blog | Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance

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- Guest Post: Thistledown – Midsummer Bedlam by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene #Fairy #Fantasy New Release
  
  Posted at 12:58 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on December 24, 2019
  
  H, folks! I have a guest for you today to share in her new book release! Some of you will know Teagan @teagangeneviene from her blog at Teagan’s Books, but if you’re new here, or to Teagan, I invite you to check out the work from a creative and talented writer. Read on…
  
  Thistledown — Midsummer Bedlam is ready to fly to your shelves!
  
  Thistledown – Midsummer Bedlam, cover design by Teagan Geneviene
  
  Thistledown — Midsummer Bedlam by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene is now available in book form (Kindle and paperback). If you think you’re too old for a tale about faeries, it also has a dark side. For those who read the serial version at Teagan’s Books (blog), she added a little something to the ending that you haven’t seen.
  
  Mary, thanks so much for hosting the launch of my launch of Thistledown — Midsummer Bedlam. It is a tale of faeries written for whimsical grownups, but suitable for children of all ages.
  
  You’re very welcome, Teagan.
  
  In 2017, readers of my blog, Teagan’s Books, named many of the fairies (or faeries, as I prefer to call them) — or they let me make up names in their honor. The characters are not based on the real people. They are just a way for me to honor the people who followed Thistledown. Mary, I remember that you had a faery name ready when I asked. So, I want to introduce “Calico Rainbowforest” to your readers.
  
  Wikimedia Commons
  
  In writing this story, I thought about how ordinary things might be different for faeries. I created their unique and whimsical means of communicating. One of those was the Thistledown Daily Trumpet. It’s a newspaper and Calico Rainbow forest is the managing editor. She also wears some really cool-looking spectacles. Bedlam Thunder, the heroine, learns that she has more in common with Calico than she expected.
  
  Here’s the Book Blurb
  
  Thistledown ― Midsummer Bedlam, by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene is a wildly whimsical tale of faeries. It was originally written for a grownup audience, but it is suitable for children ages eight and over.
  
  Thistledown is a world of color and light. It has faeries, hummingbirds, and ancient books of magic. Bedlam Thunder is a misfit faery who is afraid of heights. She is also a seer who has terrible visions of a parallel world devoid of color and brightness. The hate and darkness of that colorless world is seeping into Thistledown. Will Bedlam and her friends be able to save their home?
  
  Thistledown ― Midsummer Bedlam, with its radiant creatures and faeries will lift your imagination to new heights.
  
  Universal Purchase Links
  
  These links should work to redirect you, no matter what country.
  
  Kindle: https://relinks.me/B082RFN9GF
  
  Paperback: http://relinks.me/1675233632
  
  Hugs on the wing!
  
  Teagan
  
  ***
  
  This is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.
  
  Copyright © 2017 and 2019 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
  
  All rights reserved.
  
  No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
  
  All images are either the property of the author or provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.
  
  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife | 10 Comments | Tagged #WritersLife, blog, faeries, fairies, Fantasy, Kindle, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, New Book Release, Paperback, Serial, Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene, Teagan's Books, Thistledown Midsummer Bedlam
- A Walk in the Park #WordlessWednesday
  
  Posted at 9:15 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on May 22, 2019
  
  Note: Welcome to my first post under this hashtag. I see this hashtag with all sorts of pictures posted on Twitter and blogs. I had browsed around to see if I could find the creator of Wordless Wednesday and found nothing leading back to a particular person or group, but then with one final search leading from another blog, I came across this BLOG and then this BLOG. These two ladies could be who started #WordlessWednesday, so I’m posting their banner and linking to them. Anyone correct me if I’m wrong. 🙂 I’m not sure I’ll post each week because time gets away from me, but I’m giving it a try.
  
  Thanks and enjoy!
  
  Posted in #AmWriting | 8 Comments | Tagged A Walk in the Park, blog, Blogging, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Wordless Wednesday
- Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Opinions of Others
  
  Posted at 2:40 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on April 24, 2018
  Today is Tuesday. Wow, it’s been awhile since I posted using this theme.
  
  Today for my Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse post, I choose to post a handful of good reviews. I’d be crazy to sabotage myself by posting the bad ones on my own blog. I’d love to be able to please everyone, but I can’t.
  
