Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance
Sensual romance. Heartwarming stories. Strong family ties.
Day after.
And that isn’t the only surprise.
“There you are, I was beginning to think you were avoiding me,” she said, entering Dickens’ stall. “I need help.”
Aaron finished filing his horse’s back hoof before patting the smooth flank. He looked at Sophia over the broad back. “I knew it couldn’t last,” he sighed. “Okay, what do you need?”
She huffed out an exasperated breath. “Don’t sound so excited. I’m doing this for the ranch, you know.”
He did know. Unfortunately, it didn’t make having their home overrun by strangers any more palatable. In all fairness, Sophia had gone over and above on the website and the hacienda. He was no tech guru but even he would pay the astronomical prices to stay as their guest. Her sales pitch was nothing short of genius.
But she looked tired.
If only the agricultural firm he’d shown his ideas to would call back with a contract—none of this would be necessary. He ducked under Dickens’ neck and came up next to his sister. “Shouldn’t you be taking it easy?”
She patted her growing baby bump and smiled. “You sound like Tony. I’m fine. It’s just there’s a hundred and one things to get done and only a few days left before the big event. This ball will give us the free advertising we need to get the guest ranch off the ground. I’ve invited some of my old contacts from New York and Trish promised to put the word out, too. She’s been great, Aaron. I would have been lost without her.”
The mention of Trish sent the now familiar fluttery feeling to his stomach. He’d spent the last few days rehashing that kiss by the fountain; the near-desperation in his voice when he’d begged her to come away with him. Her negative reaction.
He was an idiot to keep bashing his heart against the stone wall of Trish’s soul.
Jacquie lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and loves to hear from readers all over the world! You can also join her street team on Facebook called Biggar’s Book Buddies.
Copyright Mary J. Dressel
Veterans Day Discounts 2019, Free Meals, Resources Exclusive to Veterans: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/67508/veterans-day-discounts-2019/
Sorry for the snafu with the last Hooked by Sundown post. At least I didn’t lose it like I lost another draft. Anyway, this ISN’T the post that went out yesterday on the official Short Snippet Saturday correct day. I haven’t mentioned Wade and Sophie much since their book had been released.
A Double Dutch Ranch Series Spin Off
Snippet is self-explanatory without the need for a set-up.
Excerpt/ Snippet:
Wade finished breakfast in his room, poured a cup of coffee, then opened the balcony door one last time to sniff the air and enjoy the cool breeze. Hell, he didn’t have to leave here. His thoughts went to sitting with Sophie and her boy last night. She was nice enough, sort of, and damn pretty. Emmett’s physical characteristics resembled Wade’s with brown eyes and the same thick hair like his but a shade lighter from the sun.
Curiosity about her life filled his musings. He’d come to California only to meet a woman from home? Interesting. His flight left Saturday, if what the nurses said about his brother came true. In his mind he made a pact with himself. If they were on the same plane heading home, he’d search her out in baggage claim in Phoenix to pursue a date.
“Get in here.”
Wade glanced toward her voice. “Mornin’.” With her hand holding her son’s arm, she turned toward him and smiled. Wow, what an attractive morning smile. Better than what he’d seen on her face when he’d left them last night.
“Good morning, Mr. Emory—”
He corrected her, “Wade.”
“Are you getting ready to leave?”
“Yep, one last cup of coffee.” He raised it to her. Leaving this extravagant place wasn’t a necessity. It wasn’t like he couldn’t afford it, but this place wasn’t him. He didn’t need a thick robe to don after getting out of the shower or fancy sheets on the bed with a piece of chocolate on his pillow each night, though the chocolate tasted special.
She told Emmett to go inside. “Can I talk to you?”
He nodded then entered his room without hesitation. Wade changed out of running shorts and pulled on jeans. Before he had time to get a shirt to go into the hall, he answered the knock at his door. She and Emmett stood there. He held the door open, sweeping his hand forward.
Her gaze glued to his chest first off. “No, I don’t want to come in. Y-you didn’t tell me where you were staying.”
Was he supposed to? “Just a minute.” He nearly jumped up and clicked his heels together. Instead, he pulled on a t-shirt and wrote down the hotel name. “We still watching the sunset tonight?” Damn, how manly had that sounded?
“Yeah, if you come.”
