I am pleased that Jan Sikes will be visiting today to talk about her new book, Jagged Feathers. Jan is an old friend and fellow member of Story Empire. Please welcome her to Fiction Favorites.
Thank you, John, for inviting me to your blog site today to talk about my new book, JAGGED FEATHERS! I appreciate your generosity.
I mentioned Vann’s faithful and loyal canine, Champion, in another blog post. The beautiful animal showed up on his front porch, injured and starving. But like in real life, sometimes our animals get hurt. Champion takes a bullet in a daring escape from the drug cartel henchmen. It kills Vann to see the animal injured again, and with no time to get him into town, performs surgery to remove the bullet after taking refuge at a neighbor’s horse ranch.
EXCERPT #1:
He touched Nakina’s shoulder. “It’s safe to come up now.”
She raised herself from the bottom of the boat onto the seat, trembling from head to toe. “Holy shit! I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
“Are you okay?” Her ashen face left no doubt.
She nodded and took a deep breath. “I think so.”
“Champion?” He reached down to let Champion know it was safe to come up, but the animal didn’t get up. With his heart in his throat, he knelt over the dog and encountered an all-too-familiar stickiness. “He’s been hit.”
Tears streamed down Nakina’s face, and the boat rocked as she joined Vann on her knees. “No!”
Vann turned Champion over to see sticky blood oozing from a wound near his hind leg. “Shit!”
Nakina stroked the big dog’s head while Vann probed through the thick fur and located the entry point. Champion yelped, then whined low and long.
“It looks like the bullet might be lodged in bone.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a bandana, then tied it tightly around the wound. “We need to elevate his head and keep pressure on the wound.”
Nakina settled herself into the bottom of the boat and cradled Champion’s head on her lap.
The boat rocked when Vann stood and scoured the surroundings. The creek branched off ahead, and he knew which way to go.
He rowed like a mad man while keeping one eye on Champion.
“Where are we going?” Nakina asked.
“I have a neighbor, Colt Layne, a few miles down the creek. He owns a large horse ranch. He’s a good guy. He’ll help.”
EXCERPT #2:
Colt dropped his medical tools into the water and added antiseptic. “We’ll know more once I can dig around in there. Depending on where it is, sometimes it’s best to leave the bullet in and sew him up.”
As he reached into the boiling water with tongs, the door flew open. A ranch hand jerked his hat off when he spotted Nakina. “Boss, I’m sorry, but we’ve got a problem. Daisy’s foaling, and she’s in big trouble.”
Vann stepped forward. “Go on, man. I can do this. Go see about your mare.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.” Memories from his special mission training flooded back. This was only slightly different from digging bullets out of cadavers. “It’s not my first time.”
Colt nodded, grabbed his hat, and sprinted through the door following the ranch hand, yelling over his shoulder, “Anything you need, just make yourselves at home. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Vann pulled on vinyl gloves, grabbed the tongs, and fished out forceps. After some probing, he frowned. “I can feel it, but it’s at a weird angle. I’ll have to dig around.”
He met Nakina’s worried gaze. “Champion can’t feel a thing.”
She nodded. “Thank goodness.”
Minutes ticked by before Vann finally pulled the forceps out, holding a gold blood-stained bullet. He looked it over before dropping it into a pan. “Looks like a thirty-eight slug.”
Nakina passed the antiseptic, and Vann poured it over the wound, then reached for a needle and thread.
“What now?” Nakina’s voice shook.
“I’ll sew him up and wait for Colt. Champion will need antibiotics. He may be left with a limp.” Vann hated the many similarities between himself and the animal. “I guess that’s better than being lame or having to amputate.”
***
I have zero experience with any kind of bullet wound, especially in an animal, so a good amount of research helped me understand the process and healing time. Many of us have stated before how folks would view us as perhaps a little unstable or demented if they could see our search histories, but it’s the quickest and easiest way to find information and keep working. What is the most bizarre research you’ve ever done for a story? I’d love to hear it.
And just so you know, Champion recovers quite well.
BOOK TRAILER LINK: https://youtu.be/CwGRyRVMyLE
BLURB:
Vann Noble did his duty. He served his country and returned a shell of a man, wounded inside and out. With a missing limb and battling PTSD, he seeks healing in an isolated cabin outside a small Texas town with a stray dog that sees beyond his master’s scars. If only the white rune’s magic can bring a happily ever after to a man as broken as Vann.
On the run from hired killers and struggling to make sense of her unexplained deadly mission, Nakina Bird seeks refuge in Vann’s cabin. She has secrets. Secrets that can get them all killed.