  To protect their privacy, I’m not posting names of the reviewers in this post. You can always check them out on Amazon. Just know that these reviews, and many others, leave me smiling.
  
  I’m about to post a handful of review snippets for books in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight.
  
  It might be unfair to post only the good reviews here today, but this is my blog and my inspiration. A few weeks ago, I wrote a Blog Challenge post and talked about–You Can’t Please Everyone. Maybe you’d be interested in visiting the post, too, if you haven’t already.
  
  I read a lot of book reviews online and on blogs. Why don’t I post reviews of my own books? Well, I have in the past but stopped doing it. I admire those of you who proudly post your book reviews.
  
  Don’t worry, I limited the number of snippets I added today. Altogether they’re probably as long as some single book reviews.
  
  Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review. Regardless if you left a review or not, thanks for buying and reading.
  
  Happy Tuesday.
  
  Pixabay
  
  These review snippets are from Amazon US:
  
  Cowboy Boss and his Destiny #1 (Sorry for posting more on this book.)
  - I truly enjoyed the characters and the small town feel. The romance was not disappointing between Nora and Tristan. I also recommend reading the books in order.
  - Romance love and suspense. You get it all at its best in all Mary J. McCoy-Dressel books. These books are amazing, the tears, laughter, suspense and love will leave you wanting more. I can’t wait until the rest of the serious comes out. It will be well worth the wait I am sure.
  - Gave five stars and would have given more if available…this was a really good read. I enjoyed the storyline & the characters… Really got into the story because the characters seemed so real. Thanks to the author for a beautiful love story!! Will recommend to others.
  - I am new to Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, but won’t remain that way. A sweet, heartwarming love story with just the right amount of hot scenes!! Highly recommended!!!
  - Author Mary J. McCoy-Dressel soundly convinced me of her storytelling abilities when I read Howdy, Ma’am, a contemporary western she peppered with heart, heat, excitement and drama. But in COWBOY BOSS AND HIS DESTINY, Ms. McCoy-Dressel shows she has the writing strengths and versatility to change things up and produce an equally enjoyable contemporary romance that focuses on the everyday matters of work, family, home, and, once again, the heart. I never grew bored with this unfolding tale of love that developed at a pleasing and natural pace, nor the quiet revelations that were revealed about two hearts destined to find one another and set a course for the future. Angie Just Read. The Romance Reviews. Click link for full review. (The Romance Reviews requires us to mention the reviewer when we post snippets.)
  Tristan’s Destiny (No longer available on its own). Now this story is the majority of Cowboy Boss and his Destiny and combined into one book.
  - Absolutely AWESOME read. the most beautiful love story I have ever read. I fell in love with TRISTAN and Nora and little Destiny. I felt sad when the story ended because they became real. This is a must read. First read by this author, but there will certainly be more.
  - The Double Dutch Series books are wonderful. Tristan’s Destiny is one of the best books I have read. It’s got love, family, and a lot of heart.
  - I enjoyed this whole series. I read all of them. The men are alpha & the women are strong.
  Heartbreak’s Reward #2
  - I loved the story. The two main characters were wonderfully portrayed. I see a fantastic story developing for the youngest brother.
  - I love the story of Jase and Brenna it has everything, to keep you up late at night wondering what will happen next. Highly recommended to all.
  - Besides the steadily growing sizzle between the cowboy and the teacher, there’s an added benefit of revisiting the charming cast from the previous book, as well as the timely introduction of several new characters and a first taste of the third Carlson brother, Dane. Cowboy junkies everywhere will want to add this author to their favorites list! You can read the entire review at the Link. Angie Just Read. The Romance Reviews.
  Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord #
  - Great insight to PTSD and the struggles that follow, dogs as well as men & women. Very enjoyable read.
  - This is what I would call a sweet romance story. Not overly descriptive of the sexy parts. I found it very enjoyable.
  - I believe in love at first sight because it happened that way in my life. This story is interesting since it deals with PTSD syndrome. The dog adds an extra dimension.
  - Love at First Read is what I say about this series and Dane and Grace were no different! Mary J McCoy-Dressel has a way of catching your attention in the first paragraph and keeping it throughout the story. From Danes description of Graces eyes to Graces description of Danes tattoo, I could visualize every moment in between. I love the Carlson family.
  Lassoing the Last Dance #4
  - A true love wins out story for Roxanne and Randy. Lots of danger, action, romance and mystery. Loved reading this book.
  - This book had every thing, mystery, people who you never guessed doing things. But a great outcome. I hope they get to have children.
  - This was a good western romance – I enjoyed it. Well-written, likable characters. I’ll read others by this author.
  Yeah, no doubt this is a different kind of post for me. I hope I didn’t shoot myself in the foot. It’ll be awhile before you see another post like this one. I might be brave again one day and post reviews from Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series and the Bull Rider Series. Or, you can check them out yourself…the good and the bad.
  
