Greetings to readers everywhere! Today, I have the honor of hosting friend and fellow author Jan Sikes here on The Indie Spot! Take it away, Jan . . .
Thank you, Beem, for inviting me to your blog site today to talk about my new book, JAGGED FEATHERS! I appreciate your generosity.
PTSD is a crippling disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. A horrific car wreck, a kidnapping, witnessing a murder, spending time in prison, or fighting in a war are just a few of the things that can cause PTSD.
My character, Vann Noble, fought in Afghanistan and lost a part of his leg and the life of his best friend in a roadside bombing. He suffered from PTSD and sought healing in solitude and nature. He avoided situations he knew would trigger PTSD.
But when a car backfired inside a parking garage, it sent him into a full-blown episode.
EXCERPT:
Vann stood and cautiously left the shelter of the concrete wall.
Below, he spied a covered walkway that crossed over the street. He could circle around and come from the backside of the parking lot to the vehicle. That appeared to be his best option.
He had to get down to the walkway and quickly. Nakina depended on him.
Halfway down the stairs, a resounding boom echoed through the structure.
Vann gripped the stair rail with white knuckles and covered his head with his free hand. In an instant, he was back in Afghanistan under enemy fire. His breath came in hard gasps fighting to find a way inside his chest. He sank against the wall, eyes squeezed shut. With his heart pounding and chest constricted, he trembled from head to toe.
It was happening all over again. The distinctive acrid smell of ammonium nitrate, the panicked yelling, the ricochet of bullets against the side of the Humvee.
“It’s not real, not real,” he muttered as sweat dripped from his forehead.
Dammit! This was not the time for a PTSD panic attack. It was nothing more than a car backfiring, he told his brain. Breathe. Pull it together. Think about Nakina.
He forced himself to remember the feel of her soft lips on his. That was real. Willing his eyes to open, he wiped the sweat away with the back of a shaky hand and pushed to his feet. He didn’t have any time to waste. Gulping air into his lungs, he took the stairs two at a time, crossed the walkway, and hurried down the steps to street level.
***
My late husband was incarcerated in a maximum-security federal prison for fifteen years. He most definitely suffered from episodes of PTSD, and he hated it. It always made him feel weak. Large crowds of people with everyone talking were big triggers for him. He said it always took him back to the prison chow hall, where he witnessed many stabbings. So, I pulled from my first-hand knowledge of PTSD to write this character. Have you ever experienced this or known anyone who did?
BOOK TRAILER LINK: https://youtu.be/CwGRyRVMyLE
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?
UNIVERSAL PURCHASE LINK:
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
WEBSITE: http://www.jansikes.com
BLOG: http://www.jansikesblog.com
TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/jansikes3
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanSikesBooks
PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/jks0851/
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7095856.Jan_Sikes
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jan-sikes
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jansikes/
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Sikes/e/B00CS9K8DK
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A very realistic depiction of PST. Another great stop on the tour.
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Thank you for the visit, Darlene. Much appreciation.
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Thank you, Darlene. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment today!
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I’m fortunate that I don’t know anyone personally who has suffered from PTSD. I didn’t realize Rick had flashbacks like that, Jan, but after 15 years, wow, is that understandable. You did an excellent job of addressing Vann’s PTSD in Jagged Feathers. I really enjoyed the book and hope many new fans discover it as well.
Thanks for hosting today, Beem!
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Thank you, Mae, for your added recommendation of the book. Much appreciated. Yes, Rick’s episodes faded over the years. I’ll always believe love healed those wounds. 🙂 Happy Valentine’s Day!
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❤
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Thank you for stopping by, Mae! Always a pleasure to read your comments.
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🙂
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I’ve worked with many people with PTSD. The power of the human brain never ceases to amaze me. Best of luck with your new book, Jan. Thanks for sharing, Beem 💕🙂
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I agree, Harmony. The human brain is totally a mystery to us, even with all the knowledge we’ve gained. Thank you for stopping by today!
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Thank you for the visit, Harmony!
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Another fantastic excerpt. I’m sorry to hear Rick suffered with PTSD.Thanks for hosting Jan today, Beem!
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Thanks, Jill. Rick’s episodes lessened over the years until they no longer cropped up but it gave me first-hand knowledge to write about it. I appreciate your comment and thanks for tagging along on this tour!
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Thank you for stopping by, Jill.
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Wow, Jan. I wasn’t aware Rick had flashbacks like that. I don’t know of anyone personally who’s suffered from PTSD. It has to be a scary thing.
Thanks for hosting today, Beem.
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The word crippling is what comes to mind, Joan. Rick’s episodes lessened over the years until they no longer happened. I will always believe it was love that healed that deep wound. Thanks for stopping by!
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Thank you for your comment, Joan.
