If some of this post looks familiar, an announcement similar to this one appeared in my most recent newsletter sent in early June.
Here we go folks!
Introducing Bull Rider Series Book #3
Available Now!
Bull Rider Series 3
What’s This Book About? I’m so glad you asked!
Four years later, Velia and Caulder finish up another year of bull riding. They settle into their comfy abode in the snowy Allegheny Mountains to celebrate the Christmas season with a houseful of guests. La vita e bella! But why does their happily-ever-after have to come with an expiration date? Without warning, their most chilling nightmare comes true. An innocent misunderstanding, and a startling realization discovered too late—puts their contented little family at risk.
On top of everything else, watching a new love bloom between two of the McCutchen guests, isn’t part of their agenda. Reece “Foley” Wilson, a former teammate, comes into contact with Velia’s cousin at the last show of the season and again while visiting for the holiday. Grown up and feisty, Natale Valente-Armano fell in love with this cowboy as a lovesick teen. Now, life has changed for both of them. How will they handle the unfamiliar thoughts and urges overtaking them? And, how will la famiglia respond to this unexpected romance?
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.”
Y’all are invited to Love House for Christmas.
Italian class meets bull rider rowdy
Bull Rider Series Books
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If I had to choose my great place, my first thought would be right here in front of my laptop. Here, I can soar to anywhere I choose to go, in my mind. If I could fly away to anywhere of my own choosing, physically, I’d have to sit back and give it a lot of thought, but I bet it would involve a soft breeze blowing through my hair and a warm moonlit evening. How about you?
I didn’t know who said this quote because it didn’t come with the image I found on Pixabay, though it was familiar. Duh! No wonder. A search took me to Goodreads and quotes by Dr. Seuss. I added it to the image to give proper credit.
Hello! I hope you’re having a fantastic Saturday. I’ve skipped Short Snippet Saturday for the past two weeks, but now I’m back with another short snippet.
Today’s snippet was inspired from a post I read the other day on the Myths of the Mirror Blog. I commented on “Those Darn Cussing Characters” while there. You can read the post for yourselves.
It got me to thinking about my own books. Readers know my people curse when the need arises. People who know me personally are probably shocked that I write curse words. 0_o When I started writing, I worked in education, so I had to be careful what I wrote because I didn’t use a pen name.
Judy Carlson–the mom on the Double Dutch Ranch has a cussin’ jar. Well, it finally caught up to her in her own kitchen surrounded by two of her boys who have themselves contributed to their kids’ college fund via the jar. They don’t slip too often in front of Mom or their ladies, but for those occasions they do…Judy is prepared.
I mentioned in a comment on the blog that I didn’t curse on my blog except in an excerpt, but would probably only use hell or damn. Well, let’s say I’ll use curse words within limits in an excerpt. Apparently, a$$ is within limits…
This comes from Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord. Dane, an Army Ranger, had recently been made to pay up on his first night home after a long deployment. He tossed in ten dollars worth of “pay up” because he knew it would happen again.
But, what goes around, comes around. It’s Mom’s turn…
Slightly modified from its original version:
Jase pulled on his leather gloves. “I brought a horse for you to ride, Dane. It’s the other palomino I bought. Brenna brushed him up real good for you. She’s a good old girl.”
“Who’s a good old girl, the horse or Brenna?” Dane snickered. Teasing Jase was too much fun and he had walked right into that one.
Jase laughed. “I’ll send Brenna over here to kick your ass if you wanna call her old to her face. She’s pretty touchy about that.”
“Yeah, okay.” Dane grabbed his hat from the rack and glared at Jase in a brotherly love kind of way. “Let’s ride.”
Judy placed her hands on her hips. “You boys stop right there. Must everything you talk about center around kicking somebody’s ass?”
Dane had waited a long time for this. He nudged Jase, then he grabbed the cussin’ jar off the counter and held it out. “Your turn, Ma. Put in the money.” He almost jumped out the back door when she smacked his right arm. Apparently, good old Mom had forgotten about the pins in his arm.
Tristan came in the back door in a rush. “Got my horse ready. Dane, I pulled your saddle out of storage. Let’s get going so we can get back.”
