Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance

Sensual western romance. Heartwarming stories. Strong family ties.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance
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  • Author Archives: Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

    • This or That Thursday #3 #WritersLife

      Posted at 12:34 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 11, 2021
      This or that Thursday banner, mary j mccoy-Dressel,

      Here we are with February’s first “This or That” post. Please join me.

      Back in the day I played video games with my boys and loved it. Here are a few to almost give away my age:

      • Mario and Super Mario Bros.
      • Pac-Man & Ms. Pac-Man
      • Donkey Kong
      • Space Invaders or Asteroids.
      • Remember early Atari Games? Ping pong or Pong?

      Do you have memories of any of these games?

      Oh, boy, I had to look these up to remember. Here’s a link to one site. They weren’t like the video games of today. When married, we played a NASCAR video game. I wrecked my car more than I raced. It wasn’t fun to keep losing. About ten years ago, I played a video game with my youngest son. I haven’t played one since.

      At school, when kids earned free-time, I’d sit with them as they played an age-appropriate computer video game. They made me play sometimes, but I didn’t complain. It gave me a break too! We had small class sizes in this particular job–Special Education. Our students had learning disabilities in reading and math. One sixth grade boy had permission to bring his Sims game. Personally, I had to wonder about that one. It was an earlier version, though.


      Growing up in an era before video games, I played many board games. To name a few I liked:

      • Sorry
      • Parcheesi
      • Scrabble
      • Chinese Checkers
      • Checkers

      We had the game of Yahtzee, but I never liked it–admittedly, because I never learned how to play. My older brother was nine years older than me, so he never stuck around to play games. That left my younger brother to be my opponent. We were opponents in many ways besides in a game, as we never got along as kids. Now we do. He’s all I have left other than cousins, and my boys, of course.

      It looks like I couldn’t choose a “This” or a “That” and instead chose both. How about you?

      Let us know your favorite.

      Thank you for your visit! Stay safe out there.

      PSA and FYI: New guidelines from the CDC say to wear two masks now. Count me in.

      Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, This or That Thursday | 13 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Asteroids, Atari, board games, Checkers, Donkey Kong, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Parcheesi, Scrabble, Sorry, This or That Thursday, Video games
    • #WordlessWednesday “Up North”

      Posted at 11:22 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 10, 2021

      Mackinaw City, Michigan February 9, 2021. Lower peninsula. Images captured by my cousin, Larry. Thanks cuz! Top Photo: Mackinac Bridge. Center: Sculpture of a fountain with running water. Bottom: Blue ice building up along the coastline.


      Unashamed of self-promo today, I’m sticking in a plug for one of my books that takes place “Up north.” This book is actually dedicated to Larry and his family. Imagine Jude, Terra, and their kids viewing this in Secret Santa’s Rundown Sleigh: A Holiday Romance Novella. A heartwarming two-hour read. Carry on!

      So much for #WordlessWednesdy, huh? Thanks for visiting today. 😃

      Posted in #AmWriting, Secret Santa's Rundown Sleigh, Wordless Wednesday | 10 Comments | Tagged Lower Northern Michigan, Mackinac Bridge, Mackinaw City, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Michigan Winter 2021, Up North in Michigan
    • #WritersLife Decisions and Dilemmas

      Posted at 12:48 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 5, 2021
      Pixabay Geralt

      Hiya, folks. It’s me pondering again. Oh-oh!

      I’m wondering how many series writers ask themselves: When do I end a series? Ending a series also affects readers who are fans of the books. As a reader and author, I, too, have saddened to see a series end.

      Writers, have you ended a series?  How did you come to the decision?

      Readers, what do you think when a much-loved series is over?


      Decisions:

      Forgive me for making this about me, me, me. Haha. I might have mentioned this before, but early last year, I asked a few of my dedicated readers if my original subtitle Seasoned with Destiny: BILL’S FINAL GIFT sounded like the final book in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight.  

      My oldest son first pointed this out to me when he asked if this was the final book. Bless his heart. He’s great with critiquing my titles. Indeed, the readers I asked agreed it sounded like the last book in the series. Therefore, I changed the subtitle to “A Gift of Love” because lo-and-behold, I didn’t want it to sound like the last book in the series. I asked my cover designer to change the subtitle, and even she thought the first one sounded like the series would end.

