
Hi and “WELCOME” to Rave Reviews Book Club’s BOOK, BLOG & TRAILER BLOCK PARTY “Writing and Music!”
AND THE WINNERS ARE:
$10 AMAZON GIFT CARDS! – FORREST STEPNOWSKI AND MARK BIERMAN
ONE (1) eBOOK “JEWEL” – CASSIDY SALEM
ONE (1) eBOOK “A SOLDIER’S CHILDREN” – MIRIAM HURDLE
ONE (1) eBOOK “VOODOO OR DESTINY: YOU DECIDE” – WATCHINGTHE DAISIES (BRIGID GALLAGHER
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FIVE WINNERS!
If you are new to my blog, I do hope you’ll take a minute to look around and if you like what you see, please follow me!
Since this is a month-long book, blog and trailer block party, I decided I’d give your eyes a break and let your ears do the work at this stop today.
Below you’ll find a short excerpt from “JEWEL” and one from “A SOLDIER’S CHILDREN.”
am SO super proud of these short stories as JEWEL won the Grand Prize in the recent 90-Day Alpha/Omega Beginning to End Short Story Contest sponsored by the RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB!
A SOLDIER’S CHILDREN received an honorable mention!
Now, here is an excerpt from JEWEL!
Excerpt from A SOLDIER’S CHILDREN!
And now just for fun, a tune I wrote and recorded several years ago. Enjoy!
Once again, thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to share your thoughts and comments at the bottom of this post. Good luck on winning my giveaways! I’ll see you at the next stop of this awesome BLOCK PARTY!

What a lovely party Jan. The music rocks! Wishing you lots of fun visitors.
Thanks for stopping by, Brigid! Glad you liked my song. 🙂
Good morning Jan and congratulations again on your huge win. What a great giveaway. Whoever wins your books will be in heaven reading them. Have a great day. It’s nice and cool here in SW KS this morning. 48 and with the wind it feels like 44! Burrr!!
Love you Dearly!
Wow, Tonya! It’s still in the 90s here. I am SO ready for fall! Thanks for stopping by! Love you!
Congratulations again on your awards and thank you for sharing the song you wrote and recorded! I loved it! You a one talented lady! Happy October!
Thanks, Stephanie! I’m so glad you enjoyed the music!!!
This is really neat! Love that you created the videos/trailers. I have to get myself back into that energy again. Hop on!!
Thanks, Annette! It’s been a while since I created one, but the music video was the most fun! 🙂
Jan, this is fabulous! It’s wonderful to hear you share your writing, You’re rockin’ this! 🙂
Thank you, Natalie! I’m thrilled that you stopped by!
Love to hear you singing, Jan! That was fun.
And your short stories deserve the recognition they’ve received. I so enjoyed both of them!
Thanks, Mae! I’m glad you enjoyed the song. I had fun putting the video together and I think it’s the best one I’ve ever done. 🙂 I’m thrilled that you stopped by!
You throw a great party, Jan! I loved listening to you sing! So true…hate the sin but don’t hate the sinner. ♥
Thank you, Gwen! I’m so happy you enjoyed the music! I agree! Hate the sin, but not the sinner! Hugs!
This is a great stop, visually and substantially, Jan! Congrats on the recent success of these short stories.
Thanks, John! I’m glad you stopped by!
This may not be very presidential of me to say (but, wait, with the current WH administration, I’m sure it’s perfectly fine!) but, Jan Sikes, you’re going down in 2020! (Hopefully, so will the current WH administration!!!) Ha!
My apologies, Jan. I didn’t mean to get so political on your post, but I just couldn’t resist. I’m trying to get a real party started somewhere (debates) and this seemed the perfect stop to begin.
Moving along, I loved your post and CONGRATS on your RRBC 2019 win of the ALPHA / OMEGA Beginning to End Short Story Writing Contest! Just know that we’re gunning for you in 2020, though, so watch your back!
Lol, Nonnie! I’m watching. All that means is that I have to up my “game” to a new level!! 🙂 I do love challenges! I was hoping you’d take a listen to my song. I’d love to have your comments on “Hate the Sin (But Don’t Hate The Sinner)!” Thank you SO much for stopping by. You are welcome to post anything you want on my blog anytime!!
Hi, again, Jan! I’m sorry! I got so caught up in being politically amusing that I didn’t mention the awesome song. It was great! Your voice – beautiful! Jan, you are so talented.
The male voice – whose? When was this recorded and where can we purchase?
Thanks!
Nonnie, that made me smile. Lol I will submit next year. Lol
Good morning Jan, love your post today and congratulations on winning the contest. You truly are an amazing writing.
Thank you, Forrest! I’m happy you stopped by today!
It’s so fun to hear an author read their own work. thanks for sharing today.
Thanks, Charles! I’m happy you stopped in today!
Very fun indeed! And you can sing too? Some people get all the talent!
Thank you, Ted! And thank you for your comments on YouTube also!!
I enjoyed the excerpt from A Soldier’s Children – promises to be a touching tale.
Thank you, Cassidy! I’m happy you stopped by!
Great party, Jan. Loved the song. Congrats on the short story awards.
Thanks, John! I’m glad you stopped by even though I didn’t offer refreshments. 🙂 I did offer music.
I really enjoyed your excerpts! Wishing you a great day and lots of success!
Thanks, Mark! I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment!
You are very talented and deserve to be promoted. It was indeed a pleasure!
