Book Hooks! #MFRWhooks
Oh, what is a book hook? From the MFRW Authors Blog: Book Hooks is a weekly meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog. It’s a chance each week to hook readers on your current WIP or any previously published book.
This week, I’m offering a hook from Howdy, Ma’am (Bull Rider Series Bk #1) Sensual contemporary western romance. Here you go…
Italian class meets bull rider rowdy.
Set-up. From Chapter Two. Velia gave up her job as a travel photographer to relocate and begin a new life. Caulder needs a photographer to travel the pro bull riding circuit with him for a season. He offered her an opportunity she couldn’t refuse…
My hook…
It was difficult being so far away from everything she loved. But here, she had Edward and Alice and her work. And now it seems she might have a cowboy to follow around. “A cowboy? I’m a city girl… What will I do with a cowboy?”
Then her thoughts drifted back to the cowboy who sauntered in like he owned Tucson. She hadn’t even gotten his name. Velia slapped her palm against her forehead. How come I didn’t ask his name? It was scrawled across the flyer he tossed on the desk, but she didn’t pay any attention. She rushed to her laptop and typed in rodeo stars for the current year.
She found a slew of links. How could she find him out of all these? Clicking on images brought even more results. “Mm, che belli cowboys!” While browsing all the handsome guys, she examined the action photos and knew she could do as well or better. Wait. He said bull riding not rodeo. Again, her thoughts went back to his request—to travel with him for almost a year. She fanned herself with the newspaper. Could her heart take so much manliness? For a whole year?

Bull Rider #1
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA
All Amazon Sites.
Blurb:
Bull rider Caulder McCutchen wants to start living again. But this year he has a good chance of winning the converted buckle, knowing he has to ride harder, go bigger, or go home. Winning consumes him, but it doesn’t take away the pain from a tremendous loss less than two years ago. On a whim, he hires a feisty photographer to travel the bull riding circuit with him for a season. A little extra publicity can’t hurt, and she’s easy on the eyes. When he finds himself passionately attracted to her, will this sassy little Italian photographer prove to be just what his claim to fame needs—or a disastrous distraction?
Velia Armano had the strength to walk away from an abusive husband. She moves from Chicago to Tucson, Arizona and opens her own photography studio. Six months into her well-ordered life alone, a hunky cowboy saunters in with his howdy, ma’am and flame blue eyes, offering a job any photographer would find hard to refuse. She accepts his offer, and discovers they both have their own obstacles to overcome. While trying to resist his heated embrace and gentle nature, she hopes to find the right answer before the season ends—to remain in her self-appointed exile, or give in to a “happily ever after.”
When the season ends, who wins the real prize?
Reader advisory: Rated R by movie standards.

2021 Bull Rider Series Covers.
Please visit the other Book Hook participants.
Powered by Linky Tools doesn’t show up on my Word Press Blog like it should. Please click below for the lists of participants.
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to visit other Book Hook participants.
4 thoughts on “Howdy, Ma’am and Yeehaa-ing MFRW Book Hooks”
teagan geneviene
Velia is one feisty lady. You did a good job with her character. I’m not really a “romance” reader, and EVEN I enjoyed this book. 🙂
Hugs!
LikeLike
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Teagan, I’m more than happy to hear that. If I can impress a non-romance reader, I’ve done my job. I love my feisty Velia. And just think…she has a whole new book about to be released. Thanks for your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
davidprosser
Here you go again Mary J, getting folk all hot and bothered. I’m glad I don’t remember anything like this or I’d be in trouble too. Your hook is perfect and the blurb a perfect piece of writing also designed to whet the appetite.
xxx Humongous Hugs xxx
LikeLike
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thanks, David. Your comment is appreciated. I’ll take the praise anytime. 😉
LikeLike