Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance

Sensual western romance. Heartwarming stories. Strong family ties.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance
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    • Featured Book ~ Lassoing the Last Dance: A Man Like Randy

      Posted at 10:11 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on May 19, 2019
      fresh fruit in wicker basket, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance, image used for excerpt on website, featured image,

      Lassoing the Last Dance is my featured book this month. Enjoy a rather long excerpt.

      Terms of Use


      Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight™ #4

      To set it up for you:

      Previously, Randy and Roxanne shared a long-distance relationship. Roxanne had cut it off after a year with no explanation, and their mutual friends, Nora and Tristan remained tight-lipped. Now, Roxanne has moved back to Canyon Junction™ without telling Randy. His heart has never healed from losing her, but when he finds out she moved back, he can’t stay away.

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western romance, series romance, book cover, cowboy, barn, two horses

      He slowed down a bit when he neared her house. Indeed, her pickup sat in the driveway. A decal of sparkly red cowboy boots had remained in the rear window. He got out and went to the other side for the basket, but now the idea seemed silly again. He left it. Albeit, he trudged up the steps, knocked on the door. Hoped for the best. Sighed. To his surprise, a guy opened. Well, hell, this is uncomfortable.

      “Yeah?” was all the stern-faced, square-jawed guy said when he pushed open the outside door.

      “Is Roxanne around tonight?” He held eye contact with the man, having no clue who he was. Of all people, it better not be her ex-husband. If so, Randy might deck him right there just for the reason of all the things he had done to Roxanne in the past. Then he’d be disappointed in her for having him here. Was this guy her so-called story?

      “I’ll get her. Hold on.”

      All he did was yell for her, not go get her. Asshole.

      She emerged with widened eyes and a gasp. “R-Randy.”

      He tapped his heel against the porch and his breath caught when she appeared. He was right about her hair. It was darker blonde than it used to be. Straight now, not wavy like before. Her eyes remained fixed on him as she stood there. Spectacular light blue eyes. A long skirt with vertical stripes looked great on her, making her appear taller than he’d remembered.

      Finding his voice, he began, “I stopped by to welcome you back to Canyon Junction.”

      She turned to whoever was inside, “I’ll be right in.” Roxanne stepped out the door, waited a moment, then strode to the glider to take a seat. “I’m rather shocked to see you here, Randy.”

      Had she limped? “I bet. You didn’t tell me you were coming back. Hard to hide things in a small town.” Gulping, he nodded toward the door. “It’s not like you had to let me know. I’ll take off. I didn’t know you had company.” He stepped down two steps and removed keys from his pocket. “You take care, Roxanne. Nice to see you again.”

      “Randy? Wait.”

      He peered at her while trying to get his heart back in its place. A painful look appeared on her face—something between a scowl and shooting daggers. He gripped the handrail and didn’t make an attempt to move. Was she about to lambaste him? Well, he had a few things to throw right back.

      In a soft voice, she asked, “Will you come back and have a seat?”

      Randy nodded toward the door again. “Maybe another time if you don’t mind.”

      “That’s my cousin inside. He’s always been like a brother to me, and he drove my vehicle here from Broken Arrow while I flew to arrive early. He was here when I got back from Nora’s tonight. I mentioned Brett to you before.”

      Yeah, so long ago that he’d forgotten. He went up the steps and took a seat beside her. Her subtle yet sensual fragrance brought back the memory of her in his arms. So much so that he wouldn’t mind taking her into his arms and closer to her perfume. “Where’s your cousin live?”

      “Near my dad’s new condo outside of town, but he was kind enough to help me out by doing the driving himself. Tonight, he’ll be staying and helping out tomorrow here at the house. There’s so much work to do to make it mine.” She glanced down at clasped hands in her lap.

      Tension lay thick between them. Something was different about her. Roxanne looked frail, downtrodden. He wanted to hold her, or at least pick up those clasped hands. “My place too. It is how it is, and I don’t know what would make it mine. I see it as my parent’s home.”

