Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance

Tag: 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:

  

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  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

• Short Snippet Saturday: Love is Blind

  Posted at 4:31 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 4, 2021

  Waving hello on this first Saturday in September. How is it September? Remember, we only have to deal with thirty days this month.

  I haven’t shared a Short Snippet Saturday Post for some time. This week, I brought Judy Carlson, our ranch matriarch at the Double Dutch Ranch, back into the limelight. I’ve made two modifications in this snippet to avoid spoilers. See more about this series here.

  NOTE: My books are complete with happily ever after endings and no cliffhangers. Reading out of order can give things away pertaining to the other characters and situations in the series. If you only want to read one book, you will still have a complete and satisfying story in itself.

  

  Return to Canyon Junction with Book Five.

  Heartaches, hot flashes, and new beginnings.

  Content with her family and new grandbabies on the way, Judy Carlson is happy—despite day-to-day struggles of running a ranch and memories of sadness they share. Menopausal changes remind her birthdays arrive too doggone soon. On sleepless nights, she longs for a partner to snuggle up beside. She never minds gazing at a strong cowboy, a man with a handsome smile, or with an intellectual touch of silver in his hair. She observes this daily in their seasoned ranch foreman, Selva Rosado. Though she won’t admit to an attraction until an emotional and physical warming encompasses her when he’s around.

  However, after dancing a night away with Dale Connor three years ago, she’d considered settling down again. Then he disappeared on a clandestine trip, only to return with intentions as mysterious as his journey, and trouble from his past. She learns how right her family is to worry and how wrong she is to ignore intuition. Yet she can’t overlook their loyal foreman in the background who waits and watches with his own mysteries.

  Two men vie for her hand. How can a cowgal decide which one will park their boots beside hers at the end of each day? Before making any decisions, she aims to discover all of their secrets.

  ---

  Tristan grabbed his head with both hands. “Mom. Don’t go digging into things you don’t want to know about.”

  “I already did. A couple glasses of wine got him to talking. You know about his addiction. I see why you shun him.”

  Tristan sat again. “He told you?”

  “He owes money and could be in trouble.”

  “Dammit, you need to stay away from him. If trouble has found him, none of us want you in the middle of it. You have more to lose than he does. I swear to God, if you—”

  Judy stood and narrowed her eyes. “If I what?” Tristan’s Adam’s apple moved up and down. She sat again before either of them said things neither of them wanted to say or hear. Hating to bring up Tristan’s past, she had to set him straight. “Why do you think me a foolish woman? I’ve been through this once. There is no chance in Hades I want to do it again with a man I barely know.”

  He strode toward the door and grabbed his hat. “I know. I know. I know. How many times can I apologize?”

  “Zero. The past is over, albeit I’ve learned my own lessons along with you, son.”

  “Don’t get involved with him. We all know the truth about Dale. The guys he borrowed money from in Nevada aren’t guys to take no for an answer.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this? H-how do you know about the men. From Nevada, you say?”

  Tristan sighed. “There it is. Friends know him. Me and the guys wanted to see if it went anywhere with you and Dale before popping your balloon.”

  “Balloon, huh? In any case, it’s my decision whether to get involved with Dale. I didn’t want you involved with…” Judy sighed and took a breath to regroup. “It’s too early in the morning for this.”

  “I know you didn’t want me to go back with Destiny’s mom. None of that matters now, and why are we bringing this up? I have a beautiful daughter. No one can regret she happened.”

  “No one is sorry you and Rachel had a child, but the woman broke your heart. Love is blind.”

  “Yeah, it is. That’s why we’re concerned for you.” Tristan barged out the door.

  Judy pulled it open. “I love you, son.”

  He whirled. Nodded. “Me too, but we all want you to be safe…”

  End of snippet.

  Well now. I’ve had a few heated conversations with my boys including slamming doors.

  ---

  Learn more about the series on the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight page. Thank you for visiting.

  Posted in #AmWriting, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Short Snippet Saturday | 3 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, Double Dutch Ranch Series, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Seasoned Romance, Seasoned with Destiny: A Gift of Love, Short Snippet Saturday: Love is Blind, western novel, western romance

• Short Snippet Saturday: On the Run

  Posted at 3:25 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on April 17, 2021

  

  Hey there. Happy spring. I’m still here living the life. <waving>

  It’s been a while since I’ve posted or visited my fellow bloggers, but I’ve been writing. I can happily say I finished book two in the Two-Five Ranch Outlaws series. It’s sitting now before I go back to rip it apart and cut a lot of words. I overwrote. Or maybe I didn’t. Let’s put it this way: I said what had to be said, but it’s a higher word count than I wanted, so maybe I didn’t need to say it all. I’m also 12K words into a holiday western romance. However, that has nothing to do with today’s post. 😊

  Re-cover Reveal

  Since I’ve been away from my blog, I had new covers made for four of my books. I haven’t officially revealed the other three yet, but they aren’t hard to find.

