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A Noble Bargain
Jan Sikes’ A Noble Bargain transports readers to 1948, a time when post-war prosperity contrasted sharply with the struggles of small-town life. In Crossett, Arkansas, Oliver Quinn dreams of escaping his humble beginnings to become a professional baseball player. Across town, Rose Blaine endures a harsh reality under the thumb of her abusive, moonshine-brewing father. The two form an unlikely alliance: Rose promises to connect Oliver with her influential uncle in St. Louis if he agrees to take her and her brother away from their oppressive life. Their pact sets the stage for a poignant tale of ambition, resilience, and survival.
Sikes writes with a plainspoken elegance that perfectly suits the story’s setting and themes. Oliver and Rose, the central characters, embody a restless hope that propels the narrative. Their yearning for a better life highlights a central tension of the era: even amid national growth and optimism, achieving one’s dreams often remained an uphill battle for those born into hardship. The book’s portrayal of economic struggle and personal perseverance resonates deeply, making their journey all the more compelling. The story shifts gears when the protagonists arrive in St. Louis, expanding the narrative’s scope and raising the stakes. Sikes captures the wonder and challenges of city life with vivid descriptions and a keen sense of contrast, deftly illustrating how overwhelming the big city must feel to individuals from such modest beginnings. The new setting introduces a rich supporting cast that adds layers of intrigue and drama, pushing the characters to grow and adapt. Sikes keeps the plot moving with charged interactions and period-appropriate details, skillfully blending personal struggles with broader societal themes. Sikes avoids excessive sentimentality, instead grounding the story in the grit and determination of its protagonists. The conclusion feels earned and satisfying, a testament to the characters’ resilience and the strength of their bond.
Fans of character-driven fiction and historical narratives will find much to admire here. Young adults may connect with the story’s themes of ambition and self-discovery, while older readers will appreciate its rich period detail and timeless message. Reminiscent of Elmore Leonard’s The Moonshine War and the baseball-themed works of John R. Tunis, A Noble Bargain is an evocative, heartwarming novel that lingers long after the final page.
Pages: 301 | ASIN : B0DHQY46MJ
Working Toward a Singular Goal
A Beggar’s Bargain follows a discharged Army soldier during WWII who returns home to fulfill his dying father’s last wish to save the family farm. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I am an avid fan of Texas music and the artists who create the songs. I listen to the radio anytime I’m in the car and one day I heard a song that caused me to pull over and jot down a note. The lyrics of the song said, “It’s fool’s gold, a beggar’s bargain…” I knew A Beggar’s Bargain had to be the title of a book. I didn’t know much more than that, but as the creative juices began to flow, I saw the time period and the story set-up. I know it might sound crazy, but the characters talked to me and basically told me their names and the story. That’s how it all started, with just one line from a song.
Your book touches on the harsh realities that faced many American’s during WWII. What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
As I was working on the story, I visited the area in and around Everton, Missouri. Through the Dade County Library, I was able to look at newspapers from 1947 on microfilm and took lots of notes from them. They gave me a good view of things the country was still dealing with from the war, such as shortages. One newspaper article was about President Truman calling for all families in America to have one day per week with no meat, as it was still in short supply. I had to include that in the book. Also, the prices of goods in 1947 were way different from today and the newspapers were also super helpful in keeping that accurate. I found the people in that area to be super interested and helpful with stories and historic facts about their community that were instrumental in keeping it authentic. I love that I was able to do hands-on research, rather than relying on the internet. I think it helped make it all more believable.
Layken and Sara Beth are forced into a marriage as strangers but must find a way to make it work. What was your process in writing the character’s interactions to develop the bond they have?
First of all, I didn’t want this book to be a romance. I wanted it to be about two people thrown together by fate and circumstances, working toward a singular goal. So, while their relationship started out awkward, as two strangers would be, through their working together and facing each hardship with determination and resilience, their feelings for each other grew slowly from admiration and respect to something deeper. While some reviewers refer to the book as a romance, it is truly historical or literary fiction. I loved allowing and facilitating the organic growth of their relationship, in response to the obstacles they faced.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am currently working on the second book in The Bargainers Series. A Noble Bargain begins in Arkansas and ends up at Layken and Sara Beth’s farm in Missouri. So, the reader gets to catch up on the couple while meeting a new cast of characters and circumstances. I am hoping to publish it in the fall of this year.
Author links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
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.
But 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.
A Beggar’s Bargain
In A Beggar’s Bargain, author Jan Sikes delves into the post-World War II era through the lens of Layken Martin, a recently discharged soldier returning to his family home in Missouri. Layken is confronted with the imminent death of his father and the daunting task of reviving their struggling farm. The narrative takes an intriguing turn when Layken, faced with the bank’s threat of foreclosure, is offered a peculiar solution: marry the banker’s daughter in exchange for an extension on his loan.
Sikes’ work, rooted in historical fiction, showcases meticulous attention to period detail, echoing themes found in classics like The Grapes of Wrath. The novel’s portrayal of poverty and desperation may also remind readers of elements from John Irving’s The Cider House Rules. Layken’s journey is grounded in authenticity as he navigates not only the challenges of saving the farm but also the complexities of an arranged marriage with Sara Beth, a woman he hardly knows. The backdrop of mid-20th century America, with its societal expectations and norms, further compounds the dilemmas faced by the characters. Sikes crafts a nuanced exploration of Layken and Sara Beth’s relationship, which evolves from uneasy acquaintances to potential allies facing shared adversities. The narrative is enriched by a cast of supporting characters like Tab, a young local drawn to the couple, and Uncle Seymour, a wise hired hand offering guidance.
Sikes’ prose is concise and deliberate, a stylistic choice that complements the story’s focus on character development rather than grand historical narratives. A Beggar’s Bargain unfolds as an intimate, moving study of two individuals forced into an unexpected life together. The brevity of the chapters contributes to the narrative’s tight, almost claustrophobic atmosphere, heightening the emotional depth of Layken and Sara Beth’s story.
Pages: 332 | ASIN : B0CVK8442G
LITERARY TITAN 