Rene Penn's Blog

Last fall, hubby and I moved to California. Though it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, change is still change. And we have to get used to everything that comes with our new surroundings.

Including ants…

Spiders…

And fires.

Eek!

Apparently, ants like the end-of-summer climate around here. It’s hot. It’s dry. And who doesn’t like a good barbecue? So, in August, they like to come out and play. Unfortunately, we new Californians didn’t get the memo.

Last week, I saw ...

What’s happening to our summer? It’s going by so fast. It’s already late-August. Sheesh. I’m clearly not keeping up. But time has been weird during the pandemic, hasn’t it? The days can be slow yet fast. They go by in a blur or hover like a cloudy haze. Bizarre, indeed.

I hope that you and your family have been able to manage these bizarre days–and maybe carve out some moments of normalcy.

Before the recent “heat wave” hit the southern California area, hubby and I went for a hike by th...

My heart is breaking. A common feeling for many, I think. First, the pandemic hit the news. Coronavirus ravaged China. Then, Italy. I remembered the trip I took to the north several years ago to Lake Como and Milan. I recalled the breathtaking view from a scenic lookout at the top of the Duomo, and …

Continue reading "My Achy Breaky Heart"

My friends and family know that there are two topics that I love to discuss: writing and hair. So it makes sense that I write a book about hair. That way, I get to incorporate my two favorite activities into one experience. The result for me? A glitter bomb mind explosion. The result for readers?

Continue reading "Writing a Book about Natural Hair"

Am I the only one who's reading funny, feel-good books to boost your mood during these crazy times? If I'm not alone, please share your favorite LOL escape reads down in the comments below. Here are a few books that I've been enjoying. The Overdue Life of Amy Byler This book hit the presses in

Continue reading "Fun, LOL Quarantine Escape Reads"

Last month, I started working on my third book in the Love and Work series. The writing is coming along, but it's been slower than I'd like. For good reason, though... We're buying a house. Yay! The search took about four months, and we visited about sixty houses. After a certain amount of time, the …

Continue reading "Book Titles, House-Buying, andPizza"

I've been a busy little beaver! In December, I published my holiday romance novel, Santa Bring Me a Ryan. And now I'm working on the outline for my next book. A Weekend With Warren will be book three of the Love and Work series. Updates and a book cover image are coming next month. Meanwhile, …

Continue reading "Writing, Moving, andHouse-Hunting"

In my new whimsical holiday romance novel, Santa Bring Me a Ryan, Jules Carmichael asks Santa to bring her a Ryan for Christmas, as in Ryan Gosling or Ryan Reynolds. She's single and has been unlucky in love, especially during the holidays. Jules realizes that Ryan Gosling and Ryan Reynolds are a little bit busy. …

Continue reading "Ryan Gosling forChristmas?"

Santa Bring Me a Ryan is available now, and I'm so excited to introduce Jules Carmichael to you. She's likable, relatable, and not about to let any Scrooge behavior come between her and her Christmas wish. Described as a "whimsical holiday romp," Santa Bring Me a Ryan is a fun escape for the hectic holiday …

Continue reading "Santa Bring Me a Ryan, AvailableNow"

Earlier this year, I decided to start writing something a little different. A holiday romance novel. I wanted it to be fun---a light-hearted love story with rom-com movie flair, like my novella Fake It Til She Makes It. I wondered: what will the female main character's goal be?Maybe she'll want something for Christmas? Ryan …

Continue reading "Coming Soon, Santa Bring Me aRyan"