  Today I’m introducing the new re-cover for Finding Kimber, Book Two, from Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series—a spin off to the Double Dutch Ranch Series. As the title says, they’re on the run. I’ve changed two names to avoid spoilers. Kimber mentions Stormy. He’s the dog Zach gave her.

  ---

  First the Blurb

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

  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?

  

  Snippet

  Thunder growled in the near distance, and heavy clouds rolled in. “Cool. Let’s get this tent put up, cowgirl.”

  She helped him unload the truck but wouldn’t let Stormy out. “Dave wanted us to get burner phones so we can’t be tracked. I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary on my phone.”

  “Wait. What? The guy thinks your phone has a tracker on it? Rebecca could’ve done it when she visited you. He’s already called you multiple times. What if he’s in on it? Get in the truck.” Zach tossed the bags back into the bed of the truck and sped out of the campground. Hard, blowing rain came down as they pulled out. He drove away from the mountain.

  “What’s wrong? Where are we going?”

  “Away from here. If someone is tracking your phone, or his—”

  “I called his go-phone, but I get it. No camping.”

  “We are camping. While we’re heading west, call him back. Write down the immediate numbers you need from your phone, then write down Tyler’s, Randy’s, Jake’s, and my mom’s from mine. When you’re finished, turn our phones off. I want to open yours up to look for a tracker, or for whatever the hell else could’ve been used.” He stopped at a gas station and checked her phone. “Bastards. I’m deleting this hidden app. Somebody added it to your phone.”

  She was angry enough to growl like the wolves in the desert.

  He checked his own. “There’s nothing on mine. I have a better idea. I’ll download a burner app for any other calls we make. Then Dave will think we’re using a disposable phone. The app acts as a burner phone. We can pay extra for a different area code and use a Boise number like we do now.”

  Kimber sat back and sighed. Tiredness caught up with her. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. No worries. Tyler uses the app.” After taking care of the app and the new number, he continued driving until they ended up in traffic miles away.

  Now she’d made Zach suspicious of everything.

  They headed back to the campsite and unloaded. “Randy gave us a blowup bed. Looks like we have to sleep together, partner.”

  “No problem, Zach.” In this awful predicament, his words sparked a glow in her heart. She flashed him a smile and helped him make up the bed. “I’ll never be able to thank you for what you’re doing.”

  Zach glanced at the bed and winked. “My heart’s the only thing you have to thank, sweetheart. Well, maybe one other body part.”

  ---

  Here’s the entire spin off series to date. Read Finding Kimber now: Universal Buy Link for your country. Amazon Series Page.

  

  Amazon Reader Reviews for Finding Kimber

  This book has it all. Attention grabbing, many twist and turns. All the romance intertwined. I recommend this book. Enjoy!!

  This lady tells wonderful Cowboy Romance Stories…

  …I loved this book! I loved the depth of this story! It Had so many different elements included in it.

  Very different and kept me interested to the end. Very good suspense story and very different from most books I have read.

  Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for visiting.

  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife, Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series | 9 Comments | Tagged Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, Finding Kimber, Mary J McCoy-Dressel Western Romance, western romance, witness protection

• Short Snippet Saturday: Listen for once!

  Posted at 3:32 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 16, 2021

  

  Hello again. I’ve decided to stick to my Short Snippet Saturday posts on an occasional Saturday instead of participating in the weekly Book Hooks Blog Hop.

  ---

  Today, I’m bringing you a snippet from Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart, Book One in the Two-Five Ranch Outlaws Series. With this book, I have a clear understanding of why series books sell better to a lot of readers. Book two was supposed to be published in 2020, and book three this year, but book two never made it in 2020. Therefore, I see less sales without another book in the series for a reader to rush into. I’ve heard that readers prefer to buy an entire series, or at least more than just one book. I think low sales on this book proves that to be true. Who knows, really.

  This snippet features Tanyon and Karis, our hero and heroine in this book. Tanyon’s baby brother, Levi, and his older sister, Veronica, or Ronni to family and friends appear in this snippet. Tanyon is speaking to Ronni and Karis. Young punks Logan and Rudy, also make an appearance. They are troublemaking ranch hands, but Logan is bad to the bone. Tanyon has good reason not to like him. Rudy is tolerable. The babies Karis refers to are bottle calves.

