Tag: #AmWriting

• #AmWriting Bring on the Holiday (Food) #MFRWauthor

  Posted at 10:39 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on December 1, 2018

  

  Favorite Holiday Food

  I almost didn’t participate this week, but since I did, we’re back with another Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge post for Week 48. I was too late signing up with Linky, but I managed to get this posted! 

  Hmm. A favorite holiday food. This isn’t easy when I’ve had a lifetime of cooking holiday meals, so on that note, I put this question to both of my boys. They each came up with a list of cookies. Yay, for Mom. They loved my cookies and remember them!

  However, my oldest son, Chris, mentioned the breakfast bake casserole I used to make on Christmas Eve and would stick it in the oven Christmas morning. The idea that he had memories of me doing this, warmed my heart. Multiple Breakfast Bake recipes can be found on the Web. I use bread cubes instead of hash browns and ham instead of the sausage you’ll find in many recipes. A prepared casserole comes in handy on a busy morning.

  

  Pixabay Image: TerriC

  Since both of my boys chose Church Windows as one of their favorites, that’s the recipe I’ll include here today. You can find clearer directions and variations of the recipe online because my recipe is basically a list of the ingredients with a brief set of instructions. I love the combination of chocolate and marshmallows together. Coconut is an added treat for me. If you don’t like the ingredients, you won’t like this recipe.

  Without specific amounts for walnuts and coconut, I know this recipe won’t help much. I wing it. The ingredients I use for Church, or sometimes called Cathedral, window cookies are:

  • A bag of colored mini-marshmallows. I can never find these if I wait too long in the season.
  • 12 oz. bag of chocolate chips
  • Walnuts
  • Coconut

  1. My recipe says to melt six ounces of chocolate chips at a time, but I don’t remember if I have melted them in two batches. I use a microwave.
  2. When melted, add nuts and marshmallows.
  3. Spread coconut on waxed paper.
  4. Pour chocolate, marshmallow, and nut mixture over coconut. Now use the wax paper to help roll the mixture into a roll.
  5. Set in the refrigerator until cool. This will take an hour or more. Longer is better.
  6. When the roll has hardened, remove it from the fridge and slice.
  7. Enjoy. This recipe is doubly sweet as you can imagine.

  Here’s a Church Window recipe from CD Kitchen® where you can see a picture of how cute they look. (They call them Cathedral Windows.) I’ve also heard them called Stained-Glass Window cookies. Sorry for not including the recipe or image, but due to their copyright notices and sharing policy on their site, I will direct you to visit their page. It sure is hard to find a stock photo with a church window cookie image.

  In all fairness, I should say my favorite holiday cookies are thumbprint cookies where I stick a Hershey Kiss in the middle of a delicious cookie rolled in nuts, and another is a modified recipe from my first husband’s mother called—apricot horns–similar to the picture here.

  One of my favorite “Christmas” holiday foods to make for a sit-down meal, is a spiral ham and scalloped potatoes as the two main dinner choices. If I’m having more of a buffet, I still like the spiral ham for sandwiches combined with other typical buffet items. These days I don’t eat red meat, so I might have to roast a turkey breast, too.

  ---

  I’ve gone on long enough. Do you have a favorite holiday food? Come on. I bet you do.  🙂

  Please visit the other authors in this Blog Hop at Marketing for Romance Writers. Remember, you don’t have to be a romance lover to see what others are up to and maybe find some new recipes.

  

  The cookie images licenses have been purchased by me via Depositphotos. Others were found on Pixabay.

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 8 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, 52-week blog challenge, apricot horns, blog hop, Breakfast Bake Casserole, Bring on the Holiday (Food), Buffet Dinner, cathedral window cookies, christmas, church window cookies, Favorite Holiday Food, Marketing for Romance Writers, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, thumbprint cookies, western romance

• #AmWriting To Brag Or Not To Brag #MFRWauthor

  Posted at 10:09 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on November 23, 2018

  

  Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge

  Week 47: Worth Bragging About

  Wow, we’re moving right along in 2018. It’s the day after Thanksgiving in the U.S.A., and today is Black Friday! Is anyone home to read this post? This topic is similar to a topic from last November.  As much as I hate bragging about myself, topics like this force me out of my comfort zone, so I do have a few updates I might be able to boast over a little. Let’s do it!