      “The Circle D Ranch was theirs a long time ago.” Her hands wrung, then she clenched them together again. He must’ve made her nervous, or angry. “Well, Nora’s mom, Sandy, was nice enough to sell this house to me once she realized she wasn’t able to move back home from her son, Brody’s. She was happy it was me who bought it. Everything worked out.”

      She stared at him straight on, a slight tilt to her head. It made his heart race even faster because she was in the right position to be kissed. “It’ll be a good place for you.” He shifted sideways and used his foot to make the glider move in a slow glide. He lowered his hand over hers in her lap. Her soft skin felt nice next to his, but her hands were cold. “I better go. It was great to see you again. Maybe I’ll see you around town, huh?”

      Her throat tightened then her lips parted. Had she wanted to say more? His own words didn’t come out right away. He stood. “Have a nice night.” She took his hand, pulling on it quite hard to stand. “You okay, Roxanne?”

      A car driving past grabbed her attention for a moment. “Yeah, sure.” She clenched his hand tighter and made eye contact, their gazes holding beneath a muted sky. “Nice seeing you again, too. I suspect we’ll see each other around. Small town living, you know.”

      “Yup. Rox?” He hesitated and couldn’t, shouldn’t ask why she seemed so different. “Night.” Randy rushed off the porch and got in his truck. He breathed like he had run a mile down the road. She stood there with both hands on the railing. Was it that simple for her to just say good-bye without as much as a reason? Shit. He opened the door, grabbed the fruit basket from the seat, and took it up the steps. He set it on the glider since she didn’t seem prepared to take it herself. “Night.”

      Down the steps and back at his truck, he shifted into gear and pulled out of the driveway feeling more like an idiot than anything else. On the way home, he observed the mountain standing in the glow of the moon, which had slipped out from an opening in the clouds. Maybe love wasn’t meant for a man like him.

      End of Excerpt.

      Thank you for reading.

      Available:

      Apple, Nook, Amazon, Kobo

      Universal Buy Link if interested: https://books2read.com/u/4N1BlY

      graphic with cowboy in corner of squar graphic, girl with red dress dancing pose, book cover cowboy two horses barn, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, image to accompany blog post snippet

      Now, the business stuff…
      First Digital Edition, April 2017 United States of America
      Lassoing the Last Dance © 2017 by Mary J. Dressel

      EXCERPT / Website Information:
      Copyright © Mary J. Dressel Author Mary J. McCoy-Dressel and Mary J McCoy-Dressel Books. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and owner Mary J. Dressel, Mary J. McCoy-Dressel is strictly prohibited.


      Fruit Basket Credit: diapicard at Pixabay

      Book Cover Copyright Dawné Dominque

      Posted in #AmWriting, Excerpt | 6 Comments | Tagged amazon, Apple, Arizona, cowboy, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, eBook, full-length novel, Kobo, Lassoing the Last Dance, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Nook, sensual contemporary western romance, small town romance
    • Snippet: Finding Kimber: An Unexpected Encounter

      Posted at 1:10 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 25, 2018

      For this excerpt, Kimber meets her dog for the first time. It doesn’t sound like an interesting excerpt to read about Kimber meeting her dog, but there’s more going on here, especially after what happened earlier in this scene. Now, after this second revelation, she’ll have some explaining to do in the near future. It isn’t an explanation she ever wanted to give to anyone. Picture Kimber leaving the barn after turning out the horses this early morning. She hadn’t expected to see Zach standing there, and especially hadn’t expected to meet his brother for the first time. She’s standing in a knee-length cotton robe with a thin gown underneath. Introductions happened earlier in the scene. The guys are getting ready to leave.


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

      Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series

      A Double Dutch Ranch Spin Off Series.

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance, cowboys

      At that moment, a dog whined. Kimber widened her eyes. “I didn’t know you had a dog, Zach. Tyler?”

      “We don’t here in Arizona.” Zach headed to his truck. He opened the door and brought out a mid-size, long-haired dog. “You do.” He plopped the dog into her arms.

