Jean L. Hackensmith

I have been writing since the age of twenty. (That’s 47 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.

Please also check out my new stories, The Promise and The Forgotten Fire. Both are available through Amazon's new Kindle Vella. The Promise takes place in Oklahoma in the 1930's during the time of the Dust Bowl. It's amazing, and heartbreaking, what those people went through to survive the most infamous drought in American history. And, of course, because I'm writing it, there is also plenty of romance!

The Forgotten Fire is the heart wrenching story of a wild fire in northwestern Wisconsin that was overshadowed by The Great Chicago Fire, which drew the nation's attention on October 8, 1871 when 300 people died. There was another fire on that day, though, in a little town called Peshtigo, Wisconsin. The Peshtigo Fire was the largest wildfire in US history, yet it was also the "forgotten fire." A firestorm packing 100 mile-an-hour winds destroyed the town in one hour, killing 800 people in the city of Peshtigo alone, and burning 1.2 million acres of old growth forest. It is a story that deserves to be told.