  Book Related:

  Since last November, I’ve published two books in the same series. I talked about these two as WIPs in last years post.

  Now, I have two more books started. One of my WIPs is in collaboration with a lot of other authors. Joining this group is something to brag about. You’ll see later when we start talking about this new endeavor.

  I started AMS Ads for three books. Yeah, I have to brag after being so terrified to try. (comfort zone)

  Home on the Range:

  Oh, I searched for my big girl panties and found them and pulled up my bootstraps, then I got out of the stressful environment I had been living in. I moved to give myself peace of mind. It took a big step in moving to the new place, too, but perseverance and prayers helped. After weighing the pros and cons, I made the final, right decision–that’s my brag.

  Due to health issues at the beginning of the year, I went back to walking and gave up eating things that are bad for my condition like red meat, fat, and sugar. It’s funny how easy it becomes once your life is in danger. I’ve lost thirty-two pounds, but I see other improvements besides weight loss. I’m not sure how much it has reversed my diagnosis, yet. Yeah, this is me bragging about my life-style change.

  This is my eleventh year of blogging. I’m far from becoming a top-notch blogger, but hey, it’s eleven years of sticking to it.

  Of course, like any mom, I am proud of what my kids have accomplished in their lives to date, but this is a brag that goes without saying.  ❤

  Thanks for reading. Please check out the other authors in the Blog Hop.

  

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, 52-week blog challenge | 18 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, eating well, Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Publishing, To Brag Or Not To Brag, Western Romance Author, Worth Bragging About

• #AmWriting Living With A Writer #MFRWauthor

  Posted at 3:45 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on November 16, 2018

  

  Welcome back to Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge. I’m so late getting this out today.

  Week 46: How My Family Survives My Writing

  This week’s topic is easy and a quick answer. I don’t have to deal with this other than to say my boys want me to get out more and be sure to take care of myself. #MFRWauthor

  If you want a full answer to this topic, I’ll have to back up quite a few years when my family was together. I had young boys and a husband at home, and like many authors with a family, I worked around them and their schedules, as I dabbled in putting words to paper—yes paper—pre-computer. My family came first because I didn’t know any different.

  As time went on, my boys survived their mom trying to become a writer by knowing I chose to do something for myself. They’ve always had that kind of compassion where I’m concerned and have always supported me.

  Without them, I wouldn’t have become computer savvy. Many nights while they were out doing whatever, and dating, I’d call them all freaked out when I thought I broke the computer. LOL. They talked me down and explained what I had to do to make it work again. Now, I’m geeky when it comes to my computer. They survived, even when I called them on dates.

  

  My poor husband (at the time) would go to bed early and have to sleep alone while I sat downstairs with the dog, as I hammered away on the computer in another world. He wanted to see me finish the book. It took place where he grew up in the Allegheny Mountains. Once I had written the first book, I’d read it to him in bed. It surprised me that he wanted me to. So, yeah, they all survived in their own ways.

  Things haven’t always been that way. I’ve been with men who didn’t understand or want me spending time writing, so I didn’t. I gave in, for a while, but I couldn’t stop writing forever, so I didn’t. My oldest son bought my first laptop so I wouldn’t have to give up my writing when around those who didn’t understand how important it was to me.

  I think it takes a strong and kind person to survive living with a writer. IMHO

  Now, I’m alone—not because I left anyone to write—I’m stronger than that, but because life gets in the way and takes you in directions you never thought you’d go. So, today I have no other schedules to work around. I’m fine with that because I won’t survive with someone who doesn’t want me to live my dream.

  You all know this is a blog hop. Let’s visit the others at Marketing for Romance Writers Blog who are hopping.

  

   

  Image credits: Pixabay

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 4 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, blog hop, Can You Survive Living With A Writer? Living With A Writer, Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

• #AmWriting Short Snippet Saturday: Whispers of Forever~ Probability of Paternity…

  Posted at 3:14 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on November 10, 2018

  

  Hi, Welcome back. If you’re expecting Part 2 this week as I mentioned last week when I posted Part 1, you won’t find it.

  I thought about the post and the rest of the scene all that weekend and decided not to extend the scene here. In fact, I deleted the entire post. For one reason, the scene was taken out of context for those of you who don’t know the story. You missed the beginning when Jake went though accepting the changes about to overtake his and his son’s lives.

