Anna Richland
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annarichland.bsky.social
Anna Richland
@annarichland.bsky.social
290 followers 240 following 1.1K posts
Author of HIS ROAD HOME and other stories about geeky people falling in love. New book THE COUCH WHERE IT HAPPENS out now. Expect posts about books, coffee, art, birds and burning rage. Veteran. Ex-lawyer. (she/her)

www.annarichland.com
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annarichland.bsky.social
They still mock me.

I highly recommend The Sinking of The Bismarck by William Shirer, btw.

I don't let my research keep me from ships and ferries (although i have most definitely declined the ferry to Newfoundland and chosen to fly). Was on a Washington State Ferry Monday, a dark noon sailing.
Car ferry in the Washington State Ferry color scheme of white and dark green pulling in to a dock on a gray, overcast day. An ominously cloudy, dark sky hovering low over a darker bay, with tiny spits of land on both edges of the photo. A car ferry is crossing in the distance. One thing band of bright light separates the clouds from the water. It is noon. And dark. Because it is winter in the Pacific Northwest, a land of little light.
November 12, 2025 at 7:33 PM
annarichland.bsky.social
Long ago and far away.

(There are a few things in some of my early military romances that Actually Happened To Me, but again, long ago and far away and I have yet to re-release those books).

I still wear those pants to garden. Sort of a swords into ploughshares thing, I guess.
Four soldiers in US Army woodland camo uniforms of the late 90s/early 00s, standing on a gravel landing pad in front of a helicopter with Ukrainian military markings. One is Anna, younger, thinner, with short hair and a big smile, in the days when she could still do 30 pushups and a shit ton of sit ups. So, definitely long ago
November 11, 2025 at 10:24 PM
annarichland.bsky.social
Sure looks like I'm on a writing retreat!

I'm working to get my old Harlequin/ Carina Press #romancenovels updated, reformatted and re-released while my new manuscript is in @angelajames.bsky.social 's editing hands. After five hours of work, I needed fresh air and vitamin D.
A grinning middle aged blonde lady stands in the middle of a lot of skinny cedar trees.
November 9, 2025 at 12:08 AM
annarichland.bsky.social
A week for boats. Tuesday #watercolorpainting class and now I'm on my way via ferry to a #romancewriter retreat. I'm want to use the getaway to format my #ThanksgivingRomance His Road Home as a paperback, and then update my old paranormal romances for rerelease.

Got boats? Share!

#kindleromance
Monochromatic painting of a black and white night ocean scene, lots of white space where the moon reflects on black water, and two distant sail boats Watercolor painting of a cloudy day at sea, three boats sailing downwind toward the viewer, a small point of land on the horizon. A hint of pink in the sky, gray water. A photo of a Washington State Ferry boat at the dock, on a clear sunny day with bright blue sky, calm dark blue water, and a feeling of possibility
November 7, 2025 at 10:33 PM
annarichland.bsky.social
New #Kindleromance for #KU! I'm crazy for #pickleball (my morning writing group can confirm I dash away from my laptop to play). I've played with @kirabrady.bsky.social and spent many hours across from her in cafes, talking way too loudly about #romancebooks. 🫣

www.amazon.com/Love-Pickleb...
The book cover for "Love and Pickleball" by Kira Brady shows a woman with curly auburn hair caressing a dark-haired man. They are both in sport clothes. The brightly colored cover also has pickleball equipment tossed around. Other text on the image includes the following phrases: He falls first. Small Town. Reverse age gap. Sports romance. Crossword puzzles. Found family. Hurt/Comfort. Plant dad. Coming to Kindle 11/1/24. And https://tinyurl.com/KiraBrady
November 3, 2025 at 5:09 AM
annarichland.bsky.social
My kid spotted this hawk on the ground in SoCal. Little birds were not afraid, and it just sat there. I'm feeling lazy and thought #birdsky friends could ID on sight? Foothills East of LA.
A brown hawk with white spots, sitting on some brown dirt under a tree.
October 27, 2025 at 6:06 PM
annarichland.bsky.social
I was just at the V&A and the jewelry section has a huge display case filled with exactly those, 1920s tiny metal bedazzled vanity cases (for cigarettes, powder, lipstick, etc). I spent so long there - thinking of my grandmother - I have her old (mass-produced) one.

