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An Amazing Weekend

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This last weekend, I took my first writing-rated trip since before COVID hit, and it was a weekend worth waiting for even if it started with a delayed flight and ended with a cancelled one.

I arrived in Minneapolis too late to join in the Bethany House author dinner, but my roomie, Regina Jennings, brought me a chocolate chip cookie that brought a touch of sweetness to my first night. Good friends are such a treasure!

The next morning, those of us attending the writers retreat in Little Falls who are published by Bethany House had the chance to visit the Bethany House offices and meet editors, marketing, and designers in person. Such a valuable time!

Me and Paul Higdon, the Art Director who oversees all the cover designs. We are posed by The Heart’s Charge on his cover wall. Notice the cool old rifle and rope in the background.

And it wasn’t just business. We were allowed to raid the book wall and help ourselves to free books as we as take some fun photos. I couldn’t resist the rolling library ladder and the prop parasol.

After this fabulous visit, we traveled a few hours to Little Falls and ended up at this incredible 19th century mansion. Build by a pair of lumber barons, this house has been gorgeously maintained. Filled with antique furnishings there were bookcases in nearly every room. I loved it! I took far too many pictures to share them all, but here are a few of my favorites:

The Musser Mansion, where our retreat was held.
There is another bookcase to the left of this wingback chair, but I wanted you to see the gorgeous dark wood, shelves, and tucked away window seats. Such a fun book nook!
This is the large music room where we would gather to chat and brainstorm. I love the large bookcases and windows. Such a light and festive space!
Besides all the elegant furnishings, there was also this fabulously quirky gate. Don’t you love the old-fashioned bicycles?
Amy Lynn Green and Jocelyn Green – the two best roomies, ever!

The Mississippi River runs directly behind the house and made for a lovely walk around the grounds. The river also lends its name to the readers retreat that took place on Saturday – The Mississippi River Reader’s Retreat.

There was a fabulous lineup of authors participating!

We had a full day of games and round robin table hopping to meet dozens of readers. What a joy to meet readers face-to-face that I had only met online. So many wonderful stories and hugs and photos. Such an amazing day. And it was all thanks to these two ladies. This mother and daughter team dedicated so much time and effort to this event. Great job, Mandy and Joyce!

What a crazy, wonderful trip! I don’t even mind too much that my flight was cancelled, forcing me to stay in a hotel an extra night.

If you had been able to attend the Mississippi River Reader’s Retreat, which of the attending authors would you have wanted to grab an autograph from?

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Karen Witemeyer

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
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Comments

  1. These are such wonderful pictures! And you are just the cutest thing, Karen. That pic of you with the parasol! Love it! Let’s see, if I were there, I’d want an autograph from you. Oh wait, we did that! It really was a weekend to remember.

  2. Sounds like a wonderful retreat – beautiful pictures! I would love to visit that mansion.

    Authors to meet and get autographs – you, Julie Klassen (although I have hers on a bookplate), Jocelyn Green, Michelle Griep, Colleen Coble, Erica Vetch, Kimberley Woodhouse. I credit Julie Klassen with leading me to all of you – through her website to this blog to other authors as I searched for her books in the Christian fiction section.

    So glad you had a good time!

  3. The Musser House! I have a photograph of me in 50’s get-up lounging in that exact window seat, from my senior year of high school when a friend’s mom rented it out so we could have an overnight murder mystery party. It would be a wonderful place for a retreat!

  6. As a fortunate reader attendee, I second the fabulous weekend! Karen visited our table, along with Cynthia Ruchti, Julie Klassen, Kimberly Woodhouse, Stehpanie Landsem, Lindsey Harrel, Lorna Seilstad, Michelle Griep and Regina Jennings. I had to track down Lauraine Snelling and Jamie Jo Wright for their autographs. Then, sigh, we had to go home – with about 15 books in tow!!!!

  7. I had hoped to be home that week, but it just didn’t work out. I was SO bummed! Aside from you (because I would’ve brought a LOT of books) I would’ve had Jaime Jo Wright!! I mean, let’s be honest, I would’ve lined up to see everyone. HA!

  8. I’m a day late in replying, but had to say I loved this post! SO glad you had such a fun weekend, Karen. And that mansion—oh my goodness! 🙂
    Thank you for sharing these photos (I enjoy living vicariously through my writer friends who travel, LOL!). 😉
    Hugs, Patti Jo

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