I’m thrilled to have Jan Sikes here today to share her latest, Fringes, Heartstrings, and Lyrics. Here is my Five-Star Review.
Thank you, Denise, for allowing me to take over your blog and talk about my new book, Fringes, Heartstrings, and Lyrics.
I’ve often talked about how stories can come from anywhere, and that is true. One night, I dreamed about a young woman sitting in her car. She suddenly dropped her head into her hands and screamed, “NO!” Then she tossed a bag onto the passenger seat. That was all I got. I had no idea who she was or what had her so torn up, but I knew it was a story. So, that wound up being a new story for this collection under the Heartstrings section. Here’s a short excerpt:
***
While she waited, Riley considered how lucky she’d been that it was Jayden who found her walking on the road that night.
She never should’ve gone to the party.
And damned sure should never have gotten in the car with a stranger.
But she did. If only her father weren’t always so strict. Most of the time, he couldn’t even stand to look at her. That hurt her to the core. She simply couldn’t be what he wanted or expected. And now, when she was so close to escaping small-town life and his suppression, this had to happen.
Surely God must hate her. True, she hadn’t given him much reason not to.
Finally, Jayden slid into the passenger seat. He’d scrubbed the grime from his hands and combed his hair.
“What’s happening?”
“My life is over.” She choked. “Over before it even started.”
He fastened his seatbelt. “Let’s go to our favorite diner. It seems to be the best place to solve problems. That is, if you’re up to driving. If not, we can go in my car.”
“I can drive.” She took the last sip of her Coke and started the engine.
BOOK BLURB:
At the edge of the world, and the center of the heart, you’ll find stories that linger.
Fringes explores dystopian futures where survival is uncertain and hope is fragile. In A Foreign World, The Forgotten, and Yearning for Paradise, humanity is pushed to its limits.
Heartstrings turns toward the warmth of love, resilience, and second chances. Stories such as A Promise Broken – A Promise Kept, She Dances with a Memory, and When Love Isn’t Enough remind us that the human spirit endures.
Lyrics captures life in poetry—moments of longing, faith, and reflection in pieces like Comes the Dawn, Society, and The Blind Man in the Night.
From chilling possibilities to comforting truths, Fringes, Heartstrings & Lyrics is a genre-blending collection of short fiction and poetry that will make you think, feel, and return again and again.
PURCHASE LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Fringes-Heartstrings-Lyrics-Jan-Sikes-ebook/dp/B0GRWQC3SH/
BIO:
Jan Sikes is a multi-award-winning author, who writes compelling and creative stories from the heart.
She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author, although she’s been an avid reader all her life. But she had a story to tell—Not just any story, but a true story to rival any fiction creation. She brought the powerful true story to life through fictitious characters in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books, accompanying music CDs, and a book of poetry and art.
And now, this author can’t put down the pen. She continues to write fiction in a variety of genres and has published many award-winning short stories and novels. She is an active blogger, a member of the Story Empire group, loves to support indie artists (both literary and musical) and is the grandmother of five beautiful souls. Find out more at http://www.jansikes.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanSikesBooks
https://bsky.app/profile/jksikes-author.bsky.social
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-sikes
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00CS9K8DK (Author Page)
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7095856.Jan_Sikes
Great excerpt, Jan! I love when dreams turn into full stories. Thanks for hosting, Denise!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
I do too, Yvette! This dream was so powerful and I knew there was a story in it. Thanks for stopping by!
It’s a great read, Yvette. I love the same thing about dreams and writing.
Another super excerpt. Great stop, Jan. Thank you to Denise for hosting ❤️
Thank you, Esther. I’m happy you enjoyed the excerpt.
So happy to be spreading the word for Jan’s great collection, Esther 🙂
I love your description of how you get ideas for stories! It shows a grand imagination and active little gray cells!
It’s amazing what those active little gray cells can conjure up, isn’t it? Thank you so much for visiting, Noelle!
I always love learning how stories come to be, Noelle 🙂 Those little gray cells are very gifted!
I’m glad to see Jan’s book here. This is such a good multi-generational collection!
Thank you, Priscilla! I’m happy you stopped by and thanks for the recommendation!
