Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance

Tag: Cowboy Boss and his Destiny

• Saturday Morning: Running on an (UN)Even Keel

  Posted at 10:19 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on May 30, 2020

  
  Waving. Good morning to all.

  Update:

  Some of you know I’ve been taking a break to let my eyes rest. I’m happy to say they are showing a bit of improvement. Giving them time away from hours of looking at the computer has helped, but my time at the screen is still limited. I’ve been able to spend a small amount of time each day working on one book while gearing up to format my upcoming book. In a nutshell, I have dry-eyes and macular degeneration, so I won’t take a chance with my eyesight.

  As much as I wanted Judy’s book, the fifth book in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight to be released in May, it isn’t going to happen. Book five takes place three years after book four ends.

  By the way, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, book one in the Double Dutch Ranch Series is $0.99 cents. This is the new and revised edition–shortened A LOT yet combined with what used to be book 1.5. Not a bad deal for a book that begins a series where you’ll get to know the whole family including Judy, the ranch matriarch, who binds them all together. Welcome to the Double Dutch Ranch where no one is a stranger at their table.

  I’m grateful for any change for the better to my eyes and for time I can spend working on my books. However, I won’t push it.

  Thankfully, my Kindle reads to me, so I’m able to enjoy books written by other authors without having to stare at the screen. It’s a pleasant distraction, indeed.

  Thanks for your patience.

  ---

  Safe Space:

  On top of dealing with my eyesight and the pressure and stress on myself for NOT publishing a book, I was forced to enter a grocery store because of items I NEEDED and couldn’t get with my pick up order. That isn’t all. I HAD TO OPEN UP MY SAFE SPACE to maintenance when I developed a leak in my bathtub. I figured it would be a one-time thing, but after four visits, he still couldn’t fix the problem. This also means he had to go into my bedroom closet to access the pipes.

  I told my manager I would be wearing a mask and I hoped he would. Her reply did not make my day when she said it was up to him. Well, thanks, lady! Is that even legal? Prayers worked. He wore a mask and gloves. I thanked him. BUT, the problem isn’t fixed. Next week a plumber has to invade my space. God sure is teaching me patience while encouraging me to trust. I’m tempted to tell them all to forget it and let it drip, but if it gets worse or something breaks, then what?

  As my mom would say, “Things don’t run on an even keel all the time.” Something like that. Well, Mom, you were right!

  We’re all in this together.

  Enjoy your weekend, my friends.

  P.S. I didn’t even mention the fact WordPress is changing its editor on June 1st, so now it’s one more thing I don’t have the time or patience to learn. Even though some of you said the new Block Editor was simple, I don’t agree. I looked at it for five minutes and said screw it. Now, it seems I have no choice. On a positive note, the old editor will still be available, but I rarely use it, instead choosing to go into the dashboard and use the old, old editor. What do I do? Use my limited time on the computer to publish a book or learn something I don’t want to learn? The answer is simple.

  Signing off for now…

  Image credit: Pixabay – habunman
  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife | 12 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, #AmWriting, #WritersLife, book publishing, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, even keel, eyesight, Gentlemen Cowboys, mary j mccoy dressel, Saturday Morning: Updates - Running on an Even Keel, western romance

• #MFRWhooks Book Hooks Wednesday: Conference Room

  Posted at 12:15 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 18, 2020

  

  Hi, is it Wednesday again? Ah, it must be time for another Book Hooks post. Today I bring you the first book in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight:

  Cowboy Boss and his Destiny

  The grandma he mentions is Tristan’s mom, our ranch matriarch who is featured in book five: Seasoned with Destiny: A Gift of Love. Snippet modified to avoid spoilers.

  ---

  

  Oh, my God. “I can’t talk right now, Destiny. We have to get there.” His child’s pain hit him like a spear to the chest. He wanted to be supportive while she cried, but he needed support. I have to get there. Have to get there. At the emergency room parking lot, he unhooked Destiny and carried her inside.

  “I have to see her. Nora Trinity. Just brought in…”

  “Just a minute, please.” She glanced at Destiny who still cried. “Do you have someone coming for your child?”

  “Yes, but I can’t wait.” He released Destiny to the floor. She held him as tight as she could.