      Tyler chuckled. “I found her on the road between here and Boulder City. The poor girl has no tags, and she looks like she’s been neglected. My mama would whoop my behind if I left her there. I took a picture and left my phone number at the nearest rest stop.”

      “But—”

      Zach cut in, “You said you were lonely at night. Now you don’t have to be. I can’t keep her in the loft all day while I’m working, and she didn’t take kindly to Jake’s dog, Kasha.”

      “You’re giving her to me?” Kimber’s gaze followed Tyler out the back door and down toward the fence where she took the horses.

      “Maybe. You’re not allergic to dogs, are you? If it isn’t a problem, can you keep her here for me? It’s better for her here than locked up in the loft.”

      Kimber put her down before dropping her. She tickled the dog under her white chin. “She’s so cute, but she needs a bath and a good brushing. Have you named her?” She kept one hand on her in case she bolted. “You could bring her here daily with you, but I’ll keep her here. I hope she likes horses.”

      “She acted like they were no big deal over at Jake’s. I haven’t named her.” He called Tyler to leave. “Naming is your job, Red.”

      The dog rolled over, and Kimber patted her gray belly. “I can’t tell what she is. Part border collie? But the gray—”

      The pooch got up and shook sand from her stormy gray and white coat. “Looks a little like one. We have a couple on the ranch. She’s mixed though.”

      “I’ll have a name for her by time I see you for dinner tonight. Do either you or Tyler have any food allergies?” She got a dumbfounded look from Zach.

      “The reason I ask is because I’m allergic to turmeric. Weird, I know. I don’t know anyone else allergic to it. It can be a problem, but I carry an auto-injector with me.”

      Zach blinked. His Adams apple got stuck trying to swallow, it seemed. He chewed at a corner of his bottom lip, snapped his fingers and pointed at her. Then he closed his hand, bringing it to his chest.

      She repeated, “Do you or Tyler have food allergies?”

      He cleared his throat, came closer then lowered his gaze to her lips. His eyes flicked back to hers. Usually, his dreamy orbs sparkled in the sunlight, but not now. They darkened like grass in an oil spill. Tyler headed toward them.

      “Zach?” She asked again, nervous now due to his menacing glare, and she wished to be somewhere else. On the other side of the planet would work. Had he figured it out?

      “Uh uh.” Zach crouched and lifted the dog, squeezing her in a gentle hug.

      She looked small in Zach’s strong arms. Kimber stroked her fur, but Zach fell back a step. “Thank you for this. I’ll take good care of her for you.”

      His voice changed to a somber tone. “There might be something in the tack room to tie around her neck and a rope to keep her from running off until she gets to know you.”

      “I hope she’s housebroken.”

      “I’m positive she is.” Zach carried the dog with him. He glanced back at her with a frown, then he and Tyler entered the tack room.

      Kimber trembled as he walked away. She folded her arms, squeezing them. Something happened. A wrinkle interrupted their… Their what? Their working relationship that finally worked for a short time? The fact he was kind to the dog said something about him, but his instant melancholy veneer said the opposite.

      She rushed to her bedroom to dress for the day. She’d love to have a new dress to wear tonight, but now dinner was the last thing she wanted. Tonight, she wanted to be alone, but dammit, she’d blurted out the invitation. She couldn’t back out. This business meeting was her future. Hurriedly, she put in her contacts so he didn’t have to stare at her blue eyes any longer when he brought the dog up to the house.

      My dog Kasha is on the cover of Whispers of Forever. I suppose the other books in this series will have to have a dog, too.  🙂  ❤

      If you made it this far, thanks for reading.

      Posted in #AmWriting, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series | 4 Comments | Tagged #Cowboy series, #WhatToRead, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, dogs, Dogs in books, Finding Kimber, full-length novel, mary j mccoy dressel, Romance, series romance, Snippet, Snippet: Finding Kimber: An Unexpected Encounter, western romance
    • Short Snippet Saturday:

      Posted at 2:41 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on November 11, 2017

      I am posting a Short Snippet Saturday post on the actual day this time. Hehe. This excerpt, not snippet, comes from Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas. This is book one. Finding Kimber is book two. I thought it was fitting to post from a holiday themed book since it’s getting closer to Christmas each day.