      HOWEVER…

      Since then, and after days of contemplating whether I wanted to write more books in this series, I asked myself if book five should end it after all. The series can stop where it is without another book. But after two new and unexpected characters popped up in the story, and a surprise declaration from another, I mentally made a plan for a sixth and seventh book. Maybe eight.

      Should we step back from making major decisions at certain times in our lives? Wouldn’t illness be one of those times? Living in a pandemic when so many “normal” things change in our lives, also has an impact on decision making. Shouldn’t this be another time to take a step back and weigh all the options? This is what I’m trying to to. To me, these are rhetorical questions because I know the answer is yes.

      Way before the end of writing book one, I planned on a long series. I’d be sad to see this one end. An author who I admire has advised others to wrap it up if sales dry up. Sales almost had, but to be fair, I blame myself. One needs to put books in front of readers, and I neglected to do this for many months–nearly a year. Therefore, I can’t base a decision on low sales until I put my heart and brain back into my job and promote myself and my stories.

      When I promote, sales go up across the board and across all of my series books. My new book did push sales to all of my books. Needless to say, this encouraged me.

      Dilemmas:

      Another thing driving me to say farewell to the Carlson family is: I feel like I’m called to write something new.

      Do you know this feeling, writers?  

      This new idea rolled out of my head like a red carpet at an awards show. A little part of me thinks I can extend the spin off series with the new books that popped into my head. I’m sure this harebrained idea is me (or my muse) trying to hang on to the series??? You see, the spin off series takes us off the ranch and introduces us to friends and acquaintances who live and love in and around Canyon Junction. 😉

      I tell myself “The books can fit into the series.” Just in case, I wrote a short scene in Seasoned with Destiny: A Gift of Love for the second unexpected character who would begin with this “new” idea.

      I can make it happen if I want it to. I’m a writer!

      After all, I transformed an old draft for Finding Kimber into a western to fit into the spin off series. A new western setting changed everything especially my hero Zachary (Zach) Bryson, who is now a cowboy. He’s a mighty fine cowboy, too, though a stubborn–the way I like them–alpha. He was not named Zachary in the draft. The major parts of the story that I kept was Kimber’s name and her needing witness protection. Read her tempestuous beginning HERE.

      The Truth Is:

      It’s 2021, and I’m feeling a bit better than last year and thinking clearer now. The thing is, I have a new series to build in the Two-Five Ranch Outlaws. I’m behind in this series. Instead of writing the draft for book two, I should be writing book three, but in 2020 life got in the way… The same as it did for all of us. At this point, I don’t want to begin another new series. Shame on my muse for nudging me at the wrong time. Hmm. I’m leaning toward writing the next Double Dutch Ranch story and to go from there. Maybe the new series idea is for another life.

      So much to write. So little time. All I can say is “Stay Tuned.”

      Time goes, you say? Ah no!

      Alas, Time stays, we go.

      ~Henry Austin Dobson

      I’ve been writing and revising this post since last year. What does that say about decision making? So, if you continued this far, I thank you kindly for reading. 💖 Enjoy the rest of your day.


      Readers? Authors? Any thoughts on the ending of a series?

      Image credits: Featured image- Geralt. Signs & mountain-Pixabay JanBaby. Quote from The Quote Garden.

      Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Double Dutch Ranch Series | 8 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Contemporary #western romance series, Decisions and Dilemmas, mary j mccoy dressel, Romance Series books
    • Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic

      Posted at 9:10 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 2, 2021

      Always happy to support a fellow author. Join in today for: The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic. See all the details at Myths of the Mirror Blog then hop over to The Carrot Ranch to join in. Thanks for sharing, Diana.

      Myths of the Mirror

      I’m so pleased to share this, and you bet I’m saddling up!

      For those of you who don’t know Sue Vincent, she’s one of those special bloggers in our community who inspires people all over the world with her beautiful posts and #writephoto prompts. Sue has tirelessly supported other bloggers and it shows. She now has 19,000 followers and counting.

