Tag: #AmReading

• Saturday Morning: Running on an (UN)Even Keel

  Posted at 10:19 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on May 30, 2020

  
  Waving. Good morning to all.

  Update:

  Some of you know I’ve been taking a break to let my eyes rest. I’m happy to say they are showing a bit of improvement. Giving them time away from hours of looking at the computer has helped, but my time at the screen is still limited. I’ve been able to spend a small amount of time each day working on one book while gearing up to format my upcoming book. In a nutshell, I have dry-eyes and macular degeneration, so I won’t take a chance with my eyesight.

  As much as I wanted Judy’s book, the fifth book in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight to be released in May, it isn’t going to happen. Book five takes place three years after book four ends.

  By the way, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, book one in the Double Dutch Ranch Series is $0.99 cents. This is the new and revised edition–shortened A LOT yet combined with what used to be book 1.5. Not a bad deal for a book that begins a series where you’ll get to know the whole family including Judy, the ranch matriarch, who binds them all together. Welcome to the Double Dutch Ranch where no one is a stranger at their table.

  I’m grateful for any change for the better to my eyes and for time I can spend working on my books. However, I won’t push it.

  Thankfully, my Kindle reads to me, so I’m able to enjoy books written by other authors without having to stare at the screen. It’s a pleasant distraction, indeed.

  Thanks for your patience.

  ---

  Safe Space:

  On top of dealing with my eyesight and the pressure and stress on myself for NOT publishing a book, I was forced to enter a grocery store because of items I NEEDED and couldn’t get with my pick up order. That isn’t all. I HAD TO OPEN UP MY SAFE SPACE to maintenance when I developed a leak in my bathtub. I figured it would be a one-time thing, but after four visits, he still couldn’t fix the problem. This also means he had to go into my bedroom closet to access the pipes.

  I told my manager I would be wearing a mask and I hoped he would. Her reply did not make my day when she said it was up to him. Well, thanks, lady! Is that even legal? Prayers worked. He wore a mask and gloves. I thanked him. BUT, the problem isn’t fixed. Next week a plumber has to invade my space. God sure is teaching me patience while encouraging me to trust. I’m tempted to tell them all to forget it and let it drip, but if it gets worse or something breaks, then what?

  As my mom would say, “Things don’t run on an even keel all the time.” Something like that. Well, Mom, you were right!

  We’re all in this together.

  Enjoy your weekend, my friends.

  P.S. I didn’t even mention the fact WordPress is changing its editor on June 1st, so now it’s one more thing I don’t have the time or patience to learn. Even though some of you said the new Block Editor was simple, I don’t agree. I looked at it for five minutes and said screw it. Now, it seems I have no choice. On a positive note, the old editor will still be available, but I rarely use it, instead choosing to go into the dashboard and use the old, old editor. What do I do? Use my limited time on the computer to publish a book or learn something I don’t want to learn? The answer is simple.

  Signing off for now…

  Image credit: Pixabay – habunman
  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife | 12 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, #AmWriting, #WritersLife, book publishing, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, even keel, eyesight, Gentlemen Cowboys, mary j mccoy dressel, Saturday Morning: Updates - Running on an Even Keel, western romance

• #MFRWauthor 52-Week Blog Challenge Week 8: What Are You Reading?!!

  Posted at 12:05 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 21, 2020

  

  Welcome to Week 8 in Friday’s Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge.

  Reading outside your comfort zone—what is it and why?

  As a rule, I stay within a handful of genres—my comfort zone. Reading rules are meant to be broken, though, and I have broken them because I like to believe I’m not small or close-minded or prudish. I believe in “never say never.”

  However, there are areas outside of my reading comfort zone. Like fiction with Injustice and cruelty to humankind or animals, or aliens, or dragons. Oh, I wanted to see if you were paying attention. Sorry! I get enough of it in the news.

  And SOME, I repeat, SOME taboos that publishers say we can’t submit if we want to publish with them–some are out of my comfort zone. Look it up if you don’t know what isn’t allowed in some or many publisher guidelines.

  What you write and like to read is your choice. I admire people who fight for what they want. Thank God, we still have a choice.

