Discover A New World of Romance

My wonderful children gave me my own digital camera....

Delicious, and while it begins….As a cool minty tickle over your tongue, it settles inside you like warm chocolate kisses Peppermint twist martini 2 ounces of Absolut Peppar vodka 1 ounce of white Creme de Menthe 1.5 ounces of Godiva White Chocolate liqueur 1 ounce of Rumple Minze peppermint liqueur 2 small peppermint patty candies Peppermint twist martini glass rim sugar The mix Pour the ingredients except the Creme de Menthe into a shaker 3/4 full of cracked ice. Shake vigorously for a full minute. Rim your martini glasses with peppermint twist sugar Strain your elixir into the glasses Top each glass with 1/2 of the Creme de Menthe. Garnish each glass with a peppermint patty. To celebrate the season and the Release of Christmas Mischief

Monthly Romance Reviews CHRISTMAS MISCHIEF by Christine Columbus Available December 12 The Wild Rose Press As the Minnesota temperatures plummet, Amber faces Christmas and a long cold winter with no one but her grandma’s ornery black lab to keep her company. A chance encounter on a treacherous country road brings Amber face-to-face with a yummy man, guaranteed to melt the icicles in her heart.This delightfully sweet short story is the perfect confection to savor over a cup of holiday cocoa. Sparkling humor enlivens this tale of tender romance, and you cannot help but cheer Amber’s transition from longing and frustration to hope and happily-ever-after.Another heartwarming read from Christine Columbus! Great Big Thanks to Molly Stark for the review... http://www.mollystarkbooks.com/romancereviews.html

Besides learning the East Coast Swing….right, left, ball change…I’ve been doing the Mn Swing…Shovel, one, two, three… It also turns out that I’m not a wimp….brought my car into the service garage…my thermostat is broke…no wonder I’m never hot… But after Friday look out…

T o Trick or Treat Gwen, Sandra, Ruthie and I went out Trick or Treating...for the Troops. The Elks Club has an adopt a platoon program and we thought it would be fun to go door to door Trick or Treating... It was a Blast..

Besides having a Releast Date of December 12th for Christmas Mischief.... I went to a Singles Dance.... ... Saturday night with Mary and her friend Sally from Buffalo. I don’t dance, so I came prepared not to dance in jean, t-shirt and rubber soled clogs. So, I’m sitting at a table with my friends, enjoying the music and watching everyone else dance. A guy comes over to the table, “Would you like to dance East Coast Swing?” “I don’t know how to dance.” He reaches out his hand, “I’ll teach you.” We dance (and I use that term loosely) in front of the band. I can’t hear a word he’s saying – so I smile and nod. Toward the end of the song he moves closer to me and I hear, “Have you ever been bit?” My heart is pounding and I thought I was nervous before. What a weirdo. Will my friends hear me if I scream. Is there a full moon? Does he think he’s a vampire? I take a deep breath and smile as my rational mind takes hold. –he must have meant bitten by the dancing bug. He holds me tight...

Came back with a cute skirt and a great idea for a short story...had my cards read...and was told to be careful for what I wish for, because I was going to get it...Well, it's a good thing I bought a new skirt because when my novel because an Oprah Book Club - must read at least I'll have something "cool" to wear on the show.

Something Racy....

On July 3, 2007 - I posted the following message at yahoo group writerwarriors *** I'm in for Sept...just when I think I'm getting back to the swing of it...I can't remember where I put the swing... After 27 years working for a utility company...I'm quiting and going to work for a city...as an Admin Assist., Some people have a mid-life crisis and get a sports car, spouse/boyfriend...not me I get a new job...Dang....I'm so boring.... My goal is to do something racy by Sept., so I'll have something to tell..MY 81 year old neighbor hoped on the back of a Harley and went for a ride on her birthday.... **** I realize that I'm almost out of time to do something racy....I'm trying to decided if drinking a beer alone - quailifies as racy....

Bridget stopped by with laundry... at least Ruth was happy....to see the dirty clothes.

Ruth's best friend went away to college...

I'm not much of a cook, so imagine my surprise when my daughter called and asked for one of my recipes. It gets better, her dad wanted to know... "Mom, what's the recipe for that stuff you use to clean my car battery last night?" she asked. "Baking soda and water," I replied the wind going out of my sails...

