We’re into another week of Book Hooks. I nearly mixed this post up with the 52-Week Blog Challenge post.
Today’s snippet features my ranch matriarch of the Double Dutch Ranch. This is book #5 in the series. Enjoy a snippet from my work in progress (WIP). I’m waiting for this book to come back from the editor any day now.
What’s an aging cowgal to do when two men stand in line to park their boots beside hers at the end of the day?
“Love ya, Mom, behave tonight.” Dane, her youngest and a protector of everything, gave one of the smiles he’d used to get his way as a boy. She couldn’t help but return it.
Selva trailed through the kitchen behind them all, holding up at the door. He met her gaze. “You look nice tonight. Is it Dale Connor who you’re dating? Roxanne’s father?”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t say dating. He’s been gone. Do you remember him from the wedding a few years back?”
“Yes ma’am, and for other reasons. Be careful, Judy.”
Judy tilted her head inquisitively. “Whatever for? Is there something I should know?”
He put on his hat, opened his mouth as if to speak, but nodded, then left.
Hmm. What had that been about? Judy eyed his tall frame and muscles a senior personal trainer might die for until he entered the barn ahead of Tristan. She padded over to lock the back door. Sighing, she wrung her hands at her midriff. Her mood lightened upon spotting the flowers on the island. She picked up the mixed spring bouquet, got a vase from the china cabinet on the far wall, and arranged them in water. Tonight, Selva wore the familiar cologne. His beautiful flowers were what she needed to bring a calm over her, but it didn’t last long. Dale’s car rolled into the driveway three years too late.
Information about the book and the rest of the books in the series, can be found on the Double Dutch Ranch Series page.
Thank you for reading. Check out the other Book Hooks authors HERE.
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.
Hey, authors? Do you use Trigger Warnings in your books if you think it’s necessary?
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
16 thoughts on “Book Hooks Wednesday: A Seasoned Romance WIP~ Be Careful #MFRWhooks #MFRWauthor”
joesadda
that was Awesome,appreciate your presentation and do like to read through the book you have wrote feeling pleased ..
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thank you, Joe.
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tenajean
A mysterious warning and a foretelling there is or was something between them. Well done!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thanks, Tena! Thanks for visiting today.
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deesknight
Ah! A warning unexplained and a hint that there is unfinished business between them. Great hooks!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thanks, Dee. A warning, yes. I say no more. ☺
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henhousepublishing
Makes me wonder what happened three years ago to keep him away.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
A lot of people close to Judy wonder too, Holly. 🙂
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Kate Hill (@katehillromance)
Selva is very interesting.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thanks, Kate. He’s been around since book one and appears in each book in some way.
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Cathy Brockman
I love older characters and her having two men interested is intriguing.
I do read trigger warnings and I do find uses full. There are many people that rely on them
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I knew I had the perfect character in Judy to write a seasoned romance. This might be the beginning of something new for me.
Thanks for responding about the trigger warnings, Cathy. I have an incident that happened outside of the book between the last book and this one, so readers never see it. However, my characters discuss it at different times in the book. I’m not sure if I should use a trigger warning or not. The first news of it appears on the first page. I’ve heard authors and readers say they don’t like them because it gives away a spoiler.
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Ed Hoornaert
I’m wondering what she might need to be careful about.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Judy wonders too, Ed. She isn’t one to sit back and wait for something to happen, either.
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janwal
Three years too late spiked my curiosity
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Jan, I had to write that line and love where I used it. Glad you’re curious. 🙂
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