  Let’s turn this around. “Why” should we read out of our comfort zone? Can we stay in one little box and never experience what other authors have to offer, or experience different and new to us, stories and genres we might love? To experience emotions that words give us whether uncomfortable or not?

  Can we read and still be a “little” uncomfortable? I think some of us can.

  With so many genres to choose from, we have a choice.

  ---

  We’re blog hopping so that means other authors are responding to this topic too. I’m curious to see if I replied to the topic the way it was intended, or did I get it all wrong. So, I’ll be hopping over. You can find participants with a click of the mouse to this LINK.

   

   

  I’m glad you stopped by today.

  I’m still making my rounds visiting this and Book Hooks blog hop.

  ---

   

  Credit image: Pixabay – Pexels

  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 8 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #MFRWauthor 52-Week Blog Challenge Week 8: What Are You Reading?!!, 52-week blog challenge, mary j mccoy dressel

• Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Reading Challenge

  Posted at 3:23 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 18, 2020

  

  Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve written a Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse post.

  Well, I titled this edition Reading Challenge. Yep, this year I signed up for the Goodreads Reading Challenge after fellow bloggers Jacquie Biggar and D. Wallace Peach inspired me with the amount of books they read in 2019.

  I’m proud to say, I’m on a roll now too.

  What else has inspired me enough to write this post? The Virginian. Plain and simple. A book and the man. You’ll find various versions, but this is the digital edition I purchased.

  

  This isn’t a review. It’s more like I’m bragging about how good it is and how this western of old, inspired me as a western romance author. Not only as an author. As a reader, I got a lot of pleasure from this book in the cold month of January. I read some parts over and over because I loved the way Owen Wister wrote them in 1902.

  This is the the first book I read in 2020 and I’ve added more old westerns to my Kindle. Why old? It’s obvious I love westerns and cowboys. When I read what I’m writing, it makes me think I have to be working on my own, so I stop reading to write. The old ones might have a touch of romance tossed in here and there, or a pretty girl that catches a cowboy’s eye, but it isn’t contemporary western romance, and it allows me to read with full enjoyment. However, I do still read contemporary western and enjoy what I read. I have to–it calls to me. However, I read it slower, and then have to go back to catch up where I was when I return.

  The Virginian:

  I Loved the author. Loved, LOVED the book and will read it again. Lordy, I fell in love with the man who was the “Virginian.”

  From Wikipedia:

  Owen Wister (July 14,1860 – July 21,1938) was an American writer and historian, considered the “father” of western fiction. He is best remembered for writing The Virginian and a biography of Ulysses S. Grant.

  From Encyclopedia Britannica: The Virginian, in full “The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains,” Western novel by Owen Wister, published in 1902. Its great popularity contributed to the enshrinement of the American cowboy as an icon of American popular culture and a folk ideal.

  A chivalrous and courageous but mysterious cowboy known only as the Virginian works as foreman of a cattle ranch in the Wyoming territory during the late 1870s and ’80s. The gunplay and violence that are inherent in his frontier code of behaviour threaten the Virginian’s relationship with a pretty schoolteacher from the East. The novel’s climactic gun duel is the first “showdown” in fiction. It also introduced the now-classic phrase that the Virginian utters when pushed to the limit by an adversary: “When you call me that, smile!”

  Oh, I love that last line as much here as I did in the book.

  Inside the digital copy, “To the Reader: The Cowpunchers ungoverned hours did not unman him. If he gave his word, he kept it.” Wister, Owen. The Virginian. Kindle Edition.

  I’ll say it again. I LOVED this book and the hero.

  Some of my favorite lines. I highlighted many:

  “Then she ain’t lacked suitors any?”

  “Lacked! Are you acquainted with cow-boys?”

   

  This was the door of Molly’s own room. And there she sat, in floods of tears. For she could not bear to hurt a man who loved her with all the power of love that was in him.

   

  “Oh, pshaw! When yu’ can’t have what you choose, yu’ just choose what you have.”

   

  “How long’s this train been started” he demanded.

  “This hyeh train?” The Virginian consulted his watch. “Why, it’s been fanning it a right smart little while,” he said laying no stress upon his indolent syllables. “

   

  You’ll find a variety of editions available, but my digital version is from the original storyline. Check out this cover (and price).

