September Update
Sep 07, 2024 1:00 pm
Hey y'all!
Happy September! For those of you who are new to my newsletter, welcome! I appreciate you joining me in this journey!
What's going on?
Since the last time we chatted, I've attended another book signing. Charlotte, NC was the second stop on the Boozy Book Tour. The hosts, authors and readers were great. Plus side was I had the opportunity to hang out with a good friend.
If the tour stops near you, I recommend it. The next date is December 14, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Below are some photos from the event and my night out with the lovely Dahlia Rose at Fahrenheit on the rooftop of the Skye Condominiums.
Writing update
I'm in the final stages of wrapping up my book in the Silver Creek Ranch Series! I love Roth and Autumn. Their story is a mix of steam, drama, laughter with a few tear jerking moments thrown in for good measure. My patreon subscribers have been reading along as I'm writing. Thus far, their feedback on the two has been positive. It's been great chatting with them about the characters as the story unfolds.
Keep reading below for an excerpt from The Rancher's Home.
To learn more about the other books in the series, visit the Silver Creek Ranch Website and Sign up for the Newsletter!
I'm also hard at work on the latest installment of the Draft Pick Series on Kindle Vella. Have you met Vitaly and Jacelyn? As more than one reader has said, Vitaly is really showing himself to be Andrei's brother. đ
New episodes are released on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. As always, there may be times when bonus episodes are posted. So, be on the lookout for those as well.
If you want to enjoy each story as I write and get a copy on release day, join my Patreon. All levels have access to my current works in progress (under my Darie McCoy pen name) and they receive the completed ebook on or before release day. Decadents and Divas receive a signed paperback with each new release, in addition to the ebook.
https://patreon.com/DarieMcCoy
What's next?
I have one more event left to cap my calendar for the year. I'll be in Philadelphia, PA for Authors in the Steel City on September 28th.
I'm really looking forward to meeting all of the readers and spending time chatting. If you're in the area, I'd love to see you there!
Of course, I'll have pics and a recap in my next newsletter.
That's all for now.
Thank you for rocking with me!
Until next time, happy reading! Keep scrolling below for some awesome book recommendations and an excerpt from The Rancher's Home!
If you haven't had a chance to read the Newsletter Exclusive bonus scenes and epilogue, click the button below to get your free copy.
Construction Book Boyfriend: Book Boyfriend Series
Jerricka Bishop is fine with the fictional men in books she reads, but her best friends think she should venture out into the real world. To help, they introduce her to the Book Boyfriend Dating Agency. There, she finds more than the fantasy she signed up for.
Thiago Dominguez is satisfied with doing whatever is necessary to be successful and make his parents proudâexcept find a nice girl and settle down. However, the option is taken out of his hands.
When the two meet, their chemistry is undeniable. They are swept up in a passionate whirlwind. Once heâs had Jerricka in his arms, Thiago isnât willing to turn back. So, he happily accepts the gift of being Jerrickaâs real life Book Boyfriend, along with all the rights his new title entails.
They say Book Boyfriends are our consolation for men in real life. What if we told that meeting your fantasy hunk is just a click away?... Tag Along for a series of sweet & spicy encounters between empowered women and the BBFs who fall for them!
Reclaimed: Central Valley Pack Book 3
Rosco Greywolf had resigned himself to his new life without his mate. As Central Valley Packâs beta, he had his hands full with his duties. Having lost the shifter he believed to be his only chance at a finding a life-mate, he grouched his way through each day trying to hold together the pieces of his shattered existence. UntilâŚ
Deanna âDKâ Madkins was starting over. Sheâd done the mating thing. It failed when she was unable to give her mate the prize he covetedâprogeny. After setting him aside, she left the pack of her birth. Her life would be away from shifters and she was fine with that. When she moved to a small town just beyond the borders of the Central Valley Packâs lands, she thought sheâd found the place for her solitary happily ever after. UntilâŚ
Circumstances bring the two together, and the sparks which ensue may be more than either is willing or able to handle. Can they find what they didnât think they would ever have again? What happens when a gruff widowered shifter and a formerly mated she wolf crash into each other? Can they find themselves together? Can love be reclaimed?
Draft Pick Season IV: Vitaly
Vitaly Antonov has carved his own path out of his brother's shadow. Being the hockey's most sought-after goalie had its perks. Too bad his agent's sister, Jacelyn Shannon, wasn't one of them. At least not yet.