      Recently, Sue encountered a new and difficult challenge: lung cancer. To make matters worse, the Covid-19 pandemic not only poses a serious threat to someone with a severe respiratory illness but has resulted in the loss of human connection when it’s needed most.

      Now it’s time for Sue to receive something back from the community she’s supported for a decade. Let’s come together with hearts full of joy.

      Join us for theSue Vincent Rodeo Classicat theCarrot Ranch!

      One way to participate in the Classic is to…

      View original post 223 more words

      Posted in #AmWriting | 3 Comments
    • Pondering With An Attitude

      Posted at 11:53 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 30, 2021
      Pixabay image alexas_Fotos

      I’m usually a keep-things-to-myself type of person, but even I have to spew off sometimes.

      This damn pandemic.

      We all want the horror of this awful, awful, awful virus to end. As this dread goes on, we need to remain diligent.  

      Sometimes it’s hard, isn’t it?  

      Breathe in. Breathe out (with a mask).  

      Winter is here in the Northern Hemisphere where I live. Cold weather isn’t all that good for not spreading the virus because people gather inside in groups at times.

      I don’t know about you, but I dread seeing another round, this time with freaking new COVID-19 variants. How sad. Haven’t we learned anything? Why is it so hard to wear a mask, keep our hands clean and away from our face, and social distance? IMHO it isn’t one of the hardest things we’ll have to do in life.

      I’m an introvert, so staying home isn’t difficult for me, but that doesn’t mean I never want to see anyone or go somewhere besides to pick up a grocery order or visit my medical facility.

      coffee cup Pixabay Anrita 1704

      All of my life, I’ve never liked to be told what to do. Growing up, my dad and I butted heads because of my stubbornness independence. However, when experts TELL ME how to protect myself AND YOU during a pandemic, I sit back and listen and then follow their guidelines.

      Do you think I like it? I miss living my old life and my friends and family. We have to cross many state lines to see each other. I’m not putting my family in danger, and they won’t put me in danger. I’m so sick and tired of washing groceries. I’m unable to visit my little brother who is living in his last days. Yeah, I’m mad and sad, too, but I don’t know who to be mad at. Do you? Well, without getting political… (This isn’t about politics, so be cool, okay?)

      Recently, my ex-husband drove from Michigan to Virginia to see our youngest son. His trip made me worried, happy for him, and angry at the same time.  Yet, I understood his need. I didn’t know until he hit the road. He knew better than to tell me. Before this pandemic started, he and I had planned a trip together to see my son and daughter-in-law in their new home. Then COVID arrived, and we didn’t go. Thankfully, when he went, no one got sick, but he put them and himself at risk. Dammit!

      Dammit!  


      People are giving up. Lately, on social media I hear people say “I’ve had enough” or “I’m done with this.”  

      Well, hell, so am I, but I am NOT giving up.  

      We can’t give up!  

      What if everyone gave up?  

      What would be left of the world?

      Who would feed this darlin’ dog and cat? 💙

      Okay, that’s getting too deep, and I don’t expect an answer, but please don’t give up or stop trying. There are vaccines if you want one and can get it. Better days really are ahead. That’s what we have to believe. Strive for. Contribute to.    

      Stay healthy. Have fun safely. This pandemic isn’t over.    

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel Books, Sensual contemporary western romance author

      Image credits from Pixabay: Featured image Emotions-alexas_Fotos. Dog-moshehar. Cat-mammiya. Cup/book/blossoms-Anrita 170

      Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife | 9 Comments | Tagged COVID-19, follow guidelines., Pondering with an Attitude, STAY SAFE
    • This or That Thursday ~Food

      Posted at 12:15 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 28, 2021
      This or that Thursday banner, mary j mccoy-Dressel,

      If you missed the first “This or That” post, you can find it HERE. Thanks for joining me! This week we have food choices. Last week we had weather. I may reduce this topic to twice a month instead of three times.

      Mmm, the taco looks so good to me right now. About five years ago, I gave up eating red meat for health reasons. My eyes will enjoy the taco since my taste buds choose not to. I’ve eaten so much chicken over the past five or so years, I’m beginning to tire of it. For these reasons, out of the two images, my choice is the picture on the left.

