Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

Tag: cowboy

• Whatever it Takes

  Posted at 11:55 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on December 6, 2022

  

  Hello. Are you all doing well? Having fun. Staying warm?

  Here we go: During the summer, I posted this post and this post where I mentioned a new holiday story as a second book to Blue Snow in the Moonlight. I’m no longer in a hurry to get this book out in 2022. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t get it finished and edited in time for the holiday season.

  Fork in the Road

  So, I will continue writing it with no intention of publishing in 2022. Am I sad? Yes and no. Well, more yes than no. This way, I can give it the time it deserves. It’s the holiday season, so I’ll finish the draft of this book now while the inspiration of the season surrounds me. 🎄🎁⛄❄❄❄🎅🤶🤠 On a positive note, it’s nice revisiting Cullen’s family from book one while writing this, since my hero is his best friend.

  Take a Good Look

  Blue Snow in the Moonlight sales had stalled in the beginning of the season. Why bother with book two if no one reads book one? On a side note, after tweaking my Amazon ads, sales mildly increased on both holiday books.

  I know what experts say about low sales:

  • Take a good look at the book cover. Check.
  • Examine the book description. Check.
  • Get reviews. It has barely any reviews and ratings. The last time I looked on Goodreads, it had a 4.67 rating and on Amazon it has a 4.7. Not bad, but there aren’t many.

  First, I took a course on creating A+ Content for Amazon retail pages. Some of my author friends have created A+ Content on their pages. I saw the A+ Content on your latest book, Jacquie B. Any advice? I’m guessing you used Book Brush. Second, I took my own advice and published it wide to see if new eyes on it will make a difference.

  

  To Date

  • I tweaked my description in hopes of making it clearer to the reader.
  • I talked with my cover designer and mentioned I had a few things to try first, but if nothing changed, I’d want to tweak my cover.

  A day or two later my cover designer sent me a couple of cowboy stock photo images we could use to replace the first one. I chose one to have ready. Well. Well… WELL!

  Then this happened when I opened my email:

  I almost did a “Which do you like best” poll. The answers might’ve made my decision harder. Truthfully, I was afraid to ask.

  

  I could have uploaded this new cover and book description weeks ago, but I didn’t until yesterday. Again – procrastination came into play. This cowboy fits my hero’s attitude about Christmas, and the cottage is a better fit for Cullen’s rental cottage. Don’t get me wrong. I love my other cover, but maybe I like it more than readers do. A single hero on a cover is appropriate for my genres. I’ve included the revised book description if you want to read it.

  Revised Description

  He makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

  If it was up to Cullen Hollister, he’d hibernate this time of year. But he has a renter in his cottage, cattle to tend to, and kids waiting on Santa Claus. So, instead, he’s in the town square, ready to light up Sugarton in a festive Christmas display. In the crowd of onlookers, a stranger’s smile captures his attention and awakens lost desires. After the hoopla, an acquaintance introduces her, but her heart seems as cold as his.

  As his luck goes, a blizzard forces them together in the cottage he loathes. He’s drawn to her and admires her assertiveness, down-to-earth nature, and blue-snow eyes. Cullen discovers a yearning more powerful than stubbornness. If Christmas magic is real, will it show him how to trust again, or is it as fake as his previous marriage?

  Elle Palmer-Shaw uses her cousin’s wedding in North Dakota as an escape from sorrowful memories. She meets the handsome green-eyed owner of the cottage, and a simmering attraction grows. Christmas takes on a new meaning while spending time with Cullen and his kids.

  His memories of the cottage are painful, yet he makes her an offer she can’t refuse. It’s a simple solution until she’s called back home. She tries to convince Cullen to keep the rental cottage available—to give them a chance when she returns—even after dropping a bombshell about her past. But will he destroy his walls and let her in, or will he continue to exist instead of live and love?

  Learn more at Amazon and at this Universal Link.

  ---

  So, here we are. It can’t hurt to try something new. If nothing changes, I’m giving up. Ha-ha. I’m not a quitter. Let’s say we’ll see what happens.

  ---

  Off topic, but as of yesterday, I published “wide” the Two-Five Ranch Outlaws series books too. They aren’t available at all the retailers yet. The holiday season is likely slowing down the publishing process. It shouldn’t be long. Whatever it takes, right?

  It seems like ages ago already, but I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. Can you believe we’re on a countdown to Christmas now? I’m not ready! Are you?

  Apologies for not getting around to your blogs, my friends.

  Enjoy your week. Thanks for reading. 💖

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Blue Snow in the Moonlight | 8 Comments | Tagged #eBooks, #WritersLife, Christmas romance reads, cowboy, Forced Proximity, Holiday romance reads, Kindle eBooks, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

• Short Snippet Saturday: Scars and Fake Records

  Posted at 3:44 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 29, 2022

  

  Here we are on Saturday. The sun is shining brightly through my windows today. It’s nice out, too. The morning hours brought thick fog.

