Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

Tag: western romance

• Whatever it Takes

  Posted at 11:55 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on December 6, 2022

  

  Hello. Are you all doing well? Having fun. Staying warm?

  Here we go: During the summer, I posted this post and this post where I mentioned a new holiday story as a second book to Blue Snow in the Moonlight. I’m no longer in a hurry to get this book out in 2022. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t get it finished and edited in time for the holiday season.

  Fork in the Road

  So, I will continue writing it with no intention of publishing in 2022. Am I sad? Yes and no. Well, more yes than no. This way, I can give it the time it deserves. It’s the holiday season, so I’ll finish the draft of this book now while the inspiration of the season surrounds me. 🎄🎁⛄❄❄❄🎅🤶🤠 On a positive note, it’s nice revisiting Cullen’s family from book one while writing this, since my hero is his best friend.

  Take a Good Look

  Blue Snow in the Moonlight sales had stalled in the beginning of the season. Why bother with book two if no one reads book one? On a side note, after tweaking my Amazon ads, sales mildly increased on both holiday books.

  I know what experts say about low sales:

  • Take a good look at the book cover. Check.
  • Examine the book description. Check.
  • Get reviews. It has barely any reviews and ratings. The last time I looked on Goodreads, it had a 4.67 rating and on Amazon it has a 4.7. Not bad, but there aren’t many.

  First, I took a course on creating A+ Content for Amazon retail pages. Some of my author friends have created A+ Content on their pages. I saw the A+ Content on your latest book, Jacquie B. Any advice? I’m guessing you used Book Brush. Second, I took my own advice and published it wide to see if new eyes on it will make a difference.

  

  To Date

  • I tweaked my description in hopes of making it clearer to the reader.
  • I talked with my cover designer and mentioned I had a few things to try first, but if nothing changed, I’d want to tweak my cover.

  A day or two later my cover designer sent me a couple of cowboy stock photo images we could use to replace the first one. I chose one to have ready. Well. Well… WELL!

  Then this happened when I opened my email:

  I almost did a “Which do you like best” poll. The answers might’ve made my decision harder. Truthfully, I was afraid to ask.

  

  I could have uploaded this new cover and book description weeks ago, but I didn’t until yesterday. Again – procrastination came into play. This cowboy fits my hero’s attitude about Christmas, and the cottage is a better fit for Cullen’s rental cottage. Don’t get me wrong. I love my other cover, but maybe I like it more than readers do. A single hero on a cover is appropriate for my genres. I’ve included the revised book description if you want to read it.

  Revised Description

  He makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

  If it was up to Cullen Hollister, he’d hibernate this time of year. But he has a renter in his cottage, cattle to tend to, and kids waiting on Santa Claus. So, instead, he’s in the town square, ready to light up Sugarton in a festive Christmas display. In the crowd of onlookers, a stranger’s smile captures his attention and awakens lost desires. After the hoopla, an acquaintance introduces her, but her heart seems as cold as his.

  As his luck goes, a blizzard forces them together in the cottage he loathes. He’s drawn to her and admires her assertiveness, down-to-earth nature, and blue-snow eyes. Cullen discovers a yearning more powerful than stubbornness. If Christmas magic is real, will it show him how to trust again, or is it as fake as his previous marriage?

  Elle Palmer-Shaw uses her cousin’s wedding in North Dakota as an escape from sorrowful memories. She meets the handsome green-eyed owner of the cottage, and a simmering attraction grows. Christmas takes on a new meaning while spending time with Cullen and his kids.

  His memories of the cottage are painful, yet he makes her an offer she can’t refuse. It’s a simple solution until she’s called back home. She tries to convince Cullen to keep the rental cottage available—to give them a chance when she returns—even after dropping a bombshell about her past. But will he destroy his walls and let her in, or will he continue to exist instead of live and love?

  Learn more at Amazon and at this Universal Link.

  ---

  So, here we are. It can’t hurt to try something new. If nothing changes, I’m giving up. Ha-ha. I’m not a quitter. Let’s say we’ll see what happens.

  ---

  Off topic, but as of yesterday, I published “wide” the Two-Five Ranch Outlaws series books too. They aren’t available at all the retailers yet. The holiday season is likely slowing down the publishing process. It shouldn’t be long. Whatever it takes, right?

  It seems like ages ago already, but I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. Can you believe we’re on a countdown to Christmas now? I’m not ready! Are you?

  Apologies for not getting around to your blogs, my friends.

  Enjoy your week. Thanks for reading. 💖

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Blue Snow in the Moonlight | 8 Comments | Tagged #eBooks, #WritersLife, Christmas romance reads, cowboy, Forced Proximity, Holiday romance reads, Kindle eBooks, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

• Snippet Saturday: Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord

  Posted at 4:11 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on November 12, 2022

  

  For today’s post, I’m posting a snippet with my Army Ranger, a soldier-cowboy from the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight – Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord.

  Dane Carlson gave up ranching to serve his country. He swore he’d never get involved with a woman until he retired from the military. Then he met Gracelyn Clark while waiting for his flight back to Ft. Benning. From there he’d be deployed for nine months. Gracelyn’s flight had been delayed too. We’ll say they had an enjoyable night together. This snippet picks up two weeks later. Gracelyn is arriving for his deployment.

  

  Snippet

  Slightly modified.

  Dane gulped, still not sure how it happened. If the weekend worked out, he’d mention her to his mom. He hoped his mom wouldn’t break a leg dancing on the dining room table. Everything about this woman said forever…if she was real. He shuddered.