      I’m not perfect. I’ve cheated a couple of times with Stouffer’s frozen stuffed peppers, and bacon on a sandwich at a restaurant, pre-pandemic. I might eat them again if the craving calls.

      I’m ashamed to admit, but I rarely cook real meals or prepare anything from scratch. Normally, my chicken breasts go into my Crockpot a couple times a week. Once cooked, I can use it for chicken noodle soup and other dishes–even a Caesar salad. I don’t consider this simple method as preparing a meal. All I do is season it with salt, parsley, paprika, celery seed, and sometimes pepper, thyme, or lemon, then I turn on the crock pot. Nothing to it. (Salt is to keep my low sodium levels up.) Sure, I fix a side dish like rice… Mostly rice and a vegetable. Each meal gives me leftovers. Easy-peasy yet BORING.

      Crockpot brand crock pot. White with a blue diamond shape design covering the bottom half. Clear top with white handles. Lid locks on the top.

      This pizza in our “This or That” image calls me because I’ve been craving veggie pizza for about six months. The last time I made “sort of” homemade pizza, I still ate red meat. At the time, I used Boboli Pizza Crust, jar pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, fresh mushrooms, onions, green and/or red peppers, pepperoni, and black olives. Sometimes I used taco blend shredded cheese with the mozzarella. These ingredients, minus the pepperoni, may go on my next grocery list. So, if nothing else, my This or That post this week gave me another meal choice to think about.

      Now it’s your turn. Your choice? Why?


      Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions. ~Author Unknown The Quote Garden

      “This or That” image Credit: Love Kissed Books. This or That Banner credit: Image from PicMonkey. Text and editing are my own.

      Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, This or That Thursday | 4 Comments | Tagged beef tacos, decisions, Making choices, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, The Quote Garden, This or That Thursday, Veggie pizza
    • Short Snippet Saturday and a Share: Dead of Winter Journey 2 Cover Reveal & Journey 1 Info

      Posted at 10:27 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 23, 2021

      For Short Snippet Saturday today, I’m sharing a Cover Reveal and short snippet for Dead of Winter Journey 2 Penllyn and info about Dead of Winter, Journey 1. Get started reading before the second installment arrives in February.

      As Teagan says: With Dead of Winter, I call the installments Journeys, because the characters travel across the complex world I built, experiencing new cultures and meeting new people. These journeys will publish approximately monthly.  Length will range from 30 to 60 pages, or so.

      Teagan's Books

      Wednesday, January 20, 2021

      Moonlit Landscape with a Gothic Ruin Sebastian_Pether_1810-1844 WikipediaSebastian Pether, Moonlit Landscape with a Gothic Ruin, 1810-1844 Wikipedia

      Welcome to my sanctuary. A place where all are safe from the anxiety tied to religion, politics, and other things that get in the way of friendship.  Lest I seem insensitive, my only remark to that, is that I’m writing this post in advance, and I’m terrified of what might happen on the 20th (Inauguration Day in the USA).  Now all political remarks are done.  Come on in and we’ll bask in one another’s positive “light” and spirits.

      Cover Reveal

      This may not be much of a cover reveal, since I’ve already shared it with a few of the people who hosted the launch of Dead of Winter.  With the first Journey, Emlyn had her back to us, facing the unknown.  With Journey 2, Penllyn, she turns to face us. 

      Dead of Winter: Journey 2, Penllyn. Cover by Teagan R. GenevieneDead of Winter: Journey 2…

      View original post 898 more words

      Posted in #AmWriting, Cover Reveal, Guest Posts, Short Snippet Saturday | 11 Comments | Tagged Cover Reveal, Dead of Winter Journey 1 and 2, guest post, Mary J McCoy-Dressel
    • #MFRWauthor Warm and Cozy #WritersLife

      Posted at 12:15 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 22, 2021

      Marketing for Romance Writers

      Monthly Blog Challenge: January

      What inventive ways have you found to keep warm?

