I recently returned from a trip to Victoria, B.C. for a family birthday. Great cake, by the way!
I lived in Victoria for some time, working at The Empress, and at my own business. I took half a day to drive around and just soak up the sights – reminders of happy times spent there. But somehow, as I looked, I saw more than remembered buildings and areas – I saw scenes from my Forever series.
The Forever Series is comprised of eight books, each of which is a complete story, but they are loosely interconnected in that a character from one book might pop up in another book. One character – Jodi – is in every book, and in the series I told her story last, although you could easily start with her.
So I thought I’d take you with me for a quick tour of the city I called home for close to twenty years and share with you the images that linger in my mind – and gave inspiration for many scenes in the series.
The first book is Forever Changed. This shot represents one of the opening scenes, where Ariana goes to sit, and where Blaine sees her for the first time. The walk along here is breathtaking, no matter what the weather, especially with the majestic Olympic Mountains in the background.
This photo of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor
One of the most touching scenes in Forever Changed takes place at Long Beach, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. I still visit Long Beach as frequently as possible; it’s good for the soul and those fresh winds off the ocean clear out any lingering cobwebs.
In This Time Forever, Lexie leaves her job as a chef and drives aimlessly up the Malahat (North on Vancouver Island) and discovers a diner with an AWOL cook. She rolls up her sleeves and helps the teenager who’s trying to keep it together. This view is exactly what I had in mind when I envisioned that story.
This photo of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Before leaving Victoria, Lexie was a regular at New Beginnings, her friend Jodi’s fitness studio. From her favorite treadmill she watched the float planes coming and going. This is precisely that area:
This photo of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Forever My Love showcases Mac, an Olympic athlete whose dreams are shattered along with her hip. Her journey is touching as well as inspiring. In one scene with her former boyfriend, they meet at Barb’s Fish and Chips, a floating restaurant in the harbour. This is the area – although Barb’s isn’t shown in this shot
This photo of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Forever In My Heart is one of my favourites in this series. I suppose that like our children, we shouldn’t have a favourite book, but I like Matt.
Matt and Natalie meet while they’re both working at a camp for underprivileged children on Gabriola Island. This image is exactly what I had in mind when I wrote about them meeting and falling in love:
This photo of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Later in life, Matt becomes Press Secretary to the Premier, and works in the Parliament Buildings.
This is a shot of the Parliament Buildings, which like so many of my memories, is on Victoria Harbour:
This photo of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor
And I couldn’t resist this spectacular shot:
This photo of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor
These little tug boats are mentioned in several stories. They’re as much a part of Victoria as afternoon tea at The Empress… maybe more!!!
This photo of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor
In More Than Forever Bonnie and Marty share a lottery jackpot, and much more. Marty has been forced to leave the family business he built – and still loves. Here’s a shot over what could be his family’s winery:
This photo of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Forever And A Day is Jodi’s story. Her fitness studio is located on Wharf Street, as is Blaine’s Tattoo studio from Forever Changed. Many of the buildings in this area are designated Heritage, giving the area a decidedly historic feel:
This photo of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor
…and of course no visit to Victoria is complete without lunch in Chinatown and a wander down Fantan Alley:
This photo of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor
One of the last scenes in Forever and a Day takes place on the breakwater, off Dallas Road. Don’t get me started, I cry when I think about it… let’s just look at this lovely shot:
This photo of Victoria is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Thanks for coming with me on this nostalgic trip to Victoria. The first book in this series is always free at Amazon, iTunes, B&N, Kobo and Scribd. Links to the books in this series can be found by clicking on BOOK SERIES (above), Forever. Free download links show on each page – access by clicking on the cover. (but you already know all that!!!)