A Small Town...A Big Mistake...A Daring Plan for a Lost Love Henrik’s relationship with Erika changed suddenly from lifelong best friend to romantic interest. The introverted, 17-year-old class valedictorian was devastated when his advances went unnoticed and she fell for the class bully. A big mistake forced her to leave the small town unexpectedly. Motivated by a never-ending love for Erika, Henrik devised a plan. It could not be done alone, so he lured Caroline into marriage, and she became an unwitting accomplice. There was little time to execute it and failure would result in an opportunity lost forever. He knew there were risks but could never have imagined or dared to whisper the ensuing drama and devastating tragedy – it would be life-changing. Would he succeed? Would he ever see Erika again? “In The Prodigy , Joe Loughran renews our faith in destiny – no matter how unlikely. The adventurous undertakings allow a reader’s imagination to run wild with a captivating story and intriguing characters. In his first novel, Linked , Joe captured the passion of feelings, emotions, and tense interactions of the teenage experience, whether it’s moving away from friends, a first crush, or bullying.”
I write historical fiction and young adult novels because I love discovering the stories behind the events that shaped our world. My goal is to transport readers into another time and place through characters who face difficult choices, personal challenges, and moments that test their courage and convictions.
I'm especially drawn to overlooked corners of history and the people whose lives were touched by larger historical forces. Whether writing for adults or younger readers, I strive to create stories that entertain, inspire, and leave readers thinking long after they've turned the final page.
My latest novel, THE OPEN: The Making of Golf's First Major, tells the sweeping story of golf's origins and the events that led to the first Open Championship in 1860. Spanning fifteen centuries of Scottish history—from the arrival of Christian relics on Scotland's shores to the rise of St Andrews, the Scottish Reformation, the Links of St. Andrews, the Jacobite Risings, and the founding of Prestwick Golf Club—the novel explores how history, faith, politics, and sport combined to shape one of golf's greatest traditions.
I'm a Pittsburgh native, husband, father of four adult children, lifelong reader, music enthusiast, dog lover, and student of history. Before becoming a novelist, I spent many years as an entrepreneur and executive in the small-package shipping industry.
Thanks for visiting my page. I hope you enjoy exploring the past as much as I enjoy bringing it to life through fiction.