At the end of January, my family headed down to Florida to visit some friends (and Mickey. But really, he’s a friend too, right?)
While we were with our non-cartoon friends, we took a little drive about fifteen minutes from their house where my friend hoped there would be manatees.
Boy howdy, were there manatees!
It was a cold day (for Florida) and they had swum en masse up this canal that goes along the back of a little neighborhood to enjoy the shallower, sunwarmed waters.
It was amazing to see them all hanging out there, just minding their own and periodically munching on the grass along the bank.
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Last Week on Inspy Romance
On Monday, Merrillee Whren talked about being on a beach somewhere.
On Tuesday, Tara Grace Ericson talked about the hunt for the perfect cover image.
On Wednesday, Heather Gray talked about why Olive is more than just a name.
On Thursday, Liwen Ho talked about what being an Asian romance author means to her.
On Friday, Shannon Taylor Vannatter took us on an Olympic rollercoaster.
On Saturday, Valerie Bodden talked about the love of inspy
Next Week on Inspy Romance
Monday: Teresa Tysinger
Tuesday: Janet W Ferguson
Wednesday: Elizabeth Maddrey
Thursday: Toni Shiloh
Friday: Amy Anguish
Saturday: Hannah Jo Abbott
New Releases
March 2022
The Billionaire’s Nanny (Billionaire Next Door 1) by Elizabeth Maddrey
Joined at the Hip (Fab Forties 3) by Liwen Y. Ho
Hearts and Goals (Original Six Hockey Romance 4) by Carolyn Miller
His Quiet Serenade (Seaside Chapel 4) by Jan Thompson
February 2022
Kiss Me Like You Mean It, Cowboy (Cavanagh Cowboys Romance 4) by Valerie Comer
Checked Impressions (Original Six Hockey Romance 3) by Carolyn Miller
Say It’s for Good (Laurel Cove Romance 4) by Teresa Tysinger
In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh
Her Secret Desire (Big Apple Blessings 3) by Laurie Larsen
A complete list of Inspy Romance books by our authors is always available on our BOOKS tab. Find our audiobooks and our thank-you gifts for newsletter subscribers there as well!
Ausjenny says
Oh Wow what a sight and how exciting to see it. Sounds like a nice time away.
Renate says
Good morning Elizabeth. Remember seeing manatees near Vera Beach in 1990. Beautiful creatures. Seeing beautiful sea creatures in their natural environment shows us the splendor of God’s creativity. June 2021, after a year of virtual school where 1. grade granddaughter read about dolphins, we as an extended family took a dolphin cruise in the ocean near Virginia Beach. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your Sunday. Preordered The Billionaire’s Nanny.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
It really was so amazing. The picture up there doesn’t do it justice.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Thanks for preordering!
And yes! It’s so much more amazing to see animals in nature rather than a zoo or aquarium (which can still be a delight)
Patty says
I have a girlfriend whose parents winter in Florida. She and her kids went down to visit them early one spring and get to do this very thing. What amazing creatures.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Oh very cool! There were definitely a good number of folks out to see them when we showed up but it wasn’t overwhelming.
Lori R says
I have never been to Florida but I would like to visit someday.
Melynda says
My family went to Florida at the end of January/beginning of February to visit Mickey as well. He’s definitely a friend! Our first few days there were sooo cold! We’ve never visited the manatees, but now I want to.
Trudy says
You weren’t too far from me at Disney! You didn’t by any chance stay with friends in Satellite Beach, did you?
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Oh I hope you can!
Elizabeth Maddrey says
You were probably there the same time we were. Our first days were awful chilly for Florida! And then by Thursday it hit 80.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Close! They are in Melbourne, so not over the bridge, but the manatees were.
Kendra Muonio says
Never been to Florida but would like to some day.my brother and his wife went for there honey moon 6 years ago and they said the water is so warm and blue compared to the beach we usually go to in the summer
Elizabeth Maddrey says
It’s really quite lovely. I hope you get a chance to visit!
Alicia Haney says
Congratulations to the winners! Wow, it sure sounds like you had a great time and what great timing for you to have been able to see the Manatee’s! Have a great week and stay safe.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
We did have a wonderful time. And the manatees were the cherry on top.
Lori Smanski says
oh my but this must have been wonderful site to see. I would love to see them some day, not just at the zoo. thanks for sharing.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
It definitely was! You can get a glimmer of how it looked in the photo I put Sunday Edition on.
Priscila Perales says
Wow! That’s a lot! I’ve never seen so many of them together!
Hope you enjoyed your time with the cartoon friends as well. :)
Elizabeth Maddrey says
We had so much fun!
Lelia (Lucy) Reynolds says
I would love to go to FL. Sounds wonderful.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
It really was. Mostly (regardless of where) we were glad to have some down time as a family.
Mary Preston says
What an incredible picture.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Thank you! It was so stunning to see.
Trudy says
Oh, sheesh!! I’m in West Melbourne!! Next time, you’ll have to do a meet up!!
Elizabeth Maddrey says
Oh fun! For sure :)
Natalya Lakhno says
Congratulations winners 🎉
Elizabeth Maddrey says
😁
Melynda says
I bet our time did overlap because that’s exactly how our week went as well.
Jessica B. says
How cool! I have never seen manarees when I’ve been Florida but I would definitely like to sometime.
bn100 says
lots of new books
bn100 says
lots of new book releases
Trixi says
I’ve only seen pictures of Manatees and it would be incredible seeing them for real….and so many in one spot!
Which reminds me of the Veggie Tale song “Barbara Manatee, You’re the one for me”…lol! Sorry, couldn’t resist :-D
Happy blessed SONday everyone, congrats winners!
Elizabeth Maddrey says
We had seen them one time when we went diving at Crystal River (probably 20 years ago now, lol) But this was by far the most we’ve ever seen at once.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
It really was so fantastic. And we were singing Barbara Manatee! I don’t think you can avoid it if you’re a Veggie Tales fan :)
Debra Pruss says
Congratulations to all the winners. That had to be awesome to see. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Megan says
I don’t think I’ve ever seen manatees in the wild, but in pictures they look so amazing.
Tina R says
Congratulations to all the winners!
I’ve only seen manatees at Sea World but would love to see them in their natural environment.