Review: Hard Day On The Farm By guest reviewer: Michelle Oberlander Hard Day On the Farm by Christine ColumbusWhen Molly Moved to the country, her new neighbor, George, made learning to drive the tractor a memorable experience. And that was just one aspect of farm life Molly found enjoyable.This is one story included in the Rose Petals II anthology. Available in print and eBook formats.Who knew tractors could be so sexy? Well, maybe not the tractors themselves, but like Ferrari's or Mustangs, they sure can offer an intro into a unique romantic interlude. Think I'm kidding? I kid you not. A Hard Day On The Farm takes us to the little farming community of Edgewater where we get to meet Molly and George. Molly has high hopes for George but George isn't cooperating and she is getting antsy. Thoughts of George are coloring most aspects of her imagination which the author shares with us so we understand what drives Molly to plotting and scheming to get her way. I get the sense ...

1039 left to go...That's if I work at the city for 20 more years. I decided that this is going to be the year of change for me...partial because my youngest goes off to college, I'm 48 and I've been finding dimes and seeing butterflies everywhere I go. I'm not sure what it means, but I'm thinking it means metamorphosis/transformation and cents/sense. (Hopefully I'll get more of both) I'm currently working on "Looking For Henrietta" and edits for my novel, I did get a contract for Christmas Mischief - a short story for the Sweatheart line. I'm working on letting my characters run uncensored across the page, it’s tough to let go. I fear they’ll end up in trees and I have to throw bigger and bigger rocks at them to get them down… But I am letting go. No Fear…Just Bigger Boulders. I’m also getting braver and more adventurous in my own life...I tried to make margarita popsicles…I could get them to freeze, but the problem was you have to ea...

Review: First Class Male By guest reviewer Michele Oberlander . First Class Male by Christine Columbus Jenny decided to walk to the Post Office to pick up the package her co-workers claimed was waiting for her. However, when she got there the handsome clerk was unable to find the parcel, but he did find her heart. (10 pages) - sweet First impression of the cover: Simple and classy. The title made me think of a story of the perfect man. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I realized it was a clever play on words. This is a short story that hones in on what we romance readers look for; girl meets boy, girl chases boy, boy doesn't call, girl thinks "whoops" and guy plans a "Gotcha!". Reverse chase. I loved it. This story is told in first person by a plucky heroine named Jennifer. We jump right into a day of her life where work and serendipity play a pivotal role in her future. Jennifer finally has her life on track, or so she thinks. Her co-workers know otherwise and...

UNCLE MIKE’S LOVE CHRISTINE COLUMBUS www.wildrosepress.comE-BookPrice : $3.00 35 PagesSweet Romance/A miniature Rose in the Sweetheart Rose Line Rating: 4 Cups (Outstanding Great Read This is a very outstanding book you would like to keep to read again in the future. ) Mike left his hometown twelve years ago. Memories and regret trouble him as he still carries a torch for the girl he left behind. Patty White was crushed when Mike left for college. When he returns, she feels the heartstrings tugging. Mike left years ago, for college, after receiving a football scholarship. Now he has returned home and helps with his two little nephews, Dustin and Danny, while his sister works. When the nephews have different opinions on what to eat for breakfast, Mike chooses to take them out to eat. He never expected to run into the hometown girl that captured his heart. Surprised to see Mike, Patty remains cool around him, while being extremely sociable with others around her. She can still feel the ...

Sunday, July 8, 2007 Review: Happy Meal Mark's mother was notoriously stubborn and when she set her mind to dining at McDonald's there was no persuading her. He suspected his mom was up to something but would have never guessed that their weekly dinners out would end up with so many Happy Meals to come. (10 pages) - sweetHappy Meal by Christine Columbus is all its name suggests: a neat treat in a tidy little package. This is a quick bubbly story that kicks off with fun repartee between a mother and grown son. The author's ability to describe people without every slowing the action is impressive. As I have come to expect from Columbus' works, a certain depth of character and a hint of compassion all leave the reader with the impression of a far longer and more involved tale. The 'happy accident' involved here leads to the sweetest of romances, but I dare not give any more away. Mark this a 'must read' on your list.Thanks to our guest reviewer: Nancy A.Lin...

The hardest part about starting a new job....is trying to remember where you put your social security card. I felt like I won the lottery when I found the card tucked into a file with photos. The last time I need it was 27 years ago...

