Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

Sensual western romance. Heartwarming stories. Strong family ties.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
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  • Tag: Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord

    • #MFRWhooks Don’t “What” Me, Master Sergeant.

      Posted at 12:30 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 11, 2020
      Marketing For Romance Writers.org, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

      Welcome to Marketing for Romance Writers Book Hooks Blog Hop.

      Today I bring you a snippet from one of my works in progress to be released this spring. This is my ranch matriarch’s book, but each of her sons have their own POV in the book because they all have opinions (about everything). We’re in Dane’s POV. Dane is the youngest son who has PTSD or PTSS as it’s sometimes called now. Modified from the original to avoid spoilers.


      Dane paced around the kitchen until Gracelyn placed her hand on his shoulder to stop him. He poured a cup of coffee. “What?”

      “Don’t ‘what’ me, Master Sergeant Carlson. Is something wrong this morning?”

      “I have stuff on my mind. Decisions to make. People to check out.” Dane couldn’t meet her gaze. He kept important matters from her. He wanted to make his decision before mentioning it. None of his family would like it if he said yes.

      Hell, he wasn’t even in the right state of mind to accept such a job. Not now. A lot was at stake here, including care for his rescue horses if he took the job. Not to mention investigating who the hell followed his mother home last night. He’d seen it firsthand while out on horseback to clear his head. Two men. He’d come close to shooting and asking questions later, but that would’ve landed him in jail. Like he needed more bullshit.

      “That’s it? Stuff? I don’t have to work today. We can visit Jase, but let’s talk about whatever’s going on.” Gracelyn wrapped her arms around him. “Dane, I know your moods. What troubles you?”

      Dane drew her against him, closed his eyes, and inhaled the unique scent of her. He ran his hand down the back of her silky hair. “A couple guys followed Mom home last night.” That’s all he had to say for now.

      She questioned. “Lost?”

      “Not this time. ” He lowered his forehead to her shoulder and drew her closer. His heart beat faster. “Mmm. You smell so good, honey. Is Will sleeping?”


      This is a blog hop with other authors participating. Click over HERE to see their book hooks.

      Book Hooks Blog Hop banner used as featured image on Mary J McCoy-Dressel Books Book Hooks Blog PostBook 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. By sharing samples of your writing in a meme, readers will have the chance to jump from one author to another. Here’s your opportunity to hook some new readers!

       

       

      Dane’s book is the third in the series. Judy’s book will be number five. More details about the upcoming book and the series can be found on the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight page.

      Thanks for visiting and reading today. Stay well and safe.

      Posted in #MFRWhooks, #WritersLife, Book Hooks | 13 Comments | Tagged #MFRWauthor, #MFRWhooks, Book Hooks Blog Hop, Don't What Me, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Marketing for Romance Writers, mary j mccoy dressel, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord, work in progress
    • #AmWriting: Short Snippet Saturday: When Things Don’t Go To Plan ~ Dane

      Posted at 2:17 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on December 8, 2018
      long stem red rose laying on sheet music, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western Romance, Blog Post Short Snippet Saturday

      Hello, folks. I hope you’re enjoying your weekend so far.

      You know, I’ve heard it’s almost worthless to promote other than first books in a series. I don’t have standalone books except for my coloring book. Bet you didn’t see that coming. No, I’m not here to mention my coloring book, but if interested, see the menu at the top.🖍🖍🤠 I’m also not here to promote to you, my blog readers, but if a new reader stops by, feel free to check out my books.  ❤

      I’m here to talk about my youngest brother. Haha, I mean my youngest Carlson brother from the Double Dutch Ranch Series. His name is Dane. You’ve met him unless you’re new to my blog. His book is number three in the series–Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord. He’s an Army Ranger. Book three is far from being the first book, but his story is important too.

      Because of hearing it’s best to only promote first books, I’ve been posting a lot of first book snippet’s lately, plus my newest release. If I continue to publish snippets or excerpts from the same three books, pretty soon you all will have the whole book. LOL. Now you know, I won’t be doing that. After all, I have to pay bills and eat.

      So, this week, I’m giving you a snippet… Wait. Okay, lately they have been excerpts instead of snippets. Honest, I had started out with the intention to post snippets. Maybe next year I’ll go back to posting…you guessed it–snippets.

      Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight #3

      double dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Blog post snippet

      To set this up for you: Dane is deployed and on a mission. Things didn’t go to plan. He hates when things don’t go to plan. I debated on including the curse words in this snippet, but I chose to disguise them instead. It takes something away from Dane’s predicament, but I don’t want to offend anyone. However, it is my blog, and I may choose not to disguise them in the future.

      Early readers of this post got the full words, but after some consideration, I changed my mind about including them. You’ll still find a couple. Some of my faithful readers skip over it in my books, but it doesn’t stop them from reading them.

      Warning:

      • Combat scene–possible PTSD trigger.

      He came to with a foggy head, but the sound of gunfire brought him to reality. Someone keyed up their radio, calling out latitude and longitude coordinates for close air support to clear the area. Shaking his head to rid the blur, he tried to figure out why his right arm was numb—and man-o-man, his gut smoldered from the inside out. Something pulled on his leg at the ankle. The growl told him immediately. Why?

      S&*%^#&$ch, my belly hurts like hell. He scurried to sit upright but couldn’t. His arm was pinned. Nothing but dust and debris was scattered around him. Powdery grit coated his lips and filled his mouth. Sand exploded around them with each grenade launch. The pain in his gut heightened when he breathed in. A scratching sound. Digging.

      “We’re trying to get you out. Stop fighting, Sarg. Dustoff inbound. They’ll get you to the trauma care center.”

      “Get the dog off me. What the F$%@ you doin’? I got enough problems here.” The tan and black shepherd shook and pulled his leg like a rag doll.

      “Saving your life. Your leg’s pinned, too, but coming free. You’ve been hit.”

      Roger that. The voice belonged to Corporal Hanson. Dane lifted his left arm that had lain across his midriff. It was covered with blood. He raised his head to see his abdomen. Lot’s of blood there, too. Then he remembered the explosion. His breath caught as pain riddled his body. S&*%^#&$ch, he hurt like hell. “Damn, I’m dizzy.” He touched around his abdomen. A pressure bandage controlled the bleeding now. He shook his head again, still in a fog. “My right arm is pinned under the rubble up here. It ain’t budging. What happened?”

      “We got hit. RPG’s and mortar rounds. I’ll get you out. You’ll be okay.”

      He’d said the same thing to guys dying. “How about the others? It’s not looking too good in here.” When his eyes focused long enough, he examined the ceiling. “I see light above. Where’s that damn dustoff? The whole ceiling’s about to cave in.” Dane wiped sweat from his face, but it wasn’t sweat. Not unless his sweat turned red. Other than that, his body was soaked in real sweat.

      “Everybody else is okay.”

      Gunfire raged on around them then it stopped. He removed his knife from its sheath and dug at the dirt beneath his arm. Tugging, he attempted to free his body, but he weakened. His arm had been lodged in tight—pinned above the elbow as far as he could tell. He held his breath as pain came in waves. He couldn’t feel his fingers. “This isn’t where I wanna die. Everything’s murky.”

      “We’ll get you out, but you need to be still before you bleed out.”

      More gunfire. A spray of bullets hit the rubble around them. S$%@! “Take cover. That’s an order, Corporal!” Dane reached for his rifle, secured it against his body, and prepared to kill the best he could with his left hand on the trigger. He anchored himself on his side. One spray of gunfire from an AK-47 rang out loud and clear, and the digging stopped. “B#$%@$#@. Get your a$$ up here, Coop.” He lowered his eyes for only a moment. The corporal had been hit—his arm or shoulder bleeding out like a faucet across Dane’s lower leg. His head bled. Coop’s digging had gotten his leg free.

      Dane stretched as far as he could and tried to grab a hold of the corporal’s vest to drag him closer. How long before he’d be screaming out, or maybe he had. Hanson’s body was inches away from his reach, but Dane couldn’t get his arm to budge enough to grab hold of him.

      He patted the ground. “Come here, boy, come on, Boston.” The dog crawled forward but turned to go back to his handler. Dane lowered his rifle and grabbed the dog’s vest. “It’s okay, boy, stay. Grab hold of him.” He shook his head—his thoughts and focus fading fast.

      Directing the dog to the corporal’s shoulder, Boston grabbed hold of his vest strap, pulling and yanking, dragging him toward Dane a half inch at a time until Dane could grab hold enough to pull Hanson up. He removed a tourniquet from Hanson’s IFAK bag—using his free hand to twist it tight on Cooper’s arm, and took a felt pen to write a T on Hanson’s forehead to indicate the tourniquet. He pressed a bandage against Hanson’s head wound.