Jacelyn Shannon had learned long ago she was better off depending on herself. Being everything for everyone else was okay. But she stayed solid and solitary. Jacelyn had no desire to link her life with anyone else. Too bad Vitaly Antonov isn't just anyone.
Wrangling Her Cowboy by Peyton Banks
A broken cowboyâŚhis shining light. Will she be enough to pull him out of the darkness?
Draven Harvey came home to Ironhaven, South Dakota, to settle down. The retired Marine was done with serving his country and just wanted a peaceful life working his fatherâs ranch. The Silver Creek Ranch was for men like himâbroken and needing help finding their place in society.
After his time in the military, he wants to be left alone. Ranching was to be his life.
Cashea Moss took notice of the grumpy town hero who came to the bar where she sang every weekend. She was new to town, but sheâd heard plenty about Draven. His eyes were intense and held tales of horror she was sure he had experienced during deployments. There was something about him that made her want to see him smile.
Draven tried to fight the attraction he felt for Cashea, but she quickly dismantled the barriers he had constructed around himself. He couldnât get her out of his mind after one steamy night. Her soft touch made him want to do things heâd sworn he wouldnât doâbecome a protector and fall in love.
Wrangling Her Cowboy is a steamy interracial BWWM romance with a broken small town hero, a beautiful heroine and a HEA.
Right (Family Secrets and Lies Part 2) by Niccoyan Zheng
A brother he betrayed... A son he denied... The woman he lied to... A family he's just discovered... Leonardo Baldi's life is one full of regret. He has a lot to make up for. It's tempting to walk away from all the upheaval he's caused. He has so much to make right. Can he correct it all and claim what should have been his? Disclaimer: Although this is a standalone, it is strongly recommended you read the Kindle Vella Left prior to reading this one.
Shiloh Ashley is doing her best to build a new life for herself and her young son after a difficult divorce from her narcissistic ex-husband. As a paralegal to a top lawyer, she navigates the ups and downs of her career while trying to protect her heart and her hard-won independence. But when Asahi Nakamura, the enigmatic and stoic head of security for a powerful Yakuza family, steps into her world, everything changes.
Asahi Nakamura is tasked with protecting Kenya Miller, Shilohâs boss and the wife of his syndicateâs second-in-command. Reluctant to take the job at first, Asahiâs indifference vanishes the moment he sees Shiloh. Initially drawn to her beauty, Asahi is soon captivated by the kind-hearted and resilient woman. But itâs not just attraction that pulls him in. Shilohâs struggles with her ex-husband remind him of his own painful past, when his fatherâs narcissistic behavior tore his family apart.
Despite appearing worlds apart at first glance, Shiloh and Asahi discover they are more alike than they realize. Finding themselves irresistibly drawn to each other, the two embark on a relationship that could give them the stability they both crave. But could the shadows of their pasts tear them apart forever?
*****************
**unedited excerpt**
**Darie McCoy retains the rights to this work**
The Rancher's Home
Roth put the ATV in park, then pushed his hat upwards with the tip of his finger with a sigh. Looking toward front stairs of the ranch house, he exhaled before climbing out of the vehicle. Once he did, it was hard to miss the helicopter on the pad a short distance away from the house.
âWhat happened?â His already deep voice was gruff as he approached his oldest brother, Ryker.
âWhy does something have to happen for me to come see my little brother?â
Roth grunted, he was only two years younger, but Ryker insisted on calling him and Rhinehart his little brothers. Sure, he was the tallest by a whole inch, but there was nothing little about the Stephens boys, as theyâd been called as long as he could remember. Ryker stood at six-foot-six inches while Roth and Rhine topped out at six-foot-five inches. All three had wide shoulders, barrel chests and thick bodies. So, being called little wasnât something Roth associated with either of them.
Stepping closer to where his brother stood on the top stair, leaning against one column, Roth arched a single eyebrow.
âYou didnât take a copter ride just to come sit on my porch and shoot the breeze. You call for that.â
Stopping once he was abreast of his eldest sibling, Roth stared at him. âSo... What happened?â
âIâm getting married.â
âThatâs old news, brother. Youâve been engaged for more than a year now.â
Shooting him an irritated glance, Ryker flipped him off before stalking over to one of the custom rockers and plopping into it. Lifting his hands, Roth raised both eyebrows.
