Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

Sensual western romance. Heartwarming stories. Strong family ties.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
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  • Category: Short Snippet Saturday

    • Short Snippet Saturday: Scars and Fake Records

      Posted at 3:44 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 29, 2022

      Here we are on Saturday. The sun is shining brightly through my windows today. It’s nice out, too. The morning hours brought thick fog.

      This Saturday Snippet is from Finding Kimber, the second book in a spin off series to the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight. Kimber is a newcomer to Arizona. You can read more about Kimber and how she got to where she is at this LINK from Meet Our Heroines.

      The actual snippet is short. All this other writing around it makes it look long. ❤


      This book is available wide at this Universal Link.

      Brief setup: Earlier in the day, Tressa experienced the worst moments of her life. She’s giving up her identity to keep her family safe and is about to enter her new life in Arizona with a new name. Jerry is her godfather. Before retirement, he had a career in a branch of law enforcement. Everything he’s doing for her now is off the books. Melinda has been hired to accompany Jerry in getting Kimber settled.

      Saturday Snippet:

      Later in the hotel in Boise, Idaho, Melinda came to stand beside her. “Think of your parents and Charlotte. They’re safe because of your decision. A murderer is off the streets.”

      At fifty-three, Melinda didn’t look her age. Her auburn hair shone, and her green eyes were friendly most of the time, though they had darkened and hardened as of late. Tressa took a deep breath. “If I must do this, I’ll make the best of it. I have a good incentive to make it work—my family’s life.”

      Melinda patted her back. “And don’t forget it’s for your life.”

      Tressa buried her face in her hands. “I can’t stand them being hurt.” She pounded her chest. “It aches so much right here.”

      Jerry sat beside her, waiting until she got control of herself. “All of us will keep you safe, Kimber.”

      It was the first time she’d been called Kimber. She clutched her chest again. “I don’t know if I can do this. My heart is broken.”

      He handed her a degree from San Francisco University. There was a high school diploma, awards from high school, report cards, and her new credit history. “Like the passport, we’ll create your driver’s license and other photos when the scar from the removal heals. Are you sure you want the mole above your lip removed?”

      “Yes, it always stood out. Yes.”

      “All your records prove you are Kimber Kay Sinclair. You’ve nothing to fear. You need to do what we suggest. In my job, we warned, ah, our witnesses, to obey our rules. You’ll survive as long as you do what you’ve been told.”

      Tressa went through the motions while trying to distance herself from all the horror of the past and then today. Over a period of the last thirteen months, she had set money aside for later. Untraceable money meant for Kimber Sinclair. “But how? How, Jerry, did you do all of this?”

      “Kimber…” He smiled upon using her new name. “You know I can’t answer your question. And it’s best you don’t know, either, my dear.”

      Book #2

      END


      Here is what the book is about and where to find it:

      She’s wary of her future. He’s burdened by his past

      Cattleman Zachary (Zach) Bryson arrives in Arizona with hopes of leaving the ghosts from his past behind. Hired by a stranger to run a ranch, he meets the owner—a secretive woman with no ranching experience. He’s seen her before, but she wasn’t a redhead with green eyes. In their first encounter, she swept him off his feet without their exchanging a word. Why did she change her appearance? What secrets lay behind those heart-stopping eyes? Seeing this job as a challenge, he sticks around to tackle this hottie head-on.

      After her life is threatened, Kimber Sinclair is forced to flee her lush Oregon county for a small town in Arizona with sand, saguaros, and dusty cowboys. She settles in to live a lie—to discover the person behind her new identity while she mourns the death of Tressa Garnett—her given name at birth. However, keeping a distance from her ruggedly handsome, broad-shouldered, wise-cracking ranch foreman, isn’t easy. She struggles daily to hide her secret from Zach who demands answers. By telling him the truth, his life could also be in danger.

      If trouble finds her, will she choose fight or flight? Can Zach set aside his own issues, or will his nightmares prevent him from doing what he was unknowingly hired to do?

      Universal Link

      I’d rate this book “R” by movie standards. If you only choose to read one book in a series, you’ll still have a complete story in itself.

      Thanks for reading.