      This is one of my favorite books. Oh, darn, who am I fooling? I say the same thing about all of them. Really, though, this one is about first love and second chances. It’s close to my heart.

      Before this scene happens, Beth, Jake’s first love in high school, recently moved back to town. Is it the perfect time, or has too many years apart put an end to what should’ve been years ago? 


      Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series: #1

      Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas

      The excerpt speaks for itself: 

      “Santa will be coming before you know it, and you’ll be here with your dad over break,” said Paige.

      What the hell? Why had she said that? Christmas was a freaking two months away. Jake shot her a condescending glare.

      “Will you be here for Christmas, Mom?”

      Paige glanced at Jake, and then answered, “Not me, but you have your father, your horses, and of course, Kasha. That’s enough to keep you busy. I’ll send a big Christmas present for you, though, so you’ll have one from me, too.” At the mention of her name, Kasha got up and moseyed over, shoving her nose beneath Paige’s hand resting on her lap, forcing a pat. “That’a girl. You’re a good dog.”

      Trace stared off at the pepper grinder in the center of the table, a frown on his forehead—a probable awakening—guessing she’d be gone for a long time.

      Yeah, Christmas present all right. A baby half-brother or sister. Now he wanted to punch something or gag. The longer she sat there in the kitchen they used to share as a couple, the more pissed off he became. In fact, he had to leave. He slid his chair out. “I forgot to take care of a chore in the barn. I need to double check on an order, too. You two finish dinner. There’s some cherry-chocolate ice cream in the fridge for dessert.” Jake mussed T.J.’s hair and winked at his kid. “Finish dinner. I’ll be in soon.” He left out the door in a calm manner.

      Dammit. Why’d he offer her to come to dinner? With a palliative breath, he knew why. He checked his phone. No messages. Since he hadn’t had anything to check in the barns, he turned on the conveyor and sent hay bales to the loft, then went up there to stack them. Jake believed the chance for her to come back for Trace was slim, and in fact, he expected her to cut ties with her old life. Maybe it was his gut telling him that.

      An hour and a half later, he entered the back door. Paige and Trace were in the living room, and someone plugged in the lighted pumpkin. Without a Halloween display like the one Paige had at her place, this one looked bare over on the square table near the bay window.

      “What’s going on?” he asked as he entered the living room with a beer. “Nice pumpkin.”

      “I like it, Dad. I plugged it in. We’re looking at pictures. Come see them!” He held up a picture and shoved it into Jake’s hand. “This is Austin’s plane.”

      Yeah, great. “Hmm, not that small.” He turned it over and read “Piper PA32 Small Aircraft.” Screw it. He handed it back to Trace. “Nice.” In reality, he was about to vomit. The guy had a freaking Piper PA32. That wasn’t cheap.

      Paige stood. “Well, it’s time I go. Our flight is scheduled to leave in a couple hours. Trace, come give Mom a hug, honey. I’m going to miss you.” She bent to hug him. Over Trace’s shoulder, she lifted her eyes to Jake.

      A lump stuck in his throat. This was it. He turned her over to another man like a father at a wedding. She was leaving them. The tear-filled look in her eyes was one he’d never forget.

      Trace cried when they parted. “Mommy…”

      “Shh,” she said, placing her finger over his lips. “I know you’re sad. I’ll call you later, big guy.” She hugged him again. “Don’t ever forget I love you, sweetheart.” Again she peered up at Jake who glanced away.

      His heart beat fast and strong. It took all the strength he had to stand there straight-faced, feigning calm as if he didn’t care. He cared. Even if he had wanted to hate her, he couldn’t, but it slowly brewed in his body and mind, especially after seeing the pain in his boy’s eyes—pain she had caused. He wanted to tell her she didn’t have to do this, but it would be worthless. She loved the other guy enough to have his baby—to give everything up for him. Yep, hate began to boil now. “Take care of yourself, Paige. I’ll take good care of our boy.”