  This Saturday Snippet is from Finding Kimber, the second book in a spin off series to the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight. Kimber is a newcomer to Arizona. You can read more about Kimber and how she got to where she is at this LINK from Meet Our Heroines.

  The actual snippet is short. All this other writing around it makes it look long. ❤

  ---

  This book is available wide at this Universal Link.

  Brief setup: Earlier in the day, Tressa experienced the worst moments of her life. She’s giving up her identity to keep her family safe and is about to enter her new life in Arizona with a new name. Jerry is her godfather. Before retirement, he had a career in a branch of law enforcement. Everything he’s doing for her now is off the books. Melinda has been hired to accompany Jerry in getting Kimber settled.

  Saturday Snippet:

  Later in the hotel in Boise, Idaho, Melinda came to stand beside her. “Think of your parents and Charlotte. They’re safe because of your decision. A murderer is off the streets.”

  At fifty-three, Melinda didn’t look her age. Her auburn hair shone, and her green eyes were friendly most of the time, though they had darkened and hardened as of late. Tressa took a deep breath. “If I must do this, I’ll make the best of it. I have a good incentive to make it work—my family’s life.”

  Melinda patted her back. “And don’t forget it’s for your life.”

  Tressa buried her face in her hands. “I can’t stand them being hurt.” She pounded her chest. “It aches so much right here.”

  Jerry sat beside her, waiting until she got control of herself. “All of us will keep you safe, Kimber.”

  It was the first time she’d been called Kimber. She clutched her chest again. “I don’t know if I can do this. My heart is broken.”

  He handed her a degree from San Francisco University. There was a high school diploma, awards from high school, report cards, and her new credit history. “Like the passport, we’ll create your driver’s license and other photos when the scar from the removal heals. Are you sure you want the mole above your lip removed?”

  “Yes, it always stood out. Yes.”

  “All your records prove you are Kimber Kay Sinclair. You’ve nothing to fear. You need to do what we suggest. In my job, we warned, ah, our witnesses, to obey our rules. You’ll survive as long as you do what you’ve been told.”

  Tressa went through the motions while trying to distance herself from all the horror of the past and then today. Over a period of the last thirteen months, she had set money aside for later. Untraceable money meant for Kimber Sinclair. “But how? How, Jerry, did you do all of this?”

  “Kimber…” He smiled upon using her new name. “You know I can’t answer your question. And it’s best you don’t know, either, my dear.”

  

  END

  ---

  Here is what the book is about and where to find it:

  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.

  After her life is threatened, 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?

  Universal Link

  

  I’d rate this book “R” by movie standards. If you only choose to read one book in a series, you’ll still have a complete story in itself.

  Thanks for reading.

  I hope you get a chance to get outside and enjoy your weekend, especially if it’s as gorgeous as mine.<Waving>

  Posted in #AmWriting, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 3 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, cowboy, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Romance, Short Snippet Saturday: Scars and Fake Records, western romance

• Short Snippet Saturday: In a Trance

  Posted at 10:20 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 17, 2022

  

  Hello all! This snippet really is short. As I searched through last years files for a short except to post on Facebook, I came across this one. If you follow my Facebook Author Page, you saw this with the same graphic as above.

  Blue Snow in the Moonlight: A Holiday Romance. We’re in our heroine’s POV.

  Sunshine burst through the conservatory. After her yoga session, she closed her laptop and squinted at the tracks left in the snow by Cullen and his son. The ladies she had led in her class giggled and pointed behind her, saying a hot lumberjack had come into her yard. They were right. Cullen had stood trance-like, holding his chainsaw—watching. It both embarrassed and thrilled her.
  ⁠
  Later, she took a hot shower, but it wasn’t the water raising her body temperature. After dressing, she strolled through the cottage. As if a ghost hung out here, the quiet bothered her now. Sadness happened in this place some time ago. He wore his pain in his demeanor. Memories of the cottage tore Cullen up inside. His family and even her uncle went along with a lie to protect his youngest. The Hollister family shared true family love.

  End of Excerpt. Thank you.

  Learn more about his book at Holiday Books in the menu.

  Available on Amazon internationally, but I’ll likely publish this one wide before Christmas. Visit Amazon now.

  ---

  Enjoy your weekend.

  Do you love fall? It’s my favorite season with spring coming in second. The colorful leaves, cooler nights, snuggling under a throw… Walks in the park. NO high bills from running air conditioning. The season makes me cuddly inside.

  

  My small town’s Fall Festival was last weekend. All the streets were blocked off except two lanes through town via Main Street, but even that took us to a detour. It’s all so much fun. Next, the scarecrows arrive.

