Howdy! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas or holiday that you celebrate and a Happy New Year. Welcome 2020! 🎉
“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”
― Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Here’s a rare short snippet from a work in progress. I’ve lived with these characters for eight books now. Three of those are from the spin off series books. Nine, if we count Judy’s presence in Christmas at Love House: A Bittersweet Interlude–the Bull Rider Series–a crossover book where she and Jase visit her sister-in-law, Dolly for the holidays.
Today, I’m featuring our ranch matriarch Judy Carlson. The book is finished and ready to go to the editor depending on her schedule. Oh, it has a title I love!
Judy has pined for her husband Bill since the day she’d lost him, so moving on wasn’t part of her life’s agenda. However, one of my favorite parts in this book is when Judy makes a particular decision.
I say one of my favorite parts, but there are lots more.
She had many to make in the book. Indeed, I once had to make the same decision and some others that Judy had to make.
It’s been a long time coming, so those of you who are waiting patiently, please hang in there a while longer.
Snippet:
In her bedroom, she sat at the vanity and peered into the oval mirror. Hadn’t she done this a lot lately? This time, she opened her worn wooden jewelry box with the rose inlay on the top, given to her by her grandmother. The creaky hinge evoked memories of her. She removed the gold band from her finger and peered at the empty spot—the tan line a reminder—on her hand. Judy sighed as she sought a name for the emotions washing over her. Sadness. Gladness.
Bittersweet tears welled in her eyes as she recognized contentment over her decisions of late. She gently lowered the band into its faded white cushioned spot. She smiled, closed the lid on the box, again with the squeaky hinge, and tucked it into the bottom drawer. Judy laid her hand over the box a moment before closing it in and out of sight. Staring at herself in the mirror, she whispered, “It’s a new day.”
I can relate to Judy in many ways. I’ve been through some roller coaster emotions of my own while writing Book Five. Like Judy, I wanted my grown boys to approve of me remarrying. Neither my boys nor I had to deal with most of what Judy had/has to deal with–one is choosing the right man out of two.
You didn’t think I’d give my ranch mom and easy time of it, did you? I’ve apologized to her a few times.
I know if my situation was the same, my boys would’ve jumped in like Tristan, Jase, and Dane. I do remember my youngest son stepping in and asking me to ask myself a question before I said “I do” the second time. In addition, he asked several times if I was sure.
Judy’s guy: Showing more of the picture would give too much away for readers of the series. In real life, the model is a personal trainer, so you know I had to run with that in the book. Judy didn’t mind a bit. 💕
Book character Portrayal.
My vision of Judy Carlson. Character Portrayal is not to be confused with the real model.
Thanks for stopping by today. Sorry my jibber-jabber is longer than the excerpt.
I’m praying we’ll get through this mess of a storm coming my way this weekend. You know it’s going to be bad when your energy company sends an announcement about being prepared and how they are gearing up, not if, but when, power lines are down all over. Ekk!
Enjoy yours.
Image credits-
Judy: Dreamstime
Jewelry Box: Pixabay Public Domain Pictures
Judy’s guy. I personally purchased the image from a cover model.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
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