5 Diamonds

Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Perfect Country and Western Story by Christine Columbus


T
Rating: 5 Diamonds
Heat Level: Sensual
Reviewer: Starla Kaye
Date: 2-18-09
Alexandra found the love of her life at a music fest a year ago and lost him the same day. A family tragedy tore her away from the event while he’d gone to bring friends back to meet her. Leaving so unexpectedly, she took with her a Stetson autographed by Toby Keith that he’d temporarily had her hold. Guilt has weighed heavily on her as much as her longing to see him again at this year’s event. If he comes…if she can find him in a crowd of 50,000…if he’ll forgive her for leaving with his prized hat. So many ifs.
Ben thought he’d found ‘The One’ a year ago, but evidently he’d been wrong. He’d left her alone for a few minutes at the fest and when he’d returned, she was gone, along with a prized hat he’d intended to give to his disabled younger brother. And he hadn’t even gotten her name. All he could hope for was that she’d come to this year’s fest, with his hat. He was no longer interested in anything more from her.


But love can be a complicated thing. It can twist a person’s emotions around and make them be stubborn at times. And yet sometimes it finds a way to bring people back together. If you enjoy second chance at love stories as much as I do, then this book is for you.
Posted by GOT EROTIC ROMANCE? at 5:59 PM
Labels: Christine Columbus, Starla Kaye, The Perfect Country and Western Story, The Wild Rose Press


http://goteroticromance.blogspot.com/2010/02/perfect-country-and-western-story-by.html

First Book Signing A Success

My book signing on Saturday was a lot of fun and a learning experience. I wish I would have told the local paper that I was going to be signing books and that I had given more thought to creating poster/signs outside of the gallery.

It was great to see everyone, the turn out was good. I had the response I've had to The Perfect Country and Western Story - has all been positive.

A big thanks to everyone who showed up on Saturday, I appreciate your support and next Friday on the 19th - I will be signing books at the Elks 44nClub in Brooklyn Park.

Saturday I'll be signing books....

February 13...I'll be at the
Robbin Gallery
4915 42nd Ave N.,
Robbinsdale, MN 55422 (

Signing books from 1 to 3 pm...

If you're in the neighborhood stop by and say, "Hi."

The Robbin Art Gallery is located two blocks east of Highway 100 on 42nd Avenue North in the Robbinsdale Historic Library Building. Look to your right for a high wooden privacy fence, then a beautiful brick library just before the railroad tracks. Turn RIGHT before the railroad tracks and park on the side street.

30 years ago

Thirty years ago my high school sweetheart said, “Promise me you’ll always write under your name.”

“Sure, but why?” I stared into his Wiley Coyote eyes.

Stop by http:// kmnbooks.blogspot.com

To find out why and for a chance to win a 3 pack of short stories (pdf) - Uncle Mike's Love, Coffee and Love To Go and Happy Meal.

Here's the link:
http://kmnbooks.blogspot.com/

Do you know the answer...

… people should ____________________ as many times as they can…

Hint…

Stop by www. HeroinesWithHeart.Blogspot.com
And read the interview with Christine Columbus
http://www.heroineswithhearts.blogspot.com/

After Reading many posts – about Book Signings…

I have come up with a list of advice…

(of course feel free to correct or add to the list)

Prior to signing check out the store …

do they have any posters or fliers announcing the event…

Let the local paper know you’ll be signing books, maybe they have someone that wants to come to the event take a picture …

do an interview…

On the big day arrive 15 to 20 minutes early…

bring a camera (to snap your picture with the manager) –

bring small token of appreciation… flowers, chocolate…

Dress in layers in case you end up freezing…

Be approachable…

I guess that’s where taking off the layers would come into play…

Bring friends…and give aways…or give away your friends…

Potential customers are always shyer that the author…

So try to make them feel comfortable…

Smile…

(imagine everyone with their clothes off – until you start laughing

– than redress the customers in layers)

Have friends, family acquaintance stop by

and fondle and gush over your books…

create a little buzz…

if you can’t find friends to show up…maybe a flashing blue light…

a blue light to customers is like a bug zapper to insects…

just can’t stay away.