  Blog posts relating to the second book can be found HERE and HERE.

  

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Blue Snow in the Moonlight, Short Snippet Saturday | 7 Comments | Tagged Blue Snow in the Moonlight, Blue Snow in the Moonlight Holiday western romance, cowboy, Holiday Romance, mary j mccoy dressel, Short Snippet Saturday

• Inspiration Strikes Again #1

  Posted at 8:37 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 4, 2022

  

  And a new book begins…

  Oh YAY. I love when I surprise myself. Ha-ha.

  I never planned on writing book six in my Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight this year.

  Never say never.

  My cover designer had a promotion for some of her premade covers. I saw one and emailed her, saying it fit a future book. Future book. She wrote back to say she’d hold it for me. However, I told her I hadn’t even started the book yet. Well, a few days later I opened a document, typed Chapter 1, and I kept writing. I told her the cover inspired me to start the book. The cover became mine when she began working on it.

  My designer tweaked the cover to make it more mine. 🙂 Plus, she added my name to the bottom and “Book Title” at the top where the title will go. So, I almost have a complete cover for a book that wouldn’t be written until 2023.

  Even without the tweaks, the cover was more than enough to kick inspiration into gear. The cover is different from my other books. So is the hero. This means, it gave me new ideas. It’s fun writing this book because of the new ideas. He appears in nearly every book in the above mentioned series and the spin off series. I’m talking about my upcoming hero—Rob Adams. Hey, how about that. I mentioned my hero’s name, which isn’t something I do this soon.

  This book has been in my head since early on when I introduced Rob. He grew up in town and went to school with some of the stars in the series.

  As the years flew by, I had more time to develop him. He’s evolved since book one. I knew he’d get a book one day. I already had the opening clear in my head.

  Because of the cover, I’m now over 17,900K words and loving the story thus far. I’m amazed and thrilled.

  

  At least I have a jump on it now. However, I’m writing two other books with a fourth on the back burner.

  Funny the way things work. In book five, a new character popped into the story—a female named Scarlett—who I thought would be Rob’s heroine when he got a book. In a stern voice, my muse blurted out, “Uh-uh! Not so fast. Scarlett is still healing. We’ll set her aside for now.” News to me because, heck, I’m the author, and I didn’t know about Scarlett’s cousin, who is a perfect match for Rob. So, I say to my muse, “You go, girl. Thanks!”

  Well, I had a lengthy excerpt to introduce Rob in this post, but I’m adding it to its own post to make this one shorter and more to the point of the title. The except is one where Rob appears in the first book in the series. So, with this post divided into two posts–Inspiration Strikes Again #1 and #2–it’s your choice to read the excerpt which will follow in the next post today or Tuesday.

  

  Book Six featuring Rob Adams is coming in 2023. The series and spin off takes place in my fictitious town of Canyon Junction in Arizona. I set the series in and around the spectacular Sonoran Desert with the Superstition Mountains as a backdrop.

  I’m excited and had to share! Enjoy your weekend.

  It’s a holiday weekend here in the U.S. for what we call Labor Day weekend. The actual day falls on the first Monday in September.

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Excerpt | 3 Comments | Tagged cowboy, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Inspiration Strikes Again, kick-butt muse, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, New book idea, Romance, series romance, western romance

• Let’s Ride: National Day of the Cowboy

  Posted at 2:05 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on July 23, 2022

  

  Yesterday I wrote an introduction to this post instead of adding it here to avoid what would be a longer post. It’s already long! Grab a beverage and enjoy. The post has been updated since the original.

  The fourth Saturday in July is National Day of the Cowboy. Be sure to check out the events they plan for this day, and more at the Empire Ranch Foundation.

  

  Back in 2005, to make sure it stays that way, the organization National Day of the Cowboy (NDOC) sponsored a bill in the Wyoming House and Senate to preserve and celebrate cowboy culture and history in that state, attaching an eponymous holiday to be observed on the fourth Saturday in July…

  To read more, click the link:

  https://nationaltoday.com/national-day-of-the-cowboy/

  National Today

  #NationalDayOfTheCowboy

  Cowboy Lover that I Am

  You know I’m jumping on this! Ha, too funny! I’m learned a few things since I began writing contemporary western romance. So for your reading pleasure, I present to you my take on the cowboy on their special day. Remember, I’m focusing mainly on MY take, which may not be the same as yours.

  Mostly, I’m dealing with fiction today. However, a whole lot of facts here are true. Images are from Pixabay unless otherwise stated. Credit for the Featured Image at the top: Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com. In the shameless promotion of showing my book covers, all of my covers have been created by award winning cover designer Dawné Dominique, at DusktilDawn Designs. 

