Please help me welcome my friend and fellow author Jan Sikes to The Write Stuff this morning. Jan has a brand new book out, which I can’t wait to read, but I’ll let her tell you about it. Take it away, Jan!
Thank you, Marcia, for inviting me to your blog site today to talk about my new book, JAGGED FEATHERS! I appreciate your generosity.
I love including animals in my stories and especially in this one. Vann Noble needed a reason to keep living. So when a dog showed up on his front porch badly injured, it gave him a purpose.
His VA counselors had told him, “If you can’t find a reason to live, then find a reason not to die.” Those words came back to him when the dog appeared in desperate need of his help.
EXCERPT:
Champion jumped onto the bed and whimpered, then licked his hand. The part German Shepherd, part Border Collie, had an extraordinary sense of empathy.
Vann switched on the table lamp and scratched behind the dog’s ear with a shaky hand. “I’ll be okay, boy.” Champion rewarded him with a sloppy wet kiss on the cheek. They were two of a kind. Champion’s missing right ear and scars that ran deep along the right side of his body bore an uncanny resemblance to the ones Vann carried on the left side of his body.
A loaded 9mm Glock on his nightstand reflected in the low lamplight. One bullet would end this relentless nightmare. Just one.
If you can’t find a reason to live, then find a reason not to die. The VA counselor’s words echoed.
Champion nuzzled his hand with a wet nose. He let out a low whine and blinked sad brown eyes.
“Looks like you’re that reason, ol’ boy.” He owed it to Champion to stick around. The dog had shown up on his front porch, starving and wounded. He gave Vann a much-needed purpose.
********
Have you ever had an animal show up needing your help? Did it make you feel like you were chosen for the job? Throughout this story, Champion stays loyal and true to Vann, then instantly adopts Nakina, and takes on the role of her guardian. I fell in love with him from the start.
Book Trailer Link HERE
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?
Buy Jagged Feathers at the Universal Purchase Link HERE
Reach Jan on Social Media Here:
WEBSITE
BLOG
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PINTEREST
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AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
It sounds like a very moving story, Jan. Good luck with your launch.
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Thank you, Olga. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment today!
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I think so too, Olga, and can’t wait to read it! Thanks for stopping by today. 😀
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I’m looking forward to reading this story! It’s great to see Jan’s newest release here, Marcia. Thanks for sharing it! 🙂
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Thank you, Yvette. I sincerely hope you enjoy it. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment today!
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It was my pleasure to help Jan get the word out about this one, Yvette. So glad you enjoyed reading about it, and thanks for stopping by to let us know. 😀
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Wishing Jan congrats and all the best with her new release. Thanks for sharing, Marcia 💕🙂
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Thank you, Harmony!
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Very happy to share the news, Harmony, and thank you for stopping by today! 😀 ❤
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I’m already in love with Champion. We once had a collie/shepherd mix. She was a good dog. Of course, German Shepherds are near and dear to my heart. I think including an animal into a story is a great way to tell about a character’s demeanor.
Wishing you the best, Jan. Thanks for hosting today, Marcia!
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To me, it is the perfect breed mix, Joan. I’ve always wanted one, so that’s why I gave Vann Champion. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
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I agree with you 100% on adding animals to stories, Joan. I love choosing pets for my characters, and think the animal they share their lives with tells readers a lot about them. Can’t wait to read this one! Thanks for stopping by today, too. 😀 ❤
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I love pet characters. Nice sample.
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I agree, Craig. Animals can add so much to a story. Thank you for stopping by!
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Me too, Craig. Glad you enjoyed Jan’s post today, and thanks so much for stopping by! 😀
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Congratulations, Jan, and thank you, Marcia, for hosting today. Jagged Feathers promises to be a wonderful read. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. I appreciate your comment and hope you enjoy the story.
