Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance

Category: #AmWriting

• #MFRWauthor 52-Week Blog Challenge Week: 13: Wanderlust!

  Posted at 2:15 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 27, 2020

  

  Here we are meeting again for Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge.  I admit my blog is getting boring by not adding fresh content other than Wednesday and Friday lately. I guess that’s why I posted Wordless Wednesday on Thursday.  So sorry. Maybe better days will come for my blog too.

  Moving along. Time isn’t moving along so quickly when you’re in lock down mode though.  I’m thankful we are. In my state, cases of COVID-19 are increasing as we speak. My governor has done so much to help prevent the spread. People aren’t listening even when we are ordered to HELP EVERYONE BY DOING THIS.  Rant over.

  ---

  Week 13:

  Your destination is within 1500 miles and time is okay.

  Fly or drive?

   

  

  Many people want to get to their destination as quickly as they can and then have fun when they arrive. I’m not that person. These days, I’d rather not fly. I can’t say I never will because of where my grown children live.

  The first time I flew at nineteen years old, it was Friday the 13^th. I hadn’t realized it until sitting on the plane at six a.m., sipping a cup of coffee while the plane waited at the gate. No wonder my dad demanded on the way to the airport I take out life insurance. They had delayed the flight back home because of a tornado. The trip home had been awful and scary with terrible turbulence, and I wished I had done what my dad asked.

  The last time I flew, the plane landed in a blizzard in Chicago with my eyes squeezed closed and fingernails digging into my palms. I had to do it all over again in Detroit.

  I’ve had good flights and landings, too, like flying to California for my oldest son’s wedding and a fun trip to Las Vegas to play in the desert.

  If it’s my choice, I’d invite someone to drive me to a destination within 1500 miles because I don’t like to drive on highways.

  In my life, I’ve had magnificent road trips. I look forward to more. One day.

  One day.

  One day when life is normal again.

  The things I’ve discovered—like hidden lighthouses. The time we accidentally came across the Two-Hearted River, the inspiration for Hemingway’s “Big Two-Hearted River.” What a moment. See, I am easy to please. Another road trip took us somewhere around the Ohio and Kentucky boarder and stumbling across an out-of-the-way cave on private property. This was my first cave tour and a good experience.

  I could go on.

  So, yes, to answer this question, when I have a choice, I’ll take a car trip over flying. I can stop to stretch my legs when I want. Take pictures of things other than clouds. Yes, I’m that person. Buy food. I could have written this whole post with just those few sentences. Oh, well, I am a writer.

  If you have a choice, which do you prefer?

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  Join the participating authors at Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge.

  

  Thanks for visiting.

  #StayInStaySafe

   

   

  Image Credits Pixabay: Utah highway – derwiki. Road Map: ErikaWittlieb

   

  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 5 Comments | Tagged #MFRWauthor, 52-Week Blog Challenge Week: 13: Wanderlust!, Marketing for Romance Writers Blog Hop, Mary J McCoy-Dresel

• #WordlessWednesday Don’t Give Up. Mother Nature Doesn’t. #WritersLife

  Posted at 5:17 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 26, 2020

  

  I know it isn’t Wednesday. Mother Nature knows it isn’t winter, but she rebelled. #Rebellious

  

  Both taken through plastic film over my bedroom window the other day. The snow melted as soon as the sun came out..

  Posted in #AmWriting | 3 Comments

• #MFRWauthor Money to Spend Freely? Probably Not

  Posted at 10:03 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 20, 2020

  

  Oh, dear me. I missed the sign up for Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge. Again. I’m trying to get away from my computer more often these days so I forgot to go back, proof, and set my post to go out.  The topic this week is:

   

  Week 12: If you won the $10,000 lottery, you’d?

   

  A ten-thousand-dollar win won’t be ten grand by the time taxes come out. Once my uncle won that amount in the Michigan Lottery. If my memory serves me correctly, he shared it with his six kids. My dad told me it turned out to be around seven thousand. To some, $10,000 is nothing. To me, it’s a good chunk I’d take in a heartbeat!

  I rarely ever do anything for myself, so maybe this would be my time. My boys, daughter-in-law, and I talked about a trip out West. This amount would be terrific for a journey without leaving the country. I’d foot the bill whenever I could and try not to think about “watching my pennies” as I’m known to do which comes from a necessity to survive. This trip would be a gift from me to them, and we’d create wonderful memories.

  

  Great! What a dream come true. Now, let’s face reality.

