Tag Archive | Historical

Newsletter – September 2026

Sep7

People often ask me if I’ve read the current, number-one bestseller. Someday, I sure hope to! I always have my nose in a book, either as an author or an editor. I have the exciting task of putting my eyes on manuscripts before they reach publication. As for simply reading to read, there aren’t enough hours in the day! And yet, I have high hopes that a book I’ve been a part of will reach that bestseller list. It would be a good cause for celebration!

A few of my own books came close. I was within a ‘hair’ of being on that coveted list when the third book of my Smoky Mountain Secrets Saga came out. “Murmurs in the Mountains” fell shy by only a few books sold (or unsold in this case). Still, I was thrilled to be in the top 100 list of Historical Fiction authors on Amazon for about six months.

My husband and I were talking about all this earlier today, while taking advantage of the cooler air outside on our deck. We like to drink our coffee out there and simply take in the stillness of the morning. Yet, it has been so hot lately that it quickly becomes uncomfortable outside. Okay… I went down a rabbit hole. Back to the subject at hand:

I was telling him how I’d never been looking for fame as an author. Truthfully, there are only a handful of authors known to the masses. Unless you’re a Jeopardy contestant (who seem to know everything!), a lot of people don’t know the names of the authors who write the books they love. Especially if they only see the movies and don’t read the books. From the very beginning, what I truly wanted from my books was for people to actually read them, and more importantly, enjoy them. I wanted my stories to have a lasting effect that would touch their heart in some way. I feel incredibly blessed that my stories have been in many hands over the years.

I used to use the above banner at the top of my old newsletter format. (Thank you, Jody Wallace, for creating it!) The quote fits what I’ve been talking about. I don’t ask to be a famous author, I merely want to be able to keep writing and continue touching hearts. You have no idea how much I appreciate it when you tell other people about my books and encourage them to give them a try.

I love hearing from you, too. It’s the fuel I need to keep my writing mojo going! I spend so much time in my office at my laptop, and at times, I become a bit of a hermit. And since this past year has kept me home more than usual, I started really missing the interaction with my readers. I’m happy to say that I’ll be doing some in-person events in the coming weeks and months. Just in time for the holidays!

I’m also very happy to announce that I recently signed a contract with Word Wise Media Services for agent representation. I’ll be working with agent, Steven Hutson, to find the perfect home for my most recent work of historical fiction, “You Took My Place.” I hope this will open some new doors for me and enable me to keep doing what I love.

As for those in-person events, I’ll be at Autumn in the Brier in Greenbrier, TN on Saturday, September 19th from 9:00 till 3:00.

Screenshot

This event is so much fun for the entire family! Lots of things to look at, listen to, and eat. Praying for great weather! Not too hot, and definitely no rain that day.

Be sure to come by and say hello!

And if you can’t be there, reply to this newsletter and let me know how you’re doing. As I said before, I love hearing from you!

God bless,

Jeanne

Newsletter – July 2025

Jul30

Hello, friends!

Hot, hot, hot!

I recently posted on Facebook about how hot it is, and how I enjoy spending my days indoors, writing. I had many comments from all over the U.S. where people remarked about the high temps in their areas, too. Of course, it is summer, but this year feels exceptionally hot. We’re all suffering together!

I am so grateful for air conditioning. I can’t imagine life without it, although I know many people in the world don’t have this luxury. We keep our thermostat set a bit high to help compensate for the energy being so widely used in this extreme weather, but without AC at all, it would be unbearable.

A swimming pool would be nice right about now–or a clear-running stream close to the house that I could dip my toes into. (Snake-free, of course!) Or what about this lovely fountain! This photo is from my visit to Mobile, AL, where my Southern Secrets Saga is set.

Since I don’t have any of those options, I’ll settle for sitting in my cool office, happily typing away this newsletter. Soon, I’ll be back to working on my newest book.

Ardent Adelia is creeping closer and closer to being done. Woo-hoo! Part of my storyline was inspired by an experience I had the first time I spent the night with a friend that I’d known nearly all my life. I was around twelve years old, and I considered her my best friend at the time. What I discovered on that overnighter was that she was different from what I expected. Going to school together put us in a familiar atmosphere, whereas her homelife introduced me to someone who felt like a stranger. No one in her family was at all mean, my friend just didn’t seem like the same person. I was so uncomfortable at her house, that I got sick to my stomach and called my mom because I wanted to go home. And I did.