  Why I Create Cowboy Heroes:

  What’s not to love? I reckon this post is for anyone who loves a cowboy. I couldn’t create this if I didn’t love them myself. It doesn’t matter if they’re single, married, head-over-heels in love, or dads. Scowling or smiling, fists balled to protect what they love, or gently holding a child’s hand, I think they’re the sexiest men alive. That’s my opinion. I know everyone doesn’t think so. Let me have fun on this day. I hope you read this with an open mind and know it’s all in fun.

  We’ll start with the basics from the ground up:

  

  Let’s put some boots on our guy’s feet. The cowboy boot fits nicely into the stirrup. They’re sturdy for whatever jobs he has to take care of during the day or night. He has more than one pair of boots. Sometimes you’ll find his boots to be dusty and worn—his favorites, but sometimes they’ll be shiny and new. Some ranchers are now wearing lace-up boots for working.

  He’ll spill coffee on them, step in horse or cattle manure–depending on what he raises, or do a two-step on the dance floor. Hey, readers… Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. That’s why they make soap and hand sanitizer. He’s your guy. When he’s dog-tired after a long day of hard work, feel free to pull them off for him. He’ll thank ya for it. *Wink* Remember to thank him for it, when he does the same for you. He will on occasion.

  Tight jeans. Loose-fittin’ jeans. Dirty, ripped, or dress jeans… Oh, come on. Need I say more? Add a pair of chaps and my eyes will bug out.

  

  Speaking for myself

  I like an oval belt buckle holding those jeans up on their waist. However, some cowboys don’t wear belts for fear of something catching on them while working. I’m torn here, for with no belt, the jeans ride lower on the waist. When he lifts a saddle on a horse, or bends over with a hoof pick, you might be lucky enough to get a peek at that abdomen and sexy back you can’t wait to run your nails over.

  Oh, we can’t forget his t-shirt with the sleeves tight against bulging biceps. Cowboys with dad bods have bulging biceps too. Hard work, is hard work. Young or old, he’s dedicated to hard work. After giving a horse a bath, expect a little water on the shirt. Should I explain the wet t-shirt?

  Flannel shirts with the sleeves turned up a couple rolls and open in the front isn’t so bad, either. But, wow, when your cowboy wears a dress shirt and clean jeans, hold him tight when you go out. Be prepared for a lot of ogling. Don’t be surprised if he casually looks back, but don’t worry, he’s true to you. However, he might deck another cowboy for getting a little too touchy-feely with you.

  

  A hint of stubble on the face or clean-shaven works for me. How about you? Chances are, you’ll find a little more than a hint of scruff after a couple long, tired days. Concerning beards, here’s a brief conversation between my heroine and hero in a work in progress. They haven’t seen each other for three and a half years. Due to circumstances beyond their control, she is staying with him, only at the moment. Not with him per se, but on his ranch:

  He draped his flannel shirt over the chair and took a bite of his donut. “Better eat the scrambled eggs while they’re still good, or I’ll take them out to the pigs.”

  Pigs? She handed him the mug of coffee complete with milk. “You wear a beard now?”

  He laughed and wiped powdered sugar from his mustache and donut crumbs from his beard. “Not normally. I haven’t shaved in four days. Do I look like hell?”

  “More like a lumberjack, but that’s not a bad thing.” She chuckled.

  Copyright 2022 Mary J. McCoy-Dressel/Mary J. Dressel

  You might have to get used to a little whisker-burn now and then. Go without shaving whatever needs shaving for a couple days. He’ll get the picture.  😉

  Oh, readers, when our cowboy sets his jaw in confidence or stubbornness, you know he means business. But so do we, so it evens out. His attitude or mood isn’t always going to be congenial. He has bad days too, and sometimes he can be downright miserable to be around.

  This man’s smile? Mmm, how about quirked lips when he questions something you said? A side smile? I can tell you, my knees buckle when he shoots that dangerous grin my way. Ooohhhh, what about his to-die-for wanton smile? You know the one where it shows in his eyes, too? The one he gives when you wonder what he’s up to next? But, goodness, when his face lights up with that special look, it TELLS you what he’s up to next. When he smiles at you in this way, you know your feet won’t be on the floor much longer. Am I right? Sigh. Who moved my fan? (I’ll use one of my own cowboys for an example–Caulder “Hotness” McCutchen, my sexy alpha bull rider.)

  

  It doesn’t matter if those sexy kissable lips are full, soft, chapped, or sunkissed sweet. When it comes to kissing them, you know they’re a perfect match for yours.

  

  Hat Hair

  Mmm, his hair. Hair and eyes are the first things I notice. He might wear his hair on the longer side. Who has time for a haircut? He’s too busy tending to a ranch, cutting hay on a prairie, riding horses and driving cattle across a wide divide. He might be fixing fences in a dusty desert or monsoon, or trying to stay on a bull or bronc for eight seconds. Depending on his mood, he’s comfortable wearing his hair neatly combed when the occasion arises, or wind-blown messy when he’s busy. Whichever way he chooses to wear it, it’ll end up looking like hat-hair by the end of the day.

