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Linked
Greetings from Junction, Alabama
It’s a welcoming place
Except if you are Tucker O’Neill
An unexpected move from Massachusetts to Alabama took 17-year-old Tucker away from friends, a beloved golf course, and the hope of winning a state championship. He was in the unenviable position of being the new kid in town, the one with a different accent. His resentment waned when he met next-door neighbor, Priscilla – the prettiest girl in town. However, the excitement was short-lived when her jealous, uber-rich boyfriend and reigning state golf champion harassed him at every turn. Tucker knew the move would not be easy, but he never imagined it would be so difficult.
Tucker had a choice: maintain self-control or give in to mounting pressure. In a moment of desperation, he compromised his integrity for the sake of pride and was forced to live with the indiscretion while battling to make the golf team. He gained support from new friendships and found peace and tranquility in an old, rusty bench he restored. It was a place of reflection while he coped with the difficulties encountered in the small town.
It’s a welcoming place
Except if you are Tucker O’Neill
An unexpected move from Massachusetts to Alabama took 17-year-old Tucker away from friends, a beloved golf course, and the hope of winning a state championship. He was in the unenviable position of being the new kid in town, the one with a different accent. His resentment waned when he met next-door neighbor, Priscilla – the prettiest girl in town. However, the excitement was short-lived when her jealous, uber-rich boyfriend and reigning state golf champion harassed him at every turn. Tucker knew the move would not be easy, but he never imagined it would be so difficult.
Tucker had a choice: maintain self-control or give in to mounting pressure. In a moment of desperation, he compromised his integrity for the sake of pride and was forced to live with the indiscretion while battling to make the golf team. He gained support from new friendships and found peace and tranquility in an old, rusty bench he restored. It was a place of reflection while he coped with the difficulties encountered in the small town.
229 pages, Hardcover
Published June 15, 2021
About the author
Joe Loughran
11 books14 followers 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 26, 2022
Great coming of age book!
Joe Loughran’s book Linked brings to the pages the story of young Tucker as he unwilling moves from his long time home in Massachusetts to Alabama. He leaves his school and his friends and also his growing success in the sport of golf. Arriving in Alabama, he develops a youthful crush on his neighbor Priscilla. Priscilla’s boyfriend Chip turns out to be the captain of the school’s golf team. Jealousy over Priscilla’s attention to Tucker and Tucker’s obvious prowess on the golf course causes harassment by Chip and shady tactics to keep Tucker off of the golf team. Tucker also fights with his conscience regarding his integrity reaching out to the local pastor as he questions his own sportsmanship.
Linked is a novel sure to resonate with today’s youth as it relates not only to teen age years, but relationships and overcoming life’s challenges.
Joe Loughran’s book Linked brings to the pages the story of young Tucker as he unwilling moves from his long time home in Massachusetts to Alabama. He leaves his school and his friends and also his growing success in the sport of golf. Arriving in Alabama, he develops a youthful crush on his neighbor Priscilla. Priscilla’s boyfriend Chip turns out to be the captain of the school’s golf team. Jealousy over Priscilla’s attention to Tucker and Tucker’s obvious prowess on the golf course causes harassment by Chip and shady tactics to keep Tucker off of the golf team. Tucker also fights with his conscience regarding his integrity reaching out to the local pastor as he questions his own sportsmanship.
Linked is a novel sure to resonate with today’s youth as it relates not only to teen age years, but relationships and overcoming life’s challenges.
June 9, 2022
This book has a lot of golf talk in it. I know nothing about that so those parts I found tough to read and not all that interesting. However the rest of the book had me extremely hooked so I was able to overlook the golf terms and had no trouble reading to the end. It did not disappoint.
January 22, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great story that is a perfect fit in the young adult genre. Regardless, I would recommend it for adults and young adults alike.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews