I’m thrilled to have Jan Sikes here today today and share the good news of a new release, “A Beggar’s Bargain!” It was released yesterday and I have started reading it! Been looking forward to this one, and a review will follow!
I am so excited to be kicking off a blog tour for my new book at your blog site, Denise. Thank you so much for allowing me to take over.
Very often, authors are asked where the inspiration stories come from and, as a reader, I’m always interested in hearing the answers.
Therefore, I’m going to start this tour with my inspiration for A Beggar’s Bargain.
I am an avid fan of Texas music and the artists who make the music. So, anytime I am in the car, my radio is always on and most often on a local station that plays the indie artists I enjoy and follow.
Each afternoon, I drive out to my daughter’s to take care of the grandchildren for a few hours until she and her husband get off work. I was on my way out one afternoon when a new song caught my attention. I listen to the lyrics, always looking for a message or two. And this one grabbed me.
I had to pull over and jot down “A Beggar’s Bargain,” having no idea what the story would be, but I had the title. Those three words rolled around in my head for a while before the story started to form. First came the time period. It needed to be set in the 1940s following World War II. Then came the setting. Most of the stories I’ve written have been set in Texas (write what you know and all that.) But this one needed some place different. I went back and forth between Oklahoma and Missouri, finally settling on Missouri because my mother was born there. Then I got a map and searched out small towns in the southern part of the state and landed on the tiny town of Everton. Bingo! I had the time and place. Next came the characters.
But I digress. The inspiration for this story came from this song by The Damn Quails (yes, that’s their real name), if you’d like to listen.
https://youtu.be/4s8oH5Libqs?si=wrYBJtyx8ddHp22w
You never know where an idea will come from. It keeps us on our toes!
Book Blurb:
A shocking proposal that changes everything.
Desperate to honor his father’s dying wish, Layken Martin vows to do whatever it takes to save the family farm.
Once the Army discharges him following World War II, Layken returns to Missouri to find his legacy in shambles and in jeopardy. A foreclosure notice from the bank doubles the threat. He appeals to the local banker for more time—a chance to rebuild, plant, and harvest crops and time to heal far away from the noise of bombs and gunfire.
Only the banker firmly denies his request. Now what?
Then, the banker makes an alternative proposition—marry his unwanted daughter, Sara Beth, in exchange for a two-year extension. Out of options, money, and time, Layken agrees to the bargain.
Now, he has two years to make a living off the land while he shares his life with a stranger.
If he fails at either, he’ll lose it all.
UNIVERSAL PURCHASE LINK:
https://books2read.com/u/3nqqEo
BOOK TRAILER LINK:
https://youtu.be/G6vMqD4SuQ4?si=aZG6RCZbFlhJfuxB
One more thing! I will be a guest on the Fresh Ink Podcast tonight. Here is more information and the link.
LINK
AUTHOR’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
UNIVERSAL LINK: https://linktr.ee/Rijanjks
OR INDIVIDUALLY
https://www.twitter.com/jansikes3
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanSikesBooks
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-sikes
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00CS9K8DK (Author Page)
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7095856.Jan_Sikes
Congratulations, Jan! I wish you all the best and look forward to the read. And thank you, Denise, for spotlighting A Beggar’s Bargain. ❤️
It’s a great read, Gwen:) I’m thrilled to share it!
Thank you, Gwen. I hope you enjoy the story. I appreciate you stopping by to help launch this new book!
What a fun inspiration for a story!
I love learning where the inspiration comes from, Priscilla:)
Inspiration can come from anywhere and it’s always fun to me to learn where authors get their ideas. Thank you for stopping by!
That’s so cool that your title came from some lyrics.
Isn’t that a great way to get a title, Craig? Sure fits the story, too.
It hit me that day like a ton of bricks. I knew I had to use it somehow. So the story came after the title. Thank you for stopping by!
I love hearing where story ideas come from. (Lyrics often inspire me, too.) Wishing you all the best with this one, Jan.
Thanks for hosting, Denise.
Thank you so much, Staci. I always love hearing where authors get their ideas for stories and it’s fun to share. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment!
I love learning that too, Staci. It was a very fitting beginning for such a good read!
I agree with Craig, that it’s cool that the book title came from a song. 😎 Thanks for honoring Jan’s new release, Denise. 😊
Thank you, Tim. I am happy you stopped by. I appreciate the support!
It is an honor to kick off Jan’s tour, Timothy, for such a good read 🙂
Congratulations on the new release, Jan. Music and songs often inspire stories for me as well. Wishing you all the best. Thanks for hosting today, Denise.
I’m happy to kick the tour off, Joan 🙂 I love it when music flows naturally in stories and in the ideas for it.
Congratulations, Jan! This is wonderful!
Thanks for hosting, Denise.