   

  ---

  
  In addition:

  Before I finished the book, I searched for the movie, since The Virginian isn’t showing on TV at this time of year. Oh, I didn’t search to watch before reading the end. Uh-uh! Wikipedia says about the TV show: “While truer to the book, the timeline was advanced as the series developed for production.”

  On one of the free apps on my TV, I found multiple movie versions of The Virginian. One version and the most current, featured Trace Adkins–a country singer/ actor in real life who makes a great cowboy. I love Trace Adkins (and his long hair). The man himself did a great job of acting in the movie, but the storyline didn’t follow the book and made the Virginian out to be a different man than what Owen Wister created.

  That particular movie left me disappointed. This is why I’ll read the book again. So, folks, even though this isn’t a review, I think I gave Owen Wister the credit he deserves for his western novel and the hero he created. Enjoy your day.
  Posted in #AmWriting, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse | 0 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, Goodreads Reading Challenge, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Owen Wister, The Virginian, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Reading Challenge, western novels

• #AmReading A Chance to Win at the Kindle Book Review #WritersLife

  Posted at 9:45 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on December 11, 2018

  

  Hey there. It’s that time of year again. Who couldn’t use an extra $500 bucks? I could, so…

  I’m one of the authors sponsoring a $500 Amazon #Giveaway. Of course, I’d be included and so is Hooked by Sundown!!   🤠  No purchase necessary to enter. 

  Enter the $500 Amazon Giveaway now for a chance to win! @Kindlbookreview #reading #Amazon #books. Enter here:  https://wp.me/P2H01p-9o8

  
  

  Here’s the details taken from the contest page at The Kindle Book Review with a little bit of my own input added:

  Enter today and everyday through December 23rd. Remember, no purchase necessary to enter. You never know; you might be our next winner, and walk away with our $500 Amazon Giveaway!

  WHAT: $500 Amazon Giveaway ( 1 winner—$500 Amazon eGift card) See that, folks–ONE winner-$500!

  WHEN: Dec. 3-23, 2018 (Plenty of time.)
  HOW:

  1. Scroll through the book covers on the page and find the titles that look interesting.

  2. Enter our Rafflecopter form.

  3. Support our authors via their Amazon book pages by Following and sharing.

  Supporting our authors is the ONLY way these giveaways are possible. There is no purchase necessary to enter or win, but when you support our authors we can continue these awesome giveaways. And YES, you can buy their our books.

  Good luck, everyone!

  

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife | 3 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, Amazon #Giveway, Hooked by Sundown, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, The Kindle Book Review, western romance

• #AmWriting Blog Hop Challenge Week 45: Allergies, Oh, My! #MFRWauthor

  Posted at 7:37 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on November 9, 2018

  

  Week 45: Ugh, Allergies. (What Am I Allergic to?)

  I don’t think you’ll care about my allergies, albeit, I’m back on a roll and doing my best to continue posting in Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop, so I’m responding to this topic. Our hashtag is #MFRWauthor.

  I’ll mention the normal ones first. The ones that aren’t life-threatening. Simply, I’m allergic to spring and fall. Our autumns seem to be lasting longer. As we speak, leaves are falling all around and getting moldy on the ground from lots of rain. I’m allergic to mold, too. These are allergies I’ve learned to deal with until I get a sinus infection. Eww. Then my head gets spacey, hurts, I feel like I’m falling over, and sometimes I get BPPV vertigo. Before ever hearing about vertigo, I had numerous tests done to learn why I kept getting dizzy. No reasons were ever found. Thankfully.

  Vertigo happens when the crystals in your ears move away from where they should be.

  

  My type of vertigo is:

  BPPV. These initials stand for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. BPPV occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) clump up in canals of the inner ear. The inner ear sends signals to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. It helps you keep your balance. WebMD

  At the above link, WebMD writes about other causes, too. Check with your doctor before trying to treat yourself.

