#HistoricalFiction #Farm #WorldWarII #Missouri #Foreclosure #Bankers #ForcedMarriage #LiteraryFiction

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.