  Above I say “watching my pennies.” Yes, I’m afraid if I won the money, I’d stick it away in the bank and let it sit for a “rainy day.” However, I know how much my brother and his family struggle each day, and I like to think I’d share some of it with them. Even before COVID-19, I’ve been frugal and forced to plan for the future for the sake of having money to fall back on. Seven-thousand would cover nearly a year of rent to keep a roof over my head. I fear if I spent the money foolishly, I’d feel guilty.

  Oh, but I’d love the chance to find out and deal with it when it happened. Don’t you have to buy lottery tickets to win. Ha-ha. I don’t. Maybe it’s time to start?

  How about you? Have you ever thought of what you’d do if you suddenly came into TEN GRAND?

  

  This is a blog hop. I know you know by now. Find the other THREE participants HERE. This 52-Week Blog Challenge seems to be falling by the wayside this year. I bet I’m not the only one who didn’t get signed up in time but still wrote a post.

  Stay safe, my friends. Stay well. Practice Social Distancing.

  #StaySafeStayHome

  Posted in #AmWriting | 10 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #MFRWauthor 52-Week #Blog Challenge, #StaySafeStayHome, #WritersLife, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Money to Spend Freely? Probably Not

• #MFRWhooks Book Hooks Wednesday: Conference Room

  Posted at 12:15 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 18, 2020

  

  Hi, is it Wednesday again? Ah, it must be time for another Book Hooks post. Today I bring you the first book in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight:

  Cowboy Boss and his Destiny

   

  The grandma he mentions is the ranch mom who is featured in book five, coming this spring. Modified to avoid spoilers.

  ---

  

  “Just a minute, please.” She glanced at Destiny who still cried. “Do you have someone coming for your child?”

  “Yes, but I can’t wait.” He released Destiny to the floor. She held him as tight as she could.

  The lady called back there and told him it’d only be a minute. A doctor came out and glanced at Destiny. Tristan knelt. “Honey, you have to wait here for a minute. Grandma will be here soon, real soon.” He pointed to a chair. “Go sit right there and don’t get out of it. Don’t talk to anybody.”

  “No, Daddy. Don’t leave me.” She clung to him with both arms.

  There was no expression on the doctor’s face whatsoever.

  “Listen to me. Only for a few minutes. I have to go to the back.” He held her face. “This is the time you need to be big.”

  She shook her head erratically, and shouted, “I’m not big.”

  He picked her up and hugged her. “Take me back, please.”

  They went through the doors to a conference room. “I’ll put a chair outside the door for your daughter,” the doctor stated matter-of-factly. He dragged a chair out of the room, pushing it against the wall beside the door while Tristan fell apart inside.

  Tristan lowered her to the chair. He demanded that Destiny stay. “I’ll be right inside. Right here.”

  She folded her arms across her chest and stared at the floor.

  The doctor closed the door behind him but leaned against it for what seemed an eternity. Silence.

  Tristan’s heart shattered. They were in a conference room. Ah, damn, this couldn’t be good.

  

  UNIVERSAL BUY LINK

  From his experience with women, Tristan Carlson learned that some don’t want a ready-made family, and he and his four-year-old daughter come as a package. Then he falls hard and fast for Nora, but if she isn’t going to give him the trust he needs, their relationship won’t last. Without a warning, darkness falls over the entire Carlson family when a near-repeat of a devastating memory comes back to haunt them, and Tristan fears he and his child will have to suffer all over again.

  When Nora Trinity returns to Canyon Junction, she doesn’t expect to fall for the handsome cowboy she lends a hand to in a parking lot. However, since then, she learns about a past that nearly destroyed him. Now she can lose everything if she can’t find it in her heart to trust he’s a changed man. Then why does he disappear at a time when Nora needs him more than she’s ever needed him before? Has she lost him, anyway?

  Tristan and Nora’s bond is put to the test. They need to be strong enough to overcome issues of trust, family complications, and painful memories. They vow to prevail when circumstances beyond their control attempt to prove them wrong.

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  This book has gone through multiple changes since the first edition. In fact, in 2016 I revised the entire book and cut the length by… Hmm, A LOT. That isn’t all. I gave it a new cover. I removed so much for the purpose of adding book numbered 1.5 to make it one complete book and doing away with the original 1.5.

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  Thank you for reading. While here, click the image below to visit participating authors in this Marketing for Romance Writers Book Hooks blog hop.

  

  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.