      Well, other than summoning a hot flash on demand, I can’t call my ways of keeping warm inventive. I’m not an outside-in-the-winter-for-fun person, so I’ll write about keeping warm indoors.

      Wearing fingerless gloves while writing in any season is nothing new or inventive (nowadays), but they keep our hands toasty.

      In my last apartment with no basement, drafts made the floors nippy. The heating system never kept the place comfortable when the temperatures plummeted. I used to use a heated throw until it quit heating. On some evenings when the temps dropped to the teens or below zero-degrees, I’d bundle up with a heavy blanket, extra thick socks, and an electric heater to supplement. My old doggie, Kasha, curled up on the blanket at my feet.

      However, to keep my dog warm, especially at bedtime, I’d roll out two throw rugs, then fold and drop a thick quilt on the floor to keep her warm. I’d toss a light blanket over her, but before daybreak, she’d be on top of them. Her age and illness kept her from jumping on the bed or sofa, and with a back injury at the time, I couldn’t lift my sixty-five pound fur-baby. In the mornings, after taking her for a quick trip outside, we’d come back in, and while she ate, I’d take my coffee back to bed to cuddle up under blankets. Before long, she’d mosey in for a pat to her head. Satisfied with a little lovin’ from Mama, she’d curl up on her blankets. I’ll forever remember the last winter with her.

      A year or two ago, my new apartment, with a basement and warmer floors, had an issue with the boiler, so we had no heat for over twenty-four hours. Once again, I dragged out an extra blanket to cuddle up for the night. Since I had power, I plugged in my electric heater and stayed warm and cozy until a repairman fixed the boiler.

      What about you? Do you have any inventive suggestions for keeping warm?


      Drop by the Marketing for Romance Writers Blog Hop to see how PARTICIPATING AUTHORS have used inventive ways to stay warm.

      Nice job , folks, on the new 2021 graphic!

      Thanks for reading.

      Socks and dog Featured Image Courtesy: Pixabay 3025332. Kasha image poorly edited and manipulated by yours truly.

      Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, 52-week blog challenge | 14 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, inventive ways to stay warm, mary j mccoy dressel, MFRW monthly blog challenge
    • Short Snippet Saturday: Listen for once!

      Posted at 3:32 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 16, 2021
      long stem red rose laying on sheet music, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western Romance, Blog Post Short Snippet Saturday

      Hello again. I’ve decided to stick to my Short Snippet Saturday posts on an occasional Saturday instead of participating in the weekly Book Hooks Blog Hop.


      Today, I’m bringing you a snippet from Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart, Book One in the Two-Five Ranch Outlaws Series. With this book, I have a clear understanding of why series books sell better to a lot of readers. Book two was supposed to be published in 2020, and book three this year, but book two never made it in 2020. Therefore, I see less sales without another book in the series for a reader to rush into. I’ve heard that readers prefer to buy an entire series, or at least more than just one book. I think low sales on this book proves that to be true. Who knows, really.

      This snippet features Tanyon and Karis, our hero and heroine in this book. Tanyon’s baby brother, Levi, and his older sister, Veronica, or Ronni to family and friends appear in this snippet. Tanyon is speaking to Ronni and Karis. Young punks Logan and Rudy, also make an appearance. They are troublemaking ranch hands, but Logan is bad to the bone. Tanyon has good reason not to like him. Rudy is tolerable. The babies Karis refers to are bottle calves.

      Book Description

      *Plunge into the first book in Mary’s Brand-new Western Romance Series—Two-Five Ranch Outlaws.

      Four knife-piercing words in a frantic phone call from her mother, caused Dr. Karis Sutton to leave her cowboy in Northern Arizona to return home. While grief-stricken over a tragic loss, she’d let the man she loved slip away instead of allowing him to console her in a time of need. Now, a year later, and ready to break free from her world of gloom, she drives north to seek a second chance with the moody yet irresistible alpha-owner of the ranch. But she’s forced back to Phoenix to fight to keep two fatherless kids. While doing so, will Tanyon think she’s leaving him again and give up on any chance they might’ve had? She’s pulled in different directions. How will she make it right with so much distance between them all?

