Today is give-a-way day! Tell me the names of the characters in the two books I talked about this week and what intrigues you about each book. I'll put everyone's name in a cowboy hat and draw a lucky winner for a pdf of Doctor in Petticoats.
Watch my blog August 8th thru the 13th and follow my blog tour contest and you could win an autographed copy of Spirit of the Mountain.
To learn more about me you can go to my website: http://www.patyjager.net/ or see what's up weekly on my blog: http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com/
Thank you for having me this week!!
Paty
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Paty Jager-day 6
Tell us a little bit about your world.
I am the daughter and oldest child of Chief Proud and Tall the leader of the Lake Nimiipuu. I came to this earth in this lake and I wish to have my aged body put to rest upon the mountain of my heart. My younger brother is ready to go on his vision quest. He is boastful that his will be more important them mine. When an enemy Blackleg warrior asks for my hand, I wish I had never talked to my weykin or learned of my gift to my people. For this gift means I must marry the Blackleg and live far from my beloved mountain.
What makes you special?
According to my people the gift bestowed upon me during my vision quest is the greatest gift ever given.
Tell us about your most current adventure
I stumbled upon a wounded white wolf. He looked so much like my weykin I felt no fear and doctored his wounds. Later I found him asleep in a meadow, and after that we became friends. He followed me about the mountain like a huge white dog. Later, when I learned I would be traveling to the Blackleg for my marriage, he showed himself to me as a strong warrior. I had already held him dear but after experiencing his arms around me, I knew my heart would forever stay upon the mountain.
Are you happy with the way people perceive you?
The band believes I will save them, yet my father is watchful and untrusting. He believes because I have disobeyed in the past, I will not fulfill my gift.
What other characters have influenced you?
My grandfather and his words influenced my life while he was still alive and live within me in his spirit.
Share a little bit of the ‘real’ you with our readers. Any Dark secrets?
I am fearful to become a Blackleg wife. I have only seen destruction from these people. It is hard for me to believe by marrying one peace will come to my people, but as that is my gift I must do as the council has promised. Marry the enemy.
Excerpt:
Scanning the village, she sought her mother and grandmother. The women sorted the poles for their lodge. Erecting their home usually filled her with accomplishment. This day it brought sadness. If her father agreed to the marriage, she would not work beside her elders again. She would live among people who had been the enemy of the Nimiipuu since the time coyote slayed the monster, creating all the tribes.
How could the sweat and menstrual lodges stand exactly as they had in all her years? And the band go about building the village as they had for generations when the proposal brought to them by the Blackleg messenger would throw her into a life she could never understand? She could not change what had come, but there had to be a way to stay on the mountain where her heart belonged.
Picking up two poles, Wren replayed the Blackleg messenger’s announcement in her head. She wound the rawhide tightly around the smooth end of the poles. Her fingers turned white from the rage she used to pull the leather strips tight. She curled her lip back in distaste. Rage boiled in her belly. She refused to marry a man who took pride in killing and stealing.
She would not marry a Blackleg. Her stomach twisted. How could she be given to the Blacklegs without anyone caring what she wanted?
The voice and wisdom of her beloved, dead grandfather drifted in and out of her head as she worked. One phrase lingered, making her feel small for her selfishness. “He who thinks not of himself—but of others, is greatest.”
The band needed her to instill peace with the Blackleg. Her stomach clenched, and her hands trembled. She knew nothing good about the Blackleg. However, her father was unable to protect the band of Nimiipuu as he had in his younger days.
The destiny to save her people fell on her shoulders.
As foretold by her vision.
To learn more about me you can go to my website: http://www.patyjager.net/ or see what's up weekly on my blog: http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com/ or to purchase this book in print go to The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/spirit-of-the-mountain-paperback-p-4175.html
Tomorrow I have a give-a-way!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Paty Jager-day 5
Tell us a little bit about your world.
I'm a spirit placed on the Mountain of the Wallowa Nimiipuu to watch over them and the creatures. Dark spirits continue to take over the mountain, but I intervene keeping the mountain pure. When I became a spirit as a young man, I lost many human emotions and held only the commitment to the mountain and its creatures as my focus. I've spent many lifetimes watching over this mountain.
What makes you special?
I can shift my spirit into other creatures' bodies. I prefer the regal body of the white wolf for its ability to travel the mountain, but I have on occasion entered a human to help guide them, and I have used other animals to secure their health. I can be out of a body for only a short time or I will cease to exist. I can heal or ease discomfort while in another creature. My short fall is the fact I will turn to smoke and no longer exist should I set foot off the mountain.
