I’m hosting today a feature post on Jan Sikes’ book, A Beggar’s Bargain as part of her Blog Tour Day 4.

A Beggar’s Bargain

A shocking proposal that changes everything.

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.

Only 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.

UNIVERSAL PURCHASE LINK: https://books2read.com/u/3nqqEo

Blog tags:  #HistoricalFiction #Farm #WorldWarII #Missouri #Foreclosure #Bankers #ForcedMarriage #LiteraryFiction

BOOK TRAILER LINK: https://youtu.be/G6vMqD4SuQ4?si=aZG6RCZbFlhJfuxB

Connect with Jan

UNIVERSAL LINK: https://linktr.ee/Rijanjks

OR INDIVIDUALLY:

• http://www.jansikes.com
• https://www.twitter.com/jansikes3
• http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanSikesBooks
• https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-sikes
• http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00CS9K8DK  (Author Page)
• https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7095856.Jan_Sikes

A Note from Jan

Thank you, Nicholas, for hosting me on your blog today so I can talk about my new book, A Beggar’s Bargain.

This story is set in 1947. World War II has ended and Layken Martin has returned home to the family farm and vowed to save it from bank foreclosure by any means possible. He’s studied fast growing crops and decided peanuts will bring the highest yield in the shortest amount of time.

Here’s a conversation he had with the banker:

“We can’t keep the doors open if we let every Tom, Dick, and Harry go without paying their debts. Surely, you can understand that?”

“Yes, sir. I understand. I’m doing my best. I’ve got plans to plant peanuts right away. I hear tell they’re selling for twice the amount of sorghum or wheat.” He picked at a hangnail on his calloused hands.

“Peanuts? Are you crazy? No one around here grows peanuts. Hell, they probably won’t even grow in Missouri soil. Besides that, it’s too blamed hot to plant a crop.”

“Sir, I promise I’ve done my research. I believe they will grow. I’m willing to bet the farm on it.”

Everywhere he went, Layken met with resistance to the idea of planting something out of the ordinary. Yet, he stuck to his convictions and planted peanuts. Having never lived on a farm, I had to do a bit of research on growing these legumes and discovered a crop can be harvested in approximately 120 days. My story takes place in July, so theoretically, he can harvest a crop before the first freeze. Will it pay off for him? Find out in A Beggar’s Bargain!

Have you ever had to research growing a crop for a story? This was my first and I learned a lot. Let’s talk!