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| Corral West Flat Heel Cut-Out Boots |
Award-winning
author Paty Jager has been a frequent guest here at Killer Crafts & Crafty
Killers over the years, but we had no idea one of her characters had such
impeccable fashion sense—at least when it comes to cowboy boots. Leave a
comment (along with a way to contact you) about your own fashion footwear
preferences for a chance to win a copy of Paty’s latest book.
Paty writes
murder mysteries, western romance, and action adventure and has authored 30+
novels, a dozen novellas, and a passel of short stories. All her work has
Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor. Learn more about Paty and her books at her website and
blog.
Hello, I’m Shandra Higheagle, potter by trade and amateur
sleuth hobbyist. My heritage and passion for the earth comes out in the vases I
throw from clay I gather on Huckleberry Mountain. The purification process for
the clay heals my soul and gives my art more depth.
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| Broad Toe Flat Heel Boot |
I didn’t pick my hobby, it picked me. My deceased grandmother
began coming to me in dreams when first myself, and then my friend, were
accused of murder. My dreams helped Detective Ryan Greer piece together the
clues that pointed to the real killer.
But the reason Anastasia has me on her blog today is to talk
about my fashion passion.
Cowboy boots. I have twenty pairs of fancy boots in my
closet. And I have four pair of everyday riding boots. When I sold my first
vase at a gallery, I bought my first pair of embellished fancy boots. When Ryan
moved in with me, he was delegated to a small space in my closet. I wasn’t
going to get rid of my boots or take them out of the closet. He has to make do
with what space there is left. A woman has priorities when it comes to her
boots.
As I said, I have every day boots. These have a less
dramatic heel, it makes walking on uneven ground easier, and no embellishment on
the boot itself. These are plain cowhide leather. Everyday boots are for mud,
rain, cleaning stalls, and riding horses. The bottom of the sole is slick to slide
in and out of the stirrup easily and the heel just high enough to catch on the
stirrup and keep your foot from sliding all the way through.
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| Dan Post Tall Shaft High Heel |
My fancy boots, ones I wear to town, to art shows, and when
I dress up can have embroidery, cut-outs, different leathers, colors, stains,
and studs. I have two pair that have leather fringe. One is a boot and one is a
bootie. A bootie is a short only 7or 8-inch shaft or the height of the boot. A
boot can have an 11 to 12-inch shaft on some of the fancier boots. There is
also a walking heel, which is shorter and flatter and a fashion heel, which is
about 3 inches high and narrower at the bottom than at the top. These boots are
stylish but can be as hard on the feet as a high heel sling if walked in for a
long period of time. And you can purchase boots with different type of toes.
There is rounded, snip, pointed, square, and broad square.
I wear my fancy walking heel boots to town and events where
I’ll be on my feet a good part of the day. Nighttime events and times when I
know I’ll be doing more sitting than walking, I wear my fashion heel boots.
Lucchese and Old Gringo are the Cadillac of boots. They
usually run $300 to $2000 a pair. The other brands Laredo, Corral Boots,
Justin, Ariat, Dan Post, Tony Lama, Ferrini, Durango, Boulet, Roper, and Nocona,
to name the most common ones, have prices ranging from $100 to $400.
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| Lactose Cut-out Boot |
I have the lower priced boots for every day and some of my
fancy boots. I have one pair of Luchesse and one Old Gringo. I like having many
different pairs of boots, but I can’t afford the high-end lines very often.
What about you? Do you like shoes or boots? Maybe handbags?
What is the one item you tend to have more than any other in your closet?
Leave an answer in the comment section along with your email,
and I’ll draw a name to win a copy of my latest Shandra Higheagle Mystery as
either a print book or an ebook. The drawing will be held on Monday, June 19th.
Fatal Fall
Book eight of the Shandra Higheagle Native American Mystery
Series
Avarice…Family…Murder
When the doctor is a no-show for her appointment, Shandra
Higheagle becomes wrapped up in another murder. The death of the doctor’s
elderly aunt has everyone questioning what happened and who’s to blame.
Shandra’s dreams soon tell her she’s on the right path, but also suggests her
best friend could be in grave danger.
Detective Ryan Greer knows not even an illness will keep
Shandra from sneaking around, and he appreciates that. Her insight is
invaluable. When she becomes embroiled deeper in the investigation, he stakes
out the crime scene and waits for the murder to make a tell-all mistake.
But will he be able to act fast enough to keep Shandra or
her friend from being the next victim?
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