Meet Jan Sikes
Today, I am thrilled to introduce talented author, Jan Sikes, for my March author interview on LatinosUSA.
Jan and I have been blogging friends for some years and I enjoy her interesting posts on her personal blog. You can read her latest post here: https://jansikes.com/wednesday-words-7/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wednesday-words-7
Jan is also a contributor to Story Empire, a blog that provides a wide range of writing and other advice to authors and writers. You can read her latest Story Empire post here: https://storyempire.com/2026/02/19/conquering-publishing-woes-part-2/
Tell us a bit about Jan Sikes. What led you to start writing? What was your first book/book series?
I have worn many hats throughout life. I think we all do. I started out life in a small town on the Texas-New Mexico border. I always had a bit of wanderlust in me and couldn’t wait to get out and explore the world when I got old enough. As soon as I turned eighteen, I left home and unfolded my wings to fly. Those wings have been tattered and torn through the years, but I still have them. I’ve always been an avid reader. I can still remember the excitement I felt when I first learned to decipher words. It was the grandest, most freeing sensation! I never had any ambition to be a writer, although I’ve written in some form or another since the age of eight. The first thing I can truly remember writing is a song. During the years I was married to my late husband, I wrote songs and poems and recorded several of those songs. I loved that so much. But it wasn’t until after he’d passed away that I ventured into the world of writing books. I had a true story that begged to be told. When I started writing it, I had no idea it would take four books to complete, but that became my first series, with Flowers and Stone as book #1. It is classified as biographical fiction because, even though the story is true, I chose to tell it through fictitious characters. I published Flowers and Stone in 2013 and have published twenty-one books since then, including a book of poetry and art and four music CDs.
Tell us a bit about The White Rune Series. What inspired these stories? What does the White Rune mean?
The idea for the first book in The White Rune Series came to me while I was working on the second book in the True Story Series. It was the concept of opposites, as many stories are. But I envisioned the male character to be a computer nerd, safe, settled and not a risk-taker. The female character, however, rode a red Harley-Davidson motorcycle, had been bounced around in the foster care system and was tough. I’d never read a book like that. But I couldn’t stop working on the true stories, so I made some notes, wrote the first chapter and put it away until I could give it my attention. The original working title was Two Worlds Collide. I pitched it to editors, agents, and publishers for a solid year before someone took it. The publisher who took it didn’t like that title, so they changed it to Ghostly Interference. I’ve always been drawn to metaphysical things like tarot cards, crystals and runes, Runes are an ancient form of divination, first created by the Norse Vikings as a means of communication. Because Runes are not commonly known, I wanted to include some aspect of them in these books. As it turned out, the perfect opportunity came in a letter to Ghostly Interference’s female character, Rena Jett, in the form of a white rune with the symbol for ‘happy ever-after’ carved on it. It’s been interesting because few people are familiar with Runes, so I’ve enjoyed introducing them through these stories. The Rune is passed from book to book.
Do you have a favourite character in this series? If yes, which one and why?
I actually have two favorite characters. Jag Peters is the main male character in Ghostly Interference. His mother, Charlotte,is one of my favorites. She embodies parts of myself, or at least she has traits I wish I had. She is not a major character in the story, yet she influences a major portion. I had so much fun creating her from pieces and parts of my background.
The other favorite character I’ve created is the male character in Saddled Hearts, Colt Layne. He is the perfect blend of tough and yet he’s gentle and compassionate. I loved giving him the talent of making music, and perhaps incorporated bits and pieces of my husband into him. I say I created the perfect man with Colt Layne’s character.
Are you planning any other books in this series?
The White Rune Series is finished. I do have a short story that I will include in my upcoming new collection, which is the backstory to Ghostly Interference.
You recently changed the covers of the books in this series. How did you go about deciding on an appropriate design for each book?
I had to change the covers when I got my rights back from the publisher for all three of the books in this series, as I could not use their artwork. I chose the cover art based on what each story is about. I believe a book cover should be an honest advertisement for what’s inside. It’s a sort of promise to the reader.
What’s next for Jan Sikes?
Up next for me is a collection of short stories, which I plan to publish in April. The title of the book is Fringes, Heartstrings and Lyrics. It will consist of short stories that were published in anthologies over the years, as well as some new unpublished works. The Lyrics section will include poems from myself, my husband and my granddaughter. I’m super excited about this as it will be a first-time showcase of my granddaughter’s talent!
