Re-launching Spirit Trilogy

I first published my Spirit Trilogy with Wild Rose Press starting in 2009. Since I've started this new journey of self-publishing, I asked for the rights back to all three books and they are being re-released this month with new covers designed by one of my talented daughters.

These books started out as books of my heart and continue to be as I re-release them. I grew up in Wallowa County where the books are set and the area the Lake Nimipuu (Wallowa Nez Perce) called home.

Here are a few reviews the books have received:

SPIRIT OF THE MOUNTAIN(1^st place Paranormal Lories Award): “This trip into the paranormal certainly takes readers away from the usual and lures them into a world that pulsates with passion and possibilities of “what-if”. Spirit of the Mountain is captivating.”

~Long and Short Reviews

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE(Finalist in the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence):  “This was an awesome book. I loved the history that was woven expertly into the story...The many facets in this tale take the reader on an unforgettable journey. ” 

~Night Owl Reviews

SPIRIT OF THE SKY: “Captivating reading from the opening sentence, with characters that will nestle inside your heart and remain for eternity, Jager paints a spiritually nourishing tale with her striking prose. An intense depiction of American history, a brilliant illustration of contrasting cultures and a believable dollop of paranormal events propel the story effortlessly. Spirit of the Sky affirms Jager is an ingenious wordsmith and a skillful researcher.” 

~RT Book Reviews

 Spirit of the Mountain

Evil spirits, star-crossed lovers, and duty…which will prevail?

Wren, the daughter of a Nimiipuu chief, loves the mountain and her people—the Lake Nimmipuu.  When a warrior from the enemy Blackleg tribe asks for her hand in marriage to bring peace between the tribes, she knows it is how she must fulfill her vision quest. But she is torn between duty and her breaking heart.

Himiin, as spirit of the mountain, watches over all the creatures on his mountain, including the Nimiipuu. When Wren shows no fear of him as a white wolf, he listens to her secret fears and loses his heart to the mortal maiden. Respecting her people’s beliefs, he must watch her leave the mountain with the Blackleg warrior.

When an evil spirit threatens Wren’s life, Himiin rushes to save her. But to leave the mountain means he’ll turn to smoke…

Buy links:

 Windtree Press / Amazon / Nook / Apple / Kobo

Spirit of the Lake

Can a spirit set upon this earth to see to the good of the Nimiipuu stay true to justice when revenge burns in his heart?

Wewukiye, the lake spirit, saves a Nimiipuu maiden from drowning and bringing shame to herself and her family. Learning her people ignored her accusations against a White man who took her body, leaving her pregnant,Wewukiye vows to help her through the birth and to prove the White man’s deceit.

Dove slowly heals her heart and her distrust as Wewukiye, the warrior with hair the color of the sun, believes in her and helps her restore her faith in her people and herself.  

On their quest for justice, Dove reveals spiritual abilities, ensnaring Wewukiye’s respect and awe. But will these abilities seal their future or tear them apart?

Buy links: 
Windtree Press / Amazon / Nook / Apple 

Spirit of the Sky

Can enemies not only work for peace but find love?

Sa-qan, a Nimiipuu eagle spirit, must take a human form to save her mortal niece when the Nimiipuu are forced from their land by the U.S. Army. Sa-qan strives to remain true to her spirit world and her people, but finding an ally in a Cavalry Officer has unraveled her beliefs.

During battle with the Nimiipuu, Lt. Wade Watts finds a blonde woman hiding a Nez Perce child.  He believes she is a captive when her intelligent eyes reveal she understands his language. Yet she refuses his help. Their paths cross several times during the skirmishes, and she becomes his savior when renegade warriors wound him. 

Buy Links:  
Amazon  / Nook /  Apple

If you want to read excerpts from the books, you can find them on my website: http://www.patyjager.net

Joesph Oregon

   

"Rolling Thunder and Toma" by Dave Manuel

On a recent trip to visit my dad who lives in Wallowa County, Oregon, we wandered the streets of Joesph, named for old and young Chief Joesph who were the chiefs of the band of Nez Perce who lived along rivers and the lake during the summer months, grazing their horses on the meadow grass and lived in the canyons of the Snake, Imnaha, and Grand Ronde rivers in the the cold winter months.

The town of Joesph, population 1,054, has gone from a lumber and tourist town to a tourist and art mecca. Walking the streets there are a large number of art galleries, knick knack and souvenir shops, and restaurants. The town sits on the only road to pristine Wallowa Lake. A clear blue lake of melted snow from the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

"The Sentinel" by Austin Barton

The streets of Joesph are lined with flowers, trees, brickwork, and bronze statues depicting the area. The statues are donated by the artists. There is a man on a bucking horse, a farmer and his dog, Young Chief Joesph, and Young Joesph and his wife Springtime. Along with other statues.

Walking the streets was relaxing and enjoyable and brought back memories of  picnics at the lake and Chief Joesph Day parades we watch when I grew up in the county.

The statue "The Sentinel" by Austin Barton has been my favorite ever since I saw it at my brother's art studio. He molds, welds, and patina's bronze pieces for other artists and creates his own statues. But "The Sentinel" spoke to me and when my first mystery is out you will recognize a statue in the story that is similar to this one.

If you haven't visited NE Oregon and Wallowa County you are missing out on beautiful scenery, relaxed atmosphere, and crystal clear air. There is a reason the white man didn't start homesteading in the valley until the 1860's. It is surrounded by mountains, deep gorges and wide raging rivers. It is an isolated area which many of the locals like even if their main means of income is tourism now that the logging has dwindled.

