Hipmunk Hotels: Washington State’s Areas to Stay and Play

My bucket list travels have me heading to the great Northwest to see an old friend. Although it’s in enemy NFL territory (I am not a Seahawks fan), I have always wanted to check out what Washington State has to offer. While exploring, the spectacular area, I look forward to staying at some unique hotels in the region as well.

Tacoma, Washington

While it’s cold, this time of year and I’m not in shape to take a frozen trek up Mount Rainer. Tacoma, Washington will be as adventurous as I will get. The third largest city in the area, Tacoma has a rich heritage as the nickname “City of Destiny” can attest to. It houses several hotels, boutique and AirBNB spots within walking distance to its most impressive structure, the Museum of Glass. Anything you wanted to know about the creation, history and origin of glass will be found in this uniquely designed building created by architect Arthur Erickson. The interior of the museum and it’s exhibits are just has spectacular as the outside.

Glass

Photo provided via Trover.com by Ryan Coleman

Kent, Washington

Named by Sports Illustrated as the Sportstown of the year in 2003, Kent, Washington is the birthplace of several professional sports figures from soccer, MLB, NBA and the NFL. For a town so far north, it’s temperatures are unusually mild in the winter months. If you’re visiting Kent, Washington, you need to stay in one of the suite hotels in the center of town. Or make sure you stay within walking distance of Mug Bugs, this Tacoma attraction where you can grab a hot cup of joe and sit around with visitors and locals alike to try to figure out how that VW Bug got in there.

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Photo provided via Trover.com by Kevin Listoa

Sea-Tac, Washington

The transportation hub of the great northwest, Sea-Tac, Washington houses the Seattle – Tacoma International Airport. The airport is a city in itself, which has many hotels at different prices ranges to choose from. The airport is an attraction in of itself. It creates opportunities for artist and musicians to showcase their talents and show the visitor to the area what Seattle and Tacoma have to offer. The artwork ranges from sculptures, graffiti and paintings of local landmarks. In 2013, the airport created a program, which allows local musicians to perform in various locations throughout the airport.

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Image provided via Trover.com by Lucy

Spokane, Washington

Over 13,000 years ago, Native Americans inhabited Spokane, Washington. That’s a long time ago by America standards. One of the most visually stunning parts of the country, the city sits in the northern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Although I’m afraid of heights, I like to challenge myself. The best way to see the scenery is by taking the Spokane Falls SkyRide. The cable ride takes you on a 15-minute ride over the Spokane River and shows you the power of the dams, which generates electrical power for the hotels and residents in the entire region.

Spokane

Photo provided via Trover.com by Terry Fletcher

Monthly Update – Is it February Already?

New Logo – I’m in the process of rebranding Sydney Aaliyah Michelle and step one, a new logo. I love it. Thanks so much to Cassy Roop of Pink Ink Designs.

Logo

Quote of the Month: “As long as there’s light we got a chance.” -Poe (StarWars VII)

Movie’s Watched: 

The Big Short – That whole real estate, financial debaucle, now I understand! And, some people made a lot of money off of it.

The Revenant – Is as brilliantly done as the hype. I loved it.

13 Hours: The Secret Soilders of Benghazi – Makes me want to dust off that military romance I’ve been working on for four years.

Concussion – They tried to balance it out, but it was scary but disconnected to what I know about the NFL.

StarWars: Episode VII Force Awakens – It was good, but not as good as Episode IV, V, VI. Oh, but I’m excited about the series continuing.

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This post is my entry for the Lost & Found: Valentine’s Edition blog hop hosted by Guilie Castillo-OriardAlex J CavanaughDenise CoveyYolanda ReneeElizabeth Seckman, and Arlee Bird.  Be sure to visit all of the hosts for this event.  To find the full list of participants visit the list on Tossing It Out or any of the host sites.

Lost & Found Love – I love these stories. My debut novel was a lost and found love story.

My lost and found love story would be about me finding my passion.

I had a good job. It paid well. I got to travel and meet interesting people.

BUT . . .

I wasn’t passionate about it. I didn’t love it. It didn’t inspire me. So I gave it all up and now am living the starving artist, working a part-time job and working 24/7.

