Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

Sensual western romance. Heartwarming stories. Strong family ties.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
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  • Tag: contemporary romance

    • #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.

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western Romance, Blog Post Short Snippet Saturday

      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. This snippet takes place the next morning.


      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Bull Rider Series new cover, western romance

      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.

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western Romance, Blog Post Short Snippet Saturday

      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 Short Snippet Saturday: Overcoming the Past

      Posted at 12:37 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 31, 2018
      long stem red rose laying on sheet music, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western Romance, Blog Post Short Snippet Saturday

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance, Easter, Short Snippet SaturdayHow’s your weekend going so far? Coloring Easter eggs? I remember those days. It used to be so much fun to do with the kids, both my own and students. My weekend? Same old, same old, but that isn’t bad. Here I sit at my computer with a document in front of me. I can’t complain. Well, I can complain about things, but I won’t.

      Wishing you all a Happy Easter.

       

       


      This snippet  has  nothing to do with Easter, but today I thought I’d share one of the rewrites from book #1, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny. Tristan has some issues going on in this new edition. No matter how hard he tries to convince his family they have nothing to worry about, some of them find it hard to overcome the past.

      Modified from the original to avoid spoilers.

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance, short snippet SaturdayNora’s mind had become unsettled. She glanced at Tristan when he entered his office through the interior door. He wore those damn chaps again. The sexy look of him wearing them lit her up inside. However, she needed to avoid him. She leaned back against her chair and stretched. This morning after her doctor’s appointment, she’d taken a detour to a gift store she’d found online to purchase a special gift for Judy’s birthday next month.

      Two nights ago, while perusing an online catalog with her, Judy had mentioned, or hinted at how much she’d love a handmade necklace like the one in the catalog. Nora had wanted to see the necklace in person before purchasing. Besides, she’d felt terrific after seeing the doctor, but she should’ve avoided the detour.

      After what she’d seen today, her good mood had crashed and burned. As she had driven past the casino toward the store, Tristan’s truck pulled out of the parking lot. There’d been no mistake. His truck was undeniable. Her world had dropped into a sinkhole, and her heart had fallen in first then got buried by the weight of dread. There could’ve been many reason’s he’d been there. To eat? A business meeting concerning his magazine? Having a business meeting at a casino wasn’t a wise choice for him, and he knew it, or so he’d led her to believe. Nora sat back and sighed.

      She brushed it off to concentrate on catching up with work email, but she couldn’t focus. She had to trust him. If she approached him now, both of their worlds would fall apart. But why? Why would he risk everything? Knowing her, she’d blurt out the same question, but she couldn’t, not until she figured out a way to bring it up or pretend it didn’t happen. Trust him. There has to be a good reason.

      Nora rose from her chair and paced around her office. She’d be taking a short hiatus from the blog. Everything had been caught up, and Tristan could handle the rest on his own. Of course, she’d help with the magazine from home. Thunder in the distance fit her mood today.

      Nora fanned her face. What had happened to the air conditioning? She strode to the door and thought of getting iced tea from the kitchen. Tristan had removed his chaps and now stood at the window peering outside. His wide stance and an arm across his chest showed he was agitated. Maybe he had something to tell her, but he brought the phone up to his ear. She ducked back inside to listen. Albeit, she didn’t want to hear what she didn’t want to know. This felt like betrayal, when in fact, the betrayal would be to her. She wanted to go home and cry.

      Available: Apple. Kobo. Amazon. Nook


      Thanks for visiting on this gloomy Saturday. It’s gloomy where I am. I hope y’all have sunshine in your weekend.

       

      Photo Credits: Pixabay Photos.

      Posted in #AmWriting, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny | 6 Comments | Tagged contemporary romance, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Happy Easter, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Short Snippet Saturday, western romance
    • Cover Reveal and New Release Announcement

      Posted at 10:52 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on November 22, 2017

      I’m proud to present to you:

      Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, #2
      A Double Dutch Ranch Series Spin Off

      FINDING KIMBER

      FindingKimber_2021_MED

      About the Book:

      She’s wary of her future. He’s burdened by his past.

      Cattleman Zachary (Zach) Bryson arrives in Arizona with hopes of leaving the ghosts from his past behind. Hired by a stranger to run a ranch, he meets the owner—a secretive woman with no ranching experience. He’s seen her before, but she wasn’t a redhead with green eyes. In their first encounter, she swept him off his feet without their exchanging a word. Why did she change her appearance? What secrets lay behind those heart-stopping eyes? Seeing this job as a challenge, he sticks around to tackle this hottie head-on.

      Kimber Sinclair is forced to flee her lush Oregon county for a small town in Arizona with sand, saguaros, and dusty cowboys. She settles in to live a lie—to discover the person behind her new identity while she mourns the death of Tressa Garnett—her given name at birth. However, keeping a distance from her ruggedly handsome, broad-shouldered, wise-cracking ranch foreman, isn’t easy. She struggles daily to hide her secret from Zach who demands answers. By telling him the truth, his life could also be in danger.

      If trouble finds her, will she choose fight or flight? Can Zach set aside his own issues, or will his nightmares prevent him from doing what he was unknowingly hired to do?


