and is swept back to Independence, Missouri, in the year 1852.
Upon arriving in the past, she meets Cullen Montgomery, an egotistical Scotsman with a penchant for seducing widows. The San Francisco-bound lawyer happens to resemble the ghost who has haunted Kit since childhood. She quickly finds the Bach-humming, Shakespeare-quoting man to be over-bearing and his intolerance for liars threatens her quest.
If she can survive his accusations and resist his tempting embrace for seventy-three days, she might be able to find the answers she seeks, and return home to a new life without changing history or leaving her heart on the other side of time.
Excerpt
Prologue
Independence, Missouri, April 4, 1852
IN A SUNLIT corner of the cluttered Waldo, Hall & Company freight office, Cullen Montgomery sat tipped back on a chair’s spindly rear legs reading the newspaper and scratching a rough layer of morning whiskers.
Henry Peters slumped in a leather-reading chair and propped his legs, covered in faded cavalry pants, on a crate marked textiles and bound for Santa Fe. “What you learning ‘bout in that gazette?”
Cullen chuckled at what little real news the paper printed. Since he no longer lived in Edinburgh or Cambridge, he needed to lower his expectations when it came to the local press. Every word of the Independence Reporter had been read and reread, and although he couldn’t find mention of a scientific discovery or notice of a public discussion with a famous poet, he knew Grace McCoy had gotten hitched last Saturday. Reading the paper’s recitation was unnecessary. He’d escorted the bride’s widowed aunt to the nuptials and knew firsthand that the bride had swooned walking down the aisle. Virgin brides and widows. The former didn’t interest him, the latter lavishly entertained him.
He gave the last page a final perusal. “There’s no mention of our wagon train pulling out in the morning.”
The old soldier took a pinch of tobacco between his thumb and forefinger and loaded the bowl of his presidential-face pipe. “We ain’t got no more room anyways. No sense advertising.”
The day had turned unusually warm, and Cullen had dressed for cooler weather. Sweat trickled down his back, prompting him to roll his red-flannel shirtsleeves to his elbows. “Mary Spencer’s not going now. We can take on one more family.”
Henry dropped his feet, and his boot heels scraped the heart-of-pine floor. “Dang. Why’d you bring up that gal’s name?”
“It’s not your fault she disappeared.” Although Cullen hadn’t said anything to his friend, he believed the portrait artist he’d seen making a nuisance of himself at the dress shop had sweet-talked the porcelain-skinned, green-eyed woman into eloping.
“Maybe, maybe not.” The joints in Henry’s bowed legs popped and cracked as he stood and stepped to the window.
Cullen pulled out his watch to check the time. Before slipping the timepiece back into his vest pocket, out of habit he rubbed his thumb across the Celtic knot on the front of the case. The gesture always evoked memories of his grandfather, an old Scot with a gentle side that countered his temper. Folks said Cullen walked in his grandsire’s shoes. He discounted the notion he could be hotheaded, with one exception. He had no tolerance for liars. When he unveiled a lie, he unleashed the full measure of his displeasure. “We can’t worry about yesterday, and today’s got enough trouble of its own.”
“Rumor has it John Barrett needs money. Heard you offered him a loan.” Henry wagged his pipe-holding hand. “Also heard he got his bristles up, saying he wouldn’t be beholdin’ to nobody. Got too much pride if’n you ask me. You get down to cases with that boy and straighten his thinking out.”
God knew Cullen had tried. “If I can’t find a compromise, our wagon train could fall apart before we get out of town.”
“You’re as wise as a tree full of owls, son. You’ll figure it out.”
The newspaper had served its purpose so he tossed the gossip sheet into the trash. Then he stood and stretched his legs before starting for the door.
Henry rapped his knuckles on the windowsill. “Where’re you goin’?”
A queue tied with a thong at Cullen’s nape reminded him that his shaggy hair hadn’t seen even the blunt end of a pair of shears in months. “To the barber. Afterwards, I’ll figure out how to get your wagon train to Oregon. There’s a law office with my name on the door waiting at the end of the trail. I don’t have time for more delays.”