      I hope you get a chance to get outside and enjoy your weekend, especially if it’s as gorgeous as mine.<Waving>

      Posted in #AmWriting, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 3 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, cowboy, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Romance, Short Snippet Saturday: Scars and Fake Records, western romance
    • Short Snippet Saturday: We Have Each Other

      Posted at 1:27 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 8, 2022

      Hi everyone. Today arrived with a big chill and freeze warnings. Let’s warm up with a snippet from my holiday romance novella–a two-hour read. Learn more here.

      A Brief Setup

      Two days before Christmas, Terra Westbrook’s car broke down and is now in the garage in a small village. The mechanic isn’t available. Terra and her little girl, Kylee, warm up in a restaurant. She made reservations at a hotel outside of town. Alanna, the friendly server babysitting her little niece, offered to drive her to the hotel on the way home from work. However, there was a problem with the hotel.

      Secret Santa’s Rundown Sleigh: A Holiday Romance Novella

      This snippet is from Chapter One

      “Nonsense. You’ll come home with us. My brother won’t care. What’s two more people? It’ll be wonderful to have you come. Jude has a big house. The kids can get to know each other.”

      “Absolutely not. I can’t bother your brother and his family on Christmas. No, I appreciate your kindness, Alanna, but you’ve already done so much. Please, take us to the hotel. We’ll figure something out even if I must beg for a ride back to Gaylord. We’ll have a better chance in a bigger town.”

      “You won’t need to beg me, Terra. Tomorrow night, a close friend of Jude’s in the village hosts a big party with games and Santa for the kids. Stay with us. We’ll all go into town together. Please say you’ll stay?”

      “Mama, can we? I don’t want to sleep in my car or get kicked out of no stupid hotel.”

      “Please?” Maisy begged. “I’ll share my stuffed animals with Kylee.”

      Terra’s eyes stung. If not for her child, she’d have insisted on going to the hotel, but she couldn’t do this to her daughter when the offer of a warm house awaited them. She sighed.

      “Terra?” Alanna asked. “Please? Trust me when I say it’s okay.” She leaned in. “Maisy is all Jude has. He lost his wife five years ago. He’s lonely but doesn’t realize it. He won’t mind.”

      Five years ago? Maisy would’ve been two. Terra glanced back and the child’s blue eyes met hers. Terra smiled. What if it had been Kylee? Would Grace care for her? Yes, she’d care for Kylee like Terra would care for her nephew Liam if the need arose. She wrung her hands in her lap, nodding slowly. “Okay.”

      The kids screamed in glee in the backseat. “Aunt Alanna, turn up the radio! Frosty!”

      Alanna turned up the volume.

      Terra couldn’t say another word as Alanna drove a few more miles on the slick road without the sand and salt mixture and in fresh falling snow. The image of the man who entered the restaurant formed in her mind.

      Terra gulped. What had his life been like alone? What had happened to Maisy’s mother? How had he coped? Alanna slowed way down before turning left and under a signpost. Snow fell too hard for her to read the name above the word Ranch. “Your brother’s a rancher up here?”

      “No. He has horses though. He’d have a ranch if it made sense. Hence, the signpost.” She laughed. “His renovated 1890s home is Jude’s pride and joy, besides Maisy and his horses. He’ll be at a meeting in town, on his snowmobile, no less, but when he comes home, he’ll be out feeding them and the stray cats, or working on who knows what. I’ll get you settled then talk to him. I’m so happy you said yes.”

      “I need to call my sister. I haven’t talked to her since I told her my car broke down. It’s the last time I travel so close to the holidays. I was positive I’d miss the storm but never expected my car to break down.”

      “We’ll be okay, Mom. We have each other.” Tears stung Terra’s eyes, and she muttered, “Yes. Yes, we do, sweetheart.”

      End

      Thanks so much for reading. Learn more about this book HERE.



      I took this from my doorway a week and a half ago and cropped out the parking lot and high fence.

      Fall is upon us here in the U.S., friends. The weather people here tell us our fall colors will be late this year. I’ve only seen a few trees with color, so the experts must be right. I didn’t make it to town to photograph the “scarecrows” yet. I’ll plan on it this week. Have a wonderful weekend.

      Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Secret Santa's Rundown Sleigh, Short Snippet Saturday | 13 Comments | Tagged Heartwarming romance, Holiday Romance, Kindle Unlimted, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Short Snippet Saturday: We Have Each Other, two-hour read
    • Short Snippet Saturday: In a Trance

      Posted at 10:20 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 17, 2022

      Hello all! This snippet really is short. As I searched through last years files for a short except to post on Facebook, I came across this one. If you follow my Facebook Author Page, you saw this with the same graphic as above.

      Blue Snow in the Moonlight: A Holiday Romance. We’re in our heroine’s POV.

      Sunshine burst through the conservatory. After her yoga session, she closed her laptop and squinted at the tracks left in the snow by Cullen and his son. The ladies she had led in her class giggled and pointed behind her, saying a hot lumberjack had come into her yard. They were right. Cullen had stood trance-like, holding his chainsaw—watching. It both embarrassed and thrilled her.
      ⁠
      Later, she took a hot shower, but it wasn’t the water raising her body temperature. After dressing, she strolled through the cottage. As if a ghost hung out here, the quiet bothered her now. Sadness happened in this place some time ago. He wore his pain in his demeanor. Memories of the cottage tore Cullen up inside. His family and even her uncle went along with a lie to protect his youngest. The Hollister family shared true family love.

      End of Excerpt. Thank you.

      Learn more about his book at Holiday Books in the menu.

      Available on Amazon internationally, but I’ll likely publish this one wide before Christmas. Visit Amazon now.


      Enjoy your weekend.

      Do you love fall? It’s my favorite season with spring coming in second. The colorful leaves, cooler nights, snuggling under a throw… Walks in the park. NO high bills from running air conditioning. The season makes me cuddly inside.

      This tree caught my attention with only a couple of red leaves on it. I had to capture it in Marshall, Michigan on a “girls’ day” out.

      My small town’s Fall Festival was last weekend. All the streets were blocked off except two lanes through town via Main Street, but even that took us to a detour. It’s all so much fun. Next, the scarecrows arrive.

      Blog posts relating to the second book can be found HERE and HERE.

      Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Blue Snow in the Moonlight, Short Snippet Saturday | 7 Comments | Tagged Blue Snow in the Moonlight, Blue Snow in the Moonlight Holiday western romance, cowboy, Holiday Romance, mary j mccoy dressel, Short Snippet Saturday
    • Short Snippet Saturday: Cold Heart

      Posted at 6:34 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 22, 2022
      long stem red rose laying on sheet music, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western Romance, Blog Post Short Snippet Saturday

      Two-Five Ranch Outlaws

      Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart

      This short scene in italics takes place earlier in the day and leads into today’s snippet below the fence post: 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.


      I’ve made a slight modification to the excerpt. This scene follows in Tanyon’s POV:

      The closer it got to dinner time, the more stressed he became. He wanted to skip dinner out. A lot of work still waited on the ranch. Regardless, he had planned to drive up toward the Grand Canyon but decided against it. His heart wasn’t into having a date tonight. Dinner at one of the bar restaurants in Williams sounded doable and was a short drive away. A pretzel burger or ribs and a beer flight sounded good. Then again, with his sour mood tonight, he didn’t want the busyness of Williams or the Grand Canyon.

      He couldn’t shake the heavy heart concerning Karis. Now, he’d given her the wrong idea by asking her out. Like Sedona hadn’t given her the wrong idea? He sighed, still conflicted over what to do. He’d hoped the more time they’d spent with each other, the better it would get, but he had this wall to scale first. Being together hadn’t set him free from decisions. In fact, after holding her close during the dance, he didn’t want to call it quits yet.

      Before driving home, he pulled off the road at the gate to the open field where he’d taken her… Where he should’ve taken her fully. Maybe she would’ve gotten pregnant that night. She’d still be here taking advantage of the shoulder he could’ve offered when she damn well needed one. Instead, the night had led to a magnificent quickie, if you wanted to call what they’d done that night, a quickie.

      He glanced out at the openness. How dark it got on a moonless night. Now, the memory made him crazy with anger. Not the memory, no, the memory…aroused him, but the events that happened afterward had left him cold and heartbroken. She’d left him. He clenched the steering wheel tighter.

      She’d left him, and his heart had grown cold.