      Note: Zach made his first appearance in Lassoing the Last Dance as Randy Drake’s best friend.


      Buy Links

      Amazon  |  Kobo  |  Nook  |  Apple

      Universal Link for your country.

      Add on Goodreads

      Arizona, Goodreads, Mary J McCoy-Dressel Books, western romance

      Here’s the series so far.

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel western romanceMary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance, cowboys


      If you’re a newsletter subscriber, this post looks familiar because it’s similar to the recent newsletter you received, minus the excerpt.


      Some of Chapter One:

      Regardless of her determination not to cry, tears trailed down Tressa Garnett’s cheeks. Greg Stone, the prosecuting attorney, continued to badger her on the witness stand. Wasn’t he on her side? Her ordeal played over like a documentary film. She had become Sam’s lover. Yes, she worked on and off with him for three years. She hesitated at the next question.

      “Ms. Garnett, you must answer.”

      She glanced at the judge who nodded and swept his hand through the air for her to get on with her answer.

      Greg asked again, “And is it correct you oversaw the money exchange between Mr. Cavalli and Samuel Allen?”

      “Yes.” Her gaze flicked to Sam. His glare gave threats his voice hadn’t. The smirk on his face matched the one he wore when he shoved the revolver into her hand after he shot and killed Pino Cavalli. From this day forward her life would change forever. She might as well walk out of the courtroom and grab a shovel if things didn’t go to plan. To plan? Her disappearance was the plan.

      Tressa peered at the salt-and-pepper-haired man sitting two rows from the back of the courtroom. Her godfather, Jerry Waterford, had become her lifeline. Could her heart take the agony of losing her family when she disappeared without a trace with a new name and identity? She choked back tears. Jerry gave a subtle nod.

      Now, the tissues in her hand matched her torn emotions. Her life hung in a balance somewhere in the middle of living and dying.

      Greg tapped on the railing around the witness stand. His eyes softened. “And were you in the warehouse when Mr. Cavalli was shot?”

      A bullet to Pino’s head had taken his life instantly. Her gaze moved to the two men behind Sam. If she said yes, would they be the ones to hunt her down?

      “Ms. Garnett, I must remind you that you’re under oath and need to answer the question. Were you in the warehouse—”

      “I heard you. Yes.” If Greg Stone said those words one more time, she might claw his eyes out. He picked up a handgun in a clear evidence bag. Yesterday he seemed like a friendly middle-aged man, and her way out of this hellish situation, but today while bullying her on the stand, he reminded her of an ogre.

      His gaze settled upon her. “Your fingerprints are on this weapon along with Mr. Allen’s. Tell us how your fingerprints got on this weapon.”

      She pointed at Sam. “Him. He stuck the revolver into my hand after he shot Mr. Cavalli.” She took a deep breath and slowly released air through barely parted lips as the defense attorney protested. “Let the record show Ms. Garnett pointed to Samuel Allen.” Greg paced across the room and back to the witness stand.

      Tressa breathed deeply. She wanted to pass out and when she came to, she’d learn it’d all been a dream. She focused on the prosecuting attorney, afraid if she glanced at Sam his glare might somehow cause her to explode.

      “Who shot Mr. Cavalli?” asked Greg Stone.

      God, can this be over? Sam had told Pino’s men he gave the money to her accomplice, further blaming the extortion on her. Now she had two enemies. She had no damn accomplice. All she did was learn the truth. Without hesitation or remorse, she pointed to Sam. “Mr. Allen.” The two men behind him both shifted in their seats, and Sam looked over his shoulder.

      The courtroom broke out into an uproar while the judge beat the gavel at least ten times, or maybe it was three. She covered her ears to ward off the noise. Tressa lowered her eyes to her lap while tears left stains on her navy-blue silk blouse.

      “Thank you, Ms. Garnett.”

      Her gaze settled on Melinda Richards who sat next to her godfather. She left the courtroom.

      The judge pounded the gavel one more time. “Are there any other questions?” He directed his gaze to the defense attorney who gave no rebuttal, nor did he cross-examine her. The judge gave her permission to return to her seat. Upon sitting, her mom leaned over her dad to pat her hand.

      ***

      After court, Jerry and two sheriff’s deputies swept Tressa out of the courtroom to a conference room to wait for the crowd to diminish. Soon after, Jerry and Melinda took her and her family back to the suite at a V.I.P. hotel on the outskirts of town. He didn’t want her to return to the courtroom for the verdict, so he demanded they leave the courthouse.

      Tressa paced while wringing her hands. “Jerry, I have to be there.”

      “I don’t advise it. Tressa, you must cooperate. For this plan to work, you have to trust me.”

      “I know. Waiting to see where my life is headed is damn hard.” The prosecutor hadn’t expected the jury to take long. Her mom sat on one side, her dad on the other. Her younger sister, Charlotte, sat across from her. “You did the right thing, sis.”
      Memories flooded her mind. Sam had wined and dined her, fed her fancy meals, took her on trips until the last weekend together. She had no way of knowing that he knew she’d only gone along with him to uncover more information. She had agreed to the weekend away, but she’d ended up with the ultimate betrayal against her.

      Finding Kimber snippet copy


      ❤ ❤  Thanks for stopping by today.  ❤ ❤

      Cover Credits: Cover design DusktilDawn Designs.