Henry’s bushy brows merged above his nose. “There’s more than work awaitin’ you.”
“To quote an old soldier: Maybe. Maybe not.” With the picture of a San Francisco, dark-haired lass tucked into his pocket alongside his watch, and the keening sound of his favorite bagpipe tune playing in his mind, Cullen left the office to solve today’s problem before it became tomorrow’s trouble.
Professional Reviews
Fantastic New voice in the Romance Genre!
The Ruby Brooch is the first book in the Celtic Brooch Trilogy by Katherine Lowry Logan. When I was contacted by the author to read this book, I was instantly excited. It combines several of my favorite things; historical romance, time travel and a stubborn woman. I could not wait to read it. From modern day Kentucky to 1852 Independence, Missouri, this book brings you on a woman's journey through time that defies all the odds.
Kit, our main character is such a strong and determined woman, you can't help but love her as she tries to learn the truth about her parentage. Her loyalty and bravery are other traits that I really admired. She doesn't know how not to help people in need. I loved watching her story unfold. All the characters were vibrant and complex; no cardboard cut outs here. Cullen, Kit's love interest, is beyond swoon-worthy; he quotes Shakespeare, hums Bach and is overprotective in a non-control freak way. I adore him.
This was a fast read for me, probably because I couldn't put my kindle down. Instead I was carrying it from room to room so I could see what would happen next. It's fast paced, sweet and sad at times. I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster as I read. Laughing one moment and crying the next. It's an incredible story rich with detail. I could picture the wagon train in my mind so easily from the author's descriptions. The story is told from the third person perspective which I really love because you get to get inside all the characters' heads and see what makes them tick.
Amazing characters and great storytelling make this a real page turner. The Ruby Brooch is one of the best books I've read this year; it's a fantastically original and moving book that will make you believe in true love and soul mates.This book was breathtaking from beginning to end. A poignant tale of loss and love and hope. I cannot wait for the next installment! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance
Delightful Surprise
I finished this book last night. WOW! Just wow! I absolutely loved it. I love the author's voice, love the development of the characters, loved the plot and story. All of it was SO good! I've been reading a lot of books lately, now that I've been opened up to a bunch of new authors, and some are ok, some are bad and only a couple have been outstanding. Katherine was outstanding! She now has a life-long fan.
Ok, let's talk characters. Kit was just adorable, sensitive yet strong, determined yet loving... I felt for her, I wanted to be her, I wept for her. Excellent job! Cullen - LOVED him!! He's smart, poetic, deep, thoughtful, strong, husky, sexy.... he's the perfect hero.
All the secondary characters were wonderful too. I felt like I was friends with them just like Kit was. I hope in the next story she'll bring back the Barrett family.
I know I'm gushing, but I can't help it. I truly enjoyed your book from the first page to the last. I was so sad to finish it last night. I want it to be a movie!
I read ahead to some of the other comments on this site and I can't believe there are 1-star reviews. They really must not have been reading the same book I did, because I am darn picky about the books I read and only dive into the ones that I can actually feel inside my soul. I felt this one... it took hold and I know I will carry it with me for a long time.
Best Book in a Long Time
I'm a guy who never reads romance novels, but I'm into time travel and a friend gave me The Ruby Brooch to read on a cross-country plane trip. I started reading it and couldn't put it down! The plot kept me reading about the heroine's trip back to the Old West and in an Oregon Trail wagon train, then her further adventures kept me going. the plot was exciting and much better than I expected. The writing was excellent and I really cared for the characters and what they were doing and what happened to them, which is the most important thing you can say about any book(!!). I can't wait to read the sequel when it comes out!
Jodi and Nick’s chance for romance was never realized while they were in high school. Now, five years later, they meet again. Will a class reunion be their first—and last—chance at love?
Reunion of Souls is a sweet, contemporary romance abo
Enjoy twists and surprising turns in this erotic collection of sexy love stories based on seven classic fairy tales. There are romantic interludes to touch your heart and plenty of scorching sex to warm your coldest nights.