   

  Image credit – Father and Daughter: Pixabay – platinumportfolio

  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWhooks, Book Hooks, Double Dutch Ranch Series | 11 Comments | Tagged #MFRWhooks, #MFRWhooks Book Hooks Wednesday: Conference Room, blog hop, Book Hooks, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

• Anxiety Management During Pandemic Days~

  Posted at 1:42 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 17, 2020

  Hey, Folks, I really needed this post today from Cindy Knoke’s Blog. Maybe you did too. I originally came across this post from a Reblog from Reflection of my Journey – Adele Marie’s Blog.

  

  

  Many of us are experiencing emotional distress from the pandemic which can affect each of us in different ways, but often presents as increasing anxiety, worry, sleep disruption, feelings of helplessness, panic, and/or depression.

  The shrieking headlines don’t help do they? So what can we do to manage these feelings and feel stronger emotionally and psychologically as we prepare ourselves to face the difficult days ahead?

  As a psychotherapist who has practiced for many decades, I have some ideas that can help. So if you are interested, read on.

  We are going to make a customized anxiety toolbox. One approach doesn’t work for everyone, pick and choose what feels right for you. Of course I’m including relaxing photos intermixed in this post because looking at positive images is an objective and powerful anxiety reducer. What you perceive influences how you think and feel.

  

  ANXIETY TOOLBOX:

  Self Talk Reframing (Cognitive Therapy)

  View original post 625 more words

  Posted in #AmWriting | 4 Comments

• #MFRWauthor 52-Week Blog Challenge: Saving Daylight

  Posted at 12:27 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 13, 2020

  

  I made it this week after all. However, I wrote this post on Wednesday. You won’t find my name on the Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge page though because I’m late posting and missed the sign up time. This week’s topic is:

  Week 11: Keep Daylight Saving Time?

  I guess it comes down to liking more daylight in the morning or evening. Since the question asks, my answer is “I’d rather do away with Daylight Saving Time.” I can’t give a specific reason as to why. Sure, like most others, I like long summer evenings, but we’ve had this change for so long, I don’t remember what a winter evening is like without a time change. My oldest son mentioned to me the other day that he now has time to mountain bike ride after work because it’s still daylight in the mountains. Those who work all day get to see sunsets.

  How about a history lesson? Apparently, Daylight Saving Time isn’t as new as we might think:

  Daylight Saving Time has been used in the U.S. and in many European countries since World War I. At that time, in an effort to conserve fuel needed to produce electric power, Germany and Austria took time by the forelock, and began saving daylight at 11:00 p.m. on April 30, 1916, by advancing the hands of the clock one hour until the following October. Other countries immediately adopted this 1916 action…

  From WebExhibits website: http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/e.html

  The 1960s:

  According to the WebExhibits website, in the early 1960s in the US, time changes were quite inconsistent until a dedicated time-frame had been figured out. One survey by the Committee of Time Uniformity found:

  …on the 35-mile stretch of highway (Route 2) between Moundsville, W.V., and Steubenville, Ohio, every bus driver and his passengers had to endure seven time changes!

  Also from WebExhibits website: http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/e.html

   

  By 1966, some 100 million Americans were observing Daylight Saving Time based on their local laws and customs. Congress decided to step in and end the confusion, and to establish one pattern across the country. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S. Code Section 260a) [see law], signed into Public Law 89-387 on April 12, 1966, by President Lyndon Johnson, created Daylight Saving Time to begin on the last Sunday of April and to end on the last Sunday of October. Any State that wanted to be exempt from Daylight Saving Time could do so by passing a state law.

  http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/e.html

  Here’s a good tidbit of information at this History Channel link. https://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-daylight-saving-time

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  This is a blog hop that happens on Friday from Marketing for Romance Writers. Click HERE to visit participating authors.

  

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  Stay safe and well everyone. Four days ago when I wrote, Worldwide Alarm and Anxiety: Coronavirus, Covid-19 had not reached my state. So much has changed since then, and it has reached us, my county, and many surrounding counties. After confirming two cases the first day, overnight, we had a dozen cases with over one hundred more being tested. Last night, our governor ordered all schools be closed for three weeks so far beginning Monday the 16th. Other states are doing the same thing.

  Please be as safe as you can. Think of those whose health is in jeopardy and keep healthy for them. We all have to do our part in helping to stop this Pandemic. How many of us have never heard that word used in our lifetime? After this, I hope we never hear it again. Remember, the percentage of those who survive this is much higher than those who do not.

