Guest Post – Jan Sikes – #newbook – A Noble Bargain

October 23, 2024 · by John W. Howell · in Book Release · 79 Comments

Jan Sikes is a talented writer and musician I have known for as long as I have been blogging and writing. Her books are award-winning and have garnered fans all over the world. I am so pleased to have her with us today to talk about her latest. Jan, the post is yours.

Thank you, John, for allowing me to take over your blog today to talk about my new release, A Noble Bargain. I’m deeply grateful for your generosity and support!

It is said that for one dream to live, another must die.

A powerful theme throughout this story is holding steadfast to a dream. More than anything, Oliver wants to play professional baseball. He lives and breathes baseball, playing every chance he gets. And he’s good at it. So, when he discovers Rose and Jack have an uncle who played professional baseball until he retired, his hopes soar.

When everything falls apart for Rose, she strikes a bargain with Oliver. If he’ll take her and her brother, Jack, to St. Louis, she’ll introduce him to her uncle, a baseball legend.

Oliver is forced to consider what he’d have to give up. He has his mother’s full support as we see in this short scene.

EXCERPT:

Oliver stopped at a service station on his way home and filled up the tank. It was outrageous that the price of gasoline had gone to twenty cents a gallon, so he handed the station attendant three dollars and asked for a road map of Missouri.

As soon as he got home, he spread the map out on the kitchen table. Fiona peered over his shoulder. “Going somewhere, Oliver?”

“Just thinking, Mum. Rose and Jack said they have an uncle in St. Louis who used to play for the Browns. What I wouldn’t give to meet him, even though he’s old and hasn’t played in years.”

Fiona laid a hand on his shoulder. “I know how badly you want to play. And you have to know I would never hold you back, although I’d miss you terribly. You’re a big help around here.”

Oliver cocked his head. “The only way I’d leave you and the girls is if I truly had a shot at making some big money for you while living out my dream.”

She hung her apron on a hook next to the door. “You never know what surprises life might have for you.”

Have you ever had a time in your life when you had to give up something significant to follow a dream?

Blurb – A true testament of character, resilience, and the magic of never giving up.

The year is 1948 and folks in the sawmill town of Crossett, Arkansas, work hard and play hard. Oliver Quinn does both. Oliver is the son of Irish immigrants who firmly believe in pursuing the American dream. His deepest desire is to play major league baseball. He only needs one chance to prove himself.

Rose Blaine is living in a nightmare where dreams don’t exist. She’s suffered for years at the hands of her violent moonshiner father and his partner. During a brutal attack, she must fight back or die. The aftermath is devastating.

Fueled by desperation, Rose strikes a life-changing bargain with Oliver. If he’ll take her and her brother to St. Louis, Missouri, she’ll introduce Oliver to her uncle, a baseball legend.

While their journey is fraught with unseen perils, they forge an unbreakable bond and make surprising allies.

When destiny throws them a curve ball, they must find the courage to create a hopeful future out of the ashes of shattered dreams with newfound fortitude.

UNIVERSAL PURCHASE LINK: https://books2read.com/u/booMQR