Mary J. McCoy-Dressel Books

Tag: Romance

• Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Opinions of Others

  Posted at 2:40 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on April 24, 2018

  

  Today is Tuesday. Wow, it’s been awhile since I posted using this theme.

   

  Today for my Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse post, I choose to post a handful of good reviews. I’d be crazy to sabotage myself by posting the bad ones on my own blog. I’d love to be able to please everyone, but I can’t.

  To protect their privacy, I’m not posting names of the reviewers in this post. You can always check them out on Amazon. Just know that these reviews, and many others, leave me smiling.

  I’m about to post a handful of review snippets for books in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight.

  It might be unfair to post only the good reviews here today, but this is my blog and my inspiration. A few weeks ago, I wrote a Blog Challenge post and talked about–You Can’t Please Everyone. Maybe you’d be interested in visiting the post, too, if you haven’t already.

  I read a lot of book reviews online and on blogs. Why don’t I post reviews of my own books? Well, I have in the past but stopped doing it. I admire those of you who proudly post your book reviews.

  Don’t worry, I limited the number of snippets I added today. Altogether they’re probably as long as some single book reviews.

  Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review. Regardless if you left a review or not, thanks for buying and reading.

  Happy Tuesday.

  

  Pixabay

  These review snippets are from Amazon US:

  Cowboy Boss and his Destiny #1 (Sorry for posting more on this book.)

  • I truly enjoyed the characters and the small town feel. The romance was not disappointing between Nora and Tristan. I also recommend reading the books in order.
  • Romance love and suspense. You get it all at its best in all Mary J. McCoy-Dressel books. These books are amazing, the tears, laughter, suspense and love will leave you wanting more. I can’t wait until the rest of the serious comes out. It will be well worth the wait I am sure.
  • Gave five stars and would have given more if available…this was a really good read. I enjoyed the storyline & the characters… Really got into the story because the characters seemed so real. Thanks to the author for a beautiful love story!! Will recommend to others.
  •  I am new to Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, but won’t remain that way. A sweet, heartwarming love story with just the right amount of hot scenes!! Highly recommended!!!
  • Author Mary J. McCoy-Dressel soundly convinced me of her storytelling abilities when I read Howdy, Ma’am, a contemporary western she peppered with heart, heat, excitement and drama. But in COWBOY BOSS AND HIS DESTINY, Ms. McCoy-Dressel shows she has the writing strengths and versatility to change things up and produce an equally enjoyable contemporary romance that focuses on the everyday matters of work, family, home, and, once again, the heart. I never grew bored with this unfolding tale of love that developed at a pleasing and natural pace, nor the quiet revelations that were revealed about two hearts destined to find one another and set a course for the future. Angie Just Read. The Romance Reviews. Click link for full review. (The Romance Reviews requires us to mention the reviewer when we post snippets.)

  Tristan’s Destiny (No longer available on its own). Now this story is the majority of Cowboy Boss and his Destiny and combined into one book.

  • Absolutely AWESOME read. the most beautiful love story I have ever read. I fell in love with TRISTAN and Nora and little Destiny. I felt sad when the story ended because they became real. This is a must read. First read by this author, but there will certainly be more.
  • The Double Dutch Series books are wonderful. Tristan’s Destiny is one of the best books I have read. It’s got love, family, and a lot of heart.
  • I enjoyed this whole series. I read all of them. The men are alpha & the women are strong.

  Heartbreak’s Reward #2

  • I loved the story. The two main characters were wonderfully portrayed. I see a fantastic story developing for the youngest brother.
  • I love the story of Jase and Brenna it has everything, to keep you up late at night wondering what will happen next. Highly recommended to all.
  • Besides the steadily growing sizzle between the cowboy and the teacher, there’s an added benefit of revisiting the charming cast from the previous book, as well as the timely introduction of several new characters and a first taste of the third Carlson brother, Dane. Cowboy junkies everywhere will want to add this author to their favorites list! You can read the entire review at the Link. Angie Just Read. The Romance Reviews.

  Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord #

  • Great insight to PTSD and the struggles that follow, dogs as well as men & women. Very enjoyable read.
  • This is what I would call a sweet romance story. Not overly descriptive of the sexy parts. I found it very enjoyable.
  • I believe in love at first sight because it happened that way in my life. This story is interesting since it deals with PTSD syndrome. The dog adds an extra dimension.
  • Love at First Read is what I say about this series and Dane and Grace were no different! Mary J McCoy-Dressel has a way of catching your attention in the first paragraph and keeping it throughout the story. From Danes description of Graces eyes to Graces description of Danes tattoo, I could visualize every moment in between. I love the Carlson family.

  Lassoing the Last Dance #4

  • A true love wins out story for Roxanne and Randy. Lots of danger, action, romance and mystery. Loved reading this book.
  • This book had every thing, mystery, people who you never guessed doing things. But a great outcome. I hope they get to have children.
  • This was a good western romance – I enjoyed it. Well-written, likable characters. I’ll read others by this author.

  ---

  

  Yeah, no doubt this is a different kind of post for me. I hope I didn’t shoot myself in the foot. It’ll be awhile before you see another post like this one. I might be brave again one day and post reviews from Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series and the Bull Rider Series. Or, you can check them out yourself…the good and the bad.

  Thanks for reading.

   

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife | 5 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #AuthorLife, #WritersLife, blog, cowboys, inspiration, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Romance, The Romance Reviews, Top Pick, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Opinions of Others, western romance

• #AmWriting Update and Snippet

  Posted at 4:21 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on April 17, 2018

  

  What the heck have I been working on since the major revision of Cowboy Boss and his Destiny? Well, folks, for those of you who are interested, I’m back to working on book three in the spin off–Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series–Wade’s story. No, Wade’s story isn’t the title. The title is a whole other deal going on here in my head.

  I have three titles sitting at the top of my manuscript in fancy font looking as pretty as can be, but I can’t select the right one. They’re okay, but they don’t feel like “the one.” The other night I typed a good line… “Hmm, well, now,” I said to myself . “This could be my title.” It’s growing on me.

  By the looks of things, this might be the only book I publish this year. I had a goal of two. Of course, I’m not giving up on the goal yet, but with all the medical stuff going on in my life right now, I’m not sure what lies ahead besides more tests.

  Anyway, for readers of my spin off series, you have met Wade Emory in the first book. He works with Jake Lawton as a foreman and now owns part of Jake’s ranching supply business. However, his luck with women sucks. Isn’t it awful for a romance hero’s love life to suck? In all fairness, he hasn’t been a book hero, but I’ve had so much fun turning him into one. Wade is worthy of being called a romance hero now.

  As a secondary character in Whispers of Forever, Wade began a serious relationship with a woman in the Air Force who lived in Las Vegas, but nope, luck evaded him. In Finding Kimber, his buddy, and best friend, Dane Carlson, set him up with a, well, ahem, let’s move on, and say Wade wasn’t big on dating someone recently out of college who had a drinking problem. In this case, he made sure there wouldn’t be a second date. Oh, and then… Blah, blah,  this is the story of his life.  In his book, he takes a trip, but it isn’t for a vacation. It all boils down to… Will he have to travel four hundred miles from home to meet “the one”? Coming in 2018.

  Here’s a little tidbit from my draft:

  

  Wade hurried down the stairway, taking two steps at a time, through the lobby, and out the door. He caught the guy getting into a shuttle bus and yanked him off before he got to the second step. “You’re not going anywhere.” The smell of alcohol filled the air between them. Wade held his arm and dragged Clay back up the stairs without anything more than a missed swing from the drunk, and a few eyes from hotel patrons. Wade pounded on her door, and when she opened it, he shoved the guy inside. “Give the lady her money, or you won’t leave here walking.”

  She shoved Wade in the chest. “What in the hell are you doing?” She clasped her hands together and faced her brother. “Give me my money, Clay. You didn’t even care how me and Tanner got home. Do you think I’ll forget this?” She reached into his pocket for her money. “Get out of my life.”

  Her brother glared back and forth at her and Wade, uncertain what to do, it seemed. “You’ll be sorry.”

  “I was sorry when I came to get you out of jail. Oh, if Dad were here, he’d beat you silly.”

  “I can do the job.” Wade shifted his stance and smirked.

  “You? Who are you? No, never mind.” She flipped her hand toward the door. “Would you get out of my room?”

  Wade held his stubborn ground. “Not until he leaves.”

  She glared at her brother. “You heard the man.”

