I’ve spent the last few days in sunny San Diego, which was my hometown until about a year ago when I moved closer to LA.  I’m here for a conference, and since I don’t have much time to visit my favorite spots this time, I thought I’d list a few of them here for those who may be in town for a few days on vacation.

These are a few of my favorite (places):

1. Coronado, a short drive over the bridge or short ferry ride from downtown.  I got married on the beach at Coronado Shores (see picture), lived here for about a year as a 22-year-old renting a loft above a garage, and visited here with family as a teenager.  Bay Books on Orange Avenue and the famous Hotel Del Coronado are the not-to-miss spots.

2. San Diego Zoo.  Wonderful with kids, wonderful without kids.  This is a gorgeous zoo without the cages you usually see.  I used to have an annual pass and come here on my lunch breaks to eat my sandwich while  watching monkeys.

3. Balboa Park.  My favorite for museums, art, and architecture.  There’s more than you can see in a day so it is helpful to pick a theme and go with it.  If you have an interest in art, definitely make sure to get to the Timken Museum there, which is a small, free museum that features some great pieces (including a Rembrandt).

4. La Jolla Shores.  Another beautiful beach for walking, some romantic places to eat, not overly busy.  My best friend (and now husband) proposed to me here.

5. Downtown/ The Gaslamp/ Seaport Village.  For shopping.  For nightclubs.  For good food.  Even for baseball games at Petco Park.  Downtown has it all (except free parking).

Farewell well mauve sunset + turquoise lake theme from 2009!  Welcome to the redesign… we hope you enjoy the fresh look and feel.  –Trisha

From the website: “Listed… are a few of the best books representing the literary world and the arts. Each book created an impact for our readers/reviewers and the Sankofa Literary Society network. Our literary hallmarks indicate excellence in writing. Here are the books we want to showcase to the world…”

–Trisha

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*****

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Nihon Nights

by

Trisha Haddad & Monica Haddad

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Available from Genesis Press January 2011

http://www.genesis-press.com/

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*****

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Abigail Dennis has spent the last five years in exotic Japan, working her way up the ranks at English World to become the head of the Nagoya schools.  While the school has fallen into a financial crisis, not paying staff in a month, Abigail trusts they will pull through.  That is, until golden-curled London Crane arrives from Maui, hired to teach without any warning about the economic issues.  Despite their immediate attraction, the relationship is strained with London’s cynicism and Abigail’s corporate loyalty.

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Suddenly, English World’s CEO is missing.  Rumors fly.  London is impressed with the action Abigail takes to protect her staff and students and, as the two explore temples, festivals, and each other, passion deepens to love.

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Tension mounts as Abigail’s nationwide counterparts begin to disappear.  London insists she go home to protect herself, and she bristles at his demands, arguing that Nihon (Japan) is her home and she’s needed there during the crisis.  Will the new love Abigail and London have found survive the economic turmoil and criminal suspicions that surround them?  Will Abigail survive at all?

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*****

Nihon Nights

by

Trisha Haddad & Monica Haddad

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Available now from

Barnes & Noble, Borders,

Amazon.com, Target.com,

and other leading booksellers worldwide.

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*****

–Trisha

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*****

Best of Luck Elsewhere

by Trisha Haddad

Available from Genesis Press April 2009

http://www.genesis-press.com/

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*****

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Eliza Tahan, assistant editor at J Press, worries she might become the target of a disgruntled author after her boss is murdered and a form rejection letter is found on the scene. Though her boss is the star of the company, it’s Eliza that actually makes decisions for the department. And the murderer must have realized his mistake, because Eliza’s suddenly a target.

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Toss in a tragic family history, an absent mother in Botswana, and a sister working for the Department of Homeland Security and stealing the family spotlight… and Eliza can barely hold her life together at a level of normalcy. She’s certainly not equipped to be solving murders. As she argues, “I’m not a detective. I’m a mystery editor. I don’t know whodunit until I read the last pages of a manuscript.”

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But when the Editor of the local newspaper’s book section becomes more than just a professional acquaintance, their growing passion urges Eliza to overcome her past and her passivity to find the author-turned-murderer before she is pegged with the crime or, worse yet, before she or someone she loves becomes the next victim.

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*****

Best of Luck Elsewhere

by Trisha Haddad

Available from Genesis Press April 2009

http://www.genesis-press.com/

*****

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Available now from

Barnes & Noble, Borders, B.Dalton,

Amazon.com, Target.com,

and other leading booksellers worldwide.

*****

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“The plot unfolds gracefully to reveal a surprise ending.

A sizzling romance between Eliza and Adam Mestas…

adds a bit of spice.”

–Lillian Cox, San Diego Union-Tribune, and Today’s Local News

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“BEST OF LUCK ELSEWHERE was a quiet story that became a mystery…

I enjoyed Haddad’s freshman adventure, it kept me in suspense

as she highlighted how things are never as they seem.”

–Ann Brown, RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

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