Tell us about your most current adventure
My siblings fear the attraction I feel for the Nimiipuu maiden Wren. But it is the first time since becoming a spirit I truly feel alive. Even the rage I feel knowing she must leave the mountain and marry the enemy of the Nimiipuu is welcome after so many life times of being numb. My heart has encompassed the maiden but out of duty I must let her go.
Are you happy with the way people perceive you?
They perceive me as they should. I am a spirit and should be revered.
What other characters have influenced you?
Wren has taught me what it is to truly live again. Her youth, beauty, and strength are a heady combination, but her love of the mountain and its people is as strong as my obligation to the same. She inspires me.
Share a little bit of the ‘real’ you with our readers. Any Dark secrets?
I've always felt the Creator made my brother, sister, and I spirits as punishment for our father's foolishness. For this I have not always been as obedient as I should. Sa-qan is always threatening me with being like our father. I fear this may be true when I no longer care what the Creator thinks and mate with Wren.
Excerpt for Spirit of the Mountain:
Thinking of all the places on the mountain the dark spirit could hide, he barely caught the cadence of happy voices mingled with the songs of the birds. Before he could duck for cover, two young Nimiipuu maidens appeared within striking distance.
The shorter one grasped the tall maiden’s arm. “We should back away,” she whispered.
Himiin listened and watched. His body tensed as the taller female shook off her friend’s hand. The last time he’d come this close to a mortal…He didn’t want to think about it. He stared at the maiden, willing her to keep her distance. The slender young woman stopped and tilted her head this way and that. She stared at him through narrowed eyes.
“His fur is whiter than a summer cloud, and his eyes shimmer bluer than the lake. He reminds me of the spirit—” Her gaze lowered to his leg that oozed blood.
“Look, he is hurt.” The slender maiden walked toward him without fear. She approached, her steps slow, holding her outstretched arm offered palm up in submission.
She must be either very brave or halfwitted. For not many—warriors included—would approach a wolf in such a way. Himiin remained still. His muscles bunched, ready to spring in flight. He couldn’t defend himself.
If he killed another…Closing his eyes, he swallowed the lump of disgust.
“Do not worry. I will not hurt you. I know you are my spirit wolf.”
Her gentle sweet voice eased his tension, drawing him back to the moment. After the encounter with the Blackleg spirit, he was wary of a female walking toward him as if he caused her no threat. She could be the dark spirit in another vessel. He studied her eyes intently. The discernable essence of a spirit or person shone in their eyes. Her words registered—my spirit wolf.
To learn more about me you can go to my website: http://www.patyjager.net/ or see what's up weekly on my blog: http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com/ or to purchase this book in print go to The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/spirit-of-the-mountain-paperback-p-4175.html
Tomorrow an interview with Wren
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Paty Jager-day 4
I was lucky to have connected with two Nez Perce who helped me make sure the day to day living and other elements I put in this story were factual and in the case of Red Wolf, he gave me a little bit of the lore and gave my spirits the element of truth. It seems there were a group of Nez Perce farther north and in stories who had blonde hair and blue eyes. I used this information to make my spirits this coloring, and he said their eyes were known to turn red when their emotions flared. Again, great fodder for my spirits.
Blurb for Spirit of the Mountain.
Wren, the daughter of a Nimiipuu chief, has been fated to save her people ever since her vision quest. When a warrior from the enemy Blackleg tribe asks for her hand in marriage to bring peace between the tribes, her world is torn apart.
Himiin is the spirit of the mountain, custodian to all creatures including the Nimiipuu. As a white wolf he listens to Wren’s secret fears and loses his heart to the mortal maiden. Respecting her people’s beliefs, he cannot prevent her leaving the mountain with the Blackleg warrior.
When an evil spirit threatens Wren’s life, Himiin must leave the mountain to save her. But to leave the mountain means he’ll turn to smoke…
Excerpt:
Wren’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “My gift is to save The People. The weyekin who came to me in my vision quest said this.” She wrapped her arms around herself as if staving off a cold breeze.
Himiin hated that they argued when they should relish their time together. He moved to her, drawing her against his chest, embracing her. The shape of her body molded to his. Her curves pressed against him. Holding her this way flamed the need he’d tried to suppress.
He placed a hand under her chin, raising her face to his. The sorrow in her eyes tugged at his conscience. To make her leaving any harder was wrong. But having experienced her in his arms, he was grieved to let her go. Even for the sake of their people.
Her eyelids fluttered closed. Her pulse quickened under his fingers. Shrugging off the consequences, he lowered his lips to hers. They were softer than he imagined. Her breath hitched as he touched her intimately. Parting his lips, he touched her with his tongue, wanting to see if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.
