Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance

Sensual western romance. Heartwarming stories. Strong family ties.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance
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  • Seasoned with Destiny: A Gift of Love
    • 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 | 0 Comments | Tagged Imprisoned in a Cowboy's Heart, mary j mccoy dressel, Short Snippet Saturday, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, western romance
    • This or That Thursday: Warm or Cold Winters

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      — Awesome Mitten (@awesomemitten) January 12, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, This or That Thursday | 2 Comments
    • #MFRWHooks Family Ties

      Posted at 3:43 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 6, 2021

      Hey there! Most of last year didn’t go as planned, so I had to take an unwanted break from Book Hooks and #MFRWauthor 52-Week Blog Challenge. The 52-Week Challenge is monthly this year instead of weekly.

      Guess what? I published a book amid all the chaos life threw at me. My Book Hook today is for my December release—”a later in life or seasoned” romance. Our heroine Judy Carlson is the matriarch of the Double Dutch Ranch. She appears in all the Double Dutch Ranch books and the spin off series books.

      Seasoned with Destiny: A Gift of Love

      Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight #5

      Book Description

      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.

      Heat Level: Rated “sensual–intimately sweet and personal.”

      Universal Buy Link


      I changed a name in the following to avoid spoilers. Judy’s idea. The name I chose to use for the hero in this excerpt is in capital letters.

      Excerpt

      Tears came to her at the awful sight that met them. She shielded her eyes with her palm. Our lovely ranch may never be the same. Dane drove under the signpost and pulled to the side.

      He faced her. “Sit tight. We’ll take care of this.” A yellow banner saying Sheriff’s Line Do Not Cross had been attached to one side of the signpost when they’d arrived home. The guys got out to take it down. Dane gathered it up and tossed it into the truck bed.

      “Are you ready for this, Mom?” Dane asked, after getting back in. “Stay with us tonight, and you won’t have to deal with the mess. We’ll take care of straightening up inside after authorities had gone through and released it.”

      Judy prepared herself to see more yellow tape on the barn and her once safe home. How would she overcome this? “No, I have to face the demon. Avoiding it won’t make a difference.”

      “Yeah, it will,” Jase said. “Dane, drive to my house so Mom and Brenna can get the baby settled. The three of us will clean up here.”

      Judy clasped JOHN’S hand but kept quiet as Dane turned around and drove the long way toward Jase’s home to prevent her from seeing more. They were right to do so.

      “It’s the best thing to do, Judy,” Brenna said. “I don’t want to see it, either.”

      “I understand, honey.”

      JOHN held her. Instinctively, she leaned into the crook of his arm. She closed her eyes for the duration of the ride.

      At Jase’s, they escorted Brenna, the baby, and Judy inside. Judy had to admit that she liked this idea better. She released JOHN’S hand, got a glass from the cupboard, and filled it with water from the tap. She took a long drink. “You’ll come back to get me when you’re finished?”

      Dane jangled his keys as if impatient. “Of course. It’s easier said than done, but try to relax.”

      “Go get your pistol out of the lock box, Bren.” Jase laid the shotgun down on the coffee table near them. He kissed Brenna and his child farewell. They exited in a flash.

      Clasping her hands at her waist, Judy watched after them until they disappeared out of the driveway. They could’ve lost us. What can be going through their minds?

      Universal Buy Link


      What is Book Hooks? From the Marketing for Romance Writers Website: 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.

      Visit more Book Hooks from participants at this LINK.

      Thank you for stopping by today. Happy New Year!

      I’m at a medical center having a test, so I’ll visit your “Hooks” posts throughout the week.

      Don’t forget to update your website/blog copyright year.

      Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #MFRWhooks, New Release | 21 Comments | Tagged #MFRWauthor, Book Hooks, Book Hooks Blog Hop, mary j mccoy dressel, New Release eBooks, western romance
    • 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
    • Wednesday Writing — Perception & Old Friends, Thistledown – Midsummer Bedlam

      Posted at 11:33 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on December 2, 2020

      As the author says, Thistledown ― Midsummer Bedlam, with its radiant creatures and faeries will lift your imagination to new heights. Enjoy!

      Teagan's Books

      Wednesday, December 2, 2020

      Fly your imagination to new heights!

      Ruby-topaz_hummingbird_flying in TobagoPerception is a strange beast.  We all see things through our own “filters,” which means they probably look different to us than they appear to the rest of the world.  My perception of holidays is different because of my unique situation.

      While Thistledown — Midsummer Bedlam is not exactly a holiday story, I connect it the holiday season. I published it about a year ago.  Lately I’ve been sharing character images from the story on Facebook.  As I was doing that, I realized that my perception of how the story looked would be unlike the way anyone else would see a tale of faeries.

      My book cover looked exactly like the heroine, Bedlam Thunder, was in my mind.  Although I realized no one else was likely to see her, or Thistledown in my unusual way.  So, I made a new…

      View original post 489 more words

      Posted in #AmWriting | 9 Comments
    • #WordlessWednesday: A Walk in the Park

      Posted at 11:08 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on December 2, 2020
      path in the park, pine trees, orange leaves on tree, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, fall season

      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
    • #WordlessWednesday Fabulous Fall

      Posted at 7:42 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on November 18, 2020

      The third image is the same huge yellow tree, among others, viewed from my bedroom window. Each season brings a new scene. This season is the most stunning.

      Posted in #WritersLife, Wordless Wednesday | 12 Comments | Tagged #Photos, #WordlessWednesday, autumn, Fabulous Fall, Mary J McCoy-Dressel
    • Honor

      Posted at 10:49 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on November 11, 2020

      Never Forget. Thank you, Veterans.

       

       

      Veterans Day affords each of us the opportunity to join our fellow citizens, in communities across the Nation, in honoring those whose love of country knew no bounds — those to whom patriotism was principle, not mere sentiment. Without the sacrifices which our brave veterans made so freely and so generously, our cherished freedom would long ago have vanished. ~President Jimmy Carter, Veterans Day Proclamation, 1979

       

      Image Credit: ©catsplayer DepositPhotos

      Posted in holiday | 4 Comments | Tagged Honor, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Never Forget. Thank you Veterans, Veterans Day 2020
    • #WordlessWednesday: New Life~ Metamorphosis

      Posted at 11:26 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 30, 2020

       

      These females made their entrance on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.

       

      Male Butterfly

       

      Pictures proudly taken by my son and daughter-in-law who are giving these beautiful creatures a chance at life by “protecting them from predators during their vulnerable metamorphosis.” ❤ ❤

      Posted in Wordless Wednesday | 14 Comments | Tagged #WordlessWednesday: New Life~ Metamorphosis, butterflies, Hatching butterflies, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, New life
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