  Wade shoved him toward the door and watched over the balcony railing until he staggered out of the hotel. He peered at her and shook his head, then left for a dinner he didn’t feel like eating.

   

  ---

  “Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.” ~Author unknown

  Thanks for sticking around to read. 🙂

  #TuesdayThoughts

  Solitude coaxes magical things from our souls. ~Terri Guillemets

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series | 7 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, Arizona, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, contemporary western romance, first draft, hero, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Romance, series romance, Snippet, spin off series

• #AmWriting Celebrating in Stages: Farewell My Lovelies #MFRWauthor

  Posted at 7:30 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on April 13, 2018

  

  Here we are again. Welcome back. It’s Friday and time for another Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge post. It’s a blog hop, baby!

  Week 15: How I celebrate completing my manuscript

  I’m not sure if this means after completing a draft or after it’s been edited and ready to go. Either way, I don’t celebrate like I should, but for now it works for me, and gives me a period of down time after finishing a book.

  Upon completion of a manuscript, I’ll take a few days or a weekend to get away from the stories and relax with Netflix, movies, dinner with friends, or take time to read someone else’s book. To breathe.

  I don’t celebrate outwardly, but I do celebrate internally at different stages. A sense of pride overwhelms me once I:

  • Finish a first draft.
  • Send a manuscript to my editor.
  • Finish the final edits.
  • I RELAX and enjoy the moment after sending it to my formatter.
  • FINALLY I’m thrilled yet celebrating subtly after I upload and hit publish.

   When my work on a book is finished, I’ll smile and tell my hero and his heroine they are ready to go out into the world. I will literally miss them when it’s over. This is why I write a series. I get to see them again.

   

  

  One thing I do is give myself a silent praise or a pat on the back when I finish the first draft. I mention it on social media, email or text my friends and family, but other writers understand it better than even best friends. However, family and friends are happy for my accomplishment. After publication and while out, I want to scream, “I published another book!”

  Celebration is simple because I feel like I’m on a timeline and need to get the next book started and written as soon as possible. Book sales are my survival. Book writing is my sanity.

  With my next book, which is the third book in a spin off series, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, I DO PLAN on gathering my friends and celebrating together. Oh, and to get a mani-pedi.

  

  Thanks for reading.

  ---

  This is the time to hop on over to check out the #MFRWauthor Blog to find other participating authors. See ya next time.

  

  Photo credits: Pixabay.

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop | 12 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, Authors Life, blog hop, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Celebrating in Stages: Farewell My Lovelies, editor, First drafts, formatting, Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge, publiching, relaxing my way, 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.

  

  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.

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  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

• If I could Meet Five Authors (Living or Dead) Who Would I choose?

  Posted at 8:24 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 9, 2018

  

  52-Week Blog Challenge 2018

  #MFRWauthor

  Week 6: Five authors (alive or dead) I’d like to meet

  This week we can only choose five authors we’d like to meet. I listed five to adhere to the topic. Let me tell you, my list doesn’t stop here. What about the Brontë Sisters, F. Scott Fitzgerald, HEMINGWAY… Stop me now.

  Let me start out with an unofficial list of authors I’d like to meet: #MFRWauthor authors– I spent a year with you guys. Many of my blog followers are authors. Of course, I’d like to meet all of you, too.

  ---

  Benjamin Franklin  — One of  the Founding Fathers of the United States.  From an Autobiography Book Description on iTunes: Franklin wrote his autobiography in the form of an extended letter to his son. While recording the events of his life, he adds instructions for good living which makes this work America’s first “How to Succeed” book.

  Barack Obama — 44th  President of the United States. Books on iTunes. I wouldn’t only want to meet him because he’s an author but because of the title that goes with his name…President.

  Ansel Adams — From Encyclopedia Britannica –“Ansel Adams American Photographer.  (born February 20, 1902, San Francisco, California, U.S.—died April 22, 1984, Carmel, California), the most important landscape photographer of the 20th century. He is also perhaps the most widely known and beloved photographer in the history of the United States; the popularity of his work has only increased since his death.”

  Ansel’s Books on Amazon. Search Ansel Adams or see some of his famous black & White photography on Facebook at The Ansel Adams Gallery.