Honey.
She tasted of sweet honey straight from the bosom of a bee tree.
One taste was not enough. He pulled her closer, moving his lips across hers, tasting and savoring the feel of them.
Her mouth opened and she sighed.
His body came to life. The sensations transcended anything he’d experienced before. How could one woman make him feel powerful and vulnerable at the same time? Why did he wish to crush her to him and never let go and yet feel compelled to treat her with the tenderness
one would give the tiniest of creatures? He couldn’t continue this way.
To hold her, to touch her soft skin. He would never be able to let her go.
He must.
He released Wren and stepped back, avoiding her eyes. How could he show her the sensations she brought to him then turn around and tell her they couldn’t see one another any more?
“Himiin? Did I do something wrong?” The pain in her voice drew his gaze to her face.
The anguish and fear in her eyes cut through him like a knife.
“You did nothing wrong. It is I. I should not touch you so. It is wrong.” He took one step forward, before remembering he could not touch her and remain sane. “You are spoken for. We should not be together.”
She moved quickly, grasping his hand before he could pull away. “I could not bear to not have you to speak with these last days.” She stroked his hand. “Or to touch.” She placed his hand on her cheek. “I may never feel this touch from the Blackleg.” She kissed his palm. “I wish to have this to remember.”
He growled and pulled her into his arms. “I wish I were the one to touch you so, but I cannot. It is wrong.”
“Why?” She leaned back, studying his face. “I should be the one to say if it is wrong or not. It is my heart, my body. My life.”
“You belong to another. He has spoken.” Himiin released her and took a step back. He should not have shown himself to her as a man. Wewukiye was right.
It complicated things.
To learn more about me you can go to my website: http://www.patyjager.net/ or see what's up weekly on my blog: http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com/ or to purchase this book in print go to The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/spirit-of-the-mountain-paperback-p-4175.html
Tomorrow an interview with Himiin
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Paty Jager-day 3
Tell us a little bit about your world.
I'm a woman physician who can't find a job. While I finished in the top of my class at the Women's Medical College no one will give me a job as a doctor only as a nurse. I refuse to waste my education to work as a nurse. My father donated money to the Blind School, and they hired me as their full time doctor. I don’t mind working with the students, but I'm not using my full potential diagnosing sniffles and bandaging minor injuries. My father is a respected judge and he, my mother, and sister all flourish in the political spotlight while I prefer to stay in the background.
What makes you special?
I don't consider myself special. I'm plain and I've dedicated myself to helping others. After spending endless hours year after year in doctor's office as my mother dragged me around trying to rid my face of this ugly scar, I realized I wanted to help others.
Tell us about your most current adventure.
You could definitely call my interactions with Clay Halsey an adventure! After my fiancé dumped me when he found out about my scar, I set my mind on a career and tossed the idea of a marriage and family out the window. But Clay has brought out desires and that yearning again. His kisses and attention are more wondrous than any woman could dream of.
Are you happy with the way people perceive you?
No. the people who have seen or know of my scar treat me with pity or worse aversion. I hate that. The scar isn't who I am. I received it saving my little sister. I also don't appreciate the way people treat me when they find out I've been to medical school. I don't carry a disease because I had the fortitude and presumptiveness to work in a man's occupation.
What other characters have influenced you?
Clay has influenced me. His belief in my skills and his unflagging desire to see me succeed has helped me see my only limitations are myself.
Share a little bit of the ‘real’ you with our readers. Any Dark secrets?
Heaven's if I told you my dark secret it wouldn’t be a secret anymore now would it? Oh. My cheeks are burning. While what Clay and I did in the washroom on the train was rather scandalous, I found it invigorating.
Excerpt for Doctor in Petticoats:
“Dr. Tarkiel, you have a visitor.” Mrs. White said.
Rachel jerked her hand off Clay’s knee. She spun toward the pathway and groaned. Celeste stood
beside the matron. Her frilly off-the-shoulder dress and fancy hat reduced the matron to the servant
class.
“So this is why we hardly see you.” Celeste’s gaze traveled up and down Clay. She extended her hand. “I’m Celeste Tarkiel, Rachel’s sister.”
Rachel stood, taking Celeste’s hand and drawing her to the chair she’d just vacated. “Celeste, this is Clay Halsey. The student who recently broke his leg.”
Celeste’s eyebrow rose as she took the offered seat. Rachel still held Clay’s letter, she shoved it in her apron pocket. She grabbed the basket on the bench and sat next to Clay.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Tarkiel.Rachel talks about her family quite a bit.”
Clay’s deep smooth voice tipped Rachel’s lips in a smug smile. For a miner he could talk just as smooth and sappy as a politician.