  

  Book Description

  *Plunge into the first book in Mary’s Brand-new Western Romance Series—Two-Five Ranch Outlaws.

  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?

  *Heat Level: Rated “R” by movie standards – Steamy

  ---

  

  Logan and Rudy, the double-trouble duo, rounded the barn on horses. Logan glanced their way, waited, then nodded. Tanyon ignored him. “I’ll tell you later. Please, listen to me for once?” He glanced at Karis. “Both of you.”

  Karis responded with a nod. “I’ll saddle Joanie. You better have a talk with Max, as well, Tanyon, because of Brielle.” As she left them, Tanyon asked Levi to go into the barn with her until he finished with the calves.

  “I’ll be happy to kick his sorry ass if he tries anything,” Levi muttered on the way.

  In the barn, she walked past Logan and into the tack room for Joanie’s saddle and bridle. Levi brought his horse, Thunder Bay, a white paint gelding into the cross ties and brushed him. Logan and Rudy did the same with the horses they had ridden, but they finished way too soon to have done a thorough job. No surprise.

  “How do you like feeding those babies?” Levi asked Karis.

  She smiled as she used the round brush on Joanie. “I don’t know what it is… Feeding them with a bottle is remarkable, like I’m their mom!”

  “Maybe one day you will be. I wouldn’t mind having another little niece or nephew around here.”

  Karis gasped. “Shame on you, Levi. What a big assumption.” If she hadn’t left a year ago, maybe she’d be pregnant with Tanyon’s child by now. She shook her head to clear it from thinking of such things that had been out of their control.

  Ronni entered the barn to get her thoroughbred from the stall. Logan strode over to her, offering to brush him down and tack the horse for her.

  Ronni smiled at Logan, and Karis reckoned her smile had been fake. A keep their enemy closer type thing.

  “Sure, you can help me.” Ronni replied, winking at Karis across the way.

  Karis eyed them, hoping for Ronni’s sake it was a fake smile. If something went on with those two, no one would be able to keep the shotgun out of the Outlaw men’s hands, if he had anything to do with the lawsuit, but she couldn’t picture Ronni as a cougar.

  Tanyon came in behind Ronni, frowning when he saw she and Logan brushing the horse together. Karis and Levi exchanged glances as they lifted saddles onto their horse’s backs, but neither said anything. She listened to what Tanyon had to say though.

  “Hey, Logan, I heard you were in the loft with that little girl, Brielle. She’s fifteen years old. Unless you want to go to jail or get shot in the head by her dad, you better wipe that smug grin off your face and listen up. Stay away from her and the others.”

  “You got it all wrong—”

  “No, I don’t. I know everything that goes on around here. Everything,” he said narrowing his eyes. He strode over to Joanie to put her bridle on. “You almost ready, Karis? Fox is feeding the calves.”

  She couldn’t picture hard-nosed Fox feeding any baby. “Uh-huh, but I need to get a bottle of water.”

  Tanyon had taken Joanie out of her stall while Karis was gone and had waited outside the barn. The three of them mounted the horses and left the barn at a slow pace. 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.

  Read now: Amazon or Universal Buy Link

  Thank you for visiting today.

  Enjoy your weekend. Stay safe out there.

  Posted in #AmWriting, Short Snippet Saturday | 7 Comments | Tagged Imprisoned in a Cowboy's Heart, mary j mccoy dressel, Short Snippet Saturday, Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, western romance

• #MFRWHooks Family Ties

  Posted at 3:43 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on January 6, 2021

  

  Hey there! Most of last year didn’t go as planned, so I had to take an unwanted break from Book Hooks and #MFRWauthor 52-Week Blog Challenge. The 52-Week Challenge is monthly this year instead of weekly.

  Guess what? I published a book amid all the chaos life threw at me. My Book Hook today is for my December release—”a later in life or seasoned” romance. Our heroine Judy Carlson is the matriarch of the Double Dutch Ranch. She appears in all the Double Dutch Ranch books and the spin off series books.

  Seasoned with Destiny: A Gift of Love

  Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight #5

  

  Book Description

  Heartaches, hot flashes, and new beginnings.