Offer anyone passing by a friendly hello

and a book marker or flyer a postcard

with you book cover on the front…(try not to stare

if you are still imagining them running around

in their birthday suits)

If the book store has a coffee shop…

place your book or table tents advertising your book signing….

Include an excerpt…

Also arrange to have your book displayed at the cash register.

Have people sign-up for a drawing or a raffle…

have people sign up for a mailing list…

Entice them closer to your table

with the scent of chocolate…

any food should do…

(After all it works for Costco to offer free samples)

When they approach your table

hand them your book when you introduce yourself.

People are too shy to pick up a book,

but if you hand them one, they will start to flip through it…

maybe start reading it…

maybe even buy it.

If you have a great reviews…

show them off in a frame or plaque and place it on your table…

have some of the reviews printed that you can hand off to customers…

Have Fun and Remember You are Living The Dream…

You Wrote a Book…

You Get to Sign Your Name…

Where to sign?

Title page - this is usually a facing page

(i.e. right hand side), and it usually only has the

book's title printed on it.

What to sign?

If you know the name of the owner of the book,

a brief personalized note is nice…

remember to correctly spell their name…

When my childrens story Nothing At All was published

it was fun to write…

I hope you enjoy ‘Nothing At All’

Christine Columbus

And you can always sign with the standard…

Enjoy the read,

Happy reading,

Or have the customer do the work…

have half sheet fliers with your picture of you

and your book cover…

For a personalize book please print the name

you would like inscribed with a brief message…

ie Happy Birthday…Happy Anniversary… Thank you…etc

2/27 Writers Helping Writers - EGG - Cerpt

Mating Rituals

from Amira Press

ISBN: 978-1-935348-58-0
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Cover Artist: Mira Romano
Book Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Word Count: 82,800

Blurb-

With rock-hard fortitude, Marohka Taunton battles to maintain her position as top mineralogist and refuses to see why she should marry even if the law requires she take a mate. Fighting her attraction for Stihl Fermesium, she struggles to save her father’s company.

Stihl, determined to win her as his mate, is faced with the commission deal of a lifetime and needs the money to save his family land. He wrestles with her emotional resistance and discovers someone other than Marohka is unhappy about their union. In fact, they want to separate them in the most basic of ways, death.

Excerpt-

Staring straight ahead, Marohka Taunton avoided eye contact with every man she passed. Moving along the edge of the dance floor, she wove her way back and forth across the assigned path. Her steps, jerky and clumsy, she hid her natural smooth gait. No man, in his right mind, craved an ungraceful wife. At least, she hoped not.

With the stairs a few steps ahead, she tasted victory and allowed herself a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness."

A masculine voice in front of her chuckled. "It’s not over yet, princess."

Marohka paused to inspect the stranger. The laughter reflected in his warm brown eyes—surprised, the intelligent focus—intrigued, and the dark spark of interest—captivated.
A foreign response slithered through her chest. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Her heartbeat rang in her ears. Her hands turned clammy. Awareness of the man claimed her senses.

His face, framed by dark brown hair, showed rough lines of strength and fortitude. A crooked nose, a square jaw, and a chiseled chin marked his unique personality. Added together, the sum indicated the man rarely backed down from a fight. He’d stand up for his beliefs and defeat his opponents. His lopsided grin with a dimple at the corner of his mouth teased her.

A silly feature on such a stern face. The little mark claimed her heart and spoke of a rare sense of humor, a trait absent in most men.

A tingle ran down her spine. Her toes curled. Either as an appealing partner or a worthy adversary, the man presented a dangerous combination. Right then, without question, Marohka decided never to cross paths with him again.

"It is for me," she responded to his comment. She lifted her chin a little higher and repaired the chip in her armor with a sassy comeback. "But you’re welcome to any of the girls behind me. I’m sure they’ll enjoy your charm."

Marohka lifted her skirt and swept up the stairs. The sound of his laughter spoiled her intended snub.

Find at www.amirapress.com

Thanks for participating in the Egg-cerpt Exchange,

Tina Gayle

www.tinagayle.net