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Monday, February 1, 2010

Third Time's a Charm by Virginia Smith






Read to end of post as there is a giveaway with this tour. Find out how you could be the winner.

About the Book:
(Dual Residency: UT & KY) – There’s not too much in this world that a little retail therapy can’t fix—except maybe the empty hole in your heart from lost and undiscovered love. Tori Sanderson is no exception. Facing abandonment issues with her father, Tori sets out to find the real reason he left her. Along the way she discovers even deeper truths. Add in two matchmaking sisters plus a couple of attractive men vying for Tori’s attention, as well as a tempting job promotion possibility, and you’ve got one confused sister. Through it all, Tori searches for the love she’s been missing all these years.
Author Virginia Smith, presents Third Time’s a Charm, the third installment of the Sister-to-Sister Series. Page-turning humor surrounding the lives of three sisters will once again engage readers, while somber self-discovery will unveil Tori’s struggles, and perhaps a few of your own. In a world with more than a few dysfunctional families, this story will ring true for many.

Virginia Smith recently contracted her twelfth book in four years. Previous books in the Sister-to-Sister series include: Stuck in the Middle and Age before Beauty. In 2008 she was named Writer-of-the-Year at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Stuck in the Middle was a finalist for American Christian Fiction Writers’ 2009 Book of the Year Award. A Taste of Murder was a finalist for the 2009 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. Ginny and husband, Ted, divide their time between Lexington, Kentucky, and Salt Lake City, Utah, escaping as often as possible for diving trips to the Caribbean. Admittedly, her adventurous outings are often as much fun as they are “book research.”

Interview Questions:

1. This book is the third and final book in your Sister-to-Sister Series. How did you feel when you completed this last book?

I felt a little sad, because I have lived with the characters for three years, and they’re very real to me. I’ll miss them. Plus, I wanted to leave readers with a good impression, so I was anxious for the last scene to be strong. I prayed over that last line for a long time, and when the words finally came, I got chills. They were absolutely the perfect wrap-up for the whole series. I still get tears whenever I read them.

2. Which of the sisters in this trilogy do you relate to the most? Why?

That’s a hard question to answer, because there is a piece of me in each of the Sanderson sisters. But I’d have to say I relate most closely with Tori, because she is professionally ambitious, and she struggles to balance her career and her personal life. I did that for over twenty years, so much of her conflict comes from my experiences.

3. You've been contracted to write 12 times in the last 4 years. To what do you attribute this success and how would you encourage others who are doing everything possible to get published?

Perseverance. I wrote for over twenty years before my first book, Just As I Am, was published. But I believed that the Lord gave me the desire to write, and even when my pile of rejections was growing (to an astounding 143 before my first publication!), I knew if He wanted me to write, I was going to keep writing. Even now – or maybe especially now – I trust Him for every story, every contract. Sometimes I still receive rejections, but I keep writing because He keeps giving me stories.


4. How is your relationship with your own sisters similar to Tori and her sisters? Did you pull from these sibling experiences when writing Third Time's a Charm? How?

I sure did! Actually, my sisters were the inspiration behind the whole Sister-to-Sister Series. They are the most incredible women in the world, and I wanted readers to glimpse the relationship we have. And they were excited to have starring roles in my stories. It was funny watching them try to identify themselves in the books, because I took characteristics from each of us and mixed them up to create each of the Sanderson sisters. Tori, for instance, is a career-minded person, like me. She’s creative, like one of my sisters. And she’s a big flirt, like the other sister. Uh… I’d better not identify who that is, or I’ll start a family feud!

5. What's next for Virginia Smith?

In May of this year I have a new book coming out from Steeple Hill. Researching A Daughter’s Legacy was a lot of fun, because it is set in a zoo! It’s my first straight romance, and was something of an experiment for me to see if I liked writing the genre. I loved it, and have a few ideas germinating in my mind for future romance novels.
Then later in the year, Into the Deep will hit bookstores. That’s a romantic suspense novel with a scuba diving theme. It takes place partly in Key West, and partly in Cozumel, Mexico. Can you tell I have a lot of fun researching my books?

For a more indepth look into the life of Virginia Smith visit the KCWC blog

The Inspiration Behind the Main Characters:
I was watching a DVD when I first envisioned Tori Sanderson. In Sweet Home Alabama, Reese Witherspoon is chic, petite, and more than a little headstrong. Plus, she’s ashamed of her upbringing, and therefore insecure even though she enjoys a successful career. That’s exactly how I pictured Tori as I wrote the first two books in the Sister-to-Sister Series. But Tori is several years younger than Reese, so as I wrote the opening chapter of Third Time’s a Charm, I was struggling to come up with the perfect visual image. One evening I saw an advertisement for “Samantha Who,” starring Christina Applegate. I jumped out of my chair and shouted, “That’s her! That’s Tori!” So I gave my character a curly perm to match Christina’s. I Googled the show’s cast and found Barry Watson, who became my model for the handsome handyman, Ryan Adams. And Mitch Jackson is modeled after Michael Weatherly, the gorgeous but suggestively inappropriate Tony DinNozzo on “NCIS.” Sounds like I’m a television junkie, doesn’t it? Not really, but I do like to have a visual image for characters as I write. It helps them come alive in my mind, and hopefully in the minds of my readers, too.

Read Guest Article by Virginia Smith: The Awesome Bond of Sisters PLUS 8 tips for Maintaining a Relationship with your sister HERE.