  Content with her family and new grandbabies on the way, Judy Carlson is happy—despite day-to-day struggles of running a ranch and memories of sadness they share. Menopausal changes remind her birthdays arrive too doggone soon. On sleepless nights, she longs for a partner to snuggle up beside. She never minds gazing at a strong cowboy, a man with a handsome smile, or with an intellectual touch of silver in his hair. She observes this daily in their seasoned ranch foreman, Selva Rosado. Though she won’t admit to an attraction until an emotional and physical warming encompasses her when he’s around.

  However, after dancing a night away with Dale Connor three years ago, she’d considered settling down again. Then he disappeared on a clandestine trip, only to return with intentions as mysterious as his journey, and trouble from his past. She learns how right her family is to worry and how wrong she is to ignore intuition. Yet she can’t overlook their loyal foreman in the background who waits and watches with his own mysteries.

  Two men vie for her hand. How can a cowgal decide which one will park their boots beside hers at the end of each day? Before making any decisions, she aims to discover all of their secrets.

  Heat Level: Rated “sensual–intimately sweet and personal.”

  Universal Buy Link

  ---

  I changed a name in the following to avoid spoilers. Judy’s idea. The name I chose to use for the hero in this excerpt is in capital letters.

  Excerpt

  Tears came to her at the awful sight that met them. She shielded her eyes with her palm. Our lovely ranch may never be the same. Dane drove under the signpost and pulled to the side.

  He faced her. “Sit tight. We’ll take care of this.” A yellow banner saying Sheriff’s Line Do Not Cross had been attached to one side of the signpost when they’d arrived home. The guys got out to take it down. Dane gathered it up and tossed it into the truck bed.

  “Are you ready for this, Mom?” Dane asked, after getting back in. “Stay with us tonight, and you won’t have to deal with the mess. We’ll take care of straightening up inside after authorities had gone through and released it.”

  Judy prepared herself to see more yellow tape on the barn and her once safe home. How would she overcome this? “No, I have to face the demon. Avoiding it won’t make a difference.”

  “Yeah, it will,” Jase said. “Dane, drive to my house so Mom and Brenna can get the baby settled. The three of us will clean up here.”

  Judy clasped JOHN’S hand but kept quiet as Dane turned around and drove the long way toward Jase’s home to prevent her from seeing more. They were right to do so.

  “It’s the best thing to do, Judy,” Brenna said. “I don’t want to see it, either.”

  “I understand, honey.”

  JOHN held her. Instinctively, she leaned into the crook of his arm. She closed her eyes for the duration of the ride.

  At Jase’s, they escorted Brenna, the baby, and Judy inside. Judy had to admit that she liked this idea better. She released JOHN’S hand, got a glass from the cupboard, and filled it with water from the tap. She took a long drink. “You’ll come back to get me when you’re finished?”

  Dane jangled his keys as if impatient. “Of course. It’s easier said than done, but try to relax.”

  “Go get your pistol out of the lock box, Bren.” Jase laid the shotgun down on the coffee table near them. He kissed Brenna and his child farewell. They exited in a flash.

  Clasping her hands at her waist, Judy watched after them until they disappeared out of the driveway. They could’ve lost us. What can be going through their minds?

  Universal Buy Link

  ---

  What is Book Hooks? From the Marketing for Romance Writers Website: Book Hooks is a weekly meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog. It’s a chance each week to hook readers on your current WIP or any previously published book.

  Visit more Book Hooks from participants at this LINK.

  Thank you for stopping by today. Happy New Year!

  I’m at a medical center having a test, so I’ll visit your “Hooks” posts throughout the week.

  Don’t forget to update your website/blog copyright year.

  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, #MFRWhooks, New Release | 21 Comments | Tagged #MFRWauthor, Book Hooks, Book Hooks Blog Hop, mary j mccoy dressel, New Release eBooks, western romance

• A Book Title, BINGO, and a Snippet

  Posted at 4:26 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 24, 2020

  I missed Book Hooks Wednesday again. The post almost made it, yadda yadda yadda…

  This isn’t the snippet I had written for Book Hooks. Instead, this one stemmed from an upcoming post I trashed about Book Titles, which included Hey, Cowboy. The scene you’re about to read is why the title for Hey, Cowboy, Book two is what it is. However this scene is from Howdy, Ma’am, Book One. The snippet explains.

  In the beginning, I didn’t want either of these titles to be for the books, but in the end, they were the perfect choice. I have no regrets. 💙

   

  

  ---

   

  Caulder and Velia got to know each other before the season began. She fought the attraction forming between them, but she only fooled herself.

  Set up: Velia did her best to deny what had happened between them the night before, on their first night on the road, no less. She promised herself and him, it would never happen again. We turn the page to the day after: Modified a bit from the original.

