I was so excited.... when I turned it the last chapter for 'The Perfect Country and Western Story' she wrote:
"I will admit though that I was curious enough I had to do a quick skim and I love the last line before the epilogue! Great job!"
Bet you'd like to know what the last line is.....
Still sitting in bleachers and still laughing...
Dang it's been a while
I’ve been working hard on The Perfect Country and Western Story … and I’m having a ball.Turns out muscles do have memory… For the past two years I spent the spring cleaning my house for high school graduation parties… this year with both kids in college the weather turned nice on Saturday and my body went to work cleaning house, washing windows, shampooing carpet, raking, uncovering flower beds… makes me want to have a party anyways.
Got to love mid life crisis… Thursday I turn 49 – last year quit my job after 27 years. This year – already started a new job after 6 months at the old one and I’m signed up for motorcycle classes…
Doesn’t get much better then this…
A Great Review
Score (1-5) Hearts: 5
Ms. Columbus writes with such humor. I was cracking up with Charlie’s innocent antics and feeling so sorry for Amber not having the easiest of times trying to get to Grandma’s house. I love Ms. Columbus’ writing style and I look forward to reading more stories from her. You will not be disappointed if you pick this one up for yourself.
For the complete Review....check out the link below
http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=1134
Ms. Columbus writes with such humor. I was cracking up with Charlie’s innocent antics and feeling so sorry for Amber not having the easiest of times trying to get to Grandma’s house. I love Ms. Columbus’ writing style and I look forward to reading more stories from her. You will not be disappointed if you pick this one up for yourself.
For the complete Review....check out the link below
http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=1134
I've been interviewed....
Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?
Hello Carol Ann,
I’ve been writing all my life… 336 dog years and writing for The Wild Rose Press for a little over a human year.
This year I’ve become an Empty Nester…both my children are in college and I’ve decided to have a mid-life adventure.
For years my children choose my friends for me, I spent my evening chatting with their school mates parents or cheering next to their teammate’s parents.
One of my adventures as an MT Nester involved going to a singles dance…even though I don’t dance.
There I was at a big ballroom dance in jean, t-shirt and rubber soled clogs sitting at a table with ex co-workers enjoying the music and watching everyone else dance.
A man approaches me, “Would you like to dance East Coast Swing?”
Shrugging my shoulders, “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. 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. I give him a big smile and another nod.
He holds me tighter, starts to lean me backwards, my foot comes off the floor, my clog just about goes flying off, I’m struggling to stay upright - my body stiffens – my only thought is …I don’t want to be bit!
The corner of his lip twitched, “I guess you don’t dip on the first date.”
Oh dipped.
The reason I was at the dance with ex co-workers ......
was after 27 years of working for a utility company ---
My boss said, “If you’re not happy why don’t you quit.”
So, I did.
I started a new job working as an AA in the Public Works Department for a City and I love it.
And when my new co-workers heard why I left my old job, they laughed and commented. You’ll be here until you retire, because now we know not to dare you.
If you could be one of your characters – Who would you be? And why?
Of my published stories, Amber from Christmas Mischief because she meets Tony and he’s what dreams are made out of.
Soon to be published, I like to be Alex, she is the heroine in my novel that I just signed a contract with for The Wild Rose Press. “The Perfect Country and Western Story.”
Alex too is heading out on a new adventure and I can identify with that.
But in the story there is also Julia a secondary character who has a wicked evil streak and I think I’d enjoy being her, but for just a day or two.
Who is your perfect hero? And why?
The perfect hero has to be a man that the heroine can dance with. He has to be worth following, otherwise when he takes a step back, there would be no reason for her to step forward.
And of course the perfect hero isn’t going to mind when she steps on his toes.
Is there a genre of book you would like to write but haven’t yet?
Well, before I quit my old job, I was seriously thinking of writing murder mysteries. Just joking.
How do you balance real life and your writing?
I write in the morning, I set my alarm clock an hour early and hit the computer before doing anything else and in the evening, if I have time, (after my dance lessons), I write some more.
