“…Love can find you at every time in your life.” The last line in the quote inspires my muse. Age is only a number when it comes to love. Yes, I can agree with this because, once, love found me at a time later in life when I never expected it.
#laterinlife #Romance
It is possible at any age to discover a lifelong desire you never knew you had.
~Robert Brault, rbrault.blogspot.com
Well, the inspirational quote above made my day. I want to keep discovering “no matter” what the age. Thinking this way gives me hope. Thanks for reading. ~MJ
This week, I’m posting more than a snippet for Secret Santa’s Rundown Sleigh: A Holiday Romance Novella. Tuesday of this week I wrote a post with tidbits of information about the Mighty Mac or the Mackinac Bridge in Northern Lower Michigan. You’ll find the bridge briefly mentioned in this excerpt.
For those of you who missed it, last week I posted an extended excerpt from Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart. You can find it here.
I hope you enjoy a sneak peek from another one of my October new releases. Not including my coloring book, these two books were my eleventh and twelfth published books since 2014.
A feel-good holiday romance novella.
Excerpt from Chapter Three:
Later, after the others got settled in, Terra dialed her mom’s phone to return a call from earlier. Her sister answered. “Hi, Grace. Can I talk to Mom?”
“Mom’s asleep. She took her sleeping pill early tonight. She apologized for not waiting for your call.”
“Did you remind her I won’t make it for Christmas? It breaks my heart.”
“She knows. We’ll celebrate Christmas when you get here. Mom’s so out of it lately, and you’ll be here in a couple days.”
“Grace… I’m sorry you won’t be home with your family. I tried, honest I did.”
“I know. It’s all right. Vance is bringing Liam here tonight, but it’s a slow go with the roads, and he had to wait to get across Mighty Mac because of high winds. We’ll stay on a few days since he’s off work. He doesn’t know how to explain Grandma’s illness to our toddler. I told him I’d handle it. Mom asks for Liam, so I want them to come. Liam won’t r-remember h-her.”
Terra saddened at the break in her sister’s voice. “I’m glad they’re coming to be with you. Give Mom a kiss for me? Take pictures for Liam to look back on.” Terra sniffled. “I better go so I don’t wake Kylee and the little girl who lives here. Maisy is her name and almost the same age. They’re in sleeping bags on the floor. This family is so kind. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay them. Talk to you tomorrow.”
“I’m sure they expect nothing. Give Kylee a hug when she wakes. Love you.”
Terra peered at the family room filled with holiday decorations strung on green roping—a tall and full tree, Christmas music boxes and snow globes, sparkly snowmen, family photos over the mantel—some with Maisy and Jude with her mom. Terra’s heart twisted to think of Maisy losing her mom at such a young age.
Christmas carols played in the background. Stopping in this village and running into Alanna couldn’t have come at a better time, but she so missed spending each moment possible with her mom before she… Terra bent over her lap and placed her hands over her face to hide tears that refused to stay back. The music stopped and footsteps halted abruptly. She sat up to wipe her eyes.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you sitting there. I came to check on Maisy.”
Terra looked up at Jude who stood near the tree, ready to turn off the lights. She swiped at another fallen tear. “It’s okay. It’s your room. I’m the intruder.”
He walked around the couch with its back to the door, to the window to look outside, and then he faced her. “The snow’s drifting. It’s bad out there. Can I get you anything?” He peered outside again. “You all right?”
Shocked at him talking to her so candidly with an actual tone of concern in his voice caused her to open up. “This is my last Christmas with my mom, and I can’t be with her.” Knowing she would soon burst into tears again, she apologized in advance, “I’m sorry.” She covered her face with her hands again. Liquid poured into a glass and his footsteps came closer. She glanced up and recognized the bottle of brandy on the table.
“Here. Sounds like you could use something stronger than tea. Do you mind if I have a seat?”
She took the glass. “Thanks. No, not at all. I don’t know how to thank you for letting us stay in your home. I’ll repay you—”
“Payment isn’t necessary, Terra.”
She’d been lonely too long, and the sexy, raspy way he spoke her name, gave her a shudder. What was his story other than being a widower? “You have a sweet little girl. Thanks for taking Kylee out to the stable. I don’t understand her openness. It’s unlike her. She and your daughter have hit it off.”
“Welcome,” he said, then downed his drink. “No problem. I know what you mean though. Maisy doesn’t make friends easily. She has a rough time at school.”
“Oh? That’s too bad.”