  Linda Lael Miller —  My inspiration to write western romance. Visit Linda on Facebook. She’s earned the title of Queen of Western Romance.

  Oprah Winfrey — I don’t think an explanation is needed. Find her everywhere. Oprah’s Amazon Page. I’d like to meet Oprah even if she wasn’t an author.

  ---

  This is a blog Hop: Let’s visit the other participating authors.

  Have any of you seen Midnight in Paris? I recently watched it on Netflix, but I’ve seen it before. I’ll watch again. In Hollywood, some people do get to go back in time to meet their favorite authors.

   

   

  We’ve had snow here almost every day this week. Today we’re expecting six to nine inches. It’s already piling up out there, but it’ll snow all weekend. If you don’t hear from me, please send coffee and a guy with strong shoulders. Much appreciated.

   

  Photo Credit: Pixabay

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, 52-week blog challenge | 17 Comments | Tagged #MFRWauthor, authors, blog hop, books, If I could Meet Five Authors (Living or Dead) Who Would I choose?, Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge, mary j mccoy dressel, Romance

• Cover Reveal and New Release Announcement

  Posted at 10:52 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on November 22, 2017

  I’m proud to present to you:

  Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, #2
  A Double Dutch Ranch Series Spin Off

  FINDING KIMBER

  

  About the Book:

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

  Cattleman Zachary (Zach) Bryson arrives in Arizona with hopes of leaving the ghosts from his past behind. Hired by a stranger to run a ranch, he meets the owner—a secretive woman with no ranching experience. He’s seen her before, but she wasn’t a redhead with green eyes. In their first encounter, she swept him off his feet without their exchanging a word. Why did she change her appearance? What secrets lay behind those heart-stopping eyes? Seeing this job as a challenge, he sticks around to tackle this hottie head-on.

  Kimber Sinclair is forced to flee her lush Oregon county for a small town in Arizona with sand, saguaros, and dusty cowboys. She settles in to live a lie—to discover the person behind her new identity while she mourns the death of Tressa Garnett—her given name at birth. However, keeping a distance from her ruggedly handsome, broad-shouldered, wise-cracking ranch foreman, isn’t easy. She struggles daily to hide her secret from Zach who demands answers. By telling him the truth, his life could also be in danger.

  If trouble finds her, will she choose fight or flight? Can Zach set aside his own issues, or will his nightmares prevent him from doing what he was unknowingly hired to do?

  ---

  Note: Zach made his first appearance in Lassoing the Last Dance as Randy Drake’s best friend.

  ---

  Buy Links

  Amazon  |  Kobo  |  Nook  |  Apple

  Universal Link for your country.

  Add on Goodreads

  

  Here’s the series so far. I’m working on book three.

  

   

  ---

  If you’re a newsletter subscriber, this post looks familiar because it’s similar to the recent newsletter you received, minus the excerpt.

  ---

  Some of Chapter One:

  Regardless of her determination not to cry, tears trailed down Tressa Garnett’s cheeks. Greg Stone, the prosecuting attorney, continued to badger her on the witness stand. Wasn’t he on her side? Her ordeal played over like a documentary film. She had become Sam’s lover. Yes, she worked on and off with him for three years. She hesitated at the next question.

  “Ms. Garnett, you must answer.”

  She glanced at the judge who nodded and swept his hand through the air for her to get on with her answer.

  Greg asked again, “And is it correct you oversaw the money exchange between Mr. Cavalli and Samuel Allen?”

  “Yes.” Her gaze flicked to Sam. His glare gave threats his voice hadn’t. The smirk on his face matched the one he wore when he shoved the revolver into her hand after he shot and killed Pino Cavalli. From this day forward her life would change forever. She might as well walk out of the courtroom and grab a shovel if things didn’t go to plan. To plan? Her disappearance was the plan.

  Tressa peered at the salt-and-pepper-haired man sitting two rows from the back of the courtroom. Her godfather, Jerry Waterford, had become her lifeline. Could her heart take the agony of losing her family when she disappeared without a trace with a new name and identity? She choked back tears. Jerry gave a subtle nod.

  Now, the tissues in her hand matched her torn emotions. Her life hung in a balance somewhere in the middle of living and dying.

  Greg tapped on the railing around the witness stand. His eyes softened. “And were you in the warehouse when Mr. Cavalli was shot?”