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Sorry to learn about Rick’s flashbacks. I’ve never known anyone who had those, but they must be awful.
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Crippling at times, Craig. Over the years, they lessened until they stopped. Thanks for stopping by!
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Thank you so much, Beem, for hosting me here today on this blog tour! I appreciate your generosity and support!!
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You are always welcome here on my blog, Jan.
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Gripping excerpt, Jan! I feel for those suffering from PTSD. 😥 Great post. Just out of curiosity, do you have a page at the end with information of places where those who suffer from PTSD can get help? Thanks for hosting today, Beem! 🙂
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Thanks, Yvette. No, I didn’t include a page with resources, but that would have been a good idea. One thing I believe is that love is the greatest healer of all! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by!
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Thank you for visiting, Yvette. Much appreciation.
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A super excerpt, Jan. Congratulations. Thanks, Beem for hosting Jan today.
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Thank you for your visit, John. I am grateful.
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My plesure, Beem.
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Thank you, John! I appreciate your support!
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Great excerpt! A friend of ours served in Vietnam, like my husband, and he had to move out of the neighborhood he and his wife loved to somewhere more secluded, because every time he heard fireworks, he had flashbacks. He was getting treated the last time we saw him and was doing better. Thanks for hosting, Beem!
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Thank you for visiting, Judi. And thank you for sharing the story of your neighbor. God bless.
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Thank you for sharing that, Judi. It can be a debilitating issue for sure. For many war vets, fireworks are a nightmare, as they were for your friend. I appreciate you stopping by and sharing!
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What a gripping scene! This was another fantastic excerpt, Jan. Thank you for sharing! And thank you, Beem, for sharing your site with us & promoting Jan.
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Thank you, Marlena. Much appreciation.
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Thank you, Marlena. I’m glad you stopped by and appreciate your comment!
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Hi,
PTSD can cripple anyone working in dangerous areas. I admire those men and women who seek help so that they can continue to live. An excellent excerpt, Jan.
Thank you, Beem, for hosting.
Shalom aleichem
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So true, Pat. I also admire the men and women who actively seek to heal so they can continue to love. Thank you for stopping by!
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Thank you, Pat. Your comment is appreciated. God bless.
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My niece (US Navy vet) has PTSD. It’s horrible to watch situations trigger a response. I can’t imagine living with it. I’m sorry your husband went through that, but I think it’s wonderful that you could turn something painful into a positive in your craft.
Best wishes, Jan. Thanks for hosting, Beem.
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Thank you for stopping by, Staci.
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I’m so sorry for your niece. I know it’s awful, not only for the person experiencing the episodes but for the loved ones, too. I’m glad you stopped by and shared. Thank you for your support!
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You handled PTSD very well in the story, Jan. I deal with a mild verison of it and you are so right nature.
Thanks for hosting, Beem 🙂
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Thank you for stopping by, Denise.
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Thank you for your comment, Denise. I am so sorry you have to deal with a mild version of PTSD and yes, Nature is healing!
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I can’t imagine a world where PTSD is your reality. It’s heart-breaking. Great tour going on, Jan!
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Thank you for weighing in on this, Jacqui. Much appreciation.
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Thank you, Jacqui!
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Thank you, Beem, for hosting Jan’s new release, “Jagged Feathers.” It has been so fun to learn more about Jan and her book!
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Thank you for stopping by, Linnea. Much appreciation.
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Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, Linnea! I appreciate your support – and on your birthday, no less! Happy combination Birthday and Valentine’s Day!
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I don’t know anyone personally who suffers from PTSD, but I can only imagine what your husband went through, Jan. I don’t know how anyone could come away from prison and not suffer from some form of PTSD. Thanks for hosting, Beem!
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Thanks for the visit, Teri!
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Thanks for your comment, Teri. I am happy you stopped by today. His experience gave me first-hand knowledge to write it into a character. I appreciate your support!
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I can’t imagine how frightening that experience was for your husband, Jan. I’m glad he was able to overcome it to enjoy his time with you- his Valentine girl ❤
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Thanks for stopping by, Jacquie.
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Awww, what a sweet comment, Jacquie. Valentine’s Day is always bittersweet for me. I am so happy for those who still have their partners to share the special day with and I most certainly do miss mine. Thanks for stopping by!
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PTSD would be so challenging. I imagine more folks have it than we even realize.
Good on you for shedding light on it, in your current novel.
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Thank you for visiting, Sandra.
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Somehow I missed this one, Beem. Another great big congrats to Jan on her amazing tour. She’s my idol. 🙂 Thanks for hosting!
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Thank you for visiting, Diana. I’m honored to find your comments here.
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Want to read – urgently -and discover a writer who evidently understands the life changing mind wounds of PTSD.
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Jan is an excellent writer, Esther. I hope you enjoy her work. Thank you for stopping by.
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