A ticking clock and long odds of living or dying, create jarring risks.
Will these two not only survive, but find an unexpected love along the way? Or, will evil forces win and destroy them both?
UNIVERSAL PURCHASE LINK:
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
WEBSITE: http://www.jansikes.com
BLOG: http://www.jansikesblog.com
TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/jansikes3
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanSikesBooks
PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/jks0851/
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7095856.Jan_Sikes
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jan-sikes
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jansikes/
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Sikes/e/B00CS9K8DK
Thanks for introducing to Jan’s new book, John! I have it on my TBR. xx Michael
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Thank you, Michael.
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Whoo hoo, Michael! Thank you!!
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[…] Jagged Feathers – @jansikes3 #NewRelease #RomanticSuspense #WhiteRuneSeries […]
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Thank you for sharing, Charles.
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Thank you SO much, Charles, for reblogging!
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[…] Day 13 – John Howell […]
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Thanks for the intro, Jan
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My pleasure, John! Thank you for hosting me today!
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Hi Jan, Hi John,
Jan, you can say that again. Many people would think we writers are unstable when they look at our search histories. You did a great job writing up about the bullet wound and relating it to how Vann felt emotionally. Because Vann is identifying so heavily with Champion, it is like Vann himself is being shot up again.
Nice excerpts.
Thank you, John, for hosting Jan.
Wishing both of you a great day.
Shalom aleichem
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Thank you, Pat. Shalom aleichem.
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That is true, Pat. It definitely brought about similar feelings for Vann. I am so glad you enjoyed the excerpt! I appreciate you riding along on this tour!
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I loved Champion. What’s not to love about a faithful canine companion? You did a great job with writing this part, Jan. Thanks for hosting today, John.
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Thanks for the support, Joan.
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Thank you, Joan. Yes, I am a firm believer that animals add to any story and Champion really grabbed my heart. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment!
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I was wondering what research might have been involved with writing the bullet removal scene. I don’t think my fiction-related research is bizarre, just random and obscure.
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Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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I visited a lot of veterinary sites in my research, Liz, and found quite a bit of detail. For this book, I also had to research a rattlesnake bite. 🙂 Like I said, if anyone examined my search history, they’d probably think I was either insane or a serial killer. I appreciate your comment!
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Well, you know, serial killers have explained their search histories to the police by claiming they were researching a novel. 😉
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Ha ha ha
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😀
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I have to guard my time when it comes to researching, especially if it’s something I’m really interested in. You did a fantastic job with these scenes, Jan. Thanks for hosting, John!
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Thanks, Jill.
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That is so true, Jill. Research can take us down rabbit holes and lose track of time. Thank you for your kind words and for following along on this tour!
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You’ve got that right about search histories, lol. I love you included a furry friend in the story, Jan. Thanks for hosting, John!
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Thanks, Teri. I appreciate you leaving a comment today!
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Thanks, Teri
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Looks like some excellent writing. Thanks for sharing, John.
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Thank you, T.W. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment today!
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Thanks, Tim
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I once Googled how to make a homemade slow fuse … for weeks I kept waiting for that ominous pounding on the front door! 😂 I’m like … I’m not a terrorist! I’m a writer! 😂 Great post, Jan. All the best with the launch and tour. Thanks for sharing, John 💕🙂
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Lol, Harmony! Yep. That would give you cause to worry. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
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Thanks for the support, Harmony
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I am so glad he was there for that wonderful animal. I hate stories where the dog/horse/cat die. Another great entry in this blog hop. Thanks for hosting, John.
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Me too, Jacqui. I could never do that to Champion. He is such a special dog. Thank you for stopping by and I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
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Thanks for the support, Jacqui
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Champion stole my heart the moment he appeared in the book, then when he behaved so heroically, I was on pins and needles. Great excerpts, Jan. I’m glad you gave Vann (and Nakina) such a loyal companion.
Thanks for hosting today, John!
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He stole my heart too, Mae, from the time he showed up. I loved him and his dedication to his humans. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment today!
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Thanks, Mae.
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Another powerful excerpt. Poor Champion. We joke often in my household… I’m fine with gory horror films and the like, but when it comes to fur babies, I lose it. Every time. Thank you for sharing, Jan. And thank you for offering your site today, John, to promote our friend. 🙂
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Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, Marlena. I agree with you. I hated to let Champion get hurt, but I can assure you he recovered fully!
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Thank you for your support, Mar.
