You may remember my March feature of A Beggar’s Bargain by Jan Sikes. Today, I’m presenting A Noble Bargain, the second book 2 in her Bargainer series. I hope you enjoy the new release!

Jan Sikes A Noble Bargain blog tour | From the blog of Nicholas C. Rossis, author of science fiction, the Pearseus epic fantasy series and children's books

A Noble Bargain

Thank you, Nicholas, for allowing me to take over your blog today to talk about my new release, A Noble Bargain. I’m deeply grateful for your generosity and support!

Oliver Quinn is of Irish descent. Between 1820 and 1860, over one million Irish immigrants arrived in America, hungry for a better life. But when they arrived, they were met with less than welcoming arms. The Irish filled the most menial and dangerous jobs, often at low pay. Oliver’s father was forced to do whatever he could to care for his family, including fighting in the rings. But he believed in the American dream and instilled that in his son along with a strong work ethic.

Book Blurb

A true testament of character, resilience, and the magic of never giving up.

The year is 1948 and folks in the sawmill town of Crossett, Arkansas, work hard and play hard. Oliver Quinn does both. Oliver is the son of Irish immigrants who firmly believe in pursuing the American dream. His deepest desire is to play major league baseball. He only needs one chance to prove himself.

Rose Blaine is living in a nightmare where dreams don’t exist. She’s suffered for years at the hands of her violent moonshiner father and his partner. During a brutal attack, she must fight back or die. The aftermath is devastating.

Fueled by desperation, Rose strikes a life-changing bargain with Oliver. If he’ll take her and her brother to St. Louis, Missouri, she’ll introduce Oliver to her uncle, a baseball legend.

While their journey is fraught with unseen perils, they forge an unbreakable bond and make surprising allies.

When destiny throws them a curve ball, they must find the courage to create a hopeful future out of the ashes of shattered dreams with newfound fortitude.

Universal Purchase Linkhttps://books2read.com/u/booMQR

Excerpt

Oliver looked like his father, a tall, sturdy Irishman built for hard labor and fighting. But he got his genteel spirit from the woman who’d given birth to him.

When Irish immigrants arrived in America, they found a less than enthusiastic welcome. Many resorted to fighting in the rings to put food on their family’s table, and Oliver’s father was no exception. That was until he landed a steady job at the sawmill.

While Oliver never cared for physical violence, he didn’t avoid it and never quit once it started. He held close the memory of his father, Patrick Quinn. No better man had ever walked the face of the earth.

He encouraged Oliver to pursue his dreams. Said that’s what America was all about. Was the main reason they left Ireland and immigrated here. More than anything else, Oliver loved baseball and until his father died, he loved playing with him. Now, he played on the Crossett Miller’s team, and he was good. During off season, he played with some of the local boys. One day, when his mom and sisters could make it without him, he’d take a stab at the big leagues.

I know that immigration is a hot topic and a big problem for the United States today, but imagine how hard it was over a hundred years ago. Again, it goes back to the theme of following a dream, no matter the cost.

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Jan Sikes | From the blog of Nicholas C. Rossis, author of science fiction, the Pearseus epic fantasy series and children's books