  Thanks for reading.
  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife | 5 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #AuthorLife, #WritersLife, blog, cowboys, inspiration, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Romance, The Romance Reviews, Top Pick, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Opinions of Others, western romance
- Details. Details… Give Me Details! #MFRWauthor
  
  Posted at 9:29 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 9, 2018
  
  Time is going by fast again this year. By counting down each week, it makes the year speed by, and I’m not sure I like the idea. Days, weeks, months, and yes, years already go by too fast. Do you ever get the feeling time is running out?
  
  Anyway, we’re back with the Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge.
  
  Week 10: Things only my family would understand.
  
  Answer: I don’t like spur-of-the-minute invitations. I like to know where I’m going, what we’re doing, and who will be there.
  
  This isn’t fun and takes the spontaneity out of life. Often, I get invited to dinner or to an event of some sort. I like to know well in advance so I have time to prepare.
  
  However, when you have kids, you can’t let an issue like this rule your life. You have to be ready to get up and go, and I did in the past.
  
  I do “get up and go” now when I have no choice or when my whimsy feels adventurous.
  
  One New Year’s Day, a few friends and I hopped on a plane and flew to Chicago for the day with barely enough money to get back home. To be truthful, we didn’t have enough money for one of us to get back home. We never left the O’Hare airport once we got there, but back then, it didn’t matter. We were teens, and to us it was like going to the mall. We’d find something to do. Talk about spur-of-the-minute.
  
  DISCLAIMER: I don’t advise teens to go flying off to Chicago or anywhere without having a plan and money.
  
  This trip could’ve turned out bad for us, and it nearly did. All I can say is I’m glad we had a sense of smart. Another time, a friend and I packed a bag, hopped into a car with a couple guys we knew, and moved to Missouri. Huh? I left my mom a note. Every day while there, I had an unplanned event. It wasn’t a good three months. Bad things happened. I shudder to think of those days now. I didn’t mean to digress.
  
  It isn’t so much about getting a call for a spur-of-the-minute activity, but it’s more about the not-knowing-what-to-expect part.
  
  Here’s an example of one of those “not knowing” moments:
  
  My youngest son sprang a surprise on me a few years ago. He and his wife, before they were married, had an outing planned for her mom and I for Mother’s Day. My son understands that I like to know in advance, so he gave me plenty of time, but then the “not knowing” aspect took over. The panic attack kicked in. I stressed over this for weeks because I didn’t know the details. Being Mother’s Day, I assumed I’d need to wear something nice, but my son and daughter-in-law are adventurous. It could’ve been bungee jumping or zip lining. LOL.
  
  About a week before Mother’s Day, he told me we’d be seeing a special Mother’s Day performance from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at Kirk in the Hills, a majestic, gothic-style church patterned after Scotland’s Melrose Abbey. We’d have dinner at an awesome place near there first. Why wouldn’t it turn out to be a fantastic evening? I had a date with my son for Mother’s Day. My crazy inner self had stressed for no reason. As usual.
  
  Since I retired, I’ve become a half-ass recluse. My family understands this, but they don’t like it. I’m always being told I need to get out more. My friends tell me this, too. Yes, I need to get out more, take more breaks away from my computer, and take more vacations. Note to self: Read the Bucket List post again.
  
  This is a blog hop, folks. Are you curious to see how other authors deal with only things their family understands? I am. Let’s visit them by clicking HERE.
  
  Thanks for reading. See you next time.
  
