seattle
Tag
5 reasons I love autumn in Seattle
Welcome, autumn! I hope you’re enjoying the change of season. I certainly am. There are many reasons so many people love this time of year, but I’m listing my top 5.
1. It’s the perfect time for a staycation. September through November is the best time to visit Seattle, according to U.S. News & World Report. The tourists crowds have thinned and temperatures have cooled, making it easier to visit popular destinations and landmarks.
2. Snoqualmie Falls! Located 29 miles from downtown Seattle, this scenic attraction is located in a two-acre park, which includes a gift shop and observation deck. It’s the perfect backdrop for autumn’s spectacular foliage. 
3. Apple picking. For many people, a trip to the local apple orchard to pick apples and then snack on hot cider and donuts is an annual tradition. The mild autumn weather makes a visit to the orchard especially pleasurable, and the multitude of local orchards makes for a great afternoon outing with family and friends. Check out these easy recipes for applesauce, apple crisp and apple butter before you bring home a bushel.
4. Yurt camping. Outdoor enthusiasts love autumn, but let’s be honest. Sometimes the Pacific Northwest weather can be drizzly and damp. Camping in a yurt means you don’t have to cancel your plans if the weather isn’t cooperating.
5. Local harvest festivals and neighborhood celebrations. Many of the communities in and around Seattle hold special events this time of year. Online listings can help you discover a nearby pumpkin patch, fall festival or other autumn celebration.
What is your favorite thing about autumn? Add it to the list!
Finding inspiration in Seattle
I frequently feature actual Seattle landmarks in my Grayce Walters series, partly because I love my home city and partly to create a sense of realism for readers who are familiar with this region. Part of the storyline for Marriage Under Fire, the September release in my contemporary romantic suspense series, was inspired by Seattle’s local refugee and immigrant community.
One of my primary research resources for this was the Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA), an organization that provides assistance and support to refugee and immigrant women and their families. ReWA has been active in Seattle’s multicultural community for more than 30 years and their work is life changing. Here are some of their accomplishments and compelling facts:
- Services are available in more than 60 languages/dialects
- More than 30 percent of King County residents are foreign-born, based on the 2010 Census
- ReWA helps refugees learn English, find housing and jobs, and gain U.S. citizenship
- Services from ReWA also include domestic violence aid, youth & senior programs, and meals
Yet another reason I love being a romantic suspense author is being able to showcase incredible organizations such as this that make a difference in the community.
Researching Seattle farmers markets for Marriage Under Fire
I’m currently working on MARRIAGE UNDER FIRE, Book 4 in the Grayce Walters contemporary romantic suspense series. One of the scenes is set in the Columbia City Farmers Market where Maddy and Hunter are working undercover.
Seattle has seven neighborhood farmers markets, each of which offers locally grown produce, artisan food products, meat and seafood, and other farm-fresh products. South Seattle’s Columbia City farmers market features one of the most diverse populations of all the markets.
I love incorporating actual Seattle locations into my books, both to lend authenticity to the storyline but also to introduce readers to neighborhood locales they may not be familiar with. Researching local farmers markets was no hardship because I had the opportunity to experience the local Pacific Northwest’s bounty.
Photos from Columbia City Farmers Market Facebook page.
Cover Reveal: MEN UNDER FIRE
MEN UNDER FIRE, Book 3 in the Grayce Walters series has a cover! Meet Nick Welby. He looks exactly as I imagined my hero from WOMEN UNDER FIRE. Nick brings Talley, his bomb-sniffing dog, to Grayce for help in treating the dog’s PTSD following an IED explosion having heard of Grayce’s healing abilities using animal acupuncture. Thanks to Kim Killion for another fantastic cover design.
Dancing with the Swans
What is your favorite ballet?