Wednesday Western- Tamkaliks Celebration

Boys and men in the opening parade of costumes

This past Saturday I made the trek back to the county where I grew up and joined in the celebration of the past, present, and future of the Wallowa Band of Nez Perce  in Northeast Oregon.

The Wallowa Band is the band I write about in my Spirit Trilogy. The one that at the time of my youth growing up in the county the only presence I knew of the tribe was the statue at the head of Wallowa lake and when the Nez Perce would show up for the Chief Joseph Days rodeo.

These peaceful Indians had worked hard at remaining friends with the whiteman. They did everything they could to stay in their beloved Wallowa Valley. The treaty of 1855 included the valley in the reservation. Old Joseph, who converted to Christianity in 1839 and was given the name Joesph, signed this treaty, and his band lived in the county peacefully until gold was discovered in the boundaries in 1861.

The new treat of 1863 excluded the valley and Joseph refused to sign or move his people. He died a year before the whiteman began settling in the valley. His oldest son, Young Joseph took over as chief of the band. He tried to keep peace with the intruders and not have his people forcefully removed from their homes.

By 1877, the government sent General Oliver Howard to ask Joseph to move his people to the reservation or be forcefully removed. Even though the path to the reservation was treacherous, for they had to cross the
Snake River when it was swollen with spring run off, he started his 400 members, 60 of which were warriors toward the reservation. Angry young warriors on a raid killed several whitemen and trying to avoid a war, Joseph and several other chiefs of the non-treaty bands decided to try to flee.

This 1,400 mile chase not only took the lives of many Nez Perce it also made the government mad. When the army finally caught up to and captured the starving and tired Nez Perce they sent them to reservations thousands of miles away from their home. They weren't allowed to return to the Northwest for 8 years. When they were finally returned, Joseph was sent to the Coleville Reservation in Washington. He petitioned until his death to have his people returned to the Wallowa Valley.

The Tamkaliks Celebration is the return of the Wallowa Band to the valley. They celebration is held on land they own near Wallowa. It is slowly being made into an interpretive center where visitors and the locals can learn about the people who first inhabited the fertile valley raising fast, sure-footed appaloosas and living off the land.

Part of the riders

The celebration opened with the entrance of the riders who rode their horses from Umatilla to Wallowa for the event. They rode around the round house and then dismounted. One man led a horse. This symbolized a tribal member who died this past year. After a prayer to the horses the riders entered the round house and more prayers and thanks were given. I enjoyed the mixture of Christian prayer with prayers said in Nez Perce.

There was a flag ceremony with the American, Canadian, and military flags and feather staffs carried in with the dancers in full costumes following behind.

Flag ceremony

After the flag ceremony we were all asked to come down and join in the Friendship dance. I joined in along with another writer I met at the event. The friend ship dance was just stepping to the beat of the drum and moving sideways in a large circle. Then the elders peeled off the circle and walked in the opposite direction, shaking hands.

Young women during the flag ceremony

There was  break as the worked on the parachute covering. The strong winds the night before had ripped it in several spots. This gave me a chance to check out the vendors and visit. The craftsmanship of the items for sale surpassed anything you see in stores that proclaim they are selling "Indian" jewelry. I enjoyed a visit with a husband and wife. She was Cherokee and he was Choctaw. They invited me to their powwow in September in Idaho. I'd love to go but doubt I can fit it into my schedule.

The afternoon was filled with dancing and dance competitions. The beat of the drums felt like the heart beat of the earth as the dancers moved to the beat and language of their ancestors.

Unfortunately the heat, and I believe the meal I had the night before, took a toll on me and I didn't stick around for the adult contests, though I saw some wonderful costumes and individuals I would have liked to see dance. I had a two hour drive back to my daughter's and left to make sure I made it back.

This was a group dance, all ages

I was invited to come back next year and I've already marked it on my calendar.

If you haven't been to a powwow, I highly recommend you go. It will fill you with a new gratitude for life, nature, and people.

Wednesday Promo- Paty Jager

Spirit of the Mountain my first historical paranormal is releasing this Friday!! I've been on a blog tour all week, and I'm giving away an autographed copy. Check out the side bar and see where I've been and hop on over to collect the puzzle pieces from each blog. Today I'm at Autumn Jordan's.

My August release is Spirit of the Mountain, a paranormal historical set among the Nez Perce of NE Oregon. I grew up in their beloved Wallowa Valley and have always had an interest in their culture. When the idea came to me to write about Native American spirits I knew exactly which tribe and band to use in my story- The Wallowa Lake band of Nimiipuu. This is also the band of the infamous Chief Joseph. While this story starts before Chief Joseph's time, the second book in the trilogy deals with the coming of the White man to the valley and the third book is set during Chief Joseph's race for the Canadian border.

I use the Nimiipuu coming of age ritual of the vision quest as the catalyst for this book. The heroine is visited by a white wolf while on her quest and the wolf tells her she will save her people. This gift bestowed upon her by the spirit or weykin is said to be the greatest ever given a female. Wren, the chief's daughter doesn’t feel the weight of the gift until an enemy Blackleg warrior asks to marry her to bring peace between the bands. Marrying the Blackleg will take her from the mountain people she holds most dear in her heart, but it would also fulfill the gift her weykin bestowed upon her.

While walking the mountain and contemplating her fate, she stumbles upon a wounded white wolf who resembles her weykin. She feels no fear and helps him, believing he is her weykin. The white wolf is the hero, Himiin, who has just battled a dark spirit wolf on his mountain. He is fearful of the maiden for multiple reasons but when she speaks of her marriage to the enemy he is compelled to help her and ultimately falls in love with a mortal.

I wove the factual with the fictional to make a story I hope will enlighten the reader about the Nimiipuu and entertain them with the paranormal aspects.

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.