  

  Either neat and tidy or wild and free, if a shock of hair falls over his forehead, I can’t think of a more perfect excuse to get closer than to move in and brush it back. He’ll appreciate it if we leave our palm to rest on the side of his face, for a minute anyway. Whew!

  Last but not least, let’s not forget the Stetson, or any brand of cowboy hat, in off-white or black, depending on the occasion. Straw works for those hot days. If you’re wearing a hat, make sure you get the right tilt to your head in order to kiss him. Enjoy.

  

  Since it is our cowboy’s special day, we’ll continue. Let’s give him a dog and a horse or two, preferably more. After his dog and horses, we’re giving this cowboy a cowgirl, or whoever he chooses to love.

  

  Romance

  When evening comes, if he’s in by then, of course, he’ll be contented to settle in beside you, wearing a subtle fragrance whether it’s aftershave or your favorite cologne. Could be ranch life. My cowboys are sexy, hard working men, and they aren’t always going to be smelling like they walked out of a shower. Don’t let that deter you, but a little hint won’t hurt. An offer to accompany him in the shower isn’t a bad idea. ❤ ❤ ❤

  More than likely, for dinner he’ll like his favorite carryout, spicy food to match his persona, or a meat and potato meal at the end of the day. Sometimes he’ll surprise us, and prepare a delicious meal. Maybe burgers on the grill or steak with candlelight. He’ll enjoy a shot of whiskey, brandy, tequila, or Scotch, and maybe sometimes a glass of wine or a longneck. Even milk.

  At the end of the day with our cowboy, we know, besides his family, it’s us and the kids he holds in his heart…along with his dog and horses maybe not in a particular order. 🙂 Finally, when you get up Sunday morning, chances are after chores and breakfast, y’all will head to church. But think about it… At the end of the day, your cowboy is curling up next to you. The next move is yours.

  

  

  REMEMBER, this is MY take on the cowboy, and this was written for fun. I hope you enjoyed reading.

  Celebrate National Day of the Cowboy the 4th Saturday of July.

  Remember what they say… Save a horse, ride a… *Smile*

  Thanks so much for reading, and an extra special thanks if you’ve read this more than once!

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Bull Rider Series, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Double Dutch Ranch Series, national day of the cowboy, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws | 5 Comments | Tagged #NationalDayOfTheCowboy, boots, bronc riding, bull riders, Bull Riding, cattle ranch, cowboy, cowboy hats, dog, Empire Ranch Foundation, horses, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, national day of the cowboy, ranchers, Romance, series romance, sexy cowboys, western hero

• Questions, Blunders, Blue Snow, and Writing by the Seat of My Pants

  Posted at 5:36 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 27, 2022

  

  Not a Series – Not a Sequel?

  I posted the image below as my regular Facebook profile STORY post, but now I’m adding it here with an explanation.

  

  Yes, it’s true. Some readers asked for more after reading the first book. Yay, thanks! Big hugs. I’m writing a second book in the fictitious small town of Sugarton, North Dakota. Cullen Hollister, his family, and Elle from “Blue Snow in the Moonlight” will make their appearances. I can’t call it a sequel, I don’t think, but it is a SECOND BOOK.

  Or will it turn out to be the first book in a potential series? When it comes down to it, I’m not certain I can dedicate time to writing another series.

  Any suggestions as to what to call two books? It can’t be a duo because they’re one book with two stories (I think).

  Little Did I know

  At the time of writing Blue Snow, my new hero’s name popped into my head out of the blue as names do with me. I never expected to say or write his name again. The few lines with his name in book one were written to break up Cullen’s train of thought as he drove to his cottage. So, yes, to me he was just a name, and there was no reason to go further with him at the time. (Sorry, dude.)

  Things can change, can’t they? It took until a month ago to decide on a second book. As I jotted down a handful of ideas for this new book and my new hero, his name started sounding familiar to me. No wonder. I did a search and found a few famous people with his first and last name. Oh, great! Famous people? Duh. If I had plans on using him in the book or a second book, I would have completed a name search then.

  Since he is already mentioned in my already published book, I had choices: 1) keep his name, 2) come up with a new character never mentioned in Blue Snow, 3) change his name in Blue Snow in the Moonlight. Um, NOPE, or, 4) write a book in the same area not related to Blue Snow.

  Fixing the Name Blunder

  

  The thing is, his first and last names are “first names.” Let’s take a first name and surname like John Roy (fictitious as far as I know). To fix my blunder, I separated my character’s first and last names with a hyphen and gave him a new surname. Lucky for me, I rarely have to mention the hyphenated name in the new book, because as it goes, he happens to hate his hyphenated name and insists on no one saying it like: “Don’t call me John-Roy! The name’s John.” Not my characters name.