  The lady called back there and told him it’d only be a minute. A doctor came out and glanced at Destiny. Tristan knelt. “Honey, you have to wait here for a minute. Grandma will be here soon, real soon.” He pointed to a chair. “Go sit right there and don’t get out of it. Don’t talk to anybody.”

  “No, Daddy. Don’t leave me.” She clung to him with both arms.

  There was no expression on the doctor’s face whatsoever.

  “Listen to me. Only for a few minutes. I have to go to the back.” He held her face. “This is the time you need to be big.”

  She shook her head erratically, and shouted, “I’m not big.”

  He picked her up and hugged her. “Take me back, please.”

  They went through the doors to a conference room. “I’ll put a chair outside the door for your daughter,” the doctor stated matter-of-factly. He dragged a chair out of the room, pushing it against the wall beside the door while Tristan fell apart inside.

  Tristan lowered her to the chair. He demanded that Destiny stay. “I’ll be right inside. Right here.”

  She folded her arms across her chest and stared at the floor.

  The doctor closed the door behind him but leaned against it for what seemed an eternity. Silence.

  Tristan’s heart shattered. They were in a conference room. Ah, damn, this couldn’t be good.

  

  UNIVERSAL BUY LINK

  From his experience with women, Tristan Carlson learned that some don’t want a ready-made family, and he and his four-year-old daughter come as a package. Then he falls hard and fast for Nora, but if she isn’t going to give him the trust he needs, their relationship won’t last. Without a warning, darkness falls over the entire Carlson family when a near-repeat of a devastating memory comes back to haunt them, and Tristan fears he and his child will have to suffer all over again.

  When Nora Trinity returns to Canyon Junction, she doesn’t expect to fall for the handsome cowboy she lends a hand to in a parking lot. However, since then, she learns about a past that nearly destroyed him. Now she can lose everything if she can’t find it in her heart to trust he’s a changed man. Then why does he disappear at a time when Nora needs him more than she’s ever needed him before? Has she lost him, anyway?

  Tristan and Nora’s bond is put to the test. They need to be strong enough to overcome issues of trust, family complications, and painful memories. They vow to prevail when circumstances beyond their control attempt to prove them wrong.

  ---

  This book has gone through multiple changes since the first edition. In fact, in 2016 I revised the entire book and cut the length by… Hmm, A LOT. That isn’t all. I gave it a new cover. I removed so much for the purpose of adding book numbered 1.5 to make it one complete book and doing away with the original 1.5.

  ---

  Thank you for reading. While here, click the image below to visit participating authors in this Marketing for Romance Writers Book Hooks blog hop.

  

  Book Hooks is a weekly meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog. It’s a chance each week to hook readers on your current WIP or any previously published book.

  Image credit – Father and Daughter: Pixabay – platinumportfolio

  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWhooks, Book Hooks, Double Dutch Ranch Series | 11 Comments | Tagged #MFRWhooks, blog hop, Book Hooks, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

• Halloween Fun Snippet from the Double Dutch Ranch #AmWriting #Romance

  Posted at 12:53 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 31, 2018

  

  Today isn’t Short Snippet Saturday, but I have a fine fittin’ and rather long excerpt for Halloween from Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Book #1 in the series. In the revision for this book, I cut a lot of scenes–this is one of them.

  Anyone who reads the Newly Revised Edition of Cowboy Boss and his Destiny might enjoy this deleted scene. If you have read the original version, maybe you’ll like it as much the second time around. I might’ve shared a part of this another time.

  Happy Halloween

  Treat and NO Trick!

  Since Cowboy Boss and his Destiny is the first book in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, the price is only $0.99. Thought I’d throw that in.

  ---

  

  Note:  Every year Tristan Carlson and his family members throw a Halloween Party for residents in their small town of Canyon Junction. They have hayrides, games for the kids, a beer tent, and a dunk tank for charity.

  Oh, and they have live music, too. Judy, our ranch matriarch belongs to a local band with her lady friends. Tristan sings and plays a guitar, Jase plays a keyboard. I know, what a shock! Dane, well, he has his talents that I won’t tell here. Let’s just say when he’s home, he gets dragged up on the stage. This year, little Destiny is dressed as a princess. Not what I would have expected from her, but she insisted. The snippet will tell you what costumes Tristan and Nora chose.

