I just got in last night from New York City after attending the Romance Writers of America annual conference. This is always such a great time to visit with writer friends, meet with my editor and agent, and sit in on workshops. It’s a whirlwind couple of days, but so worth it. As authors, its very easy to get caught up in the imaginary worlds we create, so going away is a wonderful way to recharge and reset.

This year, I traveled with a friend. Before hand, we made a list of the places we wanted to see while in New York. We hit every place, but today I wanted to focus on two literary locations we enjoyed every much.

First, we went to the Morgan Library and Museum. In 1924 J. P. Morgan, Jr. gave his father’s library to the public. The most influential financier in this country’s history, John Pierpont Morgan was also a voracious collector. He collected art objects in virtually every medium, including the rare books, manuscripts, drawings, prints, and ancient artifacts that are the core of library. Morgan decided to build the library next to his brownstone at the corner of Madison Avenue and 36th Street. It’s a beautiful place to see books that are truly works of art. What an incredible library, as you’ll see in the pictures.

After visiting the museum, our next stop was the Algonquin Hotel, the gathering place of Dorothy Parker and her notorious group of writer friends. In the early 1900’s, the hotel became the site of the daily meetings of the Algonquin Round Table group of journalists, authors, publicists and actors who gathered in the main dining room.

We had dinner right beside the original table where the creative people met. Above the table is a painting of the group who met there.

All in all, it was an amazing trip. Now I have to get back to work and real life, but last week we created lasting memories that may, or may not, end up in a book.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her next Harlequin Heartwarming romance, TRUSTING HER HEART, available August 2019.  Visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter and receive a link to download a free digital book.