  In hindsight, it wasn’t fair to the book. Maybe it gave you the wrong impression about the story, when in fact, it is not about what Paige did. It’s about what happens after Paige did Jake wrong. It’s about a first love coming back into a broken-hearted cowboy, and a little boy’s life. That’s what the story should convey.

  Therefore, the quote I included in the post, should’ve started later:

  When one door closes another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” ― Alexander Graham Bell

  So this week, I choose to post a different scene from Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas. I hope you don’t hold it against me for not continuing with the scene from last week. If you didn’t catch that post, all the better. LOL.  ❤

   

  ---

  In last week’s Short Snippet Saturday excerpt, Paige had mentioned something awful she had done to ensure Jake would let her take Trace to live out of state. If only she could’ve seen into the future. Well, this is Jake dealing with the aftermath of the last cruel thing she had done… 

  

  Beth’s thoughtfulness lightened his heart, but with a shrug, he stood straight. “I want you to be there.”

  Agreeing, she followed him to where Trace watched TV. “We’ll be in my office for a few minutes if you need anything.”

  “All right, Dad. I like this show. It’s a marathon tonight.”

  “Enjoy it.” In the hallway, he stopped and placed his palms against the wall like he needed to hold it up, when in fact, it held him up. His head lowered toward the floor. He closed his eyes, breathing deep. “I’ve been thinking about this moment all evening. I don’t want to know now.” After a few minutes he continued to the office, closed the door, and took his phone out. “I’m sure this message is notification to check my account, not the actual result over voice mail.”

  Beth took a seat in a leather chair near the window that looked out at the front of the property, and she remained quiet.

  Jake dialed. Listened. He played the message with his eyes closed, one hand against the desk to prop himself up. His body felt numb. Disconnecting the call, he nodded and took a seat at his desk. The strength he depended on most of his life dissipated into the hard wood floor beneath his feet. “Yeah. I have a message in my account.”

  Beth came to him and put her arm around his shoulder. He logged in with his computer password and went to his account, again logging in there too. She placed her other hand on his shoulder and spoke softly. Sweetly. “Do you want me to read it?”

  His heart raced faster with each letter of the password, and by time the account opened, he might have a heart attack or stroke. Each move was forced, because this was all done against his will, or his better judgement. Why had this happened? Had Paige hated him that much? “I have to do this myself, but thanks.”

  “Jake, wait.”

  He peered up at her, motionless, his hands still on the keyboard, his little finger ready to hit enter. His voice was sandpapery hoarse. “What?”

  “What will you do… God, forgive me for saying this, but if the result is the same?” Beth stood behind, hugging him, and she leaned down until her cheek pressed against his head.

  “How can I honestly answer? I love that kid, but to know he isn’t my flesh and blood, I don’t know how I’ll respond. Nothing can make me stop loving him…I hope.” Jake leaned his head back against Beth’s body, and she slid her hand over his shoulder to rest against his chest. Yeah, he was glad she was there. “I don’t want to feel any different, but what if I do? What do I tell him if I’m different toward him? He’s already lost his mother, for God sake.”

  “He’s your son. My mom and dad loved me like their own child. I never felt like they didn’t. Honey, Trace won’t know, because I see how you are with him—I can’t imagine you changing. That boy is in your heart, your soul.”

  “Because for almost ten years he was my child. That’s why I’m…” He hesitated.

  “He is your child. You’ve raised him—have loved him through all the ups and downs…and he loves you.”

  “There’s only one way to find out. Either way, he’s never going to know, Beth.” Jake blew out the breath building up inside his body like a gas ready to explode. He had never been afraid of anything, but he was terrified of this. What if the results turned out the same as her rigged test? He dropped his hands to his knees. What if he did tell Trace? Would he want to find his real father one day? “I don’t know if I can do this. I could lose him.”

  “No one would know except you and I. If you want, I can leave the room so only you know.”

  He grasped her hand. “No. You’re a part of this with me.” How could he ask her to love his son if he wasn’t sure himself that he could? Dammit. He was sure. One hundred percent sure. No matter what, that child was his, and he’d love him until the day he died, flesh and blood or not. Jake hit enter and clicked open the PDF attachment. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them. He read: “Child, Trace Lawton. Father, Jake Lawton. Are you reading this, Beth?”