  Then, her picture appeared on the screen when the phone vibrated, telling him the shudder was for the right reason. She was real. He put it into gear and drove to her gate. There she stood. “Criminy almighty.” Hotness times ten or fifty. Gracelyn wore a body-hugging, blush colored dress with piping in a darker shade that ran across the front and above the waist. Holy… High heels made her at least three inches taller. “Whoa-oh, baby.”

  Her hair waved down her back with a few locks falling over her shoulder. His heart raced at first sight. He wanted to run his hands over the smooth material of her dress and over her curves. Three privates stood to the side, and he had a good idea of their thoughts. He’d be thinking the same thing. Hell, he already was. They’d think differently as soon as he stepped out of the vehicle. His new rank of Master Sergeant garnered even more respect than he previously had as Sergeant First Class.

  He opened the door and hopped out, taking a minute to salute the guys back. With her arms held open, he went into them like a little boy seeking comfort. “Gracelyn,” he murmured. “You’re real. Thank the gods I didn’t imagine you.” The little boy rapidly turned into a man. Holding her this way, he felt protective. Her supple, petite body fit nicely into his arms. He leaned his cheek against the top of her head, his arms tightening so his body could sink into her.

  “I’m real, baby.” She held him close. “You feel fantabulous in my arms. ACUs look great on you.”

  “Fantabulous, eh. That’s a big deal.” Dane gave an extra tight squeeze. His fingers moved up and down her back, taking note of the zipper. The dress held the smoothness he imagined. He held her an arm’s length away. Her eyes were as striking as he remembered. “You look great. Wow, as stunning and sexy as you were in my dreams.”

  She smelled heavenly—feminine and floral but with enough spice to make it sexy. Pushing her hair back, he stared at her eye-catching features. “You’re so beautiful.” His lips parted to kiss hers. “Mmm,” he mumbled before their mouths connected.

  

  She rested her palms against his chest, her gaze following as she clenched the material. “Your muscles are bigger.”

  “They’re the same, honey. I’ve been working day and night for two weeks. Got to.” He took one hand from his chest. “Come on.”

  Dane opened the passenger side door, and she took his arm. “I’m glad I came. I have an apartment lined up to look at in Phoenix when I fly back. Timing is perfect.”

  “Check out the other areas closer to work. Avoid that Phoenix traffic.”

  “All right.” She peered up at him. “Thank you for asking me to come.”

  “My pleasure. Get on in there. I got you a room close to the base.” It was one of the best in the area and a lot of families stayed there when there was a reason to come.

  She slid inside but caught the door. “Room for me? What about you? No leave time?”

  “Let me get in.” He closed the door. What about me? He couldn’t assume she’d want him staying with her, so to be safe, he hadn’t planned it. It wasn’t far from the base, so it wouldn’t take anything to run back and forth.

  Inside before shifting, she reached over for his hand. “Aren’t you staying with me?”

  Dane pulled out and headed down the highway. Yes, he wanted to stay with her. He wanted to learn what he hadn’t known yet. Touch her. Feel her in his heart. Dammit, what happened to me? This would be a difficult weekend. He should’ve said good-bye over the phone. Everything he didn’t want had happened. But he hadn’t known he’d want her.

  UNIVERSAL BUY LINK: books2read.com/u/3Lkqeb

  END

  

  Believe it or not, it took me most of the day to post this. It was fun looking for a snippet, though. Again, I might as well show my old stuff since I have nothing new to show. Unfortunately, this holds true for the rest of the year.

  I’ve been “under the weather” all week. It could be from my booster shot, or I picked something up before or after. I did get to see my youngest son for a short visit when he and my DIL were in town. He worked virtually while my daughter in law worked at another of her company buildings here. It’s sad when they leave, but they’re happy where they are. I want them to be happy.

  I hope you’re all having a wonderful weekend. Thanks for visiting.

  Posted in #AmWriting, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Excerpt, Of the Cowboy's Own Accord | 9 Comments | Tagged #Romance Writer, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, soldier-cowboy, western romance

• Short Snippet Saturday: Scars and Fake Records

  Posted at 3:44 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on October 29, 2022

  

  Here we are on Saturday. The sun is shining brightly through my windows today. It’s nice out, too. The morning hours brought thick fog.

  This Saturday Snippet is from Finding Kimber, the second book in a spin off series to the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight. Kimber is a newcomer to Arizona. You can read more about Kimber and how she got to where she is at this LINK from Meet Our Heroines.

  The actual snippet is short. All this other writing around it makes it look long. ❤

  ---

  This book is available wide at this Universal Link.

  Brief setup: Earlier in the day, Tressa experienced the worst moments of her life. She’s giving up her identity to keep her family safe and is about to enter her new life in Arizona with a new name. Jerry is her godfather. Before retirement, he had a career in a branch of law enforcement. Everything he’s doing for her now is off the books. Melinda has been hired to accompany Jerry in getting Kimber settled.

  Saturday Snippet:

  Later in the hotel in Boise, Idaho, Melinda came to stand beside her. “Think of your parents and Charlotte. They’re safe because of your decision. A murderer is off the streets.”

  At fifty-three, Melinda didn’t look her age. Her auburn hair shone, and her green eyes were friendly most of the time, though they had darkened and hardened as of late. Tressa took a deep breath. “If I must do this, I’ll make the best of it. I have a good incentive to make it work—my family’s life.”

  Melinda patted her back. “And don’t forget it’s for your life.”

