Book Hooks Blog Hop
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Howdy, Ma’am
Bull Rider Series #1
Sparks will fly!
This snippet is from Chapter Two. The cowboy has a proposition any photographer would find hard to refuse. This is a three book series featuring the same hero and heroine. Readers have asked for another book in this series. It’s possible there will be a fourth book. Note: This is another book that has been through multiple revisions since its publication in 2012. My writing has changed and this book deserved a new chance. I had new covers made for the series too.
“It pays a lot of money. Can you handle a nice income?”
“I can… But why would I have to leave?” How good was his hearing? She had to ask twice.
“You need to travel with me. You’re apparently used to traveling.”
“I have prior engagements to take care of. I’ve already been paid half of my fee for some upcoming shoots. I’d have to take care of things before I do anything.” She twirled some ringlets of hair around her finger. “What are you thinking? I can pick up and ride off with you?”
“Well, ma’am, it might be kind of nice if you rode off with me. You know what they say about riding off into the sunset?” He snickered. “You have to admit, the sunsets here are pretty nice.” He swept his hair back from his eyes and grinned.
Humph! Velia rolled her eyes then cleared her throat. She stood.
“Seriously, the season starts in February. I’d expect you there throughout the season which runs to November.”
“Almost a year?” Could she have sounded any more shocked?
He stood beside her and plopped his hat atop his head. “Yep. Nine months, almost a year if you count now.”
Velia appraised him. Lord, to imagine photographing this man for a year. Her mind whirled; her imagination running wild with anticipation, with, with… She pictured his bulging pectorals sweaty and pumped. “Umm…can I think about it for a few days?”
“You got time.”
She tilted her head in question. “How’d you find me? I mean, for the record.”
“Hey, stopped to get a tire fixed on the way to the Catalina Foothills. Saw your sign. It’s a whim.” He smirked. “Or destiny.”


About the Book:
Bull rider Caulder McCutchen has a good chance of winning the converted buckle this year, 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. 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 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 but that doesn’t mean she’s free of him. 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?

Authors, have you written a series featuring the same hero and heroine?
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. Please join participating authors at this LINK.
17 thoughts on “#MFRWhooks Book Hooks: Hard to Refuse”
Cathy Brockman
This sounds really good.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
This book and characters are close to my heart, Cathy. Thanks. That’s why it’s so hard to give them up. Writing this book helped me escape from an awful time in my life.
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Ed Hoornaert
Cool! I went ahead and bought it. Thanks!
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Tena Stetler (@TenaStetler)
Enjoyed your snippet Your cowboy is hard to resist. Great descriptions. Thanks for sharing..
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thanks, Tena. Honestly, he’s hard for me to resist too. That’s why he has three books and another going around in my head. Haha. I can’t resist any of them and that’s why THEY have a series and I get to be with them for many books. I think I’ve been in self-quarantine too long.
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Ed Hoornaert
Catalina Foothills? I imagine there’s more than one western region called that, but still . . . is this set in Tucson, perchance?
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Yes, Ed, the beginning of book one and two is set in Tucson.
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Teagan R. Geneviene
Mary, this book will always have a special place in my heart. Wonderful snippet to share. Wishing you an easy coast down the other side of the midweek hump. Stay happy and sassy! Hugs.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thanks, Teagan. I appreciate that. Some parts of it have changed since you read it years ago. For one thing, I removed the Prologue, made it chapter One and only used a little of the original prologue. You can see the new beginning in “Look Inside the Book. I also removed some of the steamy parts or changed them a little.
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lyndilamont
I can see how he might be hard to resist. ;D
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
He has a snarky-alpha-sexy charm, Linda. I guess that about covers it. Oh, and he’s good at bull riding too. Thanks for stopping by.
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Jacquie Biggar
Whew, it got warm there for a minute, lol.
Good excerpt, Mary!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
One could be so lucky as to have him saunter in. I had fun photographing him in my mind for a lot of years. OMGoodness.
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janwal
Interesting opening here.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I’m glad you think so. Be well, Janet.
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kevin cooper
Nice book hop, Mary. 🙂
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thank you, Kevin. ☺
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