      “I know you will, sweetie,” she said softly with a tenderness in her eyes he hadn’t seen in ages. Paige released Trace and hugged Jake, whispering, “A part of me will always…well, you know.”

      “But not enough…” Jake took a deep breath and left her embrace. “Come here, bud.” He lifted his son who was more than half of Jake’s height, and carried him outside to see her off. Trace didn’t object, now crying on his shoulder as Paige drove away.

      “Daddy?”

      “What, son?” he gulped out as the taillights faded.

      “Will Mom come back?”

      Trace’s heart beat as hard and fast as his did. He hugged him tighter, a desert-sand dryness blocking a normal swallow. “She said she would.” Jake gulped again. “Let’s take a walk through the barn.” He started to put T.J. down, but he tightened his hold around his dad’s neck.

      “No.” He cried and Jake stood right there holding him, and he cried internally.


      Thanks for reading.

      Image credits: Pixabay. Little boy: © Michael Klenetsky | Dreamstime.com. Graphics created by me.

      Posted in #AmWriting, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 6 Comments | Tagged christmas, cowboy, first love, full-length novel, Halloween, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Romance, Second Chances, series romance, Short Snippet Saturday, Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas
    • NOT Short Snippet Saturday: McCutchen Genes ~Bull Rider Series 3

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

      Hi. I know this isn’t Saturday.  🙂

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

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


      From Chapter Two: 

      Love House. McCutchen Ranch, Pennsylvania

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Bull Rider Series 3


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

      If interested:

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

      Posted in #AmWriting, Bull Rider Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 3 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, books, bull rider, Bull Rider Series #3, Bull Riding, Christmas at Love House: A Bittersweet Interlude, contemporary romance, cowboy, full-length novel, Hey Cowboy Bk 2, Howdy Ma'am bk #1, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Short Snippet Saturday, western romance
    • #AmWriting Where’s the Inspiration?

      Posted at 8:49 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 13, 2017

      Happy Friday! The Marketing for Romance Writers bunch is back with a brand new topic. Are you ready? What is my inspiration to blog? Well, your guess is as good as mine. That’s what I thought when I began writing about this week’s topic.

      Week 41: My Blogging Inspiration (Or not.)

      I’m afraid I will fail miserably with this week’s topic. I can’t put a finger on what or who is my inspiration to blog, other than my readers. Of course, I want to be available and have a place to communicate with readers and my blog followers.

      Sometimes “inspiration” comes because I have something to say. Other times I have news about my books like cover reveals, a new release, or a snippet/excerpt. On occasion I’ll mention a contest. Other times you’ll meet a guest. And last but not least, I’m inspired by others when I follow along in a blog hop like #MFRWauthor.

      I’m not good at sticking to a set day to blog. This becomes apparent when I’m beginning or ending a book, and then when I prepare to launch a new release, like recently. This time, I’m preparing for two launches. Last year, I came up with topics to help me blog more often:

      • Short Snippet Saturday
      • Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse
      • Meet Our Heroines (This is more like a mini-series since I can’t post a new heroine each week or month.)

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

      This year the Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop came into being. You know I don’t write a post for #MFRWauthor each week. I’m okay if I don’t write a post.

      Well… Some of you are laughing because I skip days weeks in blogging. “Where is my inspiration then?” you might ask. Well, my muses aren’t feeling the inspiration. Instead, they’re heads are filled with novel writing ideas, and they’re pounding it into my head until it releases through my fingers on the keyboard. My lady muse has a split personality with a male who takes her place at times. Is this why I enjoy writing hero-focused romance? They’re both bossy, but their lassos don’t scare me.

      Wesetern Romance, Mary J McCoy-Dressel

      While writing this, I learned something… In truth, my blogging inspiration comes from YOU. I see you post on a regular basis. It inspires me when you blog consistency. I look forward to your posts. I look forward to your blogs. And, I look forward to your comments and Likes on my barely-breathing blog. There you go. I found my inspiration for blogging. Maybe I didn’t fail miserably. Hah!