  Tressa buried her face in her hands. “I can’t stand them being hurt.” She pounded her chest. “It aches so much right here.”

  Jerry sat beside her, waiting until she got control of herself. “All of us will keep you safe, Kimber.”

  It was the first time she’d been called Kimber. She clutched her chest again. “I don’t know if I can do this. My heart is broken.”

  He handed her a degree from San Francisco University. There was a high school diploma, awards from high school, report cards, and her new credit history. “Like the passport, we’ll create your driver’s license and other photos when the scar from the removal heals. Are you sure you want the mole above your lip removed?”

  “Yes, it always stood out. Yes.”

  “All your records prove you are Kimber Kay Sinclair. You’ve nothing to fear. You need to do what we suggest. In my job, we warned, ah, our witnesses, to obey our rules. You’ll survive as long as you do what you’ve been told.”

  Tressa went through the motions while trying to distance herself from all the horror of the past and then today. Over a period of the last thirteen months, she had set money aside for later. Untraceable money meant for Kimber Sinclair. “But how? How, Jerry, did you do all of this?”

  “Kimber…” He smiled upon using her new name. “You know I can’t answer your question. And it’s best you don’t know, either, my dear.”

  

  END

  ---

  Here is what the book is about and where to find it:

  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.

  After her life is threatened, 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?

  Universal Link

  

  I’d rate this book “R” by movie standards. If you only choose to read one book in a series, you’ll still have a complete story in itself.

  Thanks for reading.

  I hope you get a chance to get outside and enjoy your weekend, especially if it’s as gorgeous as mine.<Waving>

  Posted in #AmWriting, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 3 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, cowboy, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Romance, Short Snippet Saturday: Scars and Fake Records, western romance

• Inspiration Strikes Again #2

  Posted at 12:09 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 6, 2022

  

  Howdy, folks. Here is the follow-up excerpt I mentioned in the previous post. For those who missed it, I had intended to start book six in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight in 2023. The excerpt I’m posting is to give you a look at Rob, who stars in the sixth book in the series. He appears in almost every book in the series and the spin off series.

  The setting for this series is my fictitious town of Canyon Junction in Arizona with the Sonoran Desert and Superstition Mountains as a backdrop. Check the link HERE if you want to know more about the series. Books are rated between a PG-13 and R rating by movie standards. Going forward, I intend to update all of my books to a PG-13 rating and below. My newest books are already there. Rob’s book will reflect the change too.

  

  Set up: Nora and Tristan had a major argument, and she needed a ride home. Who better to call than a longtime friend.

  Like Rob’s long hair, so is this excerpt.

  Excerpt:

  This would kill her, but she’d have to ask for a ride. Who could she call? She took out her phone and called her old friend Rob Adams who recently opened Rob’s Place, a local sports bar in town. What choice did she have?

  He answered, “Rob’s Place.”

  “Rob? This is Nora Trinity.”

  “Nora, hey, hi. How’s it going, girl? Grab Tristan and come up for a drink on the house. We’re kind of slow tonight.”

  Nora dropped to the bed. The bar was noisy and didn’t sound slow at all. Glasses clinked and TVs blared in the background. “Can I ask a big favor?”

  “Huh? What’s wrong? Are you all right?”

  His voice held concern. They’d been good friends in school, but that was a long time ago. They’d run into each other in town a few times since she’d been back, and she and Tristan visited the last place he worked before opening his own bar, and the Grand Opening, but she had to ask. “I need a ride home. Please don’t ask me any questions.”

  “All right. Where are you?”

  Don’t cry now. Oh, should she be doing this? Maybe Tristan would have a change of heart when he returned… That didn’t matter. He needed time to think. She did, too. “I’m at the Double Dutch. Tristan’s section of the ranch.”

  “Is everything all right there?”

  “Not for me.”

  He must’ve been behind the bar because it sounded like he juggled beer glasses to patrons. “I’ll be right there.”

  “I’ll be waiting at the office. Thank you so much, Rob.”

  She looked up after disconnecting. Tristan waited at the door with his hands gripping the jamb. “I’m leaving. I had to call for a ride.”

  “I know. I came back to give you a lift.”

  He had removed his flannel shirt and looked so good standing there in a black t-shirt and black jeans. That shock of hair on his forehead needed to be brushed back. Would she ever be able to do it again? “I have a ride.”

  

  “I brought you here, I’ll take you home. Cancel your ride.”

  “No. I had to embarrass myself by asking, and I’m going through with it.” She stood and picked up her bag. He didn’t move out of the way. She peered at him eye to eye. “Let me pass.” Tristan turned enough to let her slip by. “You know where I live if you change your mind.” She strode down the hall and ran into Destiny at the top of the stairs. That was the last thing she’d wanted. Hold it together a little longer. “Hi, sweetheart. I’m going home now. I’ll see you later.”

  Destiny stomped. “No, Nora-Mom. You have to stay.” She looked up at Nora with wide eyes. “Why are you going? Can I go with you?”

  Tristan came over to take her hand. “You’re not going with her.”

  Nora knelt to hug her tightly. “I love you, Destiny.”

  “Nora, don’t go with your suitcase.” She cried. “Don’t go!”

  Nora rushed down the stairs. Destiny broke from her dad’s hand and ran down after her. “Nora, don’t go.” She took Nora’s hand.

  “Destiny, you can’t go with me, honey. I’m sorry.”