âWhat? Am I wrong? Didnât you and Ensley get engaged more than a year ago?â
âFuck you.â Ryker looked off before returning his stare to Roth. âAnd yes, itâs been more than a year. That being said, weâve set a date.â
Lowering himself into the chair closet to the one Ryker occupied, Roth nodded.
âGood for you. Whatâs the date?â Removing his hat, Roth hung it on his knee before leaning back into the seat.
âOctober twenty-fifth.â
With another bob of his head, Roth acknowledged Rykerâs statement.
âIâll put it on my calendar. What do you need me to do?â
Roth had been in a couple of weddings over the years with his army buddies, but Ryker was the first of his siblings to tie the knot.
âIâll have my assistant send you the information. Weâre having it in Las Vegas. Ensley doesnât know many people in Houston and she doesnât want to have it in her home town. Nothing there is large enough to accommodate us anyway.â
âHow big of a wedding are you two having?â Roth was genuinely curious. Ryker had a small circle of friends, but a plethora of associates. Ensley appeared to be equally selective in her friend group from what Roth could tell when theyâd met and during the times Ryker spoke of her.
As far as family went, he knew Ryker wouldnât blink about flying people out to attend. Although most wouldnât ask, theyâd simply be happy to be invited. Many of them were starting to believe Roth and his brothers would never settle down and start families. So, theyâd all want to be front row for the occasion.
Gently setting his chair to rocking, Ryker looked over at Roth and shrugged.
âYou know if it was up to me there would be enough people to witness and everyone else would read about it in the paper. But Mama...â
Ryker trailed off. He didnât have to fill in the rest of the sentence. Roth already knew. Their mother was hell bent on getting them married to get her grandbabies. Hell, he knew for a fact sheâd been encouraging Ryker and Ensley to get the baby making even if they hadnât tied the knot. And for his Sunday School Teacher mother, that told of her desperation.
âYeah...Mama is gonna want everybody to see and hear about it. Especially those old biddies whoâve been throwing their legion of rugrats in her face all these years.â
The slow rock of Rykerâs chair came to an abrupt halt. Roth glanced over to see the stricken expression on his brotherâs face.
âWhat? Why do you look like we asked you to give a speech in your skivvies?â
âYou donât think she plans to invite all of her judgmental so-called friends do you? I like less than half of them, and itâs touch and go with the other half.â
Roth shook his head. Tapping his fingertips against the brim of his hat he lifted a shoulder.
âYou never know with her. You know how she is. The first of her sons getting married is a major event. Iâm surprised she didnât strongarm you into having it in Lone Star, if you didnât want to do Houston.â
âIf we arenât having it in the little one stop light town Ensleyâs from, why would I have it here? Lone Star Ridge isnât much bigger than Piney Bend, Mississippi.â
Throwing his hands up in surrender, Roth tilted his head toward Ryker.
âDonât get testy with me. Iâm just making an observation. Itâs your wedding. You can have it wherever you want. Iâm good with it not being in Lone Star. Hell, Mama would probably try to get me to pitch fancy tents and all kinds of shit to have it here on the ranch. No thank you to having more than half the town and a shit-ton of strangers traipsing around all over my land. It makes the cows nervous.â
Rykerâs posture relaxed halfway through Rothâs speech and he began nodding in agreement. There was no way in hell Roth was having any type of event on his ranch. He didnât intentionally do crowds. He was never too fond of them, but after his last deployment before leaving the Army, things got pretty bad.
It took him years, and some time working with Andy Harvey on the Silver Creek Ranch, to get to where he could sporadically attend large gatherings. Very sporadically. He preferred the company of the animals on the ranch and the comradery with the ranch hands who worked it with him. There were less than twenty of them, and most didnât live on the ranch in the bunkhouses he provided.
His issue with big crowds was likely the reason Ryker felt he needed to come speak to him personally. Roth would have to prep himself for being in Las Vegasâespecially the part where heâd have to be enclosed in a room with a bunch of people.
âIâm sure youâre really worried about the cows.â Ryker leveled him with look filled with the same sarcasm coating his voice.
âWhat? Theyâre sensitive beasts.â Rothâs additional rebuttal died on his lips with the screen door pushed open and his housekeeper stepped out onto the porch.
âHere.â Amelia Blake shoved a cellphone in his direction.