  Moving On

  With this book, I’ve reverted back to writing “by the seat of my pants.” All I did was jot down a few paragraphs about what could happen, plus, I included character details. Let’s say, I finally got to know this hero. I’m looking forward to learning more. I changed my heroine’s name five or six times. Oh, I switched the spelling of her name three or four times. The poor girl is going to have an identity crisis.

  Next, I started writing. So here we are. I have no idea where the first 11,000 words came from, but boy-oh-boy was I glad when they poured out. Honestly, I’m not sure where it’ll go from here. Other than getting them to a happily ever after, of course. Did I mention I’m writing two other books? Long story there and maybe the “long story” might make it into a shorter blog post, cause this darn thing got long.

  Thanks for reading. Stay tuned to see how many more names I can change.

  

  Featured Image: Pixabay JolaKedra

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Blue Snow in the Moonlight | 12 Comments | Tagged #WritersLife, Blue Snow in the Moonlight Holiday Romance, cowboy, mary j mccoy dressel, Questions Blunders Writing by the Seat of Your Pants, western romance

• #AmWriting Short Snippet Saturday: Rumors & Lies

  Posted at 12:00 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 26, 2021

  Hello. I hope your weekend is off to a great start. This snippet is from book one in the Two-Five Ranch Outlaws series but refers to a conflict that sets up book two between Cade, his mother, and Faith. The thing is, most of the family sided with their mom against Faith and chose to believe rumors and lies that destroyed Cade and Faith’s relationship. Nadia is their six-year-old daughter.

  We’re in Karis’s POV. She’s the heroine in book one, and a few years after Cade and Faith’s breakup, Karis had become friendly with Faith and still is to this day.

  Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart ~Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, Book One:

  

  Ruth glanced at her boys. “You’re all here, why not stay for supper? I got a lot of leftovers. I forget how to cook for only me and Jess.”

  “I don’t like leftovers, Grandma.” Nadia folded her arms and took a defiant stance.

  “You’ll eat them, child. Or go hungry. My leftovers aren’t like your mother’s.”

  “Mom.” Cade shook his head. “Be careful. You aren’t talking to a toddler anymore. Besides, Faith is a great cook.”

  Ruth had no qualms in showing her dislike of Cade’s ex-fiancée who had been rumored to have cheated on him. Rumor or not, Ruth stood firm in believing it to be true. Karis had believed Faith when she’d told her how the rumor materialized out of revenge. She’d recognized true pain in Faith’s eyes.

  It hadn’t helped to gain Ruth’s approval when Faith had kept the pregnancy from Cade until a couple months before their wedding. As the story goes, Ruth had been the one to insist he had a paternity test to prove the child was his before saying “I Do.” Turned out, seven months later, a bouncing baby Nadia came into the family with her dad at her mom’s side. By then, the family’s mistrust, and Cade not sticking up for Faith, had been enough to end their relationship. So, after knowing Ruth’s ability to quick-judge, it had worried Karis that Ruth might turn her back on her, too, but she hadn’t.

  Around here now at Jesse and Ruth’s, the family had always come together in times of need. Karis smiled at the loving banter between them. Nadia had been such a delight to Cade and the family. It saddened her that Ruth had never given Faith a chance to be a part of this.

  Book One is Available Now: https://books2read.com/u/mYKq7o

  Book Two Coming Summer 2021.

  

  Well, now… Cade and Faith have a lot to overcome before they can fathom a second chance. They may have a chance as long as their sworn enemy, and the one who started this whole ordeal, remains out of sight, because if he returns…

  ---

  Thank you for reading. Have a nice rest of your weekend. We’ve gone from drought to flooding in the area with more days of rain on the way while other parts of the state still suffer. We may continue with drought conditions after all this rain soaks in. Wishing you all the best. 💕

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Common Elements Romance Project, Short Snippet Saturday, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws | 4 Comments | Tagged cowboy, Imprisoned in a Cowboy's Heart, mary j mccoy dressel, Romance, Short Snippet Saturday, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws series

• A Book Title, BINGO, and a Snippet

  Posted at 4:26 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 24, 2020

  I missed Book Hooks Wednesday again. The post almost made it, yadda yadda yadda…

  This isn’t the snippet I had written for Book Hooks. Instead, this one stemmed from an upcoming post I trashed about Book Titles, which included Hey, Cowboy. The scene you’re about to read is why the title for Hey, Cowboy, Book two is what it is. However this scene is from Howdy, Ma’am, Book One. The snippet explains.

  In the beginning, I didn’t want either of these titles to be for the books, but in the end, they were the perfect choice. I have no regrets. 💙

   

  

  ---

   

  Caulder and Velia got to know each other before the season began. She fought the attraction forming between them, but she only fooled herself.

