Christmas At Love House: Bittersweet Interlude (Bull Rider #3)
Page 21
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Thank you for reading. Page forward for more.
Note to Readers
Thank you for reading the third book in the Bull Rider Series. Is this the final book for Velia and Caulder? The second book was supposed to be the final book. At this point, I want to say, yes, this is the final book, but I said that about Hey, Cowboy, too.
In case you missed my note in the front of this book, I’ll repeat it here. I wanted to mention something about capitalizing or not capitalizing papa, mamma, madre, padre, zio, and zia. I was told, in the Italian language, these words are not capitalized like they are in English. If you noticed this, it isn’t an error, but I wanted to remain true to my characters use of their language.
If you enjoyed meeting Jase Carlson and his family in this book, there is a whole other series with him and his brothers in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight. Also, a new spin-off series to the Double Dutch Ranch Series will begin for the 2016 holiday season.
In the Table of Contents, you’ll find a brief glossary of Italian words as they are used in Christmas at Love House.
To stay updated on new releases and important book updates, please sign up for my mailing list. If you have a question or comment, I can be contacted at my website via the Contact Mary link in the menu. Please keep in mind, reviews and word of mouth are important to authors. I’ll take this opportunity to personally say thanks to those of you who have, and plan to leave reviews. La vita e bella!
Happy reading.
Website: http://www.maryjdresselbooks.com
Acknowledgement
Thanks to those who continue to be an important part of my publishing team:
Dawn Dominique at DusktilDawn Designs, Creative Manuscripts Editing, LK E-Book Formatting Service.
The Italian phrases and words in the Bull Rider Series have been checked by “FlyGirl” an Italian photographer, author, and friend. Thanks so much! I’d like to acknowledge and say thanks to Mr. Robert Brault for giving me permission to use his quotes. Thanks to the writers in multiple writing groups I participate in for their tremendous wealth of knowledge and advice.
Again, I’d like to say thanks to a bull rider who advised me in book two. He also advised me on a few items in this book. Thanks for the tips, J.S.
I’d like to send out a huge shout-out to the real PBR cowboys, and all the bull and bronc riders who put their lives on the line, eight seconds at a time. I love watching all you guys and admire your adrenalin-charged talent.
Other Books by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
BULL RIDER SERIES
Howdy, Ma’am Bk #1
Bull rider Caulder McCutchen wants to start living again. Maybe find romance in the distant future. But this year he has a good chance of winning the coveted buckle, knowing he has to ride harder, go bigger, or go home. Winning consumes him, but it doesn't take away the pain from a tremendous loss less than two years ago. On a whim, he hires a sexy photographer to travel the bull riding circuit with him for a season. When he finds himself passionately attracted to her, will this sassy little Italian photographer prove to be just what his claim to fame needs—or a disastrous distraction?
Velia Armano, a former travel photographer, is starting a new life alone. She recently opened her own photography business in Tucson, Arizona. She's known the good life growing up in a well-to-do Italian family surrounded with love. Now she's on her own and away from her family—the price she has to pay to escape from her abusive ex-husband's torment. Six months into her well-ordered life alone, a hunky cowboy saunters in with his howdy, ma'am and flame blue eyes offering a job any photographer would find hard to refuse. She accepts his offer, and while trying to resist his heated embrace and gentle nature, she hopes to find the right answer before the season ends.
They both need to decide if they can give in to a ‘happily ever after,’ or remain in their self-appointed exiles.
Hey, Cowboy Bk #2
Shortened Blurb: Happiness abounds as Velia Armano and Caulder McCutchen come to the end of another season, and are ready to begin a new journey—future plans in place.
But…
Caulder is injured during their break—his career hangs in the balance. Velia and her family are threatened. What next? Happiness is within reach if their burning love is strong enough to overcome obstacles.
Visit website for detailed information.
Page forward for more books by Mary.
Works of Fiction Continued:
Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight
This series introduces Caulder’s three cousins, Jase, Tristan, and Dane Carlson. Caulder makes his appearance in some of their books.
Cowboy Boss and his Destiny #1
Romantic and Passionate. The lighter side of romance. Warm your heart and give your nerve endings a tingle at the same time.
Tristan Carlson does the best he can to raise his four-year-old daughter on his own. His mother remains on the Double Dutch to lend a hand—giving him the ability to maintain the ranch, tend to his horses, and keep up his small-time ranching magazine. His attractive, new assistant is everything he wants in a woman, including her ginger-red hair. But from his experience with women lately, he's learned that some don't want a ready-made family. This one seems different, and he's falling hard. But, there's his little blue-eyed girl, and he'll protect Destiny's heart with everything within him. Until he knows for sure...
Living the good life in a big city for many years, Nora Trinity ends up a statistic after the magazine she works for makes cutbacks. Despite a family betrayal from her past that still needs mending, she moves back home to the small town of Canyon Junction, Arizona, with forgiveness on her mind. Hired by a local rancher to help with his ranching magazine, she’s profoundly attracted to him. But, is she ready for this sexy cowboy and his four-year-old daughter?
Tristan’s Destiny, Bonus Book #1.5
Author Note: This is “bonus book” 1.5 and takes place directly after Cowboy Boss and his Destiny ends, though it doesn’t have to be read before going forward. This book can be read alone, but contains spoilers regarding Cowboy Boss. If you want a bit more punch than the heartwarming romance of Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, begin here or with book two.