Thank you, Kymber!
I’m so happy to kick off the tour for such a good read, Kymber 🙂
Congratulations, Jan–and thanks for the background. Sharing…
My pleasure, Jacqui. I’m always interested to know where story ideas come from and it was fun to share! Thank you for stopping by to support!
I always love learning the background of a story, Jacqui 🙂 I appreciate the share xo
I’m listening to Fool’s Gold as I type this comment, Jan. A great melody!
And a great big congratulations on the release of A Beggar’s Bargain. I’ve got my copy and am looking forward to the read!
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, Mae. Glad you liked the song. Strange how a phrase will hit your brain and explode into something completely different. I appreciate your support!
You have a wonderful read ahead, Mae 🙂
What a great concept for a story!
Thank you, Annette! I appreciate you stopping by!
It was a great concept that made for a great read, Annette:)
Congratulations to Jan on her latest. Thanks for hosting, Denise.
Thank you so much, John!
😊
I’m excited to kick off her tour, John:)
I had to pop over, Sister, and add my thoughts. This book has propelled you to a whole new level of writing. It’s very literary and writers would give they eye-teeth for a story like this. I remember you calling me the day you listened to that song and were so excited but at the time you were kicking around a short story. I’m glad you went for the big book because it needs to be in order to do it justice. These characters and this plot make for an unforgettable story. Wishing you tons of success!
Awwww, thank you for being my cheerleader, sister. I’m glad I didn’t keep it as a short story. There is no way I could have done it justice. I love the characters and the story and hope readers do too. Thank you so much for all of your amazing support! Love you!
I have to agree with you, Linda. This story is a new and wonderful level for Jan. I couldn’t put it down and read it in two days.
Best of luck with your tour and new book, Jan. (Thanks for leading off the tour, Denise.) I am always fascinated to learn about an author’s inspiration for their individual books, so that was quite interesting. I bet music has been a firestarter for many stories.
I’m happy to start off the tour, Pete 🙂 I love learning the inspiration behind stories, too. I have a feeling you are right about that with music.
I would agree, Pete. I’d dare say songs have sparked many stories through the years. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment today!
Thank you Denise and Jan. It sounds like a really intriguing book and I put in my TBR list. It is very interesting to learn about the background to a book. This is a great start of a book tour.
It’s a fantastic read, Thomas 🙂 I love hearing how stories come about.
Thank you so much, Thomas. I’m happy you stopped by and glad you enjoyed the posst!
Mega congrats, Jan.
Thanks for hosting, Denise.
scoxox
I’m happy to host and share this good read, Sandra 🙂
Thank you, Sandra! I’m happy you stopped by!
Congrats, Jan. I love the cover and the concept. It’s bad enough those brave soldiers fought for freedom; you’d think banks could show some leniency.
I have my copy and look forward to starting it soon!
Whoo hoo!! Thank you so much, Jacquie. I truly hope you enjoy the story. And I’d have to agree about the banks.
I thought the same thing, Jacquie. You have some good reading ahead 🙂
I’m listening to the song now. Wow, what a great song! I can see how it would inspire a novel. All the best!
Awww, thank you for your comment, Liz!
Thanks for stopping by, Liz xo
Thank you so much, Denise, for launching the book tour for A Beggar’s Bargain! And thank you for the kind words about the book. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it!
I was happy to be part of your tour, Jan 🙂 Great story that I hope gets a lot of readers! Xo
I always love to hear where authors get their ideas, Jan. You’re right – you never know when inspiration will hit. An empty field in front of a forest and a old Victorian house downtown spawned ideas for my latest novel. Congrats on the new release – thanks for hosting, Denise!
I love to hear where the story ideas come from, too, Teri 🙂 I already like an old victorian and empty field!
Hi Denise, a lovely promotional post. Thanks for hosting Jan.
So happy to share the good news of Jan’s great read, Robbie 🙂 xo
Another wonderful book from Jan I am sure Denise ♥
It is really, Sally. Hugs xo
Fascinating to learn how you came up with the title, Jan. I can never really settle when working on a story till I have the title nailed down.
Denise, Hope your work is going well:)
scoxox
I love learning how stories and titles start, Sandra 🙂 I usually don’t have a title until I get a grasp of the story. Going well, thank you. I hope yours is too xo
Congratulations, Jan!
Cheers to you, Jan! Congratulations on another amazing achievement. Wishing you all the best!
Thanks for sharing the joy, Denise! 🙂
It is an amazing achievement, Natalie, I agree 🙂 I’m happy to spread the joy of it. Xo
Congrats to Jan on her new release. I love how the title came from a song. It only take a tiny spark to ignite our imaginations. 🙂 xx
Yes, it always amazes me hearing where the idea came from and how it grew, Debby xo
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