  Enjoy.

  ---

  The smell of popcorn and hot dogs floated through the air. Spooky music rang out for all to hear. If not for his daughter, no one would have known who they were in their costumes.

  Destiny jerked down on his arm. “Daddy, are you getting dunked in those clothes?”

  “I guess I’ll have to. I can’t get changed with handcuffs.” He laughed mischievously, giving a sideways glance to Nora. “You know what that means, Des?”

  “What?”

  “Nora has to go in with me.”

  Nora detected a bit of devil in that laugh of his. “Wait, what are you two talking about?”

  “The dunk tank.” Tristan pulled her to a halt. “Oh, did I forget to mention the dunk tank?”

  “Um, yes! I’m not going in the dunk tank.”

  “You should have thought about that before you wanted to handcuff me, Ms. Sheriff.”

  “Oh, good Lord, you are in so much trouble.” She raised her free hand to the air.

  “It’s okay. We get dunked late, so we get to walk around like this all night.”

  Destiny glanced at Nora and shook her head. “Silly Daddy.”

  They went to all the children’s games with Destiny. When it got dark, he took her into the house to his mom, so he and Nora could go on the first hayride with the teens. Randy Drake drove the tractor that pulled it.

  

  Climbing in the wagon wasn’t so easy handcuffed to another person. Tristan laughed as he sat up front. “Now we really have to be a team.”

  “You’re still in trouble. So much trouble,” she said, shaking her head.

  “Hey, if one of us falls off, we’re both going down, so hold on, Sheriff Trinity.”

   Even in the darkness she picked up the smirk on his handsome face. Tristan wrapped his arm around her waist, forcing her arm behind her back with handcuffs on.

  “Gotcha now, my pretty.”

  “Oh, you’re in so much trouble.”

  After the hay ride and a stop in the beer tent for a tall brew, Tristan checked his watch. “Guess what time it is, sweetheart?”

  “Oh, no.” Nora jerked him to a stop.

  “Oh, yes,” he said, his words rolling out before a booming laugh.

  She attempted to speak in her best innocent tone. “You’re not really making me do this.”

  “I’m sorry, but…yes, I am.” Tristan glanced at her shirt and pulled the top open. “No t-shirt underneath?”

  “No, why?” She glanced to and fro as the townspeople walked around them in costumes, some laughing, other’s nodding to Tristan—easily recognizable once he removed his geek glasses.

  “Because if you didn’t have cuffs on, I might suggest a…ah, a wet t-shirt.”

  She eyed him in his geek clothes and bow tie. “Hmm. Wait. You wouldn’t care that every man here saw me in a wet t-shirt?”

  “Not for here, honey. For later.”

  “You’re awful bad tonight, Tristan.”

  “If I recall, you asked for bad earlier.”

  “In a kiss.”

  

  “You need to be real clear. After all, I’m only a hot cowboy, you know.” He pointed ahead where many people were lined up waiting for the ranch owner. They chanted his name.

  “This is for a charity. Since there’s two of us, we should bring in more money.”

  “You’re not going to make me. Please get these off.”

  “Of course, I am. Come on.” Tristan walked through the crowd with their handcuffed hands raised in the air for all to see. “As you can see here, I was arrested by Sheriff Trinity. In case you don’t all know her, she works for me.” He wrapped his arm around her. “You all can quiet your rumors.” He turned to Nora and lowered his voice. “I’m about to kiss you in front of all these people.”

  “What kind of kiss?”

  He took her into his arms and dipped her, giving a hard, sexy kiss on the lips. “That kind…for now.”

  The crowd went wild. Nora wasn’t embarrassed. In fact, she cupped her free hand around his face and kissed him back. “No problem, baby.” Their gaze held until Selva, his ranch foreman, came up and bumped his shoulder.

  “These people are waitin’ for you, amigo.”

  Tristan chuckled and turned to the crowd. “There’s two of us at a time so you best get those pockets emptied.” He turned to Nora. “Ready?”

  “I see where I have no choice. Let’s go get’um.”

  “You realize with two of us up here there’s a good chance each throw will dunk us.”