  Photo credits for first two images: Pixabay
  
  Posted in #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 12 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, blog, blog hop, Cowboy Romance, Details. Details... Give Me Details! #MFRWauthor, Detroit Symphony orchestra, Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge, mary j mccoy dressel, Mother's Day, romance author, romance series, western romance
- #AmWriting Books: Making The Old New Again
  
  Posted at 3:21 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 4, 2018
  Hello everyone. I’ve been neglectful of posting on my blog, and I apologize for not getting around to yours, either. I do miss visiting with you. I’m making my appearance on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated. Yes, I’m still here, but my blog is lonely. Remember, at the end of 2017 one of the writing topics for the 52-Week Blog Challenge was about resolutions. One of my writing goals mentioned a major revision on two books. I’m deep into this as we speak. #LifeGoesOn
  
  In other words, I’m consumed with this project and working long hours each day—ten to twelve hours while arguing with my muse at night to put down her lasso and go to sleep.
  
  I’m not only revising one book, but two, because Nora and Tristan had two books.
  
  Why would I do this to myself? When I finish my revisions, this will be one complete book where part of the first book will flow into the second book as one complete story.
  
  Part of one book you ask? This was the culprit keeping me awake at night, but after two weeks, I figured it out. The books are Cowboy Boss and his Destiny and Tristan’s Destiny, Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight. I’ve deleted over 90K words from Cowboy Boss and his Destiny #1 and a little from Tristan’s Destiny #1.5. Take that, pirates!
  
  Cowboy Boss will never be the same book as it is now, and in fact, I’m getting ready to pull these two books from publication until the revision is finished, reedited, and formatted. It’ll be fine for new readers to begin the series with Heartbreak’s Reward, book #2 in the series or Whispers of Forever, book #1 in the spin off series.
  
  Does this sound easy? I hope you said no. It is not easy.
  
  Another reason for doing this is because I have learned so much and come a long way since I wrote Cowboy Boss. This book no longer reflects the other books in my series, nor does it reflect my writing of today. Therefore, this no longer fits as my series starter. So, yes, I’m doing this major revision for my future. Am I taking a chance by doing this? Yes. Am I hesitant about doing this? No. (not any more.) Am I scared about doing this? Terrified.
  
  If you’re a writer, you’ve probably heard that writing is a marathon not a sprint. Consider this another mile in my marathon. #WritersLife
  
  Oh, woe is me… The life of a writer. Oh, for joy… The life of a writer!
  
  Cowboy Boss had originally been written as a standalone happy-go-lucky holiday story. It never turned out to be a holiday story or a single-title book. When I first wrote the book, I knew about half way through, this would start a series. Sure, it is a happy-go-lucky love story, but…
  
  A reviewer called it a Hallmark movie with sex. However, the comment wasn’t meant to be positive. This book is low on angst, so it has its lovers and haters. (Read my Open Door Closed Door post.) To add some angst and more emotion and conflict to Nora and Tristan’s life, I gave them book 1.5, which will be added to the new version of Cowboy Boss as a complete story that flows together as one. LESS than a fourth of Cowboy Boss readers are reading book 1.5, anyway.
  
  I’ve saved around 10K of Cowboy Boss before it blends into the new version where Tristan and Nora’s bond is put to the test and takes my characters on a more dramatic journey in this new version of Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, #1.
  
  There are many dilemmas facing me as I decide how to publish this BRAND-NEW version:
  - Will this new version be a 2nd edition? If this is a 2nd edition, the original versions will remain with reviews intact.
  - Will I delete the original 1st editions and start all over? Will retailers allow me to do this? I want the original versions to disappear.
  - Will I re-upload this over the original book #1 then delete or unpublish the original book #1.5, which doesn’t show up in my series, anyway? Regardless, book 1.5 will go away one way or another. Of course, the reviews will go with it, and this book gets the best reviews. I’ve saved them.
  While I’m on the subject of reviews: Reviews help tell readers, someone is at least reading the book. No reviews make it look like the book is just sitting there unread. Who wants to take a chance on that book?
  
  Whoops, I digressed from the topic here—revising books.
  
  I hear a lot about upcoming or new authors not wanting to self-publish. I get where you’re coming from. I had to make that choice once.
  
  Making a revision like this to benefit my writing career would never be possible if I hadn’t published these two books myself. Nor would I be able to change the cover or pick the images for all my covers, especially my handsome heroes. I love having this control over my own books.
  