I love every minute of it.

February News – It’s Release Day . . . tomorrow!

VPK Final 14

 

Candy and canines. Flowers and felines. Celebrate this Valentine’s Day with your sweethearts of the human and fuzzy varieties!

Nothing is more heart-warming than kisses from the pet who adores you and the man who loves you, so snuggle up with VALENTINE PETS & KISSES — an anthology of fourteen sweet romances from USA Today bestselling and award-winning authors — and strike the perfect mood for moonlit walks and candlelight dinners with your pet and sweetheart.

 

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | iBook | Google Play | Kobo

Goals for February 2016

Write:

  • Finish Genna’s Encore – 4,000 more words
  • Start New Project – So excited about this one. It’s going to be fun to write. Can’t tell you any more at the moment.

Edit:

  • Anxious Love
  • Genna’s Last Song
  • Genna’s Encore

What’s your Lost & Found story? What are your goals for February? 

 

Talon by Sybil Bartel – Cover Reveal

Tattooed Marine with a chip on his shoulder. Yes, please. – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Talon
Sybil Bartel
(Uncompromising Series, #1)
Publication date: March 1st 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance

Talon

I surf.

I fuck.

I pretend to smile.

Two years ago my life was perfect, until it wasn’t. I scattered my wife’s ashes then walked away from the Marines. I didn’t think I had anything else to lose.

I was wrong.

The blond showed up at my surf shop, beaten and stabbed. I did what I was trained to do—I stitched her up. I didn’t have a clue who she was and I told myself I didn’t care. Until they came looking for her.

I swore I’d take my last breath before I let anyone else hurt her except I didn’t know she was keeping a deadly secret. Now I had two choices, her life or mine.

Marriage and combat taught me the same thing—I was no one’s hero. And I was about to prove it.

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Author Bio:

I grew up in Northern California with my head in a book and my feet in the sand. I dreamt of becoming a painter but the heady scent of libraries with their shelves full of books drew me into the world of storytelling. I love the New Adult genre, but any story about a love so desperately wrong and impossibly beautiful makes me swoon.

I now live in Southern Florida and while I don’t get to read as much as I like, I still bury my toes in the sand. If I’m not writing or fighting to contain the banana plantation in my backyard, you can find me spending time with my handsomely tattooed husband, my brilliantly practical son and a mischievous miniature boxer…

But Seriously?

Here are ten things you probably really want to know about me.

I grew up a faculty brat. I can swear like a sailor. I love men in uniform. I hate being told what to do. I can do your taxes (but don’t ask). The Bird Market in Hong Kong freaks me out. My favorite word is desperate…or dirty, or both—I can’t decide. I have a thing for muscle cars. But never reply on me for driving directions, ever. And I have a new book boyfriend every week—don’t tell my husband.

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Alexa Loved by T.R. Cupak – Book Blitz

I can’t think of anything more tragic than having to live life after a loved one dies. Lots of interesting characters. – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 

Alexa Loved
T.R. Cupak
(Alexa #2)
Publication date: October 6th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

After her parents died during her senior year of high school, Alexa Morgan is completely alone in the world—except for her best-friend-turned-boyfriend Devin, identical twins Becca and Jessa, and Sebastian, a mysterious associate of her father’s.

Upon graduation, Alexa wants nothing more than to move on with her life, go to college, and forget all the hard and hurtful things from her tragic past. But when her first love, Ethan, shows up at her graduation—it kicks off a whirlwind of events that threatens the good and stable things she’s worked so hard to achieve.

Ethan and Alexa shared one night of passion before he disappeared, leaving her bewildered and confused. But now he’s back, declaring that he loves her and that the only reason he left was to protect her from his malicious stepmother, Olivia.

In her heart, Alexa knows she loves Devin, but her attraction to Ethan is so strong she can’t help but be drawn in by their shared chemistry. Meanwhile, the threat of Olivia lurks around the edges, casting a menacing shadow over everything and everyone Alexa loves.

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EXCERPT:

Although it feels like time has completely stopped it most definitely has not. I am completely oblivious to how long Ethan and I have been standing outside my hotel room when we are startled apart by the sound of a very pissed off, deep, familiar voice.

