Happy Fourth of July USA.
Everyone Stay Safe and Responsible.
I call 2020: “The year that wasn’t.”
Image from Pixabay: JRMarketingDesign
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance
Sensual western romance. Heartwarming stories. Strong family ties.
Everyone Stay Safe and Responsible.
I call 2020: “The year that wasn’t.”
Image from Pixabay: JRMarketingDesign
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.
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.
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…
Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge. Goodness, we’re at Week 18.
Sometimes it feels like the time is flying by, doesn’t it? Other times it drags. Drags because we don’t know what we’re waiting for, to be honest.
One thing for sure though—people around the entire world are waiting for better days—normal days to return. Will it ever be the “normal” we once knew? I think it will be a long time from now before we’ll see normalcy. Any-who, since we aren’t going anywhere, let’s get to the topic for Week 18.
Can I say both? I could answer this with those four words, but you know me…
I’d like my primary home to be in the country. I’m not where I live now, but it feels like it when I look out and see the woodlands around me or when I stroll through my small-town. Today, I glanced outside in time to see a pair of ducks waddling past my window. My first thought was for them to take cover before a hawk spotted them.
Turkeys a couple of years ago.
Later, a FedEx truck slowing down on the road into this complex got my attention. Since I had been walking through the apartment getting in my daily steps, I glanced out the window to see the biggest live turkey I’ve ever seen—tail feathers and all—strutting down the road ahead of FedEx. I smiled.
Last year a coyote died beneath my bedroom window! Sad. They stroll through the parking lot at night. My cousin, who lives behind me in the same building, sees deer each evening at dusk, and the ducks because the river is down the hill. Sounds like country, huh?
In the past, I had property in the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania in the Allegheny National Forest where bear came through in the wee morning hour to examine our fire pit. I’ve mentioned before how I came upon a black bear while strolling down the road
Allegheny Mountains.
alone, with the bear between me and home!
Deer were aplenty. We had nearly twenty acres and some of that acreage had apple trees right down the hill and to the right of this garage at the family section of the property. We had a place down the road. I spotted a wild cat through my camera lens one evening while waiting for a sunset. Yes, I’ve had experience with country living, and I LIKE IT!
However, I’d like an apartment or a time-share in the city for a change of pace. Cities are beautiful at Christmastime with all the decorations. I’d hate to miss that part of city living, but I’d want to be back in my country home for Christmas Eve.
I wonder how many days it would take to become accustomed to city noise and traffic.
If you had a choice, which would you prefer? Or are you a rebel like me and choose both?
Since this is a blog hop, here’s the LINK to participating authors who are answering the same question.
Take care everyone. Stay safe. Stay home.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay – Free-photos
This big guy rambled out of the woods this morning. I heard a gobble, gobble and ran to the window. I bet my jaw dropped! I took a quick shot. Forgive the bad picture through the window with the sun glare. I think he’s looking for a cute little turkey to have his babies.
Early morning stroll.
This post was inspired by a documentary I watched on PBS Wednesday night about Climate Change.
Since I bypassed Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge this week, I thought it fitting to share a couple of quotes for Earth Day since I missed the actual date:
“We each have a role to play in ensuring that we do not pass a world beyond repair on to our children. Everyone must do their part, and as long as we unite to protect the one planet we have, we can leave it in better shape for future generations. On Earth Day, let us all accept our individual responsibilities to care for the world we live in, and let us marshal our best efforts toward building a safer, more stable, and more sustainable world.” ~Barack Obama, 2016 April 21st, quoted from The White House Office of the Press Secretary
“Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise we cannot eat money.” ~Cree Indian Proverb
Thanks for reading.
#StayHome. #StayWell.
The quotes were found on The Quote Garden.
World Image: Pixabay – 272447
Tree Image ©C. A. McCoy
Book Hooks Wednesday.
Hi, I hope you don’t mind another snippet from Whispers of Forever, but I’m continuing with a post taking place a few days later from last week’s post. Jake had invited Paige to dinner before she left them. Before she and her boyfriend flew across the country to their new home. It had been a pleasant evening between, Jake, their son Trace, and Paige. Jake faced his true feelings about losing her.
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.
***
After feeding and watering their horses, they came in from the barn. Trace got a bath and then Jake took a shower while his boy ate ice cream in front of the TV. He stood at the mirror in the small bathroom downstairs about to put shaving cream on his face.
A shattering scream ripped from Trace’s throat, “Daddy! Daddy? Dad…”
What the hell? Jake dropped his razor and rushed into the living room. “What’s the matter? Why are you watching the news, bud?” He glanced at the screen. Breaking News. “What happened?”
Trace stood in front of the TV pointing. He didn’t say anything more, but his chin dimpled and quivered.
