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Celtic Brooch #8

The Amber Brooch

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Sparks fly and tension soars when a gutsy 21st century lawyer meets a 19th century Pinkerton agent in a Colorado mining town! Fast-paced Western adventure with a railroad war, gunslingers, dinosaur bones, and romance...

Amber Kelly, mining lawyer and amateur paleontologist, visits her family’s 19th century log cabin in the Colorado mountains, and discovers a puzzle box hidden in a 200-year-old loom. Inside the box is a brooch engraved with a Gaelic inscription. After reciting the words, an earthy-scented fog engulfs Amber and whisks her off to Leadville, Colorado, in the year 1878. Within minutes of arriving in the infamous boomtown, she witnesses a horrifying accident.

Pinkerton Agent Daniel Grant, a widower on assignment to the Rio Grande Railroad, sees his son fall into the path of a freight wagon. Terrified, he knows he can’t reach him in time. Amber sprints toward the boy, grabs him, and drags him to safety. Although Daniel is grateful to Amber for saving his son’s life, he quickly becomes suspicious of her legal knowledge, odd passion for hunting dinosaur bones, and the inability to answer simple questions about her identity.

Olivia Kelly, real estate Broker and former litigator, is distraught over her sister’s disappearance. With the assistance of her client, former NYPD detective Connor O’Grady, they search the cabin for clues to Amber’s whereabouts. Connor recognizes the puzzle box and is convinced Amber has gone back in time. But where? With the help of his friends, David and Kenzie McBain, they identify two possibilities: Morrison and Caǹon City, Colorado, in the late 1870s. A plan to rescue Amber is immediately put into action.

The time travelers are drawn into the middle of two wars: a ruthless and competitive bone war between two noted paleontologists, and a desperate railroad war between the Santa Fe and the Rio Grande. Their involvement in these wars puts at risk the future of paleontology, the outcome of a sensational legal battle, and the health and hearts of two couples, a ten-year-old boy, and a dog named Ripley.

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674 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

991 people are currently reading
366 people want to read

About the author

Katherine Lowry Logan

17 books4,114 followers
Katherine grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and attended college in New Jersey, where she earned a BA in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. After attending the Philadelphia Institute for Paralegal Training, she returned to Central Kentucky and worked as a real estate and tax paralegal. Katherine is a marathoner and lives in Lexington, Kentucky where she writes full time.

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5 stars
1,568 (71%)
4 stars
488 (22%)
3 stars
108 (4%)
2 stars
14 (<1%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
27 reviews
April 21, 2018
Pleasant read

Books in this series are light reading, but are all formulaic and predictable. I enjoy the series, each one has been a page turner, but everyone seems to have the same time traveler plot.
Profile Image for Shirl.
198 reviews
April 2, 2018
I loved this 8th book of the series. New characters,new settings, familiar people, adventure, time travel,suspense, mystery and of course romance. I could not put my kindle down, This exciting story held my interest from start to finish. I tried reading it slowly so it would last, but it was a page turner and I had to keep reading and then I was sad it ended, I wanted more.
I now have to wait another year for the next book to come out, sigh!
Great writing, great story!
I have read all eight books now and this one is one of my top favorites next to The Ruby Brooch, the first book.
263 reviews3 followers
April 7, 2018
Love the Celtic Broach series and book 8 is no exception! Time travel and a fabulous cast of characters! Love the surprise releases!
Profile Image for Jen L.
19 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2019
In true Brooch fashion, this book pulled me in as quickly as ever. I will even admit to cooking a meal or two as I read, because I just could not stop long enough! Like Amber, I love to cook. Also like Amber, I love the simple things in life. If that were not enough, she has a love of paleontology! There is so much more to this young woman than I can even begin to rave about. Is it any wonder that she can catch the eye of such a man as Daniel? I would say more, but that would just spoil the fun of this must read!
Let us not forget Olivia, Ambers sister. She is a sister that everyone would dream of having. You know if she can keep up with Amber, she is quite special herself.
Of coarse, it would not be a Brooch series book without bringing back all of the people we know and love from previous books. I love how the family is growing bigger and bigger with each book, and you get to watch them grow as individuals and a family throughout the series.
The amount of action and danger keeps this story going. There is never a dull moment!
One thing I love most of all however, is how well this author brings history to life! One book after the next, I always learn an amazing amount of history while my brain soaks it all up and makes it that much more real. You will absolutely want to read this book!
Profile Image for Elaine C..
404 reviews9 followers
March 3, 2022
OMG!!! I cannot say enough positive things about this book, this series, or this amazing author!!! This story captures the Wild, Wild West like we can only "see" through Ms. Logan's eyes ... such complete description - sights, sounds and smells - you feel like you are there! And the power of the brooches gets more intriguing as we get through each new story! So many fun characters intertwined with the famous historical characters that we learned about in school! So many interesting facts that we DIDN'T learn about! No matter how much I think I'll just read one more chapter before I put the book down - it NEVER happens - ha, ha!!!
Profile Image for Elaine.
1,060 reviews14 followers
October 23, 2018
How could I not rate it a 5? Obviously, I love this series and can't wait for thePearl Brooch to come out! Highly recommend this series!
Profile Image for Karen.
57 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2020
Another great book in the series. I love how each story weaves old story lines and characters in with the new. Amber, Daniel, and Noah are terrific additions to the Clan.
32 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2018
Could not put it down !

