We're Still Moving!!

And it's better than I imagined!

Apr 14, 2026

You know how they say, “When one door closes, another one opens?” Well, that’s exactly what happened to us.

Pixar-style illustration of a smiling woman with long dark hair streaked with silver, sitting in a cozy living room surrounded by moving boxes and packing supplies while carefully wrapping a pastel unicorn figurine in bubble wrap.

Why We Were Moving to PA

We’re tired of the heat.

Southern California, especially the Inland Empire, gets brutally hot in summer, with days up to 110°–115° (43.3°-46.1° C) and very little real seasonal change. When it cools off enough to rain, we take pictures. That’s how rare it is.

That’s part of why Pennsylvania felt so appealing: seasons, greenery, more affordable homes, and sunshine without the extreme heat.

When moving out of state was taken off the table, we had to look elsewhere, and that’s when we found… Lake Arrowhead. Truly a hidden gem!

It isn’t Pennsylvania, but it’s only an hour away and it checks a lot of the same boxes: cooler weather, more green, and housing that feels far more doable. Will it be our forever home? Probably not. But it feels like a lovely place to land.

And then came the part I wasn’t expecting…

I Found Woodward Hill!!

For those of you who are long-time subscribers, you might have read the first couple of books I started writing with my former BFF and then we parted ways. Right now I’m in the middle of rewriting that series into a Gothic Romantasy. Like, I was finally putting words on the page when we went see a rental in the Lake Arrowhead area, and it was like I stepped into my fictional world.

Autumn view of Lake Arrowhead with calm water reflecting colorful fall foliage and tall pine trees along the shoreline. Golden and orange leaves contrast against the deep green forest and bright blue sky with scattered clouds, creating a serene mountain landscape.

Lake Arrowhead Village along the waterfront, featuring Tudor-style buildings with white and dark timber exteriors and a tall church-like steeple. Snow lightly covers rooftops and docks along the lake, while forested hills rise in the background under a clear blue sky.

I looked at the expansive landscape of the private lake resort and trees and charming village atmosphere and my jaw dropped. I told my husband, “Oh, my Gods. We found Woodward Hill!”

Entrance to Lake Arrowhead Village marked by a large arched sign reading “Lake Arrowhead Village” in blue letters. The sign spans a two-lane road lined with tall pine trees, with cars driving beneath it and forested hills visible in the background.

I am already redesigning the town based on the layout and community of Lake Arrowhead. Even though I hadn’t quite written it like this at first, it matches the place I envisioned in my mind… and so much more. There was so much I didn’t get into those first two books. That’s all changing. Note: There will still be storybook cottages, Victorian homes and Gothic structures, but the layout of the town is changing a little.

Lake Arrowhead Village in autumn, featuring Tudor-style buildings with dark timber framing and cream exteriors. A tall clock tower rises above storefronts advertising shopping and dining, while vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves frame the scene against a backdrop of pine-covered hills and a clear blue sky.

So the house is finally on the market and we continue to pack. I think moving up there is going to be inspirational on so many levels. We can start doing our arts and crafts, again, too, just because we’ll be back in a place where we can do it without battling the oppressive heat.

And I get to wear sweaters again!! LOL

OMG! Now we have to buy winter clothes! Ahahahaha!!!

Okay, enough about the house.

Check out this week’s BookFunnel promos below. We have one ending today, a new one this week, and some ongoing, so click those banners!!

Ever yours in the shadows,

Gina 🖤