  Still standing behind him, she whispered with empathy in her voice, “Yes,” and squeezed his shoulders.

  Jake scrolled to the bottom of the test, and read: “Probability of Paternity…

  ---

  Thanks for reading!

  If you want to know the results along with Jake, you know what to do. This first book in the series is $0.99, and it kicks off the Spin Off — Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series. For new visitors, please know it’s rare for me to write anything with a cliffhanger, but I couldn’t give away the results. 

  A Double Dutch Ranch: Love at First Sight Spin Off Novel.

  

   

  Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I’ve had a whole inch and a half of snow already, and this morning was 24 degrees! Bah humbug.

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Short Snippet Saturday | 2 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, DNA test, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, First in a series romance, Full Length Novel, mary j mccoy dressel, Short Snippet Saturday, Short Snippet Saturday: Whispers of Forever~ Probability of Paternity, western romance, Whispers of Forever

• #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.

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, 52-week blog challenge | 16 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

• Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Welcoming Fresh Autumn Air While Capturing Colorful Landscapes

  Posted at 2:22 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on November 6, 2018

  

  Well, isn’t that a long title now.  ☺

  One thing I love about autumn is walking in the fresh air and viewing colorful landscapes.

  

  Another thing is having a camera with me. Lately, I haven’t been walking alone so conversations keep my muse from focusing. She sneaks out sometimes. I’m happy when she finds her way through the chatter. However, my muse works in mysterious ways like stopping me when leaves filled with raindrops lay in my path. I stop a moment to use my phone to snap pictures.

  

  

  It’s hard for those who don’t take pictures, to be with a person who stops without warning, to take a picture. Sometimes this bothers me that others don’t get it. Other times, I don’t care. Photography is my hobby, and there are times it calls as much as writing. For the past few years, I haven’t given in to the photography nudge because writing takes precedence. My camera bag sits in my closet and the DSLR camera hasn’t been out for a couple years. However, my little point and shoot went with me on a day trip last week. So did the chilly rain. And wind. The camera remained in the car. LOL. I took one picture with my phone while walking Main Street in a quaint little town a few hours from where I live. One is better than…none? Hmm?

  

  While walking alone, ideas for a current WIP can come into focus or new storylines pop into my head for something brand-new. I usually prefer to walk alone for this reason, but I have a friend who recently started walking. She uses a walker. Good for her! It’s encouraging having another person urging me to get out from under my laptop, literally, and move my behind. If she can get out and walk, then I damn well better get out there and do it, too. My doctor would be so proud.

  

  For those of you who made it to the end, thanks for reading. I appreciate every visit from you. Now, back to the keyboard. Enjoy the rest of your week.

  What are some ways you’re inspired to use your craft?

   

  Images are copyrighted and my own. Excluding the Inspiration of the Muse image. Graphic made by me.

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse | 4 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #AuthorsLife, #WritersLife, autumn, DSLR Camera, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Welcoming Fresh Autumn Air While Capturing Colorful Landscapes, western romance

• #MFRWauthor Week 44: Blog Challege Theme Week

  Posted at 8:50 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on November 2, 2018

  

  Here we are with another topic for Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge.

  Week 44: My Biggest Fear

  Before I delve into this week’s topic, I have to say I had last week’s post written in draft but went on a day trip then forgot to get back to it upon my return. “But you had a whole week (or forty-four weeks) to write the post?” This is true, but when I’m in my book writing zone, the book is what I write—especially with two to finish.

  The theme last week was: My Favorite Apps. One day I’ll complete the topic and put it up as a post, anyway.

  Now, shall we get to this week’s topic?

  I get fearful every time I send a book to my editor or before publishing a book. I don’t like flying because I’m fearful of crashing. My oldest boy lives three-thousand miles away. I fly white-knuckled a lot of the time. Other than that, I don’t talk too much about my fears.

  I’ve overcome some of my fears only to fall back into them again. I bet I could overcome them again if I had to…like climbing the tallest lighthouse in my Great Lake State. It’s the bigger fears that make me totally numb where I can’t move. I’ve learned to depend on myself to save myself, and if I’m too fearful, how do I? Then what if I can’t?

  However…it’s in my makeup to persevere. I depend on this, and prayer, to get me through my fears.

  I have faced some of these fears and got through them. Will I again? I don’t want to find out.