“Going so we can get back. Take a break, Tristan. Live a little for Pete’s sake.” Dane turned to his mom. “See you later. I’ll be counting the money in that jar. At least a buck for your cussin’. Stick one in there for Jase, too.” With a wink her way, he went out the door after his brothers.
Yep, even “good old Mom” can’t get away with a slip of the tongue on this ranch. Do you know anyone who has a cussin’ jar? I have two boys but I never had one in my house. Judy, my ranch mom told me she needed one.
Enjoy your weekend. Thanks for your visit today.
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I’m bringing back an old topic I wrote about in previous posts. SNOW. I could Reblog a Thursday 13 post, but I won’t because that year was a record breaking year for snow totals and cold temperatures, so I may never see snow like that again in my lifetime. This year has been mild, well, up until the beginning of 2016.
This quote comes from another post I wrote about winter.
I don’t trust March. It’s like an unruly kid who does whatever he/she wants, whenever.
Of course, I’m writing this in March and the quote is still true this year. Yesterday, it snowed again, which is the second snow in less than a week. Saturday will bring more snow. The picture above is the first snow of 2015, but it was early in the day. It had turned out to be about nine inches by nightfall.
This time of year there are a lot of complaints about the snow and cold. Let’s rephrase that last sentence. I complain a lot and only speak for myself. The bad part about snow this time of year is ice. Temps warm and then they drop. The thaw freezes. Snow gets heavy to shovel. Traffic accidents happen. People fall. Wipers get frozen to the windshield. Fisherman (and kids, ladies & animals) can fall through the ice on lakes.
My car is in here somewhere.
A young guy bagging my groceries the other day warned me a snowstorm was on the way. I told him I didn’t want to think about another one. The cashier chewed us both out for complaining, saying if we didn’t like it we could move because it’s like this every year. It’s nothing new. In a kind voice, I told him, “Not everyone can just pick up and move.”
On the positive side, snow is pretty to look at when it’s coming down. It can come down in large, slow-falling flakes, or so hard and fast that it becomes a whiteout, and you can’t see for a few yards in front of you. If it’s windy, it’ll blow sideways and sting your face.
When fresh snow isn’t walked or driven on, it’s beautiful. I call it virgin snow. Depending on where you are, walking in falling snow can be quiet and ethereal. It’s also nice to see trees with snow on the branches or pine boughs.
I’m not a skier nor do I ride snowmobiles. I’d ride a snowmobile if I had one. You probably can’t live here and not drive on a lake at least once in your life, although no matter how thick the ice is, it terrifies me to be on the ice in a vehicle!
The icicles remind me of Christmas icicle lights.
When I was young, I used to ice skate, but didn’t mind the cold and snow then. It’s been about fifteen years since I wore skates, and a lot of the time I was on my butt. Maybe it’s the old bones now that can’t take the cold. 🙂 When I was a kid, I’d go ice fishing with my dad “up north” at my grandma’s house on a lake. I swear it snows daily up there.
Then there is sledding. One word describes sledding = FUN! When you live in the Great Lake Basin area, you really should do these winter activities. My fur baby has old bones now, too, but she doesn’t seem to mind the snow. ❤ Bull riding is my favorite spectator sport and hockey comes next. Hockey. Winter. Uh huh, it goes hand in hand around here. Go Wings.
Mush little doggie!
Even in winter, it’s kind of a privilege to live around so many large lakes. Did I say large lakes? How about Great Lakes? Looking across one of the Great Lakes is like looking out over an ocean. There is no other side in view and the horizon goes on forever. Well, heck, in this picture the background goes on and on over Lake Michigan. Off topic, but I love these lakes and have done many lighthouse tours around my state.
Sunrise over Lake Michigan from Chicago.
My state has more lighthouses than yours, but that’s another post.
I heard cardinals singing recently when the snow melted for a couple days, but I haven’t seen a robin yet. Spring is around the corner, so to speak. I can’t wait, but before long I’ll be telling you how hot it is. 🙂
Stay warm or stay cool depending on where you live. Have a relaxing upcoming weekend.
This video can show you a lot more winter excitement than I can at the moment.
If only I had something profound to say to you all as we go into a brand new year. Thanks?