      Then the answer popped into his head. If anything could bring him back, it’d be sitting beside her in the bed of his truck with the silent musings of that night in both of their minds when he’d loved her so much. Tanyon nearly called her to tell her to dress casually, but she sure wasn’t dressed casual then. He made a turn to go toward the grocery store deli in Wills Bend.

      Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, Book #1

      Read Now: Universal Buy Link


      Book Description

      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?

      Available at Amazon

      UNIVERAL BUY LINK


      Book #2

      Thanks for visiting today. Stay heathy and safe.

      Fence Post Credit: Pixabay caitgreer. Girl in Black dress: Pixabay StockSnap. Featured Image Pixabay: Edited by Mary.

      Posted in #AmWriting, Short Snippet Saturday, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws | 3 Comments | Tagged Grand Canyon, Imprisoned in a Cowboy's Heart, mary j mccoy dressel, Sedona, Short Snippet Saturday, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, western romance, Williams Arizona
    • Short Snippet Saturday ~ Blue Snow in the Moonlight: Christmas Lights

      Posted at 2:12 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 8, 2022

      You all had to know I’d post an excerpt for one of my two new releases. Let’s see another sample of Blue Snow in the Moonlight. On the New Release announcement page, I embedded a sample where you can read the beginning HERE. I loved my setting for this book, and I’m thinking of creating another book in or around the area where I set this book. Wow, North Dakota winters are harsh.


      Here’s the BLURB first so you have an idea who is who.

      Book Description

      California girl with Midwest roots. Hot cowboy in cold North Dakota. If anyone needs Christmas magic, it’s Cullen and Elle.

      Without kids, a cattle ranch, and a renter in his cottage, Cullen Hollister would hibernate during Christmas. Instead, he’s holding a detonator to brighten Sugarton in a festive display of lights. Then a stranger’s forever smile speeds up the beat of his wounded heart. An acquaintance introduces his niece with a heart seemingly as cold as Cullen’s. They’re thrown together in a cottage he loathes, but he’s drawn to her, admiring her assertiveness, down-to-earth nature, and sexy blue-snow eyes. He discovers a yearning more powerful than stubbornness. But it’s hard to trust after being burned once. If Christmas magic is real, maybe making memories with Elle will lead to a forever love after all. First, he needs to know he can trust her with his and his kid’s hearts.

      Elle Palmer-Shaw uses her cousin’s wedding in North Dakota as an escape from sorrowful memories. Her aunt and uncle beg her to move back to her roots. With her work, she can live anywhere. When she meets the handsome green-eyed owner of the cottage, a simmering attraction grows, and Christmas takes on a new meaning. His memories of the cottage are painful, yet he makes her an offer she can’t refuse. It’s a simple solution until she’s called back home. She tries to convince Cullen to keep the rental cottage available—to give them a chance when she returns, even after dropping a bombshell on him about her past. But will he destroy his walls and let her in, or will he continue to exist instead of live and love?


      This snippet is a bit long.

      Setup: Elle visited after a rehearsal dinner the night before. Due to a blizzard, she spent the night in the family room. They both fell asleep after a disappointing conversation. It’s morning and Cullen came in from taking care of the ranch while Elle helped his sister make breakfast. Modified from the original.

      Cullen cleared his throat, dipped toast into his eggs, and took a bite. They’d lain side by side on the couch on purpose last night. He became aware of her sitting to his left sipping coffee. Her lips touched the brim of the mug softly like she’d touched his in a kiss. He jerked his gaze away, but not before his sister eyed him.

      After breakfast, she insisted on helping Sierra clean up the kitchen. He sat at the table with his laptop while ordering supplies.

      Elle smiled. “If I didn’t have the wedding today, it’d be a perfect time to build snowmen at the cottage.”

      He spoke without looking at her. “Shouldn’t you be packing? If you’re still here we’ll postpone snowmen to the day after Christmas. Are you spending tonight with your family after the wedding?”

      “Upon waking, I forgot this was Christmas Eve and the wedding. The kids are calm for this close to Christmas.”

      “Give them time. My daughter especially will be uncontrollable later and beg to open presents.”

      “Will you let them?”

      “Nope.” He closed the laptop. “I need to plow the driveway. The cottage will need it, too, so when you’re ready, I’ll take you home.” He went to the back door to dress for outside but returned to the kitchen slipping on his duster instead. “On second thought, it’s getting late. I’ll plow a strip to get out and take you home. Give me a few minutes.”