  You may ask why I bothered to write this post when I won’t tell my biggest fear(s). Well, I will reply by saying I don’t like to tell my fears when they can be used against me in certain circumstances.

  Thanks for reading.

  This is a blog hop. Let’s visit the other participants by clicking HERE.

  

  Don’t turn your back upon your doctrinal doubts and difficulties. Go up to them and examine them. Perhaps the ghastly object which looks to you in the twilight like a sheeted ghost may prove to be no more than a table-cloth hanging upon a hedge. ~A.H. Boyd~ QuoteGarden

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 11 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, 52-week blog challenge, Biggest Fears, blog hop, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Week 44: Blog Challege Theme Week, western romance

• Short Snippet Saturday: You Can Hurt People Without Touching Them

  Posted at 10:22 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 13, 2018

  

  Welcome back to Canyon Junction! We’re here with another Short Snippet Saturday post, but first… My heart goes out to all of you affected by another hurricane in the U.S. Many of you are still suffering from Florence and now Michael. Prayers and hugs are sent to everyone in need, and for those of you who are experiencing nature’s forces around the world.

  Well, the business of the day here is:

  It’s no surprise that I’d soon be posting another snippet from my new release, Hooked by Sundown, #3 in Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series. I’m happy to say the first review came in with a five star rating. It made my day. By the way… There is nothing short about this snippet today. Not even the title.  ❤

  Sheesh, I need shorter series names though.

  I don’t think an explanation is necessary for this snippet. It involves, Wade, Sophie, and her brother in Wade’s POV. It’s rather long. Not as long as it nearly was though before I cut some out.  🙂  Pour yourself another beverage and take a seat.

  ---

  Wade set his cup down then cranked his neck to be sure she remained out there while he said his piece. “I warned you about hurting your sister.”

  “Shut up, dude. I didn’t touch her. Who said I had to listen to you, anyway?”

  Dumbass. He came close to grabbing him around the throat. “You can hurt people without touching them. Look at her. You need a job? Straighten up, and I’ll give you one where I work. We have a guy on his way out. He doesn’t know it yet. Let me know when you’re ready, and you got a job.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t like seeing her distressed over you.” Sophie rose from the chair and headed inside. “Keep the job in mind. It’s your choice.” Wade removed a skillet from the bottom cupboard, turned the stove on, and added bacon. He warmed up his coffee and observed Sophie’s face when she came in. She glanced at Clay then back to him as if she expected new blood and bruising.

  “Do you have ice?” she asked.

  “Yep.” All this reminded him too much about his own brother. Regardless, Wade missed him. Accepting his death hadn’t happened yet. How long would it take?

  She got ice out and found a baggie in a drawer. “Here, bro. This will make you feel better.”

  Clay glanced at Wade then applied the bag to a knot on his forehead. “Can I get out of here?” he asked Sophie.

  “Not yet, I’m making breakfast. Take those aspirins.”

  Wade had to get out of the room. He understood family issues better than most, but he was about to gag at the way she babied Clay. A couple big breaths later, he reentered the kitchen.

  Clay headed down the hallway but came back, gripped the doorway, saying, “Thanks. Both of you. I appreciate it. Don’t fix anything for me.” He turned toward the bathroom. “Let me know when you can take me to get my truck.”

  Sophie sighed. “I don’t know why I do this to myself.”

  She’d hid her turmoil well. Wade got up to hug her. “This is what I wanted to do last night. You’re afraid of losing out again and don’t trust me.”

  She returned his embrace. “Aren’t we all? I’m afraid of a lot of things like my boy being hurt again, me…”

  Wade held her at an arm’s length. “Didn’t you hear me say I don’t want to hurt anybody? You need to stop hearing only what you want.”

  “It’s a promise you can’t keep.”

  “Yes, I can. The part I can keep. Yeah, I’m gonna die one day. We all are, but I hope it’s not too soon. Between now and then, I can promise.” Wade peered into her eyes. “You gonna hurt me? It works two ways.”

  She sniffled, but tears didn’t fall. “I’m afraid I already did.”

  Yeah, she did, but he allowed it to dig at him. “Will you hurt me again?”

  “It isn’t my intention.”

  “Let’s move on then. Stop dwelling on the fact that you’re going to lose again. Maybe the other loss was also your gain.” Damn, but that sounded cold-hearted. He grabbed a fork to turn the burning bacon.