  “Yes, sir, isn’t that going to be fun? I’m glad I wear waterproof mascara, or you’d see the scary side of me.”

  They both got in the tank and sat as close as they could. “Never going to happen. I don’t think there is a scary or bad side to you.”

  “Let’s hope you never find out that I really do.”

  Down they went!

  They climbed back on the bench, a feat in itself. Martyn, his mom, Destiny, and Jase’s kids were at the front of the line. “Come on, sweetheart, are you really going to dunk your daddy?”

  Destiny brought her arm back and let it rip.

  SPLASH!

  

  Again, they came up brushing hair and water from their eyes. Destiny was still laughing.

  After at least fifteen dunks, Tristan called it done, and the next person came up. They walked through the crowd soaking wet, still handcuffed. He glanced around for his mom and Martyn and found them in the crowd. “We have to go get dressed, Mom. Can you keep Des until we come back?”

  “Of course. We’ll be over by the stage. Grab your guitar, son.”

  “Yep.”

  “Oh, Trist?” Judy called after him.

  He and Nora turned.

  “Nice costumes.”

  Nora grinned. “Thanks, Judy.”

  “My mom likes us together,” he said on the way inside.

  “I can tell.” She shivered. “Can we change now?”

  “Finally. Get me out of these geeky clothes.”

  “Get me out of these handcuffs. Be thankful you didn’t wear the knight’s costume. You would’a been a drowned cowboy.”

  “You would’ve been the one to wear it, not me. I’ll meet you in the office. You get a front row seat, baby. I have a song special for you.”

  ---

  For more on the series and the spin off series, click on the Book Page.

  Thanks for reading! Have fun tonight and please be safe.  🎃🤠💀

  Tell me about your costume if you’re going out or partying down. Me, well, if I went to a party tonight, I’d like to be a ________? What would I like to be for Halloween?

   

  Thanks to Pixabay for the images. Except for my book cover.

  Posted in #AmWriting, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 6 Comments | Tagged Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Deleted Scenes, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Dunk Tank, Halloween, Happy Halloween, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Party, popcorn, Spooky music

• #AmWriting Short Snippet Saturday: Overcoming the Past

  Posted at 12:37 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 31, 2018

  

  How’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.

  Nora’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

• #AmWriting New Year = New Goals = Big Job Accomplished!

  Posted at 10:00 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 29, 2018

  

  This will be fairly short to announce:

  I republished Cowboy Boss and his Destiny on March 26th.  Amazon was the last retailer to update the new cover, so now we’re good to go. I didn’t want to promote this book without the new one since it fits the revised edition so much better.

  I published over the old file. Those of you who have the original version won’t be able to purchase this version unless Amazon will notify readers of a new update. Then you can update the book via your Amazon account under Manage Content and Devices. I have to ask them to do this and I will, but they don’t always do it unless they think it’s necessary. If you read Tristan’s Destiny, then you are familiar with most of this new version, but there have been many rewrites in the original Cowboy Boss. I rewrote the beginning, too. This project was fun to take on but sure wasn’t an easy task.

  Visit this LINK for the new blurb, now a combination of Cowboy Boss, Tristan’s Destiny, and more to reflect new goings-on.

   

  

  As soon as I saw this couple, I knew this had to be my Nora and Tristan. I enjoyed revisiting them during this revision and learned some new things from a few of the characters, including Tristan.

  Cover Design by DuskTilDawn Designs. 

   

  

  ---

  I’ve had a rough time the past couple weeks, continuing into the third, but I’ve done my best to stay upbeat and positive. I have medical tests coming up in my near future, a blood test today, and had two doctor appointments this week. Bah humbug. At least with this posted, and the book republished, it’s one more thing off my mind. I mustered up the “feel good” long enough to get Friday’s post ready.  Yesterday my computer started acting up. As Gilda Radner says, “It’s always something.”

  Again, here’s the link to the Double Dutch Ranch page if you want to check out the new blurb. Thanks for reading.