“Yeah.” He lowered his voice and scooted to the edge of the loveseat. “She has reading issues and in fact, has a paraprofessional helping her in some of her classes. She goes to a special class too. The kids tease her. I don’t know how to make it right.” He looked off as if trying to figure it out this moment.
“I home school Kylee.”
He lifted his head. “Maybe I should look into teaching her at home.”
Terra shrugged. She could neither say yay or nay about him home schooling. The plan worked for her and Kylee. “I don’t know what to tell you. It has its pros and cons. Talk to someone who is doing it. There are forums and groups online. I can give you the URLs.”
“Hmm. Maybe I will if I can find the time to teach her. Thanks. Listen…” Jude paused. “Some friends are having a Christmas thing tomorrow night—with Santa. It’s a private party… You and Kylee should come as our guests. You’re here anyway and might as well enjoy it. Ride into town with Alanna. She’s going to the church service afterward, but she’ll be at the party first. You’re welcome to…” He cleared his throat. “Maisy will be in town with my sister. Christmas Day after opening gifts, Alanna’s family is spending time with Rico’s parents if the blizzard isn’t still brewing.”
Terra tried to read his eyes. She rose and paced to the window. “Sounds nice, but I’ll call the hotel again to see if they have any cancellations. I can’t intrude on your family more than I have. It’s snowing a lot. Wow, with those big flakes, we’ll have another six or eight inches. I love the crystalline blanket of snow beneath the security lights.” She peered out farther into the yard. “Do I see some kind of sleigh out there?”
Imagine everything covered in snow.
“Seriously, you’re welcome to stay here. I know you have nowhere to go.” Jude came to stand behind her, chuckling. “Yeah, it’s a farmer’s old bobsled or wood wagon you hook up to a horse. The old guy used it for winter work, but that isn’t what I use it for. I don’t know where she got the idea, but Maisy calls it a bobsleigh, so I guess that’s what it is now. I’ll be putting it to use tomorrow night. My buddy Andy, is usually my top elf, but he got sick and can’t make it—”
“There you are!” Alanna stood at the doorway with a playful grin directed at Jude and then to Terra, and back to her brother. “Hey, Rico talked to Andy. I wanted to make sure you know he can’t make it tomorrow, Jude.” She gave a big smile. “Let Terra and Kylee be your elves. Maisy would love it. Good night all.” She rushed away.
He hurried toward the door as if to catch Alanna. Instead of exiting, he returned to stand beside Terra—silent momentarily. Again, he paced but ended up right back with her at the window. “You know, my sister is right. Come along. Have you ever been an elf? Maisy comes with me. Of course, bring Kylee.” Jude grinned. “Who doesn’t like a sleigh ride on a snowy Christmas Eve? In fact, instead of an elf, you’ll be Ms. Claus.”
Terra smiled at his friendliness, but it caught her off guard too. He hadn’t exactly been hospitable since she’d been here. His bright eyes and grin added to his handsomeness. This truly had to be a fairy tale or a dream. It sounded like fun, but…should she? It’d at least be fun for Kylee and better than doing nothing on Christmas Eve in a stranger’s home.
End of excerpt.
Oh, there is so much more to come in this novella!
Check out the book description and more on my site’s book page.
Thank you for reading.
Image Credits:
Let it Snow: 3333873 – Pixabay
Rundown Sleigh- ©Bounder32h- Dreamstime
In in my new single title holiday romance novella, Secret Santa’s Rundown Sleigh, I mention “Mighty Mac” or “Big Mac” referring to the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan. The Mackinac Bridge spans the Straits of Mackinac connecting the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. It was built in 1957. The bridge is shy of five miles long, so “five” miles. Ha-ha. You can walk across it on Labor Day—the only time pedestrian’s are allowed to stroll, run, walk on the bridge. I’ve done it and plan on doing it again.
The Mackinac Bridge Authority says:
The center section of the bridge is much higher than it looks in the photo. Freighters go beneath it with lots of room to spare. In the book, Terra, my heroine, mentioned waving down at the ship’s captain when she walked across Big Mac. In deed, I did the same thing. It was “awesome to see the captain standing on deck and waving back,” as Terra says, wink wink. Mind you, I have a fear of heights, but I did this walk and stood at the railing to look down. Oddly, I’ve ventured up to many high places that still give me tummy tumbles to remember. Nope, I don’t regret one of them.
I forgot to mention that the two inner lanes of the bridge are a grid. Spooky!
In addition, the bridge closes during high winds. In fact, there was a high-wind warning on their website yesterday when I wrote this. Today it’s all clear. On June 25, 1998, it had its one millionth crossing. Find more Facts and Figures at this LINK.