  My next dilemma here is to change or not to change the cover. With this story now being so different, I think it deserves a new cover.
  
  If you’ve read this far, thank you for sticking around. I must be making up for lost time with all these words.
  
  Have any of you published a 2nd edition? If so, what became of the 1st Edition? I don’t think Amazon will let us kill off the first edition if we publish a 2nd edition. In fact, I’m sure they don’t pull a first edition, and the upside to this is to have reviews available, albeit, new reviews will have to be garnered for the 2nd edition. I plan on finding out before I make a decision.
  
  The new cover:
  
  Double Dutch Ranch #1
  
  There it is, folks. I laid it on the line, and I’m hoping for the best.
  
  Super Bowl friends, enjoy the game!
  
  See y’all when I see ya. Miss you. ❤
  Posted in #WritersLife, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Double Dutch Ranch Series | 11 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #AuthorLife, #WritersLife, blog, Books: Making The Old New Again, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, mary j mccoy dressel, Revisions, sensual contemporary western romance, western romance, writing
- What If I Couldn’t Write for a Living? #MFRWauthor Week 4
  
  Posted at 10:02 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 26, 2018
  
  Welcome to Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop 2018. #MFRWauthor
  
  Week 4: What I would be if I couldn’t be a writer
  
  Good topic since I’ve considered not being a writer in the last two weeks. I should say I considered not publishing new books. I’d still write. No one is taking that away from me.
  
  “Perhaps imagination is only intelligence having fun.” ~George Scialabba
  
  To adhere to the topic though, I’d say if I couldn’t be a writer, I’d be a photographer. I’d say photo-journalist, but this topic is about “if I couldn’t be a writer.” I like landscape photography. I’d travel to the landscapes I’ve always wanted to visit, plus whatever amazing landscape I’d come across along the way and capture the moment to keep with me always. I love creative photography, too. A photographer doesn’t have to go far to get creative with a camera. This has been lost to me for a while.
  
  My other option would be teaching. However, for years before I had proof of being a writer, other than some foolish love poems and stories scattered here and there, I worked in public schools with elementary and middle school age students. I’ve already done this when I couldn’t be the writer I wanted to be, and I’d do it again. However, I can’t explain my career working in noisy and crowded schools since I’m a loner at heart, but I loved the job enough to stay in it for nearly thirty-years. I was a paraprofessional/ teachers aide working with kids with learning disabilities.
  
  I always wanted to open a bookstore. Nowadays, I wouldn’t open a store, but I’d work in one.
  
  There was a time I wanted to be a social worker until I took Sociology in college.
  
  I could work with rescue animals, specifically dogs and horses. I love other animals, but I prefer the two mentioned.
  
  A big office, factory, or department store setting isn’t for me, but I have worked in a big office and factories, and they worked out fine at the time.
  
  If it came down to this in reality, I’d need a lot of time to consider other options if I couldn’t be a writer. Have you writers out there ever thought of what kind of job you’d have if you couldn’t be a writer? Tell us in the comments.
  
  This is a BLOG HOP. Please join in by visiting the participating authors.
  
  Enjoy your weekend. Enjoy life. Enjoy being a writer.
  
  Note: Are you aware that you can edit the Tweet or preferred social media that is shared with your post? I publicize to Google +, Facebook, and Twitter.
  
  In the sidebar in my dashboard, under PUBLISH where my publicized posts are shared to social media, it has an Edit option. You can add your hashtags and your Twitter name, etc. I’m not sure how Blogger works because I no longer use my blogger blog. Some WordPress templates may be different. WordPress.Org blogs might be different, too.
  
  However, I’ve removed the sharing option to my Facebook Page. Through my investigations about their new changes, I’ve read that shared posts may not show up due to Facebook’s new algorithms. I’ll add my post link to my author Page manually instead of having it automatically sent there. It’s a slim chance any of our Page posts will show up anyway unless we pay to boost or create an ad. IMO. I don’t know how a shared post will be affected if shared to our regular profile. I’ll have to experiment by sharing to my regular profile instead of my Page.
  
