Where have you been?

Busy...tonight I buried St. Joseph and I have faith that he will sell my house. But what I have started contemplating is...Do you think St. Joseph will work on selling stories?

Happy To Announce

I'm so thrilled to announce - The Perfect Country and Western Story is a finalist for the Booksellers' Best Award.

The judges are booksellers and librarians and the contest is sponsored by the Greater Detroit chapter. In July the winners will be announced at the RWA (Romance Writers of America) National Conference in Orlando.

What fun it is to see other Midwest Fiction Writers: Helen Brenna and Ann Hinnenkamp Congrats to Everyone!

TRADITIONAL

Helen Brenna
From The Outside

Lucy Gordon
Italian Tycoon, Secret Son

Fiona Harper
Invitation to the Boss's Ball

Glynna Kaye
Dreaming Of Home

Joselyn Vaughn
CEO's Don't Cry

SHORT CONTEMPORARY

Christine Columbus
The Perfect Country and Western Story

Robyn Grady
The Billionaire's Fake Engagement

Sandra Hyatt
Having The Billionaire's Baby

Geri Krotow
What Family Means

Lynne Marshall
Temporary Doctor, Surprise Father

Cara Summers
Twin Temptation

Cara Summers
Christmas Male

LONG CONTEMPORARY

Lisa Dale
Simple WIshes

Susan Gable
A Kid To The Rescue

Elaine Grant
No Hero Like Him

Janice Maynard
Hot Mail

Terry McLaughlin
A Small Town Reunion

Kay Stockham
Simon Says Mommy

Linda Warren
Caitlyn's Prize

SINGLE TITLE

Toni Blake
One Reckless Summer

Marilyn Brant
According To Jane

Robin Kaye
Breakfast in Bed

Susan Mallery
Hot On Her Heels

Karen White
The Lost Hours

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Kylie Brant
Waking The Dead

Marilee Brothers
Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam

Ava Gray
Skin Game

Sandy James
Free Falling

EROTIC

Jaci Burton
Riding On Instinct

Red Garnier
The Satin Sash

Lara Santiago
Rogue's Run

Shelli Stevens
Take Me

Tracy Wolff
Full Exposure

SHORT HISTORICAL

Jennifer Ashley
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

Caroline Fyffe
Where The Wind Blows

Carolyn Jewel
Indiscreet

Margaret Mallory
Knight of Pleasure

Elizabeth Rolls
Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride

Christine Wells
Wicked Little Game

LONG HISTORICAL

Anna Campbell
Captive of Sin

Hannah Howell
If He's Wicked

Hannah Howell
If He's Sinful

Regina Jeffers
Darcy's Temptation

PARANORMAL/TIME TRAVEL/FUTURISTIC

Sharon Ashwood
Ravenous: The Dark Forgotten

Maureen Child
Vanished

Lisa Childs
Immortal bride

Gail Dayton
New Blood

Cynthia Eden
Midnight's Master

Ann Hinnenkamp
Dyad Dreams

Sharon Sala
The Warrior


INSPIRATIONAL

Sandra Bricker
Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida

Amanda Cabot
Paper Roses

Irene Hannon
An Eye for an Eye

Trish Perry
Sunset Beach

Marlo Schalesky
If Tomorrow Never Comes

Missy Tippens
His Forever Love

BEST FIRST BOOK

Marilyn Brant
According To Jane

Red Garnier
The Satin Sash

Ann Hinnenkamp
Dyad Dreams

Glynna Kaye
Dreaming Of Home

Living The Dream

I am happy living the dream, enjoying everyday and all the people I meet along the way.

The Wild Rose Press Retreat - Silver Spur Ranch and Longhorn Saloon in Bandera Texas.

New Wheels....

So, after much research and indecision…I decided on purchasing a car. I don’t know why it is – some decisions are so easy – after 27 years at the gas company – I walked away with no regrets…giving my favorite car to my son…no big deal… Purchasing a Car…Tough. I test drove 27 cars… and No I don’t love my new vehicle… it’s more like a marriage of convenience. I needed a car… and I thought this one will work…no fireworks in the sky, no thrill, just an okay – I will take you home.

I really thought I’d find a car that thrilled me… I wanted to find a car that made a statement about who I am. Instead I got a car that says…who I’m not.

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.