Saturday, February 6, 2010

Review/Giveaway: Third Time's a Charm

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: Third Time's a Charm (Book 3 - Sister-to-Sister series)
Author: Virginia Smith
Genre: Christian fiction
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: February 25, 2010
Restrictions: Open internationally!

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway. This is my review copy, so it has been gently read.

Not only am I giving away MY copy, your comment on this post (or any on the KCWC blog tour) gives you an entry into a GRAND PRIZE of TEN Virginia Smith Books, with a personal behind-the-scenes commentary written by the author!

  • 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

---------------
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 and last 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.

This 327-page paperback is published by Revell and has a list price of $14.99.


About the Author

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 With Virginia Smith:

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.

My Review

I haven't read the first two books of this series, but reading the last one, while it can stand alone, makes me want to read the rest! And follow up with the author's other books, as well!

Admittedly, I had a hard time relating to a gal wearing a $300 pair of jeans at first. I wasn't sure I was going to like her! This rich-hardworking-rich-city-girl meets hardworking-poor-farmer-boy story works, though. I COULD relate to Tori's career issues, as I've been in the rat race myself, and love how those issues were resolved. And I could definitely relate to the sister stuff, having three sisters of my own.

What makes the story for me is how Tori deals with the underlying issues of her father's desertion when she was small. And how ultimately, the only resolution comes through her heavenly Father.

Overall, a sweet chic read with an uplifting message.

Thanks to Kathy Carlton Willis Communications for the copy of this book.

77 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe via Google Reader. I also am a follower.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Annette W. said...

I'd love a chance at it, though, like you would probably prefer the earlier ones too.
derekannette at gmail dot com

Annette W. said...

I follow!

Jennifer said...

I follow!!

~ Jennifer
http://thetoyboxyears.blogspot.com

Jennifer said...

I would love to read this book! Sounds like a great read!

~ Jennifer
http://thetoyboxyears.blogspot.com

Lady Araujo said...

I've just heard wonders about this book. Please, enter me.
marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lady Araujo said...

I follow you
marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com

Edna said...

I love to read Virginia's books, please enter me into the contest
I follow your blog


mamay2730(at)charter(dot)net

Benita said...

Sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the possibility.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Follower and email subscriber.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Surge said...

this looks like an interesting book

timesurge(at)live.ca

Mystica said...

Thank you for this enormous giveaway. Please count me in. I am a follower



mystica123athotmaildotcom

Nancye said...

I would LOVE to win this book! Please sign me up.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Anita Yancey said...

Great review. I'd love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I am a follower, and subscribe via email.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anonymous said...

Virginia is one of my favorite authors! please enter me :)

vkc922 at cox dot net

Amber said...

Nice review. :)
Thanks for the Chance!

ayoung3360@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

i'm a subscriber :)

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Fun! please add my name to the mix!

rebornbutterfly (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

Linda said...

Please enter me. Would love to read this one. Thanks.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I'm a follower by email newsletter.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

409cope said...

This looks like a good read! I would love be entered. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I follow through google friend. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

EVA SB said...

This looks like an interesting book. Please count me in.

Anonymous said...

Count me in.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow with google reader.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Katie said...

Looks like another wonderful book! Count me in!

kateh12783(at)hotmail(dot)com

Katie said...

And I'm a follower with google reader!

kateh12783(at)hotmail(dot)com

misskallie2000 said...

I loved your interview with Virginia. This sounds like a great book and Would love to read.
Pls count me in giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Thanks for the great giveaway.

I follow via GFC & subscriber

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

mindy said...

looks like a nice light read thanks for the giveaway minsthins at optonline dot net

Jennifer Wilson said...

Sounds great! I'd have a hard time relating to someone wearing a $300 pair of jeans as well! LOL!

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Jennifer Wilson said...

I follow google friends connect.

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM

THIS BOOK SOUNDS GOOD

Unknown said...

Please enter me into the giveaway.

rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com

littlelatina said...

sounds great im in

Anonymous said...

Enter me please

jim.coyne2@verizon.net

snytar said...

Enter me. snytar@netscape.net

Misusedinnocence said...

Sounds great, please count me in. :)

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I follow.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

David Johnson said...

Please count me in, thanks.

Bcteagirl said...

Heehee.. this sounds like such a fun book! Thanks for entering us to win
the others as well, I appreciate it!

teagirl1 at telus dot net

Bcteagirl said...

I follow via google friend connect!

mariska said...

I'd love to read this book !

mariska said...

A follower via GFC and on twitter (@becunique)

uniquas at ymail dot com

Cheryl B said...

I would love to read this. Please enter me.
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

Cheryl B said...

I'm a follower & email subscriber:
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

squiresj said...

Second attempt to write this and send.
I love Virginia Smith. She is one of my favorite authors. I just finished this book and posted her several reviews. If I win, these will be gifts as is the one I finished. I would love to win all 10 because I think I missed reading a couple.
I have a share a book program going on at our church and we just keep the books going.
jrs362(at)hotmail(dot)com

squiresj said...

Second attempt to write this and send.
I love Virginia Smith. She is one of my favorite authors. I just finished this book and posted her several reviews. If I win, these will be gifts as is the one I finished. I would love to win all 10 because I think I missed reading a couple.
I have a share a book program going on at our church and we just keep the books going.
jrs362(at)hotmail(dot)com

wmmahaney said...

This sounds like a wonderful book
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

wmmahaney said...

I subscribe in Google Reader
wmmahaney(at)Att(dot)net

Molly C. said...

Would love to win this.

mcapel4444 at aol.com

BookMarc Blogpants said...

Looks like it would be a good read. And that's a snazzy scarf the author has there!
marc74@inbox.com

Renee G said...

I'd love to be entered.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good read.
shawnac68@hotmail.com

Nickolay said...

awesome sounding book. Thanks for the chance

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Nickolay said...

follower

nickolay

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Anonymous said...

This looks like a fun read!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Becky said...

I would love to read this...Thanks.

Anonymous said...

lex.redding@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Subscriber.

lex.redding@yahoo.com

Valeen said...

This sounds like an interesting book! Please enter me in your giveaway!

sweepyhead at gmail dot com

SeahorseLady said...

I'm the middle of 3 girls and this book looks like it would be right up my alley.

SeahorseLady said...

I follow.

Kathy P said...

Thank you for the Great giveaway please count me in :)

Kathy P said...

following your blog as klp1965

grannyvon said...

I love to read Virginia Smith's books and want to be entered in the giveaway. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

grannyvon said...

I follow and also subscribe. Thanks for the extra entry. ybutler@oppcatv.com

Anonymous said...

Looks like an interesting read

Anonymous said...

follow blog

ardy22

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book. It sounds great. garrettsambo@aol.com

disneyfanheather said...

I'd love to read this!

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I would love to read:

Third Time's a Charm

zestywonderland@gmail.com

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I subscribe & follow!
zestywonderland@gmail.com