      Posted in Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Cover Reveal, New Release | 17 Comments | Tagged Arizona, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, cattleman, contemporary romance, Cover Reveal, cowboy, Finding Kimber, Full length series, Idaho, love story, New Release, rancher, Romance, starting over, western romance
    • NOT Short Snippet Saturday: McCutchen Genes ~Bull Rider Series 3

      Posted at 1:20 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 29, 2017

      Hi. I know this isn’t Saturday.  🙂

      My edits are back! I’ll be busy finishing them for Finding Kimber and finalizing my second project. My newsletter went out last week with details about the new “something.”  ❤  I will spill the beans soon!

      WARNING: There are spoilers in this excerpt for those who plan on reading the first two books in the series. If you don’t care about that,  please know each one of my books is a complete story in itself, and they can be enjoyed without a cliffhanger ending. Christmas at Love House takes place four years after Hey, Cowboy, Book #2 ended.


       

      From Chapter Two: 

      Love House. McCutchen Ranch, Pennsylvania

      As they crested another hill, Velia halted him and clung tighter to his arm. “Look. The house is so pretty at Christmas, and the lights outlining it makes it look fairytale-like from this higher elevation.” Velia smiled up at him and Kase. “Oh, honey. Thank you so much for this.” Velia observed the landscape behind the house. Snow covered, rolling hills with tall pines that had lived there for decades, warmed her heart. “My life is complete.”

      ChristmasAtLoveHouse_MED

      “I did it all for you and this little guy. I’m glad it makes you happy.” He nudged her on.  At home, Caulder lowered his son to the porch then stood the tree against the building. “I’ll put the lights on before I leave. Let me put the tools away.”

      Velia patted Kase atop the head. “You cold, sweetie? We all need some hot chocolate.”
      Kase jumped off the step and nodded with a big smile that matched his dad’s. “Is Natale home?”

      “Yes, Natale’s here. They got in late last night, so I let her and Alba sleep.” Velia tickled his belly. “She and Alba will be excited to see you again this morning.”

      As Caulder turned toward the family barn, he looked over his shoulder. “Your cousins have grown into beautiful young ladies. I barely recognized Natale at the airport last night. And Torre? When I take him to Foley’s ranch, I’ll be beating off the cowgirls. He’s a dang good lookin’ young man.”

      “Make sure you beat the cowgirls off you!” Velia teased and chortled, observing Kase rolling around a snowball. “The girls are attractive. Natale resembles her mother. Can you believe she recently turned eighteen?” Velia still missed her zia Dafne when she allowed herself to think about her, but at least her cousins had adjusted to living at the family winery in California.

      “I’ll get us some hot chocolate and brunch.” Velia opened the door and Torre met her in the mudroom. “Will you be long, honey?” she asked Caulder before closing the steel back door.

      “Nope, give me time to put the tools away. Hey, by the way—you’re darn beautiful yourself with those rosy cheeks. Bellissima!” After a wink, he plodded through the snow toward the smallest of the barns.

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel

      Kase stopped right inside the doorway, stomping snow all over the grey slate flooring, and attempted to kick his boot off without success. “Mom, can I have a candy cane in my hot chocolate? Please? Pleassse?” he begged, dragging out the word to emphasize his need.

      She took his hand to move him into the room. “Take a seat on the bench. Maybe after brunch, honey. That’s a lot of sugar at one time.”

      He lifted his snowy palms. “Half a candy cane?”

      Velia laughed to herself. “All right.” He had his way of getting to her at times. “Torre, how are you this morning? Looking forward to your trip with Caulder tomorrow?”

      “I’m good but still tired,” Torre answered. “Jet lag. For sure, I’m looking forward to bull riding with Caulder.”

      “No one said anything about bull riding, young man.” Velia knelt to remove Kase’s boots and snowsuit before he fell on his bottom trying to himself. Finishing with him, she removed her own jacket and hat.

      “But, Velia, it’s in my blood now—like Caulder, I tell you. It calls me.” Torre followed her to the kitchen harboring a round oak table with six high-back chairs, an island, and a long, L-shaped granite countertop with many cabinets on the top and bottom. He removed a cup and chose a bold pod to make a single cup of coffee.

      “Torre, I saw that coming years ago.” Though McCutchen blood didn’t run in his veins, he was correct. Bull riding had hooked him when he was fifteen years old. Her brother Bobby didn’t know it, but Torre practiced bull riding on the side at every opportunity. Caulder had let that slip by accident. “There you go,” Velia said to Kase. “All warmed up now. You go to the bathroom then we’ll eat.”
      Kase ran into the bathroom ahead of her, pulled the zipper down on his jeans, and did what he had to do like a little man.

      “You’re growing up too fast.” Velia’s mouth went into a pout. She brushed her hair in front of the oval mirror over the single bowl sink. He’d be riding bulls before long. Not if she could help it, but living on the edge had to be in his McCutchen genes.


      Thanks for reading! I am so in love with the characters in this series. Yes, I can say that even if I did create them.  Err, it’s more like they created themselves. 🙂

      If interested:

      A little Christmas magic will be a welcome guest at Love House, but regardless if it arrives or not…during this bittersweet interlude—Velia and Caulder dare their happily-ever-after to be anything less than “forever.” Click for more info on the Bull Rider Series.