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You’re welcome, Gwen. It’s a pleasure to have Jan here this morning, and I agree with your thoughts on Jagged Feathers. Can’t wait to read it, myself! Thanks for stopping by today! 😀 ❤
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Thank you SO much, Marcia, for allowing me a spot on your Guest Day Tuesday post! I appreciate your support!
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It was an absolute pleasure to be part of your blog tour this morning, Jan, and you are always welcome as a guest on The Write Stuff, especially when you have news to share about book releases and promos. I’m really looking forward to reading Jagged Feathers, and am so pleased to help you get the word out! 😀 ❤ And thank YOU for the mention of my ongoing sale on your blog. I very much appreciate that! 🤗
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Any book with a dog in it is a winner. My dog, Dot, saved me from being lonely and homesick when we moved far away from my family. They are the best reason to live. A wonderful excerpt.
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What a lovely comment, Darlene. You are right. Animals can give us purpose, companionship, and unconditional love. Thank you for sharing your Dot with us!
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You can’t go wrong with a good dog (or cat) in the mix, Darlene. I’m a big fan of animals in books. They add a special element to pretty much any story, to my mind. Really glad you enjoyed Jan’s post today, and thanks so much for stopping by! 😀 ❤
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The quote from Vann’s therapist is such a powerful one. And I fell in love with Champion. Animal characters can add so much to a book. Congratulations on Jagged Feathers, Jan. It’s a wonderful story!
Thanks for hosting Jan today, Marcia!
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I agree about that quote, Mae. Sometimes that’s the best you can do, and it can get you over the bad stretches when you’ve forgotten that “this, too, shall pass.” I really looking forward to reading this book! And thanks so much for stopping by today! 😀 ❤
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Thank you, Mae. I am so glad you enjoyed Champion’s role in the story. I loved him. He was as much a character of the story as was Nakina and Vann. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and leave a comment today.
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Champion was my favorite character! How can you not love him?
Great job on the book, Jan, and wonderful post. Wishing you all the best.
Thanks for hosting, Marcia.
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It was a pleasure to have Jan here today to help her spread the word about Jagged Feathers. (As it always is for all of my writing/blogging friends, so don’t be shy.) I loved this excerpt and am looking forward to meeting the dog that appears to add such a wonderful touch to the story.
Thanks so much for stopping by today, Staci! 😀 ❤
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Thank you, Staci. Champion was a strong character and played such a beautiful part in the story. I loved him from the first time he appeared. I appreciate your kind words and recommendation of the book!
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Animals are a great way to show the softer side of a tough-guy or girl character. I loved the blurb! Thanks for hosting Jan, Marcia!
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It was a pleasure to have Jan here for #GuestDayTuesday, and I’m glad you enjoyed her post, Jill. I can’t wait to read Jagged Feathers myself! And I totally agree with you about including animals in our stories. Thanks so much for stopping by today, too! 😀 ❤
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Thank you, Jill. I agree that animals are a great way to show a softer more loving side of a character. I appreciate that you took the time to stop by and leave a comment today!
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Thanks for bringing Jan Sikes to the forefront of your blog. I will definitely check out this author’s books!
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I very much enjoy having guests on The Write Stuff, especially (but not limited to) #GuestDayTuesday guests. And by all means, check out Jan’s books, Nancy, especially her White Rune series. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them! Thanks so much for stopping by this morning and taking a moment to say hello! 😀 ❤
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Whoo hoo!! Thank you, Nancy. Your comment made my heart happy. I hope you find one that grabs your attention!
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Hi Jan, Hi Marcia,
I can very well understand why Champion gave Vann a reason to live. In the military, I had a two-week training course that was rigorous. I had come to my living quarters to shower after PT (hot and tired from running six miles). A black cat with the prettiest eyes walked up to me and turned over on his back. I thought he wanted me to tickle his stomach, and I did. Then he followed me into the living quarters where I was staying and I thought he lived there with a family and was waiting for someone to let him in. So I let him in. To make a long story short, that black cat didn’t have a home. I brought him back to my home after the police had verified that he was homeless. I had him for 22 years. He was my heart and I have not had a cat since I lost him.