So please with this book that I anxiously will wait for the next in the series!!! please hurry up :)
Love the historical tidbits,the match- making , family tides, and the unexpected twist and turn throughout the story. Never dull and a very fast read .
Love the follow up at the end always . Thanks for educating me a little bit more in America’s history of the west!
Profile Image for Lilmissmolly.
1,036 reviews
September 11, 2018
Katherine Lowry Logan did it again! She wrote another heart-racing action adventure that is blended perfectly with a time-travel romance. The Amber Brooch is the 8th book in the Celtic Brooch series involving a large extended family of savvy business men and women, horse breeders, vintners, and writers that spans between centuries. The characters are all well-developed and portrayed realistically with hopes, dreams, fears, and flaws. In each book a member of the family unexpectedly finds a brooch that is hidden in an old object and they are immediately transported back in time to their one true love and/or to prevent a certain death or disaster. In this book, it was both.

The story essentially begins when Amber Kelly finds an Amber Brooch hidden in a 200-year old loom at her grandparents’ old rustic cabin. She is transported to 1878 Colorado during the fight over the Rio Grande Railroad. Thankfully Amber is a smart mineral rights lawyer who can hold her own during that era. There she meets Daniel Grant who is a whole lot man rolled into one package: a war hero, Pinkerton agent, widower, and protective father. Daniel doesn't quite trust Amber even though she saved his 10-year old son's life. Despite this, the pair quickly join forces and get embroiled in the fight between the Sante Fe Railroad and the Rio Grande Railroad, as well as a fight over certain dinosaur bones. Thankfully Daniel's son helps him see Amber for who she is ... on the inside.

I listened to the Audible version of this book narrated by Teri Schnaubelt who simply fantastic. Her narration flows naturally, is easy to listen to, and provides distinct voices to each character. I can't express in words how much I thorough enjoyed the Amber Brooch - and the entire Celtic Brooch series. Brava!
255 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2024
Awesome, Awesome, AWESOME!!!!!!

I'm soooooo invested in this series now, I fear my whole life will come to a crashing halt when I finish the final chapter 😭😱

The characters in this series are so relatable & if they're taking any applications to join the family then I'll definitely be throwing my hat in, lol.

This instalment has us meeting the Kelly sisters. We've casually heard of Olivia previously as being Connor's crush & prospective out of town love interest. I think the whole twin angle was a bit of a stretch. Yes I have heard of Irish twins (I'm even one myself!), but certainly here in the UK we wouldn't say people were actually twins unless they were born around the same time, not within a year....
So we have Amber poodling up a mountain to the family Lodge, finding another brooch (you've guessed it, an amber one!), whizzing thru time in 19th Century America where she meets her prospective love interests Daniel (and his 10yr old son Noah, who she has her Meetcute with via saving him from instant death under the wheels of a passing cart) & Rick (Connor's brother, who goes back in time:BFF to find her)

As we've come to see/expect, there's tons of adventure, double-crossing/goodies n baddies etc etc etc.

I totally recommend you read this series!!!!

I read this book as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription (free book, but I pay the subscription)