I’m lucky, I don’t like to watch TV so I have to entertain myself and one way is to write.
How can readers find out more about you and your books?
I have seven short stories available at The Wild Rose Press. Happy Meal, Coffee and Love to Go, Drama Queen, Uncle Mike’s Love, First Class Male, Christmas Mischief and Hard Day on the Farm is available in Rose Petal’s Vol II.
What would be the best way for readers contact you?
ChristineColumbus@hotmail.com
www.christinecolumbus.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/christinecolumbus
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SweeterRomanticNotions/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheWildRosePress
Thank you Carol Ann, it has been my pleasure to again be interviewed by you.
In case anyone is curious as to my next adventure…Hoola Hoop lesson on Jan. 10th.
Look for Christmas Mischief at www.thewildrosepress.com
along with Happy Meal, First Class Male, Coffee and Love to Go,
Uncle Mike’s Love, Drama Queen, Rose Petals Vol II (Hard Day on the Farm)
www.christinecolumbus.blogspot.com/
Comments Off
SRN January First Friday News Blast
January 4th, 2008 SRN, author, newsletter, announcments, First Friday News Blast, Uncategorized
Hello Carol Ann,
I’ve been writing all my life… 336 dog years and writing for The Wild Rose Press for a little over a human year.
This year I’ve become an Empty Nester…both my children are in college and I’ve decided to have a mid-life adventure.
For years my children choose my friends for me, I spent my evening chatting with their school mates parents or cheering next to their teammate’s parents.
One of my adventures as an MT Nester involved going to a singles dance…even though I don’t dance.
There I was at a big ballroom dance in jean, t-shirt and rubber soled clogs sitting at a table with ex co-workers enjoying the music and watching everyone else dance.
A man approaches me, “Would you like to dance East Coast Swing?”
Shrugging my shoulders, “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. 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. I give him a big smile and another nod.
He holds me tighter, starts to lean me backwards, my foot comes off the floor, my clog just about goes flying off, I’m struggling to stay upright - my body stiffens – my only thought is …I don’t want to be bit!
The corner of his lip twitched, “I guess you don’t dip on the first date.”
Oh dipped.
The reason I was at the dance with ex co-workers ......
was after 27 years of working for a utility company ---
My boss said, “If you’re not happy why don’t you quit.”
So, I did.
I started a new job working as an AA in the Public Works Department for a City and I love it.
And when my new co-workers heard why I left my old job, they laughed and commented. You’ll be here until you retire, because now we know not to dare you.
If you could be one of your characters – Who would you be? And why?
Of my published stories, Amber from Christmas Mischief because she meets Tony and he’s what dreams are made out of.
Soon to be published, I like to be Alex, she is the heroine in my novel that I just signed a contract with for The Wild Rose Press. “The Perfect Country and Western Story.”
Alex too is heading out on a new adventure and I can identify with that.
But in the story there is also Julia a secondary character who has a wicked evil streak and I think I’d enjoy being her, but for just a day or two.
Who is your perfect hero? And why?
The perfect hero has to be a man that the heroine can dance with. He has to be worth following, otherwise when he takes a step back, there would be no reason for her to step forward.
And of course the perfect hero isn’t going to mind when she steps on his toes.
Is there a genre of book you would like to write but haven’t yet?
Well, before I quit my old job, I was seriously thinking of writing murder mysteries. Just joking.
How do you balance real life and your writing?
I write in the morning, I set my alarm clock an hour early and hit the computer before doing anything else and in the evening, if I have time, (after my dance lessons), I write some more.
I’m lucky, I don’t like to watch TV so I have to entertain myself and one way is to write.
How can readers find out more about you and your books?
I have seven short stories available at The Wild Rose Press. Happy Meal, Coffee and Love to Go, Drama Queen, Uncle Mike’s Love, First Class Male, Christmas Mischief and Hard Day on the Farm is available in Rose Petal’s Vol II.
What would be the best way for readers contact you?
ChristineColumbus@hotmail.com
www.christinecolumbus.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/christinecolumbus
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SweeterRomanticNotions/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheWildRosePress
Thank you Carol Ann, it has been my pleasure to again be interviewed by you.