I'm calling it quits...Friday the 13th of July - will be my last day of employment...at the gas company....on the 16th of July...I start life as a City Employee... I am thrilled....my intentions when accepting a position at the gas company in March of 1980 was to only work for the summer... So, my new game plan is to work for the City for twenty years...and retire with a pension...(check back in 20 years - to see if I stuck to my game plan) Of course, I will continue writing...I'm working on edits for my novel with the editor for the Yellow Rose at TWRP - turned in a short Christmas story...waiting to hear back...and turned in a Rosette - also waiting to hear back... Works in progress include - Looking for Henrietta and Chance Meeting...

Thursday, June 28, 2007 Review: Uncle Mike's Love Uncle Mike's Love by Christine ColumbusMike felt the biggest mistake in his life was moving away from his hometown and not asking the first love of his life Patty to go with him. Now, twelve years later he's back in town to take care of his nephews and he's hoping to get a second chance with Patty. Miniature(29 pages) SweetThis is a charming story which focuses on one man's realization that letting what someone else might think about the woman you are in love with is a sure way to lose that love. Will he be able to win Patty back now that he's back in town? Ms. Columbus draws an entertaining picture of Mike trying to win back Patty, but I have to say I think the two young boys steal the show as they attempt to play "matchmaker" between Mike and Patty. "Uncle Mike's Love" is a lighthearted look at love, romance, and second chances.

Friday, June 22, 2007 Review: Coffee and Love To Go Coffee and Love To Go by Christine ColumbusDan is surprised to find out he is the topic of conversation on a women’s talk show about meaningful glances. For the last two weeks when he stops for his cup of coffee, he has noticed a beautiful woman with red hair and now she’s on the air asking the listeners if she should make the first move and talk to him.(12 pages) - sweetWhy Not To Buy a Coffee Maker! Thanks to our guest reviewer: Nancy A.Lindley-Gauthier Christine Columbus is brewing another hit in her short romance, " Coffee and Love To Go ". This tale starts off lightly enough, but with an interesting twist: While most folks suffer their attractions in private, or share them with a trusted friend, this dreamed-of romance is under the eye of a good many watchers, would-be match-makers, and nosy parkers. The many witnesses (who feel free to comment!) only add to the stress of the main couple.From the first, the reader will ...

Spend less time being a doorman....and more time looking for your shoes.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007 Review: Drama Queen Big thanks to our guest reviewer - Nancy Lindley-Gauthier Drama Queen by Christine ColumbusDid Mark bestow more than his mother’s dog? Will Michelle’s unexpected pet bring more than drama into her life? Christine Columbus' rosette, "Drama Queen," starts with a charming surprise. But the first surprise is by no means the best, and intriguing elements become clear as you read along. All grocery store managers are not "Short, pudgy balding" men, and co-workers don't always have a clue who you really are. The author offers clear visuals, and the reader feels as though they were participating in each scene. Through the main character's imagination, we uncover the real person, the person who'd like to skip out of work early and go line dancing. Never has a grocery store aisle seemed so full of possibilities, or been so appealing.This is a wonderful tale of romance, true, but also, of simple love. The two main char...

Ruth is no longer the big dog... (at least for a couple of weeks - while Scout is visiting)... One day you feel like you have it all and then you wake up to find...Things have changed. It's tough to be the alpha male when you're a fixed female weighing 10 pounds...

I've updated my display...for the big day tommorow....

I'll be selling Book Thongs, Bags and Purses at the Robbinsdale City Hall - 4100 Lakeview Ave N - (Held Rain or Shine) my table will be inside City Hall - I'll be there from 8AM until Noonish.... Thongs $1.00 Book Bags $7.00 Purses $15.00

HAPPY MEAL..... Christine Columbus HAPPY MEAL is a sweet story of first impressions and first meetings. Mark is thirty-five and believed by the time he had reached that age, he would have been married with children. He knew is mother wanted grandchildren, after being alone for a long time since his father's death. But he hadn't met the right woman, and he knew he would know it when he did. He fought against his mother's matchmaking the way any normal thinking male would. During a weekly dinner out at Mc'Donald's, he gets to make his first impression on a lovely woman--by dumping his milkshake on her. His embarassment doubles when he realizes that the woman he adorned is actually the woman his own mother has been trying to get him to meet. HAPPY MEAL is a quick short read, perfect for that break time, or while waiting for your child to come out of the school. It also shows a well mannered and bonded family unit. Rating :: 5 ROSES Book information : Publisher - The Wi...

