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Paty Jager’s work has Western or Native American elements
in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Her penchant for
research takes her on side trips that eventually turn into yet another story.
Her Shandra Higheagle Mystery series, set in a fictional ski resort in Idaho,
is full of quirky characters, twists, turns, and a bit of mysticism. Learn more
about Paty and her books at her website and blog.
Today
Paty talks about one of her favorite things—horses. Tell her which is your
favorite animal, and you could win a copy of Killer Descent.
The Smell of a Horse!
Having grown up on a 200-acre farm with cattle, dairy cows,
hogs, sheep, chickens, and horses, I love being outdoors and caring for the
animals. Which was a good thing when I married a man who enjoys raising cattle.
He doesn’t have my love of horses but we compromise. I won’t complain about all
the old tractors he buys if he doesn’t complain about my horses.
As a child we had a stubborn Shetland pony my older brother
and I rode. His name was Billy, which was kind of coincidental since that was
my dad’s name. They both had a stubborn streak. Must be the name. ;) I don’t
remember falling off Billy, but he would go under low things and get as close
to the corner of the barn as he could, trying to dislodge the rider. It was
funny the day my uncle decided he was going to teach Billy to behave. He ended
up having to bail off when Billy scraped him off on a building.
We had an older horse, Missy, who was given to us when I
outgrew Billy. When I was twelve, some people who purchased hay from my family
gave us three horses for the hay. One was a three-year-old mare. She was orange
colored – not a sorrel and not a buckskin. She had buckskin in her and had a
brown stripe down her back and a black, brown, and orange mane and tail. Her
name was Junebug. Since we both had birthdays in June, I claimed her and waited
impatiently as my brother trained her. One day while he was in the barn looking
for something, I snuck in the corral, untied her, and climbed on. From then on
we were best pals. I rode Junebug from the time the snow was gone until it
started again for the next six years.
In the summer, my two brothers and I had all day to
ourselves, both our parents worked. My older brother had summer jobs, but my
younger brother and I would saddle up our horses at least twice a week and pack
a lunch. We’d ride the mountain behind our property or the hill on the other
side of the canyon until we had to be back to make dinner and do chores.
Some days, I’d just want to be alone, I’d slip the bridle on
Junebug, hop on her bareback, and ford the river to wander through the birch
and pine trees, daydreaming. During one such trip, I was lying along Junebug’s
back, staring up at the sun blinking through the trees, and she jumped
sideways. She rarely spooked. I sat up and looked in the direction she jumped
away from. I could have sworn I saw a warrior on a horse between the trees. I
blinked and the vision was gone. I
think to this day that is why I am fascinated by the Nez Perce band that lived
in the Wallowa Country before the white man encroached.
After I left home, my dad sold Junebug to a family with three
young girls. I raised a family and went through several different horses trying
to find another gem like Junebug. One of our daughters is as horse crazy as I
am. She did Horse 4-H, and I went along to all the events. It was fun not only
watching her grow as a horsewoman but to learn things I didn’t know. Growing
up, I’d just hopped on and rode. I
had my daughter’s first 4-H mare bred by a friend’s stud. In 2000 she gave
birth to a colt. I named him Buddy, but usually call him Bud.
Bud and I worked together to make him my horse. He’s a good
sturdy quarter horse. I’ve had a couple of ropers want him because he’s low to
the ground and compact, but I wouldn’t sell him for any amount of money. I
trained him and enjoy riding him even though he has a lazy streak. When I ride
with the grandkids, they are always thirty feet in front of me because Bud is
in no hurry to do anything. What is aggravating is when I ride him alone. He
thinks everything is going to get him and stops and stares and snorts. Even
things he’s walked by a hundred times!
Despite the falls—I’ve had many over the years— horses are
my favorite animal. I love their earthy scent, soft noses, and the rhythm of
their hooves as they move across the ground. Writing western romance allows me
to put my favorite animal in my books.
My character, Shandra Higheagle, in my contemporary mystery series owns
horses and enjoys riding on Huckleberry Mountain.
Tell me about your favorite animal and I’ll put your name in
a drawing for my ebook Killer Descent.
Killer Descent
Book five in the Shandra Higheagle Mysteries
Abuse…Power…Murder
Once again Shandra Higheagle finds herself a suspect in a
murder investigation when an ex-lover is found murdered on a Huckleberry ski
run. A past she’d planned to never divulge now must be shared with the first
man she’s trusted, Detective Ryan Greer.
Ryan puts his job in jeopardy when he’s booted from the case
and uses all resources plus a few extra to prove Shandra is innocent. The
information leads them down a road of blackmail and betrayal of the ugliest
kind.
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