THIRD TIME'S A CHARM - Virginia Smith - Free Book

Here's another book I was privileged to write an endorsement for. Welcome, Ginny. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

I’ve noticed that the spiritual themes of my books tend to be areas of my life where the Lord is teaching me, or reminds me of a truth He led me to in the past. In all three books of the Sister-to-Sister Series, the theme is the unconditional, never ending love of God the Father. That’s a truth I need to savor over and over again, and I tend to do that through my books.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

A Daughter’s Legacy is a romance story with a fun setting – a zoo! It’s my first straight romance, and I had so much fun writing it that I decided I’d like to do more of them. Then in October I have another romantic suspense novel coming out. Into the Deep has a scuba diving theme, which is one of my passions.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

I would love to spend an evening with Mel Gibson. Okay, I admit part of the reason is because I think he’s incredibly handsome, and who wouldn’t want to spend time with a hunky guy? But beyond that, I’d like to talk to him about his faith, and some of the finer interpretations of scripture in his movie The Passion of the Christ.

How long have you known that you wanted to be novelist?

I started later in life than most professional writers. I didn’t write my first short story until I was in my mid-twenties. And then for several years after that, my goal was just to publish short stories. I had some ideas for novels, but the idea of becoming a novelist as a profession didn’t occur to me until much later, when I joined a very intense critique group who were all determined to become career novelists. Several of them had published many short stories, and a couple had even published novels, yet they were all still working toward the goal of quitting their “day jobs” and supporting themselves as full time writers. The encouragement and the training I received in that group made me realize that one day I, too, might make writing my career.

What can you tell authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

Don’t give up. Remember that publication is not the measure of how good you are as a person. Nor is it always the measure of how good you are as a writer. There are so many factors in achieving publication, and some of them are beyond a writer’s control. The market plays a huge part in deciding which books are published, and so does the economy. You can’t control those things. All you can do is work to develop your skills, and write the book God has given you to write. Set goals, and work toward achieving them. Don’t let rejection affect you enough to sidetrack you.

Tell us about the featured book?

My newest book is Third Time’s a Charm, the funny and heartwarming story of a professional young woman struggling to balance career, church, budding romance, and a personal crisis. As if that weren’t enough, a couple of matchmaking sisters crank up the tension and the fun. This is the third book in the Sister-to-Sister series, following Stuck in the Middle and Age Before Beauty, but you don’t have to read those books before this one.

When I created the Sister-to-Sister series, I modeled the characters after my relationship with my own sisters, so the books are very close to my heart. Plus, I drew heavily on personal experience to write this book. Third Time’s a Charm is lighthearted in places, but it confronts some tough issues, too.

Please give us the first page of the book.

One sign was certain to drive even the most pressing appointment right out of a girl’s head: Today Only—All Shoes 15% Off. The bright red letters snagged Tori Sanderson’s gaze as she speed-walked through the mall toward the exit, an elegantly wrapped box clutched in her arms. She skidded to a halt before the exclusive store. The last time she shopped here, she’d tried on a darling pair of Bournes that had haunted her dreams since she walked out without them. If her sister Allie hadn’t been with her at the time, she would have bought them in addition to the two pairs that went home with her. But Allie wasn’t here now. Tori glanced down at the pumps on her feet. They looked okay with this new dress, but those Bournes would be perfect.

She glanced at her watch. Two o’clock. The bridal shower started in one hour, and the drive from Lexington to Danville would take about forty minutes. If she’d known about the sale, she would have left the office at noon. Or maybe she would have skipped work completely. Some people didn’t come in at all on Saturday.

But, of course, those people didn’t work for Kate Bowman.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is http://www.virginiasmith.org/ . My blog is integrated in the website, under the tab called Ginny’s Journal. (I call it a Journal so people won’t have expectations of daily posts!) I also spend far more time than I should on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ginny.p.smith

Thank you, Ginny, for spending this time with us.
 
Readers, here's a link where you can order the book. By using this link when you order, you'll be helping support this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/