“Sounds like a date…I mean, not a date, but a plan. Sorry.” He couldn’t win for losing.
She gave a shy smile he hadn’t seen before though she’d seemed direct and not shy last night. “I know what you mean.”
Wade handed her the slip of paper with the name of where he’d be staying. He was surprised and glad she wanted to know. “In case you need anything, do you want my phone number?” He didn’t retract his gaze. Neither did she. Say yes.
She handed her phone over, and he took no less than a few seconds to enter his number. “Here you go. Well, I better get outta here. Hey, Emmett, don’t forget the cups for your sand castle tonight.”
The kid had a cute smile like his mom. “I won’t. Mom? Don’t forget.”
“It’s your responsibility, boy.” She brushed his sun-streaked, brown hair from his forehead then glanced at Wade. “See you later.”
“Do you swim?” He asked without a thought.
“Yeah, but I don’t like Emmett to swim in the ocean. Rip currents, you know. We’ll go to the pool later.”
“All right. I thought it might be a nice night for a swim.” In man speak, he’d like to see Sophie in a bikini.
“Have fun if you do. We don’t mind watching.”
He nodded and closed the door. Wade checked the bedroom again, washed the cup, and sat it on the counter to dry. In a way, he hated leaving this nice place, but the other place was four-star, too, however not on the ocean and with no fluffy robes. Maybe he’d have a whiff of the salty air. Admittedly, he missed the dry, baked smell of the desert.
End of excerpt.
Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series
A Double Dutch Ranch Series Spin Off Novel
HOOKED BY SUNDOWN
Available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Apple Books.
If you’re in a participating state, don’t forget to turn back your clocks if you haven’t. Ugh, do we have to? I don’t like when it gets dark so early.
Enjoy your weekend.
National First Responders Day was October 28th.
The first name on the list is from 1867. The last five were added in 2018.
Short and Sweet post today for a brand-new giveaway: Enter for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card.
💋Love Kissed Book Bargains
Welcome to the October New Release Giveaway! 10/28 – 11/04!
Find your new favorite author.
Then enter for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card.
Enter here: https://lovekissedbookbargains.com/2019/10/25/october-new-release-giveaway/
Hi! Happy weekend. I’ve returned this Saturday with another excerpt from Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart. This one is a fun scene on the Two-Five Ranch between Karis and Tanyon with a couple other family members who make their appearances. Haunted House is mentioned and is one of the Five Common Elements used in the book. The haunted house episode referred to happened earlier which is another scene I love in the book. Oh, Max is an element too!
Karis went downstairs to wait for Tom and wandered into the kitchen. When had she eaten last? Lunch on the trail? A scrumptious sweet-cinnamon aroma filled the house bringing on an inkling of a memory from childhood. The oven was still warm when she walked by. It must’ve been dessert, so she opened it to see what Max had made. Mmm, apple pie.
“Where’s the pie,” Tanyon asked, entering the kitchen, soaking wet. “Something smells delicious.”
She laughed at his wet clothes and hair plastered to his head. Albeit, she didn’t mind his wet shirt hugging his abs. “Maybe you’ll patch your floor in the truck now?”
“Yeah, I don’t remember until it’s raining. Bring the pie over here. I’m starved.”
“No way. I’m not dealing with Max. He made this pie for a reason. I know dinner is around here somewhere.”
“Yeah, because I asked him to make apple or cherry pie.”
She blocked the oven. “No. I have to hear it from him.”
He strode over to her, set his hands on her upper arms and attempted to move her. She held her ground, but he hadn’t tried hard, or she would’ve been moved. She giggled. “Stop.”
Tanyon tickled her in the ribs. “I know how to get you out of the way.”
She fought off his hands, laughing and protecting her ribs at the same time. “I’m not ticklish, anymore.” Like hell.
“Hey, what’s going on here?” Max’s big voice roared. “You’re after pie, aren’t you?”
“Don’t worry, she’s protecting it like her life depended on it.” Tanyon chuckled.
“It does!” Max bellowed.
Tanyon raised his hands. “Come on. Didn’t you make it because I asked?”
“Well…”
“Ah, ha.” He gazed at Karis with a devil grin on his face then lifted her off the floor and moved her.