I'm not about to give away any spoilers
Profile Image for Crislee.
341 reviews3 followers
March 7, 2020
I truly love this series. But I'm going to be a bug and state one thing that drives me crazy. Sorry....religion teacher here. I hate that the O'Grady's are pitched as faithful Catholics. However, they are as ignorant about the faith as most Catholics. A priest would tell a cop that an on the job just shooting isn't something that needs confession. However, sex outside of marriage is a big no no. lol. Those 10 Commandments are commands, not suggestions. lol
Ok, off my faith based soap box.
Truly that's the only thing that even sort of bugs me about this entire series.
This is like Outlander without as much porn and no rape. It gets a tad adult for ME at times. I have an active imagination and don't need much description in a sex scene to get it. But it wouldn't bug most people.
It's fun way to walk through some interesting history. I love history and best I can tell she's done a decent job of sticking to it as much as you can in a 'time travel' fiction story without boring the heck out of readers. Some are better than others in the series but I've loved each one. Just a few more than others. I've forced myself not to do the math and figure out how the time has gone by in the 'present day' with how old the children are now (what year is the 'present day'). But if I did it would just bug me. Best to just enjoy it and read on.
I highly recommend. If you're like me you literally can't put it down Alexa can read it while you're cooking, cleaning, whatever. Maybe she'll get some inflection in the future. lol.
Enjoy
Profile Image for Elizabeth Duckworth.
72 reviews
May 14, 2018
Someone recently mentioned that this series was very predictable with a strong formula, I couldn't disagree more. Logan's characters are all new and fresh, the plots are unpredictable with new twists and turns every minute. I thoroughly have enjoyed each an every one of the books including the latest "The Amber Brooch", sure, there are a few I have enjoyed more but every time I finish one, I can't decide which one it was! I love the fact that Logan keeps introducing new characters, each one a welcome addition to the present day MacKlenna family. I love this series and I hope they keep coming until she runs out of stones. Each and every book is so well researched! I have learned so much about the different eras she has written about, including 1909 Baseball! I learned more about the Civil War than I did from Margret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind, (it was a great romance...but....?). I am a former Californian with a vinyard ancestry which is still producing, but Logan has taught me more about the wine industry than I ever knew. I am so excited to be awaiting "The Perle" and wondering who we will meet on this new adventure? Thank you Katherine Lowry Logan for the many hours of entertainment you have sent my way.
Profile Image for JOAN Stout.
208 reviews16 followers
September 5, 2020
By: Katherine Lowry Logan
Narrated by: Teri Schnaubelt
Series: The Celtic Brooch, Book 8 of 10 PLUS

JUST REALIZED THERE ARE MORE THEN 10 BOOKS
I listened to this book at 1.40 X

They just keep getting better and better.
1878. / Present
Like the previous books it adds a new couple plus more to the family's story. This book added 2 couples. (hopefully another story down the road).

This series is so easy to get hooked on. And to keep you interested in. Atleast 135 hrs of Audible so far in this series. worth it.

This book is full of action, adventures, romance, losts of time traveling and all the feels. I loved it.
Looking forward to the last 2 plus? books.

Vocal artist Teri Schnaubelt did another great job. So may characters and accents. Each book adds more characters which means more voices, and its like know problem. 10 Stars out of 5.
354 reviews5 followers
April 7, 2018
Another great adventure

As usual, I enjoyed the new Brooch novel. Why only 4 stars? I was looking for a bit more adventure, not just a 🔥hot romance. I love the history lessons that go with these books . Lowry gives such details that one feels that you are there. Thanks for the pictures on her page also. There seemed a lot more talk than action (except behind closed doors) but with such a large and extended family to keep up with I guess that is good. One never feels lost. Onward and upward to the next adventure. (I was really hoping Kenzie and David's new baby would be another girl for them) do we see a future romance between Noah and Kit?
25 reviews
September 9, 2018
Great read. Never lost interest, I couldn't put the book down!

Loved it. This the first of this series I have read, having got the book at a reduced price. At no time did I feel I had missed anything. All references to happenings from the earlier books were explained just enough to give the relevance in the current book, identify which book the full back story could be found all the while allowing the reader the freedom to either go back at a later date to get the entire story that was referenced if they felt a more complete knowledge of a prior story if the reader so chooses.
802 reviews6 followers
May 2, 2021
Another excellent time travel romance - great for Netflix

Another riveting book that I read in A day plus a couple of hours. The characters are as richly diverse as they have always been - the characters almost walking off the pages to spend a bit of quality time with you. Although my mind would struggle with life in the 1870's, it was enjoyable to read descriptions of places that I have travelled to and visited from the 1950's until the 21st century. The storyline, as always, was multilayered and things happening at a rapid pace both in the 19th century and reverting back to the 21st century
Profile Image for A.M. Mahler.
Author 19 books1,382 followers
April 17, 2018
I can't get enough of this series. Each book is meticulously detailed with unparalleled imagery. You fell as if you fell into the pages of the story and experience the sights, sounds, smells first hand. I'd never given much thought to the Colorado railroad wars and the dinosaur wars, but it was such an intriguing time to learn about. Amber and Daniel and Connor and Olivia were sweet and engaging. Lies and deception abounds in this fast-paced time travel romance. Join the journey of these couples to their happily ever after.
132 reviews
April 30, 2018
What a series!!

The storyline and characters are so well written in this series and every book is better then the last. You would think that after a while the amount of characters would get overwhelming but they don’t since each one has a few new characters, a few participants from past ones and mentions of other past people just so you don’t forget how they intertwine in the family. I’m always left looking forward to the next one and after I told my husband about a few of the scenes in this one as I read he now wants to start it :)
183 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2018
Each time I pick up the next story in the series I think it won't be as good as the last one, and I am always proved wrong. This is the best series and I have just loved this last, for now, book in the series. Therefore I am sad. I look forward to the next one, but I will have a ways to wait.

