Page 58 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 49

PHOTO: Paty Jager, award-winning author, brings her authentic Western
lifestyle and cultural insights to life in her captivating mystery and romance novels.
Living the Western Dream
PATY JAGER
Discover how Paty Jager’s authentic Western lifestyle shapes her award-winning mystery and romance novels
PBY Z. ROBERTS
aty Jager is a literary
Paty Jager discusses how her rural lifestyle, cultural research, and passion for storytelling influence her award-winning mystery and romance novels, blending Western and Native American elements with engaging characters and plots.
force to be reckoned with, seamlessly blending the rugged
and dedication to her craft. In this interview, we explore how her personal experiences, meticulous research, and passion for storytelling come together to create the compelling worlds her readers have come to love.
Your background in rural eastern Oregon, raising hay and cattle, and dealing with the challenges of the Western lifestyle, clearly informs your writing. How do your personal experiences shape the authenticity and richness of the settings and characters in your novels?
I write rural settings because, as the adage goes “Write what you know.” I grew up in the rural county where I set most of my Gabriel Hawke books. People who live rural come together to help
authenticity of the Western
lifestyle with the intricate
nuances of murder mystery and
romance. An award-winning author, Jager’s works are celebrated for their rich Western and Native American elements, engag-
the occasional rattlesnake encounter—adds a unique depth to her narratives, making her a standout voice in her genre.
ing characters, and a touch of humor that captivates readers. Her life in rural eastern Oregon, where she and her husband raise alfalfa hay, provides a genuine backdrop to her stories, infusing them with a palpable sense of place and authenticity. Jager’s abil- ity to live the Western lifestyle she writes about—complete with horseback riding and
We conducted this interview with Paty Jager to delve deeper into the mind of an author
whose stories have resonated with so many. Her Shandra Higheagle Mystery Series and Gabriel Hawke novels have not only entertained but
also enlightened readers about Native American culture and traditional skills. With over 55 novels to her name, Jager continues to keep her stories fresh and engaging, a testament to her creativity
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