Shannon here: My scheduled author had to cancel, so you get me sharing our summer trip when two traditions came together in Memphis. Comment or answer the question in any post dated Sept 1st – 29th to enter the drawing for a print copy of Linda Rodante’s, Romantic Mystery Suspense, Waterfall plus 4 other titles. Deadline: Oct 1oth, 11:59 pm central time.
Still Shannon:
On our son’s eighteenth birthday, we took him to Bass Pro in the Pyramid for an overnight stay. When we went up to our room, we told him we were only getting a tour. And then we stayed. It was so cozy, rustic, and fun. We ate at both restaurants inside the Pyramid, shopped til we dropped, went to our room, rested up, and went again. Everything you could possibly need is there. There’s no reason to leave.
Our son loved it. We did too. That’s my husband enjoying the balcony. We decided we’d make a point to go once a year. The next time we went, our son was working. The next time, he was married. We tried to get them to go with us. But newlyweds don’t want to hang with the parents. Every year, we try to get them to go with us, especially since they made us grandparents. But so far, it’s been a no go. So, we’re facing it. We’re empty nesters now. A family of two.
We usually make our Memphis trip in the summer. It’s that not having to leave thing. We go in, stay,
shop, eat. All without stepping outside or sweating. We love sitting on our balcony overlooking the store, hearing the waterfall, watching the live ducks and huge catfish. It’s like sitting on an air conditioned screened porch.
This year, the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference was in Memphis at the Peabody Hotel. ACFW Con is another most years tradition since 2005. My husband and son went with me to my first several. Until our son started school. After that, I went to several conferences with writer friends. The conference is in a different city every few years. I go if it’s in driving distance. With both traditions coinciding in Memphis, I had to go.
And since we’re empty nesters and the reward was a stay at Bass Pro, my husband went with me. I was torn. I wanted to go to the conference, but I wanted to enjoy our stay. The conference is a three day event, but I ended up going only one day. I didn’t get to see the Peabody ducks, but I got to go to two classes, had a brainstorming session with a well-published author, saw some writer friends I hadn’t seen in years, met with two editors, and sat with my agent at lunch. Just the lunch company was worth it all.
Then I went back and relaxed with my husband on our air conditioned, screened porch. And saw ducks swimming below. We even went out into the upstairs lobby by a huge fireplace. Grant worked on a sermon while I worked on the book I’m currently writing.
I got no pictures. The Bass Pro ones above are from past visits. I did get one shot at the conference. This is, Lynn Watson, one of my authors I’ve done some freelance editing for. Be sure to Google her Historical Romance books. This was the first time we met in person. We got to spend a few down time minutes together chatting.
The conference will be in Memphis again next year. And we’re already planning to go. Maybe I’ll see the Peabody ducks too this time. Til then. . .
Reader Question: Where are your favorite family tradition destinations? What do you love about the trips?
September 2026 Book Bundle
Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks, Time-Travel Science Fiction, e-book
Treading Water: Barely Above Water by Gail Pallotta, Contemporary Romance, Kindle e-book
One Last Stand by Melanie Campbell, Contemporary Women’s Fiction, print.
Escape to Whispering Creek by Barbara M. Britton, Contemporary Romance, print
Waterfall by Linda Rodante, Romantic Mystery Suspense, print
About Shannon: Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does.
She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. Shannon is Scrivenings Press Acquisitions/Content Editor for Contemporary titles. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and adult son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects. Learn more and connect with her:
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Our favorite family tradition is camping trips to the ocean. We love being together, unplugging from everyday life, enjoying the beautiful scenery, and making simple memories around the campfire, exploring the beach, and watching the sunset. The trips give us a chance to slow down, reconnect as a family, and enjoy time together without all the distractions of everyday life.
That sounds fun, Natalya. I’ve never been camping. I don’t do tents with no electricity or bathroom and I’ve never had a camper. I do love the beach. Not swimming so much. Just gathering shells is my thing.
I don’t have any favorite family tradition destinations.
Maybe one day, Diana. My husband doesn’t even hunt or fish. Nor do I. But we both love rustic.