I highly recommend this book. I love that the characters continue and expand though out the series. These are just the best books and if you enjoy historical fiction, time travel, adventure, romance. you cannot go wrong with this excellent series.
32 reviews
April 14, 2019
An incredible detailed historical romantic story

This is the eighth book in the series that I have read. My work and sleep have both suffered as I have been unable to stop. I finish one book and start the next. The author Katherine Logan is an exceptional story teller. Her books work well in written and audio format. Once you start a book you are immersed into the world and characters created by this incredibly talented author. I look forward to HBO or Stars picking up the books and creating a tv series. Enjoy the series.
Profile Image for Kris Matury.
407 reviews7 followers
July 22, 2020
Western dreaming...

I loved this story and the Kelly sisters. Noah is priceless! I love how this story entangled with Braham's. Daniel was in Lincoln's security detail as well. I keep wondering if he was ever mentioned by name in that story, but I can't remember. My only disappointment was that Rick didn't get to meet Bat Masterson or Doc Holliday. I have always loved Doc Holliday and I adore Rick. I can only imagine what a meet up between the two of them would have been like. I hope to hear more about the Kelly sisters, and I look forward to Rick's story.
351 reviews
March 19, 2021
This book successfully knocked back The Broken Brooch as my 2nd favourite in the series. The Ruby Brooch still reigns supreme but this was a close second. I enjoyed the new characters and getting to know a couple of the O'Grady brothers was fun. The author does tend to get into the weeds a bit and I found myself speed reading over pages and pages of overly detailed information on paleontology. Didn't need the crash course in paleontology history 101, it was a bit reminiscent of the first part of Amy Spading's baseball story. Other than that, I really enjoyed it.
25 reviews
April 6, 2018
Another great Brooch book

This 8th book of the Celtic Brooch series is one of my favorites, though I love and enjoyed them all. The continuing story of Elliot, Meredith and their large extended family is compelling, with several stories coming together to bring soul mates to each other. If you enjoy interacting with authors, Katherine communicates with fans on FB often. Thanks for another great story, Katherine!
Profile Image for Kathryn Devine.
25 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2018
Fantastic read!

This family tree never gets boring as it’s branches grow. How can one not fall in love with the Kelly girls? Has it really been 17 years for Elliott and Mere? With the back drop of current events literally ravaging our favorite winery in Napa, the Kelly girls fall in love both in the present and past. Buckle up for a quick ride on Colorado’s rail and paleontology history while falling in love with a precocious ten year old boy and his dog.
Profile Image for Debbie.
299 reviews17 followers
July 17, 2018
As usual I was so looking forward to reading the next book in the MacKlenna Series, well I loved it, once again the story, characters and historical facts were brilliant.

Thought I was going to lose the track of who is who as there are now so many people within the clan, but as usual the full explanation of who is who was explained at the beginning of the book as well as we are introduced to them.

Highly recommended.
Profile Image for EvilAntie Jan.
1,593 reviews13 followers
February 25, 2019
Amazing

It took me a very long time to finally read this book in this incredible series. I loved the slower pace of this story and the paleontology story line was awesome. I loved the banter between all the characters and how Katherine always keeps the core characters centered but overwhelming the story line. There was something melodic about this book. And as always Elliot ends each story as only Elliot can do. Bravo and on to the Pearl Brooch.

Profile Image for Cerise Richardson.
65 reviews3 followers
April 8, 2019
The Amber Brooch is one of The Best novels I’ve read! With this one being based around two sisters you have twice the adventures going on, and it’s done with great flow! This story had be laughing out loud, and then actually crying. It is very well written! I would suggest reading the whole series so you are familiar with all the characters, but if you can’t, just read this one. I believe it could be seen as a stand-alone novel.
Profile Image for Sharon.
2,771 reviews7 followers
August 20, 2019
Great story!

Daniel (MajorGrant) -A Pinkerton lives in 1878 Colorado with his 10yr son Noah
Amber- a lawyer who lives in present day Colorado and loves to cook.
I enjoyed reading this engaging story that is fantastically written with great historical facts (with some liberty of when it happened but is stated in authors notes) and a thrilling adventure that leads to romance. Their story has a good HEA, with more to come on that front I hope!
Profile Image for Jeanne Clark.
51 reviews
April 5, 2020
Another great adventure!

The saga continues with another wonderful "adventure" (as the children in the stories call it) back and forth through time. This one involves two sisters who are very close, in age as well as in heart. So, we get two love stories, two soul mates found, and, of course, lots of trouble, angst, and "electricity". Many of the clan help things along while trying to deal with the History in the situation. Another good read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews

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