      Posted in #AmWriting, Bull Rider Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 3 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, books, bull rider, Bull Rider Series #3, Bull Riding, Christmas at Love House: A Bittersweet Interlude, contemporary romance, cowboy, Full Length Novel, Hey Cowboy Bk 2, Howdy Ma'am bk #1, mary j mccoy dressel, Short Snippet Saturday, western romance
    • #AmWriting Short Snippet Saturday: A Brief Glimpse

      Posted at 12:44 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 7, 2017

      Western Romance by Mary J McCoy-Dressel

       


      I chose this snippet today from Lassoing the Last Dance to give a little glimpse of Zach Bryson, the hero in my upcoming book, Finding Kimber. His family owns a cattle ranch in Idaho. Every now and then Zach has to get away from his nightmares. Now, he’s visiting his old Army buddy and best friend Randy Drake at Randy’s ranch, the Circle D, in Canyon Junction, AZ. Randy’s ranch borders the Double Dutch Ranch.

       


      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

       

      Earlier in the day, Zach had gone to the Double Dutch with Randy and met Tristan and his brothers. They were invited to lunch. Randy would’ve declined, but he wanted the guys to get to know his buddy. Knowing him would make it easier to mention to other ranchers that the guy needed a job.

      Zach insisted on getting a suite at the hotel. At the end of the day, Randy offered his bike until he found a vehicle. Zach had declined. A sadness seemed to have a hold on his friend. Was there something he wasn’t telling Randy? Or, he went through a bout of memories, and was having a hard time moving past them. Maybe he had a recent breakup. His relationships didn’t last long since the Army. Zach’s mood began to bring Randy down.

      By the time they finished working on the stalls in his barn, and Zach had left, he glanced at his watch. It’d be dark soon. He had wanted to work on a painting until light had left the sky, but dusk loomed over the landscape. The mood or inspiration hadn’t come over him anyway, and if he painted something now, it’d be dark and ugly.


      Here’s more about Zach from Roxanne’s POV:

      Zach came in the back door after smoking a cigarette, poured a cup of coffee, and sat down. One look at Randy and Roxanne, and he got up and left the room. Through the doorway, he could be heard on the phone calling the hotel. Roxanne went to him, leaving Randy brooding at the sink.

      “You don’t have to leave, Zach. I’m going back home, and you’ll have the house to yourself while Randy’s at work. You two will have the whole night to catch up.” She placed her hand on his shoulder. “Randy’s thrilled you’re here. Stay.” It took a minute for him to speak, but she waited until he did.

      He glanced at Randy through the doorway. “I have to go check out a job. Maybe Randy hadn’t told you yet, but I’m sticking around for a while. He has his life and I have mine. I’ll be getting a room until I can find something better.”

      Roxanne observed his disheveled deep-coffee brown hair, his melancholy green eyes, and his toned body. Biceps the size of his were probably envied by many. Woe lurked deep inside of his tall frame. “I’m glad to have met you, and I hope to see you again.”

      He stuck out his hand. “You will.” His gaze went to her leg, but he pulled his eyes away. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to stare.”

      She shook hands with him. “It’s okay. Everyone does. Randy can fill you in if you ask. Good luck.”

       



      Finding Kimber will be out later this year. It’s back with my editor for a proofread.

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

      Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas is Book #1 in this spin off series. Finding Kimber is Book #2.

      western romance, Mary j McCoy-Dressel, cowboy, Arizona

      Thanks for visiting.

      Posted in #AmWriting, Short Snippet Saturday | 0 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, #AmWriting, Arizona, contemporary romance, cowboys, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Full Length Novel, Gentlemen Cowboys, Lassoing the Last Dance, mary j mccoy dressel, Proud women, rancher, series romance, western romance, Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas
    • Short Snippet Saturday: Sneak Peek ~Finding Kimber

      Posted at 11:08 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 23, 2017
      long stem red rose laying on sheet music, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western Romance, Blog Post Short Snippet Saturday

      Hey, it’s Saturday. This short, short graphic snippet makes up for last week’s long excerpt.  🙂  How about a peek into what’s been keeping me so busy these past months? It’s time you had a teeny glimpse of Kimber Sinclair and Zach Bryson.

      Finding Kimber is Now Available.

      Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series #2

      A Double Dutch Ranch Series Spin Off Novel.

      This graphic isn’t a partial shot of the cover. This book is in the first round of edits with my editor.

      If any of you read Lassoing the Last Dance, then you already met Zach. He’s Randy Drake’s best friend, a cowpuncher from Idaho and a former military man. Kimber is new to readers. While waiting on edits, I’ve been busy with another new book. I’m almost twenty-five thousand words into book three in this series. See Works in Progress for more.

      All I’ll say about this snippet is Zach and Kimber are at a campground:

      Western Romance by Mary J McCoy-Dressel

      Oh, there is so much more….   Coming late 2017  ❤

      Have a grand weekend.

