Liz Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including Beyond the Tides, the Georgia Coast Romance Series, and the Prince Edward Island Dreams Series, as well as a New York Times bestselling novella and a handful of short stories. She works in marketing and makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona.
In this interview, Liz shares some of her thoughts on her latest book, The Last Way Home.
FF: Can you please provide a brief summary of your new novel, The Last Way Home?
When disgraced former NHL player Eli Ross returns to Prince Edward Island after eleven years, he discovers the broken family he left behind may be easier to win over than his mom’s business partner. Local artist Violet Donaghy isn’t eager to forgive the man who broke his mom’s heart. But when her pottery studio nearly burns to the ground, they’ll work together to rebuild—and more than the studio is on the line when secrets come out and they begin to open their hearts.
FF: What is the connecting element for all three books in the Prince Edward Island Shores Series?
The Prince Edward Island Shores series shares the stories of the three Ross brothers from Victoria by the Sea. Eleven years ago their father walked out on the family, and now each brother has to come to terms with the way they responded—with anger, running away, and pulling back from the rest of the world—especially if they want to win the hearts of the women in their lives.
FF: Why did you choose to set your book in Victoria by the Sea, which is on the south shore of Prince Edward Island?
I was hooked on Victoria by the Sea after my first visit. It’s such a beautiful community filled with artists, theater, and lots of lobster fishing. I wanted to feature each of those areas in this series.
FF: One of the protagonists, Eli Ross, abandoned his family in search of fortune and fame. Can you please provide more information on his backstory?
Eli is the oldest Ross brother, the one who was supposed to stay when his dad left. He should have taken care of his family, but the pull of the NHL was too strong—after all, he’d been dreaming of playing professionally since he first laced up a pair of skates. When he told his middle brother, Oliver, that he was going for a tryout all those years ago, Oliver told him never to come back. And he didn’t. It was the worst mistake of his life, and he’s missed being part of his family. Eleven years later, he’s not expecting forgiveness. He’s just hoping his family will allow him to stay.
FF: Eli Ross was a professional hockey player who, after returning to PEI, continues to coach a youth hockey league. Why did you choose this profession?
I love to ice skate! When I was twenty-five, I moved to Colorado and decided to pick up a winter sport. I took figure-skating lessons through the city, and I fell in love with the ice. While I wrote this book, I spent almost every weekend at a rink in Phoenix, marveling at the skilled hockey players—young and old—practicing on the ice. I loved watching the youth hockey players in their games and spent hours figuring out how to incorporate that into this book.
FF: Both of the main characters in your book, Eli Ross and Violet Donaghy, have secrets that come to light within the pages of your novel. Without giving away any spoilers, can you provide some insight on how these secrets might impact their lives and the lives of the Ross family?
Like many people with secrets, Eli and Violet both hide behind carefully constructed facades. Violet chooses to overlook the rumors that run rampant about her history rather than face the truth of her past. Eli fears that his secret will shatter whatever relationship he’s restoring with his family. When Eli and Violet realize that the other is a safe harbor to share, they realize that they’re not so different after all. Telling the truth to one person may open the floodgates, and it will affect the entire Ross family and could ruin their budding romance.
FF: What do you hope readers will gain from reading The Last Way Home?
I hope readers will be reminded that forgiveness isn’t something we earn—even when it’s hard to accept. And we forgive because we’ve been forgiven.
FF: What do you love most about writing novels in the contemporary romance genre?
I love writing romances that provide an escape, fill readers with warmth, and remind them of the hope we have, even in hard times.
The Last Way Home
Prince Edward Island Shores Series #2
Liz Johnson
Revell
Genres: Romance
Release Date: August 2, 2022
ISBN-10: 0800737385
ISBN-13: 978-0800737382
Book Summary:
When Eli Ross was offered the opportunity to play professional hockey, he abandoned his family in order to fulfill his dreams of fame and fortune. Now, eleven years later, he returns to PEI broke, alone, and grappling with the consequences of the terrible mistakes he has made. To top it off, he’s not sure of the welcome he’ll receive once he arrives home.
Violet Donaghy joined the Ross family shortly after Eli’s departure. She not only became the daughter that Eli’s mom always wanted but also has put everything into making their shared ceramic studio and shop a success. When Eli returns, Violet is not eager to forgive the man who broke the hearts of the family who has taken her in.
When a fire nearly destroys the studio, Violet will need all the help she can get in order to save the business—even if it means relying upon Eli’s help. These two strong-willed people must work together to rebuild the shop and mend the broken pieces of the Ross family. And when secrets come to light, everything—including a newfound love—is at stake.
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