      “Sure. I’ll be ready. Thanks.”

      “Welcome.” It wouldn’t be right to ask her to spend Christmas Eve or Christmas day here when she should be with family. He might as well cut it off now. He clicked his key fob. His truck had been plugged in all night. It started right up.

      All he and Sierra had planned for Christmas Eve was eating her pecan, pumpkin, and lemon meringue pies and pizza—a family tradition. With her going to the wedding, he’d still make his specialty pizza and bake it in the oven on the patio. The kids might still make smores. They’d eat while playing games or watching a holiday comedy.

      Later, he’d go to bed like every other night, but it wasn’t like every other night. He’d wake in the morning knowing their world had crashed on Christmas. In the truck, he lowered the plow and pulled out of the garage to make a sweep, then backed up to the sidewalk to wait.

      Maybe he’d break tradition tonight and let the kids open a gift. They needed a change. His heart hinted at healing, or at least the possibility lay in sight. Elle made him laugh. He liked her bringing out a side of him he’d lost. Even just meeting her, he had a new memory to wake to Christmas morning if he let himself. It’d be a welcome change. Well, until after midnight last night when she told him she was returning home. To be honest with himself, he didn’t want to cut it off with her. They had to start somewhere. She surely wouldn’t return if he continued to sulk.

      He turned the radio to a weather station out of Grand Forks while waiting for her to come out. He sighed. He had an idea that increased the rate of his heart, so he sent his son a text: Stick around later today. We have a job to do at the cottage.

      Lake sent a frown emoji.

      Cullen rolled his eyes and replied: I guarantee you’ll like this one. Instead of a war of words in texts, he called Lake.

      “I get it, Dad.”

      “No, you don’t. If you’re in earshot of Elle, get away from her until we hang up.”

      “You’re acting weird.”

      “Probably. You know that big box of exterior lights and decorations in the pole barn?”

      “The one you said you never wanted to see again.”

      “Right. As I said earlier, a guy has to do what he has to do. Can you drag those boxes out of storage but leave them inside? We’ll need them later.”

      Then she appeared at the door saying farewell to Sierra and the kids. Their gazes locked through the passenger side window. She looked so damn good that it hurt to breathe. “I have to go. Please, just get the boxes, and I’ll let you go to the movies with your friends.” He disconnected. Before it was too late, he shook off the stubborn and sullen wall he’d already begun rebuilding.

      He got out to offer his arm so she didn’t break a limb in those heels.


      End of Excerpt:

      Available at Amazon.

      Thank you so much for taking the time to visit. Enjoy your weekend!

      Image credits: Pixabay

      Christmas tree credit: Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

      Mockups from MockUpShots

      Posted in #AmWriting, Blue Snow in the Moonlight, New Release, Short Snippet Saturday | 6 Comments | Tagged #NewRelease, Blue Snow in the Moonlight Holiday western romance, Christmas Eve, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, New Release, North Dakota, rental cottage
    • Short Snippet Saturday: Love is Blind

      Posted at 4:31 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 4, 2021

      Waving hello on this first Saturday in September. How is it September? Remember, we only have to deal with thirty days this month.

      I haven’t shared a Short Snippet Saturday Post for some time. This week, I brought Judy Carlson, our ranch matriarch at the Double Dutch Ranch, back into the limelight. I’ve made two modifications in this snippet to avoid spoilers. See more about this series here.

      NOTE: My books are complete with happily ever after endings and no cliffhangers. Reading out of order can give things away pertaining to the other characters and situations in the series. If you only want to read one book, you will still have a complete and satisfying story in itself.

      new release Seasoned with Destiny: A Gift of Love Book #5, Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, book announcement on Series page

      Return to Canyon Junction with Book Five.

      Heartaches, hot flashes, and new beginnings.

      Content with her family and new grandbabies on the way, Judy Carlson is happy—despite day-to-day struggles of running a ranch and memories of sadness they share. Menopausal changes remind her birthdays arrive too doggone soon. On sleepless nights, she longs for a partner to snuggle up beside. She never minds gazing at a strong cowboy, a man with a handsome smile, or with an intellectual touch of silver in his hair. She observes this daily in their seasoned ranch foreman, Selva Rosado. Though she won’t admit to an attraction until an emotional and physical warming encompasses her when he’s around.

