Hey, readers! I’m excited to welcome back friend and fellow author Jan Sikes today. She has a brand-new release, the second book of her White Rune Series. I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while and have already picked up my copy.
Please welcome Jan to tell you all about it.
Thank you, Joan, for inviting me to your blog site today to talk about my new book, JAGGED FEATHERS! I appreciate your generosity.
Since you are a fellow Texan, I wanted to share this historic piece of the story with you and your followers. I don’t know if any of you are familiar with The Longhorn Ballroom and Motel in Dallas, Texas, but a part of my story takes place there.
(Photo courtesy of Jay Lafrance)
First a little history. The Longhorn Ballroom was built in the 1950s by an eccentric Dallas millionaire specifically for Bob Wills. It was said he wanted a stage large enough for Wills to ride his horse onto. It is unclear when the motel section was built, but altogether it is a large complex. It sold to Dewey Groom in the 1960s and ironically, my late husband and Groom were great friends. I have a photo of Rick presenting a pair of longhorns to Groom.
The property changed hands many times and currently belongs to Dallas Developer, Jay LaFrance. I saw an episode of “Queen of the South” that was set at the Longhorn motel and it gave me the idea to include it in my story as well.
Excerpt
The exit sign came up, and her gut clenched. She (Nakina) was getting close. A mixture of anger, danger, and fear for what lay ahead snaked itself around her, almost cutting off her breath.
A glance in her rearview mirror assured her that Vann was with Bridger directly behind her, in a dark-colored van with tinted windows. The rest of the team were invisible but already assembled and in their places, waiting.
The sign for the motel loomed ahead long before she reached it. She didn’t realize this was part of a complex. A statue of a giant longhorn steer faced the street and advertised the Longhorn Ballroom and Motel.
When she turned in the entrance, her heart raced. This was it. This had to be successful. There was no other outcome she would consider.
A blue feather floated down and landed on her windshield.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Grandmother, stay with me. Help me.”
In an instant, her insides stopped shaking, replaced by steely determination.
As instructed, she parked in front of room 110, left the engine running, and car door open.
After a deep breath, she squared her shoulders, strode to the door, and knocked loudly.
No one answered. She knocked again, reaching out with her senses to feel any vibrations on the other side of the door. They had to be there. The rune tingled against her breast.
She knocked a third time, apprehension crawling up her spine.
Finally, the door cracked open.
A man with a long scar running from his temple down his cheek growled. “You alone, puta?”
She nodded.
He opened the door wider, and she leaned forward attempting to peer inside.
“Get in here.”
She took a step backward, shook her head, and her voice dripped ice. “No. Bring my sister out, and I’ll give you what you want, but I’m not coming inside.”
The man poked his head out farther and scanned the area. “No one followed you? Where’s the gringo?” He grabbed her arm and tried to pull her inside.
Holding onto the door frame, she attached a death grip. “He’s not here. I did as I was told. Bring my sister out and let go of me.”
“Shit! You are some kind of loco, puta. You think I’m just going to hand your sister over without getting what I want?” He released her arm.
“No.” She reached into the side pocket of the duffel bag slung over her shoulder. “Here’s the key. Give me my sister, and you’ll get the rest.”
The man jerked the key from her hand, and the skull on the end of the keychain glittered in bright Texas sunlight.
“You better not be bullshitting. You will regret it.”
The door closed, and scuffling sounds came from inside.
When he reappeared, a wide-eyed Adele stood beside him, tape over her mouth and her hands tied behind her back.
Were you familiar with The Longhorn Ballroom and Motel? Have you ever been there? I attended several events there in the last five years, but I don’t know if it is still operating as I haven’t seen anything about it in a long time.
BOOK TRAILER LINK
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
57 Responses
I have never heard of it but I love you brought into the story at an important time.
Thank you for hosting, Joan 🙂
Thank you, Denise, for all of your support. I needed a place for a showdown with the cartel and when I saw that used on Queen of the South, I knew I had to use it.
I like it when authors bring true events/places into stories, Denise. Makes them seem all the more real. Thanks for visitng today.
I enjoyed reading a little history on the Longhorn Ballroom. I’m glad you brought it into your story, Jan. Thanks for hosting today, Joan!
Thank you, Jill. I appreciate you riding along on this tour!
Cool bit of history, Jill! Thanks for stopping by today.
I love what the blue feather on the cover represents, Jan! How cool that your husband was part of the Longhorn Ballroom’s history! Great post. Thanks for hosting, Joan! 🙂
Thank you, Yvette, for leaving a comment today. I loved the significance of the blue feather, too. And I enjoy sharing tidbits of Rick’s history and especially when I can incorporate some of into my stories.
Isn’t the blue feather cool, Yvette? I love the book cover – even more so now that I know what the feather represents.
I love that you wove an actual place into your book, Jan, and especially one with history. Those pictures and clippings of Rick are awesome, definitely something to treasure. I thoroughly enjoyed Jagged Feathers and wish you much success on your tour.
Thanks for hosting Jan today, Joan!