My review of Jagged Feathers
This book kicks off to an action packed start that introduces the reader to first, Vann Noble, the male main character of the book, and then the female lead, Nakina. This is an entertaining read that remains fast paced throughout and offers an engaging plot and a delightful romance. The author weaves a lot of interesting information into the story line in the form of cultural diversity, the drug cartels and the horror they bring into people’s lives, and a military backstory with a PTSD twist.
Vann is a fascinating character. A handsome and dynamic young man who has experienced great losses during his military experiences abroad. His military career ended with an incident which claimed the life of his best friend, Sam, and also a part of his leg, leaving him partially disabled. Vann is struggling to come to terms with these losses and is attempting to exorcise his monsters by creating and selling art made from natural products and living in a peaceful place where there are few external demands made on him. This peaceful existence is turned upside down when her runs into Nikina and decides to come to her aid.
Nikina has become embroiled in a nightmare with a drug cartel due to her job as a legal secretary. Through no fault of her own, she ends up on the run with a package to deliver on behalf of her boss, dead at the hands of cartel henchmen. Nikina has the good fortune to be assisted out of a deadly situation by Vann and he becomes her carer as she struggles back to good health. Nikina is a great character with everything a woman could wish for, good looks, talent as a painter, and a promising job until everything in her work life goes pear shaped and she ends up in danger.
This is a well written and interesting novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy a solid plot combined with a heartwarming romance.
Blurbs and purchase links for the White Rune Series
Ghostly Interference (The White Rune Series Book 1)
Jag Peters works hard to keep his karma clean and his life peaceful.
Then a near miss with a red Harley leads him straight into a world he never expected—and to Rena Jett, a fierce beauty who meets life with armor instead of open arms.
Rena has survived loss, danger, and heartbreak. She doesn’t need a soft-spoken stranger complicating things. But when Jag reveals he can see the ghost of her brother, everything she believes is shaken.
Her brother’s last gift, a rune stone etched with the “happily ever after” symbol, may hold more power than she imagines.
As Jag and Rena are pulled closer by fate—and perhaps something magical—they must face the hardest truth of all:
Sometimes love finds us when we least want it… and exactly when we need it most.
Amazon purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/Ghostly-Interference-White-Rune-Book-ebook/dp/B0G2TD6JSY/
Jagged Feathers (The White Rune Series Book 2)
Caught in the crosshairs of ruthless killers, an ex-soldier and a psychic race to stay alive.
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 unexpected deadly mission, Nakina Bird seeks refuge in Vann’s cabin. She has secrets. Secrets that can get them both killed.
With a ticking clock and impossible odds, they must fight not only for survival but for something neither expected—a chance at redemption and love.
But when evil forces close in, will their fragile connection be enough to save them, or will it make them easier targets?
Amazon purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0G317DP4C
Saddled Hearts (The White Rune Series Book 3)
Colt Layne lives an idyllic life between caring for the animals on his ranch and playing music with his band. That is, until a stranger appears with unreasonable demands. Now the man is dead, and Colt is facing a murder charge. He’s being framed, but by whom and why?
His only hope lies in a conversation with his deceased grandfather—an impossible task. Or is it?
His answer arrives in Sage Coventry, a psychic who can speak to the dead. Though skeptical, Colt needs her help. But he gets more than messages from beyond the grave as she breezes into his heart with sweet patchouli fragrance and tempting lips.
As the clock runs out to clear his name and save his beloved ranch, Colt and Sage unearth shocking revelations about the past, their love, and the future.
Amazon purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0G3XV9C4T
About Jan Sikes
Jan Sikes is a multi-award-winning author, who writes compelling and creative stories from the heart.
She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author, although she’s been an avid reader all her life. But she had a story to tell—Not just any story, but a true story to rival any fiction creation. She brought the powerful true story to life through fictitious characters in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books, accompanying music CDs, and a book of poetry and art.
And now, this author can’t put down the pen. She continues to write fiction in a variety of genres, and has published many award-winning short stories and novels. She is an active blogger, a member of the Story Empire group, loves to support indie artists (both literary and musical) and is the grandmother of five beautiful souls. Find out more at 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
About Robbie Cheadle
South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, written and illustrated four poetry books and written and illustrated one celebration of cake and fondant art book with recipes. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/
Social Media Links
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyFo_OJLPqFa9ZhHnCfHUA
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15584446.Robbie_Cheadle
TSL Publications: https://tslbooks.uk/product-tag/robbie-cheadle/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robbie-Cheadle/author/B01N9J62GQ
Unsplash profile: https://unsplash.com/@r_cheadle
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