  A bullet to Pino’s head had taken his life instantly. Her gaze moved to the two men behind Sam. If she said yes, would they be the ones to hunt her down?

  “Ms. Garnett, I must remind you that you’re under oath and need to answer the question. Were you in the warehouse—”

  “I heard you. Yes.” If Greg Stone said those words one more time, she might claw his eyes out. He picked up a handgun in a clear evidence bag. Yesterday he seemed like a friendly middle-aged man, and her way out of this hellish situation, but today while bullying her on the stand, he reminded her of an ogre.

  His gaze settled upon her. “Your fingerprints are on this weapon along with Mr. Allen’s. Tell us how your fingerprints got on this weapon.”

  She pointed at Sam. “Him. He stuck the revolver into my hand after he shot Mr. Cavalli.” She took a deep breath and slowly released air through barely parted lips as the defense attorney protested. “Let the record show Ms. Garnett pointed to Samuel Allen.” Greg paced across the room and back to the witness stand.

  Tressa breathed deeply. She wanted to pass out and when she came to, she’d learn it’d all been a dream. She focused on the prosecuting attorney, afraid if she glanced at Sam his glare might somehow cause her to explode.

  “Who shot Mr. Cavalli?” asked Greg Stone.

  God, can this be over? Sam had told Pino’s men he gave the money to her accomplice, further blaming the extortion on her. Now she had two enemies. She had no damn accomplice. All she did was learn the truth. Without hesitation or remorse, she pointed to Sam. “Mr. Allen.” The two men behind him both shifted in their seats, and Sam looked over his shoulder.

  The courtroom broke out into an uproar while the judge beat the gavel at least ten times, or maybe it was three. She covered her ears to ward off the noise. Tressa lowered her eyes to her lap while tears left stains on her navy-blue silk blouse.

  “Thank you, Ms. Garnett.”

  Her gaze settled on Melinda Richards who sat next to her godfather. She left the courtroom.

  The judge pounded the gavel one more time. “Are there any other questions?” He directed his gaze to the defense attorney who gave no rebuttal, nor did he cross-examine her. The judge gave her permission to return to her seat. Upon sitting, her mom leaned over her dad to pat her hand.

  ***

  After court, Jerry and two sheriff’s deputies swept Tressa out of the courtroom to a conference room to wait for the crowd to diminish. Soon after, Jerry and Melinda took her and her family back to the suite at a V.I.P. hotel on the outskirts of town. He didn’t want her to return to the courtroom for the verdict, so he demanded they leave the courthouse.

  Tressa paced while wringing her hands. “Jerry, I have to be there.”

  “I don’t advise it. Tressa, you must cooperate. For this plan to work, you have to trust me.”

  “I know. Waiting to see where my life is headed is damn hard.” The prosecutor hadn’t expected the jury to take long. Her mom sat on one side, her dad on the other. Her younger sister, Charlotte, sat across from her. “You did the right thing, sis.”
  Memories flooded her mind. Sam had wined and dined her, fed her fancy meals, took her on trips until the last weekend together. She had no way of knowing that he knew she’d only gone along with him to uncover more information. She had agreed to the weekend away, but she’d ended up with the ultimate betrayal against her.

   

   

  

  ---

  ❤ ❤  Thanks for stopping by today.  ❤ ❤

  Cover Credits: Cover design DusktilDawn Designs. Romance Novel Covers- Jimmy Thomas and Jordan. Dreamstime images.

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  Posted in Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Cover Reveal, New Release | 17 Comments | Tagged Arizona, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, cattleman, contemporary romance, Cover Reveal, cowboy, Finding Kimber, Full length series, Idaho, love story, New Release, rancher, Romance, starting over, 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.

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  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

• #AmWriting When Love Was In The Air #MFRWauthor

  Posted at 8:47 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 20, 2017

   

  Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge. A #MFRWauthor Blog Hop

  

   

  Week 42 My First Love

  From Merriam-Webster Dictionary: (Like I have to define?)  🙂

  • Definition of FIRST LOVE
    :the first person one loves in a romantic way
    You never forget your first love.

  ---

  I dislike this topic.
  I love this topic.

  Let me explain. I dislike the topic for the sake of my blog followers because I’ve written about my first love before. I don’t want to bore you with another mention with this week’s topic.