      Wiping blood from his own face, he picked up his rifle and braced it against his body, pointed it toward the opening, and waited for whatever might happen. “Come on you B$@%#$@. I’m taking a bunch of you out with me. Coop, don’t die on me. Dammit all to hell. Not you, dude.” Dane faded in and out of consciousness. Focus waned. He had to get them out of there…out of there. He had to get them out of there…and then the ceiling crumbled.

      End of Snippet.


      I’m sure equipment has changed since I wrote this book, so what is included here was in use when I wrote this story. I had professional advice  from more than one person when writing. One guy, a lieutenant and an Army Ranger, was actually stationed in Afghanistan when he answered my questions. I’m grateful to him. Since writing to him back then, he seems to have fallen off the planet. I hope he’s okay. Cheers to him wherever he is, and thanks again.


      Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, western romance, blog post Of the Cowboy's Own Accord short snippet Saturday Post

      Thank you all for reading.

      I didn’t know there was a football player with this name when I created my Dane for this book. I certainly hadn’t intended to use a real person’s name.

      Posted in #AmWriting, Short Snippet Saturday | 7 Comments | Tagged Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord, Short Snippet Saturday, Short Snippet Saturday: When Things Don't Go To Plan ~ Dane, western romance
    • Research at Work #MFRWauthor Week 13

      Posted at 8:49 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 30, 2018

      If you see a post this week, then that’s great. This means I was able to post it. We’re at Week 13 in the Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge. I don’t expect to do each week this year. Some of the topics don’t fit anything I could write about. I’ll find a filler for this time slot.  🙂

      Week 13: What I learned while researching my book

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

      Jason and Period Images did a special shoot for me with military and cowboy shots including the shirtless image on the book cover. (Sidebar)

      Hashtag: #MFRWauthor

      I’ll use the third book in my Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord, for this week’s topic. The hero in this book is an Army Ranger. I’m happy to say this title came to  me through research by way of–Sua Sponte (Of Their Own Accord) Rangers Lead the Way is the 75th Ranger Regiment’s Regimental motto. I learned so much about Army Rangers. Wow, deep respect.

      I’ll be referring to the Army here because that’s what I researched.

      I wrote the draft using the knowledge I did know about military life since I come from a family of military people and it continues with second cousins. Recently a third cousin entered right out of high school.

      However, when I started revisions, I had to be specific when dealing with this subject.

      RESEARCH

       

      The most important thing I learned is to triple the respect I already had for the military and their special forces, including their military working dogs.

      My research came from military websites, documentaries and interviews on the DoD Channel, movies like Black Hawk Down, soldiers I know personally or online, non-fiction books written by soldiers, but my major research came from an Army Lieutenant who answered my questions while still in Afghanistan who wishes to remain anonymous. To have him confirm my research or explain a better way to describe it, was such a big help to me. Without his help and his confirmations at how I had handled certain aspects, I wouldn’t have been able to keep certain things in the book if I’d had to guess. I’m so grateful.

      A handful of what I learned while researching this book:

      • How to communicate with family while deployed overseas.
      • Out-processing.
      • ACUs- Army Combat Uniform.
      • Deployment mobilization and in, out processing from Fort Benning, GA.
      • What a tough box looks like. My contact basically said, “It’s a big black box.” Think footlocker.
      • Uniform and rules while wearing. I believe U.S. Army uniforms changed to dress blues during the writing of this book in 2014. Do you know Rangers wear tan berets?
      • When to wear white mess uniforms.  Wow, my hero was hot in his in Heartbreak’s Reward #2.  ❤
      • Duties of an NCO- Non-Commissioned Officer.
      • Rank order and responsibilities.
      • Canine PTSD. Military Working Dogs & PTSD. My hero’s retired MWD has PTSD. (Oh, I loved his character in the book. His name is Boston.)

      Double Dutch Ranch Series, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western Romance

      I don’t have to use everything I’ve learned, but it’s important that I know. The extra research allows me to live in the world I’m creating. Yes, there is more, but I’ll stop there.

      I don’t write military romance or consider this to be in the Military Romance subgenre, but by the time I finished this book, I patted myself on the back for seeing it through.

      OH, NO!