       

       

       

       

       

      Posted in #AmWriting, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 7 Comments | Tagged Camping, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, contemporary romance, Double Dutch Ranch Spin Off Novel, Finding Kimber, mary j mccoy dressel, Romance, Short Snippet Saturday, western romance, work in progress
    • Short Snippet Saturday: Heartbreak’s Reward

      Posted at 3:13 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 15, 2017
      long stem red rose laying on sheet music, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western Romance, Blog Post Short Snippet Saturday

      It’s been so long since I’ve done a Short Snippet Saturday post. Today I’m giving you an extended snippet from Heartbreak’s Reward. This is too long to call a snippet, but I hope you enjoy. Jase Carlson is one of my favorite heroes. We’re in his POV.  ❤

      Don’t laugh that I put this out on Friday. I got my days a little mixed up. LOL Or, maybe I hit the publish button at the wrong time. I’ll never tell.  🙂


      Set up: Jase and Brenna met about an hour and a half ago after a rocky introduction. Jase is more or less coerced by his mother into having coffee with Brenna. Judy is known for her matchmaking skills. (She’d like to think so.) Brenna had to get settled into a hotel. Wasn’t it nice of Jase to escort her to her room?  🙂 After all, the restaurant is in this hotel. Modified from the original.


      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance, heartbreak's reward

      He continued to wait. “What is taking her so long?” Jase mumbled under his breath, forgetting what it was like to wait on a woman. He headed that way but changed his mind. The door opened, and he glanced over his shoulder. She’d freshened her make-up, and her hair had been smoothed back. Gorgeous plump lips the color of a summer sunrise quirked in a smile. “Oh, hell.” He waited where he was and she came to him.

      “Thanks for waiting. It took longer than I expected.” She used her thumb to point back. “It’s a nice room. Shall we finally get coffee?” She stayed by his side all the way to the elevator, but took a step’s distance away from him while waiting for the door to open.

      He inhaled the scent of her perfume. “Yeah, finally. It’s a little late for coffee. How about a beer?” Jase peered into her blue eyes. “Sound okay?” He held his hands up. “You can trust me. If any man ever meant it, I do.”

      “Somehow, I believe you’re telling the truth. I did want to sleep tonight and coffee would kick my ass to wide awake.”

      “A teacher who swears?” It sounded kind of cool to him.

      “Well, not in school. I’m on summer vacation.” She laughed. “Once I walk through those doors, I leave the swearing to the students, the bigger ones that is. Yes, I worked in middle school, too.”

      “Yeah, they have a mouth these days. I’d take my kids behind the barn and whip their backside.” Jase waited to see her reaction. He chuckled inwardly when it was exactly what he expected. “You believe me? I don’t touch my kids that way, ma’am, but I had to say it. Sometimes I can’t control what I say to get a pretty girl’s attention. Right now I wish I could touch them any way… Wait, that didn’t sound right either.”

      “I must warn you that isn’t the appropriate thing to tell a teacher. We have to turn in anything we suspect…”

      When the elevator opened, he held the door and motioned for her to go ahead. There was a couple on with them, and they all held their conversations. They stood outside the elevator door when they got off. “Guess I have to hope you knew I was joking.” Jase removed his hat. In an erratic move, he shoved fingers through his hair. “What I meant was, I’d like to have them near so I could hug them, kiss them good night like I used to.” He gazed into her eyes, not knowing where that all came from.

      She straightened the purse strap on her shoulder. “How many kids do you have?”

      He guessed she only heard what she wanted. He had told her earlier he had two kids. Why did he start this? Dammit, he should be home checking the computer, searching for his kids, not standing here with some hottie he’d just met. “Ah, Brenna, I’ll…ah, head on home.” He pointed toward the left of the desk. “The restaurant’s down the hall there.”

      She opened her purse and removed her wallet. “Then I must pay you at least for the gas, but I’d like to give you something more for your help. Lord knows what might’ve happened if you hadn’t shown up.”

      “Another good-lookin’ cowboy would’ve come by, ma’am. We have a slew of them around here.” He removed his hat again and held it against his chest. “Well, not as good as me and my little brothers but still good enough.” He shook his head. “There I go again. I had hoped you’d crack a smile at least. I was only joking.”

      “Tell me, is this something you do often?”

      “Well, yeah. No.” He peered down the hallway. “Not something I’ve done in a long time.” He took keys from his pocket. “You’ll be okay now. If you need to call the dealership tomorrow, you should find it in the phone book in your suite.” Jase sauntered over to the desk and wrote down his phone number. He went back to Brenna and handed it to her. “If you get stuck and need some help, or directions…give me a call.” He put on his hat then shifted it to the back of his head. “Glad I could help.” He turned to walk off.

      “No, Jase.”

      Stopping, he sighed before glancing over his shoulder. “No, what?”

      “No, I won’t ask you for help again.” She walked toward him. “You didn’t let me pay you for this offer of help. I’m grateful you stopped.”

      The woman looked so fantastic standing there in dark denim jeans on long legs. Her height must’ve been at least five-foot nine. Not to mention the sexy blouse, hugging her curves, and she had magnificent curves. Dammit. He headed back to her. “Let’s get a beer, maybe a burger. Buy if you insist.” Like he’d let that happen.

      western romance by Mary J McCoy-DresselJase took her hand and led her in the direction of the restaurant, but he released it almost immediately. Not that he wouldn’t have minded holding it longer. He took a big smell of her perfume…shuddered. The door from the hotel was blocked. He glanced her way and shook his head. “I don’t know what’s going on. Normally, you can walk through here.”

