Jean Hackensmith, Author
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Jacob made Rebecca a promise 14 years ago--one that he's determined to keep.
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What Am I Working On Now?
For readers of "The Willderness Saga," just a note to let you know I am about half done with Book 14, titled, "The Tides of War." If all goes well, I should finish within a couple of weeks, then comes the editing stage, which takes another couple weeks. So, release date? This time next month? Your guess is as good as mine! Below is the working blurb for "The Tides of War." Let me know in the comments what you think!
BLURB "The Tides of War" (Book 14 in "The Wilderness Saga)
October 1917: The Great War rages across Europe, and the industrial harbor of Superior, Wisconsin, has become a pressure cooker of hyper-patriotism, food rationing, and anti-German suspicion. For the sprawling Wachsmann clan, defending their legacy means meeting grueling federal milk quotas on the farm, securing vital city infrastructure at Aaron Sr.’s architectural firm, and protecting a high-stakes, secret land-conservation deal orchestrated by Martin Pattison.
When their wild child, Aaron Jr., ships out for the trenches of France, he leaves behind a heartbroken family—and a beautiful, devoted fiancée. To the community, eighteen-year-old Bonnie Harper is the perfect wartime sweetheart, effortlessly weaving herself into the heart of the bustling Wachsmann homestead and earning a permanent place at their massive Sunday dinners.
But behind Bonnie’s sweet, grieving smile lies an agenda that no one sees coming.The only person who senses the chilling shift in the wind is Cole’s blind sister, Rose. Navigating her world through hyper-attuned senses, Rose detects a microscopic, familiar trace hidden beneath Bonnie’s sweet lavender soap—an unmistakable chemical ghost that instantly drags Rose back to the terrifying night of a catastrophic waterfront arson from the previous summer.Trapped in a quiet, terrifying game of cat-and-mouse, Rose faces an agonizing choice. With her family completely blinded by the girl's charm, Rose must find a way to prove her wordless doubts. Can the Wachsmanns unmask the shadow in their midst before the changing tides of war tear their legacy apart from the inside out?
A nation at war. A home front divided. A stranger in the fold.
October 1917: The Great War rages across Europe, and the industrial harbor of Superior, Wisconsin, has become a pressure cooker of hyper-patriotism, food rationing, and anti-German suspicion. For the sprawling Wachsmann clan, defending their legacy means meeting grueling federal milk quotas on the farm, securing vital city infrastructure at Aaron Sr.’s architectural firm, and protecting a high-stakes, secret land-conservation deal orchestrated by Martin Pattison.
When their wild child, Aaron Jr., ships out for the trenches of France, he leaves behind a heartbroken family—and a beautiful, devoted fiancée. To the community, eighteen-year-old Bonnie Harper is the perfect wartime sweetheart, effortlessly weaving herself into the heart of the bustling Wachsmann homestead and earning a permanent place at their massive Sunday dinners.
But behind Bonnie’s sweet, grieving smile lies an agenda that no one sees coming. The only person who senses the chilling shift in the wind is Cole’s blind sister, Rose. Navigating her world through hyper-attuned senses, Rose detects a microscopic, familiar trace hidden beneath Bonnie’s sweet lavender soap—an unmistakable chemical ghost that instantly drags Rose back to the terrifying night of a catastrophic waterfront arson from the previous summer.
Trapped in a quiet, terrifying game of cat-and-mouse, Rose faces an agonizing choice. With her family completely blinded by the girl's charm, Rose must find a way to prove her wordless doubts. Can the Wachsmanns unmask the shadow in their midst before the changing tides of war tear their legacy apart from the inside out?
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.
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.