      One thing I’ve learned the hard way in researching is to check and double check. Triple check!. Then check again. As much as I hate to admit it, I did get burned by using a particular site’s view of streets and the word of another instead of double checking myself. I’m always adamant about double or triple checking facts. Except that time. Use all the options you have to get it right.


      Wow, a scary thing happened. I added a video up there in the bullet point area, and it wiped away every word and image below it. Then I discovered I had lost links in my post and recent edits. I didn’t know WordPress had a “History” feature. Thank goodness, but I’m not sure what I lost that I didn’t add back.

      I have no affiliation with the links I’ve shared.


      Since this is a BLOG HOP, join me in in reading what other authors have learned in research. Thanks for reading.

      Photo credits: Pixabay. Dreamstime- the German Shepherd.

      Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor | 14 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge, Army, Army Rangers, blog hop, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, mary j mccoy dressel, military, Military working dogs, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord, Research, Research at Work, western romance
    • Short Snippet Saturday & National Drink Wine Day!

      Posted at 3:08 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 18, 2017

      western romance, contemporary romance, Mary J McCoy-Dressel

      Greetings! It has been eons since I’ve done a snippet on Saturday. Well, this headline is fitting in two ways. For today’s snippet, I planned on doing an excerpt from Dane’s book because I have two promos going on. One at Bargain Booksy and one at Robin Reads. And, the book is on sale! The book sits at #16 right now in Contemporary Western Fiction at Amazon. Wahoo.

      mary j mccoy-dressel, western romance

      Another reason Dane’s book is fitting is because it’s National Drink Wine Day. Gracelyn, the heroine in this book, is a Guild Wine Master. Cheers!

      Today my snippet comes to you in the form of a graphic. I checked to see if I posted this before, and I didn’t find it in my search. My apologies if you did read this in a previous post or my newsletter. Settle back with your favorite wine and sip as you read.

       


      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

      Gracelyn enters at the perfect time. She thinks she’s pulling a fast one over on Dane about her choice of wine. Sometimes Dane speaks before he thinks. A couple more beers at this meeting with Gracelyn, he might’ve said more. Yes, he’s drinking beer after his flight to Ft. Benning is delayed. Delayed all right. Delayed until the next day. Need I say more?   ❤ ❤

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romanceThem song for this book: “Once in a Lifetime” by Clay Walker.


      I have an opened bottle of Prosecco, a sparkling wine, for later. If you drink wine, do you have a favorite you’d like to recommend? Remember– “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.” Salute!

      I appreciate your visit today. Thanks for taking the time.

      Posted in Double Dutch Ranch Series, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord, Short Snippet Saturday | 4 Comments | Tagged #NationalDrinkWineDay, cowboy, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Full Length Novel, iBooks, Kindle, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Nook, novel, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord, Sale, series, small town romance, western romance
    • Contest, Giveaways, and Romance = Cowboys! (in this case) #AmWriting

      Posted at 1:44 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 9, 2017

      The Western Romance eBook Giveaway has ended.

      axpgiveawaysCongratulations to the two Grand Prize winners who won all the books, and congrats to Kim, the winner who won a copy of my book, Whispers of Forever.  

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel western romance


      In case anyone is interested, there is another contest also going on. This one is at The Kindle Book Review. Why another one so soon?

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel western romance

      This isn’t so soon, but has been going on since February 1st and will continue thru February 15th. What else could it be in February but a Valentine’s Day Giveaway! *Look what you can win: ***Six Gen 8 Kindle eReaders! (Total value is $100 x 6 winners = $600)*** I want one of these myself. #AmReading

      valentines

      Love reading? Enter everyday ’til Feb. 15th!

       Click here for the Giveaway Page.

      *From The Kindle Book Review: There is no purchase necessary to enter or win, but by supporting our authors we can continue to offer these amazing giveaways. If by chance you choose to buy any of our sponsors’ books, a portion of the cost will help support Teen Blast youth centers.

      I’ve reduced the price on Of The Cowboy’s Own Accord during this contest.

      double dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel

      Whatever Tomorrow Brings… Their only choice is acceptance.

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romanceEnjoy a surprise excerpt from Dane’s book.

      From Chapter One:

      Today, Judy Carlson tried to be strong for her family’s sake, yet her vow not to cry betrayed her. Dane, her youngest, prepared for his fourth extended tour of duty. He’d be gone in a matter of hours. She folded her arms across her chest while standing at the window in her bedroom—the majestic Superstition Mountain looking back at her. Dane headed to the barn after his ride through the desert. As soon as he untacked the horse, he would barge through the back door. Judy listened. Waited. A few moments later the back door slammed as she expected.

