Everybody has seen the news about what happened here the 22nd. It was scary and surreal to see the smoke coming from town as we learned of what was happening Don’t ask me why I was driving toward it….LOL. Anyway. Things up here on the mountain were torched as well as in town. Not as high up as we are, but down in Buenos Aires, the little colony as you start up lost its convenience store.So I tried to go to Buenos Aires twice that morning. The first time at my usual time and there was a burning car blocking the road. I tried a second time a half hour later and it was still there. When I got back up the hill, we learned what was going on. The burning car was moved by the next day.I’ll be honest, I still feel safer here.

BUT!!! This is Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The people here are not only kind and welcoming, they’re super resilient and hard working. Within three days, the orders to stay in place were lifted and everyone got to work and tourists started milling around again.

So now, a week later, what’s it like?

Tourism is low. We’re getting people which is amazing, but a lot of places aren’t. Last week, all cruise ships were canceled. This week, Norwegian Cruise Line will be back Wednesday. The town’s economy (and ours) will be very happy to see them. I’m hoping the people lose their fear soon. As far as the city itself goes, businesses are open, busses, taxis, and ride shares are running again. The businesses that were set on fire are in the process of being cleaned up.

Puerto Vallarta does indeed rock! Could I have lived without the demonstrations last Sunday? Sure. Did they stop the city from being an amazing slice of paradise? No.Just another awesome sunset from our malecón (boardwalk)

OK, OK, On to Writing:

I mentioned in my last blog that I had started writing again. I am now on Chapter Fourteen and it’s really flowing. I’ve gotten good feedback from my betas as well, so I’m totally jacked about it. I’ve already talked to my favorite cover artist about doing the cover for me!

Since I’m coming up to the middle of the book, I figure I really should name this bad boy. If you didn’t read my last blog, here’s what the story is about:

A butch DJ moves to Puerto Vallarta. She frequently plays up the mountain at a resort owned by an ice queen. Yes, the butch and an ice queen. Hmm.. What else? The DJ’s moniker is Captain Beats. Ice queen is a redhead with green eyes. Butch is typical – dark hair and blue eyes. It’s a romance, not erotic. No sex scenes in the book so far…

Sooooo….. if you have any suggestions for a title, please leave a comment or email me.

That’s all the news from here for now! Thanks for reading. Again, please leave a comment or email me at mjwilliamz@aol.com