Something very similar happens to my characters in Ardent Adelia. Of course, there’s a whole lot more to the plotline, but you’ll have to wait a little longer to find out what it is.

It has been a while since I shared the cover design for this book, so here it is again! Stay tuned to future newsletters for a release date. In the meantime, be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram: jeannehardtauthor

I hope you’re finding ways to stay cool, and maybe being inside will give you the opportunity to read a book or two! I appreciate your readership and will do my best to keep bringing you engaging stories.

With Love,

Jeanne

Newsletter – June 2025

Jun30

What? It’s already the last day of June? How did that happen?

If anyone can figure out how to squeeze more than twenty-four hours in a day, please share. Time sure flies. Yet, as busy as I’ve been, I managed to squeeze a much-needed getaway with my husband into this rapidly waning month. June is our anniversary month, and we celebrated number twenty-nine.

We love going to the Smokies, so that’s usually our anniversary destination. The past few years, we had other places to go, but this year we returned to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, and of course, we ventured to Cades Cove while we were in the area. A trip to the Smoky Mountains wouldn’t be complete without spending a little time in the cove.

We went to a shop in Pigeon Forge that we’d never been to before. It’s the Moon Pie Store and Book Warehouse. A friend of mine told me that she saw my books there, so I had to stop and see for myself!

Here are some photos she sent me:

Needless to say, I was excited to see them there myself!

Okay…. this last photo is definitely in your face–well, in MY face! But as you can see, I was happy to see the books there.

If you’re ever in Pigeon Forge, TN, I highly recommend that you visit this shop. Not only do they sell books and Moon Pies, they have a wonderful assortment of gift items. It’s a huge store with something for everyone. Next year, when I go back to the area, they’re planning to host a book-signing for me. I’m looking forward to that! It doesn’t hurt that I happen to love Moon Pies. They sell minis in variety boxes, and you can choose which flavors you want to fill your box. My new favorite flavor is salted caramel. Yum!

Now for the bad news… Sigh….

I haven’t yet finished Ardent Adelia. It’s well over halfway done–I promise! However, as I said, this month flew by, and I had other projects to complete along with the book and travel. I suppose I’d be smarter never to quote an expected date to be finished with a work in progress. I impose deadlines on myself, however, life keeps happening, and sometimes, other things have greater importance than writing.

Later this week, we’ll be celebrating our country’s independence. The world is in turmoil, and there are times things seem hopeless, but please, never lose hope. Celebrate this Fourth of July with vigor and remember the sacrifices made to attain our freedom. We’re so blessed in this country, and it’s crucial that we never take those blessings for granted or forget how we got where we are.

Wishing you all a very happy holiday!

God bless America!

Jeanne

Newsletter – April 2025

Apr29

This month certainly flew by….

We spent many days traveling–lots of road time! If any of you have driven across the country, then you know what it’s like. I’m always amazed at the difference in terrain from one state to the next. We saw everything from desert-like baren land to lush mountains covered in trees and even a little remaining snow.

This photo was taken just outside of Deer Lodge, Montana. If you’ve read my series, “His Heart’s Long Journey,” then you might recognize the city name. When I saw the road sign, I just had to take the photo! I love seeing in person where my characters ventured.

There’s so much beauty in this country! People often ask me if I’d consider moving back to Idaho–even my husband asked me that question on this trip. Yes, Northern Idaho is gorgeous and I grew up there, but now that I’ve lived in Tennessee for more than thirty years, it’s home. I enjoyed spending time where I lived in my youth, but a lot of it has changed. The area grew up, too! Coeur d’Alene (where I lived right before moving to Tennessee), has more than doubled in population. It made me a little sad to see all the congestion. However, people that have no idea what it was like in “the old days” absolutely love it. They’ve embraced the mountains and lakes and the city’s pristine beauty. I preferred it before all the high-rises filled the downtown landscape.

Here’s a photo taken going into Coeur d’Alene. It truly is gorgeous!

I fully understand the saying “Home is Where the Heart Is.” My heart is here in the South with my husband and my sweet dog, Jax. I’m at peace here, and at my age, I see that as a very good thing! I don’t need any kind of fast-paced life anymore. Maybe that’s what I saw changed in my old home town. The place is ‘buzzing’ more than it used to. It’s still fun to visit, but I’m happy to be home.