      Tapping on the bedroom door drew her attention. She inhaled a big breath and blew it out. “Just a minute,” she said, grabbing a tissue to dab at the wetness on her cheeks and tossed it into the wicker trash basket beside her desk.

      “Mom? Can I come in?”

      Dane. She summoned up the strength to hold it together. “Come in.”

      When he entered, he closed the door behind him. She forced a smile and walked around her queen-sized sleigh bed toward him.

      He stuffed his hands into his front pockets and took a minute before making eye contact. “Can we talk?”

      “Definitely.” Their eyes met, and for a moment she saw that blond-headed, blue-eyed boy asking for a cookie. She held her arms out and they hugged.

      He patted her back while she patted his. “It’ll be okay, Mom. I hate leaving you guys to worry. You know I’ll be home before you realize it.” His voice came out with an unfamiliar cracking.

      No, she didn’t. Every day was like a hundred piled into one while he was in combat. “I understand.” She lied. “Have you changed your mind about us coming to the base for the deployment send-off?” Send off? Like hell. Sending him off and not knowing if he’d return? It tore at her heart each time. “We can get plane tickets.” Judy wrinkled her nose at the familiar barn smells of hay and horses, on her son.

      Dane stood straight, taking a minute before speaking. He nonchalantly brushed his hair back. “No, not this time.” He took a seat on her bed like he’d done as a teenager who needed answers to some big problem, like what shirt to wear on his first date. His eyes lowered. “It’s not only hard on all of you.”

      It had to be hard for him to admit. “I understand.” Judy slipped her arm around his waist when she sat beside him, and leaned her head against his broad shoulder. “Why did you have to sign up again?” Oh, Lord, she shouldn’t be making it more difficult, because the choice wasn’t always his.

      Dane sat sideways to face her. With seriousness in his eyes and a tilt to his head, he calmly said, “You know why—this is my job.”

      Judy nodded. She knew why all right. Because he had to Ranger up. Well, she’d rather he did giddy-yup out in the Sonoran Desert instead of some desert thousands of miles away. She peered out the window to watch for a moment as the horses galloped in the pasture. An image of peacefulness. “Because this is what you do.”


      Thank you for stopping by today.

      Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife | 8 Comments | Tagged Contest, cowboys, Giveaway, Kindle, mary j mccoy dressel, novel, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord, Romance, romance series, Second Chances, small town romance, valentine's day, western romance, Whispers of Forever
    • Mini Blog Series~ Meet the Heroine: Gracelyn

      Posted at 2:15 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on May 2, 2016

      Welcome back to my mini blog series called “Meet the Heroines.” You can find links to meet the other heroines by clicking on—Meet Our Heroines. Thanks for visiting today.

      sunset sky, silhouette of cowgirl sitting, knee up, arm leaning over knee, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance Blog post Meet the Heroine series

      Meet Gracelyn Clark from Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord. At thirty-one years of age, she is a former Army Brat. After working as a sommelier, and going through extensive training, Gracelyn acquired the title of Guild Wine Master. (I might have trained right along with Gracelyn via research!)

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western Romance

      Model Portrayal. Image from Dreamstime.com

      • Grace lived in San Francisco, but landed a job in Phoenix, Arizona.
      • Is sister to one sibling.
      • She is more like her father, Lieutenant Colonel Clark, than her mother.
      • Education has always been important to her.
      • Growing up an Army Brat, adapting to change is not a problem.
      • She appears to be shy but is sexy in subtle ways.
      • She tries to see the best in people, which has backfired more than once.
      • It was love at first sight upon meeting Boston, a Military Working Dog Military Working Dogs on Facebook.

       

      Double Dutch Ranch Series, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western Romance

      Image from Dreamstime.com

       

      • Gracelyn prefers to be called Grace…

      She indicated no to another glass of wine but drew her attention back to him. “Call me Grace. Everyone does.”

      He hesitated a few seconds, thinking about her full name. The sound of it reminded him of innocence, even though her persona kind of spoke the opposite. “Do you have anything against Gracelyn? It’s nice.”

      She fingered a silver chain necklace. “No, not really. Most don’t use my full name.”

      With a tilt to his head, he gave a cocky grin. “Maybe I’m not like most.”


      Oh, that cocky cowboy/ soldier.