Tic tacs would be perfect.
Photo of a small metal case decorated with an cloisoinnerie phoenix in a bright colors, red trim, and diamonds or rhinestones. Way over the top method of carrying around a cigarette and lipstick. Women never had pockets, did they?
October 18, 2025 at 2:31 PM
annarichland.bsky.social
The #WIPSnips for Oct 9 is "battery," which felt prophetic b/c I had the check oil light come on yesterday on my way home, so I have car stuff to do today when I should be writing! #writesky #writingcommunity #romancewriters
Text in the graphic reads: His mother looked like she was waiting, the spoon still held in the air and her head tilted a little as she watched him. It was his mom, so she could undoubtedly read him well enough to know he was struggling with something big. It felt like he could hear everything in the room. The brush of denim on denim, the creak of the old floor, a crow outside. But he didn’t hear a word from her. “I’m gay.” He hadn’t thought it possible, but the kitchen was even quieter, so she must have heard what he said. At least he didn’t have to repeat himself, especially since he didn’t think he had the energy. Her eyes got really big and her mouth started to open, the same time as his heart started to crack. He turned to the sink and started the water. His hands were sticky. His eyes were sticky. He was a car with an empty gas tank and now he had just enough fumes to get to the side of the road, but damn, he didn’t even have enough battery for a hazard blinker.
October 9, 2025 at 5:51 PM
annarichland.bsky.social
OG sandals and socks! (Chelsea Embankment, London).

Who will rid me of this troublesome fashion faux pas?

#arthistory #london #sandals
Close up of a bronze statue's foot, showing a foot peaking out from under the hem of an ecclesiastical robe. Foot is clad in a perforated show that looks a lot like a modern Keen brand sandal. Statue of St. Thomas More, famously killed by knights of King Henry VIII, in a seated pose and bedecked in robes and jewelry of his office.
October 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM
annarichland.bsky.social
The Old World is dying, and the New World struggles to be born; Now is the Time of Monsters.

(Do you have a monster for me on this lovely Friday?)
A photo of a stuffed purple hippo toy sitting on top of a large stuffed corgi toy
September 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
annarichland.bsky.social
There was a cute dog!!!
American League West Division winners, the Seattle Mariners, pose on the field with a cute golden dog, maybe a retriever.
September 25, 2025 at 5:30 AM
annarichland.bsky.social
#bigdumper does it again! This place is wild! #marinersbaseball #whereiroot #iloveseattle
Photo of scoreboard at baseball game, showing American League single season home run records. Cal Raleigh just tied Babe Ruth for the third spot, at 60 HRs. Aaron Judge has 62 and Roger Maris has 61 Baseball sign at T Mobile park says "Cal Raleigh 60 Home Runs"
September 25, 2025 at 4:00 AM
annarichland.bsky.social
Also, I highly recommend @kdcaseywrites.bsky.social , who has some HOT baseball stories. And hot baseball stars.

(Also just follow her for baseball snark, okay?)

www.amazon.com/Breakout-Yea...
Book cover for the romance novel Breakout Year by KD Casey, the cover has many cute cartoon illustrations of baseball equipment on a green background, which is really funny because it's a hot book and these illustrations are cute.
September 25, 2025 at 3:20 AM
annarichland.bsky.social
Oh hey, a few other people are at this game! I write #romancenovels with veterans and immigrants and people who want to make the world better (and have some fun). But I have #baseballromance recs.

Try @laurenblakely.bsky.social 's baseball collection:
www.amazon.com/Rules-Love-C...
Image of four romance novels by Lauren Blakely in a collection called The Rules of Love.
September 25, 2025 at 3:20 AM
annarichland.bsky.social
What a first inning! They've broken my heart before, but tonight I'm feeling big 1995 energy. I was in the very top row of the Kingdome for one of those playoff games, and I am READY.

