I think it’s safe to say summer has arrived in full force. It’s been an interesting week. I’ll keep it as brief as possible.
I’m happy to report my week of house sitting and taking care of the grand dogs went off without a hitch. No new injuries from the rowdy pup. 🙂 It helped that a young boy from the neighborhood came and walked him every morning, Here they both are. Ace is on the left. Rosie is on the right. She is six. Ace is one. They are both Borderdoodles, with parentage flipped. Rosie’s mother was the border collie and Ace’s was poodle.
I was so thrilled to learn this week that A Beggar’s Bargain has made the finalist list for the Heart Awards! It’s the little book that keeps on giving. Fingers are crossed for a win!
I am also happy to share that I finally have a completed book cover for A Bold Bargain! I will be putting it up for pre-order soon, but don’t have a link to share yet. Am I 100% happy with the cover? No, but I’m tired of going back and forth and waiting another week for a revision, so I’m settling for this version. It will be fine. 🙂
I’m waiting on the final round of edits, then it will go out to beta-readers. I’ve set a publication date for 8-11-25. It’s always nerve wracking when we release our work out into the world. The raven of doubt sits on our shoulders and whispers, “no one will like it,” or “it’s awful, you shouldn’t publish it,” and on and on. Thankfully, I’ve learned to silence that voice. Now, I’m wondering what’s next on the writing horizon. 🙂
A newspaper reporter contacted me last week asking for permission to use a photograph in an article she was writing about a bank robbery that occurred in Bangs, Texas, fifty-five years ago. This is one of the robberies my late husband was convicted of. I asked to see the article before she published it and was so pleased when I read it. She got it pretty right, plus she plugged my books! If you’re curious, here’s a link: https://www.brownwoodnews.com/2025/06/05/diane-adams-when-the-bangs-bank-was-robbed/
I have a favor to ask, if you have a mind to. I am trying to increase my Bookbub following so that they will send out announcements when I have a new book coming out. It only takes a minute and I’d be grateful if you could help me reach my goal! https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-sikes
Oh, I almost forgot about the car a/c. Turns out it may not be the expansion valve at all. I spoke at length with a gentleman who explained that if the expansion valve fails, it won’t blow cold air at all. Mine comes and goes. Sometimes it blows cold air then hot. So, I have an appointment to let him take a look and see what the real problem is. I kept having a gut feeling not to trust the diagnostic report I got. So, I followed that feeling. It may be something worse or not. But I do feel this man will be straight with me. Fingers are crossed!
My oldest granddaughter turns 14 this week. I have been with her since she was born. My daughter and son-in-law were living just outside Denver when she was born. I had retired from my job and they asked if I would move to Colorado for year and be her nanny. I did and as things turned out, at the end of the year, when I got ready to come back to Texas, my daughter got a job transfer here and so the story goes. Anyway, Sydney is such a creative soul. She loves theater and shines on stage. She has to work hard for her grades, but finished this school year with all A’s. She loves the water and swims like a fish. So, Happy Birthday to Sydney on 6-11!
My longtime friend, D.L. Finn has a new book out! I can’t wait to open this one. I know it will be a journey through the pages. Take a look!
In looking for a quote to share for today, this one grabbed me. It sounds so simple. Perhaps it is!
This is the Tarot card I got for the week.
The first thing that comes to mind when I see this card is that there are things you cannot see and mostly because of the blindfold your mind has placed on your sight. Remember that swords represent the intellect. Sometimes we simply don’t want to see the truth and that blocks the intuition and can often paralyze us to the point we become indecisive. Fear of making a wrong choice will often prevent us from making any choice at all. However, reaching out to others and talking through whatever the issue is can help tremendously. It’s kind of like the old adage about not being able to see the forest for the trees. Another’s unbiased input often helps bring clarity. Finally, as all the cards advise, ultimately listening and trusting in your own intuition is the best guide. So, this card can come into play in a lot of different scenarios. We shall see how the week plays out.
Make it a good one!
Congrats on the award. Love the cover of your latest. Thanks for the mention of Denise’s wonderful collection of poetry.
Sandra
Congratulations on being a finalist, Jan! I can’t wait to read A Bold Bargain. I love the cover!
A most interesting card, Jan. I sort of feel I’ve found some clarity lately 🙏. Your granddaughter is a great kid, wonderful for you. Congrats on the book nomination too.
Congratulations on being a finalist. I also want to say thanks for the newsletter share.
Congrats on being a finalist, Jan! The pups look like a rowdy duo. I grabbed a copy of Denise’s new book!
Thank you, Beem! Fingers are crossed for a win for A Beggar’s Bargain. Glad you got Denise’s newest. I just finished it and highly recommend it.