  

  As soon as Caulder came out to practice wearing Wranglers and a shirt with the sleeves cut out, and pumped muscles filling her viewfinder, she almost choked on her own lust. “Focus, dammit!” He strutted around the arena like he owned each grain of sand. He went to every bull and talked to them. When he came nose to nose with one big, ugly critter, she had it in her sights.

  She videotaped him around the horses, patting them on the back, and sliding his hand down their flanks. Like he slid his hand down my flank. “Focus.” She got him on video when he wandered to the other side of the arena. Yes, she got one fine part of him strolling away from her—his tight and toned, nice-looking, feel good ass. She stomped. “Why, dammit, why?” Her camera dangled from the neck strap as she watched him.

  She followed and caught him inside the doorway. “Hey, cowboy?”

  

  He turned toward her with a slow glance over her body, and she was aware of the longing in his eyes. She hurried to him and slid her arms around his neck.

  End of excerpt.

  And that, my friends, is where Hey, Cowboy got its title.

  Thanks for reading. Find more on the Bull Rider Series book page.

  

  ---

  Here’s a cute story about the title for Howdy, Ma’am.

  A while back, a long while back, when this book was new, I sent a gift basket to a reader conference with this book included. Cover models were leading a BINGO game. The card squares had book titles on them. I don’t know which cover model, but I heard from the winner of the basket, that the model had a lot of fun calling my book title for this gift basket. When he drew out HOWDY, MA’AM for a spot on the BINGO cards, he’d repeat the title over and over with his deep voice and drawl. He, and the book, got a lot of attention. It made me glad to have kept the title!

  Enjoy the rest of your week!

  Posted in #AmWriting, Bull Rider Series | 5 Comments | Tagged #WritersLife, A Book Title BINGO and a Snippet, Book Hooks, bull rider series, cowboy, Hey cowboy, Howdy Ma'am, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

• Saturday Morning: Running on an (UN)Even Keel

  Posted at 10:19 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on May 30, 2020

  
  Waving. Good morning to all.

  Update:

  Some of you know I’ve been taking a break to let my eyes rest. I’m happy to say they are showing a bit of improvement. Giving them time away from hours of looking at the computer has helped, but my time at the screen is still limited. I’ve been able to spend a small amount of time each day working on one book while gearing up to format my upcoming book. In a nutshell, I have dry-eyes and macular degeneration, so I won’t take a chance with my eyesight.

  As much as I wanted Judy’s book, the fifth book in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight to be released in May, it isn’t going to happen. Book five takes place three years after book four ends.

  By the way, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, book one in the Double Dutch Ranch Series is $0.99 cents. This is the new and revised edition–shortened A LOT yet combined with what used to be book 1.5. Not a bad deal for a book that begins a series where you’ll get to know the whole family including Judy, the ranch matriarch, who binds them all together. Welcome to the Double Dutch Ranch where no one is a stranger at their table.

  I’m grateful for any change for the better to my eyes and for time I can spend working on my books. However, I won’t push it.

  Thankfully, my Kindle reads to me, so I’m able to enjoy books written by other authors without having to stare at the screen. It’s a pleasant distraction, indeed.

  Thanks for your patience.

  ---

  Safe Space:

  On top of dealing with my eyesight and the pressure and stress on myself for NOT publishing a book, I was forced to enter a grocery store because of items I NEEDED and couldn’t get with my pick up order. That isn’t all. I HAD TO OPEN UP MY SAFE SPACE to maintenance when I developed a leak in my bathtub. I figured it would be a one-time thing, but after four visits, he still couldn’t fix the problem. This also means he had to go into my bedroom closet to access the pipes.

  I told my manager I would be wearing a mask and I hoped he would. Her reply did not make my day when she said it was up to him. Well, thanks, lady! Is that even legal? Prayers worked. He wore a mask and gloves. I thanked him. BUT, the problem isn’t fixed. Next week a plumber has to invade my space. God sure is teaching me patience while encouraging me to trust. I’m tempted to tell them all to forget it and let it drip, but if it gets worse or something breaks, then what?

  As my mom would say, “Things don’t run on an even keel all the time.” Something like that. Well, Mom, you were right!

  We’re all in this together.

  Enjoy your weekend, my friends.

