Monday, March 5, 2018

Tracking, School Dynamics, Dyslexia by Paty Jager

I wish I could give you names of authors of fiction that I've read lately who took me away from my world and gave me respite from the daily grind.

But alas, the books I find myself reading the most lately are nonfiction. Though I have been reading Craig Lesley's books to discover how a Native American contemporary male thinks. I tend to read more non-fiction than fiction as I work to write books in three different genres and keep the stories sounding plausible.

My current get lost in a book is The Science and Art of Tracking by Tom Brown, Jr. It is fascinating reading how trackers don't just look at tracks but the atmosphere around them to find the trails of who or what they are tracking. And why am I reading books on tracking? Because the main character of my second mystery series is a Fish and Wildlife Officer who is proficient in tracking.

Before that I pulled up articles and high school websites reading about how they run, their teachers, activities, and school boards. This was to wrap up my newest release, Artful Murder.



Book ten in the Shandra Higheagle Mystery Series
Secrets… Scandal… Murder…
An autistic boy and his brother need potter Shandra Higheagle’s help when a teacher’s body is found after a confrontation with the older brother. Shandra knows the boy is innocent. Digging into the teacher’s life, she and Ryan turn up scandal.
Detective Ryan Greer has believed in Shandra’s dreams in the past, but she can’t always be right. When his investigation uncovers a principal on the take, females being harassed, and parents kept in the dark, he discovers more suspects than the brothers. Shandra’s time at the school is coming to an end, and the killer has struck again.


And before that I read books, talked to my daughter, and read online articles on dyslexia. I never realized there were so many different types until our granddaughter was diagnosed with the disorder. I created a character with dyslexia and a hard life, and made her the heroine in my latest novella release, Catch the Rain.   


Running from her past, Kitty Baxter catches a glimpse of her future—if she’s brave enough to believe in herself and the kind-hearted stranger who claims she deserves love. 

Focused on setting up his new veterinarian practice, Zach MacDonald becomes sidetracked by a karaoke singing beauty with a secret. He sees what others do not and becomes determined to make Kitty see that anyone can learn to catch the rain.

Universal buy link:  https://www.books2read.com/u/4NROdN


 I'm hoping to get the chance to read more books for pleasure. I'm behind on several series I like and I have some friends coming out with new books. 

What are some of your favorite books and why? 


Paty Jager is an award-winning author of 32 novels, 6 novellas, and numerous anthologies of murder mystery and western romance. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. This is what Mysteries Etc says about her Shandra Higheagle mystery series: “Mystery, romance, small town, and Native American heritage combine to make a compelling read.”
 
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4 comments:

Judith Ashley said...

Paty, I remember returning to school after summer break. I was in the 4th grade and I couldn't spell "it." Since I'd been an excellent speller, often winning the class spelling challenge, it was a terrifying moment. Then I found I was crossing my "f's." I had no idea what was happening, what was wrong. My dyslexia (mixing up above and below the line letters like "f" "t" "p" "b" and "d" is minor in comparison to others I know with this challenge.

Also challenged with right and left - follow where I'm pointing if there is a discrepancy between what I'm saying and where I'm pointing I tell people if I'm giving directions.

I'm always amazed at what we can achieve if we believe with a passion that we can. A friend of mine with rather severe dyslexia got her master's degree and this was before they had the resources and services to support students at any level. She was determined to get an education and so she did!

Sarah Raplee said...

One of the reasons I love your books is that you do the research, Paty. I always learn something in the course of reading a great story!

Lynn Lovegreen said...

How interesting--the heroine in my current WIP is dyslexic, too!

It's always fun to learn something as you read a great story--one thing I like about historical fiction.

Diana McCollum said...

I so agree with you Paty, in that I can get lost in a research book too! Great research is what makes your stories come alive! Isn't it great to learn new things, even as adults? I think so. Great post!!