Cowboy Lovin' Day 28: Christine Columbus

It's time for another western romance guest spotlight - Christine Columbus, a fellow western romance author of TWRP's Yellow Rose imprint and the woman behind The Perfect Country and Western Story....

Passion without purpose is pointless…That’s why I believe in Happy Endings.

Perfect Country and Western Story

Release Date: February 5, 2010

Digital $6.00

Print $11.99

How The Perfect Country and Western Story came to be…

I was at WE Fest in 2007 sitting around the campfire with my daughter, sister-in-law and nieces when I told them an editor, Rhonda Penders from The Wild Rose Press suggested writing a story surrounding a cowboy hat. I like the idea of a backwards Cinderella story where the woman had a hat and was looking for the cowboy that could wear it. So, we began to plot. I left the concert filled with ideas. When I started the story all I knew is I had a woman with a Toby Keith autographed hat and she needed to find her cowboy at an outdoor concert.

I also wanted to tie the story to …“You Don’t Call me Darlin’, Darlinnnnnn…” by David Allan Coe, otherwise known as the perfect country & western song. The song is perfect because it has trucks, momma, gettin’ drunk, prison, and trains.

So tongue in cheek, I decided that The Perfect Country and Western Story has romance, country music, and Alexandra trying find the cowboy whose head fit an autographed Toby Keith hat.

Back Cover Blurb:

Alexandra has the Stetson hat, now all she needs is the cowboy. But with three days and over 50,000 faces to search, will she be able to find the man who stole her heart? Ben still can’t believe he was foolish enough to let the beautiful thief walk away with his autographed cowboy hat. If the heartbreaker dares to show up at Country Time again this year, he’ll not only be looking to get his hat back, but aiming for a little payback as well.

The final reader from The Wild Rose Press had this to say about The Perfect Country and Western Story… One of the best things a good story has is wonderful characters, I fell in love with all of them, but I must say Patrick was my favorite. I did cry in a part or two which added to the flow of the book. All in all great job, loved the story.

Who is Patrick?

“Would you be a hon and grab me a cold beer.” Julia said.

Ben’s arms folded across his chest. He needed to put an end to this now or she’d have him running ragged by the end of the weekend. “If all you’re asking is for me to be your servant or
lap dog this weekend—”

Patrick started barking, rushed to the cooler, trotted over to Julia and handed her a beer. “I’ll
be your junk yard dog.”

“Hmmmm,” Julia reached out and scratched Patrick’s tummy. “Would I be able to teach you
some new tricks?”

Patrick’s tongue fell out of his mouth. He panted ‘yes.’

Ben rolled his eyes. This was going to be a loo-ong weekend.

One Writer’s Opinion…

I believe being a writer takes vision. I attended a class a number of years ago where I learned: Vision + Passion (Emotion) = Reality.

So, five years ago, I created a Vision Board and placed it in my cubicle at work. The board included all the things I would like to have come into my life or things that stirred an emotion when I viewed them… At the time I had no idea I was going to write The Perfect Country and Western Story… When I went to take a look at the board now and saw all the photos from concerts and cowboys…I wasn’t surprise that I wrote The Perfect Country and Western Story.

I also ran across a book by Gay Hendrickson back in 07…the instructions were simple imagine you are on your deathbed and looking back on life… any regrets?

I wrote….

For my life to have been a total success, I wish I’d love more, found a man to make me dance.
And I wish I’d laughed harder.

I also wish I’d never talked negatively about others – found forgiveness and had the confidence not to put down anyone, listened more and talked less..

And wrote a best selling novel.

And traveled – let go of my fear.
Since writing down my wishes and creating a vision board… I have written a novel in 08’/09’, met the man of my dreams in 07’, travel to Washington DC and Germany in 08’ went on a cruise on 09’ and am going to Switzerland in 10’.

Create a Vision add Passion to make the Dream become a Reality and Live Your Dream.

I also tell people that I am going to be on the Oprah show, because I found the perfect skirt to wear while shopping in Galena Illinois….Who knows…I might just get there.

Christine Columbus
http://www.christinecolumbus.net/

Today Christine is giving away a paperback edition of The Perfect Country and Western Story. Enter by commenting to this post before midnight EST February 1st. The winner will be announced the next day, Tuesday the 2nd. Chances of winning depend on the number of entries and you must be 18 years or older to enter.

Today is also the last day to enter to win a free Stacey Joy Netzel title. Also open for entry is the Donna Marie Rogers giveaway.... And tomorrow check back in for the exclusive first look at the 3rd book in the Wayback Ridge trilogy, Bet It On My Heart....