Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance

Category: #WritersLife

• Short Snippet Saturday: On the Run

  Posted at 3:25 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on April 17, 2021

  

  Hey there. Happy spring. I’m still here living the life. <waving>

  It’s been a while since I’ve posted or visited my fellow bloggers, but I’ve been writing. I can happily say I finished book two in the Two-Five Ranch Outlaws series. It’s sitting now before I go back to rip it apart and cut a lot of words. I overwrote. Or maybe I didn’t. Let’s put it this way: I said what had to be said, but it’s a higher word count than I wanted, so maybe I didn’t need to say it all. I’m also 12K words into a holiday western romance. However, that has nothing to do with today’s post. 😊

  Re-cover Reveal

  Since I’ve been away from my blog, I had new covers made for four of my books. I haven’t officially revealed the other three yet, but they aren’t hard to find.

  Today I’m introducing the new re-cover for Finding Kimber, Book Two, from Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series—a spin off to the Double Dutch Ranch Series. As the title says, they’re on the run. I’ve changed two names to avoid spoilers. Kimber mentions Stormy. He’s the dog Zach gave her.

  ---

  First the Blurb

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

  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.

  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?

  

  Snippet

  Thunder growled in the near distance, and heavy clouds rolled in. “Cool. Let’s get this tent put up, cowgirl.”

  She helped him unload the truck but wouldn’t let Stormy out. “Dave wanted us to get burner phones so we can’t be tracked. I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary on my phone.”

  “Wait. What? The guy thinks your phone has a tracker on it? Rebecca could’ve done it when she visited you. He’s already called you multiple times. What if he’s in on it? Get in the truck.” Zach tossed the bags back into the bed of the truck and sped out of the campground. Hard, blowing rain came down as they pulled out. He drove away from the mountain.

  “What’s wrong? Where are we going?”

  “Away from here. If someone is tracking your phone, or his—”

  “I called his go-phone, but I get it. No camping.”

  “We are camping. While we’re heading west, call him back. Write down the immediate numbers you need from your phone, then write down Tyler’s, Randy’s, Jake’s, and my mom’s from mine. When you’re finished, turn our phones off. I want to open yours up to look for a tracker, or for whatever the hell else could’ve been used.” He stopped at a gas station and checked her phone. “Bastards. I’m deleting this hidden app. Somebody added it to your phone.”

  She was angry enough to growl like the wolves in the desert.

  He checked his own. “There’s nothing on mine. I have a better idea. I’ll download a burner app for any other calls we make. Then Dave will think we’re using a disposable phone. The app acts as a burner phone. We can pay extra for a different area code and use a Boise number like we do now.”

  Kimber sat back and sighed. Tiredness caught up with her. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. No worries. Tyler uses the app.” After taking care of the app and the new number, he continued driving until they ended up in traffic miles away.

  Now she’d made Zach suspicious of everything.

  They headed back to the campsite and unloaded. “Randy gave us a blowup bed. Looks like we have to sleep together, partner.”

  “No problem, Zach.” In this awful predicament, his words sparked a glow in her heart. She flashed him a smile and helped him make up the bed. “I’ll never be able to thank you for what you’re doing.”

  Zach glanced at the bed and winked. “My heart’s the only thing you have to thank, sweetheart. Well, maybe one other body part.”

  ---

  Here’s the entire spin off series to date. Read Finding Kimber now: Universal Buy Link for your country. Amazon Series Page.

  

  Amazon Reader Reviews for Finding Kimber

  This book has it all. Attention grabbing, many twist and turns. All the romance intertwined. I recommend this book. Enjoy!!

  This lady tells wonderful Cowboy Romance Stories…

  …I loved this book! I loved the depth of this story! It Had so many different elements included in it.

  Very different and kept me interested to the end. Very good suspense story and very different from most books I have read.

  Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for visiting.

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series | 9 Comments | Tagged Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Finding Kimber, Mary J McCoy-Dressel Western Romance, western romance, witness protection

• This or That Thursday #3 #WritersLife

  Posted at 12:34 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 11, 2021

  

  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

• #WritersLife Decisions and Dilemmas

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

  

  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

• Pondering With An Attitude

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

  

  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.

  

  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.    

  

  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

  

  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.