   

  Featured Image Credit: Pixabay by Syaibatulhamdi

  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 14 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, 52-Week Blog Challenge: Saving Daylight, blog hop, Daylight Saving Time, History Channel, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, WebExhibits

• Worldwide Alarm and Anxiety: Coronavirus

  Posted at 9:26 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 9, 2020

  

  I remember standing in a long line to be vaccinated when I was a young child and again for the sugar cube containing the polio vaccine. I think the polio vaccine was put in a sugar cube back a lot of years ago. Then, as an adult, and working in public school, I got flu shots. And then there was Swine Flu, and again, I was vaccinated. Schools were closed with the Swine Flu outbreak, meaning, I didn’t get paid, but I was off work anyway because it had been a bad time for my husband who was in the hospital, and I used the Family Medical Leave Act because of how many days I missed work.

  His stay turned out to be doubly frightening because you see, my husband had a compromised immune system due to his disease. We learned they had moved a Swine Flu patient to the same wing and floor as him. Yes, we complained. No, it didn’t matter because they were filling up with patients who had contracted the Swine Flu.

  Coronavirus

  Now there’s COVID-19. I hoped I’d never see this day and an outbreak that is affecting the entire world. Are you scared? I am though I’m not panicking yet. Ask me again when it reaches my state.

  We hear about it on the news daily. By now everyone should recognize the word COVID-19, the name “the World Heath Organization gave to the Coronavirus in February 2020.”

  However, there is more we can do like don’t touch our faces, keep office areas and public areas clean and sanitized on a regular basis, which sounds much easier “said than done.” Use a tissue to open and close doors and even to touch your face if you must.

  My local news report the other night said people touch their faces around twenty times an hour.

  I believe it, I say, while catching myself touching my face while reading over this post.

  Take off your shoes when you come inside.

  Don’t shake hands.

  If you don’t have hand santizer on hand, try buying it now. My grocery store has signs posted that they are limiting sales on hand sanitizer and some cleaning products. I couldn’t find any in a local pharmacy. They were only a couple bottles away from having an empty shelf of antibacterial soap.

  Wash your hands.

  Wash your hands.

  Wash your hands.

  With what if we can’t find any? Wash anyway with hand soap. Every part of your hands. Use toweling to turn off water and to open doors. Carry tissues for when there are air-dryers.

  The link below shows an infographic with important steps for taking care of ourselves and others around us. Let’s do what we must to remain safe.

  From Johns Hopkins Medicine as of March 5, 2020.

  COVID-19 SYMPTOMS MAY DEVELOP WITHIN 14 DAYS OF EXPOSURE AND INCLUDE*:

  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Shortness of Breath

  THE BEST WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

  See the full Infographic at: Coronavirus at a Glance: Infographic

  By Lisa Lockerd Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H.

  ---

  Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website to stay updated as well as the World Health Organization.

  Share Facts About COVID-19 at the CDC.

  Harvard health Publishing: Harvard medical School- Coronavirus Resource Center

  The good news is, so they tell us, most people who contract the Coronavirus survive. Is it true? The death count keeps rising. The RN at my doctor’s office told me last week that it attacks the lungs. Yeah, the doctor’s office was the last place I wanted to be, but that’s another post. While there, she reminded me to get my pneumonia booster shot since I only received the first one.

  As of the last report, it hasn’t reached my state yet, but we all know it’s a matter of time. We had people being tested, mainly those students who had arrived from Italy. Results recently came in. They didn’t have it. One student said he had never been checked for a fever or sickness before getting on or after getting off the plane. Stupid mistakes like that CAN’T happen.

  Sorry to stick a pin in your balloon, and of course it’s your choice, but don’t get on a cruise ship.

  We have to participate in helping to prevent this disease. And if you’re the praying kind like I am, pray too.

  Posted in #AmWriting | 13 Comments | Tagged Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC, coronavirus, COVID-19, hand sanitizer, hand washing, Harvard Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine, World Health Organization, Worldwide Alarm and Anxiety: Coronavirus

• #MFRWauthor Week 10: Love or Hate ~ Editing!

  Posted at 12:03 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 6, 2020

  

  Week 10: Editing – love it or hate it?

  52-Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop

  If I had to answer this question after having the first round of my first book edited, it would be a toss-up between dread and hate. I’ve come a long way from not knowing how to use Track Changes.

  Editor’s Edits:

  This comes as I am working on EDITS just back from my fantastic editor. Do I love it or hate it? Now that I know what I’m doing, I love editing when it comes back from her. I love to see the suggestions she offers to make the book better. So, this part I do love.

  If there are changes that will take thought or time, I don’t love it so much because I want my book finished, and then there’s the ego thing with an instant… “No, I’m not changing that” mindset. This is when patience and reality come into play. I usually always make the changes and accept her suggestions because she’s the expert.