      I’m curious to see what inspires the other participating authors to blog. Blog hop with me to THEIR PAGES.

      Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them. ~John Shirley

      Enjoy your weekend.

      I’ll be a little busy today, but I’ll hop over to your blogs later. Thanks for visiting.

       

      Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 28 Comments | Tagged #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, 52-week blog challenge, blog, blog hop, Blogging, full-length novel, inspiration, Marketing for Romance Writers, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Romance, western romance
    • Short Snippet Saturday: Whoa There, Little Filly #AmWriting

      Posted at 1:13 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on May 20, 2017

      Hello! Today I’m bringing y’all a short snippet from Howdy, Ma’am, the first book in the Bull Rider Series. I do love the cowboy hero in this book. He and Velia sure have had a tough ride in the three books in this series.

      Set up:

      Velia divorced her first husband, Justin. Her dad accompanied her to the courthouse, along with two of the men who work for him. Justin had caused a scene in the courtroom. Because of Justin’s history of abuse, her dad sent one of his men, Roy Bianco, home with Velia after court. Caulder had been invited to dinner the next day, but there was an incident minutes before he arrived, and Velia ended up in the hospital. Roy and Caulder stay with her at home that night. She’ll soon be leaving with Caulder on the bull riding circuit.

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

      Bull Rider Series 1

       

      After Alice left, Velia went to the kitchen and got a wine glass from the cupboard.

      Caulder jumped up and hurried to her. “Whoa there, little filly, you can’t be drinking with that pain medication.” He slipped his arm around her waist.

      “I forgot.” She grasped the woodwork along the doorway.

      Roy came to assist Caulder with her, but Caulder picked her up and carried her to bed. Roy lingered right behind. “Is she okay?”

      “She’s dizzy.” He laid her on the bed and pulled the covers over her. “Maybe you should stay right here.”

      “I’m fine.” She grimaced then held her head. “Maybe not.”

      “Your pain pill is starting to work, Velia. Let it ease the pain and stop fighting western romance, mary j McCoy-Dresselagainst it.” Caulder rested one knee on the side of the bed and brushed the hair away from her face, gently running his knuckles along her cheek.

      She looked up at him. With the tender care everyone was giving to her, she felt more like a child than a grown woman, but the burning fire making its way over her body, reminded her she was no child. And neither was Caulder.

      “Rest while you can. We’ll be waking you soon.” He leaned forward and softly kissed her forehead.

      He stopped several inches from her face and stared into her eyes. Another heated rush fell over her. She wanted him to lie beside her and hold her in his arms. Velia closed her eyes and felt the mattress rise as he lifted his knee.

      He moved away and stood beside the bed. “Try to get some rest,” he said, as he turned to leave. Caulder whirled around at the door. “I’m sorry this happened to you.” He stuck his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels.

      “I’ll be all right.”

      He hurried back to the bed and put another kiss on her forehead, cupping her face in the process.

      She covered a yawn with the back of her hand, feigning sleepiness so he’d leave, but in reality, she hid the fervor in her eyes. The warmth of his lips lingered on her skin. Why would he do such a thing? Her weighted eyelids fluttered, and she fought to keep them closed. When he walked away, she opened her eyes as he went through the door. He sat in the chair positioned where she could see him from the bed. She moved to her side and watched his motions as he sipped wine and talked to Roy while they ate. Once he glanced back in at her. What’d she get herself into? Would he expect perks while on the road? Would she?

      End of Excerpt.

      I love Caulder, but oh, you have to like Roy Bianco. The dear man had a big role and a big job in Hey, Cowboy, Book Two, which proves why the family needs him. In book three, Ric Armano actually visited Velia without Roy and Nero, but he should’ve been there.

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance author website page for the series

      Have a fantastic weekend!

      Posted in #AmWriting, Bull Rider Series, Howdy Ma'am | 11 Comments | Tagged bull rider series, Bull Riding, cowboy, full-length novel, hero, Howdy Ma'am, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Romance, series romance, strong heroine, western romance
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