Tag: C J Hollenbach

Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Reading

Posted at 9:27 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 16, 2016

I have a motto:

I believe that In order to be a writer, you have to be a reader…

I know some don’t agree. Maybe I should say “I believe this for myself.” Other writers have always been my inspiration and from a young age, I knew I’d have my name on books.

So what the heck do I read?

I like to read what I write. Contemporary Western Romance. Cowboys. Horses. Bull Riders. Ranchers. This doesn’t mean I won’t read historical fiction. It also doesn’t mean I don’t read other genres. I have historical fiction on my “Want to Read” shelf at Goodreads among other genres.

You should see what I have in my Kindle and iPad. What a variety! I DO read a LOT of books written by Indie Authors. My reading time has been cut short since I’m writing and revising now, but I have made it my goal to fit in time to read. So far this year, it’s working.

❤ As a teen, I read historical romance. Historical? Contemporary? ROMANCE? Yes, I see a pattern—romance. It’s my favorite genre, and why wouldn’t I read what I write? I love happy endings. I also read Nora Roberts, Grisham, Sparks, Patterson, to name a few.

I’ve mentioned in other posts that I started out reading Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and loved:

The Flame and the Flower
Ashes in the Wind
The Wolf and the Dove
A Rose in Winter, and many others.

And, Rosemary Rogers. I loved many, but specifically:

Sweet Savage Love
Wicked Loving Lies
The Wildest Heart

Do I have a favorite author? I know, I know, how do you pick one? Well, I can’t pick one, but the author at the top of my list is #1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Linda Lael Miller.

When I discovered Linda’s books a lot of years ago, I fell in love. When I discovered what kind of life she had from being an author, I fell in love all over again, and I knew I wanted to do that too. Don’t laugh—of course I’m not even close and never will be, but dreaming is not a crime.

Even though I was born a writer, she was my inspiration to put the pen to paper and write a novel. Well, my first two novels were time-travels, so Woodiwiss and Rogers had something to do with it too. It wasn’t until about 2010 that I started writing western romance, but believe me when I say—western romance happened by accident, but WOW, what a good accident!

Honestly, there are too many others to list today. If they write western romance, they’re probably on my list. 😉

What am I reading at the moment?

On my Fiction List:

Big Sky Summer Book 4 by Linda Lael Miller (Almost finished.)
Christmas of the Red Chiefs by Linda Lael Miller
Disguised with the Millionaire by Debra Andrews (Every now and then I have to bring more suspense into my life by way of books.) I actually set this one aside to read Book #1, Weekend Wedding Deception. You might remember Debra from a past guest post.

Non-Fiction:

Fried Twinkies, Buckle Bunnies, and Bull Riders by Josh Peter
The Second Collection: Thoughts and Other Writings by Robert Brault (This is a book I’ll read again and again.) I recently wrote a blog about quotes and Robert.
Master List for Writers, Thesaurus, Plots, Character Traits, Names, and More by Bryn Donovan
Numerous other books on the craft of writing.

Recently Finished Fiction and Non-Fiction:

A Paris Christmas by Cynthia Gail
Big Sky River Book 3 by Linda Lael Miller (Somehow I read these out of order.)
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expressions by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi (This is a book to be used over and over.)

So, there you have it. Reading by way of the writer.

To see my reading list on Goodreads, including my own books, you can click the icon below. Thank you for reading today!

Do you have a favorite author, or are you like me and can’t pick only one? What are you reading now?

In Addition:

Reading Order for Mary’s Books.

Mailing List Sign Up.

Posted in #AmWriting, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse | 6 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, bull riders, C J Hollenbach, contemporary novels, cowboys, Favorite authors, Feisty heroines, full length novels, Gentlemen Cowboys, mary j mccoy dressel, ranchers, Reading, series romance, valentine's day, western romance

Alone on Valentine’s Day?

Posted at 3:28 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 12, 2012

valentines day 4

This year when I thought about a blog for Valentine’s Day, I decided to gear it toward being alone. For whatever reason it is, I hope you find something here you can enjoy or take away with you. Maybe a special quote, or a pleasant thought.

In the meantime, I’ll still be writing romance and putting a hero and a heroine together with some infamous plot. I still believe in the “swept off your feet” kind of love. And, I believe everyone is entitled to a fairy tale romance at least once in their life.

Forget love – I’d rather fall in chocolate! ~Attributed to Sandra J. Dykes

You probably wonder why a romance writer would write about singles on such a romantic day. I’ve had my share of special Valentine’s and tons of memories. If you’re alone on this day of romance and lovers, I hope you’re at peace, too.