  Posted in #AmWriting, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Double Dutch Ranch Series | 9 Comments | Tagged Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight #1, DusktiDawn Designs, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Newly Revised Edition, western romance

• Revisions? Questions Answered

  Posted at 4:09 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 19, 2018

  I thought I’d begin by sharing a quote I saw on Twitter today by Paul Coelho. I love this author. You can find his books everywhere and he posts quotes on his Facebook and Twitter pages.  🙂  I should’ve thought of him when I wrote the post about authors I’d like to meet. Here’s his quote:

  Before a new chapter is begun, the old one has to be finished: tell yourself that what has passed will never come back.
  Remember that there was a time when you could live without that thing or that person
  Nothing is irreplaceable, a habit is not a need. ~Paul Coelho

  ---

  But now I go forward…

  A couple weeks ago I wrote a post titled Making the Old New Again about a major revision I’m doing with Cowboy Boss and his Destiny and Tristan’s Destiny in my Double Dutch Ranch Series. I had a lot of questions unanswered by the end of the post. Now I have answers.

  

  The questions to myself or anyone who had answers:

  Will this new version be a 2nd edition? 

  • No, this will not be a 2nd edition.

  Will I delete the original 1st editions and start all over? Will retailers allow me to do this? 

  • Yes and no. I will re-upload over the original version of Cowboy Boss and his Destiny. TRISTAN’S DESTINY, Bonus Book 1.5 will be deleted and no longer available as a single book.
  • We are allowed to delete eBooks. We cannot delete paperbacks.

  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?

  • Yes. Answered above. I will not lose the Cowboy Boss reviews this way.

  This wasn’t included in my questions because I knew the answer, but I’ll clarify this now. What about my reviews for Tristan’s Destiny?

  

  • I have lost those reviews since both books are now unpublished and not available. However, I haven’t deleted the books, so reviews are still there with the unpublished files in my KDP Bookshelf in case I ever wanted to republish. I did copy them to be safe.

  I will use the reviews in other ways like in the Editorial Review section on my book page where we are allowed to post snippets of a review. For those of you who have left reviews for Tristan’s Destiny, thank you. They are much appreciated. They will not go unseen.

  Will I have a new cover designed?

  • Yes, I already have it!  ❤  ❤  My designer is amazingly fast. It took us her three drafts. It consisted of doing a lot more than sticking new people on the cover.  I’ll forever love my original cover for Cowboy Boss, but since the story has shifted, this new cover is perfect.

  ---

  Did I mention this book went to the editor today?  🙂

  ---

  Well, now that I’ve taken care of my own questions and answers, I must admit… It took me two weeks to decide to unpublish. Right after, I nearly hyperventilated. I had to take deep breaths and laps around my apartment. My chest hurt. I thought I might have a heart attack. Then, suddenly, the tension of making the decision rolled off my shoulders.

  Revising this book was a good thing. Of course, I won’t know how others feel about it until I re-publish. What will I do if readers hate it? This is a question we ask ourselves anyway. No more questions, please (I tell myself)!

  A Positive?

  I got to know my characters all over again. Well, I visit with them in every book because they continue to make their appearances if only subtly. In fact, I learned something new about a few of them. After all this time, I discovered Tristan had a dark cloud hanging over him I never caught before. This was something new to use in my rewrite. The biggest shock of all? Tristan’s ranch foreman threw in a huge surprise, then it was like Hell YEAH. BINGO! Problem solved for an upcoming book.

  

  This business is a marathon not a sprint and life is continuously changing.

  Next Step?

  I need to update the front and back matter to all my books. I started last night and it wasn’t a quick copy and paste thing because I also had to rewrite a bit of the front matter, part of my notes to readers, and whatever else I found to update.  In the meantime, I have another hero and heroine mad at me for making them wait so long right at the most inopportune time (for them). They should be all hot and bothered by time I get back to them.   ❤

  I’ve turned off sharing. This is for you who have already read the first post , or newcomers.  A girl can change her mind.

  Y’all have a productive and fun week Thanks for reading.

  #MondayMotivation

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Double Dutch Ranch Series | 5 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #WritersLife, contemporary romance series, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Full Length Novel, mary j mccoy dressel, novel, Revising a Book, Revisions, Revisions? Questions Answered, Rewriting, series romance, unpublishing a book, western romance

• Meet the Heroines: Facts About Book Heroine Nora Trinity

  Posted at 1:34 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 30, 2016

  Meet the Heroines

  A Mini Blog Series

  

  Meet Nora Trinity from Cowboy Boss and his Destiny Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight.