  Tristan came down the stairs to take her hand again, but she pulled away from him. “No, Daddy!” She ran upstairs and slammed her door.

  Nora peered at Tristan. As much as she tried not to cry, she couldn’t hold it back. Oh, God, oh, God. She rushed past Judy who no doubt came to see what was wrong with Destiny. No, she couldn’t face her. She hurried toward the office, closed the door, and locked it behind her so no one followed her in.

  Headlights shone through the front window. She rushed out and Rob pushed the door open in his truck, so she stuffed her bag and purse in ahead of her. Nora glanced toward the office door when she reached for her seat belt. Come on, Tristan, don’t let me go.

  “Where to, Red? Don’t you live out on the golf course?”

  “That’s right. Drive please.” Rob didn’t look clean-cut like he had during their high school days. Now, he had long hair and tattoos. It fit him though, and he was even more handsome all grown up.

  “Tristan’s a crazy asshole if he let you go that easily. Wanna go back to the bar for a drink?”

  Her stomach reminded her she hadn’t eaten, but she wasn’t sure if she could. There wasn’t much at home to eat, either. “Sure, I can’t promise to be good company right now. What’s your special tonight?”

  “I’ll make you one of my special burgers.”

  “I’d like that. Fries, too?”

  “The best in town.”

  “Thank you for giving me a ride.” She broke down and cried again to think of the future without Tristan and Destiny. “I can’t have a drink.”

  Rob put his hand on her shoulder as a friendly gesture. “Oh, I see. That’s okay. I have soda…and milk.”

  “Don’t mention it to anyone. No one but Tristan and I know.”

  “I won’t, but now that makes Tristan look like an even bigger asshole.”

  “He’s not to blame. It’s my fault for not trusting him.”

  End of excerpt.

  

  Oh, the joy of writing romance! ❤

  ---

  If you read this far, thank you so much.

  Happy Belated Labor Day to my fellow Americans.

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Excerpt | 6 Comments | Tagged #WritersLife, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Inspiration Strikes Again #2, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Romance, small towns and cowboys, western romance

• Inspiration Strikes Again #1

  Posted at 8:37 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 4, 2022

  

  And a new book begins…

  Oh YAY. I love when I surprise myself. Ha-ha.

  I never planned on writing book six in my Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight this year.

  Never say never.

  My cover designer had a promotion for some of her premade covers. I saw one and emailed her, saying it fit a future book. Future book. She wrote back to say she’d hold it for me. However, I told her I hadn’t even started the book yet. Well, a few days later I opened a document, typed Chapter 1, and I kept writing. I told her the cover inspired me to start the book. The cover became mine when she began working on it.

  My designer tweaked the cover to make it more mine. 🙂 Plus, she added my name to the bottom and “Book Title” at the top where the title will go. So, I almost have a complete cover for a book that wouldn’t be written until 2023.

  Even without the tweaks, the cover was more than enough to kick inspiration into gear. The cover is different from my other books. So is the hero. This means, it gave me new ideas. It’s fun writing this book because of the new ideas. He appears in nearly every book in the above mentioned series and the spin off series. I’m talking about my upcoming hero—Rob Adams. Hey, how about that. I mentioned my hero’s name, which isn’t something I do this soon.

  This book has been in my head since early on when I introduced Rob. He grew up in town and went to school with some of the stars in the series.

  As the years flew by, I had more time to develop him. He’s evolved since book one. I knew he’d get a book one day. I already had the opening clear in my head.

  Because of the cover, I’m now over 17,900K words and loving the story thus far. I’m amazed and thrilled.

  

  At least I have a jump on it now. However, I’m writing two other books with a fourth on the back burner.

  Funny the way things work. In book five, a new character popped into the story—a female named Scarlett—who I thought would be Rob’s heroine when he got a book. In a stern voice, my muse blurted out, “Uh-uh! Not so fast. Scarlett is still healing. We’ll set her aside for now.” News to me because, heck, I’m the author, and I didn’t know about Scarlett’s cousin, who is a perfect match for Rob. So, I say to my muse, “You go, girl. Thanks!”

  Well, I had a lengthy excerpt to introduce Rob in this post, but I’m adding it to its own post to make this one shorter and more to the point of the title. The except is one where Rob appears in the first book in the series. So, with this post divided into two posts–Inspiration Strikes Again #1 and #2–it’s your choice to read the excerpt which will follow in the next post today or Tuesday.

  

  Book Six featuring Rob Adams is coming in 2023. The series and spin off takes place in my fictitious town of Canyon Junction in Arizona. I set the series in and around the spectacular Sonoran Desert with the Superstition Mountains as a backdrop.

  I’m excited and had to share! Enjoy your weekend.

  It’s a holiday weekend here in the U.S. for what we call Labor Day weekend. The actual day falls on the first Monday in September.

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Excerpt | 3 Comments | Tagged cowboy, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Inspiration Strikes Again, kick-butt muse, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, New book idea, Romance, series romance, western romance

• Blue Snow #2: Making It Out Alive

  Posted at 4:17 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on July 18, 2022

  

  #WritersLife:
  In my previous post with this same topic, I mentioned changes I made in my current work in progress, which included dealing with my hero’s name, changing my heroine’s name, and the spelling of her name numerous times. Plus, I changed the spelling of the child’s name three times. All that took place within the first 11,000 plus words. Ah-ha, but hold on a minute.

  To Plan or Not to Plan

  To date, the word count is 24,094 words. All the changes I made in the beginning, made me realize how much easier it is to plan a story. It isn’t like I haven’t jotted down notes, because I have many. The thing is, you have to look at the plan.