  Set up: Velia did her best to deny what had happened between them the night before, on their first night on the road, no less. She promised herself and him, it would never happen again. We turn the page to the day after: Modified a bit from the original.

  

  As soon as Caulder came out to practice wearing Wranglers and a shirt with the sleeves cut out, and pumped muscles filling her viewfinder, she almost choked on her own lust. “Focus, dammit!” He strutted around the arena like he owned each grain of sand. He went to every bull and talked to them. When he came nose to nose with one big, ugly critter, she had it in her sights.

  She videotaped him around the horses, patting them on the back, and sliding his hand down their flanks. Like he slid his hand down my flank. “Focus.” She got him on video when he wandered to the other side of the arena. Yes, she got one fine part of him strolling away from her—his tight and toned, nice-looking, feel good ass. She stomped. “Why, dammit, why?” Her camera dangled from the neck strap as she watched him.

  She followed and caught him inside the doorway. “Hey, cowboy?”

  

  He turned toward her with a slow glance over her body, and she was aware of the longing in his eyes. She hurried to him and slid her arms around his neck.

  End of excerpt.

  And that, my friends, is where Hey, Cowboy got its title.

  Thanks for reading. Find more on the Bull Rider Series book page.

  

  ---

  Here’s a cute story about the title for Howdy, Ma’am.

  A while back, a long while back, when this book was new, I sent a gift basket to a reader conference with this book included. Cover models were leading a BINGO game. The card squares had book titles on them. I don’t know which cover model, but I heard from the winner of the basket, that the model had a lot of fun calling my book title for this gift basket. When he drew out HOWDY, MA’AM for a spot on the BINGO cards, he’d repeat the title over and over with his deep voice and drawl. He, and the book, got a lot of attention. It made me glad to have kept the title!

  Enjoy the rest of your week!

  Posted in #AmWriting, Bull Rider Series | 5 Comments | Tagged #WritersLife, A Book Title BINGO and a Snippet, Book Hooks, bull rider series, cowboy, Hey cowboy, Howdy Ma'am, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

• Short Snippet Saturday: Book #3- Bull Riding on the Ranch

  Posted at 8:01 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 22, 2019

  

  Christmas at Love House:

  A Bittersweet Interlude #3

  

  This month on my website and blog, I’m sharing a short snippet from the third book in the series.  These are the new covers for anyone who hasn’t seen them yet. I love the font my designer used for the titles.

  Snippet Set Up: Reece (Foley) Wilson was the youngest bull rider on Caulder McCutchen’s team. He appears in each book in the series. Caulder has taken the kid under his wing. Now it’s Christmas and four years after the second book, and Foley is spending the holiday at Caulder’s family ranch in the Snowy Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania. The guys decided to do a practice bull ride.

  Caulder and Velia have many family members visiting at Love House for Christmas. They never expected a new love to bloom between two of their guests. Velia’s three younger cousins, Torre, Natale, and Alba are in this scene. Natale recently turned eighteen.

  If you haven’t met Velia and Caulder by now, how come? Haha, teasing!

  Available at Amazon.

  

  Let’s ride!

  ---

  “Both you girls, step back,” said Caulder. “Pictures later. You don’t just come up here to take pictures. Did you ever see a bull bucking in the chute for crying out loud? A horn could take you out in a minute. Ask Velia all about it.”

  Alba made a face and wrinkled her nose at Caulder. “Okay, bossy.”

  Teenagers! He’d give her bossy later. Aiden stood beside Caulder when Foley eased down on the bull. He held tight to Foley’s vest. Torre came over to act as the front safety guy, ready to hold him back if the bull bucked in the chute while Foley rosined his rope.

  “Come on, Foley,” said Caulder. “Like you told me on my last ride of the season, ‘you can do this.’”

  “Got it.” Getting the bull rope rosined up, he tightened, wrapped, and secured it in his hand. “This feels damn good to be on a bull again with all y’all around.” Once the rope was how he wanted it, he glanced at Natale then nodded to the gate man. “Go!”

  Caulder stepped back when the bull bucked out the gate. “Looking good!” This was like old times when Foley had been his teammate, but either way, he held his breath and said a silent prayer. “Come on, hold on, Foley. Hold on to that rage…”

  The eight second buzzer rang. He loosened the rope on his hand. The crazy bull gave one last buck. Foley got hung up. He ended up running, or more like being dragged alongside the bull. Natale screamed from the sidelines. One of Aiden’s ranch hands followed with the horse and Jase rode another one.

  Foley got his hand free on his own and fell back on his ass. Sitting in the sand, he removed his helmet, got up slowly, and slapped his chest with pride. A flashing smile lit his face as he held his helmet above his head. The first thing he did was seek out Natale.