The Grand Prize will be awarded to one fortunate person who leaves a comment at one of the blog tours participating in the KCWC Third Time's a Charm blog tour. It includes:
The complete collection of Virginia Smith books, TEN in all (listed below), with a personal behind-the-scenes commentary written by the author - especially for this tour!
Sister-to-Sister Series, including: Stuck in the Middle, Age Before Beauty, and Third Time's A Charm.
Unforgettable Mayla Strong Books: Just As I Am and Sincerely Mayla.
Classical Trio Series from Love Inspired Suspense: A Taste of Murder, Murder at Eagle Summit, and Scent of Murder.
Murder By Mushroom
Bluegrass Peril


How to enter: Leave me a comment telling me if you have a sister (or a friend that might as well be your sister). Tell me at least one thing you like about her? The drawing for this grand prize will be Feb. 11th. Please US residents only. Be sure to leave an e-mail address for contact.







A copy of this book was provided for review by KCWC





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16 comments:

Emma Michaels said...

Wonderful interview!!!!
My dearest friend Victoria is like a sister to me and I love that even when I was at my worst she would take me out to Chinese and make me feel better and would let me do the same for her even in a moments notice. I will always appreciate her honesty and friendship. Wonderful contest!

Sincerely,
Emma
SincerelyEmmaM@Yahoo.com

Karen Jordan said...

I'm reading this book now, and I look forward to reading more of her books.

I have two sisters, and we've been through some difficult times together lately. But they both continue to encourage me, even when times get tough.

Edna said...

please enter me into the contest for Virginia's book, I know I have to go to her site but she wants up to visit all the blogs
I follow you on Google
I follow you on Twitter
I also have your button on my blog http://edna-myfavoritethings.blogspot.com/

mamay2730(at)charter(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read all of virginia smith's books, so far i've only read one, but REALLY enjoyed it!

I love that my sister knows exactly what i'm thinking with just a single glance! It's a useful tool in public :)

rebornbutterfly (at) sbcglobal(dot) net

Merry said...

I have an amazing sister, in my eyes she can do anything (sew, paint, fly airplanes, give big hugs, ect). I am so blessed to have her encourage and love me.

I'd love to be entered into the contest. Thanks!
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Linda Kish said...

My sister died 30 years ago at 32 in a plane crash. Three years ago my step sister moved nearby and we talk most every day and visit once a week with my mom. She has been my sister since 1964 but never had a relationship til now. She accepts me as I am and loves my son as nuts as he can be,

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

misskallie2000 said...

The interview was delightful.
My sister is 17 mos older than me and has always been my idol. She has always been there for me when ever I called her. We don't talk everyday as she so many friends and a son who just made her a grandmother and a daughter plus clubs and other activities. But if I call she stops what she is doing and we chat. In 99 when I found out I had colon cancer I was terrified but I called her and she was there at hospital for me and after I got home. She has taken me to many outpatient appointments where you had to have someone with you including eye surgery several times. She travels alot with our cuz and they have invited me on several trips and then would insist she would pay for certain things since I was working still and not alot of spare money. She always sends birthday cards and Christmas cards and keeps in touch. Her grandaughter is 8 mos old and she spends alot of time out of town with her and with her own daughter out of town. I always wished I had the energy she had but I never have. I will be completely lost without her and hope I never have to experience that feeling.
There is no better sister than mine and her friends will say the same about her.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Casey said...

I am seven years older than my sister and when I was little, I used to pray for a sister. God finally blessed me with one, though sometimes I wonder why I prayed! LOL I love her!

Please enter me!

caseymh18(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Wow--great interview! And what a giveaway!
I don't have a sister, but I guess I could call my cousin basically a sister. We do lots of stuff together when we have time: shopping, talking, commiserating, and yes, sometimes fighting. But like real sisters, we always make up and forgive each other. We have a strong relationship not necessarily because we have a lot in common (because we don't), but because we care about each other. Our childhoods were so intertwined, and we know each other so well that we often finish each other's sentences. Luckily, though, we were not with each other 24/7 like some sisters growing up, so we also know when to give each other our space. She is special to me for so many reasons--not least because she loves God as much as I do and encourages me in my walk of faith, and our relationship with Him is strengthened because of our relationship with each other.

june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

HereBeDragons said...

I've moved away from my home state, and i don't see much of my sister any more, but I appreciate her search for adventure. She's always up to try something new, whether it be swing dancing, marathon running or skydiving!

Heather said...

I have only one sister and she's my identical twin. I love that she'll tell me exactly what she thinks I need to hear, but with love and humor. Thanks for the opportunity to win her books!

douglas_fam530 AT yahoo DOT com

debijackson said...

I have 3 sisters....one that's my best friend. please enter me. jacksond@nhr3.net

Holly said...

I don't have a sister, but my cousin Samantha is as close as I'd ever get I think. There have been time when our brains were completely on the same wavelength, like when we each got our second pair of frames for our glasses. She got hers first and I tried to not pick the same ones, just picking what I liked. The next time I saw Sam, our glasses were exactly the same.

Holly
oceandreamerfla(at)aol(dot)com

Kaye said...

My bff and I have been friends for over 55 years. She is as close to me as a sister could ever be. I can tell her anything and she never judges. Her mother used to call me her 7th daughter.

This sounds like a wonderful series. Please enter me in the drawing.
florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Judylynn said...

(Carman sent me)

I have an older sister who is really smart and a great blogger! I love her very much.

Judy - seizethebookblog@gmail.com

disneyfanheather said...

My sister is amazing! She's always there for me to talk to and helps me out whenever I need her. :)