      I enjoyed creating Gracelyn Clark, but I have had a blast creating and getting to know all of my heroines.

      Double Dutch Ranch Series, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

      double dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel

      Amazon #1 Best Seller


      Our next heroine really isn’t a heroine of her own book, yet, but she is the heroine of the Double Dutch Ranch. She has a big role in all the books. Her name is Judy Carlson…our ranch mom.

       I appreciate you taking the time to check out my post. Thanks so much for reading.

      Have a fab week!

      Posted in #AmWriting, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord | 8 Comments | Tagged contemporary romance, cowboy brothers, Full Length Novel, mary j mccoy dressel, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord, series romance, western romance
    • Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: To Garner Emotion

      Posted at 12:34 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 2, 2016

      Last weekend I wrote a Short Snippet Saturday post about Dane Carlson, my soldier slash cowboy in Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord. Maybe this is a good time to mention how I had to get in a certain mindset to begin that book. I had to pull in emotion, get sad, and feel an ache in my heart. His book starts out n his mom’s POV. (Remember, once this was a dilemma?)

      I’m a mom. Neither of my boys had to go off to war, but in my younger years, I experienced it first hand with my boyfriend at the time. Well, he was much more than a boyfriend. The emotion was raw and painful to see him leave, each and every time he left. Plus, I had intense sadness the day, and days to follow, when my oldest son moved across the country…and he’s still there.

      From Merriam-Webster Dictionary

      Simple Definition of inspiration: Something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create : a force or influence that inspires someone.

       

      I had to find that raw and painful ache again to begin the story through a mom’s eyes, and also to be able to view it through his girlfriend’s eyes, and even his own feelings about going to war again. (I prefer to write hero focused books.) Other than plotting out my story, before and during writing this book, I did two things:

      • Went back to the day my oldest son moved to California. Drawing from experience from the day he left, I was able to experience that emotion all over again. My heart had been broken. Our hearts get broken a lot being a parent, but we have to look at it as a step toward their happiness. And then we can smile in their happiness.
      • Listened to a song over and over and over because “I Drive Your Truck” makes me cry.

       

      song notes

      The first time I heard this country tune, I cried. Then, one day while listening to NPR Radio, I heard the true story behind the song, and I cried even harder. Just now, I found the video on You Tube–a news report from CNN with the full story behind the lyrics. I didn’t cry, but if I play the song right now, I will. And I do plan on playing the song.Jason Alexander Charchan

      Today my Inspiration for the Muse post is for the way the song and life experiences clawed at my emotions to help me write Dane’s tale. I wanted to post the video with the true story, but I don’t want it to seem that I’m using that song and story for my own benefit. (Cover model Jason Alexander Charchan portraying my hero, Dane.)

      In fact, I’m not even going to post the video here.

      Instead, I’ll leave you to decide if you want to feel emotion today. Click HERE to view the video.

      If this is something you don’t want to experience at the moment, go ahead and skip listening. Or, maybe it won’t get to you the same way, after all, I’m the one who had to get in the right mindset to write a book.

      This tune by Lee Brice was Song of the Year in 2014. “‘I Drive Your Truck’ also won Song of the Year at the 2013 CMA Awards in November.” Source: Taste of Country

      Anyway, this is a couple of the ways I garnered emotion to get into the right mindset to write this book.

      I’m happy you visited today. If you left sad, I apologize, but I’ll also remind you that I write happy endings. (With a box of tissues.)


       

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      Image Credits: Pixabay. Jason Alexander Charchan- (A special shoot done for my book by Period Images)

      Posted in #AmWriting, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse | 10 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, #AuthorLife, #WritersLife, Contemporary romance novel, cowboy, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Full Length Novel, Hero focused romance, mary j mccoy dressel, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord, rancher, series romance, soldier, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: To Garner Emotion, western romance series
    • Short Snippet Saturday: Home

      Posted at 2:12 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 30, 2016

      This week I decided to do a snippet from the third book in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, a contemporary western romance series. Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord features the youngest brother at the ranch. I hope you enjoy the short snippet. Dane is my Army Ranger slash #Cowboy and a hero who stole my heart. This is from his mom’s point of view.


      Judy went to the stove and poured herself a cup of tea. “Can I get you something to eat, son?” It was almost like a dream to have him in her kitchen. Closing her eyes a moment, she popped them back open to see if he was really there.