  Four-year-old Destiny Carlson took to Nora right away when they met. She loved her red hair and once even asked Nora if she dyed it. LOL.

  When Nora first hugged Destiny, she loved the baby soft smell of her shampoo, and it didn’t take long for her to become attached to the little blue-eyed girl with a big personality.

  

  Model portrayal. Image from Dreamstime.com

  Nora is thirty-three when the series starts. She’s from our small town of Canyon Junction, Arizona but moved away after high school and worked her way through college. Moving back to her hometown was a tough decision for her.

  If I had to choose an actress to play Nora in a movie, it might be Amy Adams or Darby Stanchfield (From Scandal).

   

  A few things about Nora:

  • Perseverance.
  • A professional and dedicated worker.
  • Confident…most of the time. One person in her life can take her down with only a few words.
  • Holds a grudge
  • She’s been a best friend to Roxanne Connor since childhood.
  • Nora is a sister.
  • Shy to a degree.
  • She reluctantly adapts.
  • She looks just as good in jeans & boots as she does dressed to work in Tristan’s office. He once told her that everyday was a casual day, so I think he likes jeans and boots best. She does have a cute little skirt he likes… I digress…
  • Sensual and sexy, without sexual hang-ups
  • Nurturing.

  

  Double Dutch Ranch #1

  That’s about it for now. I can’t give away all her secrets. You’ll meet her best friend Roxanne Connor in this book. She becomes the star with Randy Drake in Lassoing the Last Dance.

  Next time you’ll meet Brenna Page from Heartbreak’s Reward. Visit the blog page Meet Our Heroines where all our heroines will be added to the page as I write them in this mini blog series.
  

  I appreciate your visit! Thank you for reading.

  ---

   

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  Images: Pixabay. Dreamstime.

   

  Posted in #AmWriting, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny | 9 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, Arizona, cowboy, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, cowboy brothers, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, mary j mccoy dressel, Meet the Heroines, rancher, tristan's destiny, western romance, Western romance series books

• Tattling: 5 (subtle) Secrets in a Romance Novel

  Posted at 10:10 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 13, 2016

  Every once in a while, I’ll guest post on another blog. Sometimes I do an interview, or showcase a new or previously published book. Other times, I’ll have fun with a regular topic from the host blogger. Last year I did a Guest Post on Author L. A. Sartor’s blog. The guest spot was called “Five Secrets” and can be about a book or about me. Oh, my! Leslie was kind enough to let me repost the post here for you. Authors? Do your books have any secrets? Readers? Do you want to know a secret?

  Cowboy Boss and his Destiny has secrets, though I had to dig deep for some of them. Albeit, there were more, and it was tough to decide which to use. I suppose they aren’t really secrets now that I’ve blabbed. I hope you enjoy the ones I chose to tattle. You can find more information about L.A. Sartor at the end of this post.

  

   

  Five Secrets:

   

  • From: My Story My Way ~ An Indie Adventure:

  Hi Mary, please tell us Five Secrets we may not know about Cowboy Boss and his Destiny or you, but will after today!

  Hi, Leslie. Thanks for having me on your blog. I have no major secrets to give away in this book. Let’s call them subtle secrets. 🙂 Here we go…

  1) Nora, Destiny, and Tristan star in Cowboy Boss and his Destiny. When this book was planned, Destiny’s original age wasn’t what you see in the book. She’s four, but turns five shortly after the story begins. When I began planning, Destiny was sixteen-months old. She remained sixteen-months-old until about page two when she told me she wasn’t a baby. Our characters are almost always right. (I love it!) Why did I change her age? I wanted her to interact in her world, with her dad, and with the rest of the family. To have her own opinions. No doubt she has opinions, and she also has her own fun personality. Destiny adds to the story and it was a great decision to make her older. In the “bonus book” #1.5, a mid-length novel I wrote as an addition to Cowboy Boss, I noticed a change in her attitude.

  2) Tristan calls Destiny Baby Cakes. I’m a widow now, but when I met my second husband his daughter had just turned eight. He called her Baby Cakes. I didn’t call her that, because it was special between her and her dad. In Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Nora won’t call Destiny “Baby Cakes,” either, for the same reason. In fact, no one else in Destiny’s family calls her by that nickname.