“What the fuck is going on, Lexi?” Devin’s heated voice booms through the open hallway making me cringe and my body turn to stone at the sound. I’m still partially wrapped up in Ethan’s arms but when I finally detangle myself completely out of his hold, I step to the side of him so I can see Devin. I get a pretty good view of him too since he’s standing only a few feet behind Ethan with hate evident in his normally kind eyes. I know shock is all over my face as I stare at Devin as if he’s just a figment of my imagination. Ethan hasn’t moved a muscle. His back is to his enemy yet he chooses to stay facing me. It takes another few seconds before I finally take notice to what Devin is wearing. He has on running shorts and running shoes. His body is glistening with sweat and his face is red as if he was actually outside running in the Miami heat.

What the hell? My emotions are all over the place. Confused, scared, hurt, happy. I swear on my parent’s urns that Devin was just in bed with the twins. How is he standing here like he was actually out for a run and why can’t I find my damned voice to ask that very question? Suddenly I hear the twins’ door to their room open. I turn my attention behind me just as a random guy, who looks like he could be Devin’s fraternal twin brother or doppelganger, exits the twins’ room. My mind automatically fishes for the memory of my conversation with Jesse. Once I replay what he had said privately plus all of the banter with his buddies, I can see how a drunken person could mistake Mr. Random for Devin. The twins’ guest is wearing gray boardshorts and flips flops and steps out carrying his black T-shirt in his hand. He stops when he sees the three of us standing here. I’m sure we’re quite the sight to see. Me, with red watery eyes and airplane stale clothes, Ethan who has not moved but his irritation is quite evident, and Devin who looks as if he is ready to kill Ethan. The stranger who appears to be very much hung over but oozes sexual satisfaction gives us a half smile, says “Hey” to Devin, and inches past the soon-to-be war zone towards the elevator. It’s usually females you see doing the walk of shame but this morning it’s this wonderful guy, this wonderful guy who isn’t Devin. Shit. Devin.

“Answer me, Alexa.” Devin’s voice is seething and it makes me snap my head back around to face him. I glance briefly at Ethan and I see his eyes are screwed shut, jaw tense, the vein in his neck is pulsing, and his fists are clenched at his sides. Well shit. I can’t explain this because I don’t fully understand it all myself. I look back to Devin who is staring at me with so much anger and hurt that it takes my breath away.

Devin takes two steps closer and Ethan’s eyes snap open. Before either one can do anything I step between both of them. I’ve been in this position once before and just like the last time I have no idea what I could or would do if these two decided to throw down. I take another step towards Devin. He just stares down at me waiting for his answer.

My voice is quiet when I finally speak to him. “Devin, I can explain part of this but I can’t explain Ethan being here because I don’t have that answer-yet.”

“Do you think I’m fucking stupid, Lexi?” There is so much pain evident in his voice that my tears start to spill again.

“No, Devin. I don’t think you’re stupid. Can we please go into our room and talk privately?” I know I sound pathetic but that’s probably because I am. I just want to be alone with Devin and figure out this craziness.

Just when I think Devin is going to concede and go into our room with me I feel one of Ethan’s hands settle on my hip and that one tiny gesture sends Devin flying over the proverbial edge. Everything happens so fast that all I feel is my body being shoved out of the way like I’m a ragdoll. I trip over my bags and my head slams against a solid surface and everything goes black.

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Author Bio:

T. R. Cupak was born and raised in the California Bay Area. She now lives in a quiet town south of where she grew up with her husband and their shih tzu Harley. She is obsessed with cars, especially fast ones, and enjoys her music louder than anyone should. When she’s not at work or busy writing, you can find her curled up, reading and enjoying a fabulous glass of wine or a Dirty Shirley.

Despite her lifelong love of literature, Cupak lost touch with her creative side in her early twenties. Her passion for reading was rekindled six years ago, however, and in 2013 she started journaling. This practice helped Cupak hone her creative aspirations, and soon she saw her characters come to life. She has rediscovered her passion for storytelling and wants to share her words with everyone who wants to read them.

Please help support my Thunderclap campaign as well: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/36855-tr-cupak-s-alexa-series

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