In case anyone is curious as to my next adventure…Hoola Hoop lesson on Jan. 10th.
Look for Christmas Mischief at www.thewildrosepress.com
along with Happy Meal, First Class Male, Coffee and Love to Go,
Uncle Mike’s Love, Drama Queen, Rose Petals Vol II (Hard Day on the Farm)
www.christinecolumbus.blogspot.com/
Comments Off
SRN January First Friday News Blast
January 4th, 2008 SRN, author, newsletter, announcments, First Friday News Blast, Uncategorized
Sweeter Romantic Notions
To contact the members of Sweeter Romantic Notions, please feel free to comment on the blog, follow the author’s links to their websites. Or join our group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sweeterromanticnotions
Contact Diana Castilleja, owner of Sweeter Romantic Notions at
Diana@sweeterromanticnotions.com
http://www.sweeterromanticnotions.com/news
Tagged
My friend and fellow author, Carol Ann Erhardt tagged me for a game of tell-us-stuff-we-didn't-know...
http://carolannerhardt.blogspot.com/
The rules are: List seven things about yourself
Link to the person who tagged you (see above)
I’ve been tagged. Impossible, I was always the one who never got caught. Must be getting old and slow…
Here we go…
1. I might have had a mid life crisis (so, I’ll live to be 96)
a) changed jobs after 27 years
b) changed boyfriend after 10 years
c) bought a dog
2. Blood type is B + and the blood bank loves me and it’s best to make an appointment on Monday’s because they get a fresh shipment of cookies.
3. Got a contract for my first novel “The Perfect Country and Western Story”
4. Became an Empty Nester. Both my kids are in college.
5. Took a Hoola Hoop class.
6. Took Swing dance lessons.
7. Have yet to be dipped.
www.mollystarkbooks.com
www.jayellwilson.com
www.bessmcbride.com
www.judithrochelle.com
www.skhyemoncrief.com
www.maggietoussaint.com
Thanks for stopping by!
http://carolannerhardt.blogspot.com/
The rules are: List seven things about yourself
Link to the person who tagged you (see above)
I’ve been tagged. Impossible, I was always the one who never got caught. Must be getting old and slow…
Here we go…
1. I might have had a mid life crisis (so, I’ll live to be 96)
a) changed jobs after 27 years
b) changed boyfriend after 10 years
c) bought a dog
2. Blood type is B + and the blood bank loves me and it’s best to make an appointment on Monday’s because they get a fresh shipment of cookies.
3. Got a contract for my first novel “The Perfect Country and Western Story”
4. Became an Empty Nester. Both my kids are in college.
5. Took a Hoola Hoop class.
6. Took Swing dance lessons.
7. Have yet to be dipped.
www.mollystarkbooks.com
www.jayellwilson.com
www.bessmcbride.com
www.judithrochelle.com
www.skhyemoncrief.com
www.maggietoussaint.com
Thanks for stopping by!
Christmas Mischief Reveiw
Christmas Mischief
Amber has had a tough time of it since moving to the city. But now that she is going to visit Grandma in the country things seem to be looking up. She packs the car, puts her big, friendly dog in the shotgun seat and takes off, Christmas packages filling the back seat. Of course when she gets a flat tire on a cold afternoon her luck doesn’t seem to be holding out. Then, Charlie, her dog, pushes the button that locks her out of the car. Just when she is about to bash a window with a rock a tall, dark stranger shows up. Tony seems to be the answer to her troubles.
Christmas Mischief by Christine Columbus is a great little read. It is the perfect size for lunch hour reading. At first Amber seems like another helpless female and I was poised to be annoyed by her but quickly I saw what the author was doing and where this was going. Amber has overcome a lot of things and is making a new life for herself. She and Charlie, the burping dog, are family oriented enough to be making the trip home to Grandma’s house. Amber very quickly becomes a sympathetic and likeable character. Even Charlie will steal readers’ hearts! This is fun, a good holiday choice if you’re looking for something that is fast reading. Well done!
