Rain! We finally have rain up here in the Great Dry North. It’s been awhile and I’m getting a bit tired of watering the plants. I do, however, like the fact that I’ve hadn’t had to mow the lawn in a few weeks.
Anyways, I’m not here to bore you with our weather issues, nope, today is another book review. A short thirty-four pager, written by Jan Sikes.
What Amazon Says:

Quentin Marksโ mother can only love one son, and from the day Rowdy was born, she makes Quentin, his little brotherโs keeper. She demands that Quentin fix every problem for Rowdy and that he also protect him. The truth is, after a deadly snakebite, Quentin owes his very life to his little brother, a debt that will never be paid in full. Only now a man is dead, and once again, their mother calls on Quentin to make the problem go away and save Rowdy from prison. When is enough enough, and how much of his own life will Quentin Marks have to sacrifice?
My Turn
A poignant tale of favoritism that left me feeling frustrated with, yet sympathetic for, the MC, Quentin Marks. The poor fellow is called upon to make unfathomable sacrifices for his delinquent brother and unloving mother.
There was a sense of Quentin being served up as the Biblical, ‘sacrificial lamb.’ I was incapable of avoiding emotional investment in the story.
More than once, I found myself asking, “Why Quentin?”
He could have simply walked away, but Quentin is a true man of his word and possesses an inner strength that most will never attain.
In my opinion, any story that conjures up such strong emotions, and a cheering on of the limping protagonist, is a tale worth reading. Brother’s Keeper, certainly fits the bill.
A compact story with a great punch!
FOUR STARS!
Meet Jan Sikes:

And now that the story is told, this author can’t find a way to put down the pen. She continues to write fiction and has published many short stories with a series of novels waiting in the wings. She is a member of the Authors Marketing Guild, The Writer’s League of Texas, Romance Writers of America, and the Paranormal Romance Guild.
Connect with Jan, and purchase your copy
Wonderful review, Mark. I share your sentiment about Quentin, but we sometimes see such a dilemma in reality……
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So true, Miriam, about it occurring in reality. Thank you for your kind words. Jan did a fantastic job.
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You’re very welcome, Mark!
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Thanks for the review, Mark. Congrats to Jan. Hugs to you both.
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It was my pleasure, Teagan. Jan did a great job. Thanks for stopping by. ๐
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Great review, Mark, and Jan’s book sounds interesting, definitely a unique story and one to conjure up emotions. I’ll add it to my list. Thanks for sharing!
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I think you’d find it interesting, Lauren. Thanks for stopping by. ๐
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Sounds like a great read!
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It was. ๐
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I had the same reaction, Mark- poor Quentin. Great review!
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I enjoyed this book too, Mark. It was like a character study of a flawed family and how that impacts even those family members who are “functional.” I too felt sympathy toward Quentin, but also frustration that he couldn’t break free. Great review.
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It was all that, for sure, Diana. Jan is very skilled at this. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend.
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Such a compact review, Mark. Congratulations to Jan.
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Thanks, Pat. Have a great weekend. ๐
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I wish I could send you some of all this crazy rain here in Texas.
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Kudos to Jan for crafting a story that evoked such an emotional response!
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She did a great job with this book. ๐
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I remembered how angry I was atQuentin’s mother for showing her favoritism to her younger son over the older, and how disappointed I was at Quentin for falling for that. But then, iy is a story, and these things happen. Thank you, Mark for supporting Jan. That was a god read.
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Agreed, she achieved what a story should, and that’s to evoke emotion from the reader. ๐
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Great review, Mark! I agree with you. It was a great short story. ๐
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Thanks for stopping by, Yvette. ๐
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It sounds like one of those stories you’d say was impossible but then, I know families like that. Good review, Mark!
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It’s so true, Jacqui. Thanks for stopping by. ๐
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Great review, Mark! It’s hard not to feel for Quentin. Jan has a way of making you care.
Glad you got some rain. I’m still holding out hope for a good June storm here.
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Yes she does, Denise. She did a great job, as always. ๐ I hope you get your rain soon.
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Good review, Mark. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, John. Jan is very skilled. ๐
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Aw…poor Quentin. This sounds really good. Thanks for the review, Mark! We finally got some rain, too. Itโs nice to have a break from watering.
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Thanks, Jill. Yes it was a good book. I’m enjoying the break, too. ๐
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A great review of this book, Mark. Poor Quentin does sound like the sacrificial lamb.
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Thanks, Robbie. It’s a great and quick read. ๐
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A wonderful review to share, Mark. Cheers to Jan! ๐
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Thank you, Natalie. ๐
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Jan has a knack of conjuring emotions Mark. Nice review! Thanks for sharing.
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She did a great job. Balroop. Thanks for coming by today. ๐
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Great review, Mark. I felt for Quintin and wanted to strangle the mother. This was a great read!
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I know, what an awful woman she was. ๐ฆ Jan did a great job of creating villains.
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Thank you, Mark, for sharing your wonderful review. Congratulations, Jan. I’m looking forward to the read. ๐
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Thanks for stopping by, Gwen. ๐ I think you would enjoy this one. Have a great day.
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Great minds, Mark – I just finished this one over the weekend. Congrats to Jan on the wonderful review!
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Thanks, Teri. It was a good book. ๐
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I haven’t yet had a chance to read this one, but it’s on my list. And now, after reading your thoughts, I might have to move it up in the queue. Thanks, Mark.
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I would recommend it, Staci. Thanks for stopping by. ๐
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Oh my goodness, Mark! I woke up to find this review and it has made my day! I won’t stop smiling! I am so glad I was able to get the emotion I wanted into the story. Thank you SO much for the awesome review!
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Great job on the story, Jan. You are most welcome and have a great day. ๐
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Sounds like a good book. I might buy it.
– Mom
Sent from my iPad
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Great review, Mark. A good read from Jan ๐
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Yes it was, Harmony. Thanks for stopping by. ๐
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I enjoyed this one too, Mark, and can relate to your feelings about Quentin. Jan did an excellent job of making me react to his decisions and actions.
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She did, Mae…and for me, that is the whole point of a story. Have a great day. ๐
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