“So, do the two of you spend a lot of time together?” Celeste’s tone rang with accusation and innuendo.
“Not as much as I’d like.” Clay’s smile and comment warmed Rachel’s heart. She hid the smile tickling her lips and set her face in her professional expression.
“Mr. Halsey, you’ve been told before not to be so forward.”
“I can’t help it, you’re so interesting.” He reached over and placed his hand on her arm.
His actions and seductive voice fluttered her heart. Celeste’s mouth dropped open, and then snapped shut.
Rachel stared at her sister. How could she get Clay to remove his hand without being rude in front of Celeste? He must have felt her tremors, because his brow furrowed, and his hand moved to his leg.
“Why are you visiting me here?” Rachel asked, wondering if Mr. Smith would come by so she could have him take Clay back into the infirmary.
“It was such a lovely day I went for a walk. And do you know who I ran into? Madge Newcomb. She was going on and on about what a shame it was you were tucked away here in this blind school and not getting out and socializing.”
Rachel groaned and swept a glance at Clay. Of course he’d perked up to listen. “I don’t really—”
“I told her you would be at the Fourth of July celebration. After all, it is an election year, and Father will be expected to speak. You never miss his speeches.” Her sister shot a glance to Clay and took a breath to go on. “She wanted to know who would escort you—”
“I don’t need an escort, and I’d rather you didn’t gossip about me with your friends.” Anger gurgled in her stomach. Heat streamed up her neck, infusing her cheeks. How dare her sister presume to speak of her to others? Her business was just that—her business.
“I’m escorting her.”
Clay’s declaration nearly shot Rachel off the bench. She twisted on the seat, her knees bumping his. Her heart bounced around inside her ribs like popcorn in a kettle.
“You have a broken leg.” She couldn’t control the warble in her voice.
“A Fourth of July celebration would be on July fourth. That’s still a month away. You said this should be healed in six weeks. What better way to celebrate getting this heavy thing off my leg than escorting a beautiful woman to listen to her father speak?” He placed his hand on her knee and squeezed. “I could use some time away from here, and so could you.”
Her heart palpitated. Eagerness to get away from the school and be with him flushed her whole being. But what if it only made her wish for things that couldn’t be?
Tomorrow I'll share info and an excerpt from my August release, Spirit of the Mountain.
To learn more about me you can go to my website: http://www.patyjager.net/ or see what's up weekly on my blog: http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com/ or to purchase this book in either print or e-book go to The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/doctor-in-petticoats-paperback-p-4105.html
Monday, July 26, 2010
Paty Jager-day 2
Tell us a little bit about your world.
I grew up in a small mining area in the Blue Mountains of Oregon with my family. There were six boys and Ma and Pa. I was about fourteen when our parents and youngest brother were killed by Indians. After that our oldest brother took care of us. We continued to work the mine and do odd jobs around the community. I like figuring out how things work and had been drawing up a way to make the stamp mill more efficient when my eyesight was taken from me in a dynamite blast.
What makes you special?
I don't know if you'd call me special, but I lost my sight when someone I thought was my friend tried to kill my brother and his soon-to-be wife. A stick of dynamite blew up near me and the concussion of the blast took away my sight. Now, I have hopes it will eventually return, but in the event it doesn't, I refuse to be a burden on anyone. That's why I'm at the blind school.
Tell us about your most current adventure.
My oldest brother dumped me at the blind school in Salem, Oregon on his way to his honeymoon with his new wife and her two kids. In the beginning, I'm feeling like a turkey among a flock of ducks until I meet a young man who hasn't let his blindness stop him from helping his mother and sister. Forgetting my limitations, I climb on a roof and fall, breaking my leg. That's when I get to really explore the many facets of Doctor Rachel Tarkiel.
Are you happy with the way people perceive you?
It depends on if you are talking about before the book or now that I've learned so much about myself. I'd say at the beginning of the book, no, I'm not happy with how people perceive me because I'm not happy with myself. But with Rachel's love I learn self-respect and how to stand on my own. And people regard me with more respect and appreciate how hard I work to not be a burden on anyone.
What other characters have influenced you?
Donny is a twelve year-old boy who has been blind for several years, yet he is teaching other students at the blind school how to make brooms. He makes them and teaches to support his mother and sister. He is one person who taught me to never harbor self-pity and to use every ounce of determination to get what you want. There are no limitations other than what you put on yourself.
Share a little bit of the ‘real’ you with our readers. Any Dark secrets?
There were days when I first became blind I thought about going for a walk and hoping they never found me. I felt useless and worthless. But my brothers seemed to sense that and wouldn't leave me alone. Colin, Aileen's son, even stood beside the outhouse in case I decided to bolt from there.
