Hi friends,
Always happy to spend time with you! I hope you’re having a wonderful week. Right now, my husband and I are in North Carolina celebrating our 27th anniversary at our favorite spot—the beach!
Not too long ago we were in Baltimore. In the quaint, waterfront neighborhood of Fells Point. It’s steeped in maritime history and has the air of a sea-fearing town. My family and I spend a lot of time down there. Several weekends ago, to celebrate the launch of my tenth novel, The Killing Tide, I invited readers to join me in Fells Point for a fun day. I thought a few local readers would join me and I was thrilled about it. I love spending time with fellow book-lovers. I love talking story, characters, setting, and favorite fellow authors.
Completely to my shock and amazement, awesome readers came in from out of state—New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and more. It was the most wonderful weekend and was such a blessing for me. Sharing the time with them reminded me yet again why I write—to share the love of story and to glorify God through those stories.
Here are a few pics of our adventurous day! Hope you can join us next year.
We started our day on a private boat ride around the Baltimore Harbor. Seeing it from the water gave us a unique perspective. We were able to see Ft. McHenry in the same way as the British and Francis Scott Key, who was being held during the siege, did.
On an aside, we went back to visit Ft. McHenry the next day with one of my new friends and they asked my husband to raise the flag in honor of his military service. I was so amazingly proud.
Next, we enjoyed a catered lunch at Alexander’s Tavern. It’s a favorite brunch spot for my family. Carrie and her team were amazing!
Last but not least, we did a tour of all the locations I shared in my Chesapeake Valor series where the novels were set.
It was such a fun day and I was so blessed by the new friendships made. Love how God works!
Reader Question:
If you could spend the afternoon with any author, who would you pick? If I could go back in time, I’d love to hang out with Jane Austen.
Have a great week!
Dani
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I love meeting my favorite authors…spending an afternoon with them would be even better! I’ve met Julie Klassen and Michelle Griep and would spend more time with both of them. I LOVE your books ( and the east coast) so I would’ve loved your weekend!Karen Witemeyer’s reader weekend would’ve been fun, too. From the past, Austen, Gaskell, and Braddon would be fun. Sorry…you asked for one author, but it’s so hard to narrow it down to one!
Julie is an absolute sweetheart and so is Karen! Privileged to call them friends. Oh yes, Gaskell would be awesome too! Great picks.
What a wonderful day, Dani! It looks like you and your readers had a marvelous time. I adore all the history steeped in the east coast. Before I started writing, my hubby and I took a random trip to Baltimore (one of those throw a dart at a map kind of choices) and we still treasure those memories. Historic sites for me (Betsy Ross’s house, the harbor where the Start Spangled Banner was born) the national aquarium for him, and the best crab cakes ever for the both of us.
I hope you and your hubby are enjoying a relaxing, romantic anniversary at the beach. 🙂
What a fun event! I’d love to visit with Jan Karon in a Mitford-like city in NC.
Hi Barbara,
That would be SO cool!
Hey Karen,
That’s so cool. I didn’t realize you guys had done a Baltimore trip. Yep. There’s a lot of history here.
I love the aquarium too. Fun to visit with the boys.
Thanks. We’re having a wonderful time. Sat on the beach with our coffee and watched the sunrise today.
What a great day for you AND your readers! Love this!
Thanks, friend <3
This is a difficult question! I’d like to meet the writers of the Bible; in today’s modern world, I’d love to meet Dee Henderson! I love the characters in her suspense books!
I have a hard time picking only one! My choice(s) would be Lori Wick, Colleen Coble, Karen Witemeyer, Tamara Alexander and Mary Coneally!
Wow what an honor to have all those readers join you. Looks like a fun weekend. I’m making notes for travel when hubby retires in November. Welcome to NC! Which beach did you pick? I’ve been going to our beaches for over 55 years.