Thrilled Jan is visiting, Priscilla 🙂 Such a great collection!
It’s good to see Jan and her fascinating book here, Denise. The excerpt is captivating and the descriptive blurb is great. Congratulations, Jan!
Thank you, Tim! I appreciate you sailing along with us on this tour!
My pleasure, Jan. 😍
It’s such a great read, Timothy and I am so happy to be sharing that!
😍
Intriguing excerpt! Sharing to help spread the word.
Thank you so much Liz! I appreciate your support!
You’re welcome, Jan!
Thank you for spreading the word, Liz 🙂 Appreciated!
You’re welcome!
I’ve just read this great new book and will be posting my review in a couple of days. All the best with it. 😊
Oh, thank you so much, Laura! Your comment made my day!!
Hopefully I’ll make it even more so at the end of the week! 🙂
It sure was an entertaining read, wasn’t it Laura?
Indeed it was! So much to love in there. 🙂
Thank you, Denise, for giving me a platform today to share another story from the new collection. I appreciate your support!!
Happy to be a part of it, Jan 🙂 Such a fantastic collection!
Definitely hooked already. I’ve read a lot of Jan’s books. She has a way with words…
Yes, I agree Jacqui, she does. You have some good reading ahead!
Thank you so much, Jacqui. If you read it, I sincerely hope you enjoy!!
Congratulations to Jan on her latest and thanks, Denise, for hosting her.
Always happy to promote the good reads, John 🙂
Thank you, John! I appreciate you stopping by!
Yipes! Good cliffhanger. It’s a mystery how stories coalesce and surface in our minds. Part of the creative process.
I love the whole creative process of how the stories coalesce and come together. It’s exciting when something new shows up! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, ,Pete!
Love a good cliffhanger, Pete 🙂 I love that creative progress and how it turns up do unexpectedly!
This sounds like a captivating collection! Many thanks for showcasing it here, Denise. ♥
It is a captivating collection for sure, Alex 🙂 So happy to showcase it!
Thank you for visiting, Trish!
This is a great review, Denise. My review comes out this morning in my Over a Cuppa post. I borrowed a picture of Jan, the picture of Riley, and your social media links for her. I hope you don’t mind. Riley’s story was one of my favorites, but I didn’t know the back story to it. How amazing. My dreams never turn into amazing short stories. They are just weird snippets that stay weird snippets. 🙂 Well done, my friend.
Thank you, Marsha:) I’m sure Jan will appreciate your mention. Kind of you. I love back stories and have had dreams bring ideas. Once a dream was an entire movie with credits at end. Haven’t found my notes on the one. Dreams can get werid too, I’m going back to writing them done. Xo
I should, too. Vince says my dreams are like movies. I don’t write them down, though. Maybe from now on. I loved your review, and Jan’s book was great.
Thank you SO much, Marsha, for the review and for the social media links. I am so appreciate of your support!
My pleasure, my friend. Support is what blogging is all about, isn’t it?
Congratulations, Jan! I have my copy, and I’m looking forward to reading this collection very soon. ❤️ Thank you, Denise, for sharing your review and featuring Jan today.
Thank you so much, Gwen. I hope you enjoy it!
You are going to enjoy this collection, Gwen 🙂 Happy to share Jan’s latest! Xo
A most intriguing excerpt. Thanks for hosting Jan, Denise
Thank you for visiting, Robbie!
A good one, Robbie 🙂 I love spreading the word. Xo
Dreams can definitely be the breadcrumbs that lead to a story. I’ve made notes in my phone of several things I’ve dreamed and used some of them in my books. Great excerpt, Jan!
Yes, they sure can, Teri 🙂 That’s cool your dreams have made it into your stories too. I love that connection and have had stories visit that easy too. Xo
I love how the subconscious mind can create things our conscious mind can’t. Thank you for sharing your experiences as well. I appreciate your comment!
Congratulations, Jan!
I like your recollection of how it all began. Very cool.
Denise, thank you for hosting this fab start to the blog tour!
Isn’t it fun to hear how it started, Resa 🙂 Thrilled to be hosting and spreading word on this great collection xo
Thank you so much for stopping by, Resa!
Pleasure!
I always love the stories of where ideas come from. Thanks for sharing this one.