      Brenna folded her arms across her chest. “You make a habit out of coming here?”

      “What? No!” What’s with her questions? “I’ve lived here for nine years and have reasons to come sometimes. Not for what you may be thinking.” He took a step until he stood inches away from her, narrowed his eyes, and peered into hers. “I have a house with a nice bedroom and comfortable bed. If I need what you’re referring to, that’s where I go, not a hotel where the whole damn town can see what I’m doin’. You understand, Brenna?”

      Brenna cast her gaze to the floor but glanced right back at him and made serious eye contact. She lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. “I definitely understand. Now I need a cold beer.”

      He took her hand and led the way to the parking lot. Sonofabitch. He liked her.

      “How about slowing it down? I’m wearing heels.”

      Jase stopped when they got to her car. “Get yourself a pair of cowboy boots. There’s a western store in Canyon Junction. They’ll look good on you.”

      She rolled her eyes and huffed out a sigh.

      “Look, all you have to do is follow me around the parking lot, and we’ll run right into the restaurant entrance.” He held the car door when she unlocked it.

      Brenna sat behind the wheel and peered up at him. “Ride with me.”

      Ride with her? He took a step back. “How do I know you aren’t a serial killer?” There he went again blurting out something inappropriate.

      “You don’t,” she remarked, moving her head into a defiant tilt.

      He headed to the other side and grabbed hold of the door handle, but it was locked. He leaned over and peered through the window, taking a deep breath.

      She lowered the window an inch. “You’re going with me now?”

      Jase stomped around the back of the car and to her side again. He raised his hands, agitated. “What the hell?”

      “I’m sorry, the door is unlocked now.”

      “Brenna, I detect a little mischief in those cat eyes. Am I going in your vehicle or not?”

      “If you trust me,” she said, followed by a snicker.

      “Well, that’s debatable, and I don’t know if I can trust you. Keep in mind I have a .357 on my side.” He attempted to close her door.

      “Wait. You have a pistol on your hip?”

      “It’s common here.” He crossed his arms. “Do you have an issue with this? I didn’t have to tell you.”

      sensual western romance, Mary J McCoy-Dressel

      “No issue here. Shooting is my hobby.” Brenna got out of her vehicle and clicked the lock. “Let’s ride in your big ass truck, cowboy.”

       

       

       


      Heartbreak’s Reward is Book Two in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight. Jase is first introduced in Cowboy Boss and his Destiny.

      Blurb:

      Rancher Jase Carlson doesn’t understand the ache in the hollow of his chest since his ex-wife ripped his heart out. She doesn’t follow the court rules where his children are concerned, making him even more pissed off. Harboring a bad attitude, he wishes he wasn’t a gentleman when he comes to the aid of a hot-headed, sexy blonde. He can’t allow her tight jeans and sweet smile to sway him, even after he’s coerced into spending time alone with her. If only he can remember that when he holds her in his arms.

      Brenna Page has too many of her own issues to deal with at the moment. Not to mention being guardian to her rebellious sixteen-year-old sister, and both of them are living with painful memories. The last thing she needs is a grudge-filled cowboy interfering in her life…but his intense blue eyes and muscles to-die-for, say something she’s never heard before.

      One Wrong Turn. Two broken families. Brought together by chance…and need.

      Red pickup credit: © Nerthuz | Dreamstime. Mustang: © Raytags | Dreamstime.com

      Posted in #AmWriting, Heartbreak's Reward, Short Snippet Saturday | 6 Comments | Tagged contemporary romance, cowboys, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Full Length Novel, Heartbreak's Reward, mary j mccoy dressel, ranchers, series, Short Snippet Saturday, western romance
    • Short Snippet Saturday on Wednesday…And Then Some

      Posted at 12:46 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 28, 2017

      western romance, contemporary romance, Mary J McCoy-DresselNope, this isn’t Saturday, but it’s a snippet. Read down far enough you’ll find it after a bit of whining. I’ve attempted to write a post all week, but I’ve been living in pain since last Friday, and each day seems worse than the one before. Due to my own stupidity, I injured my back and hip by doing something, well, stupid. The worse part is I knew better than to lift the two extremely heavy blue shopping bags at the same time. I knew better than to try to move a huge, filled ceramic planter on my patio. I rolled, not lifted it, but the bending over position while moving it did me in, I guess.

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romanceIt feels like it did when I ruptured two disks in my back and suffered from Sciatica some years ago and missed six months of work. It wasn’t until I had a steroid shot in my back, that I found relief and life began again. At this point, I can’t stand and/or walk for even five minutes without pain, and I have to sit down, which means I can’t walk into my doctor’s office, which is a long walk from the parking lot.

      I’ve tried ice and heat. Aleve and Tylenol. I don’t know what to do at this point other than moan and complain to avoid crying and cursing. My doggie is suffering from pain in her hips, legs, and now it seems, a foot. Sometimes she can’t get up. Now, I can relate to what she must go through 24/7. And tomorrow, the 29th, is my birthday. It’s okay, I stopped counting them a while ago. Unfortunately, friends and family haven’t. It’s better than the alternative, and I appreciate their thoughts and wishes.