âWhatâre you giving me this for?â Accepting the phone which looked nothing like his, he stared up at her.
âBecause you arenât answering yours, Miss Ginny has taken to calling me.â Turning on her heel, Amelia went back into the house with the same flourish sheâd used to exit.
Before putting the device to his ear, Roth gave Ryker a questioning glance. Shaking his head, his brother answered the silent query.
âDonât ask me. She didnât mention your name when I was there earlier.â
Lifting the device, Roth tried to avoid getting his finger tangled up in the strap of the wallet case Amelia had the thing wrapped in.
âHey, Mama. Whatâs going on?â
âWhy does something have to be going on for me to call?â
One corner of Rothâs lips tipped up in a knowing smirk, then he responded. âBecause, Mama. If youâre calling me on Ameliaâs phone, it means youâve been trying to call mine. That kinda determination means something has happened. But, since youâre not leading with it, Iâm guessing itâs nothing life threatening.â
âOf course not! If youâd picked up or answered my texts, this wouldnât be necessary.â
His mother had the audacity to sound affronted that heâd even suggest sheâd overstepped by calling his housekeeperâs cellphone in an effort to reach him.
âOkay then, Mama. What can I do for you?â
âWell, you know how Iâve been a member of the Ladiesâ Auxiliary for years. I finally talked them into doing something worthwhile and weâre having a fundraiser.â
Rothâs brow dipped. Something was suspicious, but he went with it.
âThat sounds nice, Mama. Let me know your goal and Iâll be sure to make a donation. Do you want me to tell Ryker and Rhine? Rykerâs right here.â
Ryker shot him a glare before immediately standing from the rocking chair. Rothâs hand was already up to block the swipe he knew his brother was going to take at his head when he walked by. In his ear, his mother obliviously replied.
âOh, no. Donât bother. I know heâs gonna donate, because he canât participate. Not with him being engaged and all. Not unless I can somehow get Ensley involved. And I donât think thatâll happen in a million years.â
Picking up on a few key words, Rothâs frown deepened. âMama, why would Ensley need to be involved for Ryker to participate?â
âBecause, silly. Itâs a charity auction. Weâre calling it, Hearts for Heroes. Isnât that cute?â
The mention of a charity auction got his full attention. His back stiffened and he sat ramrod straight in his seat. He loved his mama, but there was no way in hell he was parading around in front of a bunch of strangers to raise money. His check would have to be good enough.
âYeah, Mama. Itâs cute, but the answer is no. Iâm not peacocking for a bunch of strangers. Not even for charity.â
âPardon my grits? I donât recall asking you to do any such thing. For your information, itâs dates with eligible women being auctionedânot men. As handsome as all my sons are, I donât think I can get anyone to bid on either one of you ornery so-and-sos. Youâre too much like your daddy.â
âMama, you married daddy.â
âDid I ask you who I married?â
If her tone of voice was any indicator, Virginia Stephens was getting tired of Rothâs commentary. He wisely opted not to respond to her retort.
âAnyway, as I was saying, the women have graciously volunteered to go on dates with the highest bidders. Of course, the terms are clear that nothing more than spending time with said woman should be expected. Weâre the Ladiesâ Auxiliary, not madams. We arenât selling s-e-x.â
Not only did his mother spell the word, she whispered when she did it. Roth exercised supreme effort to hold in his laughter. He wouldnât be the one to tell her he knew all about sex and it wasnât necessary for her to do either thing when talking to him about it.
âOkay. So, if you donât need me to be in it, what do you need? Like I said, Iâm happy to donate. I can write you a check first thing.â
âI donât want your check, Rothschild. I want to see you there. To bid on a date with a pretty lady. Thatâs how you can show your support, by showing your face at my event.â
âMama...â
âDid I mention that the charity weâre supporting is geared toward veterans? I know how important it is to you to help your fellow veterans re-enter society after serving their country.â
That was below the belt, but it appeared his mama was prepared to pull out all the stops to get her way.
âDid I mention, Carla said Nick would be home and heâs going to be there too?â
Oh, she was really digging deep by bringing up his best friend of more than thirty years. Nick was still active duty, but he claimed he was going to retire soon. Either way, if heâd managed time off, there was no way Roth was going to get out of at least showing his face. Heaving a disgruntled sigh, Roth slumped back into his seat.
âOkay, Mama. When is this shindig?â