Finding Flaws for Characters

I'm currently working on a short contemporary western for an anthology. I gave the heroine a unique flaw. She is dyslexic.

It's interesting that the idea to pick this problem for my character came several years ago. I've had the idea in a folder. Now I have even more facts about dyslexia because I have a granddaughter with the disorder.

I wanted to make the heroine strong in that while she has struggled to read she has till made it on her own. I also gave her a background of being a foster child who went from home to home which never gave a teacher or foster parent enough time with her to figure out her problem.  It of course took a toll on her self-confidence but she found a job and place to live where she didn't need to read. And she found ways to overcome her problem.

Along with her flaw and insecurities, I've given her strength and purpose. She's content with where she's at even though she does have money stashed to hopefully someday have her own boarding stable. It's dream she uses to keep herself optimistic she won't be a stable hand her whole life.

That is until she runs into a man who gives her hope that she could have a normal life and work in a job that is more than scooping poop and grooming horses.

 Catch the Rain will be out in an Anthology in June. Stay tuned to find out how to get the anthology.

Catch the Rain

Contemporary Western Romance

Zach MacDonald is the new veterinarian in town. He’s focusing on his career...Until he sees a frustrated, pretty, young woman at a bar on karaoke night. Not only does her voice and violet eyes mesmerize him, but her behavior intrigues him.

Kitty Baxter is running from her past and dreams of becoming more than her education will allow. When that past catches up to her on the same night she connects with a handsome man way out of her league, she finds herself championed by the stranger and believing he cares. But just like trying to read is like trying to catch the rain, she struggles with allowing herself to believe she is worthy of love. 

photo source: Canstock

Finally, Slowing Down and Summer's Gone! by Paty Jager

cupcake I judged

The month of August is a blur. After nearly 22 years as a 4-H leader and10 years as a 4-H Program Assistant, I couldn't let 4-H and fairs go. I now travel to county fairs and judge either 4-H or Open Class foods and clothing. And I judge 4-H clothing at the Oregon State Fair. I enjoy visiting with the kids during the 4-H interview judging process and I enjoy visiting with the clerks when I do open class judging.

But judging at fairs keeps me hopping about the state most of the month of August. I judged at State Fair this week and can finally settle back into my home routine.

We have one more hay crop to put up and I have a horse who hasn't seen enough saddle time this summer, not to mention some more work on the house and hopefully to get the shop up and ready so hubby can use it this winter. (And get him out of my hair) ;)

On the writing front, I'll have the next Shandra Higheagle Mystery coming out in September. It's book 6 and is title Reservation Revenge. I'm working on book 7- Yuletide Slaying which I hope to have out the first of November. 

I'm excited to have the rights back to Bridled Heart and will be revising that, putting a new cover on it and I hope to have it re-released by December 1st so I can promote it along with the NFR- National Finals Rodeo. It is a contemporary western romance with a pro-rodeo bareback rider and an ER nurse. I enjoyed bring the hero and heroine together in this story. And Zip the Border Collie was a lot of fun!

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Western newsletter - you only receive newsletters if I release a historical or contemporary romance.

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Release Day!

Today is the official release of Bridled Heart in e-book and print from the Wild Rose Press. If you can't find it today at other locales it will be there soon.

To kick off the release I've been interviewed at Behind the Book today so hop on over there and see what kind of answers they dragged out of me. Maggie is a long time acquaintance of mine through RWA.

A tidbit you may not know about Bridled Heart is I sat down and had a long visit with Champion bare back rider Bobby Mote and his wife, Kate, to learn more about the cowboy life and rodeoing. They are a great couple with three fun kids. He gave me a whole different perspective on the sport and shared a bit about being on a horse that's trying to get rid of you. You'll have to read the book to find out how I used that information. ;)

Don't forget to sign up for my monthly website contest. You could win a copy of this book. www.patyjager.net