4 Angels.
Reviewed by: Marlene
Amber has had a tough time of it since moving to the city. But now that she is going to visit Grandma in the country things seem to be looking up. She packs the car, puts her big, friendly dog in the shotgun seat and takes off, Christmas packages filling the back seat. Of course when she gets a flat tire on a cold afternoon her luck doesn’t seem to be holding out. Then, Charlie, her dog, pushes the button that locks her out of the car. Just when she is about to bash a window with a rock a tall, dark stranger shows up. Tony seems to be the answer to her troubles.
Christmas Mischief by Christine Columbus is a great little read. It is the perfect size for lunch hour reading. At first Amber seems like another helpless female and I was poised to be annoyed by her but quickly I saw what the author was doing and where this was going. Amber has overcome a lot of things and is making a new life for herself. She and Charlie, the burping dog, are family oriented enough to be making the trip home to Grandma’s house. Amber very quickly becomes a sympathetic and likeable character. Even Charlie will steal readers’ hearts! This is fun, a good holiday choice if you’re looking for something that is fast reading. Well done!
4 Angels.
Reviewed by: Marlene
Coffee And Love To Go - 4 champagne flutes
Coffee and Love To Go Wild Rose PressDecember 24, 2007
REVIEWED BY:http://cocktailreviews.wordpress.com/
SCORE:
4 champagne flutes—Glad you reviewed the book. Would buy it/recommend to someone else. You liked the characters/plot/dialogue. Good characters/plot/interest level/writing.
Author: Christine ColumbusPublisher: Wild Rose Press
REVIEW:
Since his divorce, Dan’s friends have been trying to find him a new woman. However, Dan has found one himself—only he hasn’t got the confidence to approach her. He sees Missy every day at the local coffee shop. To his surprise, while listening to the radio, Missy’s voice comes over the airwaves—and she mentions him!
Well, he’s sure it’s him…
Will Dan pluck up the courage to speak to Missy?
Find out in Coffee and Love To Go!
REVIEWED BY:http://cocktailreviews.wordpress.com/
SCORE:
4 champagne flutes—Glad you reviewed the book. Would buy it/recommend to someone else. You liked the characters/plot/dialogue. Good characters/plot/interest level/writing.
Author: Christine ColumbusPublisher: Wild Rose Press
REVIEW:
Since his divorce, Dan’s friends have been trying to find him a new woman. However, Dan has found one himself—only he hasn’t got the confidence to approach her. He sees Missy every day at the local coffee shop. To his surprise, while listening to the radio, Missy’s voice comes over the airwaves—and she mentions him!
Well, he’s sure it’s him…
Will Dan pluck up the courage to speak to Missy?
Find out in Coffee and Love To Go!
Tini Time
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
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
Christmas Mischief Released!!!
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
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
Soon
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…
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…
You're never too old...
To Trick or TreatGwen, 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..
Something New....
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 tighter, starts to lean me backwards, my foot comes off the floor, my clog just about goes flying off, I’m struggling to stay upright - my body stiffens – my only thought is as soon as I get me feet under me – I sprinting to the door.
His eyebrows drop to the bridge of his nose the corner of his lips twitches, “I guess you don’t dip on the first date.”
“Oh dipped.”
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 tighter, starts to lean me backwards, my foot comes off the floor, my clog just about goes flying off, I’m struggling to stay upright - my body stiffens – my only thought is as soon as I get me feet under me – I sprinting to the door.
His eyebrows drop to the bridge of his nose the corner of his lips twitches, “I guess you don’t dip on the first date.”
“Oh dipped.”
Galena...
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.
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....
***
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....
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Melody is fostering her niece while her sister, Captain Opal Erickson, is deployed to Kuwait. A chance meeting at work with Clayton, a const...
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Chance Meeting Chance Meeting by Christine Columbus May 9, 2025 By Long and Short Reviews Leave a Comment Chance Meeting by Christ... -
Chance Meeting - will be available January 8, 2025. Order your copy now. Available through these fine retailer: Amazon, Walmart, In...