I like your excerpt. It touched my heartstrings.
Wishing you continued success on your road trip and thank you Marcia for sponsoring Jan.
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Wow, Pat! That’s quite a story. Thank you so much for sharing that life experience! It was almost as if God knew you needed that cat and he obviously needed you. I love it!!
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Terrific story, Pat, and it was a relationship that was meant to be, for sure. And 22 years? Wow! That’s a long life for a cat, and I’m so glad he found you to spend it with! Thanks for sharing!
So glad you enjoyed Jan’s post, too. Jagged Feathers sounds like a great read, doesn’t it? Glad you stopped by today! 😀 ❤
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Adding Champion as a vital character was a stroke of genius, Jan. He adds depth and dimension to the story, just as animals add those qualities to life. A matted, stinking, mess of a dog showed up on our doorstep one day, wagging his tail. He looked miserable, but that joyful spirit won him an invite straight to our bathtub. It took two scrubbings, merciless shearing, and some decent food, but we wound up with a happy shih tzu we named Champ. Some dogs earn their names. Loving your story! Marcia, thanks for hosting Jan today!
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Awwww, what a sweet story, Patty. Thank you for sharing and how wonderful that you named him Champ. And you are right, some dogs earn their names.
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You’re very welcome, Patty. It was a pleasure to have Jan visit today, and I’m so glad you enjoyed her post. BTW, I agree with everything you said, and bless you for rescuing Champ! We’ve done the same with both dogs and cats over the years, though only one of our dachshunds was a rescue. We currently have four cats, two of which we found in our wood pile. 😊
Glad you enjoyed Jan’s post, and thanks so much for stopping by today! 😀 ❤
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Nice to see Jan here, Marcia. Congratulations to her, and thanks to you.
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Thank you, John! I appreciate you stopping by!
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😊
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I’m delighted Jan included The Write Stuff in her blog tour, John, and her excerpt was wonderful! Happy to help her get the word out.
Thanks for stopping by today! 😀
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😁
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Champion was a great character that I quickly fell in love with too. Animals seem to know our house is one to go to. Another good post.
Thanks for hosting, Marcia 🙂
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I do think animals can sense vibes and know where they will find kind humans. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story and thank you for your support, Denise!
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You’re very welcome, Denise. I’m delighted to be part of Jan’s blog tour, and very much looking forward to reading Jagged Feathers! Thanks so much for stopping by today 😀 ❤
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You have a good read ahead, Marcia 🙂
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Jan, you continue to win me over more and more with Jagged Feathers. Small town, nature, and now animals? I haven’t even read it yet, and I’m already feeling inclined to give it 5 stars! 😉 Marcia, thank you so much for supporting Jan & sharing your site with us.
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I agree, Mar. How could she go wrong with all those good things included in this one? I’m eager to read it, for sure.
And it was great to have Jan here today. So glad you enjoyed her post, and thanks for stopping by! 😀
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Lol, Marlena. I am so glad you are enjoying these snippets. I appreciate you coming along on the tour and helping launch this new book!
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This sounds like a wonderful book! I’m another person who loves the role animals can play in a book and this excerpt reinforces that! Congratulations, Jan, and many thanks, Marcia.xx
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You’re very welcome, Trish! So glad you enjoyed Jan’s post. And I definitely agree on the roles animals can play in our writing. They bring their own special essence to the tale, plus enrich the human characters, too, and give us a bit more insight into the folks who’ve chosen them as companions. I’m very much looking forward to reading this book, and I’ll bet you are, as well!
Thanks so much for stopping by today, Trish! 😀 ❤
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Thank you, Trish! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment today!
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I adore dogs and Champion melted my heart.
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I think lots of folks agree with you, Wendy, and I’m glad you enjoyed Jan’s post. Thanks so much for stopping by today! 😀 ❤
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Yay!! He melted my heart too, Wendy. Thanks for stopping by!
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