One of the funnest things about being an author is being able to research new locations to set your books. I love to travel and there are so many places I’ve never been. When M.J. and I first talked about our new series Coconut Cove, it didn’t take us long to choose Key West as our setting. Neither of us had ever been, and it’s a place we both can’t wait to visit!
So here are my top 5 things I want to do on my first Key West vacation (which I hope happens very soon!)
1- Ernest Hemingway House: I think this is a must see for any readers and writers visiting Key West. Hemingway penned some amazing works from this very house. I wonder if I’d be inspired to write an amazing classic seeing the same views he did!
2-Mallory Square: From what I’ve read, this is a must see for any visitor to Key West! I imagine it’s a great big carnival with street performers and food from a cart. I’d probably have to buy some super cheesy souvenirs too!
3-Bike Ride: For some of you, putting a bike ride on the must-do list might seem a bit crazy-sauce, but I live in the mountains! Unless you’re a mountain biker (which I’m so very much not), going on a bike ride in the mountains of East Tennessee wouldn’t be very much fun. But cruising through some great historic neighborhoods on a bike sounds amazing to me!
4-Key Lime Pie: Okay, true confession time. I love pie. No really. I do. And Key Lime pie is one of my ultimate favorites. I’m told the Blue Heaven restaurant makes the best around (and I even featured it in Life’s A Beach!). I don’t think I could take a trip to Key West without eating at the same restaurant where my characters did!
5-Sunset: I can’t begin to imagine the beauty of the sunsets in Key West, but if the pictures I’ve seen are anything to go by, it’s a breathtaking sight! A definite must-see, and I’ll probably spam you all with photos too!
So what about you? Have you ever been to Key West? What should I add to my list? Or if you’ve never been, is there something you’d see that I haven’t listed!
The Giveaway: THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED
Contest: Part Two!: Take a quiz to find out which Coconut Cove character you are! And if you post the results on Facebook or Twitter (and tag me!) you’ll be entered to win a Grand Prize of some of our favorite beach themed products!
Click HERE to take the quiz
Blurb: Welcome to Coconut Cove where you’ll always find oiled beach bodies, palm trees, tropical drinks, and plenty of drama!
Coconut Cove is the hottest new sensation to sweep the nation — a gay teen drama filled to the brim with hot stars and even hotter action. It’s catching the public’s attention and winning their hearts. But all the drama, heartache, and life lessons aren’t just for the characters on the screen. The fledgling actors behind the scenes have more than their fair share of love and catastrophes. They may only play teens on TV but when it comes to romance, these twenty-somethings still have lessons to learn.
From the scheming ex determined to cash in on a rising star, to the hunky high school crush resurrected from ancient history—from the nice guy with a naughty past, to the snarky diva with attitude—there’s plenty of scandalous hidden affairs and seriously sexy demons hiding in just about everyone’s closet on Coconut Cove.
You just have to be ready to drink it in. Bottoms up … or should we say off?
Buy Links: Wilde City Press | Amazon
Bio: A sassy southern lady, Poppy Dennison developed an obsession with things that go bump in the night in her early years after a barn door flew off its hinges and nearly squashed her. Convinced it was a ghost trying to get her attention, she started looking for other strange and mysterious happenings around her. Not satisfied with what she found, Poppy has traveled to Greece, Malaysia and England to find inspiration for the burly bears and silver foxes that melt her butter. Her love of paranormal continues to flourish nearly thirty years later, and she writes steamy love stories about the very things that used to keep her up all night. If her childhood ghost is lucky, maybe one day she’ll give him his own happily ever after.
Diving, either SCUBA or snorkeling. KW. Reefs are really making a come back. I’ve been several times
I’m kinda terrified of SCUBA and snorkeling. I’m such a wimp!!
Been to Key West several times. It’s fun. When you get to Mallory Square for the sunset (big ritual) have some conch fritters, but taste them before you put hot sauce on them! They’re usually pretty spicy already. Last time there some of us went out on a boat to snorkel over a shallow shipwreck from turn of last century. Very fine.
Oh that sounds awesome Lloyd! I’ll definitely do that!
I was just in Key West last month. It was my third trip there. If you go to Hemingway House, there is the lighthouse right across the street. Fantastic views from the top. Sunset cruise is also a fun way to view the beautiful sunset. If you like mojitos, you can buy one from the cart in Mallory Square. Yummy! We also like West Martello Tower which is a lovely garden and is free. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, the Dry Tortugas tour is an all-day trip to a remote National Park where you can snorkel and tour the ruins of Ft. Jefferson. We had a great time doing this on our last trip, but it is a time commitment and fairly expensive.
I hope you get to visit Key West soon!
Oh wow! These suggestions are all so amazing! I really need to schedule a trip ASAP!
Your list is great. Would also suggest Dry Tortugas, Auduban House, Forrester’s Secret Garden and anywhere with great air-conditioning if you go during the summer. @;-)
LOL! Definitely the AC. I grew up in Florida so I know how it is! Some amazing suggestions!! I really can’t wait to plan a trip!
Nope, I’ve never even been to Florida but it sounds great! :-)
Never have got the chance to go to key west, I’ve been as far a Daytona. I would love to go.
Good morning to all of you, and many thanks for stopping by to enter Poppy Dennison’s Coconut Cove giveaway. The comment-to-win portion of the contest is now closed, and the winner’s been selected.
Some of Poppy’s favorite fun and sun goodies go to
Barbra
Congratulations to you! I’ve just emailed Poppy with your contact information, so expect to hear from her soon.