Together, Tristan and Nora see a future filled with sunny days, but every day isn’t filled with sunshine. As they embark on a new path filled with love and romance, their bond still needs to be strong enough to overcome obstacles. In this story, a man and his family vow to love without limits, to prevail—even though circumstances beyond their control attempt to prove them wrong.
Heartbreak’s Reward #2
Can be read alone and out of series order.
Tough yet torn—rancher Jase Carlson is a man tormented by his ex-wife, as he struggles to maintain control around the sexy Brenna Page. A woman who does her best to raise her rebellious teen sister while struggling with her own secrets and needs.
When she moves to Arizona, she doesn’t expect her heart to fall for a cowboy. He doesn’t expect her to be everything he didn’t know he needed. One wrong turn. Two broken families. Brought together by chance and need.
Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord #3
Army Ranger Dane Carlson never means to fall in love before leaving for another tour of duty, but, unexpectedly, he does. While deployed, he finds himself being sent home early to the family ranch to make a heartrending decision. Little does he know he isn’t the only one making decisions. Once home, his first priority is to rekindle the flame after losing communication with the gorgeous Gracelyn Clark. The woman who owns his heart and has since the moment their gaze connects. But nothing is the same as when they met.
Challenges abound even as Dane and Gracelyn come to terms with the decisions they’ve made. Whatever tomorrow brings, their only choice is acceptance—to take one day at a time and face life as it comes.
Upcoming Books
Double Dutch Ranch Series:
Love at First Sight
Lass
oing the Last Dance #4
Coming late 2016.
Horse trainer and ranch hand Randy Drake believes he and Roxanne, the gorgeous woman he meets at the Double Dutch Ranch, have something special. A relationship that can last, even if she does live in a different state. So why does she stop answering his texts, emails, and phone calls?
Roxanne Connor has a good reason for not letting Randy know she is moving back to her home town—swearing her friends to secrecy. Why rekindle a relationship that has no future? Randy is everything she wants in a man, but now nothing is the same, and she refuses to put him in the place of having to make a life-changing decision.
When they do come face to face, will they discover the embers that glowed eight months ago have died down, or have sparks been ignited and are ready to burst into a full-blown blaze?
Spin-off from the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight.
Canyon Junction, AZ: Hearts in Love Series
Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas
October 2016.
Jake Lawton, father, rancher, and business owner in Canyon Junction, AZ is on the way out of a failed marriage, yet he didn’t expect to become a single dad overnight to his nine-year-old son. Some men never forget their first love, but when Beth Marconi moves back to town, he doesn’t expect the same old feelings from long ago to return with one embrace. Filled with both anguish and hope, they all need to find a way to get through the next few months. A grieving little boy and two hearts pursuing a second chance seek to work with what they have today, instead of living with yesterday’s memories. Forever love and second chances are possible. Right?
Finding Kimber
Coming in 2017.
Beginning a new life far away from everything familiar, Kimber Sinclair finds herself the owner of a ranch in Canyon Junction, AZ, a place with nothing but cacti, heat, horses, and dusty cowboys. She has a second chance now, but how does she find her way when she can’t even find herself?
More books will follow in the Hearts in Love Series.
Visit Mary’s website for detailed information.
About the Author
Early days of reading romance novels and women's fiction laid the groundwork for Mary to take up the pen and write her own memorable love stories. She writes sensual contemporary western romance with strong family ties. Some of her characters don't have an easy time of getting what they want, but their reward is sweet and sexy. Other times Mary’s stories are sensual and heartwarming with less conflict and drama. Cowboy Boss and his Destiny is the lightest storyline of all of her books.
She’s the proud mom of two sons and a loving fur baby dog. Photography is her hobby—another way her muse runs free. After a career in education, Mary now writes full time. She is a PAN Member of Romance Writers of America.
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Glossary
A brief glossary of Italian words as used in this book.
Amoroso – loving endearment
A presto- see you soon. Talk to you later.
Molto buono – very good.
Accidenti a lui! – damn him!
Amore mio – my love
Angelo - angel
Bambino/bambina – baby or babe bambino—male, bambina—female
Bello/i – handsome, good-looking, hunk
Bellissima – beautiful female, lovely
Bellissimo – handsome male, swell
Buon appetito – enjoy your meal
Buona notte/ buonanotte – good night, goodnight
Buongiorno – good morning, good day
Buono – good
Capisco – understand
Che bello/a/i – how beautiful
Ciao – hello, hi or bye
Delizioso – delicious, scrumptious, delightful
Dio – God
Dolce Vita – sweet life
Eccellente – excellent
Fantastico/a – wonderful, fantastic when speaking to female ‘a’. Male uses ‘o’
Figlia mia – my daughter
Grazie – thank you
La famiglia – the family
La vita e bella – Life is beautiful
Ma e bellissimo/a – but beautiful
Madre – mother
Mamma – mom, mama, mamma
Mamma mia! – Oh, my God! Gosh! Oh, goodness!
Mia/mio – my, mia madre, mio padre, my mother, my father.
Nonna – grandmother, grandma
Non c’e problema – There is no problem. It’s not a problem. No problem
Padre - father
Papa – dad
Per favore - please
Perfetta/o – perfect
Piccina – little one
Salute – health—a word said after a toast
Sì – yes
Stupid fratello -- stupid brother!
Tesoro – Loving, endearing like her or his treasure
Ti amo – love you
Un momento, per favore – one moment, please