  Changes didn’t stop in the first 11,000 words.

  

  Night Thoughts Instead of Night Sweats

  Plot Changes

  Back to the AH-HA, BUT HOLD ON A MINUTE: One sleepless night an idea came to me to change my boy child to a girl. Writing another little boy in a story—this story with this plot—would veer a little too close to one of my other books. Can’t have that now, can we. So, now I’ll say the child’s name got changed four times.

  You’ve probably heard before: Writers, don’t stop thinking about a story, or stories, when we walk away from our computers. Nope. I may not have plotted 100% of this story out in writing, but I continually plan and plot in my mind. As I continued thinking of this story, I didn’t stop at name changes.

  Real Doozie of a Plot Change: Making it Out Alive

  One of my characters never made it into the first 11,000 words because he/she died before the book opened. It hurt my heart hard that this character wouldn’t appear in the book because even though not there, she/he occupied space in my mind and minds of my characters. Before I knew it, I grew to care about him/her. To relieve my ache, I gave this person life. That’s not to say there won’t be a death because if not, there goes part of my plot. Oh, Dear!

  Oh, Dear.

  OH, DEAR!!

  As a series writer, bringing my person back to life had a little to do with thinking ahead. One day she/he might appear as the hero/heroine in another book. Working her/him into the story meant I had to create a life for said person. This one is still developing as we go, but I had lots of info on this character already, anyway. I can’t promise a big role, but this person is a necessary secondary character. I’m glad for this change. Patting myself on the back.

  Research: Along for the Ride

  However, I have typed out all of my research thus far. I had a lot of fun researching classic, vintage, antique, vehicles. One video I watched took me for a ride through town. When the driver jumped on the gas and those Headers opened up, my heart beat faster. (Memories.) I felt like I was along for the ride too. Research alone takes a lot of time but can be fun. One of the most important parts of this video, showed me an answer to a question that had me searching and searching to no avail. Yeeha.

  

  Romantic Fiction

  Writing fiction is so much fun. Writing romance is tons of fun, though, not always easy. I can’t wait until this book is finished. At this point, I need to concentrate on guiding my hero and heroine to an ending. Thank goodness I write romance because, plotting or no plotting out a story, I, and readers, know there will be a happily-ever-after. And that, my friends, makes my heart happy too.

  Thanks for reading and going along on this journey through Blue Snow with me.

  Posted in #AmWriting | 10 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Blue Snow in the Moonlight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Plotting and Planning a book, seat of the pants writing, western romance

• Questions, Blunders, Blue Snow, and Writing by the Seat of My Pants

  Posted at 5:36 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 27, 2022

  

  Not a Series – Not a Sequel?

  I posted the image below as my regular Facebook profile STORY post, but now I’m adding it here with an explanation.

  

  Yes, it’s true. Some readers asked for more after reading the first book. Yay, thanks! Big hugs. I’m writing a second book in the fictitious small town of Sugarton, North Dakota. Cullen Hollister, his family, and Elle from “Blue Snow in the Moonlight” will make their appearances. I can’t call it a sequel, I don’t think, but it is a SECOND BOOK.

  Or will it turn out to be the first book in a potential series? When it comes down to it, I’m not certain I can dedicate time to writing another series.

  Any suggestions as to what to call two books? It can’t be a duo because they’re one book with two stories (I think).

  Little Did I know

  At the time of writing Blue Snow, my new hero’s name popped into my head out of the blue as names do with me. I never expected to say or write his name again. The few lines with his name in book one were written to break up Cullen’s train of thought as he drove to his cottage. So, yes, to me he was just a name, and there was no reason to go further with him at the time. (Sorry, dude.)

  Things can change, can’t they? It took until a month ago to decide on a second book. As I jotted down a handful of ideas for this new book and my new hero, his name started sounding familiar to me. No wonder. I did a search and found a few famous people with his first and last name. Oh, great! Famous people? Duh. If I had plans on using him in the book or a second book, I would have completed a name search then.

  Since he is already mentioned in my already published book, I had choices: 1) keep his name, 2) come up with a new character never mentioned in Blue Snow, 3) change his name in Blue Snow in the Moonlight. Um, NOPE, or, 4) write a book in the same area not related to Blue Snow.

  Fixing the Name Blunder

  

  The thing is, his first and last names are “first names.” Let’s take a first name and surname like John Roy (fictitious as far as I know). To fix my blunder, I separated my character’s first and last names with a hyphen and gave him a new surname. Lucky for me, I rarely have to mention the hyphenated name in the new book, because as it goes, he happens to hate his hyphenated name and insists on no one saying it like: “Don’t call me John-Roy! The name’s John.” Not my characters name.

  Moving On

  With this book, I’ve reverted back to writing “by the seat of my pants.” All I did was jot down a few paragraphs about what could happen, plus, I included character details. Let’s say, I finally got to know this hero. I’m looking forward to learning more. I changed my heroine’s name five or six times. Oh, I switched the spelling of her name three or four times. The poor girl is going to have an identity crisis.

  Next, I started writing. So here we are. I have no idea where the first 11,000 words came from, but boy-oh-boy was I glad when they poured out. Honestly, I’m not sure where it’ll go from here. Other than getting them to a happily ever after, of course. Did I mention I’m writing two other books? Long story there and maybe the “long story” might make it into a shorter blog post, cause this darn thing got long.

  Thanks for reading. Stay tuned to see how many more names I can change.

