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 ...
Read More
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.
Read Less
Add this copy of A Noble Bargain to cart. $17.13, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2024 by Fresh Ink Group.
Add this copy of A Noble Bargain to cart. $25.72, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2024 by Fresh Ink Group.
Add this copy of A Noble Bargain to cart. $40.29, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by Fresh Ink Group.
Add this copy of A Noble Bargain to cart. $54.41, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by Fresh Ink Group.
Add this copy of A Noble Bargain (the Bargainer) to cart. $71.21, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by Fresh Ink Group.
Add this copy of A Noble Bargain (the Bargainer) to cart. $87.68, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by Fresh Ink Group.
Jan Sikes� A Noble Bargain transports readers to 1948, a time when post-war prosperity contrasted sharply with the struggles of small-town life. In Crossett, Arkansas, Oliver Quinn dreams of escaping his humble beginnings to become a professional baseball player. Across town, Rose Blaine endures a harsh reality under the thumb of her abusive, moonshine-brewing father. The two form an unlikely alliance: Rose promises to connect Oliver with her influential uncle in St. Louis if he agrees to take her and her brother away from their oppressive life. Their pact sets the stage for a poignant tale of ambition, resilience, and survival.
Sikes writes with a plainspoken elegance that perfectly suits the story's setting and themes. Oliver and Rose, the central characters, embody a restless hope that propels the narrative. Their yearning for a better life highlights a central tension of the era: even amid national growth and optimism, achieving one�s dreams often remained an uphill battle for those born into hardship. The book�s portrayal of economic struggle and personal perseverance resonates deeply, making their journey all the more compelling. The story shifts gears when the protagonists arrive in St. Louis, expanding the narrative's scope and raising the stakes. Sikes captures the wonder and challenges of city life with vivid descriptions and a keen sense of contrast, deftly illustrating how overwhelming the big city must feel to individuals from such modest beginnings. The new setting introduces a rich supporting cast that adds layers of intrigue and drama, pushing the characters to grow and adapt. Sikes keeps the plot moving with charged interactions and period-appropriate details, skillfully blending personal struggles with broader societal themes. Sikes avoids excessive sentimentality, instead grounding the story in the grit and determination of its protagonists. The conclusion feels earned and satisfying, a testament to the characters� resilience and the strength of their bond.
Fans of character-driven fiction and historical narratives will find much to admire here. Young adults may connect with the story�s themes of ambition and self-discovery, while older readers will appreciate its rich period detail and timeless message. Reminiscent of Elmore Leonard�s The Moonshine War and the baseball-themed works of John R. Tunis, A Noble Bargain is an evocative, heartwarming novel that lingers long after the final page.
