I recently read and reviewed Lisa’s latest release “The Journey of Champions” over on my review blog, but decided to get a little insight into the writing of it, and the rest of the Journey series.
I asked Lisa if she’d always planned The Journey Series as an actual series or if the 1st book was going to be a stand alone book.
Here’s what she had to say along with an excerpt:
Originally, I’d planned on The Journey Home being a simple Novella that was placed in Harvest
Treats, the third book of the candy collection. And while I wrapped it all up in a nice, pretty little bow, when all was said and done, I missed my characters. There was still so much of Travis’ story to be told that when it came time to do NaNoWriMo, I decided that I’d give it a go.
The journey I went on was amazing. I ended up taking the story I’d planned for NaNoWriMo
and turned it into three novellas. The first is The Journey of Champions. In this book, Travis must leave Penelope and Max again in order to travel back to Miami and set his affairs and make his final move back home. It was incredibly emotional for me to write because I felt like I was ripping this family apart.
Logically, I know that they aren’t real, but in my heart, they were grieving and longing to be with one
another again. Silly, right? But that’s the type of writer I am; I put so much of myself into each book.
The other two stories are entitled The Journey to Forever and The Journey to a New Life. I’d tell
you about them, but, well, I like to tease.
Excerpt—
“He’s gonna be late if you don’t hurry,” came the softest, sweetest voice Travis had ever heard.
Laughing to himself, he looked over his shoulder, finding Penelope Stone standing in the doorway to
their bedroom. She had her arms folded in front of her and a sparkle in her dark, sensual, mocha-brown eyes. Her long, silky, blond hair framed her face, and the pure, natural beauty that emanate from her took Travis’s breath away. She was exquisite.
“Are you okay?” Penelope asked when he didn’t speak.
“I’m fine,” Travis groused, trying to convince himself as much as her. Today, he wouldn’t just be
leaving Texas for Florida; he’d be leaving his new family, too. He kept telling himself that it was just for a week, maybe two — just long enough to pack up his stuff and make the final move back to her and Max. But with each passing breath, he found the thought of missing even one moment with them excruciating. He’d just gotten a second chance at a life with them, and now he had to say goodbye.
“I don’t believe you.” Penelope smiled and crossed the room, slipping her arms around his waist.
“We don’t want you to leave, either, but you can’t put this off any longer. It’s time to go back, Travis, so that you can really be here when you return.”
“Yeah, I know, but I don’t want to,” he grumbled, well aware that he sounded like a two-year-old who had been told it was time to go to bed. “I’m gonna miss you, baby.”
“And I’ll miss you,” she whispered. “You’re coming home to us, Travis. And when you do, we can be a real family.”
“We already are one,” he murmured, bringing his hand up to her face. Lowering his lips down onto
hers, he kissed her. They took their time, neither of them wanting to rush the moment. It was all they
would have to get them through the challenge ahead.
About the author:
Lisa Bilbrey is a mom of three and has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1996. Finding a love in the written word, she started writing as a way to express herself. From the first word she wrote, she’d found her heart and soul. Always willing to learn, she’s spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller.
In late 2011, Lisa opened Renaissance Romance Publishing with Michele Richard and Laura Braley.
Links:
Comments