  

  Featured Image: Pixabay JolaKedra

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Blue Snow in the Moonlight | 12 Comments | Tagged #WritersLife, Blue Snow in the Moonlight Holiday Romance, cowboy, mary j mccoy dressel, Questions Blunders Writing by the Seat of Your Pants, western romance

• Short Snippet Saturday: Cold Heart

  Posted at 6:34 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 22, 2022

  

  Two-Five Ranch Outlaws

  Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart

  This short scene in italics takes place earlier in the day and leads into today’s snippet below the fence post: Karis shifted in the saddle to look back at Tanyon standing in the doorway. He pointed to his watch. She’d be having dinner with him in a few hours. The thought made her tremble inside to think the ranch boss might find it in his heart to forgive her.

  ---

  

  I’ve made a slight modification to the excerpt. This scene follows in Tanyon’s POV:

  The closer it got to dinner time, the more stressed he became. He wanted to skip dinner out. A lot of work still waited on the ranch. Regardless, he had planned to drive up toward the Grand Canyon but decided against it. His heart wasn’t into having a date tonight. Dinner at one of the bar restaurants in Williams sounded doable and was a short drive away. A pretzel burger or ribs and a beer flight sounded good. Then again, with his sour mood tonight, he didn’t want the busyness of Williams or the Grand Canyon.

  He couldn’t shake the heavy heart concerning Karis. Now, he’d given her the wrong idea by asking her out. Like Sedona hadn’t given her the wrong idea? He sighed, still conflicted over what to do. He’d hoped the more time they’d spent with each other, the better it would get, but he had this wall to scale first. Being together hadn’t set him free from decisions. In fact, after holding her close during the dance, he didn’t want to call it quits yet.

  Before driving home, he pulled off the road at the gate to the open field where he’d taken her… Where he should’ve taken her fully. Maybe she would’ve gotten pregnant that night. She’d still be here taking advantage of the shoulder he could’ve offered when she damn well needed one. Instead, the night had led to a magnificent quickie, if you wanted to call what they’d done that night, a quickie.

  

  He glanced out at the openness. How dark it got on a moonless night. Now, the memory made him crazy with anger. Not the memory, no, the memory…aroused him, but the events that happened afterward had left him cold and heartbroken. She’d left him. He clenched the steering wheel tighter.

  She’d left him, and his heart had grown cold.

  Then the answer popped into his head. If anything could bring him back, it’d be sitting beside her in the bed of his truck with the silent musings of that night in both of their minds when he’d loved her so much. Tanyon nearly called her to tell her to dress casually, but she sure wasn’t dressed casual then. He made a turn to go toward the grocery store deli in Wills Bend.

  Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, Book #1

  Read Now: Universal Buy Link

  

  ---

  Book Description

  Four knife-piercing words in a frantic phone call from her mother, caused Dr. Karis Sutton to leave her cowboy in Northern Arizona to return home. While grief-stricken over a tragic loss, she’d let the man she loved slip away instead of allowing him to console her in a time of need. Now, a year later, and ready to break free from her world of gloom, she drives north to seek a second chance with the moody yet irresistible alpha-owner of the ranch. But she’s forced back to Phoenix to fight to keep two fatherless kids. While doing so, will Tanyon think she’s leaving him again and give up on any chance they might’ve had? She’s pulled in different directions. How will she make it right with so much distance between them all?

  Tanyon Outlaw never thought he’d see her again. Now, she’s returned as part of the summer crew on the Two-Five Ranch. In her sad eyes, he sees straight through to her pained soul while memories of their past love invade each thought. What will it take for his cold heart to grow warm toward her again? Then, when bad things happen on the ranch, it comes in droves. Karis is called back home. A lawsuit looms over his head. Fences are cut to maim or steal his cattle. Someone else has an eye for the woman he longs to love. He’s running out of time. How can he discover why people are out to get him while figuring out what his heart wants?

  Once again, Karis and Tanyon have separate, life-changing matters to attend to, so how will they keep it all together and still find a way to capture the love they once shared?

  Available at Amazon

  UNIVERAL BUY LINK

  ---

  

  Thanks for visiting today. Stay heathy and safe.

  Fence Post Credit: Pixabay caitgreer. Girl in Black dress: Pixabay StockSnap. Featured Image Pixabay: Edited by Mary.

  Posted in #AmWriting, Short Snippet Saturday, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws | 3 Comments | Tagged Grand Canyon, Imprisoned in a Cowboy's Heart, mary j mccoy dressel, Sedona, Short Snippet Saturday, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, western romance, Williams Arizona

• Snippet: South of True North ~ Don’t Expect Miracles

  Posted at 1:26 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 13, 2022

  

  Hi! I could wait until Short Snippet Saturday to post this, but I should keep “short” snippets for that topic. This one isn’t short. I’m sharing an excerpt from my second new release, South of True North, featuring Cade and Faith. Faith isn’t in this, but she’s the topic of discussion.

  Book Description

  Townsfolk cheered when they fell in love. Then they destroyed them with rumors and lies.

  Rancher Cade Outlaw and his ex-fiancée share custody of their daughter, and they’re growing close again. Her ex-boyfriend’s vengeful attack on her seven years ago destroyed Cade and Faith’s happily ever after. When he asks for a do-over, he vows to protect the relationship from the pain that separated them—to keep her and their child safe from their past. But how can he take a step back if he gets the chance to settle the score? Is his love for Faith and Nadia strong enough to hold on to the second chance they deserve?

