Picture an American storyteller who spun tales of high-stakes adventure and post-apocalyptic survival—meet Sharon Ahern! Born in 1948, Sharon, alongside her late husband Jerry Ahern, crafted gripping novels that blend action, intrigue, and practical survival tips. Their partnership created a thrilling legacy in science fiction and action-adventure, captivating readers with exotic locales and resilient heroes.
Sharon’s unique voice shines through in series like The Takers and The Survivalist, where her knack for research and storytelling brings vivid worlds to life. Let’s dive into her journey, from her Chicago roots to her lasting impact on speculative fiction.
The Making of Sharon Ahern
Born in Chicago in 1948, Sharon Ahern’s story began with a fateful high school meeting. On her first day, she met Jerry Ahern, her future husband and co-author, sparking a lifelong friendship and creative partnership. Before writing novels, Sharon honed her skills in the public relations department of Illinois Bell Telephone and as a stringer for a local newspaper. Her love for research—diving into encyclopedias or, later, the internet—laid the foundation for her detailed, immersive storytelling.
Sharon’s early career was shaped by her curiosity and adaptability. When Jerry needed facts for a story, she became an instant expert, a skill that would define their collaborative writing process. This dynamic duo began publishing in the 1980s, blending their talents to create novels that thrilled readers worldwide.
Sharon Ahern’s Unforgettable Stories
Sharon and Jerry Ahern’s novels are a masterclass in action-adventure and speculative fiction. Their Takers series, starting with The Takers (1984), follows adventurer Josh Culhane and scholar Mary Mulrooney on a globe-trotting quest filled with ancient relics and gunfire. The sequel, River of Gold (1985), takes readers to the Amazon jungle, weaving exotic rituals and a mysterious city of warrior women into a pulse-pounding narrative.
The Survivalist series, a post-apocalyptic saga, is another cornerstone of Sharon’s work. Co-authored with Jerry and later Bob Anderson, it follows survivors navigating a war-torn world with practical survival techniques. Titles like The Inheritors of Earth (2013) and Blood Moon (2018) showcase Sharon’s ability to blend gritty realism with hopeful resilience. Her standalone novel, Written in Time (2010), a semi-autobiographical time-travel adventure, transports a family to the 19th century, highlighting her versatility.
Sharon’s writing style is vivid and research-driven, creating multi-layered stories that feel both thrilling and authentic. Her themes of survival, integrity, and perseverance resonate with readers, making her novels timeless adventures that spark the imagination.
Why Sharon Ahern Matters
Sharon Ahern’s impact on speculative fiction lies in her ability to craft stories that entertain while imparting real-world wisdom. The Survivalist series, with its survival tips, has inspired readers to think about resilience in extreme scenarios, earning a dedicated global fanbase. Her collaborative work with Jerry, continued with Bob Anderson after Jerry’s passing in 2012, ensures their legacy endures through reprints and audio adaptations by Graphic Audio.
Beyond her books, Sharon’s partnership with Jerry is a testament to creative synergy, blending her research prowess with his firearms expertise to create authentic, high-octane tales. Her contributions to action-adventure and post-apocalyptic genres have left an indelible mark, inviting readers to explore worlds where courage and ingenuity triumph.
- Born: 1948, Chicago, Illinois
- Key Works: The Takers, River of Gold, The Survivalist series, Written in Time
- Notable: Collaborated with Jerry Ahern on over 80 novels
Ready for an adventure? Snag The Takers or dive into The Survivalist series to experience Sharon Ahern’s thrilling worlds of action and survival!