  Posted in #AmWriting | 15 Comments | Tagged #MFRWauthor 52-Week #BlogChallenge, #WritersLife, author, blog, blog hop, books, camera, landscapes, Marketing for Romance Writers org, Photographer, social work, teacher, western romance, What If I Couldn't Be a Writer? #MFRWauthor Week 4, what would i be if I couldn't be a writer, writer
- #AmWriting Where’s the Inspiration?
  
  Posted at 8:49 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 13, 2017
  Happy Friday! The Marketing for Romance Writers bunch is back with a brand new topic. Are you ready? What is my inspiration to blog? Well, your guess is as good as mine. That’s what I thought when I began writing about this week’s topic.
  
  Week 41: My Blogging Inspiration (Or not.)
  
  I’m afraid I will fail miserably with this week’s topic. I can’t put a finger on what or who is my inspiration to blog, other than my readers. Of course, I want to be available and have a place to communicate with readers and my blog followers.
  
  Sometimes “inspiration” comes because I have something to say. Other times I have news about my books like cover reveals, a new release, or a snippet/excerpt. On occasion I’ll mention a contest. Other times you’ll meet a guest. And last but not least, I’m inspired by others when I follow along in a blog hop like #MFRWauthor.
  
  I’m not good at sticking to a set day to blog. This becomes apparent when I’m beginning or ending a book, and then when I prepare to launch a new release, like recently. This time, I’m preparing for two launches. Last year, I came up with topics to help me blog more often:
  - Short Snippet Saturday
  - Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse
  - Meet Our Heroines (This is more like a mini-series since I can’t post a new heroine each week or month.)
  This year the Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop came into being. You know I don’t write a post for #MFRWauthor each week. I’m okay if I don’t write a post.
  
  Well… Some of you are laughing because I skip ~~days~~ weeks in blogging. “Where is my inspiration then?” you might ask. Well, my muses aren’t feeling the inspiration. Instead, they’re heads are filled with novel writing ideas, and they’re pounding it into my head until it releases through my fingers on the keyboard. My lady muse has a split personality with a male who takes her place at times. Is this why I enjoy writing hero-focused romance? They’re both bossy, but their lassos don’t scare me.
  
  While writing this, I learned something… In truth, my blogging inspiration comes from YOU. I see you post on a regular basis. It inspires me when you blog consistency. I look forward to your posts. I look forward to your blogs. And, I look forward to your comments and Likes on my barely-breathing blog. There you go. I found my inspiration for blogging. Maybe I didn’t fail miserably. Hah!
  
  I’m curious to see what inspires the other participating authors to blog. Blog hop with me to THEIR PAGES.
  
  Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them. ~John Shirley
  
  Enjoy your weekend.
  
  I’ll be a little busy today, but I’ll hop over to your blogs later. Thanks for visiting.
  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 28 Comments | Tagged #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, 52-week blog challenge, blog, blog hop, Blogging, full-length novel, inspiration, Marketing for Romance Writers, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Romance, western romance
- Monday Tunes of Inspiration?
  
  Posted at 11:53 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 5, 2015
  I have my caffeine. How about you? Happy Monday!
  
  I’m trying to blog more often, so I’m brainstorming some themes. This could be #1. Let’s see how that works out for me. 🙂
  
  I love music and it has always been an inspiration to me. Some days I will post a song from a playlist–book related, personal, or music that has stuck with me for some reason or another. .
  
  Concerning my playlists for my books: When I listen to one of the songs now, I’m taken back to the scenes where I played that tune. It makes me all warm inside, depending on the scene. I realize this is more important to me than you, but if you like music in general, come along for a listen.
  
  A lot of you might not like Country Music…
  - How many of you did I just lose over saying “country music”? Not too many years ago, I had turned away from listening to it, so I get it if it isn’t something you like. I rediscovered how much I loved it about four years ago.
  I promise, all songs won’t be country. All of them won’t be book related or from my personal list. My heroine in the Bull Rider Series is Italian, so if I play a song from that series, it’s a good chance you’ll hear her favorite tenor. (And mine)
  
  I’ve decided to call Monday: Monday_______? I haven’t decided yet.
  - Playlist Monday
  - Monday Tunes
  - Get Your Foot-Tapping Monday
  - Tune Time Monday
  - ???
  “Playlist” Monday won’t work because at times I will choose a video that isn’t from my playlist. I’m unsure of “Foot-Tapping Monday” too. Maybe a song won’t be one you will tap your foot to. Some songs on my playlists are slow and endearing. On the other hand, many are worthy of a good foot-tapping.
  
