Lucy McConnell's Blog - Posts Tagged "lucy-mcconnell"
Christmas Memories
Dear Reader,
Did you have a favorite Christmas story when you were a kid?
I was lucky. My mom started a wonderful tradition that truly brought the spirit of the season every year.
Each night in December, we would read a Christmas story by candlelight.
There's something magical about candles isn't there? They chase away so much harshness and soften the edges of the world. 🕯
Anyway, we would light the candles and read a story. Some she'd collected from magazines or newspapers, others were xerox copies from friends or neighbors. One of my all-time favorite stories was of a little shepherd boy who, after seeing the Christ child, spent his life giving. As he grew up, he noticed he didn't grow older--though he did grow a long white beard. As he grew more generous, including every child in the world in his Christmas Eve trek, his ability to give was increased through the Grace of God.
You guessed it, the little shepherd boy became Santa Clause.🎅🏻
Not all the stories were that deep. Some were just for fun. Like this one:
It's a tribute to the 80's and Santa and cows all rolled into one. You have to understand, my grandpa was a dairy farmer so cows were a part of life.🐄🐮
It's a funny book that brings just enough silly into the holiday to make you feel like a kid again. I looked it up on Amazon today and it's out of print. 😢I still have a copy of the book on my kids' reading shelf. Maybe I'll pull it out tonight, turn on the tree, and light a few candles and read them the magical story of "Santa Cows."
Do you have a favorite Christmas story from when you were young? There's so many classics out there!
A newer movie I discovered last year was "The Man Who Invented Christmas". It's about the writing of a Christmas Carol and it holds me captive every time I watch it. If you're looking for a great show, that's one I'd recommend.
If you have any movies or books that you'd love to share, leave a comment below.
Happy holiday reading,
Lucy
Did you have a favorite Christmas story when you were a kid?
I was lucky. My mom started a wonderful tradition that truly brought the spirit of the season every year.
Each night in December, we would read a Christmas story by candlelight.
There's something magical about candles isn't there? They chase away so much harshness and soften the edges of the world. 🕯
Anyway, we would light the candles and read a story. Some she'd collected from magazines or newspapers, others were xerox copies from friends or neighbors. One of my all-time favorite stories was of a little shepherd boy who, after seeing the Christ child, spent his life giving. As he grew up, he noticed he didn't grow older--though he did grow a long white beard. As he grew more generous, including every child in the world in his Christmas Eve trek, his ability to give was increased through the Grace of God.
You guessed it, the little shepherd boy became Santa Clause.🎅🏻
Not all the stories were that deep. Some were just for fun. Like this one:
It's a tribute to the 80's and Santa and cows all rolled into one. You have to understand, my grandpa was a dairy farmer so cows were a part of life.🐄🐮
It's a funny book that brings just enough silly into the holiday to make you feel like a kid again. I looked it up on Amazon today and it's out of print. 😢I still have a copy of the book on my kids' reading shelf. Maybe I'll pull it out tonight, turn on the tree, and light a few candles and read them the magical story of "Santa Cows."
Do you have a favorite Christmas story from when you were young? There's so many classics out there!
A newer movie I discovered last year was "The Man Who Invented Christmas". It's about the writing of a Christmas Carol and it holds me captive every time I watch it. If you're looking for a great show, that's one I'd recommend.
If you have any movies or books that you'd love to share, leave a comment below.
Happy holiday reading,
Lucy
Back to School Reading Time
I'm so excited that school is back in session because that means more time to read.
I love my kiddos. They're the best thing in my life.
But, to recharge my batteries, I need to read!
I'll read just about every genre and they all feed my soul. But, since I write in contemporary romance I do most of my reading there.
I've been super amazed at the books I get through my book group. We have a wide variety of readers and they chose their favorites. Are you in a book club? Do you have a theme you stick to or is it a free for all?
I hope you get some time to read today.
Happy reading,
Lucy
His Small Town Fresh Start Sample
Good day to you!
I love trying things out before I buy them. Like pants. I can’t buy a pair of pants without putting them on and seeing how they fit.
I think books are like that too.
Trying a book on is a little different than trying on pants. With pants, I can tell you within 5 seconds if I like them.
Sometimes books take a minute to evaluate. I look at the cover. Then read the back. Then I’ll read the first couple of pages.
When my kids were little, I’d hand them a book and tell them they had to read the first three pages before they could tell me they didn’t want it. 🙂
That’s why I like to share excerpts from my books. I know it’s nice to try something on.
Here’s an excerpt from “His Small Town Fresh Start: the Harvest Ranch Romance Series Spring Flings and Engagement Rings.”
Happy reading,
Lucy
Excerpt:
The early evening air brushed Lucky’s skin with a sense of possibility. Tonight was the family roping, and he was all over dusting off his skills and seeing how he held up against these longtime cowboys.
“Are you warm enough?” Lucky adjusted the blanket over Swayzie’s sore leg as he situated her on the bleachers. She was not happy to be here, and the scowl line between her eyes needed to be smoothed away. His hand opened and closed with the yearning to do just that.
“I’m fine.” Her clipped tone had more to do with sitting on the sidelines than it did with his care for her. The crutches were tucked safely in the garage because he hadn’t figured out the perfect time to give them to her yet. She was stubborn and bullheaded in the best of ways. She’d insisted on riding the side-by-side instead of in the padded truck where he could put a pillow under her leg. Yet she hadn’t complained once when they’d jostled.
