Introduction
For today’s "Author Spotlight", I am delighted to introduce Judy Hannigan, an author who masterfully weaves the grit of the American frontier with the tender complexities of enduring love. Judy’s stories take us to the Wyoming Territory, where the landscape is as vast as the secrets her characters keep. With a background in history and education, she brings a rich, well-researched depth to the historical Western genre, ensuring that every hoofbeat and heart-throb feels authentic.
From the Classroom to the Frontier: Judy’s Journey
Judy's passion for Westerns was sparked early on by classics like The Virginian, and that love for the "Old West" has never faded. Originally from the "fruit belt" region of Southwest Michigan near Lake Michigan, Judy dedicated much of her professional life to education. She earned a BA in Secondary Education (English and American History) and an MA in Reading from Western Michigan University, spending over six years as a high school teacher.
Her career eventually pivoted to technical editing, a role that honed the precision she now brings to her storytelling. Today, Judy writes full-time from her home in Southern Maryland. Her writing is guided by the belief that in the Old West, good people can prevail when they stand together, choose justice over mere instructions, and embrace the "found families" that bind us more tightly than blood ever could.
The Prosperity Series: Love, Memory, and Mystery
Judy’s debut and its award-winning sequel take readers on a journey through the Wyoming Territory, focusing on a couple whose love is tested by both outlaws and the shadows of their own pasts.
- Lost in Prosperity (Book 1): In Judy’s debut novel, we meet Sam Hilliard Stone, a spirited heiress who runs a gambling parlour and lives life on her own terms. Her world is shattered when a suspicious stagecoach accident leaves her with no memory of her life or her partner, Jackson Knight. As Jackson fights to protect the woman he loves from an unknown enemy, Sam must decide if the feelings she has for this "stranger" are true love or merely seductive desire. It is a compelling mix of romance and mystery that asks if the future we build is more important than the past we’ve lost.
- Everything in Prosperity (Book 2): The stakes are raised in this sequel, which earned the Literary Titan Gold Book Award in Fiction. Now married, Sam and Jackson find their bond tested by looming secrets and the arrival of figures from their past. When they conspire with a U.S. Marshal to take down a notorious gang, they must navigate a web of deceptions and self-doubt. Featuring appearances by real historical figures like Annie Oakley, this instalment explores the courage required to fight for everything that matters.
What Readers Are Saying About Judy Hannigan's Work:
Judy’s work has been celebrated for its cinematic quality, relatable characters, and the way it subverts traditional Western tropes. Here is a look at the feedback from her readers:
- "Lost in Prosperity masterfully blends romance, suspense, and a deep sense of found family. The dynamic between Jackson and Sam is beautiful... a cowboy-filled, thrilling, heartwarming story." - Lily Edgerton on Lost in Prosperity, 4 Stars, Goodreads
- "It wasn't your typical western romance as it's also suspenseful with some twists and turns you won't see coming. The characters are relatable and the story line is captivating." - Anna on Lost in Prosperity, 5 Stars, Goodreads
- "This book has everything in it - romance, suspense, drama, mystery, and horror... I love the story of Sam and Jackson’s relationship and how important their family and friends are to them." - Mitzi Roth on Lost in Prosperity, 5 Stars, Goodreads
- "Raw, powerful, and full of heart. And the way it’s written? It plays out like a Western movie—scene by scene, right there in your mind." - Kaitlyn Marquart on Everything in Prosperity, 5 Stars, Goodreads
- "The bond between Sam and Jackson feels so real and raw, and watching their relationship get tested by old secrets and new challenges made me empathize with them every step of the way." - Nicholas Westerfer on Everything in Prosperity, 5 Stars, Goodreads
- "What a great read! This story transported me back to the wild, wild west with great writing and well-researched historical details. Including real historical personalities like Annie Oakley definitely added authenticity to the plot." - April Pickering on Everything in Prosperity, 5 Stars, Goodreads
You can see more reviews and details on Amazon.
A Call to Connection
If you are looking for a romance that offers more than just a sunset ride—one filled with suspense, historical detail, and "found family"—I highly recommend following Judy’s journey. You can find her on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads.
You can purchase her books through the Amazon affiliate links below:
Conclusion
Judy Hannigan has a gift for making the historical feel immediate and the romantic feel timeless. By blending the ruggedness of the Wyoming Territory with the delicate intricacies of trust and memory, she has created a series that is as gripping as it is moving. Thank you, Judy, for sharing your stories of justice and love with us!
Thanks for reading!
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