  “Yeah, baby, you did it!” She jumped up and down at the chute shoving her fists into the air.

  

  Baby? Caulder glanced back and forth from Foley to Velia’s cousin. Their gaze stayed connected until Foley came out of the ring. She took two steps down at a time and ran to him the second her foot hit the ground. Caulder shook his head but cheered to himself. Those two reminded him of him and Velia back some years ago when this had all been new to her. Like Velia, Natale had it bad for a cowboy.

  He went down the steps and to where they stood to break them up. “All right, all right, let me in here you two. Damn, Foley that was a good ride.” Caulder embraced them both and when he parted, he took both of their shoulders to bring them back together. “Carry on.” He winked at Natale and mussed up Foley’s hair like he was a kid.

  Christmas at Love House: A Bittersweet Interlude #3.

  Read a sample.

  ---

  Thanks for stopping by today!

  Here’s a short video showing how to wrap the tail of the bull rope in your hand. Remember, the bull is not standing there waiting for you to take care of business. One of your buddies is standing on the gate pulling the end of your rope tight between wraps. Sometimes, if the rider takes too much time, a judge sets a timer for, I think, sixty-seconds. If you don’t make it out of the chute, you forfeit the ride and points if you would’ve ridden the bull for eight-seconds. Haha, this excites me so much, I could talk about it forever!

  Images: Dreamstime.com

  Posted in #AmWriting, Christmas at Love House, Short Snippet Saturday | 2 Comments | Tagged Allegheny Mountains, Bull ride, bull rider, bull rider series, bull rider series boxed set, christmas, Christmas at Love House: A Bittersweet Interlude, cowboy, Family Christmas, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Steamy romance, western romance

• Short Snippet Saturday: Easy Feeling of Love

  Posted at 8:59 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 8, 2019

  

  Easy Feeling of Love is the title though I could’ve added: But for how long?

  This snippet is from the second book in the Bull Rider Series.

  Set Up: Velia’s first season on the road with the bull rider is over. We’re between season one and the next season, if there is one. Caulder accompanied her back to Tucson where Velia rents an apartment and has her photography business set up, run now by her business partner. Caulder’s SUV had remained at a teammates mansion in the Catalina Foothills where Caulder had lived for a few months last year before the season had started, and when he and Velia met. In this scene, they’re going to pick up his vehicle, or so she thinks… Until all hell breaks loose not long after, which you won’t see in this short snippet.

  This explanation is almost as long as the snippet! Sorry. ❤

  Steamy romance series. (Not the snippet)

  First, let’s see what the book is about. Shortened Blurb:

  

  Bull Rider Series 2

  Hey, Cowboy #2
  A break in the bull riding season finds Velia and Caulder back in Tucson. Family, friends, and rowdy cowboys are brought together to share in joy, and sometimes pain. Happiness is within reach. They need to be strong enough to overcome enemies plotting against Velia’s family—and a possible career-ending injury for Caulder.

  ---

  In Howdy, Ma’am, Book One, Caulder hired her for a season. Now, the season is over… What will become of them?

  Beginning of Chapter Three:

  The drive back to the Catalina Foothills at night evoked a sense of smallness, living in an untamed world under an expansive star-studded sky. The sun had already set and the sky changed from deep blue to an intense violet twilight.

  Cacti and palm trees surrounded the highway, standing like guards in silhouetted form. Even being a photographer, she wouldn’t be able to capture an image this awe-inspiring if she used all the photo manipulation tools she had. She grasped Caulder’s hand and was carried away with the moment, overwhelmed with the easy feeling of love for the man beside her.

  He strummed his thumb over her fingers. “We’ll sit on the patio when we get back if you’d like.” Caulder gave a quick laugh. “Kind of like old times?”

  “Yes, I’d like to, but this time with your hand in mine.” Glancing at him, she observed his sexy profile in the dim glow of the lighted dashboard. Good-looking from any angle. What makes me so…so emotional tonight?

  Peacefulness came into her life as slowly as a feather drops through air, but now it was here. She craved it after hardening her heart for a time. They were almost like different people now. Her torment long over.

  She hoped Caulder no longer hurt so much inside, from his tremendous loss. Loving him is what she’d do until he saw it as a beautiful memory. A memory of the time he’d had…with them. Yes, love him forever is what she’d do. He appeared to be nodding off. “Are you falling asleep? Shall I drive the rest of the way?”

  “No, I’m fine,” he said. “I have a dull headache that won’t go away.”

  ---

  Thanks for reading!

  Have a nice weekend.

  Posted in #AmWriting, Bull Rider Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 10 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, Arizona, bull rider, bull rider series, cowboy, Hey Cowboy Book 2, mary j mccoy dressel, Short Snippet Saturday, western romance

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