Roberta Writes – Book Blog Tour: A Noble Bargain by Jan Sikes #readingcommunity

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Picture caption: Book Blog Tour Banner for A Noble Bargain by Jan Sikes

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

Picture caption: Cover of A Noble Bargain depicting a man in an old fashioned vehicle standing outside an office-styled building

The forest industry is often referred to as the oldest industry in America. A Noble Bargain opens in the sawmill town of Crossett, Arkansas. I had a chance to visit the area and do research a few months back. I found that Georgia-Pacific bought the company in 1962. But the original sawmill, known as Crossett Lumber, was established in 1899. The coming of the railroad changed the climate of the industry and the town. The original workers were paid in store credits at the company store, much like the early coal miners in Kentucky. Safety was not a concern and there were many accidents and fatalities. Another fact I uncovered in my research had to do with Yale University. Each year, they sent students to Crossett to study the forest industry. They built camps to house the students for their spring stay of three months. They built the camp in 1946 and abandoned it in 1966.

My main character, Oliver Quinn, works at the sawmill. But his job is outside loading lumber onto train cars. There is a reason he doesn’t want to work inside the mill, which I reveal in my story.

Excerpt:

He gazed up at the clear sky, a contrast with the brown, orange, and gold leaves on the trees. “For you, Dad. The dream you never got to live.”

While he drove, he thought about the good times when his father took the time to teach him to pitch, catch, and swing the bat. Swing for the fence, he’d tell him. Then there were the ball games he’d attend when his father played for the Crossett Millers. The desire had been strong in Patrick Quinn to make a better life for his family in whatever way he could. He was good at fighting in the boxing rings, but the sawmill provided security and a regular paycheck. He sacrificed his dream for the family. That was until the fateful day when a saw blade ripped through his leg, severing the main artery.

Now it was Oliver’s turn to provide a better life for them all, and perhaps that included Rose. He couldn’t think of anything more rewarding.

Throughout the story, Oliver remembers the strength of the dream that brought his family to America. And, as the man of the house, is determined to make a better life for his mother and sisters.

Have you ever seen a sawmill in operation? While I didn’t get to tour the plant, I found a lot of fascinating facts in my research.

Picture caption: Promotional meme for A Noble Bargain by Jan Sikes. The wording says “The sawmill claimed Oliver Quinn’s father’s life. He won’t let it claim his.”

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.

Purchase A Noble Bargain by Jan Sikes

https://books2read.com/u/booMQR

About Jan Sikes

I’ve been an avid reader all my life. There’s nothing I love more than losing myself in a story.

Oddly enough, I had no ambition to be a writer. But I wound up in mid-life with a story that begged to be told. Not just any story, but a true story that rivaled any fiction creation. Through fictitious characters, the tale came to life in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books. Not satisfied to stop with the books, I released music CDs of original music matching the time period of each story segment. In conclusion, to bring the story full circle, I published a book of poetry and art. I was done.

Wrong!

The story ideas keep coming, and I don’t intend to turn off the creative fountain.

I love all things metaphysical and often include those aspects in my stories.

I am a member of the Author’s Marketing Guild, The Writer’s League of Texas, Story Empire, and the Paranormal Writer’s Guild. I am an avid fan of Texas music and grandmother of five beautiful souls. I reside in North Texas.

Find Jan Sikes

http://www.jansikes.com

https://www.jansikes.com/blog

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanSikesBooks

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-sikes

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00CS9K8DK  (Author Page)

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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78 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Book Blog Tour: A Noble Bargain by Jan Sikes #readingcommunity”

  8. Interesting background information about the history of the lumber company. I also enjoyed learning more about Jan and her journey as a writer. One of the more fascinating elements of writing to me is that everyone has their own path.

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  10. I drive by saw mills, working and closed where I live but never been inside. I know they could be very dangerous places, along with the logging. Great post, Jan!

    Thanks for hosting, Robbie:)

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  14. It certainly seems to be an interesting and intriguing read and I will put both books on my TBR list. I believe this is the second time you “take over” a blog (recently). I think it is an interesting alternative to re-blogging.

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  18. Everyone is going to get a real treat when they read this story, Sister. I love the research you did about the sawmill. That’s awesome. I didn’t know they paid their workers in company script. How horrible. It was a dangerous place to work. Wishing you much success! I can’t wait to read #3 in the series and find out Jack’s story! Love you.

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  19. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, sister. I enjoyed the research in Crossett and I agree about paying the workers in company script. It was a way of controlling all the money. Greedy! Anyway, I’m glad you stopped by!

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