I tried to explain to Ruth, that a haircut is like starting a story - sometimes it looks bad, but it just takes time and a chance to grow... The only problem I'm having is with my novel - if I don't quit trimming the story - I'll never be done...It's hard to know when hair or the story is at the perfect length.

One opps...The good thing is I am learning. My slideshow is not only on my blog, it is also on Sweet Romantic Notions - or was. I'm not sure if when I update my slide show - if I deleted the link. I am learning to be brave. To take risks. To be an adventurer, not only in life but also in my writing. I’m not sure when I became cautious, but I wasn’t always. Maybe caution came with motherhood, age or ? When it comes to writing, I want to be fearless. I have a tendency to want to control my characters, marching them across pages and keeping them in the shallow end of the pool. At 48, I’m letting go. This is the year I’m going to dance and my characters will sink or swim.

And this is what 48 looks like...I could find the button for take the red eye out - but where is the take the wrinkles and grey out button?

Jumpstart Productions will be tweaking my blog and MySpace...and I decided I need a tag...can't decided between: Set Sail for Romance with Christine Columbus Discover a New World of Romance with Christine Columbus Or…..? Explore romance with Christine Columbus Had a Great Day over at Brenda Williamson's Romance Party and Also Stop in at karenfindoutaboutnewbooks · Coffee Time Romance - Coffee Readers. Now of course it would have made more sense to Post this info earlier...but it still not to late to stop by and look at my posts...and enter a contest or two.

King of the hill.... I'm not quite up to the task of being King...but my novel The Perfect Country and Western Story is getting closer to the end - for the second time. The first time the editor didn't like the ending...I'm thinking it's going to be much better the second time around....

Will be coming up e-pub and print. How cool is that?

I'd generate a lot more ideas. I always get my best ideas when showering. After 4 weeks of tooth pain...I ready to join the human race again... So, right before I left for my big adventure with my sister, (A spring break for the over 40 and over 50 crowd). I really should have done Spring Break when I was much, much younger. Although we scope it out so we wouldn't be done in S. Padre with the real spring breakers. We spent 4 days with the "Winter Texans" and let me tell you...I felt like a babe. I'm thinking I might have to spend more time at retirement communities…puts everything into perspective. Now, my goal is to post everyday.

Only 32 hours from S Padre Island to Minneapolis

Ruth is playing "On the Road Again..."

Ruth and I go for one last walk before I go on my big adventure...

February 8th...appearing at A Slice of Orange: (Written by members of Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America) http://occsliceoforange.blogspot.com/ Look for my tale of woe at The Worst Valentine's Day Ever . Truth be told this didn't happen to me...it happen to Shellie in my new novel "The Perfect Country and Western Story," but I was certain she wouldn't mind me borrowing her tale to tell.

Hello dear blog studio guests! I have a very special guest for you to meet today. Author Christine Columbus. Her short stories are receiving five star reviews and very deservingly so! CAROL ANN: If you had to describe yourself, what would you say? CHRISTINE: I’m certain I was kidnapped as a small child from a warm and tropical climate and brought to Minnesota, because I hate the cold, but apparently not enough to move. I lived in MN my whole life, I’ve worked for the same company for 27+ years and the same house for 21 years.I think I need a mid-life crisis. CAROL ANN: Do you collect anything? CHRISTINE: Dust, cobwebs, streaks, dirt and grime. CAROL ANN: What does the word romance mean to you? CHRISTINE: Romance is walking to the edge of the cliff, love is jumping off and true love is when you have someone to catch you when you fall.

I’m being interviewed. Thursday Morning…February 1st …The address is: http://carolannerhardt.blogspot.com Stop by and read what I have to say. And my (book)thong display

Uncle Mike’s Love Uncle Mike’s Love by Christine Columbus is a contemporary romance. Mike has recently returned home and is helping his niece by taking care of her sons, Dustin and Danny, before school. He has been away and is getting to know them. As you would figure, when he asks the boys about breakfast, they ask for completely different things to eat, but he surprises them by taking them out to eat. Unknown to them, Mike wants to see a home town girl Patty that he left behind when he went away to college on a football scholarship and never looked back. Ever since he has measured every woman against what he found in Patty. When Mike first sees her again, he thinks she is even more beautiful than before, but Patty is quite cool towards him while she is open and friendly to everyone else. Mike feels very jealous, and he is determined to have her special smile for him alone. Will Mike’s wish come true or will he need some help from two very special little people to make his dreams a re...

I just finshed my Thong Bookmarkers