  A simple exercise gets those crystals back in place with this kind of vertigo:

  Canalith repositioning maneuvers. Guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology recommend a series of specific head and body movements for BPPV. The movements are done to move the calcium deposits out of the canal into an inner ear chamber so they can be absorbed by the body. You will likely have vertigo symptoms during the procedure as the canaliths move. A doctor or physical therapist can guide you through the movements. The movements are safe and often effective. WebMD

  Disclaimer: The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to his or her health.

  My doctor printed off a sheet of instructions for me. Here’s the procedure (BPPV) on You Tube. I often have to do these more than once. This exercise works for me. Before learning about the exercises, I’d take the drug, Antivert for more than a week before the world stopped spinning.

  

  But there is one big allergy that scares the daylights out of me—a life-threatening allergy. This is a contrast dye used for a heart test I had done. Of course, I found this out the hard way a few years ago while in the Emergency Room. I thought I had died–after the fact. It started with severe itching over my entire body, even my tongue. While I went into anaphylactic shock, I had no idea that I had passed out until I came to. I would’ve died peacefully.

  To wrap up this post, I have seasonal allergies, plus a bunch of other ones like duck feathers, a few I can’t think of, and Kapok– A mass of silky fibers that surrounds the seeds of the kapok tree and are used especially as a filling for mattresses, pillows, life preservers, and sleeping bags and as insulation. Merriam Webster.

  That’s all for now. Thanks for visiting!

  This is a blog hop. I wonder what my fellow writers are allergic to. We can all find out by clicking HERE.

  
  

  WordPress notified me that it’s my eleventh WordPress anniversary. It’s hard to believe I’ve had this blog for that long. Growing this blog has been and still is a slow go, but I have no plans on giving up except while completing a book or getting ready to publish. I hope WordPress doesn’t mind that I used their logo.

   

   

   

  Pictures are from Pixabay except for the WordPress Logo and the 52-Week Challenge image.

  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, 52-week blog challenge | 17 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, anaphylactic shock, blog hop, Blog Hop Challenge Week 45: Allergies, BPPV vertigo, Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, My!, Oh, Seasonal Allergies, western romance

• Short Snippet Saturday: Sundown on the Beach

  Posted at 10:42 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 22, 2018

  

  Well, hello there. I feel like I’m coming out of retirement by posting a short snippet today, but I wanted to share something from my upcoming book before y’all forget who I am. Without me giving away the title or cover reveal yet, I hope this makes sense to you. Trust me, it’ll be soon, very soon. Maybe Probably even this week. In fact, the post is already written.

  No, Sundown on the Beach is not the title of the book. It’s only the title of this post.

  Note: In a previous excerpt from this book, our little boy’s name was Tanner. It’s since been changed to Emmett.

  Set-up: Wade and Sophie have previously met and had a run-in twice in the same day. See the Snippet here for one of those run-ins. We’re into that evening now for this new snippet.

  

   

  Sophie held her son’s hand as they walked along the shoreline. Cool waves lapped at their feet in flip-flops. “I’m sorry you had to see Uncle Clay this way.”

  “He was drunk?”

  “Oh, Emmett. You know more than you should.” She glanced to the right to find Wade watching them. Why had she been so rude to him when he’d tried to help? It wouldn’t have been long before she’d ended up on the ground if Clay had his way. She nearly gave him a knee where it counted. His temper got the best of her brother. That’s what landed him in jail. Temper and booze never mixed well. “Come on, Emmett.” They headed toward Wade. The sun lit up his face, the burning glow reflecting in his sunglasses. He removed them to reveal warm brown eyes.

  “Emmett, why don’t you build a sand castle. We’ll only be a minute.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Mom.”

  She peered at Wade. He stood, and it took a second before she reached for his hand. “Sophie Price-Daniels. This is my son, Emmett.”

  “Nice to officially meet you, ma’am. Emmett.”

  He had a strong grip and incredible smile. His faint leather fragrance mixed with the sea and sand. His cologne smelled like what her husband used to wear. She withdrew the memory.

  “Care to have a seat? Sunset’s closing in on us. Be a shame to miss it.”

  “Sure.” She took a seat beside him in the sand. “Did you find an adventurous spot for lunch or dinner?”

  He glanced at her son playing in the sand then at others in the water. “Nothing special tonight. I saved adventure for another day.”