  Heartbroken, pregnant, fired from her job, and Cade’s focus on avenging the assault took a toll on Faith Ribeiro. To heal, she’d left him. Years later, a Fundraising Executive and single mom, she lives with emotional and physical scars. Cade is the only man she’ll love, and she can’t deny the powerful chemistry between them. However, rekindling a relationship may invite wickedness back into their lives. What will she do this time if Cade still wants to pay back her abuser? How much will her heart break if Nadia gets swept up in their chaos after striving to keep her from it?

  They’re stronger together, though they need to overcome the challenges standing in their way of a peaceful life—hate, heartache, vengeance, and family betrayal. But how will they hang on to the profound love they once shared if they don’t come out of this unscathed?

  Available at Amazon

  ---

  

  Setup: On the way home from an auction, Cade’s dad, one brother, and his sister are with him, so he decides it’s a good time to blast some news.

  As they pulled out of the diner, a truck horn bellowed. Their big rig hauling new cows pulled around to the larger parking area. Jesse waved. Cade chatted with Nadia at her bedtime before blasting his news. They neared home now. Time ran out.

  He rubbed his hands on his knees as chatter from Ronni and Dusty blurred in the back seat. He turned the volume down and gave a sidelong glance to his dad leaning against the front door. “Listen up. I have news to share you aren’t going to like, but keep it to yourselves until we get home, or I’ll put you out of my truck.”

  “Uh, this is my truck. Nobody’s getting out, son.”

  He took a deep breath. “Faith and I are considering a second chance. We have a daughter together and want it to work between us.”

  His dad canted his head toward the side window. “It’ll kill your mama.”

  “Daddy,” Ronni said from the back. “No, it won’t. I agree with Cade. Nadia needs a mother and a father to parent her together. We don’t want to see another man raising our flesh and blood. You talk to Mom.”

  Cade dragged his palm across the steering wheel. For sure he didn’t want another man parenting his kid. “Thanks, Ronni, but I’ll tell her myself.”

  Dusty shoved the seat behind Cade. “You sleep together for two nights and think you can start over?”

  He just about blew a brain gasket. Cade slid to a stop on the shoulder of the road, got out, and pulled the seat forward. “I haven’t slept with nobody. Get your ass out of the truck.”

  Dusty narrowed one eye and remained sitting. “I told you you’d start a shit-storm. Happy now?”

  Jesse raised his voice. “Get in the truck. Your brother isn’t walking home. You’re a grown-ass man. Act like it!”

  “You can join him, Dad. I mean it. Pay attention.” Idiot. Shit. He kicked his dad out of his own truck. He grabbed his hat off his head and shoved his fingers through his hair and repeated Faith’s phrase. “You don’t have to like her, but you need to accept she’s with me.”

  “Get in the damn truck, Cade Lee Outlaw, or I’m coming around there to drive, and I don’t see well at night.”

  Cade turned his back on them and gazed upward. Then he faced his dad, lifted a foot to the running board, and laid his eyes on Dusty.

  His dad continued, “All right. Fine. You’re back together. You’re old enough to make your own decisions whether they’re right or wrong. I know how we raised you, so most of them are right.”

  “This one affects us all, Dad,” Dusty warned.

  “Shut up, Dusty!” Ronni leaned forward. “What’s the big deal? Get your damn facts straight. Hear me, Dad? Here we are all these years later still hashing out the same shit. How do you see Faith being at fault when an asshole started the whole thing to get back at Cade? He beat her!”

  “Calm down, darlin’.”

  “No! I consider her a friend. If you want to turn your backs on me, go ahead. I’ll miss you all a hell of a lot if you do. Like Cade, I’ll come to work every day because my name is on the flippin’ business too.”

  “Nonsense. You’ll always be my little girl. Ladies don’t curse like that, honey.”

  “You raised me to be a cowboy, not a lady. Give Faith and Cade a chance. Why make it hard on them? Now, they have an innocent little child. I hope you can find it in your hearts to do the same.” She sat back and folded her arms. “I thought Outlaws stuck together.”

  Well, obviously, Dusty wasn’t getting out, but wow, his sister let loose. Cade shoved the seat back and got behind the wheel, continuing to drive toward home. “I’ll have Nadia from after work tomorrow through the weekend. Please, for her sake, don’t bring this up because if you speak bad about her mom, you’ll lose her. If you can’t, I’ll keep her at Faith’s while she’s out of town.” He glanced in the mirror at Dusty who nodded. Wow.

  “You have my acceptance,” Dusty said in a calmer tone. “You’re right. This foolishness has gone on long enough. Everybody should be able to love who the hell they want to love. Right, Dad?”

  “No comment. You aren’t the one going home to talk to your mother.”

  Cade scoffed. “She’s wrong about her, Dad, and always has been. Let me handle Mom.”

  “No one handles your mother. You know, Cade Lee, I’d do anything for your little girl. If this is what it takes, so be it. I wish you the best, and I honestly mean it, but it’ll take time. Don’t expect miracles overnight, boy.”

  “We’re determined to make it work this time. No matter what, and I’m telling you up front, if Garrett returns to town, he’ll pay for what he’s done to her.”

  “I got your back, bro.”

  “Appreciated.”

  His dad laid his hand on Cade’s shoulder and flicked his gaze back to Ronni. “We do stick together, honey. And, Cade, if the day comes when Faith becomes your wife, she’s included. You’ve got my word. However, I repeat… Don’t expect us to change at the snap of your fingers.”