Jake’s feet had been knocked out from under him. He dropped to the sofa. Blood drained from his face, and it all dropped to his feet. His head spun. He was unable to believe what he saw. Oh, my God. “Come here, T.J.” He reached out to bring him close, to hold him, to embrace him.
Next week, Lord willing, you’ll meet Beth. Then we’ll be finished with Whispers of Forever for a while. <grin> Find information about the book and the series on the series page.
Visit participating authors HERE. 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.
I appreciate your visit. Stay well.
I’ve been under the weather for the 4th day now. Ugh. Super scary!
Featured Image at top: Pixabay – 272447
Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge. The question for Week 16 is:
Shopping in Person:
I choose both, or I did before a pandemic took over the world. The reason I like going to clothing stores or shoe stores to shop is because I need to try on clothes, shoes, lingerie, the whatnot that goes on my body. I like to go shopping shortly after they open so it isn’t too busy, which allows me to lollygag and just look and touch, and to notice what mannequins are showing off.
If I’m looking for a new television, laptop, printer, electronic device, or even a TV table or desk, I like to see the item in person.
It’s no surprise I love bookstores, but I rarely purchase print books because they are too difficult for me to read with my eye issues. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t look, touch, and smell books, and browse whatever else bookstores have for sale.
My last recent purchases from inside an electronics store was a TV stand and Bluetooth headphones, earbud style. I had intended on purchasing headphones, but when I looked in person, most over-the-head headphones didn’t fit comfortably. If I had ordered online, I would not have known this.
Another new thing though… I never thought I’d order groceries online until I went into self-isolation and then lived with Stay Home Stay Safe orders. Going into the store helped me go above my daily step quota and actually see another human being in person and hear my voice. I am a Michigangander and ALL FOR the Michigan Stay Home Stay Safe order to continue.
Online Shopping:
Sometimes online shopping has better discounts.
I’ve grown to like online grocery shopping. All I have to do is order and pick it up. However, I look
forward to in-store shopping for food for as long as I’m able to drive and walk.
Once I’ve purchased clothing or shoes, I’ll order that brand online with confidence.
Once, I ordered a Kindle Fire and iPad online from the same electronics store mentioned above. All I had to do was see the specifications. I also purchased my fitness wrist tracker online without knowing one thing about buying one. It’s a great purchase though for spur-of-the-minute.
My computer is not staying connected to the internet these days, so a new computer might be in my future…by shopping online. Hmm.
These days, you can purchase anything online from flowering plants to hardware items to vehicles. It’s still fun to go to the store, but I like the choice.
Thanks for stopping by today. Have a wonderful weekend.
About Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop. “Each week, authors use our writing prompt to create a meaningful blog post. We’ll be posting every Friday… join us as often as possible.” Please click HERE to visit participating authors.
Welcome to Week 14 in Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge.
The number one hobby I miss a lot is photography. I’ve taken classes at a local college, but I’ve forgotten much of what I’ve learned. However, sometimes my oldest son will ask me a question and I remember the answer. Both of my boys love photography as well. Self-taught, they’re good at it too.
One of the fun parts of the class were the field trips and learning to take night shots. It’s so easy now to take out a cell phone to snap a shot. I use my point-and-shoot digital occasionally like last fall for the scarecrow, fairy, and skeleton displays at festivals. When I worked, I’d take student photos for the school of kids in various activities like the Halloween parade or Christmas parties. Now, all my fancy equipment sits in my camera bag waiting and calling me sometimes.
My dad loved taking pictures so when he had a camera in his hand, look out! He gave me an old Brownie box camera when I was very young. I think it belonged to my step-grandfather. I loved looking down into the view finder in that old thing.
Since photos are mostly in digital these days, it’s been years since I’ve made a collage. The last one I made was for a boyfriend with pictures of him, us, all of our kids—his and mine not ours—and photos of all the places we had traveled to over a five-year span. He was a photographer, too, and a darn good one with a natural talent.
To construct, I’d use a large frame and situate the photos on poster board, because of the thickness, and glue the images on with a glue stick. I’d cut the photos with random fancy edges and set them in different angles so they weren’t all straight. They turned out nice. I always received compliments on them.
I have a couple more, but these are at the top of the list.
Here is the Link to visit the participating authors.
I’m slow to getting around to visit other blogs because I’m writing one book while getting another ready to publish, and to be honest, I’m distracted with the state of the world and my state. It’s bad here right now in so many ways, and saying “bad” is putting it mildly.
To all of you and your families– Stay Safe and well.
Thank you for coming by today.
All images are from Pixabay.
I almost didn’t participate in Book Hooks this week. Then when I realized it was Tuesday instead of Wednesday, I had plenty of time and no excuse. Do you mix up your days?
Featuring Cade Outlaw and the rest of the family.
That evening at the auction, Cade received a text from Faith. He left the sales barn, reading on his way out: Leftovers tonight? Remember, it’s your favorite. Nadia will eat this again.