      However, after dancing a night away with Dale Connor three years ago, she’d considered settling down again. Then he disappeared on a clandestine trip, only to return with intentions as mysterious as his journey, and trouble from his past. She learns how right her family is to worry and how wrong she is to ignore intuition. Yet she can’t overlook their loyal foreman in the background who waits and watches with his own mysteries.

      Two men vie for her hand. How can a cowgal decide which one will park their boots beside hers at the end of each day? Before making any decisions, she aims to discover all of their secrets.


      Tristan grabbed his head with both hands. “Mom. Don’t go digging into things you don’t want to know about.”

      “I already did. A couple glasses of wine got him to talking. You know about his addiction. I see why you shun him.”

      Tristan sat again. “He told you?”

      “He owes money and could be in trouble.”

      “Dammit, you need to stay away from him. If trouble has found him, none of us want you in the middle of it. You have more to lose than he does. I swear to God, if you—”

      Judy stood and narrowed her eyes. “If I what?” Tristan’s Adam’s apple moved up and down. She sat again before either of them said things neither of them wanted to say or hear. Hating to bring up Tristan’s past, she had to set him straight. “Why do you think me a foolish woman? I’ve been through this once. There is no chance in Hades I want to do it again with a man I barely know.”

      He strode toward the door and grabbed his hat. “I know. I know. I know. How many times can I apologize?”

      “Zero. The past is over, albeit I’ve learned my own lessons along with you, son.”

      “Don’t get involved with him. We all know the truth about Dale. The guys he borrowed money from in Nevada aren’t guys to take no for an answer.”

      “Why didn’t you tell me this? H-how do you know about the men. From Nevada, you say?”

      Tristan sighed. “There it is. Friends know him. Me and the guys wanted to see if it went anywhere with you and Dale before popping your balloon.”

      “Balloon, huh? In any case, it’s my decision whether to get involved with Dale. I didn’t want you involved with…” Judy sighed and took a breath to regroup. “It’s too early in the morning for this.”

      “I know you didn’t want me to go back with Destiny’s mom. None of that matters now, and why are we bringing this up? I have a beautiful daughter. No one can regret she happened.”

      “No one is sorry you and Rachel had a child, but the woman broke your heart. Love is blind.”

      “Yeah, it is. That’s why we’re concerned for you.” Tristan barged out the door.

      Judy pulled it open. “I love you, son.”

      He whirled. Nodded. “Me too, but we all want you to be safe…”

      End of snippet.

      Well now. I’ve had a few heated conversations with my boys including slamming doors.


      Learn more about the series on the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight page. Thank you for visiting.

      Posted in #AmWriting, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 3 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Seasoned Romance, Seasoned with Destiny: A Gift of Love, Short Snippet Saturday: Love is Blind, western novel, western romance
    • #AmWriting Short Snippet Saturday: Rumors & Lies

      Posted at 12:00 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 26, 2021

      Hello. I hope your weekend is off to a great start. This snippet is from book one in the Two-Five Ranch Outlaws series but refers to a conflict that sets up book two between Cade, his mother, and Faith. The thing is, most of the family sided with their mom against Faith and chose to believe rumors and lies that destroyed Cade and Faith’s relationship. Nadia is their six-year-old daughter.

      We’re in Karis’s POV. She’s the heroine in book one, and a few years after Cade and Faith’s breakup, Karis had become friendly with Faith and still is to this day.

      Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart ~Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, Book One:

      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

      Ruth glanced at her boys. “You’re all here, why not stay for supper? I got a lot of leftovers. I forget how to cook for only me and Jess.”

      “I don’t like leftovers, Grandma.” Nadia folded her arms and took a defiant stance.

      “You’ll eat them, child. Or go hungry. My leftovers aren’t like your mother’s.”

      “Mom.” Cade shook his head. “Be careful. You aren’t talking to a toddler anymore. Besides, Faith is a great cook.”

      Ruth had no qualms in showing her dislike of Cade’s ex-fiancée who had been rumored to have cheated on him. Rumor or not, Ruth stood firm in believing it to be true. Karis had believed Faith when she’d told her how the rumor materialized out of revenge. She’d recognized true pain in Faith’s eyes.