The dogs sound adorable (and probably quite lively). I loved the story about your granddaughter—it feels like destiny is bringing you closer. The cover of A Bold Bargain is captivating, sparking curiosity about the tale behind the dog and the bicycle.
Thank you so much for your comment! It’s great to see a new face at my blog!
Fingers crossed, Jan, and I hope your a/c gets fixed soon and that it’s nothing worse. I’m not on Bookbub, and honestly, I can’t stretch myself anymore. I’ve stepped away from FB, so I have my blog (the main platform), Instagram, Goodreads, and Amazon Author page. 🙂 Maybe when I retire, I’ll have more time. I hope you understand. I also love the cover of your new book and look forward to its release in August. I just bought Denise’s, so thanks for the reminder. And Happy Birthday to Sydney! Love the quote too! 🥰
Thank you, Lauren! I appreciate the good wishes and kind words. I totally understand about not stretching any more than you already are. We absolutely have to pick and choose. No one can do it all. I appreciate you!
You’re so welcome, Jan, and thanks for understanding. Whew! 🙂 I appreciate you too, and have a great day!
So happy about your being a finalist, Jan, and love this new cover as well : ) Cute pups to babysit and happy birthday to your grandaughter. My oldest one turn
….turns 15 the day after. I read the article and it was a good one, I agree. Fingers crossed for your AC! Thank you for including a shout-out for my book too! Much appreciated xo
Congratulations on making the finalist list for the Heart Awards and Happy Birthday to your grand daughter. I followed you on BookBub
Thank you SO much, Thomas!!
Congratulations, Jan, that A Beggar’s Bargain has made the finalist list for the Heart Awards! Those dogs sure are cute. Happy birthday to your granddaughter. I hope you get your car’s A/C fixed.
Thank you so much, Tim. My fingers are crossed for a win for A Beggar’s Bargain. I appreciate all the good wishes!
Congratulations on the award. The dogs are precious (and a handful, I’ll bet). I love the story about your granddaughter. It seems fate wants you two to be together. I like the cover of A Bold Bargain. It has a lot going for it which makes a reader want to know the story about the dog and cycle.
Thank you, John. I appreciate all the kind words. While the cover is okay, it simply doesn’t fit with the other two books in the series, so I will most likely be sharing a different cover soon. 🙂 Oh, it will still have the motorcycle and wolf pup. 🙂
Oh, yes, our thoughts can take us towards any direction. What we don’t want to see can be so easily ignored. But that does not mean it disappears and any time it catches up again. Good card to think about.
Thanks for the updates and how wonderful to hear how close you have always been to your oldest granddaughter. What a gift! Have a great week, Jan!
Thank you, Erika. I’m happy you stopped by and glad you enjoyed the post! I appreciate your comment, and you are right about the gift of having a closeness with my granddaughter. I have a feeling it was written into both of our contracts. 🙂
I bet you both feel that clearly – like my grandfather and I.
Congrats on the book! The cover–I often feel I am compromising on a cover only to love it in the fullness of time. I hope that happens for you.
Already follow you on BookBub! Keep up the great writing.
Thank you so much, Jacqui. I appreciate your encouraging comment about the cover. Maybe it will grow on me or maybe I’ll do something different. 🙂 Thank you for following me on BookBub!!
Congratulations to A Beggar’s Bargain for making the finalist list for the Heart Awards! The book cover for A Bold Bargain is fantastic. Happy birthday to your granddaughter. AND I just read Finn’s poetry collection, good read!
Thank you, Priscilla. The new cover may not be finished yet but if not I will go with it. I appreciate your comment!
Thank you, Priscilla 🙂 That makes me happy you hear xo
The pups are adorable! I’m sure that, being part border collie, they can be a bit of a handful and full of energy. The tarot reading is a interesting and I will have to wait to see how it plays out.
Thank you for stopping in, Jeanne. The pup is a handful but he is also male while the older female is quiet and very loving. I agree about the tarot card. I was thinking it might relate to my car issue. We shall see.
Sounds like things are going well, Jan. I hope you get the A/C fixed. I already follow you on Bookbub, but my goal for this summer is to get more reviews and recommendations posted. I’ve been remiss–tangled up in other projects–but I aim to fix that. I snagged Denise’s book yesterday. That’s going to be handy to have around.
Thank you so much for all of your support, Dan. Really, it takes a village. Just know I appreciate you!!!
I meant to add that I like the cover.
Thanks, Dan. The jury is still out on it, but I appreciate your comment!
It’s hard getting them just right.
Thanks, Dan 🙂