We are having a giveaway going on for a $10 gift card to the winner’s choice (Amazon, Barnes
& Nobles or iTunes). (Anyone can win the item by going to the rafflecopter on the right hand
side of the pg.)
First why don't you tell us a little about yourself?
Hi Julie, Thank you for showcasing my books.
I live on 280 acres in eastern Oregon. My husband and I raise alfalfa and enjoy being semi-
retired. I’ve been a freelance reporter for local papers and a 4-H program assistant. We raised
four kids and now have 9 grandchildren. I have always loved reading and wrote for my own
entertainment. I tried writing children’s books when my kids were small. After attending a
writer’s conference for writers of children’s books and was told I wrote to adult I switched to
mystery. That genre has always been my favorite to read. When I had a hard time connecting
with mystery writers— at that time they were as secretive and elusive as their stories—I joined
the Romance Writers of America. There I honed my writing skills and learned a lot about the
business of being a writer. I published ten books with a small romance only press before striking
out as a self-published author. As a self-published author I’ve published an action adventure
series and now my first mystery series. I also joined an author co-operative that helps with
distribution and cross-promotion.
My newest release is the third book of the Shandra Higheagle Mystery Series, Deadly Aim.
The dead body of an illicit neighbor and an old necklace send potter Shandra Higheagle on a
chase to find a murderer. Visions from her dead grandmother reveals Shandra is on the right
path, but the woods are full of obstacles—deadly ones.
Detective Ryan Greer believes Shandra’s dreams will help solve the mystery, but he also knows
the curious potter could get herself killed. He’s determined that won’t happen.
Until he’s blind-sided. Are Shandra’s powers strong enough to save them both, or will the
murderer strike again?
What can we expect from your stories, action, drama, romance, sex, blood and guts?
All the genres I write have action, romance, and feisty heroines. There are different levels of
hotness in the love scenes in the romance books. My action adventure is very steamy, especially
the first one, Secrets of a Mayan Moon, but then they are in the Guatemala jungle. ;) The one
thing you will find in my books whether they are historical western romance, contemporary
western romance, historical paranormal romance, action adventure, or mystery they all have
cowboy/western or Native American elements.
Do you have a favorite character in your stories? Who? and Why?
My favorite characters, other than my feisty heroines, in my stories are usually one of the
secondary characters. I always have one that is sassy or full of fun. They add more humor to the
stories.
Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:
My current series, Shandra Higheagle Mysteries, came to me while trying to figure out how to
incorporate an interesting bit of information my brother, who is a bronze sculptor, told me about
a 300 pound bronze statue that would make it a perfect weapon in a murder. I kept thinking,
how can I use this in a mystery story? I came up with having a half Native American potter be
the amateur sleuth. When I told my brother about my potter sleuth, he introduced me to a potter
who gathered clay from a mountain and purified it to make his wares. This appealed to me for
my Native American character and that is how Shandra Higheagle was born. The statue is in
book one, Double Duplicity, and her gathering clay from the mountain where she lives is an
integral part of book two, Tarnished Remains.
Has there been any other authors who have inspired your work or helped you out with your
stories?
Being part of Romance Writers of America there is a whole slew of authors who have helped me.
Ones who taught workshops I attended, ones who critiqued my work, and ones who invited me
to writers retreats. I’d have to say the authors who’ve helped me the most are Nicole McCaffrey,
Lauri Robinson, Danita Cahill, and Maggie Jaimeson. These ladies have helped either with
critiquing/bettering my writing or the business side of writing. And I’m humbled to be able to
call them all my friends.
What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
They best way to help any author be successful is to tell others about their books and write
reviews. The more reviews a book has the higher it goes in the algorithms and is seen by more
people. And when you tell people what a great book I’ve read, they are more likely to read it
than if they are just browsing for a book.
Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?
If you truly want to be an author and write books, then take writing workshops, join groups in the
genre you are writing, and listen to what those that are published have to say. And most of all, be
open to help and criticism. No one writes one draft and publishes. A book takes time to hone and
craft. You need critique partners who tell you when something is off and you need to have an
open mind and listen. The story may be off or you maybe just need to tweak something to make
it work. The writers who don’t make it are the ones who think every word they write is stellar
and aren’t willing to make the changes necessary to make it a great read.
Do you have a favorite author? If yes, what draws you to that person’s work?