  Even when it means tossing the complete first four or five paragraphs, and beginning the book in a different place, like with my current book. I loved my beginning as it was, but after giving it a couple of days to think about, I realize she’s right, and I can take some of the original and add it back in elsewhere, per her suggestion.

  Self-Editing: Love or Hate

  What about revising and editing a book after the final draft and before it goes to the editor? It’s frustrating when a story that looks and feels right in a draft, isn’t the same as when getting down to the nitty-gritty and looking at it with a self-editor’s eye. A time when you now know the complete story–where it’s been and where it’s going. It’s amazing to catch mistakes like: the time-frame is out of sync, or I spelled a character’s name incorrectly, or when I have to move something to a better place. Gasp! Or ditch my precious words. I love to see a book come together and watching characters develop more fully. Settings too become more real. This is what I love about revising and self-editing before anyone sees it.

  So there it is, plain and simple. Turns out, I love editing more than I love writing the first draft though I do enjoy writing a draft to see what surprises are revealed.

  What I don’t like is revising and editing blog posts.

  What about you?

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  Do other authors love editing? Hate it? We can find out by visiting participating authors at the Marketing for Romance Writers Blog.

  

  Now it’s time to get back to editing.

   

  Image credit:

  Featured photo/ glasses & keyboard: Pixabay- Slightly_Different

   

  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, 52-week blog challenge | 6 Comments | Tagged #AuthorsLife, #MFRWauthor, #MFRWauthor Week 10: Love or Hate ~ Editing!, #WritersLife, 52-week blog challenge, editing, editor, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Revisions

• #MFRWauthor 52-Week Blog Challenge~ Priorities Change

  Posted at 12:03 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 28, 2020

  

  This is a blog hop for Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge. Find participating authors HERE.

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  Week 9: Diet before Summer? How seriously?

   

  Due to low-self-confidence back in my younger days, I didn’t know I was thin, but I was serious about losing weight I didn’t need to lose.

   

  Ping-pong dieting became a lifelong habit.

  Today though, I know who I am. I live with the seriousness of shedding pounds for health reasons now instead of what I see in the mirror. Summer is a motivation, but no matter what season it is, I’m forced to keep in the back of my mind, what I should and shouldn’t be eating. I’m not perfect and do cheat on occasion more than I should. If not, I will fall off the plan.

  

  Warmer weather makes it easier to stick to whatever kind of plan someone chooses whether it be to lose weight or tone up the body. The cost of produce and fresh fruit is lower. In the winter, we can go broke buying the fruits you see in the image. Those of us who live in cold weather climates welcome spring so we can get outside more often. To blow off the dust of dry heat and breathe fresh air.

  I can’t speak for everyone, but to get serious about dieting and shaping up before summer is almost an annual ritual around here. More and more people are choosing to get toned up and healthy. On a rare sunny, fifty degree day, motorcycles and short sleeve shirts make appearances. We’ve had more than a few of these days this winter.

  When you have health issues, it changes priorities.

  My Fitbit Inspire™ wristband tracker has been a godsend all winter to remind me to stay motivated and get up and move. I’m excited to see how many steps and miles I can walk over months of nice weather.

  To sum it up for me, eating right is necessary for me (with cheating) but keeping in mind health is my main goal. But in the spring, I will once again fall into my ritual of becoming more serious (without cheating, cross my fingers) to shed extra pounds in addition to staying healthy.

  Recently, my cousin pointed me to *walking videos on You Tube to help add steps to my day. It’s harder than heck on my knees, so I have to limit what I can do. It’s great when you can’t get outside.

  *Please check with your doctor before trying any exercise or work-out plan.

  This is a blog hop for Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge. Find participating authors HERE.

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  Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with Fitbit Inspire™ wristband tracker, You Tube, or the creator of the video in any way, shape, or form.

  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 6 Comments | Tagged #MFRWauthor, #MFRWauthor 52-Week #Blog Challenge, Dieting, exercise, losing weight, Priorities Change, Summer dieting, walking

• Book Hooks Wednesday: A Seasoned Romance WIP~ Be Careful #MFRWhooks #MFRWauthor

  Posted at 12:03 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 26, 2020

  

  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.

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  Information about the book and the rest of the books in the series, can be found on the Double Dutch Ranch Series page.

  

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  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?

  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #MFRWhooks | 16 Comments | Tagged #MFRWauthor, #MFRWhooks, Book Hooks, contemporary western romance, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, mary j mccoy dressel, Seasoned Romance, senior citizen

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