      It hadn’t helped to gain Ruth’s approval when Faith had kept the pregnancy from Cade until a couple months before their wedding. As the story goes, Ruth had been the one to insist he had a paternity test to prove the child was his before saying “I Do.” Turned out, seven months later, a bouncing baby Nadia came into the family with her dad at her mom’s side. By then, the family’s mistrust, and Cade not sticking up for Faith, had been enough to end their relationship. So, after knowing Ruth’s ability to quick-judge, it had worried Karis that Ruth might turn her back on her, too, but she hadn’t.

      Around here now at Jesse and Ruth’s, the family had always come together in times of need. Karis smiled at the loving banter between them. Nadia had been such a delight to Cade and the family. It saddened her that Ruth had never given Faith a chance to be a part of this.

      Book One is Available Now: https://books2read.com/u/mYKq7o

      Book Two Coming Summer 2021.

      Well, now… Cade and Faith have a lot to overcome before they can fathom a second chance. They may have a chance as long as their sworn enemy, and the one who started this whole ordeal, remains out of sight, because if he returns…


      Thank you for reading. Have a nice rest of your weekend. We’ve gone from drought to flooding in the area with more days of rain on the way while other parts of the state still suffer. We may continue with drought conditions after all this rain soaks in. Wishing you all the best. 💕

      Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Common Elements Romance Project, Short Snippet Saturday, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws | 4 Comments | Tagged cowboy, Imprisoned in a Cowboy's Heart, mary j mccoy dressel, Romance, Short Snippet Saturday, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws series
    • 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
    • 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
    • Short Snippet Saturday: Firstborn

      Posted at 7:24 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 17, 2020

      Howdy! Welcome to another Short Snippet Saturday post. Sure has been a while, huh? Finally, something different from my #WordlessWednesday posts of late.  Here’s a snippet from my upcoming release.

      I titled this snippet Firstborn. Today is my firstborn child’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Chris! It finally happened. He’s now older than me. 😀  Below, Judy mentions her firstborn. When I began this series, I didn’t know her secret until later on in the series.

      Judy has two men interested in her. Which one will she choose?

      This snippet features our ranch matriarch Judy Carlson. She’s leaving the home of one of the men after a pleasant sunset walk together. However, before leaving, he revealed information she didn’t want to know. She’s disheartened on her lonely ride home. I changed one of the lines to avoid spoilers.


      “Get home safely.”

      It had been her intention. Her shoulders shook due to the uncanny chill that had passed over her. She drove away. No, no, no. She couldn’t deal with his issue. Bill. Why’d you have to die on me? Tears slipped from her eyes, but she cowgirl’d up and swept them away. Grown women didn’t cry. No matter how much she swiped, they continued to fall.

      Judy started the CD, turned up the volume, and blasted Alan Jackson’s tunes. “Chasing That Neon Rainbow” came on at the perfect moment. Thank you, Bill, darlin’. Time flew by too damn fast for her. All she wanted to think about now was the happiest moments with her Bill. Their wedding day, the birth of their boys, and buying the Double Dutch.

      How handsome and gallant a young man Bill had been standing at the alter in a rented suit, his blue eyes twinkling in the little church near their college campus. He wore his dark hair on the longer side, kind of how Jase wore his now. How the two of them had said I do. Eight months later, their firstborn had arrived in the world. They knew how it looked, but Jase had been born a month early. That was her story, and she stuck to it to this day.

      She took the long way home to allow for a good cry because she couldn’t deny, grown women did cry. By the time she’d arrive home, her eyes would’ve lost the redness surely to be there. At the Double Dutch, one never knew which family member would be at her home. Tristan could be in one of the barns doing his own evening chores.


      This is book #5 in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight. See the other books in the series at this LINK.

      Begin the series with Book One now.

      Stay safe and well. Thanks for reading.

      Sunset image: rauschenberger at Pixabay. Judy in a field of flowers: Created by me at PicMonkey – Image from PicMonkey.

      Posted in #AmWriting, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 2 Comments | Tagged Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, mary j mccoy dressel, Seasoned Romance, senior citizen, western fiction
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