Margaret Blake-Thankful She Has Floridian Family Ties

I don’t live in the State I am writing about. You might pause then and, rightly, ask why I am here doing just that. Well, frankly, I have strong connections with my chosen State and I visit a lot.

My son was born and raised in New York but moved to Florida for work. That is now my adopted State. I go as often as I can to spend time with him and his lovely wife and fantastic children.  (Well grown up young people now).

I love Florida. It is different from anywhere I have been before, and I have been to a lot of places. For one thing it is very green and lush. Certainly it can be really hot in summer but I like to call it sultry because sultry is good for a romantic novelist.

Florida – that long slim strip of land – has so much different flora and fauna. I love the trees, the wonderfully coloured flowers that burst into life. My favourite is the crape myrtle but the red maple and slash pine are wonderful too. In fact there is a breathtaking amount of different trees that it would be impossible to name them. I also am fascinated by the curls of white that dangle from the trees. Of course I know that parasite is all over the southern states, but I find it attractive. There is just so much to see.

My son’s backyard dips down to a lake as you can see from the photo, there is a wood to one side and from out of that wood deer miraculously appear. I can remember many times seeing the deer charge out from the wood and at night take time to chew on the fresh, green grass. Of course there are less friendly creatures like alligators, but the moment the car pulls onto the drive, the basking gators slip into the waters of the lake.

No problem with these guys.

Driving home late one night we spotted an otter, my first sight of an otter, it will live with me forever. How wonderful to see one of these. And the birds don’t get me started about all the different birds. My daughter and I are particularly fond of the sand cranes, these handsome birds mate for life. Another good reason for me to like them! They strut with pride and look so elegant. Ospreys nest on the tall lamps along the highways, how great is that. I have never seen an Osprey before I visited Florida, in the State they are quite common, wonderful.

Florida has inspired me to set two novels there. A Poisoned Legacy and A Fatal Flaw. Both these are romantic suspense; somehow the lushness of Florida inspires me to write in this genre. While visiting I can sit out on the linea by the pool and think up great ideas for stories, once I return to chilly England and I can capture that warmth by setting a novel there. It ‘s magic.

Of course I haven’t mentioned the theme parks but that is not what I am interested in, however having visited Disney World I can confirm it’s all that it’s cracked up to be, lots to do and plenty to see. A whole variety of attractions. My favourite is SeaWorld but there is plenty to suit every taste and pocket.

There are the beaches and there is nothing better for me than to swim in the warm waters of the gulf and then go for a turkey burger to a fantastic restaurant on the beach. The sand at Clearwater is like talcum powder, soft and white, it truly is fantastic.

There are gorgeous beaches in the Sarasota area too and the wonderful Naples. I could go on forever.

My adopted State Florida, I hope I can keep visiting every trip brings something new…I love it and you will too!

If you would like to know more about me and my books do visit my website –

www.margaretblake.com

The first person to contact me can win an e-book of A Fatal Flaw.

(Photos provided by Author)