  

  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

• #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.

  

  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

• This or That Thursday: Warm or Cold Winters

  Posted at 1:12 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 16, 2021

  

  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

• To New Beginnings

  Posted at 12:16 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 1, 2021

  

  Ahhh… Is it real? Did the “monstrosity” of a year up and leave? Yeah? Fabulous. Look what it left behind, though. I won’t dwell on the stinking year we’ve escaped from because we’ve had to deal with 2020 both individually and as a whole. Have we truly escaped? Sigh. For me, I’ve had almost a full year of illness. I’m glad to report I have improved with help from two of my likeable doctors. However, improved isn’t completely well. The problem hasn’t been solved yet. I still have ups and downs from one day to the next. But hey…

  I published a book this year when I thought I’d never see the day come, yet it should’ve been more than one book. I’ll get there. I’m thankful for the one I did get out in the nick of time. And, ta-dah… I’m using WordPress Blocks now.😉

  Sooo…

  Can we all think positive? It’s great for a healthy frame of mind.

  

  We as a whole will see better days. I feel it in my bones.

  I sent a text to my boys and daughter-in-law at a little past midnight, saying I’m glad we all get to see a new year arrive. The same to you, friends and those of you who happen by. I’m happy you’re here with me to welcome a brand-new year.

  

  Cheers to a healthy and happy 2021. ~Mary

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, New Release, new year | 8 Comments | Tagged brand-new year, Happy New Year 2021, health and happiness, mary j mccoy dressel, New Book Release, positive thinking

• Seasoned with Destiny: A Gift of Love

  Posted at 3:10 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on December 25, 2020

  

  A New Release

  I’ve waited months to post this. Months! So… Let’s get right to it, shall we?

  I proudly present to you:

  Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, Book #5

  

  Book Description

  Readers have grown to love the Double Dutch Ranch series and the Carlson family. 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.

  Author Note: Seasoned with Destiny: A Gift of Love is Judy’s story. However, her three sons will not sit back quietly when everything they love is at stake. Therefore, you’ll see chapters in their points of view, too, plus a chapter from a special man.

  Grab a copy here:

  Amazon

  Universal Buy Link

  ---

  How about a little sneak peek from the first chapter? Yeah? All Right!

  Chapter 1

  Judy walked cautiously into the great room and peered into the kitchen. The mumble and jumble from her family came to a halt. She peered around the room. “What’s the matter? You act like you’ve never seen me wear makeup before. Yes, it’s a new dress. I advise every one of you to keep your attitudes in line tonight.”

  They all looked stunned, but Jase, her firstborn, stood. “Should we sit down to have a talk, Ma? You haven’t had a real date for a long time. You never fooled me. You dated another guy for many years, but he never had your heart. Need any advice?” Jase roared. Tristan and Dane stood at the counter snickering.

  Jase continued. “Just saying. I don’t want to have to rough him up any, so we need to set up some boundaries in advance.”

  Judy rolled her eyes at the so-called leader of the pack. “Why, Jase Carlson. If you weren’t so big, I’d smack your behind. Instead, I’ll have Brenna do it.”

  “Hey!” Brenna waddled up to Jase. “Don’t bring me into this.”

  “Come on, Bren,” Jase smirked. “Smack my ass, doll.”

  Brenna patted his behind. “Watch it big guy. You know better than to mess with me right now.”

  Jase drew her over in front of him and slipped his hands to her round belly. “Because of this kid? Huh, little Mama?”

  “What do you think?” Brenna narrowed her eyes but smiled and lifted her face for a kiss.

  Judy carried the Cussin’ Jar over to Jase. “Now.”

  “Aww, come on.”

  “Five bucks, mister.”

  “Damn, you raised the price?”

  “That’ll be ten bucks. Between Brenna and Nora, I’ll have two more grandbabies. The cost went up. If you don’t like it, stop cussin’. Shall we make it an even twenty?”

  “I don’t mean to in front of you, Ma.”

  “Habits are hard to break.” Judy smiled at the friendly banter, but she saddened as this pregnancy reminded her of Jase and Brenna’s last one. She’d had a stillborn birth at five months with a little boy named Timothy. Today, little Timmy would be the age of Nora and Tristan’s three-year-old son, Shiloh. It had been one of the most difficult things the family had ever faced. She chose to believe Timmy rested in his grandpa Bill’s arms in Heaven.

