Jean Hackensmith, Author
My Newest Release
My Newest Release
"The Silent War",
Book Eleven in
The Wilderness Saga
Now Available on Amazon!
When the Wachsmann family finds that their lands border a massive “cutoff”—a vast, stump-laden tract of land left behind by the lumber companies—they find themselves on the precipice of a devastating natural disaster. A subterranean peat fire has been smoldering for years and begins to surface on their property, threatening to swallow their grazing lands from below. To add insult to injury, the generous wages offered by the docks and shipyard in Superior siphon away their workers, forcing the family to return to a simpler time—a time when they each worked the dairy farm with their own two hands.
Meanwhile. a wealthy investor arrives with a brutal lure: dam a vital creek on their land to generate hydroelectric power. The proposal becomes a spark that detonates a generational rift. The younger members chase a future powered by electricity and progress; the elders fear the irreversible toll on the land’s wild heart and the legacy they’ve sworn to protect.
With the environment being overrun by disaster, finances on the edge, and loyalties strained to the point of rupture, the Wachsmann’s must wage a silent war against time itself.
Over 25,000 Copies Sold
Jacob made Rebecca a promise 14 years ago--one that he's determined to keep.
Exclusively on Amazon.com
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If you liked "The Promise," you will LOVE
"Seeds of Hope"
Book One in "The Dirty Thirties Saga"
Where ambition forges
with resilience
What Am I Working On Now?
Ingrid Jones, Cover Illustrator
Glad you asked! I am currently about 100 pages into Book Twelve in The Wilderness Saga, titled "In The Comet's Shadow." While waiting for the cover art for "A Silent War" (which was just released) I was able to get a jump start on this book, which is a good thing, since I anticipate it being a little longer than the other books.
Below is the working blurb for "In The Comet's Shadow". I'll add the cover art when I get it.
Happy Reading!
In The Comet's Shadow Blurb
With their former pasture now flooded for the new reservoir, eerie "ghost lights" begin to dance over the drowning grasslands, fueling local superstitions that the ghosts of past are rising with the water. In the skies above, a greater omen approaches: Halley’s Comet is nearing its peak, bringing a global hysteria that the Earth will soon be choked by poisonous gas.
Navigating this world of scientific wonder and ancient fear is Rachael Dunlap, a former "computer" from the Yerkes Observatory. While she relies on the cold mathematics of the stars to debunk the "Cyanogen Panic," the rest of the valley remains caught in the grip of the unknown. Amidst the mounting panic, Cole and his brother Evan head to a federal courtroom in Superior to finalize a bitter legal battle over the 1906 Interstate Bridge collapse.
With the spirited Charlie Davenport by his side, Cole must decide if he is truly building a future for the Wachsmann’s—or if he is simply pouring concrete over a history that refuses to stay submerged.
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, with many more languages coming soon. 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 availabe in Spanish as well 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.
BOOK EIGHT
In The Wilderness Saga
Now Available In eBook, Audiobook
and Paperback!