  They sat in silence. Sophie was at a loss for words—so unlike her. He remained quiet, but she sat close enough to feel the warmth from his body and the dampness of the sand. Out of the corner of her eye, she viewed him sitting with his knees bent and arms resting across them, his fingers loosely entwined. She leaned back on her elbows and stretched out her legs on the warm sand. His gaze went to her legs.

  “How long is your vacation?”

  “More than likely this week.” He turned to her. “How about you?”

  His eyes looked so caring and full of sincerity but kind of sad at the same time. “I’m heading out Saturday. Thanks for getting my money back. I would’ve had to contact my sister to ask for a loan and change my flight. She didn’t want me to come, so I’d have to grovel for years.”

  “I take it your family isn’t close.”

  “Well, my sister and I are, but my brother…” Sophie paused, sighing. “He’s another story.”

  “Every family has one, Sophie.”

  It sounded nice the way her name rolled off a stranger’s lips.

  Emmett stood in front of her blocking the sun. “Mom, can I go get some water for my castle?”

  “Honey, we don’t have a bucket here.”

  The young boy begged, “I’ll hold it in my hands.”

  “You can try, but it’ll all fall out before you get back.” She stood and brushed off her shorts and legs. “Let’s go.”

  Wade got to his feet with great speed. “Here, I have an idea. Mind if I go down there with you?”

  Sophie nodded her approval. “Hold on, Emmett. This is Mr. Emory.”

  “Hey, mister. Come on.” Emmett took off running.

  Wade ran past him, took his shirt off, and doused it in the water. He dove in the waves and came up some yards out, shirt still in hand. “Take your shirt off, Emmett. We’ll squeeze the water out onto your castle. It won’t be much, but a few trips will help.”

  Emmett giggled and removed his shirt without asking. He followed Wade back to the sand castle and they squeezed out their t-shirts. Sophie laughed with them and did her best to ignore the bare-chested stranger dripping beside them.

  ---

  Thanks for reading. I’ll see you all again real soon.

  ---

  My book formatter lives in North Carolina and had been without power for days, but she has survived living through another hurricane. She still doesn’t have internet, so my book is a little more delayed than I’d planned. Her cable company tells her the internet should be back up today. (Saturday)  I’ll send her my manuscript as soon as she lets me know.

  Readers, thanks for your patience.  ❤

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 4 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, #AmWriting, Beach, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series Book 3, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, mary j mccoy dressel, ocean, Pacific Coast, sand castle, spin off series, Sundown, western romance

• #AmWriting Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Libraries, Bookstores, Reading, and More

  Posted at 9:01 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 5, 2018

  

  I Ask Myself:

  What Contributed to fulfilling a Lifelong Dream?

   

  I’m sure it all started with the library and reading. For as long as I remember, I loved the books themselves as much as what I found inside of them. I knew… It seems like forever that I knew my name would be on books one day. Maybe the idea stayed in my head on purpose. Did I keep the thought there on my own accord so I wouldn’t give up the dream? If not, why and how did it continue to nag at me until I did something about it as a grown woman with a family? It doesn’t matter—the dream or calling came true.

  

  Pixabay

  My parents fought a lot. Reading, and writing poetry helped me to escape the noise. As a young child, outside of school I didn’t have many kids to play with while growing up in Detroit. There were no kids in my neighborhood. Brothers and cousins were my friends and playmates—all males by the way. It was no wonder I grew up a tomboy starting out reading comics and climbing trees with my youngest brother.

  It wasn’t until we moved to a suburb while in third or fourth grade, that I had kids in my neighborhood and developed friendships, a boyfriend, and my first kiss at around eleven. Haha. As a youngster, I’d walk to my small-town library as often as I could. Then magic happened when I grew old enough to drive. I took myself to larger libraries and bookstores.

  

  Pixabay

  My toddlers grew into youngsters and they always accompanied me to bookstores and libraries, and they were encouraged to go as young adults. Today, only one of my boys will read a novel. The other one reads more technical kinds of things like magazines/blogs to feed his own interests. One of them used to write poetry, but I don’t think he has time anymore. I’m glad in a way because his poetry, like much of mine, stemmed from sad happenings in his life like a broken heart, for instance.

