SEATTLE or BUST!

This past weekend, I had the wonderful pleasure of flying out to Seattle, Washington for the Northwest Bookfest.  I got to meet some amazing ladies and fellow Jane Austen fans.

To start off, I stayed with the beautiful Laurel Ann Nattress in her charming cottage. I had been hoping to meet Laurel for a few years now, so this was beyond a dream come true for me. This was my room for the stay.  Her whole house was filled with antiques--just stunning!

We had our very own booth called Austenesque Authors and I don't think any of us have ever laughed as hard as we did!  Never put four authors/Jane lovers in the same booth together.  We were definitely a lively bunch.  Shannon Winslow (on the left) has written her very own sequel to Pride & Prejudice (the one true sequel ;) ) and Laurel Ann Nattress (center) compiled and edited a collection of short stories from famous authors into a very fun book called: Jane Austen Made Me Do It, Susan Mason-Milks has done a variation of Pride & Prejudice, which I can't wait to read!

(You can see on the far left my books for sale.)

Oh, and you might not be able to make them out, but each of these ladies wore fabulous scarves which I was wildly jealous about!

(Oh! And Shannon painted the painting above their heads.Isn't it gorgeous?  It's also the cover of one of her books.)

This amazing guy also made an appearance in our booth.  Thanks to Laurel Ann's friends over at PBS we were able to get a nice sized print of him up for photo-ops.  I was most definitely one of the first in line.  Hehehe!  What girl wouldn't want her picture taken with Mr. Darcy himself?  *sigh*

This was definitely the biggest hit of the booth. 

On Monday Laurel Ann took me to Pike's Place Market where we met up with Susan for even more laughs.  I had never seen such a fun bustle of activity before and took a lot of pics.  I couldn't believe it when I saw these huge bouquets of flowers for only $5!!  Gorgeous!

For lunch we ate at the Athenian Restaurant (over 100 years old!) which is where they filmed part of Sleepless in Seattle.  See?  Proof. 

We ate upstairs where the views were spectacular.

The day couldn't have been brighter and full of sunshine. 

(This is through the misty windows of the restaurant)

I have never seen such a more unique and beautiful place as Seattle.  Now I'm just going to have to find a way to get back there. :)

This was certainly a treat!  And for one awesome weekend I felt like Claire Hart from Northanger Alibi--getting to truly see Seattle for the very first time.

Thank you Laurel Ann, you were the most perfect hostess.  And to Susan and Shannon, I enjoyed every moment of your company.

However, I feel like this most certainly won't be the last we see of each other.  We did come up with that very fun idea for a book of our own at the end there... *grins*

It will be fabulous!

If you're looking to try out new authors or know a Jane Austen fan and need something for a gift look no further.  These ladies have made shopping for my mom very easy this Christmas. :)

To check out Susan Mason-Milks book Mr Darcy's Proposal go here.

For Shannon Winslow's The Darcy's of Pemberley go here or her Regency novel For Myself Alone go here.

or for Laurel Ann Nattress's collection of short stories go here.