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Wonderful blog tour, Jan. Congratulations!! Thank you, John, for showcasing Jan on your site. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. I appreciate your support!
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Thank you for your supposr, Gwen. 😁
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Thanks, John, for hosting our friend and wonderful writer Jan. I smiled at Jan’s comment about search histories. Mine is pretty out there too. The oddest (or most suspect) research I think I’ve done is on the timing and details of body decomposition in the temperate woods. LOL. So, if my husband ever disappears…
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Ha ha ha. Thanks for the support, Diana
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Yep, that one could be incriminating, Diana. Let’s just hope he doesn’t ever disappear. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment today!
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:-D. I’m keeping him around as long as I can. ❤
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Tense excerpts. The Research Sirens have taken me away for long periods of time, so I understand.
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I get it too. Thanks, Craig
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Yep. I call them Research Rabbit Holes. Thanks for stopping by, Craig!
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Being a German Shepherd lover, this one got to me- poor Champion! I’ve studied Mexican cartels and drug seizures for my suspense series 🙂
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Knock knock. Who’s there? RCMP. RCMP who? RCMP with a warrant.
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Lol, you heard about our adventures in Ottawa I’m assuming 😊
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I sure have. What a mess.
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I understand, Jacquie. I hated to hurt Champion, but I knew he would be okay. Interesting research. I can’t wait to read your stories!!
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Sounds like a good one!
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It is.
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Thank you, Becky!
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You’re so welcome!
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Hey! Two of my favorite bloggers hanging out together! Continued success with Jagged Feathers, Jan. Give those dogs an extra loving from me, John. It’s all about the dogs.
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Thanks, Pete
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Ha! Ha! Thanks, Pete. John’s one of my favorite humans all the way around. I appreciate you stopping by!
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Jan’s book sounds good, especially with Champion in it. I’m glad he makes it, too. Thanks for hosting and sharing, John. Congrats to Jan!
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Thanks for your support, Lauren
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Thanks for stopping by and taking a look, Lauren. I appreciate it!
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It broke my heart when Champion got shot. He was such a sweet character. I had to research a dog getting shot too.
Thanks for hosting, John 🙂
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Thanks for supporting Jan, Denise.
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It broke my heart too, Denise, but I knew when I wrote it that he would fully recover. 🙂 That’s the inside privilege of being the author. Thanks for stopping by!
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I just researched Cabbits (go on, I know you want to know what a rabbit/cat mix looks like) – too funny!!!!
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Yes I would like to know for sure. Thanks, Wendy. 😁
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Lol, Wendy. That’s a good one. Now I need to find an image. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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[…] Day 13 – John Howell […]
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You know I really enjoyed this story, Jan, but (no offense to the human characters) Champion was my favorite character by a mile.
I also have a novel with a support dog. Lots of research went into that. But I’m certain it wasn’t my oddest search. A novel I ghost-wrote had me looking up cannibalism and taxidermy and all sorts of bizarre things. I shudder to think what government spies thought of me in those months.
Best wishes with your novel, Jan. John, thanks for hosting.
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Thanks for supporting Jan, Staci 😁
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Thank you for your kind words, Staci. Honestly, Champion was one of my favorite characters in the story, too. I can only imagine the research you’ve had to do. Your search history would be fascinating! I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment!
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Hi, Jan. Champion adds warmth, depth, and realism to your story. Your research paid off in your seamless operating scene. Much of my research is bizarre, making me look like a conspiracy theorist or a proponent of aliens living among us. Perhaps I am all that. Do you know how many alien species have been reported by people who’ve seen them? I love stories with animals, especially ones that actually exist and interact with humans. Champion is a winner. Thanks for sharing Jan’s post today, John!
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Thank you for the support, Patty. 😁
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Lol, Patty. Your comment made me chuckle. I do not know how many alien species have been reported by people who have seen them, but something tells me that you know the answer. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed Champion. Thanks for your support!
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Great excerpts, Jan, and thanks for letting us know Champion recovers. Thanks for hosting today, John! 🙂
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Thank you, Yvette. for supporting Jan.
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Thank you, Yvette!
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[…] Day 13 – John Howell […]
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Performing surgery on an animal is impressive. A great post, Jan. Thanks for hosting, John.
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Thanks for the support, Robbie.
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[…] Day 13 – John Howell […]
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[…] Day 13 – John Howell […]
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[…] Day 13 – John Howell […]
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[…] Day 13 – John Howell […]
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[…] Day 13 – John Howell […]
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[…] Day 13 – John Howell […]
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