  

  Without having the opportunity of having books at hand at a young age, who knows if my dream of writing books would’ve come true? I like to believe it’s more than libraries and books that brought out the writer, but the combination and the life experiences dished out to me, both good and bad, along with perseverance, a calling, or what have you, contributed to fulfilling a lifelong dream.

  So, what do you think?

   

  ---

  As children, some of us liked magic and fantasy, more than reality. So, we became writers. ~Dr. SunWolf, professorsunwolf.com

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse | 4 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, #AmWriting, #WritersLife, books, Bookstores, follow your dreams, library, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Reading, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Library, writing

• #AmWriting Short Snippet Saturday:

  Posted at 10:56 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 2, 2018

  It’s been a while since I’ve hosted Velia Armano from the Bull Rider Series for a Short Snippet Saturday post. This one comes from Howdy, Ma’am.

  

  Set-up: A couple days before this snippet, Velia’s father and two of his men had flown in from Chicago to accompany her to court in Tucson, Arizona. While in court the day before this snippet, her ex had threatened her. Her dad sent one of his, ahem, men home with Velia in case Justin followed her back to where she rented an upstairs apartment from an elderly couple. It also happened to be the first night Velia had invited Caulder to dinner. Caulder had arrived right after a horrific incident to find Velia passed out on the floor. Along with Roy, Caulder had spent the night to keep an eye on her, but he had left earlier. (He must’ve had to practice on a bull.)  🐂  Well, now mamma is in Tucson, too. This snippet takes place the next morning.

  ---

  

  Bull Rider Series 1

  Revised from the original to avoid spoilers.

  Ric and Lidia Armano arrived at the door the next day. Roy promptly followed his boss to the car where they met Nero. They stood talking for some time.

  Later, she walked back and forth from her window to the door, debating on going out. Her mother sat on the bed, watching her pace across the room. Velia’s head pain had eased, but her bruises had worsened. When her mom saw them, she cried, and when her dad saw them, he’d probably send for his lawyer to take care of Justin in court…or otherwise.

  Justin.

  Why couldn’t he leave well enough alone? What would he have done if Roy hadn’t been here? Would he have hurt Alice and Edward? Would she be alive today?

  She wrapped her arms around herself to ward off the chill from the horrible thoughts. Lidia hugged her and Velia cried. Her mother’s familiar, loving arms comforted her, and she let it all out as her mom smoothed her hair and cuddled her like a child.

  “Your father will be in soon. You can’t hide from him forever.” She handed Velia a scented lace handkerchief like she’d done when she was small. She inhaled the perfume that spoke madre. Velia wiped her eyes then went to the bathroom to hold a wet washcloth over them and reapplied makeup to the non-swollen eye.

  She headed downstairs when Edward let her father inside. Her dad wrapped his arms around her. His eyes misted when he saw the bruises. “He has done this before. I do not understand why you didn’t tell me. You’re a strong woman. Why did you put up with this, Velia?”

  Velia wanted to think up a lie, but she had done enough lying while living with Justin.

  “Why did you not tell me?”

  She whispered, “I know what would’ve happened.”

  “Sì, and then…” He pointed to her face. “This would not have happened.”

  “I’m sorry.” Velia lowered her voice. “I couldn’t allow something to happen to him.”

  “So you sacrificed yourself?” His voice grew louder.

  “I suppose. What’s going to happen to Justin now?”

  Ric shook his head. “Our lawyer will encourage the prosecutor to ask for time in jail for assault and breaking and entering.”

  “But he didn’t break in, padre.”

  “Yes, he did. Did he not break in, Roy?” her father asked.

  “Yes, sir,” Roy replied. “He nearly broke the door down.”

  Velia glanced at Roy. She knew it had to be this way. “He’s a crazy fool. Do you think he’ll get out on bail? I have to leave for my tour with Caulder soon, and I don’t want to worry about Justin following us.”

  Ric placed his hand on her shoulder. “I can’t say for sure, but Lauren will do what he can to keep him in jail.”