  Jase pretended to zip his mouth but ignored the jar. “I’ll get it later. The kids took all my cash.”

  Tristan, her middle son who held the weight of the family on his shoulders, took over where Jase left off. “You’re awful calm, Mom, for a first date. Holding out on us and seeing Dale on the side? Slipping out at night? Huh?”

  “It’s none of your business, but no. Dale and I got along at the wedding. It’s almost like we’d known each other for years.” She only fooled herself. Too much time had passed to have those feelings for him now. Three years was too much time, and she’d heard different rumors concerning why he’d disappeared, but she didn’t have the heart to ask those who knew him. This evening, she intended to find out if they were true. Maybe she wouldn’t inquire on their first date.

  “You don’t know him.” Tristan frowned. “If it isn’t us watching out for you, who will? It’s no different than the third degree we’d get from you on our dates.”

  “Yeah, Ma. Remember when you coerced me to take Brenna to the hotel after just meeting her?” Jase leaned his head to the side to escape Brenna’s hand from covering his mouth.

  Judy nodded toward Brenna’s belly. “I was right, wasn’t I?”

  “Wasn’t she, Jase?” Brenna warned.

  Jase patted her tummy. “Okay, darlin’, she was right.”

  Judy brushed her hands forward in a sweeping motion. “Humph. Let me finish getting ready. You all go home before he gets here. I don’t need you scaring him off.”

  Jase and Dane pulled out a chair. Dane nodded to his brother. “Hey, Tristan, bring over some sandwich fixings.”

  “Uh-uh. No, you don’t.” Judy took hold of his and Jase’s sleeves and attempted to pull them out of the chairs. Instead, they sat speechless, and they must’ve applied glue to their jeans because none of them budged. “You boys, git. Come back to make your sandwiches after I leave.”

  Jase grinned at Brenna. “Come on, guys. She can’t kick us out of the driveway. Dale will have to come through us first.”

  She could spit Sonoran sand right now. Judy pushed Jase toward the door. “Wanna bet? Go home. I’ll call if I need you.”

  Selva Rosado, their ranch foreman, tapped on the door, entering with a confident air about him. He carried a bouquet. “Tristan, can I see you in the barn? We have a slight problem.”

  Tristan grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. “Sure. Those flowers for me?”

  Selva chuckled. “No, amigo.”

  Judy smiled at Selva who had worked on the Double Dutch for years and had been good friends with Bill and her. The man had a swagger that caught her attention more times than she’d want to admit. She’d always imagined Bill would have the same touch of silver in his hair as Selva’s. “What are you doing with those flowers? Got a date yourself?”

  “Nah, not me. Good evening, Judy.” Handing her the flowers, Selva gazed at Judy from the floor up. “I saw these at the store today. They were the last bunch, sitting all alone. The first thing I thought of was how nice they’d look on your kitchen table.” He cleared his throat and nodded to Tristan. “Sorry to barge in on you all like this.”

  Tristan took a swig from the water bottle. “I’ll be right there. Mom’s got a date. We’re sticking around to intimidate him a little.”

  Selva lowered his eyes to Judy’s. “A date? Back with Martyn?”

  Judy strolled over to Selva, touched his upper arm, and thanked him for the flowers. “Don’t listen to him, and no, it isn’t Martyn.” She turned to Tristan but eyed all three boys. “You go out to the barn to see what’s the matter. Stay there until you leave for home. I don’t need you here when Dale comes. Go.” She swung her arm toward the door with her finger pointing.

  Jase and Dane each gave her a hug before following Tristan to the door. Dane hesitated. “How come Brenna gets to stay?”

  “Have you boys reverted back to teenagers?” Judy faced Brenna. “Now, honey, I love you like you’re blood, but gather the kids from outside and skedaddle. Please, all of you go home.”

  Dane frowned. “Let’s get out of here, guys.”

  “I love you boys.”

  “We love you, too, Ma,” Jase called over his shoulder.

  “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?”

  “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. I heard he’d returned. 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 turned and exited.

