A Night Owl Top Pick

The Perfect Country And Western Story
Review by Melinda from Night Owl Reviews on May 4, 2010.



Alexandra is ready for a second chance. Not just any second chance but one that will change her life forever. She’s changed from head to toe and in and out. Everybody has known her as grease monkey Alex always under the hood of a car except this time she is in for a big surprise. She’s tired of always being a third wheel and wants true love in her life. Her mother always believed good things would happen for her. Imagine her surprise when a cowboy hat and Toby Keith brings her a true prince in the form of Ben. Well at least she thought he was a prince. Meeting him again backfires on her and instead of finding happily ever after she is dodging people’s looks of thievery. Everyone is accusing her of thievery, which is not true yet she is determined to prove to Ben that her love is real. Can she change his mind that what they shared before is real and not fake like everyone thinks it is?

Ben found real love last summer at least he thought it was love. He never expected that the woman of his dreams would steal his Toby Keith signed hat. One minute he saw a future with her then he saw hatred. A beautiful woman like Alexandra bewitched him like no other woman yet he is confused. He knows she is unlike any woman he has known but something about her speaks of a second chance. Each time he sees her Ben remembers the passion he shared with her. The couple of days he shared with her proved that no other woman can compare to her. Is he crazy to give Alex a second chance? Is there more to the theft?

The Perfect Country and Western Story is truly a romantic story of two people getting second chances in an unusual way. Two people who only had one summer to get together find out that it is a summer of unforgettable memories. Alex has waited all summer to get her man and won’t let anything stand in her way. I liked that Ben had all these doubts all year long and when he sees Alex the chemistry explodes between them. I loved it. Great job to Christine for showing a reader that everybody deserves a second chance and Alex is definitely one woman who deserves all the love she can get.

It’s Not Writer’s Block –

Although the last time I blogged was March 21st. and the last time I wrote was March 31st.

It’s Not a Mid-Life Crisis – although I did celebrate a birthday and I turned 51.

It’s Not Spring Fever…Although for the first time ever – Minnesota experienced a March with no snow.

It’s Not Lack of Time – I still have 24 hours in a day and my kids are no longer living at home.

No the only explanation I can find is … Parker’s Butt.

After 40 hours of sitting behind a computer and answering the phone, “Manager’s Office, Christine speaking,” I find the idea of sitting down distasteful. And when given a moment a free time, I hoola hoop, go to Pilates, pluck dandelions, go for long walks and occasionally do enough laundry to get me through another 40 hours of “Manager’s Office, Christine speaking.”

I even paid to have my Aura read, hoping to discover a cure for Parker’s Butt – but the only thing I learned was I’m yellow – very creative…but low on energy – which is the number one symptom of Parker’s Butt.

Now this isn’t the first time I experience Parker’s Butt – a long, long time ago I had a husband and he took one look at me and said, “You know what your problem is?”

Being Young and Naïve, I shook my head, opened my eyes wider and waited for enlightenment.

He voice was steady and sure. “You are afraid of success.”

For many years I thought that I had a strange defect and that I was afraid of succeeding…until the day I realized … I wasn’t afraid of success and I wasn’t afraid of rejection. I wrote and I submitted a number of writing projects – some were accepted and some were not.

Now a person who is afraid of success – would stick all of their writing in a drawer – or on an external hard drive…but not me I was submitting my work – clearly I was not afraid of success…

If my ex-husband had any insight fifteen years ago he would have said, “Honey, the only thing wrong with you…is a little Parker’s Butt.”

If I could park my butt down in a chair – I could write.

So, first thing tomorrow, I’m going to start looking for a cure for Parker’s Butt.

Tonight’s blog was accomplished with the following aids… Big Bowl of Popcorn and Little Glass of Wine.

Tomorrow, I might try Big Glass of Wine and Little Bowl of Popcorn…

Stayed tuned to see how this author cures her Parker’s Butt.

Night Owl Review Top Pick

Night Owl Review Top Pick


Trust Your Heart – TWRP


Melinda said, “This is one that will enchant you. I loved that Michelle was an average middle-aged woman who has dealt with divorce and betrayal yet still is strong throughout the whole ordeal. This book definitely keeps your attention and I enjoyed the suspense of waiting to find out who gets Michelle’s heart…the new guy or the old guy. Loved it. “

Christine Columbus Web Site



Tootin’ Cowboys
Ingredients
• 2 cups uncooked wagon wheel pasta
• 1 (15 ounce) can chili with beans
• 1 can black beans, rinsed
• 1 small can of corn, drained
• 1 can tomato soup
• Shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the chili, tomato soup, rinsed black beans, and drained corn. Mix well; heat through. Drain and rinse pasta; stir into chili. Garnish with cheese if desired.

I Can Do That

On Saturday, I spoke about the Journey of The Perfect Country and Western Story from an idea to the novel. The audience was fellow authors at Midwest Fiction. One of the things that I surprised me – besides how long an hour can be when you are standing in front of a crowd.

“I Can Do That…”

I was explaining that my diverse publishing credits come from my “I Can Do That…” If I’m at a Craft Fair and I see something I like – instead of purchasing the item, I always think or say…I could make that.

When I see a posting and someone is looking for Flash Fiction, Poetry, Prose, Romance or Children story. My first reaction is…I Could Write That… and I generally do…


My Latest – I Can Do That… my daughter wanted a Snuggle Blanket… and of course I didn’t buy one… Because I Can Make One – Can’t be too hard.