      UPDATE: What’s happening with Finding Kimber, #2 in Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series? Remember the challenge I had with this book? I changed the genre when it was about 3/4 finished? Well, I also had to change part of the plot because I drove myself crazy while trying to work with something that wouldn’t have worked. Once I changed it, I sailed to the end. It’s been through three revisions with thousands of words cut, and now I’m trying to let letting it sit for a while. I hate to plan too far in advance these days, but it looks like this book is on track for a 2017 release. Lord willing…


      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romanceToday I decided to post a snippet from Lassoing the Last Dance. I’m proud of this fourth book in the series–my newest release.

      Set Up: This evening, Roxanne is headed to the Double Dutch Ranch to help her best friend Nora set up for an important dinner the next day. She’s feeling on-top-of-the-world, if you’ll excuse the cliché. But…

      Modified to avoid spoilers. Enjoy…

      He rammed her again. She gripped the steering wheel even tighter. Fear she had lived with until last month returned to the forefront. Enough of this. She stomped on the gas pedal and took the speed up to sixty, and she wasn’t comfortable driving like this on rutted Rocky Road.

      Another glance into her mirror as she increased her speed, showed the car continuing close behind. She peered back at the road in front of her with barely enough time to avoid hitting a dog, or some animal of the night. Roxanne swerved and ran off the road. She hit the brakes and her front tires settled into a dip. She took a deep breath then lifted her eyes to the rear view mirror.

      Was this going to be where she died?

      She slammed one palm against the wheel and pressed on the accelerator. Nothing. Roxanne searched for her phone. The car behind stopped. A man got out and raised a rifle to his shoulder and just stood there. Without a doubt—her nightmare began all over again. No. No. This can’t be happening. A cold fear swept over her. This only happens in freaking movies! She dialed Randy.

      Glass shattered as he busted the window with the butt of the rifle. Glass covered her. Her cheek stung. “Get your ass out of there, Roxanne.”

      No way! Fear choked her. Leaning forward to block his view, she attempted to stick her phone into her pocket, but he yanked her out. She wiped at the blood on her face. “What is going on? I t-thought you didn’t have anything to do with w-what h-happened to m-me.”

      He slammed the door then shoved her against it and held her there with his hand against her throat. God, help me! Please. Not this again. As quickly as he held her, he released her. How far would she get if she ran? “Leave me alone, you jackass. What’s this about?”

      He leaned the rifle against his shoulder. His knee pressed into her thigh. “I’m not done. You’re still breathing.”

      “What? You were involved after all.” She damned herself for letting her guard down. Any minute her stomach would heave. Where could she go? Her thoughts of escaping were out of control. She didn’t know if the call to Randy went through.

      “I had nothing to do with what happened to you. I sat back and let the other ordeal play out. How lucky can one man get to have someone else take the blame?” A low and demonic snicker snarled from his throat.

      If she had learned anything about survival, this time she wasn’t going down without a fight. She had the flat heeled shoe today. “You’ll have to shoot me in the back,” she said, as she kneed him with all her might and took off running.

      End of Excerpt. Thanks for reading.

      Universal Buy Link

      Savvy horse trainer Randy Drake never loved a woman like he loved Roxanne, but after more than a year of a long-distance relationship, she cut off communication without explanation and broke his heart. Now she’s moved back to Canyon Junction without telling him, proof she’s not interested. But his stubborn heart can’t seem to let go.

      Professional dancer Roxanne Connor has a good reason for not letting Randy know she’s back. An accident nearly destroyed her, and she’s not the same person Randy knew. Avoiding him, she chooses to live in a self-appointed exile, if she can ignore the craving for his touch and the memory of his kisses.

      But secrets in a small town are never truly safe. When Randy learns the reason Roxanne cold-shouldered him, he’s willing to give their love another try, but someone else is determined to keep them apart. Will their rekindled love be strong enough to withstand the obstacles mounting against them, or will the embers that glowed in their past grow cold under the pressure?


      © Mary J. McCoy-Dressel and Author Mary J McCoy-Dressel Books 2007 – 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Mary J. McCoy-Dressel is strictly prohibited.

      Photo Credits: Road: Pixabay. Window: © Khajornkiat | Dreamstime.com

      Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Excerpt | 12 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Arizona, Back pain, contemporary romance, cowboy, full length novel series, hip pain, Lassoing the Last Dance, mary j mccoy dressel, romance series, Short Snippet Saturday, Short Snippet Saturday on Wednesday, western romance
    • Week 23~ Whoa, That’s A Long Book! #MFRWauthor Blog Challenge

      Posted at 8:10 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 9, 2017

      Here we are at Week 23 in the #MFRWauthor 52-Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop.

      I missed last week because I had my youngest son and daughter-in-law’s belated wedding reception to prepare for, and my oldest son visited from California. They all kept me pleasantly busy. Some of you might remember my youngest was married in October with only parents at the wedding, but the reception was for EVERYONE! Later this year, they’ll have their Official/ Unofficial honeymoon in Ireland.

      On to today’s topic: Word Count Matters… How Much? How Often?

      I’m not sure how to respond to this topic about word counts. Let’s see what I can come up with for Word Count…How much? How Often?