I enjoyed including that little tidbit of history in the story. Plus I needed a place for a showdown. 🙂 Thanks for all of your support, Mae!
The Longhorn Ballroom is a Texas icon, Mae. Thanks for visiting today and supporting Jan.
I just moved back to Texas. (I was born in here.) Now I really want to read Jagged Feathers! I haven’t been to the Longhorn Ballroom. I’ll have to seek it out.
Priscilla, where did you move to? Are you in the Dallas area? Welcome back home! Glad you enjoyed today’s post!
We are shacked up with our daughter and son-in-law in Fort Worth because we couldn’t find a rental place that would take our hound dog plus four cats. (The plan was to rent while we looked for a place to buy in the Weatherford-to-Mineral Wells area.) It worked out, actually, because our daughter had to have surgery, so I’m taking care of the newborn while she recovers and they guys are at work. Little baby is sleeping right now . . . for the moment.:-)
Awwww, what a joy. Once you get settled, let’s figure out a place to meet up for coffee and a chat! I live in Plano.
I’d love to, Jan!
You’re not that far from me, Priscilla. I’m about 90 miles east of Dallas. The Weatherford/Mineral Wells area is a nice one. Hoping you can find something there.
Let’s all three plan a rendezvous, Joan and Priscilla!! What fun that would be!
Welcome home, Priscilla! Thanks for stopping by today.
I have heard of the Longhorn Ballroom but have not been there. A great excerpt and tie in. I´m loving this blog tour.
Thank you, Darlene. I am happy to have you riding along on this tour!!
Thank you for visiting, Darlene. I’ve also never been to the Longhorn Ballroom.
I always enjoy Jan’s glimpses into the past. The Longhorn Ballroom sounds like a cool place.
Thanks, Craig. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. And thank you for your support!
Can this Texan confess she’s never been there? (Blushing…) Thanks, Craig.
It’s a big state…
A fun bit of Texan history. The Longhorn Ballroom sounds like an interesting place. Best of luck with your new release, Jan. Thanks for sharing, Joan 💕🙂
It was the perfect place for a showdown with the drug cartel. Thanks for stopping by, Harmony!
I just now saw your comment, Harmony. Thanks for stopping by and cheering Jan on.
Thank you for hosting, Joan. And a big congratulations to Jan. I wish her immense success on Jagged Feathers. ✨🎉✨
Thank you, Gwen. I appreciate you leaving a comment today and sharing!
Thanks for stopping by, Gwen.
Thank you, Joan, for hosting me today and for the beautiful layout you did of the post and photos. I appreciate you!
Jan, it’s always a pleasure to host you. Wishing you all the best with this new release. You’re always welcome here!
I love that bit of history, Jan. Thanks so much for including the news clippings and sharing it. Best wishes with your release. (I’m FINALLY posting my review today.)
Thanks for hosting, Joan.
Yay!! Thank you, Staci. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. And thanks for visiting and leaving a comment today!
Posted to Amazon, GR, and BB. Wishing you all the best.
Thanks for visiting today, Staci! Glad you enjoyed the book. I’m reading it right now.
I’m sure you’ll love it, Joan.
Thanks for having Jan here today, Joan. And Jan, you’re really on a roll with these great posts and excerpts! Still wishing you huge success with Jagged Feathers!
Great post, you two! 😊❤
Thank you, Marcia! I appreciate your kind support!
She is on a roll, Marcia. I’m almost halfway through the book and loving it!
It’s getting very near the top of my TBR monolith, Joan, and I can’t wait to dig into it! 😊❤
I get excited about these posts, wondering what we’re going to discuss next. And per usual, this one is a good one. It’s so interesting how stories and lives intertwine together. The added tidbit about Rick is so sweet. Including the ballroom in your story is kind of like a tribute. <3 Joan, thank you so much for sharing your site & supporting Jan today.
Thank you, Mar. I am so glad you are enjoying the posts. And, it was fun to weave in the Longhorn Ballroom. Plus, I needed a place in Dallas for a showdown. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment!
Isn’t Rick’s story sweet? Thanks so much for stopping by, Mar.
Terrific story of Rick and the Longhorn Ranch, Jan. Congratulations on your release. Thanks, Joan for hosting Jan today.
Thank you, John. Glad you enjoyed the post. I appreciate you leaving a comment!
😊
Thank you for stopping by, John!
Thank you, Denise, for sharing the author blog for Jan Sikes. I enjoyed the tidbit about The Longhorn Ballroom. Jagged Feathers was a story that blended suspense and some steamy romance that readers of both genres would enjoy reading.
Thank you for visiting, Linnea, and for your support of Jan.
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave a comment, Linnea! And thank you for adding your recommendation for the book!
That personal connection is so cool! A perfect example of “write what you know.” Another fascinating post, Jan. Thanks for hosting, Joan. 🙂
Thank you, Diana. I am glad you enjoyed this blog tour stop and thank you for leaving a comment!
I love it when authors weave personal events into stories. Thanks for stopping by, Diana!