      Tanyon Outlaw never thought he’d see her again. Now, she’s returned as part of the summer crew on the Two-Five Ranch. In her sad eyes, he sees straight through to her pained soul while memories of their past love invade each thought. What will it take for his cold heart to grow warm toward her again? Then, when bad things happen on the ranch, it comes in droves. Karis is called back home. A lawsuit looms over his head. Fences are cut to maim or steal his cattle. Someone else has an eye for the woman he longs to love. He’s running out of time. How can he discover why people are out to get him while figuring out what his heart wants?

      Once again, Karis and Tanyon have separate, life-changing matters to attend to, so how will they keep it all together and still find a way to capture the love they once shared?

      *Heat Level: Rated “R” by movie standards – Steamy


      Book cover cowboy touching his hat, lightning storm in the background, on a larger background of a Sedona sunset on red rocks, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

      Logan and Rudy, the double-trouble duo, rounded the barn on horses. Logan glanced their way, waited, then nodded. Tanyon ignored him. “I’ll tell you later. Please, listen to me for once?” He glanced at Karis. “Both of you.”

      Karis responded with a nod. “I’ll saddle Joanie. You better have a talk with Max, as well, Tanyon, because of Brielle.” As she left them, Tanyon asked Levi to go into the barn with her until he finished with the calves.

      “I’ll be happy to kick his sorry ass if he tries anything,” Levi muttered on the way.

      In the barn, she walked past Logan and into the tack room for Joanie’s saddle and bridle. Levi brought his horse, Thunder Bay, a white paint gelding into the cross ties and brushed him. Logan and Rudy did the same with the horses they had ridden, but they finished way too soon to have done a thorough job. No surprise.

      “How do you like feeding those babies?” Levi asked Karis.

      She smiled as she used the round brush on Joanie. “I don’t know what it is… Feeding them with a bottle is remarkable, like I’m their mom!”

      “Maybe one day you will be. I wouldn’t mind having another little niece or nephew around here.”

      Karis gasped. “Shame on you, Levi. What a big assumption.” If she hadn’t left a year ago, maybe she’d be pregnant with Tanyon’s child by now. She shook her head to clear it from thinking of such things that had been out of their control.

      Ronni entered the barn to get her thoroughbred from the stall. Logan strode over to her, offering to brush him down and tack the horse for her.

      Ronni smiled at Logan, and Karis reckoned her smile had been fake. A keep their enemy closer type thing.

      “Sure, you can help me.” Ronni replied, winking at Karis across the way.

      Karis eyed them, hoping for Ronni’s sake it was a fake smile. If something went on with those two, no one would be able to keep the shotgun out of the Outlaw men’s hands, if he had anything to do with the lawsuit, but she couldn’t picture Ronni as a cougar.

      Tanyon came in behind Ronni, frowning when he saw she and Logan brushing the horse together. Karis and Levi exchanged glances as they lifted saddles onto their horse’s backs, but neither said anything. She listened to what Tanyon had to say though.

      “Hey, Logan, I heard you were in the loft with that little girl, Brielle. She’s fifteen years old. Unless you want to go to jail or get shot in the head by her dad, you better wipe that smug grin off your face and listen up. Stay away from her and the others.”

      “You got it all wrong—”

      “No, I don’t. I know everything that goes on around here. Everything,” he said narrowing his eyes. He strode over to Joanie to put her bridle on. “You almost ready, Karis? Fox is feeding the calves.”

      She couldn’t picture hard-nosed Fox feeding any baby. “Uh-huh, but I need to get a bottle of water.”

      Tanyon had taken Joanie out of her stall while Karis was gone and had waited outside the barn. The three of them mounted the horses and left the barn at a slow pace. Karis shifted in the saddle to look back at Tanyon standing in the doorway. He pointed to his watch. She’d be having dinner with him in a few hours. The thought made her tremble inside to think the ranch boss might find it in his heart to forgive her.

      Read now: Amazon or Universal Buy Link

      Thank you for visiting today.

      Enjoy your weekend. Stay safe out there.