PS when does Humpy Salmon get to win a race?
#letsgomariners #mariners #octoberbaseball #whereiroot
Smiling middle aged lady (Anna) in the stands at T Mobile baseball park Illuminated baseball park sign than says " Home Run" in neon colors, with soupy grayish yellow air in the background because wildfires and climate change suck. Foreground is a baseball diamond.
September 25, 2025 at 2:44 AM
annarichland.bsky.social
Thank you! Right now this is my watercolor painting style (I did these most recently for my son). I am soooo invested in paints and paper🤣 but I see other artist's work and my brain jumps the tracks and wants to try it and the other part of me is wildly saying no no no you have enough to do.
Watercolor painting of a cartoon bear standing behind a pink and purple birthday cake A present wrapped in white paper decorated with a watercolor painting of a city skyline A present wrapped in white paper decorated with a watercolor painting of several cartoon birthday cakes and cupcakes
September 19, 2025 at 2:00 AM
annarichland.bsky.social
I'll happily recommend this b/c I'm going bold with the self promo. A veteran who gets excellent health care, a fish scientist doing valuable work for the federal govt, and a Thanksgiving road trip. I published in 2014 with Carina, but now I've reissued it in KU.

www.amazon.com/His-Road-Hom...
An arrows trope image for the romance novel titled His Road Home by Anna Richland. The arrows lead to the following four phrases: Scientist heroine, slow burn, veteran hero, road trip.
September 12, 2025 at 6:38 PM
annarichland.bsky.social
Ages ago Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer wrote a paranormal romantic suspense called Wild Ride set in the "Dreamland" amusement park, allegedly in Ohio, but which was totally based on Kennywood in Pittsburgh, PA. There's also a crazy kid's series set in a park called "Fun Jungle." It's a thing.
A book cover for "Belly Up" by NY Times Bestselling author Stuart Gibbs. The cover art shows a cartoon hippo floating legs up, eyes in the dead X. Yes, a dead charismatic mega-fauna hippo on the cover of a kid's book. Gruesome little peepers, aren't they?
September 10, 2025 at 7:13 PM
annarichland.bsky.social
Connor is content to drink beer, eat grilled corn brushed with Taijin seasoning, and hang out under the trees festooned with twinkling fairy lights.

He insists on visiting the baby pig display and the 4-H petting zoo--rabbits are very soft--and showing Jonathan a milking demonstration.
Image credited to website for Bethune Lane Dairy in Australia. Photo shows a grinning person in a pink plaid shirt, blue ball cap, and blue apron hooking milking apparatus of tubes and suction / vacuum attachments to the udder of a large black and white dairy cow.
September 10, 2025 at 7:01 PM
annarichland.bsky.social
Jonathan really wants to ride the giant swing carousel thing - he's an ex-figure skater, loves being high in the air, rotations are cool, and he can totally fit in the seats.

It's night, so no one is worried about sunblock, but they could use some jerk-block, if that was a thing.
A photo of a ride from the Puyallup Fair in Washington State. It is like a giant carousel, but the seats are bucket swings that go high up in the air and spin out from the central post as the ride twirls.
September 10, 2025 at 7:01 PM
annarichland.bsky.social
Almost fifty years later, and I finally found Gilligan's Island (for the rest of you, it's in Trout Lake in Burnaby BC).

My childhood training is paying off!
A photo of a middle aged woman, absolutely prepared for disaster, standing near woods with a sign that says "Danger! Deep Mud Keep Out" and has a drawing of a man sinking in mud, struggling dramatically.
September 9, 2025 at 2:28 AM
annarichland.bsky.social
Holy crap, my spouse and I went to a Brooks store today and bought socks together, and was the cute sales person looking or *looking* because we were all three of us talking about socks?
Photo of two packages of Brooks brand white socks, different styles, on a sheet
September 8, 2025 at 1:50 AM
annarichland.bsky.social
My first kid turns 22 soon, so I decorated the packages and painted a card for him.
#watercolors
#watercolorpainting
#lineandwashpainting
#art #watercolorart
A package wrapped in white paper, covered with watercolor cartoons of birthday cakes and cupcakes. A watercolor painting of a cartoon brown bear standing behind a birthday cake, to be a card. A shirt box wrapped in white paper with a watercolor and ink sketch of a city skyline decorating the box
September 6, 2025 at 5:50 AM
annarichland.bsky.social
I was painting again today. My first born has a birthday soon, so I made a little thing.
A watercolor painting in a light-hearted cartoon style showing a happy brown bear standing with a fancy birthday cake.
September 3, 2025 at 8:27 PM
annarichland.bsky.social
BUT ... did you ...
A cartoon of a blue microwave with a steaming bowl in side, perhaps referring to a certain Gail-induced controversy about how to prepare a brown water beverage.
September 2, 2025 at 4:41 AM