I often wonder about the people who live way out in the vastness of states such as South Dakota and Wyoming, where houses dot the landscape here and there. Miles and miles between each one. For me, that’s too laid back! Too quiet and no ‘buzz’ at all. But I’m sure the people who grew up there and still embrace it would feel stifled in my small town in Tennessee. It’s things like this that inspire my stories.

I’ll be giving a workshop next month at a writer’s conference in Clarksville, TN, that centers around the concept that a character’s environment blends with the character to make them who they are. Lily Larsen, from my book “Whispers from the Cove,” would be a completely different person if she had been raised in St. Louis, MO, rather than in the Smoky Mountains. Our environment definitely shapes us–as do the people that surround us. I’m excited to lead this workshop!

Think about your favorite stories and try to imagine your characters in a different setting. Let me know what you think! Would it completely change the story?

I’d also love to hear what drew you to live where you are. Is it where you grew up, or were you “transplanted” there?

You’ll be glad to know that “Ardent Adelia” is rolling right along. I took time off from writing while on my trip, but I’m back at it again and excited to bring her story to you!

Thank you for sharing all my adventures with me!

HUGS!

Jeanne

FREE Download – Hidden in the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Sep17

Would you like to know what’s hidden in the Blue Ridge Mountains? Well, if you love a good mystery/romance, you’ll want to read this book! Today, September 19th, through Thursday, September 21st, you can download the eBook for free on Amazon!

Here’s a little bit about the book:

Jason Williams is fortunate to be a stable worker at Biltmore Estate—one of the most luxurious homes in the country. He’s a troubled soul, and he’s hiding something. The obscurity of the Blue Ridge Mountains seemed like the perfect place. However, now that Mr. Vanderbilt, the owner of the estate, has married a woman who brings countless newcomers to the manor, Jason fears that what he has hidden will be unearthed.

Maisy Fulton, a kind and caring laundress, is intrigued by Jason. He’s handsome and dedicated to his work, but he avoids interaction with others as much as possible. He rarely speaks to anyone. She’s determined to find out why, even though her desire to befriend him isn’t well received.

Her loving heart pushes her to persevere, yet she soon discovers that the mystery of Mr. Williams may never be solved. Secrets and lies, heartache and loss, plague their lives and compound their troubled friendship. Only when the stakes are at their highest do their revelations heal the past and forge a path toward an unexpected future.

Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL25ZCWD

I hope you’ll enjoy the book!

FREE eBook! “Forsaken by Love”

May7

If you haven’t had the chance to read “His Heart’s Long Journey,” this is the perfect time to grab a copy of “Forsaken by Love,” which is the first book in the three-book series. May 7th thru May 11th, you can get a free eBook copy on Amazon! And don’t worry…book one doesn’t end with a cliffhanger like I do in several of my other series. You’ll be happy to find a satisfying ending. However, I hope it will inspire you to move on to book two and three for the continued story of Vern Harpole. He has some incredible adventures!

This series is based on the true story of my friend, Ann Wood’s, ancestor. Annie told me the story when we met for lunch one day, and she kindly gave me permission to write about Vern’s life and helped me with as many details as she could remember from things passed down through the family.

Vern Harpole was only eight years old when his mother left him on the porch of a bakery in Kansas City. She abandoned him and disappeared. Though Vern was taken in and raised by the kind baker and his wife, Vern still struggled with his abandonment. Once he became a grown man, he felt compelled to go West.

This story tells how he found his true love–who had her own troubled past–and how they supported each other and found a way to move forward together.

Grab your free eBook today! Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082QWKM56

Morgan on the Rim – Featured Author!

Oct26

I was thrilled to be invited as one of the featured authors at the Civil War Reenactment scheduled for this coming weekend in Ridgetop, Tennessee!

Most of my books are set either right before the war, during the war, or after the war at the time of Reconstruction. When I first started writing, agents, other authors, and publishers cautioned me against choosing this time period to set my stories. However, if you’ve followed my blog, you know that a dream inspired my first series, and from then on, I’ve felt compelled to write about the struggles this nation went through during that difficult time. I believe wholeheartedly that although this was a sad time for our country, it’s crucial that what happened isn’t forgotten. Hopefully, by remembering these events, we can learn from them and prevent them from happening again. If you’re in the area this weekend, come by and experience something you’ll not soon forget!