  3) This one surprised me in the beginning. Nora uses the color teal or turquoise at times for her carpet, bedroom colors, or clothes. Most of my heroines mention something in this color. This goes all the way back to the first book I wrote. Teal is my favorite color. It wasn’t planned in the beginning, but once I realized some of my heroines liked the color, I went with it. Update: I stopped doing this in recent books, but don’t be surprised if a new heroine also likes this color.

  4) The reason Tristan drives a Dodge Ram pickup in this book? I had my very own Ram pickup and I loved that truck. I guess that was my adult Tomboy stage. :-0 This type of truck fits my hero. If it brings me good memories, heck, why not give one to a hero? Mine was red and your basic pickup. His isn’t basic in any way. He’s a rancher and his truck fits the need, plus he has fun with the built-up engine. Tristan’s isn’t red.

  5) The original idea that I can contribute to Cowboy Boss and his Destiny is a post office box I used to have. Once, years ago, I’d often see the same guy picking up his mail when I picked up mine. My mind automatically saw this as a way for my characters to meet. Is this how Nora and Tristan meet? No, not exactly. But through the years I kept going back to that idea. When Tristan came to me, he also came to me with the same predicament he’s found in, in the beginning of the book. It happens to be at the post office in a roundabout way. They would have met inside like my imagination showed me, but the scenario changed when I realized Tristan was a single dad.

  This is my Five Secrets about Cowboy Boss and his Destiny.

  I’ve had more books published since this interview.  Please see the Menu or Welcome Page.
  

  Books one and two in the Bull Rider Series are also available.

  More books will follow in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight. Book #4 out of 5 comes in 2016.
  

  ---

  Blurb :

   Heartwarming. Passionate. (Cowboy Boss was revised in November 2015.) The newly revised edition was released in 2018.
  

  Tristan Carlson does the best he can to raise his four-year-old daughter on his own. His mother remains on the Double Dutch to lend a hand—giving him the ability to maintain the ranch, tend to his horses, and keep up his small-time ranching magazine. His pretty, new assistant is everything he wants in a woman, including her ginger-red hair. But from his experience with women lately, he’s learned that some don’t want a ready-made family. This one seems different, and he’s falling hard. But, there’s his little blue-eyed girl, and he’ll protect Destiny’s heart with everything within him. Until he knows for sure…

  Living the good life in a big city for many years, Nora Trinity ends up a statistic after the magazine she works for makes cutbacks. Despite a family betrayal from her past that still needs mending, she moves back home to the small town of Canyon Junction, Arizona, with forgiveness on her mind. When she is hired by a local rancher to help with his ranching magazine, she finds herself profoundly attracted to him. The thing is, her sexy boss comes as a package deal, and his little girl is immediately drawn to her. It’s not just about two hearts taking a chance now—or two people falling in love. Nora has to be sure of what she wants before she takes on the cowboy and his child.

  Don’t forget to stop by L.A. Sartor’s blog~

  L.A. Sartor
  National Bestselling Author & International Digital Award Winner
  Live the Adventure, Love the Romance

  My Story My Way ~ An Indie Adventure.

  While there, check out her books and other guests. She also has a Mailing List Sign Up and she sends out about four emails a year.

  Thanks again for letting me repost this on my blog, Leslie.

  ---

  Readers of my blog~ Here is my Mailing List Sign Up Link to be notified of new releases and important book information. Remember, if you contact me via my website Contact form, please check your spam box if you don’t hear from me. I personally reply to messages.

  Thanks for stopping by today.

  Posted in #AmWriting | 8 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, contemporary romance, cowboy, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Five Secrets, guest post, L A Sartor, Leslie Ann Sartor, mary j mccoy dressel, My Story My Way An Indie Adventure, rancher, Romance, series romance, western romance novel

• Countdown to Cover Reveal for Summer Release

  Posted at 11:28 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 30, 2014

  You don’t hear me talk a whole lot about the second book in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, other than to say it exists. I haven’t released the title yet, but it can be found in the back matter of Cowboy Boss.