      Posted in #AmWriting, Short Snippet Saturday | 7 Comments | Tagged Imprisoned in a Cowboy's Heart, mary j mccoy dressel, Short Snippet Saturday, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, western romance
    • This or That Thursday: Warm or Cold Winters

      Posted at 1:12 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 16, 2021
      This or that Thursday banner, mary j mccoy-Dressel,

      Greetings! This is the first post for a new theme. For the heck of it, I thought I’d give this one a try. I’m calling it “This or That Thursday.” Apologies if I’m stepping on toes here. I know, I know it’s not Thursday, but this coming week, I plan to participate in Marketing for Romance Writers Monthly Blog Challenge. So, today I’m introducing my theme early, so next week I’m not posting jibber-jabbering’s too close together—Thursday and Friday. It makes sense in my head.

      Without inquiring into a multitude of articles and posts like this one or this one, I don’t know if this topic has a specific day like Thursday Thoughts, for example. Twitter has a This or That page. I don’t plan on using a Hashtag for the theme. Or is this a meme?

      I’m unsure if I’ll post this topic weekly, but if I do, it’ll be three times a month, for the reason stated in the first paragraph. Let’s see how this plays out.

      This or That questions have been around a while and has rules and games to play. Silly me, thinking I had a good idea for a blog post theme all on my own.

      Until I check out the specifics, I’ll post a picture and write a little about which one I like. Feel free to join in by posting a comment.

      I’m torn on this one. I live in Michigan, a Winter Wonderland. I’d betray my state if I chose palm trees. However, the older I get, the more I detest snow. When we have the first snowfall of the year, I want to cozy up with a blanket and a hot beverage to enjoy looking out at the changing landscape. I don’t mind a white Christmas. After that, it can melt and not come back. 🙂

      “I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” – Lewis Carroll

      📸: shutterty on Instagram#mittenlove pic.twitter.com/X719M8x5jx

      — Awesome Mitten (@awesomemitten) January 12, 2021

      The reality is, I don’t drive on snowy roads. I’m not an outdoorsy person anymore. This sets limitations on where and when I go anywhere, including going outside to walk—the cold also contributes to not taking a stroll in the snow—toes, nose, and hands freezing. It’s quiet while walking in the snow. Peaceful. But then you must clean off vehicles and shovel snow. In my case, the plow leaves chunks of snow and ice behind my car in my parking space at the apartment. Fortunately, I have a kind, young neighbor who clears it when he can.

      Thirty-five-degree temperatures aren’t too bad if there is no wind. It’s fun to make a snowman. I have a pleasant memory of playing in two-feet of snow with my husband on our property in Pennsylvania one wintry weekend. To this day, I have no idea why he thought he could drive the car to the storage shed at the rear of the property. Chains on the tires did not help. We both shoveled and pushed out the car and made a path to back it out—laughing all the while. And sweating. Yes, you can sweat in the cold.

      I tell my boys who live on different coasts of the United States, that I long to spend winters with them to escape the snow and cold. They see snow periodically in the winter, but it isn’t like in Michigan. As I write this post, it’s snowing in Virginia where my youngest son and daughter-in-law live. My oldest in Northern California can drive a little over an hour to see snow that’s six-feet deep. I know, I’ve seen it myself on a jaunt to Shasta Ski Park.

      But I haven’t answered my own “This or That” question.

      In order to know if I’d miss a snowy winter, I’d have to live in a warmer climate to experience it in real-life. My California boy got married in the month of December some years ago, and I remember standing outside in my sleeveless dress, though it was a bit chilly. My husband and I walked around San Francisco in a jacket the night we flew in. Near the bay, it did get a little cold. I admit, the drive north the next day was beautiful, dry, and sunny. Before many more years pass me by, I will find out what it’s like to spend winters without snow and blustery cold temperatures. So, with another moment’s thought, I think KNOW I’d LOVE it. I could be a “winter visitor!”

      Did I pick the warmer climate after all? Now I’m curious. Which This or That will you choose?

      Image credits: Snowman Pixabay Jill Wellington. This or That Thursday image: PicMonkey template designed & manipulated by Mary. This or that photo image: Love Kissed Books

      Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, This or That Thursday | 7 Comments
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