Excerpt from Doctor in Petticoats:
Clay brushed a hand over her silky hair. Dull brown, she’d said. It was too downy and sweet smelling to be a dull brown. He traced her small ear hidden under soft, short curls. His fingers followed her velvety skin up along her hairline, down the middle of her forehead, so smooth and warm, over a small bump of a nose and pouty, supple lips. He traced the pointed edges at each side. What would it feel like to taste them?
A puff of warm air misted his fingers, and she mumbled.
Clay continued his exploration, moving down her chin and the side of her face. The pads of his fingers ran over a ridge. He held his breath and traced the ridge from just above her jaw all the way to her temple. The narrow pucker of skin lay two finger widths from her hairline and ran the length of her face.
A scar? How had it happened? And when?
This was why she pulled back from his touch and gave such a disparaging view of herself.
Had someone left this scar on her? If so, he’d find that person and make him pay. His hands fisted. He flexed his aching knuckles and squelched his rage. It wouldn’t do to show how her disfigurement riled him. His limbs gradually relaxed, and he pondered how to help her overcome her poor view of herself.
How did he bring up the topic of her scar without upsetting her?
Clay wrapped his arms around Rachel’s middle and clasped his hands, holding her from rolling off the bed. Her warm breath puffed across his chest. His heart expanded at the latest knowledge about the woman. He was falling for Rachel’s caring nature, her witty conversation, and her touch that heated his body like no other. He’d give up on ever getting his sight back if he could end each day with her wrapped in his arms.
Tomorrow Rachel will be interviewed.
To learn more about me you can go to my website: http://www.patyjager.net/ or see what's up weekly on my blog: http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com/ or to purchase this book in either print or e-book go to The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/doctor-in-petticoats-paperback-p-4105.html
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Paty Jager-day 1
My current release is the fourth book of my five book series about the Halsey brothers. The books are set in NE Oregon in the late 1800's and tell how five brothers each find the loves of their lives. Of course with the titles being, Marshal in Petticoats, Outlaw in Petticoats, Miner in Petticoats, and Doctor in Petticoats the heroines are strong independent women with usually male occupations. When you mix strong-willed women with head-strong men you get a good mix of conflict.
My current release, Doctor in Petticoats, was a risk because my hero is blind. I based how my hero reacted to things by how an older relative, who was blind, related to the world around her when she visited our family each summer. While I had some firsthand knowledge for the blindness, I had to research the state owned blind school. I visited the school, and they allowed me to go through their records from the late 1800's. That helped me learn how many employees and how the school was run as well as some insight into the types of students they helped. With the school being across the state from Clay's home, I had to research train travel so he and Rachel could get him back home. And I had to research medical practices and women doctors for that time period since Rachel is a doctor. All this research was fascinating.
Blurb for Doctor in Petticoats
After a life-altering accident and a failed relationship, Dr. Rachel Tarkiel gave up on love and settled for a life healing others as the physician at a School for the Blind. She's happy in her vocation--until handsome Clay Halsey shows up and inspires her to want more.
Blinded by a person he considered a friend, Clay curses his circumstances and his limitations. Intriguing Dr. Tarkiel shows him no pity, though. To her, he's as much a man as he ever was.
Can these two wounded souls conquer outside obstacles, as well as their own internal fears, and find love?
Excerpt
“I’m going to look in your other eye now.” She, again, placed a hand on his face and opened the eyelids, stilling her fluttering heart as she pressed close. His clean-shaven face had a couple small nicks on the edges of his angular cheeks. The spice of his shave soap lingered on his skin.
She resisted the urge to run her cheek against his. The heat of his face under her palm and his breath moving wisps of wayward hair caused her to close her eyes and pretend for a few seconds he could be her husband. A man who loved her and wouldn’t be threatened by her occupation or sickened by her hideous scar.
His breathing quickened. A hand settled on her waist, slid around to her back, and drew her forward. Her hand, holding the lens, dropped to his shoulder, and she opened her eyes. This behavior on both their parts was unconscionable, but her constricted throat wouldn’t allow her to utter the rebuke.
Clay sensed the moment the doctor slid from professional to aroused woman. The hand on his cheek caressed rather than held, her breathing quickened, and her scent invaded his senses like a warm summer rain.
To learn more about me you can go to my website: http://www.patyjager.net/ or see what's up weekly by going to my blog: http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com/ or to purchase this book in either print or e-book go to The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/doctor-in-petticoats-paperback-p-4105.html
Tomorrow I'll interview Clay. Stop by and see what he has to say for himself.
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