I have several favorite authors. The thing that draws me to any book is engaging characters and a
plot that moves along and doesn’t plod.
Can you remember one of the first things you wrote? What makes it memorable?
The moment that is most memorable happened in high school. In English class we were told to
pick someone from history and write about a moment in their life. I wrote about Joan of Arc
burning at the stake. The teacher read my story to the class. When she finished there wasn’t a
sound in the room. Not even the class clown said or did anything. That was my first taste of how
my writing could affect people.
Where do you gather most of the inspiration for your work?
I gather inspiration from everywhere! There is no one place that inspires more than any other. I
find ideas in newspapers, on the radio, while researching for a book I find something that
captures my attention and I jot it down for another book idea.
Do you have any other interesting hobbies, pets or stories you would like to share?
When we moved to eastern Oregon we downsized our animals. But the horses and George the
donkey came with us. George is an interesting character. He was given to us when we bought a
bull. The man selling the bull said George and the bull were friends so George needed to go with
the bull. He also said you need a good fence to keep George in. We brought the two home. Once
George set his big brown eyes on my gelding Bud, he left the bull and has been Bud’s best friend
ever since. But the man was right about George. He’ll stay in the field you put him in as long as
there is food and his friend. If the food gets low or you put George in, say the corral, while I ride
Bud, pretty soon George will be trotting behind me. I’ll get back to the corral and not be able to
see how he got out. Everything will be tied or latched just as I left it. George is a regular Houdini
Donkey!
Favorite places to travel or visit?
I love the Oregon coast. My husband doesn’t, but he gives in and takes me there at least once a
year. We have a bucket list to see all fifty states. I’ve been to quite a few with my writing, but I
have a lot to see and want to see them with my husband.
And now, before you go, how about a snippet from your book that is meant to intrigue and
tantalize us:( Include links to were we can find your work)
Double Duplicity: A Shandra Higheagle Mystery Blurb
On the eve of the biggest art event at Huckleberry Mountain Resort, potter Shandra Higheagle
finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. She’s ruled out as a suspect, but now it’s up
to her to prove the friend she witnessed fleeing the scene was just as innocent. With help from
her recently deceased Nez Perce grandmother, Shandra becomes more confused than ever but
just as determined to discover the truth.
Detective Ryan Greer prides himself on solving crimes and refuses to ignore a single clue,
including Shandra Higheagle’s visions. While Shandra is hesitant to trust her dreams, Ryan
believes in them and believes in her.
Can the pair uncover enough clues for Ryan to make an arrest before one of them becomes the
next victim?
Excerpt:
“I think that would be a good idea.”
Shandra’s neck popped as she jerked her head to look up at the voice. Damn! Poor timing.
Detective Greer stood over them holding a clear plastic baggie of ice. He handed it to her and
knelt next to Naomi.
“Mrs. Norton, now would be a good time to tell me what you want to get off your
conscience.” His soothing voice didn’t fool Shandra.
“Naomi, you haven’t done anything wrong. There isn’t any reason—”
Detective Greer shot her a glare. “Mrs. Norton are you the one who tossed a file about your
sister into the dumpster behind the donut shop?”
Shandra couldn’t stop her friend’s reaction. Naomi shot to her feet as if to run, then dropped
into the chair and cried into her hands.
“Are you happy?” Shandra spat at the detective. “It’s taken her months to get over her
sister’s death, and you bring it up with about as much tact as a rhino in rut.” Shandra put an arm
around her friend. “I don’t want you asking her any more questions until you get her husband
over here.” She leveled an unwavering glare on the detective.
He sighed and rose to his feet. “If you try to sneak her out of here while I get the husband,
I’ll find you both and haul you in for obstruction of justice.”
She continued to glare at him.
“Am I clear?”
“Yes.” Shandra wanted to keep glaring at him, but as he walked away she had to admit, he
could have pressed Naomi for information.
Buy Links:
Windtree Press http://windtreepress.com/portfolio/double-duplicity/
Amazon http://authl.it/2ng
Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=Double+Duplicity
Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/double-duplicity-paty-jager/1120790322
Apple https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id942249867
You can learn more about Paty at her blog; Writing into the Sunset her website;
http://www.patyjager.net or on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/#!/paty.jager , Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1005334.Paty_Jager and twitter; @patyjag.
Thank you for having me on your blog.
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