You guys! Guess what? I talk with my hands.

I thought I wrote a post here about the Bay Area Book Festival but I don’t see it. I have had some lengthy behind-the-scenes issues with my websites that are too boring and demoralizing to go into. But I’m back now!

If you came to the festival, thank you for your support!!

Here’s a quick wrap up of my panel at the Bay Area Book Festival at the end of May.

First of all, our entire trip to San Francisco was fantastic. We had an amazing time.

We stayed with friends who were terrific hosts. We had an amazing tour at Internet Archive. We did a few touristy sight-seeing things – it’s was a picture perfect day. Super amazing.

Here we are. It’s L to R Naomi Darling who was the moderator and she is a book influencer and really good. And then Tashia Hart who is a writer but also does arty things, film making and things with food. (Here’s her YouTube Channel), Me as Pen Name, and Dani Trujillo who has 2 books out and some other writing out there.

I didn’t see as much of the festival as I would have liked but I did catch a couple of panels and walked through a lot of the booths. So many people selling and buying books. It was wonderful to see so many book lovers.

Also: my books I bought and had shipped for the book signing arrived a week late. So that was fun. I had a few books to put out there. I have a stack of paperbacks here — if you would like one, please get in touch.

All in all an amazing experience (except my books being late.)

I did a terrible job of taking pictures but we had dinner at the classic Scoma’s and outside are the fishing boats and there were a whole bunch of birds hanging out. An informed friend tells me that this is a Black-crowned Night Heron. A man explained to us that there are anchovies under those screens to be used for bait and the birds were waiting for an easy snack.

That’s the scoop!

If you like to read the personal blogs of writers, I try to post at least once a week at pamrentz.com (my secret identity.)

I’m still here. I’m still working on a new contemporary romance. Progress is slow but steady.

I want to be optimistic but as my friend recently said, “life is life-ing” and I can’t reliably get my butt in the chair every day. I’m at least halfway.

Meanwhile, here is the winter garden on a frosty morning.

I’m always tempted to rototill on the first sunny day in winter but it’s still a little early.

If everything goes as planned, I’m on an episode of the Fated Mates podcast today.

I’ve been a huge fan of Fated Mates since a friend sent me It’s Romance Law!. I loved talking to Sarah and Jen but I was also kinda nervous. Hopefully you enjoy it.

I have intended to restart my newsletter for about 2 years.

I did some homework and picked a platform and paid my fee. But every time I tried to set it up I got stuck and frustrated.

Even ChatGPT couldn’t get me set up on that platform and I rage quit that, too.

Then I tried something different and here it is. Please sign up if you’re interested in my next release. I won’t bother you unless I have news.

I’m working on a contemporary set in NW California on the Klamath River on my tribal lands. I also have a couple other partials set in the same area plus a paranormal set in the same area. And a contemporary Christmas romance. Where are the Indigenous Christmas romances? I’m not a fast writer so don’t clear you bookshelf yet.

I wrote a Bridgerton Fan Fic — it’s short and sweet about Colin and Penelope (#Polin). It’s set in 1986 high school: Regency High Senior Spy.

I am working on a new contemporary romance and will have more news when I get further along.

Happy Spring!

In my heart, I feel like I have more romance books to put out in the world and I have a couple in progress. But I don’t seem to be finishing anything.

I don’t know what to tell you.

I am thrilled that people are still finding the books. At this point, they could probably use a little refresh but that’s a project way down the list.

If I get anything close to being ready, I will announce it here.

I was given the opportunity to turn Heartbeat Braves into an audiobook using digital narration.

I understand all the concerns about using digital narrators. I would LOVE to record my books with Indigenous voices but I don’t have the skills or resources to make that happen.

I wrung my hands and thought about it for quite some time and decided to go for it.

It’s available via the Apple Books app:

Heartbeat Braves.

I just finished listening to it. Madison does a good job but here are a few funny mispronunciations like when Linda tells them to polish their resumes and she says Polish, like of the country Poland. I also hear some typos and awkward sentences.

But I think it came out great. I hope people who prefer to consume their romance via audiobooks will give it a try.

I would love to hear your feedback.

Hello Friends. I am still here.

It has been a tough few months personally and also this website was broken behind the scenes and took awhile to unravel.

I had this picture set aside months ago when I thought I could post again but then things were delayed. It’s spring now.

I’m happy people are still finding the books and I appreciate all your notes and comments.

I am working on new books and hope to have news soon.

Thanks for sticking with me.

Check out this skunky noodling around my backyard and creating a home under the shed. There’s a motion light that’s supposed to scare him off but it has completely failed to do its job. What a fluffy tail.

I wouldn’t get too excited but I have a bunch of new stuff I’m working on. One is a contemporary romance — not Crooked Rock — but in the same spirit. I also have a couple of other stories in various states that have some romantic elements or fun Indigenous characters.

Updates as they become available.