Here’s a cool website LINK with pictures and live cam links. Plus, a gorgeous sunset picture of the bridge.
I’ve taken numerous pictures from every angle I could think of, but I don’t know where they reside at the moment. Meaning they’re packed away. LOL
I didn’t name the village where my story takes place, but I do mention other “real” places such as Mackinaw City where Terra’s mother lives. St. Ignace, which is right across the bridge, Mackinac Island, Gaylord, and Cheboygan are briefly mentioned. South Haven is where Terra has resided since she graduated from college.
I’ve had trouble with this blog post not separating paragraphs. Hopefully, it’s finally corrected and will look as good as it did in the preview. If not, I apologize for a bad layout.
Thanks for reading this little tidbit from one of my newest releases.
Here we are at Tuesday again. Can we pretend this got posted on Tuesday? I fell behind yesterday and forgot to go back to proof this post. I need to plan better. LOL.
Yesterday’s idea originated when I visited one of my Facebook groups. This group came together months ago. We’re authors who write in a variety of genres. We’re self-published, hybrid published, and traditionally published. We write with different heat levels from sweet to spicy hot. Why am I telling you this? Well, because there are over one hundred of us taking part in a group project. Sorry for being vague, but we aren’t saying a lot about this project yet.
My point for using Group Projects for my title and inspiration for my muse is because working on a project with a group can be fun and beneficial. (And maybe a little stressful.) Think of the exposure a group of authors can provide. For my November release, imagine the promotion with this large group of over one hundred. I’m looking forward to publishing this book. No, I’m down-right excited! ❤
It’s inspirational and exciting when a member will post a cover image of their book, or tell us they finished their book. You know they’re champing at the bit to release it. They inspire me to have my cover made.
When this project came into existence, it inspired me to breathe life into a book I had started many years ago in a different genre than what I write now. However, nothing is the same except the hero’s name. LOL. The original idea sits back and waits for me to, one day, use that storyline.
I’d like to take part in more group projects because of their inspiration and encouragement.
Multi-author anthologies and boxed sets usually entail writing shorter stories, and we all know I struggle with finding the time to pull away from a current work in progress, and writing short. This project allows us to write whatever length we want. We aim to please. 💙
Of course, we’ll have a logo on the books to make them easy to find and to stand out as part of the group, and we’ll have a website.
Authors, how do you feel about taking part in an anthology, boxed set, or group project? What inspires you to do this?
Instead of coming up with ideas for weekly Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse posts, which I’m not good at, anyway, I’ll start posting for this topic monthly. I’ll have to brainstorm ways to fill in this spot so there isn’t a long gap between my posts. I won’t make promises because, hey, I have books to write and a business to run. Thanks for reading.
Images are from Pixabay. Inspiration for the Muse graphic is my creation using a Pixabay image.
Obviously, the two western looking images are hints at the location for my setting in the aforementioned book.
Over the weekend while praying 55 mph winds didn’t take down trees surrounding me, crush my comfy abode, and smash my car, I caught up on a few newsletters. You know the ones filled with book ads? The same ones I use to promote my books.
The lists of other books inspired me. After viewing them, all I wanted to do was get back to writing my current work in progress. One finished draft (except for the ending) is on the back burner to rest. This was the perfect time to continue another one, and lo-and-behold, the words are spilling out of my head.
I had started this book earlier, but I didn’t want to work on two books, so I let it sit after writing around 10,000 words. Now I’m up to over 22,000. Ranch matriarch Judy and her family are raring to get their book out there.
Another thing inspiring me this week, happened while reading group posts from authors who have three or four series books ready to publish via rapid release, and others finishing a series for a rapid release.
I have high praise for authors who do this. Congratulations to every one of you.
How do you wait though? When I have a book edited, formatted, and ready, I want and NEED my baby published. If I waited to write three or four books before publishing, I’d starve to death and end up on the street. What am I missing?
As I think about this, I might have an opportunity to at least write a prequel to a book due out in November and release them close together. This upcoming book could become a series. Authors, does it make sense to write a prequel to a book that won’t be a series?
I’m a full-time writer, but I can’t get books written quickly unless I set the word count at around 30 to 35,000 words. My readers are used to longer books from me. I’d like to write shorter books.
Yes, this is inspiring, but scary too. If this is the way publishing is going now, I’m in trouble. However, I don’t think it’s right for me.
I say, do what works best for you.
This week, I thought with so much inspiration from other authors surrounding me, I could write a short post to fit into my Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse spot. This is it. Keep on keeping on, y’all, and Happy Writing and Reading.