Congratulations Jan on your huge win. Look forward to reading more of your works. Have a Blessed Day!!! Love and Hugs to you!!
Thank you, Glenda! I appreciate you stopping in and leaving a comment! Hugs!
Just purchased my copies of ‘A soldier’s Child” and “Jewel” looking forward to diving into those pages.
Thank you, Mark! They are quick reads!
Hi Jan! I absolutely loved your stop today:) What a great way to give excerpts from your stories and I really enjoyed the song. Fantastic giveaway, too!
Thank you, Denise!! I am thrilled that you stopped by!
Congratulations Jan, I liked both the excerpts in your sweet voice and look forward to reading the award-winning stories. Thank you for sharing and wishing you great success.
Oh, thank you, Balroop, for the kind words. I appreciate you stopping by!
I love your blog, Jan! Reading your excerpts for your visitors is a stroke of genius. We can listen to the author tell the story while we peruse your blog! Well done.
Thanks, Beem! I’m happy you stopped by!
Jan, you do such a great job at reading your stories. I’ve read Jewel. A Soldiers Children is up next on my TBR. Enjoyed the song too. You are a woman of many talents!
Hi, Joan! I’m so glad you enjoyed the excerpts. Thank you for reading “Jewel!” I hope you enjoy the children’s story too. And thanks for listening to the song!
What a great way to share an excerpt! I really enjoyed it, and congrats on your well-deserved award.
Thank you, Anne Margaret! I appreciate your comment!
Hi, Jan. What a great post and shindig!. Kudos on your award, Jan. Well deserved! I love your song “Hate the Sin.” Listening to it reminds me of the Ken Burns doc on Country Music (which I think is absolutely bang on) and all of the Bluegrass music I’m hearing. I also loved hearing your singing voice. Damned good! The Grand Ole Opry awaits–even if you are from Texas! You’ve inspired me to try my hand at yodeling (NOT).🤢🥴 heh, heh.
Lol, Ron! Go ahead and yodel. Just make sure no one is around. 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by. Yes, the Ken Burns documentary was outstanding!! I knew SO much of this history from Rick, but it was great the way Burns put it all together! As Rick’s health was fading, I often wished there was a way to connect our brains so I could download all of the knowledge of music history he had. But, that isn’t possible yet. Who knows about the future. I appreciate your comment, Ron! Have a great day and hope Inge is doing well.
What a great party, Jan. I enjoyed hearing you sing. Congratulations again on your awards for the short stories.
Thank you, Miriam! I’m glad you enjoyed the music! I appreciate you!
Great job putting the post together, Jan. 🙂
Love the videos, Jan. Congrats!
Thanks, Bernard! I’m glad you visited my blog!
This is such a great stop on the tour! I was so delighted to hear of your well-deserved awards, Jan. “Hate the sin” shines another spotlight on your many talents. Congratulations again, my friend.💕
Awwww, thank you, Soooz! You always say the nicest things! I appreciate you taking the time to give it a listen! Hugs!
Hi, Jan. What an awesome post! I am so glad I stopped by to check it out. 😀
Yay!! Thanks, Rhani!
I am impressed. You write books, short stories, and even music. I need to set higher goals for myself.
Thanks, Susanne! I appreciate that you took the time to visit my blog today and leave a comment! Hugs!
Hi Jan. Your blog is fantastic with all the displays. I know you are so excited about winning the short story contest and I’m happy for you. I’ll be checking out your newest books.
Thank you, Shirley! I appreciate your support!
Hi Jan, Love your musical elements – you are multi-creative!
Thanks, Wendy! I’m happy you stopped by!!
This was so much fun! It’s always great to hear an author give voice to his/her characters. The stories sound great, and your song was awesome! I love the message behind it. 🙂
Thank you SO much, Yvette!! I appreciate your comment! Have a great day!
Awesome page, Jan! Congrats on being part of the October-Ween Block Party.
Thank you, Karl! I’m glad you made it over!
Such a great post. Congratulations on your win! It’s great to hear authors reading their own books too.
Thank you, Lizzie! I’m glad you stopped by!
Great party stop, Jan! I loved the excerpt for Jewel. I’m definitely intrigued. Congratulations again on winning the short story contest!
Thanks, Vashti! I’m glad the excerpt intrigued you! I appreciate you stopping by!
Here a little late, Jan. Your short stories are lovely and I love your writing, but good grief, girl, that music video was awesome. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Awwww, thank you, Mary! Your comment made me smile. I appreciate you stopping by!
What a beautiful set-up, Jan. Congratulations again on your victories!
Thank you, Joy!
Jan, you’re positively on fire. Great stuff here. Hugs on the wing!
Thank you, Teagan. Some days I don’t feel like I’m on fire. In fact some days I feel like the fire has run off and left me. 🙂 I appreciate you leaving a comment!
Jan!!! Well, you already know I love your writing. And now to hear your very own song! Beautiful!! I continue to be a fan! 🖤
Awww, thank you, Marlena!! Your comment just made my day! Hugs!
😘 💕
Many thanks Jan. How lovely to win a prize. I am on a roll, after winning another book last week!
Congrats, Brigid!!
I’m late to the party but glad I stopped by. I love, love, love this video: https://youtu.be/g5GC9LR93BI
Thank you, Rob!! I’m thrilled that you stopped by! And, I’m glad you liked my song and the video!!
Jan, your song brought back memories of the Grand Old Oprey. It’s has a classic sound.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!