Thanks sounds good to me yet isn’t profound. 🙂
Readers of my books & blog:
I don’t know how to say thanks to you—to get the point across to reiterate how special you are. ❤ Please know, you’re S-P-E-C-I-A-L to me. Did the capital letters help to emphasize? I’m not yelling. Honest.
Thanks also for following my sporadic blog posting schedule. In yesterday’s post and in front of the world, I said I planned on working on consistency. Who am I fooling? I like to beat the drum to my own tune, or something like that.
I’ve been accused of making my cowboys mushy. I’ll just stop here so I don’t make myself mushy.
Happy New Year to each and every one of you.
I’ll leave you with this quote.
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce
I’ve turned comments and sharing buttons off for this post.
Join me for another week of #MFRWHooks and another sneak peek at Heartbreak’s Reward Bk #2
I admit it. I’m here to entice you. To interest you. To HOOK you.
Please visit the other participants at the LINKS below. Thanks so much!
Book Hooks is a weekly meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog.
What is this book about? Oh, I’m so glad you asked…
Jase made his first appearance in Cowboy Boss and his Destiny. He’s the oldest brother at the Double Dutch Ranch, and he has a story to tell.
Tagline: Sometimes a wrong turn takes you to the right place.
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.
Set-up: Brenna and Jase have a few extra minutes before her sister returns.
Brenna nodded and went into the room ahead of him. This time his bed was made and the room was bright. Jase removed his boots and crawled into the middle of his bed, holding his arms open. She kicked her shoes off and lay beside him.
He pulled her close, tight up against his body and held her. She relaxed in his arms, yet, a part of her wanted to draw away. At least the shuddering was only on the inside. “You’re amazing, Jase…your touch, smell, everything about you. I can’t wait to know all about you.”
“Baby, you can’t wait? Come inside my body and see the torturous battle going on.”
“Mmm, I’ve fallen so hard for you.” She slipped her arm around his waist. “Please explain how this happened.”
“I wish I could.” He nuzzled his face against her hair. “Let me hold you and dream.”
Brenna whispered, “I want to be in your dream, doing things I’ve only imagined.”
“You’re in it. It’s all about you.” Jase lowered his voice. “It’s you and me making love in my dream. Join me for now in the dream world. See it in your mind’s eye first.”
She cuddled closer. “Describe it to me.”
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Visit my WEBSITE for information on this book. Get the inside scoop on Jase and Brenna. Coming out Early September. Soon! Real Soon! Cowboy Boss and his Destiny Bk #1. Meet Tristan, the middle brother. Available. More Here.Scroll down for participating #MFRWHooks authors.
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Participating Authors for September 3rd Book Hooks Blog Hop Meme
• Hey, Cowboy, Bk 2 (Bull Rider Series) On schedule for a spring release. This book has been a long time coming. Howdy, Ma’am, the first book in the Bull Rider Series is available. Top Pick at Night Owl Reviews. _____________________________________________
• Jase’s Story Bk 2(Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight) Some of you know the title isn’t Jase’s Story. This is what I’m using until I do a cover reveal.
Who is Jase? Oh, I’m glad you asked. He is Tristan’s older brother and makes his appearance in Cowboy Boss and his Destiny. Some of his issues are revealed in Cowboy Boss. He deserved his own story and, wow, did he get one. On schedule for a summer release. This book is now with the editor! This is always scary/exciting.
The reveal will be when I get my first round of edits back, or when I send the first round back to my editor. I’m itching to do a reveal, but not too early.
Cowboy Boss and his Destiny was a Top Pick at The Romance Reviews with a 5 star Review. I’m very proud of what the reviewer had to say. This book is still priced low. Pick this one up before book two comes out. Cowboy Boss is a standalone. No cliffhanger at the end.
What is next?
• Nora, Tristan, and Destiny’s story will go on. (See Menu) Cowboy Boss is standalone, but I wanted to write a novella to follow up their story. It’ll be numbered 1.5 in the series. I have a title and cover idea. Whoohoooo… I hope you’ll agree the title is perfect.
• Of course, there is Book #3 which is already in the works, and I’ve written the beginning. I’ve learned a lot about this youngest Carlson brother so far, and I can tell he’ll be a great hero in his own book. His heroine has materialized, too.
If you’re interested in following along, please Sign Up for my mailing list to be notified of new releases. 🙂 Thanks in advance!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance 