Jean Hackensmith, Author
My Newest Releases
My Newest Release
Over 25,000 Copies Sold
Jacob made Rebecca a promise 14 years ago--one that he's determined to keep.
Jean's Epic Fifteen-Book Saga (and counting) set along the beautiful shores of Lake Superior starting in the year 1834. Historical fiction at its finest! No graphic loves scenes and only mild profanity.
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What Am I Working On Now?
Just started Book 16 in the Wilderness Saga. It it titled Shadow of the Hood. A short synopsis is below. Right now, I'm on around page 30. Anticipating a release sometime in November.
Synopsis: Shadow of the Hood
The ashes of war have barely settled over Superior, Wisconsin, when a new, invisible firestorm threatens to tear the Wachsmann family legacy apart.
In the sweltering summer of 1922, a devastating forest fire brings the multi-ethnic homesteaders of Douglas County together in a desperate fight to save the Wachsmann dairy farm. But the hard-won solidarity between Irish, German, and Polish neighbors is shattered by the arrival of Reverend Archibald Moore. A charismatic grifter cloaked in the respectable fabric of the era's resurging Ku Klux Klan, Moore systematically weaponizes the town's latent post-war anxieties, anti-Catholic bigotry, and extreme nativism to draw a line of terror through the community.
As cross burnings light up the northern horizon and old friendships turn into hostile standoffs, Cole Wachsmann must navigate a treacherous psychological battlefield. With younger family members Kathleen, Caleb, and Marilee caught in the crosshairs of a changing world, the Wachsmanns must confront a chilling truth: the greatest threat to their land isn't a forest fire—it's the shadow of the hood creeping into their own backyard.
Ingrid Jones, Cover Illustrator
I’m an Australian designer and artist now living in Cape Town with my family, where I get to combine my love of creativity with my passion for storytelling. Designing is my way of evoking emotion and working with Jean Hackensmith has been a truly special journey. Her excellent stories—whether set in the rich farming times of the 19th century or the thrill of modern crime—have not only inspired me but also taught me so much about those eras and lifestyles. Together we’ve found a wonderful synergy, and I feel very lucky to create covers that capture the heart of her stories.
A Note From Jean
I am excited to announce that, due to Amazon's Kindle Translate BETA testing program, almost all of my books are now available in Spanish. German translations are also on the horizon. The translation is done by AI, but I am told by some spanish-speaking friends that it does a very good job. So, here's hoping! There are a few books that are still awaiting Amazon's approval for Kindle Translate, but hopefully they will be available in Spanish and German very soon.
Jean Hackensmith
I have been writing since the age of twenty. (That’s 49 years and, yes, I’m disclosing my age.) I am the proud mother of three and grandmother to four wonderful grandchildren. After losing who I thought was the love of my life, my late husband Ron, in November of 2011, I met Rick. So, it is definitely possible to have more than one "love of your life." Rick and I were married in July of 2018 and are still going strong today. He is my soulmate, my confidant, and my biggest fan. He has read every book I have ever written (even the romances!)
Next to writing, my second passion is live theater. I founded a local community theater group back in 1992 and directed upwards of 40 shows, including three that I authored. I also appeared on stage a few times, portraying Anna in The King and I and Miss Hannigan in Annie. I am sad to say that the theater group dropped its final curtain in 2008, but those 16 years will always hold some of my fondest memories.
I moved from Superior 15 years ago, seeking the serenity of country living. I also wanted to get away from the natural air conditioning provided by Lake Superior. We moved only 50 miles south, but the temperature can vary by 20-30 degrees. I guess I’m a country girl at heart. I simply love this area, and am lucky to, once again, have someone to share its beauty. I love the solitude, the picturesque beauty of the sun rising over the water, the strangely calming effect of watching a deer graze outside your kitchen window. Never again, will I live in the city. I am an author, after all, and what better place to be inspired than in God’s own back yard.