      As the Author:

      How Much: To me, a large word count matters in the cost of editing, formatting, and the cost of delivery in eBook format.

      I have one eBook that has a delivery charge, which is Hey, Cowboy, Bull Rider Series #2, my largest book to date. In fact, I almost split it up into two books, but instead, I made Part One and Part Two within the same book. In revisions a few years later, I cut down the word count. The original word count was around 129,000 words. The revised edition is around 118.000. This was also the most expensive to publish regarding editing and formatting.

      Update: Secret Santa’s Rundown Sleigh: A Holiday Romance Novella is my shortest to date and can be read in two hours or less.

      Word count matters when it comes to publishing houses. I don’t know if they all have word count guidelines, but the ones I’ve looked at do. Anthologies have word count guidelines whether they count full stories or excerpts only.

      How Much: When I start a book, I have a word count in my mind, but I’m not disciplined enough, apparently, to adhere to it. Sure, I could stick to an outline or a strict guideline, but truthfully, I don’t want to.

      How Often: It’s my goal to stay under 80,000 words in future books. After this one → My current Work in Progress (WIP) is longer than I wanted, and I’ve tried cutting, cutting, cutting, but to tell the story that needs to be told, I’ve gone way over the word count I wanted even at the top end. Many revisions are ahead of me on this book. I’m excited to see where it takes me since I wrote The End three days ago.

      With a shorter word count on some books, I’ve heard authors mention reviews stating their books were too short or the reader wanted more.

      As the Reader:

      I don’t buy books by word count. The cost factor matters sometimes. I catch myself looking at the size/ word count at a higher priced book, but if it’s a book I really want, cost or size doesn’t matter.

      How Often: Once in a while I prefer a shorter book—a novella or mid-size. At Christmastime, I purchased some shorter holiday stories and read them quickly. I was happy with the stories because at the time all I wanted was a short read.

      How often might also depend on an author writing a short-story or novella between larger works or as a prequel to a book or series. In my opinion, this benefits the author by keeping a steady flow of new books coming out. It benefits the reader because they get to read another book by one of their favorite authors. Readers might also want to sample an author’s writing, and picking up a free or discounted, shorter, book is a good introduction.

      I don’t know if this prompt pulled out of me what was intended, but this is my input on the topic of Word Count Matters… How much? How often?

      How about you, blog readers? What is your word count preference as a writer and reader? Does it matter?

      This is a blog hop. Please visit the other participants to see what they have to say.

      Have a nice weekend. Stay cool! Thanks for reading.

      Top Image: Pixabay

      1.
      Whoa, That’s A Long Book!
      2.
      Why Do Writers Have to Do Math?
      3.
      Too Many Words? Too Few?
      4.
      How Many Words?
      5.
      We’ll Be Countin’ Words
      6.
      One word down. . . Ahahaha Cathy Writes Romance
      7.
      I’m Not Counting
      8.
      I’m a word banker. . .
      Posted in #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 15 Comments | Tagged #Cowboy series, #MFRWauthor, blog challenge, blog hop, contemporary romance, Full Length Novel, mary j mccoy dressel, Romance Novel Series, romance series, That's A Long Book #MFRWauthor Blog Challenge, western romance, word count
    • Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Enjoy the Ride

      Posted at 3:39 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on May 30, 2017

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel Books

      Yesterday, Monday May, 29th, was  Memorial Day–a Holiday in the United States observed on the last day of May to honor men and women who died in the U.S. Military. When a holiday falls on a Monday, my week is all messed up, and WOW this is Tuesday. My muse reminded me to spread around a little bit of inspiration, however, this has nothing to do with my persistent muse, other than a kick in the butt to post today.

      Life’s a journey. Enjoy the ride. ~NISSAN

      I found this image below and it reminded me of my own bicycle in my living room of all places. My son hooked it up to what is called a Trainer. He and his wife ride outside a lot, I mean A LOT, so last summer he brought this over and hooked it up to my bike. I asked to borrow it  so I could get off my computer now and then to get some exercise during the winter. If only I used it more often.  😦  If I really wanted to make life a “journey,” wouldn’t I take the bike outside? LOL.

      My journey these days is in my head where my muse lives. I think she lives in my head. She can live anywhere she wants as long as she stays with me. Either way, it’s a good idea to enjoy the ride while doing whatever it is you/we/I do because life is a journey. The fun part about WRITING is when you arrive at the end of one journey, you get to start another one. Yay!

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance authorI believe the message from my muse today is to stay on that journey to get to the end of this challenging book I’m writing because I’ve wanted to throw my hands up in the air and start all over. What? Start all over? But, I did start all over, and therein lies the problem. I’ve started over in a book written for a different genre in a different setting. Since I’ve written about this before, I won’t bore you by going over it again, but I finally found my way in this story and it’s close to the end in the first draft. I can enjoy this ride again. To my stubborn little Miss Sexy-Innocence muse, I say thank you for the shove and for figuring it all out.

      Image by Pixabay.

      Have a fab week!

      Posted in #WritersLife, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse | 9 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #WritersLife, contemporary romance, cowboy, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Pixabay, Taking the journey, The ride along the way, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse, western romance, writing
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