  Hmm. What had that been about? Judy eyed his tall frame and muscles a senior personal trainer might die for, until Selva strode into the barn with Tristan. She padded over to lock the back door. Sighing, she wrung her hands at her midriff. A smile brightened her face 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, he’d had on the familiar cologne. The beautiful flowers were what she needed to bring a calm over her, but it didn’t last long. His car rolled into the driveway three years too late.

  ---

  Ah, I love Judy and her story! You can grab it for a short time at an introductory price of only $0.99, but the price will change soon.

  

  Oh, one more thing, and I don’t like asking but… I haven’t been able to set up any promotion for this book because I didn’t think I’d get it out this year, so if y’all can help me spread the word, I’ll be grateful.

  AMAZON | BOOKS2READ

  ---

  Thanks so much for stopping by today.

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Double Dutch Ranch Series, New Release, Seasoned Romance | 11 Comments | Tagged Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, New Release eBooks, Romance, Seasoned with Destiny: A Gift of Love, western

• #WordlessWednesday: A Walk in the Park

  Posted at 11:08 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on December 2, 2020

  

  

  

  I took these earlier this fall. Snow is on the ground today, but at least the sun is shining.

  Thanks for taking the time to view.

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Wordless Wednesday | 2 Comments | Tagged #WordlessWednesday A walk in the park, Fall season, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, photography

• This Site is Not Intended for Children Under the Age of 13.

• COPYRIGHT 2007 – 2021 by Mary J. Dressel All Rights Reserved

• New Release

  

• Search this Sight

  Search for:

• THANK YOU READERS!

  I appreciate your support.

• Sign up for Mary’s Newsletter. Powered by MailChimp.

  
• 

  Coloring Book

  

  Double Dutch Ranch #1

  

  #2

  

  #3

  

  #4

  

  #5

  

  Spin Off Series #1

  

  #3

  

  Single Title

  

  #1 Two-Five Ranch Outlaws

  

  #2

  

  #2

  

  #3

  

  Bull Rider #1

• Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

• Top Posts & Pages

  • 
    Welcome Hi, I'm glad you found your way here where…
  • 
    #WordlessWednesday: Fog and Ice
  • 
    #MFRWHooks #MFRWauthor Book Hooks: Line in the Sand

• Featuring Cade & Faith

  
• Follow Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance on WordPress.com

• Privacy Policy

  Terms of Use

• Follow Blog via Email

  Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  Email Address:

  Follow

• Follow on BOOKBUB

  

• © Mary J. Dressel, Author Mary J. McCoy-Dressel and Mary J McCoy-Dressel Books 2007 – 2021. All Rights Reserved.

  Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and prospective copyright holders, e.g., guest posters, is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Mary J. McCoy-Dressel and Mary J. McCoy-Dressel Books and/or the author of guest posts with appropriate and specific direction to the original content with this Site’s URL.

  Read additional Terms of Use.

• Terms of Use & Privacy Policy

  Terms of Use

  Privacy Policy

   

• Follow Blog via Email

  Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Privacy Policy Link is in the Menu.

  Join 6,390 other followers

  Email Address:

  Follow

• 

• Website Last Updated April 15, 2021

  

• 2021 Monthly Blog Hop

  

• 2021 Book Hooks

  

• Blogroll

  • a) Professional Bull Riders (PBR)
  • Apache Trail
  • Automattic Inc.
  • Chicago Manual of Style
  • Marketing for Romance Writers Blog MFRW
  • Military Working Dogs: Facebook
  • Romance Writers of America
  • South Mountail Park Stables
  • Suguaro Lake in Arizona
  • Superstition 1 Arizona State Parks, Lost Dutchman State Park
  • Superstition 2 Superstition Mountain
  • Superstition 3 Apache Junction Public Library
  • Superstition 4 Welcome to the Superstition Wilderness Trails
  • Superstition 5 Superstition Search & Rescue
  • Superstition 6 Hiking Flatiron
  • Superstition Mountain Trail Rides
  • The Writer's Forensic Blog by D.P. Lyle, MD
  • Tonto National Forest, Arizona
  • United States Army 75th Ranger Regiment
  • United States Army Rangers
  • WordPress.org
• Follow Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance on WordPress.com
• 
• 

• Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com
• Follow Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance on WordPress.com

• Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

• Mary’s Publishing Imprint

  
•