      Dane already went to the fridge and took the flyer for pizza from the magnet. “Let’s get this.” He removed his phone from his pocket and ordered. When he put the phone down, he picked up his Duffle bag. “Same room?”

      “For goodness sakes, you have the same room. It’ll always be your room.” She detected that smirk. He teased. At least he still had that tease in him.
      She watched him leave. From the back, it looked like nothing was wrong. A handsome soldier decked out in an Army service uniform. He had all his limbs, and that was good enough for her. “Dane?”

      He glanced over his shoulder from the doorway and lifted his chin in question.

      “Your girl? She never came. Were you able to get in touch with her?” Dane didn’t like talking much about his personal life, but his personal life had been the military for years now—meant to be private. Maybe he didn’t have an issue with non-military life.

      Amazon #1 Best Seller

      Amazon #1 Best Seller

      Read a Free Preview on Amazon.

      Thank you for visiting today. Have a fun weekend.


       

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      Posted in #AmWriting, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord, Short Snippet Saturday | 9 Comments | Tagged contemporary western romance, cowboy, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Full Length Novel, mary j mccoy dressel, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord, romance novel, series romance, Short Snippet Saturday: Home
    • Check This Out From The Military Wallet: 2015 Veterans Day Free Meals and Discounts

      Posted at 8:30 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on November 11, 2015

      This was posted yesterday on The Military Wallet, but I saw it a day late, so I’ll post the link today on Veterans Day November 11. They also have a Printable PDF List of Veterans Day Meals & Deals. Enjoy.

      Thank you!

       

      From The Military wallet. Written by by Ryan Guina:

      Updated: Nov. 10, 2015. Veterans Day is soon approaching and there are many restaurants and companies who want to thank our veterans by providing them with discounts or a free meal. To those companies offering veterans a free meal or discount, the military community gives a collective thanks!


      All credit goes to The Military Wallet. Please visit their page for an updated list. http://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/

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      Posted in #AmWriting | 2 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #VeteransDay, mary j mccoy dressel, military, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord, Veterans Day 2015, Veterans Day Free Meals and Discounts
    • Short Snippet Saturday: Dane

      Posted at 12:12 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 17, 2015

      Here we are! Another weekend. College football weekend in my neck of the woods. Brr2Two of our big rival colleges are playing each other and this should be good. Tailgating will be cold. This was the first day with frost on the car windows. My cousin in the upper part of the state had three inches of snow. EKK!

      Enough blabbering. Today is also Saturday so you know what that means. Yes, you got it! While doing my Wednesday thing on Twitter this week, I came across a snippet for today in my newest release, an Amazon #1 Best Seller: Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord.

      From the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, a #Western #Romance series with gentlemen #Cowboys (with a touch of bad) and the heroines who know how to handle them.)

      Dane is my military cowboy, and the youngest Carlson brother. He’s home on leave and not necessarily by choice:

      Dane woke with a start and sat up in bed. His heart pounded when he didn’t have a gun. One deep breath led to another. Normal breathing didn’t come easy. Normal? What is normal? No gun. No Army. Not a damn thing was normal. His throat clenched as he tried to swallow while his gut twisted.

      A warm hand touched his back. Closing his eyes again, he remembered where he was…at her place. Safe. “I’m sorry to wake you,” he whispered in the dark. His arm draped over a bent knee. Think a minute. Breathe.

      “Did you have a nightmare?” She sat up and wrapped her arm around his shoulder. “Don’t be sorry. I’ve read about PTSD.”

      That word made him cringe. “I don’t have PTSD. Not a nightmare. I just woke up. Please don’t mention that again. It’s a habit… Wake up to check surroundings.”

      “All right, but you’re safe here.” She laid her head against his shoulder and smoothed her hand over his arm.

      Dane pressed his head against hers. “The nights might get worse,” he said, hesitating before going on. “Especially when there are nightmares…” 

      More about this book can be found HERE.

      Side note:

       

      (You might also remember the struggle I had naming this book.)

      Two or more new books are coming in 2016. If interested in being notified of new releases or important book updates, my mailing list can be found here. Thank you in advance. 🙂

      Have a fantastic weekend. GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!

      Posted in #AmWriting, Short Snippet Saturday | 8 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, Arizona, contemporary western romance, cowboy, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, family, iBooks, iPad, Kindle, mary j mccoy dressel, Nook, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord, sensual romance, series
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