  “If he gets out, I won’t go with Caulder. I’ll be putting him and who knows who else in danger.”

  “I understand this, angel, but Justin will never hurt you again.” Ric lowered his voice and embraced her. “You’ll be safe, even if I have to send Roy on tour with you. Si?”

  Velia knew if her dad said it, it would be true, but she’d never allow Roy to babysit her on the road. She didn’t want to know what else her dad had planned concerning Justin.

  ---

  Learn more about the Bull Rider Series on the series page here. Available at Amazon.

  Meet Velia on the Meet Our Heroines page.

  Read an interview with Velia.

  Thanks for reading. Enjoy your weekend.

   

  

  If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again. ~Flavia Weedn, Flavia and the Dream Maker, ©Flavia.com

  Posted in #AmWriting, Bull Rider Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 4 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, #AmWriting, bull rider series, contemporary romance, Full Length Novel, Howdy Ma'am bk #1, mary j mccoy dressel, series romance, Short Snippet Saturday, western romance series

• #AmWriting Warm Fuzzy Gifts #MFRWauthor

  Posted at 10:22 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 1, 2018

  

  Week 22: Best Gift I Ever Gave

  Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop is upon us again. #MFRWauthor “Why is time flying by so fast?” I ask rhetorically.

  I planned on skipping the topic this week because I didn’t have time to dig deep to come up with the best gift I ever gave. Plain and simple? I didn’t want to take the time, plus many things took me away from thinking about this topic.

  However, this morning an idea came to me. I won’t call this the best gift I ever gave, but this gift had been appreciated. This gift gave me a warm fuzzy feeling.

  

  Ah, F#%k:

  Well, my best friend wouldn’t read my books because she didn’t want to read curse words or sensual love scenes. Again, I’ll remind you that my scenes aren’t erotic. I don’t consider the curse words all that harsh though many do, but I tell ya, when my cowboy gets bucked off a bull, he isn’t going to say, “Ah, shucks, that hurt.” I can read lips, and I’ve heard announcers mention fines for athletes’ language on screen, so IMO, my guys saying, “Ah, f&*%,” is justified, even if only in my head.

  

  A little backstory: 

  I know, I know…backstory…

  Margaret constantly hounded me about changing how I write my books—she wanted to read them. What a gift it would’ve been to me if she had read them. She even sent me a message via her husband. Shortly before she passed away, she told him to tell me, “Christian books are hot on the market now.” He told me this at her memorial.

  This added to my guilt trip and made me feel bad. Not that I have anything against the market, but it isn’t mine. I don’t read it, I couldn’t write it. Yes, I know, and have read the Bible, but financially, I can’t stop writing long enough to learn how to write in the genre.

  Back on topic: The Gift

  I wanted her to read my series starter because I knew she’d love the story. She, of all people, knew what had inspired the book. We had talked about the story and characters while I wrote it, making her want to read it even more.

  My gift to her was in the form of a cleaned up edition for her eyes only. I no longer have that copy saved.

  Yep. I removed all the scenes she wouldn’t read and gifted her a copy. Her joy gave me joy, hence, the warm fuzzy. She would’ve liked if I had revised all my books for her, but I chose not to.

  

  This is the book but not the version I changed for her. This is from the recently republished, newly revised edition. (I saw an opportunity to stick in a little tease. Sorry.)

  This turned out to be longer than I’d anticipated, so let’s end this here. This is a blog challenge and Blog Hop, so remember to check out the other posts this week. Thanks for reading.

  Happy June 1st!

  

  Image Credit: Pixabay-YUKIHIDE

  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 14 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, #MFRWauthor, Best Gift I Ever Gave, blog hop, Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Movie Ratings, Warm Fuzzy Gifts, western romance

• #AmWriting Book Excerpt~ Heartbreak’s Reward: The Short Way Home

  Posted at 2:09 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 15, 2018

  

  *Waving* I popped in to post an excerpt today. I finished my huge project, and it’s ready to go to the editor. Yay! Guess what? It has a new cover. The newly revised story deserves a new cover. I can’t wait to show it off.