  This is the week I’ll do a cover reveal. My mailing list subscribers have already seen it. I’ve kept fairly quiet about what this book is about. The blurb that accompanies the cover reveal will give more information. Expect this book to be out this summer.

  Cowboy Boss and his Destiny is book one. Did you know this book was a Top Pick with a rocking five stars at The Romance Reviews?

  Of course, I hope you like the Carlson family enough to want to check them all out. This series keeps growing. Now, there’s a book four. A new love blooms at the Double Dutch Ranch. But…that isn’t all. An idea for a fifth book came to mind.

  The hero in book two is Jase Carlson. He’s Tristan’s oldest brother. Jase is introduced in the first book, but his life took a huge turn. You can’t have a romance without a heroine. Jase fought me all the way on this…until he remembered something about women—how good it feels to hold one. This is where Brenna Page comes in… You’ll meet them both this week.

  Also…

  I’ve been consumed with the second book in the Bull Rider Series. Nothing about this book went to plan except I wrote the story that called to me, and then cut about 10K words. Hey, Cowboy, Bk 2 will be out in July 2014. Sometimes it feels like I lived this story, I’ve been with it so long. If only I could feel that cowboy Caulder’s kisses. Kinky? LOL I even dreamed Velia’s nightmare once.
  

  See y’all later this week… Until then please be safe. Don’t forget the sun protection. 🙂

  Posted in Bull Rider Series, Hey Cowboy Bk 2 | 5 Comments | Tagged bull rider, contemporary western romance, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, cowboys, Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight Bk 2, mary j mccoy dressel, rancher, Romance, western

• Falling Hard and Fast (#MFRWhooks) Get Caught on my Hook!

  Posted at 7:07 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on May 28, 2014

  #MFRWhooks #Western #Romance

  This week I’m joining other authors who participate in the meme, Book Hooks, put on by MFRW Authors Blog.What is this? It takes place every Wednesday and will include sentences from a book or WIP we’re working on, plus buy links and a blurb.

  You’ll be able to jump to other posts via the Linky at the bottom of my post. I’ve done other memes and you know how this works. 🙂

  Join me this week as I bring a few sentences from the first book in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny. A Sensual contemporary western romance.

  This book was published in February 2014 so it’s still a fairly new release. Sale Price is still in effect for a limited time. The second book will be out this summer.
  

  Shortened Blurb (Full can be found Here)

  Nora Trinity returns home after a long absence. Hired by a local rancher to help with his ranching magazine, she’s profoundly attracted to him. But, is she ready for this sexy cowboy and his four-year-old daughter? Tristan Carlson can’t keep her out of his arms. Before he can let his heart go, he has to know she’s different from women he’s met, who don’t want a package deal. But he’s falling hard.

  Buy this book at a site below…

  Amazon US | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords

  Meet Tristan and Nora. Destiny is in the background.

  • A night Nora didn’t want to be alone…

  It took at least two breaths and she gripped the rail, closed her eyes, and pictured what just happened. Omigod. When she opened her eyes and looked down, he stared up at her, a needy gleam in his she wanted to see more of. She backed away and took another big breath before going downstairs to face him.

  She returned to the recliner and met his gaze—lost in the dissimilar glow of his blue or green.

  When Destiny fell back asleep, Tristan took Nora’s hands. “Should I apologize?”

  She ran her tongue over her lips, still experiencing the tingle, tasting him, smelling him. She met his heated stare. “No need to apologize for something pleasurable.” Something I want more of…soon.

  Tristan lowered his voice. “I wanna do it again. Nora—you don’t know how much I’ve wanted to…kiss you. Our lunch together… I’m falling hard and fast for you. Fast…and damn, I don’t get it.”

  “Yes I do know. I get it, because I’m doing the same.” She swallowed hard—knowing she had wanted to kiss him. Wanted to kiss him again, too. She reached for him—touched her lips to his for a second, enough to know it was real the first time—still wanting more of him. Heaven knows she wanted more.

  Thank you for reading.

  Please visit the other participating authors by visiting the Linky below.
  

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  Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

  Posted in Cowboy Boss and his Destiny | 5 Comments | Tagged #MFRWhooks, Book Hooks, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, mary j mccoy dressel, Romance, western

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