“I’m fine. If you don’t get going, you won’t be in the jackpot.” She shooed him away, readjusting the blanket he’d just moved.
Lucky grinned at her obstinance, looked her right in the eye, and moved the blanket back where he’d had it. “They can’t start without me. I’m the main attraction.”
She rolled her eyes. “I hate to tell you this, but Jaden’s the only one rooting for you tonight.” She nodded to where Jaden and Miles rode their horses in circles to get them warmed up. As they watched, Jaden had his horse change leads, putting him on the right one. Lucky swelled with pride to see his nephew make the change without anyone telling him to. The two boys would get time in the box, chasing the dummy attached to the four-wheeler for practice, while the grown-ups would rope live steers.
“I think I have more fans than that.” Lucky climbed down the bleachers, his long legs spanning the seats with ease.
“Who?” Swayzie called behind him.
“The most beautiful woman on the ranch.” Lucky stopped Carrie as she moved to join Swayzie on the bleachers. He bowed over her hand. “I can count on you to cheer for me, can’t I, Mrs. Westbrook?”
Carrie twittered. “Of course.”
“That doesn’t count!” Swayzie called to his back. “She cheers for everyone.”
***
If you enjoyed the sample, you can pick up a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T7V4X6J
The Western Romance My Heart Has Been Waiting to Share
Book Besties,
I finally get to tell you about a story that feels like it was stitched together from the real fabric of my life—dust storms, rodeo arenas, friendships that feel like family, and the kind of messy, beautiful love that only grows after life knocks you down a few times.
"Leather and Lies" isn’t a book I dreamed up in an office chair. It came straight from the dirt under my boots and the quiet moments when you look at someone you love and think, “We’re doing our best, even if the world is falling apart around us.”
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’m a rodeo mom. I’ve wrapped fingers, hauled horses, prayed over my kids and cows, and stood in more arena dust than is medically advisable. There’s a raw, unspoken kind of love that comes from living in that world—equal parts fierce and fragile—and it shows up in these pages.
And writing this story with Erica, who is not only an incredible writer but also a fellow cowgirl and one of my dearest friends, brought a whole new kind of magic to the process. Every chapter of this book carries a little piece of that bond.
What I love most about "Leather and Lies" is that it leans into the truth I’ve learned after raising kids in the arena and watching cowboys and cowgirls break and rebuild themselves over and over: people are flawed, and love is complicated, but when two hearts decide to stay—really stay—it can change everything.
The characters in this story aren’t perfect; they carry wounds, pride, secrets, and stubborn streaks a mile long. But they also fall deeply, unshakably in love in that way you feel in your chest long after the last page.
If you’re craving a western romance that feels lived-in and real, with family drama, high-stakes emotion, ranch grit, and a love story that refuses to let go, then Gritstone Ranch is waiting for you.
Readers are already telling us the book feels addictive, emotional, and vividly real—and honestly, that means the world, because this is a story born from the real heartbeat of the western life Erica and I know so well.
So if you’re ready to escape into a world of cowboys with storms in their hearts, women who know their worth, and a ranch that feels like its own character, "Leather and Lies" is officially out now. I hope you fall for these characters the way we did—and that, for a little while, Gritstone Ranch feels like a place you never want to leave.
I finally get to tell you about a story that feels like it was stitched together from the real fabric of my life—dust storms, rodeo arenas, friendships that feel like family, and the kind of messy, beautiful love that only grows after life knocks you down a few times.
"Leather and Lies" isn’t a book I dreamed up in an office chair. It came straight from the dirt under my boots and the quiet moments when you look at someone you love and think, “We’re doing our best, even if the world is falling apart around us.”
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’m a rodeo mom. I’ve wrapped fingers, hauled horses, prayed over my kids and cows, and stood in more arena dust than is medically advisable. There’s a raw, unspoken kind of love that comes from living in that world—equal parts fierce and fragile—and it shows up in these pages.
And writing this story with Erica, who is not only an incredible writer but also a fellow cowgirl and one of my dearest friends, brought a whole new kind of magic to the process. Every chapter of this book carries a little piece of that bond.
What I love most about "Leather and Lies" is that it leans into the truth I’ve learned after raising kids in the arena and watching cowboys and cowgirls break and rebuild themselves over and over: people are flawed, and love is complicated, but when two hearts decide to stay—really stay—it can change everything.
The characters in this story aren’t perfect; they carry wounds, pride, secrets, and stubborn streaks a mile long. But they also fall deeply, unshakably in love in that way you feel in your chest long after the last page.
If you’re craving a western romance that feels lived-in and real, with family drama, high-stakes emotion, ranch grit, and a love story that refuses to let go, then Gritstone Ranch is waiting for you.
Readers are already telling us the book feels addictive, emotional, and vividly real—and honestly, that means the world, because this is a story born from the real heartbeat of the western life Erica and I know so well.
So if you’re ready to escape into a world of cowboys with storms in their hearts, women who know their worth, and a ranch that feels like its own character, "Leather and Lies" is officially out now. I hope you fall for these characters the way we did—and that, for a little while, Gritstone Ranch feels like a place you never want to leave.