Here are the books I’ll be featuring!

The Smoky Mountain Secrets Saga. Book one, “Whispers from the Cove,” takes place at the end of the Civil War in Cades Cove, Tennessee. You’ll learn about the struggles of the poor farming families as they try to cope with soldiers from both sides coming into their cove and helping themselves to whatever they please. The families are affected by the war in more than one way, and it forever changes their lives. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZYYY5WK
A Confederate soldier returns to his Atlanta home to find it burned to the ground and his family gone. Distraught, he hops a train, thinking he’s going west, but wakes up in a hospital bed in Boston, Massachusetts. He fearfully pretends to be mute, so those caring for him won’t know he’s from the South. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PB84TTO
Follow five families in the Southern Secrets Saga as they learn to cope with life in Mobile, Alabama after the war. This seven-book series spans two generations. This series is my dream-inspired work and definitely the steamiest of all my books! This is by no means a ‘typical’ romance series. It takes many surprising turns. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0139LASFS
The River Romance series begins prior to the Civil War, and a good portion of the stories take place on steamboats on the Mississippi River. Each book is a stand-alone and comes to a conclusion. Yet, the series continues the stories of characters you’ll meet along the way. In book three, “Forgotten,” young Billy goes to fight for the Union Army. He’s fallen in love with a mixed-race slave who works for his family, and he’s determined to fight for her freedom. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZYCQIP0

For more detailed information about all of these books, be sure to check out my book tab!

Have You Taken the Journey Yet?

Jul22

It’s the perfect time for summer traveling, but with today’s high gas prices, it’s not always feasible. So, here’s an alternative!

Take a journey with me through the pages of “His Heart’s Long Journey!” This series is based on the true story of Vern Harpole. At the age of eight, Vern is abandoned by his mother and left on the porch of a bakery in Kansas City. The kind baker and his wife take Vern in after they’re unable to locate Vern’s mother.

They teach Vern everything he needs to know about baking and running a business. They also grow to love him, and vice versa. Yet, the need to know why he was abandoned troubles Vern, and he can’t let it go. In addition, something keeps compelling him to go West. His life’s journey takes him on quite an adventure.

Today thru Tuesday, July 26th, book one, “Forsaken by Love” is available as a FREE download from Amazon. Here’s a little more about the book!

Ready to read?!

Whispers from the Cove

Mar11

When I first visited Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains, I was taken back in time. If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you’ve likely seen many posts about the smokies and my passion for the history of the cove and the people who lived there.

I’m excited to share this beautiful video produced by Vince Pinkerton! He captured the feel of my story and gave me abundant chills in the process. It’s incredible to see this come to life, if only for a brief 30-second clip!

If you’ve not yet delved into the Smoky Mountain Secrets Saga, I hope you’ll consider giving it a read. Book one is just the beginning. After all, the series is a ‘saga.’ My prayer is that we’ll learn from our history and not repeat the same mistakes.

“Whispers from the Cove” is available on Amazon in paperback, ebook, and audiobook. Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZYYY5WK

The Devil Plays Six Strings

Mar8

I had the privilege of being able to preview Vince Pinkerton’s debut novel, The Devil Plays Six Strings. Making me even happier, Vince allowed me to edit it, putting me even deeper into the incredible story. I told him that it was fine as it was, (he’s a brilliant writer), and that it just needed a little polish. Kind of like putting wax on your favorite fancy sportscar. I wanted his book to shine.

It’s not the sort of book I typically read, but I couldn’t put it down! There are parts that get very dark and disturbing, but what can you expect when a down-on-his luck man sells his soul to the devil in order to provide food and a home for himself and his infant son?

This story opens in 1930–a time when racial tension was even worse than it presently is. The main character, Elijah, is a black man who loses his wife after giving birth to their son. She possessed a deep faith that made her shine, and she wanted Elijah to grasp onto that faith, make good choices in his life, and pass on all things good to their baby boy. Unfortunately, Elijah doesn’t choose wisely, even though he tries to do what he thinks is best.

This isn’t a feel-good book, but it’s definitely thought-provoking. You’ll find yourself cheering the good characters on and cringing whenever the evil ones come onto the page. Mr. Pinkerton paints imagery with words almost too well!

I highly recommend this memorable book! You can find it on Amazon in ebook and paperback. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TVSB4ML