Pie…it fills the cracks of the heart. Go away, pain. ~Kevin James, Mall Cop

DINNER FOR ONE

Do something simple. How about Pasta with an assortment of stir-fried veggies! dinner for one Toss in some chicken or shrimp and you have everything you need. If you’re watching your weight, this should fit right in your plan. Treat yourself to your favorite wine. Throw in a slice of garlic bread, after all you don’t have to worry about garlic breath when you’re alone.

Don’t want to cook? Think of “Stouffer’s Meals for One” in the freezer section at your grocer’s. Toss up a quick salad and there you go! Men, (or ladies) you can check out Bachelor Meals at The Art of Manliness.

Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity. ~Voltaire

Valentine’s Day is on Sunday this year. If you want to stay home and watch a movie, toss on your jammies, or grab your Snuggie then check out TV shows you’ve missed on On Demand, Netflix , etc., or a couple of those shows you have stored on your DVR.

For the girls (or guys), I’m sure you can find a movie channel hosting romantic comedies, my favorite. Or you can go to all the locals like NBC, etc. and watch a TV show. You don’t have to be alone tonight when you can be with your favorite actors. Or, maybe you’re a sports fan like I am–bull riding being at the top of my list.

Guys, (or gals), you might like FX, HBO, Discovery, National Geographic, or the History Channel. I like the History Channel. Or, watch your favorite spectator sport.

The newest Bond movie recently came out. Who can go wrong with Daniel Craig as 007? Ok, so it’s been a while. Just watch it!

For you race fans, Nascar is only weeks away so if you’re sitting at home and a race fan, go ahead and look at the Daytona 500 website to take a look at the speed week schedule. Vroom, vroom! I used to play a free Nascar Fantasy Racing Game. It’s all kinds of fun. Remember, I said free. Check it out at Collective Racing.

Will you be jealous if I tell you I have met many NASCAR, ARCA, and ASA drivers? I really did.

There isn’t a single professional sports season now that doesn’t go on at least a month too long. Baseball starts in football weather, and football in baseball weather, and basketball overlaps them both. ~James Reston

Put some popcorn in the air popper or microwave, but first check out the dessert recipe I included a couple paragraphs down. Yum-ilicious

Don’t feel like watching TV? This is a good time to pull out your favorite book or eReader. Hint, hint, I write romance. Yes, men read them. Cuddle up with soothing music, and escape. Or, you can play one of my favorite apps like Angry Birds or Bejeweled. Warning: Highly addictive.

If you want to get out of the house instead of being by yourself tonight:

Get a massage; hot stone massages are awesome.
Take a walk, but stay away from places where you’re likely to run into couples holding hands and hugging and kissing. Tonight’s not the night you’ll want to see that. Please be safe out alone. If you’re in this freezing weather zone like I am, you might want to light the fireplace instead.
Hit Starbucks with your laptop! Go to the bookstore; chances are couples won’t be hanging out, but other singles might. Bundle Up! While you’re there pick up a blank journal and start your first entry tonight. One day you can look back and recall all your memories.
If none of the other things appeal to you, take a hot bubble bath, (Yes, you guys, too. You know you love it.) and light some candles. Just relax. Afterward smother your skin in your favorite lotion or oil. All warm and cozy now? Time for dessert.

Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart. ~Author Unknown

DESSERT

This sounds so delicious. Of course, you might not want this if you’re all relaxed and dessert ready for bed–because of the caffeine, or use decaf. Better yet, just have Kahula and Baileys. Mmm, nodding.

Mochachino

1 part Kahlua Mocha
1 part coffee
1 part hot chocolate

Or try a champagne based cocktail. Trust me, my Italian heroine would drink this. Italian Classic Bellini.

In Addition: Interview with the Legendary C.J. Hollenbach

As some of you know, in the past I had interviewed CJ Hollenbach, romance cover model and Fantasy Hunk. His interview still gets hits on my blog, so if you want to read it for yourself, you can click HERE. Trust me, he’s a real down to earth person.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, since today is a day of love, why not love your own person and body. No one knows you as well as you do, so look deep inside and show yourself some love. Be healthy and take care of you.

He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away. ~Raymond Hull

Enjoy your Valentine’s Day no matter what you do.

Love,

This blog post has been modified more than once from an earlier version.

I would love to hear what you’ll do on this day made for lovers. Me, I might make a special pasta dish with veggies. I’ll probably be writing with music in the background. Or, I will be watching Netflix, but I believe my evening will be like any other evening. You know, leading a hunky cowboy and feisty heroine to the end of their story.

#AmWriting #Romance #ValentinesDay #Weekend