Greetings! It is my pleasure to share my blog today with the June 2018 Rave Reviews Book Club Spotlight Author. Jan Sikes is not just a fellow author, she is somebody that I am honored to call my friend! Take it away, Jan…
THE CONVICT AND THE ROSE
The second book in the series was, without a doubt, the hardest to write. This book required extensive research and countless hours spent poring over letters and writings from Rick’s hand. I wanted to get it “right.” And, since I wasn’t personally present for the majority of the prison scenes, I had to rely on stories he’d told me and writings he left behind.
I even called Leavenworth Prison and spoke to the Social Director to confirm some facts about the recording studio Rick built inside.
The other challenge was bouncing back-and-forth between Luke in Prison in Kansas and Darlina in Texas. Keeping the timeline straight brought about more than one re-write.
But, the end result is a book I am proud of, that has garnered thirty-four Five-Star reviews.
Here is the back cover blurb:
Award-winning Biographical/Fiction sequel to Flowers and Stone. Luke and Darlina find their love severely tested as they struggle to overcome enormous odds.
When Texas veteran musician, Luke Stone, finds himself behind bars with a seventy-five-year sentence, he is filled with hate, anger, and rebelliousness. He’s lost everything that he treasures, including the woman who holds his heart.
How has it come down to this? He’s spent his entire life writing songs and making music, filling dance halls and bars from Texas to California. But, when he refuses to tell the FBI what he knows about certain bank robberies that he possesses knowledge of, they make sure he pays dearly.
Broken and alone, in a prison of her own, Darlina Flowers struggles to find a way to live without the man she loves so completely.
Over the next sixteen years, Luke and Darlina each search for ways to somehow survive the fate life has hurled them into.
In an effort to dull the pain of living with only half a heart, Darlina gets involved in drugs, then follows a guru and tries different relationships, but nothing fills the void.
Several years pass before Luke makes up his mind that prison will not break him. He crawls up from the bottom one tiny step at a time, determined to be and do something worthwhile and discovers artistic talents he never realized he had.
The Convict and the Rose inspires hope and shows how anyone can turn a negative dark situation into a positive one. But more importantly, the story portrays a love that goes beyond earthly confines and proves how persistence and faith come with their own sweet reward.
Join Luke and Darlina as they continue their epic journey with love as their constant North Star and freedom as the driving force.
CONNECT WITH JAN:
TWITTER FACEBOOK BLOG WEBSITE LINKEDIN PINTEREST
Thank you for taking this RRBC SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR tour with me! See you at the next stop.
Thank you SO much, Beem, for hosting me on your blog today. I appreciate it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The pleasure is all mine, Jan. You add class to my blog! 😊
LikeLike
Awww, you are too kind, Professor Beem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just arrived…puff, puff. Had to run over from D.L. Finn’s place. Jan’s blog tour is keepin’ me busier than a little dog in tall oats, as Billy Battles would say. Thanks for hosting Jan, Beem. Looking forward to hosting my Aspire to Inspire Pard tomorrow–even though I kinda jumped the gun a bit today. Hasta mañana!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks a lot for stopping by, Ron. I like the “little dog in tall oats” comment. That gave me a chuckle!
LikeLike
Thank you, Ron! I love all the Billy Battles’ sayings. Thanks for taking this tour with me!!
LikeLike
A great pleasure, Jan.
LikeLike
Congrats Jan on your wonderful tour. The focus on these books make it easy for me to keep up with your works.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Shirley! I appreciate your support.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another lovely post featuring beautiful Jan. Thank you, Beem, for putting the spotlight on Jan today.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the visit, Gwen. It is always a treat to find your comments on my blog.
LikeLike
You are too kind, Gwen. Thanks for leaving a comment. Hugs!
LikeLike
I’m really enjoying this tour and looking forward to reading your work, Jan! Thanks for hosting, Beem!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Laura. I appreciate your stopping by.
LikeLike
Thank you, Laura!! I am glad you are enjoying the tour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my Jan, you had me with ‘living with half a heart’ – this is going on my TBR (once I stock up on tissues).
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Wendy. You are such an awesome supporter. At least The Convict and the Rose has a happy ending. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great Spotlight, Jan! 🙂 I have both of these books on my kindle…time to move them up to the top. Keep shining… xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Bette! I appreciate your support.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your stories, Jan, are not just great love stories, but they are very well written too. Thank you, Beem, for supporting her. 💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Joy! Coming from you, those words mean a lot. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment.
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by, Joy!
LikeLike
I loved “The Convict and the Rose”, Jan. I need to crack on and get my review written! Thanks for hosting, Beem.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, Yay, Michelle!! I am thrilled that you enjoyed “The Convict and the Rose!” Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the visit, Michelle!
LikeLike
Thank you so much for hosting Jan, Beem. I’m slightly behind getting to all the blog hops but I’ve enjoyed reading this one. I found it so profound that there are people in this world who show such loyalty and devotion to each other, despite enormous odds. Thanks for sharing your book with us, Jan. I hope you have a fabulous month in the SPOT!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, Maretha!
LikeLike
Thanks for hosting exciting author Jan Sikes, today, Beem! I’ve already bought and begun to read FLOWERS AND STONE – such an awesome, catching title and play on words – the main characters’ names. Sorry I’m somewhat late for the tour, but I know you’ll have a fabulous month in the spotlight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Maretha! You just made my heart happy to hear you are reading “Flowers and Stone.” I do hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the comment.
LikeLiked by 2 people
🤩I’m enjoying FLOWERS AND STONE. Now starting Ch 13 The Laughlin Air Force Base performance coming up! 🤩 I hope you’re enjoying your SPOTLIGHT Author space, Jan! 🤩🤩🤩
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Jan, looking forward to reading this next book in the series next. Hope you’re having a great time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Micki!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s that diligence to authenticity that allows readers to fall in love with your story! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Yvi. It was ultra important to me that I get it “right.” I appreciate your comment.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Congratulations, Jan!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Eric!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Blogs By Haley Belinda – http://www.authorhaleybelinda.net or wordpress.com.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Author Haley Belinda!! You are awesome!
LikeLike
I tried to click over to share, but the link goes nowhere, Belinda. Can you try again?
LikeLike