  P.S. I didn’t even mention the fact WordPress is changing its editor on June 1st, so now it’s one more thing I don’t have the time or patience to learn. Even though some of you said the new Block Editor was simple, I don’t agree. I looked at it for five minutes and said screw it. Now, it seems I have no choice. On a positive note, the old editor will still be available, but I rarely use it, instead choosing to go into the dashboard and use the old, old editor. What do I do? Use my limited time on the computer to publish a book or learn something I don’t want to learn? The answer is simple.

  Signing off for now…

  Image credit: Pixabay – habunman
  Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife | 12 Comments | Tagged #AmReading, #AmWriting, #WritersLife, book publishing, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, Double Dutch Ranch Series Love at First Sight, even keel, eyesight, Gentlemen Cowboys, mary j mccoy dressel, Saturday Morning: Updates - Running on an Even Keel, western romance

• Book Hooks #MFRWhooks First Love

  Posted at 2:30 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on April 29, 2020

  

  Welcome back to Book Hooks, a Wednesday Blog Hop through Marketing for Romance Writers. A link at the end of this post will take you to participating authors.

  We’re back with the last snippet for a while in Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas.

  The previous posts prior to this episode can be found here. Jake and his son are about to have dinner when someone called his name. Seeing his first love from thirteen years ago set his soul aflame. Previous to where this snippet starts, Jake told Beth about the situation with Paige leaving him. She told him she’d been divorced. Meet Beth:

  ---

  

  That quick, her eyes took on an empathetic seriousness. It was like Beth to put her own issues aside to be concerned about others—a specialness about her she’d always had—one of the traits he had admired back in the day. Jake shrugged as he held his hat with both hands. “About as good as can be expected, I suppose. I tried to talk her into staying. Today, I realized why she wouldn’t. It’ll be hard on my kid. T.J. is staying with me now. At least that’s my plan.” He peeked around the corner to check on his son. “Hey, Macaroni, you have any kids?” She didn’t, but he made small talk before she rushed off. If it had made sense, he’d grab her hand to keep her from leaving.

  “Still the Macaroni, huh?” Beth snickered, peering away momentarily before reaching into her leather designer purse for a credit card. “No, not yet. With what is going on right now, it’s best I don’t…I guess.”

  He nodded and glanced at his son who looked back at him, straw in mouth, one hand wrapped around the cold glass. “Well, I better get seated. Do you wanna—”

  Their gazes connected. “Take care of yourself, Jake. It was terrific to run into you.”

  Her penetrating stare was hypnotic, and he wanted to turn away from her, but he couldn’t pull his eyes away. Guess she didn’t wanna no matter what it was. How could he let her get away? He could have a heart attack any minute and that’d make her stay. “Yeah, for sure. We’ll probably run into each other again…if you’ll be around. This town isn’t big.”

  At least maybe he wouldn’t avoid her the next time like he always had when she’d arrive. He took a step away but whirled around. “Call me sometime. Let’s catch up.” Those words came out of nowhere. Beth smiled softly, and he was taken back many years. The same gut-wrenching pain from their last good-bye twisted his stomach to the point of nausea.

  “Um, are you in the book?”

  He held his hat against his chest, fingering the brim. “Sure am. I have a ranching business now, so yeah, you can find me in the book, online, ask a neighbor.” He chuckled. “Talk to you later.” Heading toward the booth, he peered over his shoulder. “Welcome back to town.”

  “Jake?”

  Oh, God. Beth. Facing her, he lifted his head in a nod as he did another once over. She looked damn good in a little cotton dress with a denim jacket atop it, but it didn’t hide a glimpse of her alluring breasts. Low ankle boots replaced the cowboy boots she’d worn as a teen. Her hair was ten times longer than he’d ever seen it. A trace of a San Antonio tan still remained. Yet, a tiredness lingered in her eyes. “Yeah?”

  Beth walked up to him, and he got another whiff of her sultry perfume. “Is the Coffee Shoppe still in town?”

  

  What can stand in their way this time?

  Second chance romance.

  A Double Dutch Ranch Series Spin Off Novel

  Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series

  Filled with both anguish and hope, a young boy and two lonely hearts pursue a second chance.

  UNIVERSAL BUY LINK: books2read.com/u/3JKo0A

  ---

  Oh, boy. It looks like Jake’s heart is not going to settle down yet. This time it’s for a different reason.

  Thanks for reading! HERE’S the link to find participating Book Hooks authors.

  

  Young couple credit: © Nolte Lourens | Dreamstime.com

  Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWhooks, Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas | 12 Comments | Tagged #MFRWauthor, first love, Marketing for Romance Writers #BookHooks, mary j mccoy dressel, Second Chance Romance, western romance, Whispers of Forever

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