  “Oh no, it burned. I’m sorry. Go on. Get out of here so I can concentrate on feeding you.”

  “I can take Clay to get his truck if you want to finish breakfast.”

  She turned down the heat. “Sure. Let me ask him.”

  He took her arm, but she shook it free with a glare. “No. Tell him instead of asking.”

  She gave him a weird look. “Ah…”

  “Sophie…” He wouldn’t say she needed to stop acting like Clay’s mother. That decision was hers. She’d have to find her own escape from his dominance and to stop enabling him.

  “You’re right. Thank you for taking him in last night. If not, I’d be waiting at the hospital.”

  Wade strode into the great room and headed to the stairway. “I need to get my keys and wallet.” He went upstairs and stood at the rail. He couldn’t hear their voices, which was a good thing, meaning Clay hadn’t argued or raised his voice with her. Wade got what he came up for and went back downstairs.

  Clay waited at the door. “I’ll pay for your gas. I don’t suppose you smoke.”

  He shoved his wallet into his back pocket and attached a knife in a sheath to his belt. “Not anymore. It’s not necessary for you to put gas in my truck.”

  “It’s the least I can do. That’s a damn big knife.”

  “That’s the way I like them.” He gave Sophie a hug before leaving. “See you soon.”

  At Wade’s truck, Clay held the door before getting inside. “You’re good for my sister.”

  Wade nodded in agreement, got in, and drove away in silence. You’re damn right he was good for Sophie. Maybe she’d figure it out sooner than later because he didn’t plan on waiting until later.

  ---

  
  

  Thank you for reading. Visit the page HERE to read more about this Spin Off Series to the Double Dutch Ranch Series.

  ---

  I hope your weekend is off to a great start. The weather here went from the high 80s to the 40s within a couple days, but it’s beautiful here. Each day I see new trees changing color in the wooded area right outside my bedroom window. My car has turned yellow due to small leaves falling from the tree in the front yard. I don’t know what kind of tree it is.

  Soon, when the leaves are all down, I’ll be able to spot where the turkey and deer live. Eight or nine turkeys come out on occasion to strut across my parking lot. The Tom usually stays behind until later then he squawks and screams trying to find them. (I guess.)

  

  How’s the weather where you are this autumn?

  Thanks for visiting. I love when you stop by!

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  Posted in #AmWriting, Short Snippet Saturday | 8 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #WritersLife, autumn, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Cowboy Romance, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Gentlemen Cowboys with a touch of bad, Hooked by Sundown, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, New Release eBooks, short snippet Saturday: You can Hurt People Without Touching Them, Vacation romance, western romance

• When Is “The End” Not The End? #MFRWauthor #AmWriting

  Posted at 1:00 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 12, 2018

  

  Howdy! We’re into Week 41 in the Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop.

  Epilogue or Not?

  Wait. Does this mean as a reader or writer? I’m taking it from my own standpoint as an author and reader.

  If I’m replying like I’m supposed to, then this is easy to answer. Let me mention why I don’t include an epilogue in most of my books:

  • Sometimes epilogues get skipped?
  • All my books don’t need one.

  Do you read prologues and epilogues? I read both, so it doesn’t matter to me as a reader.

  It’s not that I will never write one in another book. It depends on the story.

  Moving Forward:

  Well, yes, I have used an epilogue in three of my books. The first two were the first two books I wrote centuries ago.

  After more centuries, when I started writing western romance, Hey, Cowboy, Book #2 in the Bull Rider Series, called for an epilogue at the end.

  Why?

  This story needed one to help wrap up a couple things. It wasn’t necessary because the ending at the last chapter ended with a satisfying ending. And a great one.

  My Thoughts for the Epilogue:

  After the final scene at the end of the book, I wanted to have the reader see what happened after the fact and not only with Velia and Caulder. It gave me a chance to tell readers what happens to a few others in the book as time carried on outside of the book. I did it this way in case Hey, Cowboy turned out to be the last book in that series, which had been my intention.

  I wanted readers to visualize the future for all of these characters. Another reason this book has an epilogue is because I wanted to show my hero and heroine in a different role in the one and a half page epilogue.