  However…I love the topic because I still communicate with him now and then. We have communicated on and off since I was sweet sixteen, but there were a lot of years in between that we didn’t. A couple of my books are dedicated to him. No, he isn’t an ex-husband. He isn’t the father of my children. We stay in touch because we’re friends. So, hmmm, what can I write about this week?

  I know!

  How about this? I used to write poetry for him. He loved that. The other morning I searched for poems I had written many years ago. They are nothing but silly teenager-in-love poems. I have to laugh at some of them. You won’t see those, but you can read one. Laugh if you will, but come on, give me a break. I was young and in love.

  It’s apparent the following (partial) poem isn’t one I read to him. This poem was written after a letter arrived from Vietnam. To this day, I remember his last words from that awful place. Oh, dear God, my heart was broken for a lot of years. After all the pain on both sides, he came to visit me a few times after he’d arrived home. Let’s look at the bright side—all these years later we’re still friends. By the time I wrote this poem, I’d moved past being a teen. It never had a title, but today as I think back on that time, I’ll call it:

  

  ~~

  Are y’all done laughing? Forgive me? Okay, that’s enough mush and sap for today. I should’ve skipped this week. Geez!

  Since the topic is about first love, I can’t end this post without mentioning one of my books is about first love and second chances. Yep, it’s Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas. I enjoyed writing this book. This is book one in the Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series.

  Finding Kimber, book two will be out before the end of the year. This series is a spin off to the Double Dutch Ranch Series.

  Let’s go see what the other participating authors wrote about. Is it too early for wine?

  If you’re still this far in the post, thanks for sticking it out to the end.

  Previously, I had mentioned my youngest son and daughter-in-law had to postpone their honeymoon for several reasons. Well, last Friday, they boarded a plane to Ireland. Little did they know they’d experience Hurricane Ophelia. I have been calling it their Hurricane Honeymoon. Unfortunately, there were deaths, damage, and millions without power.

  We hadn’t heard from them for over twenty-four hours so both families got a little worried, but then they checked in saying they were okay. Their travel agency had kept in contact with them to be sure they were safe. They’re still traveling through the country. The family has been keeping in contact via a private Facebook Group page my son set up. Both of us moms are happy when we know what they’re doing and where they are. Oh, and today is their first anniversary and they get to celebrate it on their honeymoon!

  Enjoy your weekend. 

   

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 19 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #WritersLife, Authors Life, blog hop, first love, Marketing for Romance Writers, Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge, mary j mccoy dressel, Romance, Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas

• #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.)

  

  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.

  

  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.

   

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 28 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting Where's the Inspiration?, #BlogPost, #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

• Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Imagination

  Posted at 12:27 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 10, 2017

  

  Isn’t this quote nice? It is to me. The quote says a lot in only a couple lines. Robert Brault wrote this.  A while back, I wrote a post where I mentioned *Robert Brault about how I’ve used his quotes (with permission) in some of my books. I had no idea what I’d post today until I came across this on The Quote Garden website. My muse approves.

  

  Our imagination is a palette of bright colors though sometimes it can be dark and bleak. My favorite part of this quote is “You can use it to touch up memories.” I’ve done this before with memories that don’t emanate bright colors. But, can we hide the real color of a memory? I love the other part of this sentence, too… “or you can use it to paint dreams.”

  I have used imagination with my memories in writing–the bright and the dark of my memories–but either way, I am painting dreams when I use them. Hats off to Mr. Robert Brault for this quote that inspired my muse today.

  I know many of you have used your imagination to paint dreams. I see it in the photos you take, the music you make, the recipes you share, and the words that you write.

  The imagination is a pallet of bright colors. You can use it to touch up memories — or you can use it to paint dreams. ~Robert Brault

  ---

  *FYI: Robert Brault is a free-lance writer who has contributed to magazines and newspapers in the USA for over 40 years. I visited Robert’s site today and discovered he has another NEW BOOK!

  Have a great rest of the week.

  How do you all paint with your imagination?

   

  Image credit without the quote goes to Pixabay.

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  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse | 4 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, #AmWriting, #AuthorLife, #Cowboy series, #WritersLife, close-knit family, Family ties, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, quotes, Robert Brault, Romance, series romance, Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: Imagination, western romance

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