What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Take a Chance on Love?
Davis and Landry’s love story has been simmering in the background since Grocery Girl (Book 1 of The Davenports mini-series). They’ve flirted and teased and become fast friends… Now it’s time for them to declare how they really feel about one another.
My son’s personality, his dedication to family, friends, and his job, and his absolutely joy for life served as the model for Davis’s character. Years ago, my SonShine (Davis’s mom “borrowed” that from me, too.) said that the love and marriage my husband and I share set a near-unattainable bar for finding the perfect person to love. I realized that growing up in a home where the parents are ridiculously in love creates its own set of obstacles — not the same as Landry’s opposite and unsafe childhood, but still significant. I used their conflicting past experiences and future expectations to establish the hurdle Davis and Landry must overcome to reach their happily ever after.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Take a Chance on Love, what would they be?
I create a Spotify playlist for each of my books, so this is both an easy question (as I’ve already chosen songs) and a very difficult question (as it's hard to whittle my selections down to one per character).
All about ‘80s classics, Landry Elaine Stark adores “Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners for obvious reasons, so it has to be her walk-up song. Known as the fun-loving life of the party, Daniel Davis goes by lots of nicknames and monikers; for his song, I choose “Flirtbird” by Duke Ellington.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
While I write wholesome and heartfelt, inspirational romance, I read [almost] all sub-genres of romance. Simply put, I love a great love story! I’m also partial to historical fiction, particularly WWII-era novels of romance and women’s fiction. Strong, brilliant women making big impacts on the world, who are also open to true love get me every time. I gravitate toward rural settings, which makes sense as Green Hills — the adorable small town I invented for my books — embodies the best facets of a tight, caring community.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
I’m really into the “friends to soulmates” trope these days! The next three in my massive pile of TBR are Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood, It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey, and Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score. The theme is so fun that I decided to structure Book 5 around that concept, so be on the lookout this fall for my own version of “I hate you, yet I love you” happening in Green Hills.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
As I mentioned above, my main male character, Davis, is inspired by my son, Cannon, so the scenes that showcase Davis’s personality were the most fun to write in Book 4. Specifically, my favorite one to write is the Little League baseball game in chapter 35. Drawing on treasured memories from Cannon’s youth baseball games, remembering the spirit and enthusiasm of those competitions, and putting those cherished moments into words truly warmed my heart. Not only was it my favorite scene to write, but writing about writing it brings a huge smile to my face right now! Wonderful times, indeed 🙂
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
Not yet, but I want to develop one… I’m thinking of running away to a rundown cabin by the lake, where there’s no cell service, limited wifi, and few humans. There, I’ll hole up for ten or twelve days at a time to just write. I might not even eat very often, so I’ll be “killing two birds with one stone” – LOL!
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Yes, it's something I wrote in the back of my Bible almost ten years ago, and it's still my goal today: Be a light of optimism, support, and spirit everywhere and in each moment.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
It takes courage to choose love. The selflessness, the patience, and the challenges make us stronger — better — people. The partnership, passion, and devotion are all worthy rewards. LOVE is worth the work!
Virginia'dele Smith is the author of the new book Take a Chance on Love
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