  I love that I made the choice, and it still makes me “happy cry” when I read it. The same with the end of the last chapter. LOL, yes, I took a moment to read the epilogue while writing this. You don’t have to ask… Yes, I happy cried again. I swear it might be the best ending I ever wrote. Nah, not true. I love all my endings, but I believe Velia and Caulder will always live on in my heart. It’s getting crowded in there now with new characters finding their way too. Isn’t this fun?

  Remember, this is a Blog Hop and other authors take part in Marketing for Romance Writers Blog Challenge. Do they write epilogues or do they hate them? Will they read or write an epilogue at the end of a book? How about you authors and readers? Tell us.

  

  Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today.

  Interested in seeing more of my Blog Challenge posts like Open and Closed Doors? My Favorite Indulgence? My Best Gift Ever? And why the heck do Shining Beams Make Me Cry? Type #MFRWauthor or 52 Week into the search box in the sidebar for more.

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor | 5 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #AuthorLife, #WritersLife, New Release eBooks, When Is "The End" ~ Not The End? #MFRWauthor

• #WritersLife ~ Comfy Works For Me~ #MFRWauthor

  Posted at 8:03 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 5, 2018

  

  Week 40 – MFRW 52-week Blog Challenge #MFRWAuthor

  Week 40: What I wear when I write

  Isn’t that kind of personal? Ha-ha, just kidding. Hi, I’m back after a long hiatus from Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge. This is a blog hop, baby. #MFRWauthor

  Since I’ve been away, I moved, got settled in, wrote a couple blog posts and a newsletter, published a new book, and I’m nearly at thirty-thousand words in the new one I’m writing that is due out in November 2019. I’m procrastinating on another one. Oh, I can’t forget… I also published a Boxed Set.

  I looked at today’s topic and thought: Hmm, I can answer this one. What do I wear when I write?

  Admittedly, it’s kind of creepy to know others know what I wear when I’m lost in another world. I’m lucky enough to be a full-time writer at home. I’m a romance writer and sometimes the romance is steamy, well, warm. What do you expect me to wear while I write those sexy scenes? Do you think I have candles burning? Chocolates within reach? Wine chilling? Music? A cowboy with a lasso to keep me on task? Do I wear something sexy and silky? A short little nightie?

  You’d be wrong if you imagined me writing in something other than Jammies or fully dressed. Romantic scenes with candles, wine, and soft music aren’t all I write in my romance, so there is no need for a silky or a short little nightie to inspire me. Sometimes I have candles burning and soft music playing. For me, it’s all about being comfortable.

  

  Ninety-five percent of the time, I wear jeans and some kind of top depending on weather. My computer comes on early in the morning and I’m usually in my PJs (or gown in the summer) for the first couple hours, or four, but then I get dressed. I can’t deny there have been a few days when I didn’t get out of PJs, especially if I’m staying home or still writing in bed, and when I lost my doggie.

  Since I retired, I have been putting on regular clothes. I moved into an apartment and had to take my dog out on a leash, so I had to get dressed. Now, I no longer have my sweet fur-baby, but I still dress.

  I walked for exercise at my old apartment, but I could bounce out the door and drive to the park seeing no one. In my new apartment, I not only get dressed, but I get myself ready with hair and makeup, and go for a morning walk. In this apartment, I have to go into a hallway where there are four apartments on this level, including mine, and four upstairs. Chances are, I will run into someone, and I want to look presentable to new neighbors. Oh, don’t I sound so vain. Don’t judge. Ha-ha.

  If I was twenty I wouldn’t have to worry about looking good, because, you know—twenty!

  The day may come when the snow falls and I don’t leave my apartment, I will stay in those Jammies all day. Though regular clothes are warmer when the temperatures outside are blustery and cold. However, I might remain in those comfy flannel pajamas and thick socks more often this winter.

  Now see? As I type this, fully dressed, who shows up but the guys who are replacing the windows in the basement, and my storage unit down there has a window in it. Off I go to make sure they have enough room to work.

  

  How about you writers? Are you ready to tell us what you wear while writing? How about while reading? Oh, that’s a whole different story!

  This is a Blog Hop. Let’s see what other authors wear while writing. I’m curious myself. Click on over.

  I’m going for a walk. Catch you all later.

  

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, 52-week blog challenge | 7 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #AuthorsLife, #WritersLife, Alpha hero, blog hop, Comfy Works For Me, Cowboy hero, Hooked by Sundown, Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, New Release, nightwear, pajamas, Reading, Romance

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