Cade replied: Don’t count on me for dinner. I’ll be late. After Nadia’s bedtime if things don’t pick up speed here.
I’ll save you a plate to warm up in case you’re hungry or save it for the ranch?
He sighed. How could he take Faith’s leftovers to the ranch? Ah hell. His dad, sister, and one of his brothers were all in one place. This was his chance to tell part of the family at once. The ride home might be hell, but he had to get it out in the open before Nadia spilled it tomorrow. He answered: Sure. Appreciated.
Cade put his phone in his back pocket and sauntered inside with his hands sweaty and his stomach churning. He could sit no longer than a few minutes. “I’ll be right back,” he said to his dad who hadn’t looked away from observing the goings on with their cow up for bidding. Outside, he headed to his truck, turned on the radio, and did some deep breathing. Chaos sucked life from his soul.
Fear wasn’t what it was that made him doubt telling them. Nothing would change his mind now that it’s come this far. The transformation of the family makeup is what bothered him. The bond with his siblings would disintegrate, and he’d live with the daily bullshit he’d hear all day at work. He’d never let them push him out of the business. Weighing the options again, he knew what he had to do, and do it tonight. He jerked at a knock on the tailgate.
I have no pre-order links or even a blurb written for this book, and a tentative title. It isn’t finished yet. However, book #1 is available. Book one hints at the issue Cade is having with the mother of his child and his family. Cade’s feelings may have never died. Had Faith’s?
Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart, Book #1.
#1
Amazon Review: A very good read.. Loved the characters in the Outlaw family plus the drama within a drama. The details of my birth state was amazing.
Thanks for stopping by on Book Hooks Wednesday. Participating authors can be found HERE.
Keep the ones you love, and yourself, safe and well. Stay Home. Stay Safe.
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.
I took a picture of my photos so I could upload them here.
Of course, this visit wasn’t recent.
~*~
Sparks will fly!
This snippet is from Chapter Two. The cowboy has a proposition any photographer would find hard to refuse. This is a three book series featuring the same hero and heroine. Readers have asked for another book in this series. It’s possible there will be a fourth book. Note: This is another book that has been through multiple revisions since its publication in 2012. My writing has changed and this book deserved a new chance. I had new covers made for the series too.
Bull Rider Series 1
“It pays a lot of money. Can you handle a nice income?”
“I can… But why would I have to leave?” How good was his hearing? She had to ask twice.
“You need to travel with me. You’re apparently used to traveling.”
“I have prior engagements to take care of. I’ve already been paid half of my fee for some upcoming shoots. I’d have to take care of things before I do anything.” She twirled some ringlets of hair around her finger. “What are you thinking? I can pick up and ride off with you?”
“Well, ma’am, it might be kind of nice if you rode off with me. You know what they say about riding off into the sunset?” He snickered. “You have to admit, the sunsets here are pretty nice.” He swept his hair back from his eyes and grinned.
Humph! Velia rolled her eyes then cleared her throat. She stood.
“Seriously, the season starts in February. I’d expect you there throughout the season which runs to November.”
“Almost a year?” Could she have sounded any more shocked? Had she turned into a dimwit?
He stood beside her and plopped his hat atop his head. “Yep. Nine months, almost a year if you count now.”
Velia appraised him. Lord, to imagine photographing this man for a year. Her mind whirled, her imagination running wild with anticipation, with, with… She pictured his bulging pectorals sweaty and pumped. “Umm…can I think about it for a few days?”
“You got time.”
She tilted her head in question. “How’d you find me? I mean, for the record.”
“Hey, stopped to get a tire fixed on the way to the Catalina Foothills. Saw your sign. It’s a whim.” He smirked. “Or destiny.”
About the Book:
Bull rider Caulder McCutchen has a good chance of winning the converted buckle this year, knowing he has to ride harder, go bigger, or go home. Winning consumes him, but it doesn’t take away the pain from a tremendous loss less than two years ago. He hires a feisty photographer to travel the bull riding circuit with him for a season. A little extra publicity can’t hurt, and she’s easy on the eyes. When he finds himself passionately attracted to her, will this sassy little Italian prove to be just what his claim to fame needs—or a disastrous distraction?
Velia Armano had the strength to walk away from an abusive husband but that doesn’t mean she’s free of him. She moves from Chicago to Tucson, Arizona and opens her own photography studio. Six months into her well-ordered life alone, a hunky cowboy saunters in with his howdy, ma’am and flame blue eyes, offering a job any photographer would find hard to refuse. She accepts his offer and discovers they both have their own obstacles to overcome. While trying to resist his heated embrace and gentle nature, she hopes to find the right answer before the season ends—to remain in her self-appointed exile, or give in to a happily ever after.
When the season ends, who wins the real prize?
Authors, have you written a series featuring the same hero and heroine?
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. Please join participating authors at this LINK.