  As I’m brainstorming out loud here with you, I realize I might not always post a song. Maybe it’ll be a picture that inspires me. It could inspire you too. Did I just come up with a theme? Inspiration Monday? Hmm… Time will tell. In truth, something that inspires me, might not inspire you. So, we’ll scratch that title. This is as hard as trying to find a book title.
  
  UPDATE: This theme is now called Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse. Since I’m on a short blog break while I move and get a book ready to publish, you won’t find many updates. More will be coming soon.
  
  Since today is my first _______ Monday, I’m choosing one of my current favorite videos. I also have this song on my own MP3 playlist, so I can listen anytime I choose. This isn’t country. I first came across this singer while watching The Voice where he was a guest, and I looked it up immediately, only to find this official video.
  
  The choreography in this dance blows me away. It evokes a feeling of sensuality, seduction, and love. The male dancer is actually the singer of this song. He’s one of today’s popular singers. Here’s a link for a Behind the Scenes look at how this was done. Creative minds amaze me. He had a vision to be in his own video as a dancer, and he made it happen. The female dancer is extraordinary, in my opinion. Enlarging this video makes it even better.
  
  If this video / ?? Monday concept is something of interest to you, follow my blog or stop by another week to see what I come up with for our listening/ watching pleasure. This might be a bi-weekly type of theme topic.
  
  Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed the dance. Look around. Maybe you’ll find something else you like.
  
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  Posted in #AmWriting | 9 Comments | Tagged blog, books, bull rider series, contemporary western romance, country music, cowboys, mary j mccoy dressel, Monday, Monday Blog, music, Playlists
- All Posts Cleanup or Seven Year Delete: Such is Life
  
  Posted at 6:01 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 27, 2014
  Seven years. What does this mean? It seems like I went through seven years of my life in an hour. How?
  
  My Dashboard. It was some trip.
  
  Some blog posts needed an overhaul. Many didn’t have titles. Shame on me for that! Most untitled posts had been Reblogs. My own. How did I post without a title? I need to remember the next time I reblog something of my own – the title apparently doesn’t carry over.
  
  What does it matter if they’re old posts? Why do I care if they have a title? You must remember, they’ve never been seen before by new blog subscribers or visitors.
  
  Each time I get a new subscriber, comment, or a Like, at least three of their blog posts are attached to the email notification. I’d feel awful if a new subscriber had a notification from me with three untitled posts. Again…shame on me!
  
  All Posts
  
  I lost count of how many I deleted this time. Sure, that takes away how many posts I’ve written in seven years. Last year the same thing happened. Gone, part of the life I used to write about. Old books. Old life. They kind of go hand in hand.
  
  This made me stop and think about the past seven years. Not yet a decade, but much has happened…changed—good and bad changes. Sometimes things like this happen so gradually that you don’t have time to realize until you see them all lined up in ‘All Posts” and there sits the story of a life…in seven years.
  
  My past posts were more personal than recent ones. Remembering back, I can understand why. When you have time, take a look at your own ‘All Posts’ and pay attention to what you see. How much of your life lives there?
  
  Good luck.
  
  A Few Updates:
  - I’m working on Edits for Book Two as we speak. (Jase’s story. This isn’t the title.)
  - Hey, Cowboy (Bull Rider Series #2) will be released in July.
  - Since I have two books coming out soon, here’s my new Mailing List Sign Up address. I only send out important book update announcements and new release information. I did recently send a Cover Reveal announcement to mailing list subscribers for book two in the Double Dutch-Ranch Series: Love at First Sight.
  - Something else… Cowboy Boss and his Destiny was mentioned as a recommended summer read in an article in USA Today by one of the authors in the Passionate Kisses Romance Bundle, showcased on the site. Make sure you check out this book. The price is .99 cents. I’m not in the bundle, but it sure is a deal. http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyeverafter/2014/06/26/passionate-kisses-boxed-set-alexander-ely-gage/11415329/
  Posted in #AmWriting | 6 Comments | Tagged author, blog, mary j mccoy dressel, Romance, seven years
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