I live in New York City, so it’s not difficult to find ten fun things to do here (I mean, there are thousands of books on the subject) but in living here, I’ve found it’s not always about the touristy landmarks like Times Square or Broadway or Little Italy.

There are still these jewels hidden away, places you can go without worrying about crowds and jostling and strange people dressed as Elmo. These are the places that have grown special to me and I’ve come to love, and I am more than happy to share these with you.

1. Farmer’s Markets. I’ve been to markets in the suburbs, and while there’s nothing like being surrounded by fall foliage with the crisp autumn wind cooling your cheeks, there’s also something about wandering in an outside market surrounded by giant high-rise buildings. They pop up almost everywhere—Union Square, Court
Street in Brooklyn, for example. You get the same things as you would in the ‘burbs like pies, apple cider, fresh bread, only with a different background. The juxtaposition, when you think about it, is phenomenal.

2. Happy hour. Never have I been to a place where I have such a variety of drinks to choose from in the span of three hours, and on the cheap. Do I want free sliders with my martini? Free pasta bowl with my wine? Unlimited waffle fries with my beer? While drinks in the city are notoriously expensive (hello, $25 martini) there are many upscale bars that tend to happy hour with all these additional add-ons that not only please your belly but your wallet as well.

3. Anything you want, you can find. Okay, so the advent of Amazon and the like may render this null and void, but when you think of something you want on the fly and don’t want to wait the obligatory two-day shipping period to get it, this is the place to be. Anything from Sailor Moon collectibles to European candy, I can hop on the subway and get in less than forty-five minutes. This is especially important to me because in growing up in different countries (Canada, Australia) I miss certain foods and childhood tokens. Here, I can find both stores and restaurants to satisfy
my foreign cravings.

4. Coffee shops. Such a variety of coffee shops exists here and not just Starbucks (though yes, that’s everywhere of course). This probably goes more towards my penchant for writing in coffee shops, so I always look to find the perfect one, with both wireless and a chill background (no screaming babies or cackling groups), without feeling the pressure to flee. Living in Brooklyn, there are many indie coffee
shops to choose from and I love them all.

5. Brunch! This post is becoming more and more about food and drinks…ha! Now you know what I do on my weekends. Sunday brunches in the city are some of my favorite moments. Almost every restaurant offers some sort of special, and for an amazing reason, it’s never too unbearably crowded. You can sit with your friends and sip mimosas or take your special person out for a bloody mary and go to any place you can think of—tavern, white linen fancy place, outdoor patio—without going to any trouble to get there.

6. Bowling. So this place in Brooklyn is becoming more popular by the second, but it’s such a fun spot that I’m not surprised. Brooklyn Bowl is where you can go to drink, bowl, and listen to live music all night. Enough said.

7. Red Hook. An area in Brooklyn barely any tourist goes to is an absolute must if you want the most astounding view of the Manhattan skyline you can get. You’re directly across the river, staring at the glittering towers, either sitting at a nearby outdoor restaurant or standing in the park. You can also get excellent crab legs here. Why? I don’t know. I just accept it.

8. Citi Bikes. These are new bike spots that are perched throughout the city where you swipe your card (or get a membership), take a bike, ride it to where you want to go, and then drop it off at another bike spot. I do not recommend this in Manhattan (though I see a lot of people who do it) unless you’re not afraid of angry, swerving
cars. But taking a bike across one of the bridges, or riding it along the East or Hudson river is a beautiful thing to do on a beautiful day.

9. Vintage Books. Most cities have these local book shops where you can buy used books (or new ones), drop off your old ones, and sit and have a coffee. That smell as you walk in…musty and papery and oh so welcoming. Anywhere you go, it is a must to find one of these shops and peruse a while. You never know what gem you’ll find. I’m a fan of ebooks, but sometimes I need to sink into paper for a while.

10. My balcony. Not a public place, obviously, but a special spot for me. I currently have no high-rise buildings across from me (though that’s sadly about to change). I get a view of the river, a span of buildings in Brooklyn, and a tiny thumbnail size Statue of Liberty over to my right. It’s wonderful to sit out there with my computer
and either write or think about writing. With the thrum of cars below and the cool air up here, it’s a spot I want nothing more to be at right now (stupid snow) with a nice hot cup of coffee!

Oh well. Spring is coming. Allegedly.

This was actually really fun to write. Thank you for the idea and for having me!

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

“We have someone who saw you struggling with the deceased before using that knife. Your best friend, and our eye witness.”

In nine weeks Charlie Miller’s life goes from high-rolling perfection to a crypt of sin. All it takes is one night, one blade, and her boyfriend, best friend and new friends all either end up as suspects or dead.

Nate Westcott, a pierced, tattooed, charismatic lawyer, is a man she can’t have—but a seductive danger she can’t ignore. He’s cocky, infuriating, brilliant and wrong, yet he makes her question whether she really is the good girl she wants to be or more like the selfish killer everyone thinks she is.

And her body wants him in ways she’s not supposed to crave.

As the weeks close in, cracks start forming in her everyday world of pro football golden boys, law school domination and New York City nightlife. Everyone she cares about is at risk because one of them doesn’t love Charlie back. In fact, they want her out of the way. Disposed of. Set up.

One more step, and all Charlie has to do is fall through.

Week 1 starts now.

WHO WILL SNAP?

Snapped is Ketley’s New Adult Contemporary series with all the romance you’d expect, but the killer—and lovers—that you don’t.

Add Snapped to your Goodreads shelf.

Purchase Snapped on Amazon.

About Ketley Allison

Ketley Allison began her career by writing books as birthday presents for her friends (with her friend as the main character and opposite a super sexy lead, of course) before ending it in order to walk down a path she thought she was supposed to follow.

The writing bug never left her–and, in fact, would often bleed into the official papers she was supposed to write–so now Ketley’s putting down her suit and finally following her dream. While her friends are no longer the stars of her books, she still throws in bits and pieces of them into each and every one of her characters.

As a result, her books tend to focus a lot on friendships as well as love, because let’s be honest, friends are what really get you through–especially when your epic love turns into epic heartbreak.

Learn more about Ketley by visiting her website at www.ketleyallison.com | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway

Click to enter to win 4 MAC red lipsticks and 3 ebook giveaways of the entire series.

 

[wysija_form id=”4″]