  Before we get to the excerpt, I’ll explain why I chose one from this particular book–Heartbreak’s Reward Book #2. A couple posts back I mentioned pulling Cowboy Boss and his Destiny and Tristan’s Destiny from publication. I did do this, but WOW did it ever break my heart. It didn’t take long for the dread to fall from my shoulders. In the meantime, I’m telling readers who want to start my Double Dutch Ranch Series in the interim, but can’t find book one, to start with Heartbreak’s Reward Book #2 or Whispers of Forever Book #1 in the Spin Off, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series.

  Another reason I chose this excerpt today is because of  a post I wrote for the 52-Week Blog Challenge tomorrow. A small part of the post pertains to a close-knit family and my relationship with my own sons. I never played matchmaker like my ranch mom.

  ---

  Set up: Jase had come to the rescue of a sexy blonde,  a stranger to Canyon Junction, but he had to call his mom to bring gasoline. Once she met Brenna, her matchmaking skills kicked into play.  Jase stopped by his mom’s house later to return the gas can. The three beers at his moms wasn’t the only beer he’d had this night. Slightly modified from the original.

  

   

  Judy nodded to the third beer in his hand tonight. “You stay off the highway going home. By the way…when are you coming back to church with us?”

  What the hell? “As long as you’re praying for me, I’m good.”

  She put the ice cream away and turned her attention back to Jase. “You never answered me. Are you seeing Brenna again?” She handed the bowl to Destiny and told her she’d be right along to the great room with her.

  Destiny took her snack and left. “Night, Uncle Jase.”

  “Night, sweetie.” He peered at his mom. “I said I don’t know. Leave it at that.” Jase set his hat atop his head. “Please don’t ever do that to me again.” He got his boots from the doorway and pulled them on.

  Judy fanned her hand at him. “You hush, I was trying to help.”

  Jase tossed his hat to the table and wrapped his mom in a big hug. “I know you were. I’m not sure if I’m ready…” He dropped his hands and his mom shoved a lock of hair off his forehead. “Well, Mom. I…I don’t know. One woman ruined my life, and I’m not sure I should chance it again.”

  “Now, Jase, please don’t give up on love.” Judy rested her hand on his shoulder. “You’re too good of a man and never deserved what happened. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t want to hold those babies in my arms. I worry about them, too. When Destiny asks about Jaelle and Joey, it about breaks my heart.”

  Jase picked up his hat. “Well, I’m heading home. Tomorrow I have to start breaking that last horse I bought.” He gave a woeful sigh. “You know, I’m not sure what to do with the kids’ horses. If I get rid of them, it’s like I’m giving up on ever finding them again. But keeping them…is one more reminder they’re…gone.” The beer had made him emotional and weakened his senses. Not what he wanted to show his mother.

  “One day, somehow, we’ll find those kids.”

  Her words choked him up. “I promised the last night they were home, I’d never get rid of our family horses.”

  Judy hugged him and ran her hand over his back. “Then you answered your own question.”

  He appreciated his mom’s comfort, but it’d be better if he hadn’t had so much to drink. “It’s expensive keeping the horses.” He dropped his gaze to the floor but glanced back at his mom. “But…when they come back home, they’ll be wanting them.” His throat constricted and he forced down a swallow.

  “Absolutely.” Judy picked up her cup and made tea. “Well, I best get in there with Destiny now, unless you want to talk some more, honey.” He shook his head. Judy kissed him on the cheek. “Ah, Jase, honey… Brenna seems like a nice woman. Maybe you should think again about starting over, or at least getting out and having fun with someone. That doesn’t mean you can’t still look for Jaelle and Joey. It wouldn’t be giving up by letting another person inside. You deserve more than you’re allowing yourself.”

  He pictured Brenna’s face and remembered her soft body when he’d touched her. How his had responded at touching her. “Mom, I… Maybe you’re right.” Jase gave a short nod. “We’ll see.”

  Judy gave his arm a pat. “Good night, son. You best take the short way home.”

   

  

   

  Featured Image credited to Pixabay.

  Posted in #AmWriting, Excerpt, Heartbreak's Reward | 4 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Arizona, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, cowboy, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Heartbreak's Reward, Horse rancher, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Matchmaker, Matriarch, romance series, western romance, Whispers of Forever

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