Well, isn’t that a long title now. ☺
One thing I love about autumn is walking in the fresh air and viewing colorful landscapes.
Another thing is having a camera with me. Lately, I haven’t been walking alone so conversations keep my muse from focusing. She sneaks out sometimes. I’m happy when she finds her way through the chatter. However, my muse works in mysterious ways like stopping me when leaves filled with raindrops lay in my path. I stop a moment to use my phone to snap pictures.
It’s hard for those who don’t take pictures, to be with a person who stops without warning, to take a picture. Sometimes this bothers me that others don’t get it. Other times, I don’t care. Photography is my hobby, and there are times it calls as much as writing. For the past few years, I haven’t given in to the photography nudge because writing takes precedence. My camera bag sits in my closet and the DSLR camera hasn’t been out for a couple years. However, my little point and shoot went with me on a day trip last week. So did the chilly rain. And wind. The camera remained in the car. LOL. I took one picture with my phone while walking Main Street in a quaint little town a few hours from where I live. One is better than…none? Hmm?
While walking alone, ideas for a current WIP can come into focus or new storylines pop into my head for something brand-new. I usually prefer to walk alone for this reason, but I have a friend who recently started walking. She uses a walker. Good for her! It’s encouraging having another person urging me to get out from under my laptop, literally, and move my behind. If she can get out and walk, then I damn well better get out there and do it, too. My doctor would be so proud.
For those of you who made it to the end, thanks for reading. I appreciate every visit from you. Now, back to the keyboard. Enjoy the rest of your week.
What are some ways you’re inspired to use your craft?
Images are copyrighted and my own. Excluding the Inspiration of the Muse image. Graphic made by me.
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.)
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.
Heartbreak’s Reward #2
t 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 #
Lassoing the Last Dance #4
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.
The word “again” is in my title… I’ve reblogged the post before, and I even reblogged the Reblog. Yes, I’m rolling my eyes at myself. Why do it again? I’ve had many new followers since 2011 when the post had been written, and new followers since 2013 when I decided to repost. I’ve lost the ability to reblog the post again, so I have to link to it. My writing has changed and improved so much since I wrote the post, which makes me proud to know I’m still learning. https://maryjdresselbooks.com/2011/08/02/inspiration-from-long-ago/
This is inspiring to me because I had someone else tell me at the mere age of thirteen what I had known all along. “You should be a writer.” Those of you who have been around here since 2011 or even 2013, you’ve seen this, so I apologize for talking about and linking to this post yet again. But to this day I give thanks to my seventh grade language arts teacher. I realize this post is more inspiring to me than you, but since it’s Tuesday and time for Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse, this is what I’m posting today. On a side note, thanks to all of you who have stuck around since 2011.
Do you remember who or what inspired you to follow your dreams?
Thank you for reading.
Inspiration Image Credit: Pixabay
Yesterday, Monday May, 29th, was Memorial Day–a Holiday in the United States observed on the last day of May to honor men and women who died in the U.S. Military. When a holiday falls on a Monday, my week is all messed up, and WOW this is Tuesday. My muse reminded me to spread around a little bit of inspiration, however, this has nothing to do with my persistent muse, other than a kick in the butt to post today.
Life’s a journey. Enjoy the ride. ~NISSAN
I found this image below and it reminded me of my own bicycle in my living room of all places. My son hooked it up to what is called a Trainer. He and his wife ride outside a lot, I mean A LOT, so last summer he brought this over and hooked it up to my bike. I asked to borrow it so I could get off my computer now and then to get some exercise during the winter. If only I used it more often. 😦 If I really wanted to make life a “journey,” wouldn’t I take the bike outside? LOL.
My journey these days is in my head where my muse lives. I think she lives in my head. She can live anywhere she wants as long as she stays with me. Either way, it’s a good idea to enjoy the ride while doing whatever it is you/we/I do because life is a journey. The fun part about WRITING is when you arrive at the end of one journey, you get to start another one. Yay!
I believe the message from my muse today is to stay on that journey to get to the end of this challenging book I’m writing because I’ve wanted to throw my hands up in the air and start all over. What? Start all over? But, I did start all over, and therein lies the problem. I’ve started over in a book written for a different genre in a different setting. Since I’ve written about this before, I won’t bore you by going over it again, but I finally found my way in this story and it’s close to the end in the first draft. I can enjoy this ride again. To my stubborn little Miss Sexy-Innocence muse, I say thank you for the shove and for figuring it all out.
Image by Pixabay.
Have a fab week!
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
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