  Cade’s throat closed up in emotion at his dad’s words. He could’ve done this the first time. “Don’t worry. I know better. It’ll break my heart if I leave my family. I’ve had a broken heart before.”

  Ronni tapped his shoulder with her water bottle. “Here’s to no more heartaches for us Outlaws.”

  End of Excerpt.

  

  ---

  I try not to post long excerpts like this, but since South of True North and Blue Snow in the Moonlight are new releases, I made an exception. Find a recent snippet for Blue Snow HERE.

  Thank you for reading. Have a peaceful rest of your week. ~MJ

  Posted in #AmWriting, South of True North, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws | 3 Comments | Tagged amazon, mary j mccoy dressel, Snippet: South of True North ~ Don't Expect Miracles, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, western romance

• New Reads for the New Year ~ Two New Releases

  Posted at 3:28 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 1, 2022

  

  Grab a beverage and a snack. This is long. 😊

  Can you believe it? I published these books in the nick of time to get a 2021 release date. I’ve never in my years of publishing on KDP had a book uploaded and then published as fast as these two. I took it as a good sign. I uploaded them both on December 30th one after the other. Odd, that one book has a publication date of December 29th and the other the 30th. Either way, they’re out in the world now! Both books are released only on Amazon at this time.

  Both book covers were designed by Dawné Dominique at DusktilDawn Designs. She’s my hero!

  So, now I present to you my two new releases. Big breath in and big breath out.

  Blue snow in the Moonlight: A Holiday Romance

  California woman with Midwest roots. Hot cowboy in cold North Dakota. If anyone needs Christmas magic, it’s Cullen and Elle.

  

  Without kids, a cattle ranch, and a renter in his cottage, Cullen Hollister would hibernate during Christmas. Instead, he’s holding a detonator to brighten Sugarton in a festive display of lights. Then a stranger’s forever smile speeds up the beat of his wounded heart. An acquaintance introduces his niece with a heart seemingly as cold as Cullen’s. They’re thrown together in a cottage he loathes, but he’s drawn to her, admiring her assertiveness, down-to-earth nature, and sexy blue-snow eyes. He discovers a yearning more powerful than stubbornness. But it’s hard to trust after being burned once. If Christmas magic is real, maybe making memories with Elle will lead to a forever love after all. First, he needs to know he can trust her with his and his kid’s hearts.

  Elle Palmer-Shaw uses her cousin’s wedding in North Dakota as an escape from sorrowful memories. Her aunt and uncle beg her to move back to her roots. With her work, she can live anywhere. When she meets the handsome green-eyed owner of the cottage, a simmering attraction grows, and Christmas takes on a new meaning. His memories of the cottage are painful, yet he makes her an offer she can’t refuse. It’s a simple solution until she’s called back home. She tries to convince Cullen to keep the rental cottage available—to give them a chance when she returns, even after dropping a bombshell on him about her past. But will he destroy his walls and let her in, or will he continue to exist instead of live and love?

  Available on Amazon.

  ---

  My Second New Release:

  NOTE: If you read “Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart” book one in this series, you heard rumors and lies about Cade’s ex-fiancée, Faith. She never made an appearance in the book. I had no intention of making Faith the heroine, but as characters are known to do, she kept nudging me until I gave in. Then I realized I had started their story in the first book. They deserved to have their story told.

  Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, #2

  South of True North

  Townsfolk cheered when they fell in love. Then they destroyed them with rumors and lies.

  

  Rancher Cade Outlaw and his ex-fiancée share custody of their daughter, and they’re growing close again. Her ex-boyfriend’s vengeful attack on her seven years ago destroyed Cade and Faith’s happily ever after. When he asks for a do-over, he vows to protect the relationship from the pain that separated them—to keep her and their child safe from their past. But how can he take a step back if he gets the chance to settle the score? Is his love for Faith and Nadia strong enough to hold on to the second chance they deserve?

  Heartbroken, pregnant, fired from her job, and Cade’s focus on avenging the assault took a toll on Faith Ribeiro. To heal, she’d left him. Years later, a Fundraising Executive and single mom, she lives with emotional and physical scars. Cade is the only man she’ll love, and she can’t deny the powerful chemistry between them. However, rekindling a relationship may invite wickedness back into their lives. What will she do this time if Cade still wants to pay back her abuser? How much will her heart break if Nadia gets swept up in their chaos after striving to keep her from it?

  They’re stronger together, though they need to overcome the challenges standing in their way of a peaceful life—hate, heartache, vengeance, and family betrayal. But how will they hang on to the profound love they once shared if they don’t come out of this unscathed?

  DISCLAIMER: This story contains references to domestic abuse that happened outside of the book. Our hero, Cade, is NOT the abuser. Brief scenes and memories play out in Faith and Cade’s thoughts and narration, and may be troubling for some readers.

  Available on Amazon

  Check out Book One in the Two-Five Ranch Outlaws Series:

  

  ---

  

  Wishing You A New Year, Bursting With Joy, Roaring With Laughter And Full Of Fun. ― Happy New Year 2022.

  I wish the new year’s blessings were my words, but the credit goes to: New Year Wiki.

  New year image credit: MAKY_OREL @Pixabay.

  Mockups from MockupShots.

  Featured Image Credit: Raventhorne @Pixabay.

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Cover Reveal, holiday, New Release, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws | 8 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Blue Snow in the Moonlight, Cowboy Romance Series, Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, New Release, South of True North, Two New Releases, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, western romance

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