“Get it out and come on over here, you two,” Max called. “I’ll get the ice cream. Tanyon, change your damn wet clothes. Go on. You’re worse than a kid dripping on the floor.”
“You’re bad, Outlaw.” Karis chuckled when Tanyon and Max said, ‘No, I’m not’ at the same time. “You both know the truth.”
“I’ll be right back.” Tanyon hurried out of the kitchen.
Max made the cut. “You get the first bite, and we’ll rub it into his face.”
“Literally?”
Max reconsidered. “Ah, better not.”
She got plates from the cupboard. “You’ll get me in more trouble. He’s already mad at me.”
“He’s always mad at somebody, but darlin’, he isn’t mad at you. He was worried because you broke down in front of the haunted house.” Max snorted as he sliced the pie.
“Not you too.”
Tanyon entered the room with a dry shirt and the same wet and muddy pants, but he’d combed his hair. He raised a brow at Karis. “You two will do good to remember who signs your checks.”
“Yeah, Ronni signs the checks.” She defiantly held eye contact with him until Max waved a spoon between them.
“I’m glad you asked for pie this morning, Tanyon. I’ve been wanting to make apple or cherry.”
She dished out ice cream. “Me too! Cherry would be delicious.” A grumbling tummy wasn’t necessary to know she was ravenous.
“That’s why I made both. With this bunch, how could I only make one?” Max howled. “I made four.”
Cade came in, ducking through the doorway with Nadia on his shoulders.
Karis poured her, Tanyon, and Max a cup of coffee. “Nadia, have you been playing in the rain?”
Nadia flicked her smiling gaze to Cade. “Me and Daddy danced in the rain.”
“Sweet!” Karis said.
End of excerpt.
I wanted apple pie while writing this scene. Mmm, even I could smell it. No, I haven’t had any yet. LOL.
I appreciate you taking the time to visit. Thank you. ❤ ❤
A Common Elements Romance Project Novel
Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart (Two-Five Ranch Outlaws #1)
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 before he loses her forever?
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?
Enjoy your weekend.
Before the month of October is over, I wanted to share The Common Elements Romance Project October Giveaways for books published this month.
Who wants to enter for a chance to win a free eBook? Visit THIS LINK to see the Common Elements Giveaway participating authors published in October 2019!
Each month from October thru January, some authors publishing in those months will be doing their own giveaway for their project book. You can sign up at the link above then to a Google Sign Up form. It’s that simple to enter.
When we had the Facebook Launch Party last month, our books weren’t published yet. Authors gave away books from their back list. Now the authors who choose to participate in the October Giveaways, have a chance to do their own individual giveaways on the new common elements releases.
Stop on over to check them out. The list keeps growing as more books are being released this month.
Touch of Breeze by Kelynn Storm
Forbidden Noble by Victoria Pinder
Evil Wind Rising by Jillian Chantal
The Haunted Love Affair by Constance Bretes
Beguiled by Amanda Jayde
That Summer by Candy Caine
Resistance: A Common Elements Romance by Regina Kammer
Bohemia Chills by Lucy Lakestone
The Heartless Earl by Regina Jeffers
Forever Better Together by A.D. Ellis
Haunting Miss Fenwick by Alina K. Field
In the Lady’s Heart by JoMarie DeGioia
Blood Will Tell by Pamela Gibson
Kisses & Kismet by Kris Jayne
I’m not participating in this giveaway, but Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart is still at a promotional price of $0.99 for a limited time. Oh, yesterday the book jumped into the Top 100 Paid Best Selling Books in Contemporary Western Fiction. I haven’t been on that list in a long time. Sure, it isn’t a big deal because it isn’t a USA or other “Official” best selling list, but regardless, it’s another milestone for me.
FYI: On the website, the bag shown on the page is not part of this new giveaway. That contest is closed.
If you missed earlier posts about this project, read on:
The Common Elements Romance Project.
What is it?
From the website:
*We’re over seventy romance authors who have come together to write stories that have just five things in common:
1. a lightning storm
2. lost keys
3. a haunted house (really haunted or rumored to be)
4. a stack of thick books
5. a person named Max (or short for something else)
Everything else is up to the individual authors.
*I’d like to note that each author wrote their own book. This isn’t an anthology or boxed set.
If you enter for a chance to win, good luck!
Thanks for visiting.
Late 2019 / Early 2020
