Monday, August 26, 2013

Interview and Giveaway with Sarah Sundin



     
Author Sarah Sundin is back to visit and celebrate her latest book with a giveaway. Be sure to check out the giveaway details below!

     
      Welcome back to Write Now, Sarah! It's great to see you again. Congratulations on your new book, On Distant Shores! With five wonderful books to your credit, is there anything you wish you had known before you started on your novel writing journey?    
Actually, no. God had me on a “need-to-know” basis, and that was best.  If I’d known how much work went into writing, researching, and editing a novel, I might not have started. And if I knew how being a published author is a truly full-time job (more than  full time, in fact), I might have hesitated in pursuing publication. But I love the whole writing process, and I have room in my life for full-time work at this point, so I’m glad I didn’t know!

There's a whole lot to writing and being published, that's for sure. I know you do extensive research for your books. How do you sift through the info and decide what to use in the story?

When I first have a story idea I want to work on, I do some baseline research to make sure the story works historically. During the plotting phase (I outline heavily before I start writing), I let the story guide the research and try to focus only on resources relevant to my plot. Then I also do spot research during the rough draft and edit for minor points. When I’m going through a research book or perusing a website, I try to keep my story in mind to avoid wasting too much time on rabbit trails. But often something I’m reading will inspire plot or character ideas—or completely new story ideas—so I don’t mind occasional rabbit trails. 

      Your focused efforts aren't wasted, they add so much to your stories. What do you like to read in your spare time? (If you have any spare time, that is.)

I always have one research book and one novel going at a time. I love to read novels—which is why I write them! I enjoy historicals, women’s fiction, the classics, and the occasional suspense story.

      What's on the horizon for you - I believe I've heard something about a new series?

Yes! I’m so excited. I recently signed another three-book contract with Revell for a series tentatively called Waves of Freedom, which follows three American naval officers based in Boston in the early years of World War II.

Congratulations! I look forward to reading them. Thanks again for joining us today!

Thank you, Karen, it's been a pleasure! :)


My Review

Lieutenant Georgiana Taylor is looking forward to the end of World War II, for she’ll be able to return to her boyfriend in the states and build the life she’s always dreamed of. Sergeant John Hutchinson is anxious to return to his fiancĂ©e in the US and get on with his life as well. Their positions, Georgie’s as a flight nurse and John’s as a pharmacist throws them together often. They find they enjoy common interests and build a careful friendship. Unexpected changes arise on the home front for them both which yields further challenges. What happens next? I’ll never tell, but if you enjoy historical fiction, you just might enjoy their story.

I appreciate that On Distant Shores, Book Two in the Wings of the Nightingale series, stands alone. Readers do not need to read the first book to understand what’s happening. It is another success “story” to Sarah Sundin’s credit. Her attention to historical detail is wonderful; it adds layers to the plot that you don’t often see. This, combined with realistic, likeable characters offers a great reading experience. I’m now looking forward to Book Three!

Find more info about Sarah and her books on her website or blog.

Visit her on Facebook or Twitter.

Purchase On Distant Shores here.


Giveaway Details:

  • You must be a Google Friend Connect follower and leave your email address with your comment. 
  • Gain bonus entries (+1 each) by posting this on Facebook, your blog, and/or Twitter. Please total your entries and include links with your comment.
  • Open to residents of the United States.
  • Deadline to enter is noon EST Friday, August 30, 2013. Winner will be chosen by random.org, notified via email, and will have 36 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Winner will be announced Monday, September 2, 2013.

Do you have any questions for Sarah? What are you reading this week?

Happy reading and writing,

Karen

Note: I was given an influencer review copy of On Distant Shores by Revell in exchange for my honest opinion.



33 comments :

  1. Wonderful interview and review Karen. And it's nice to meet you Sarah!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations on signing for another three books! And glad God had me on a need-to-know basis as well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely to hear about Sarah, always great to find a new author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Keith,
    Thanks so much! Sarah makes it easy! :)

    Alex,
    I'm excited for Sarah too! Sometimes it is best to be in the dark, isn't it? :)

    Carole,
    I'm glad you got a chance to meet her! You might enjoy her books. :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congrats, Sarah! Thanks, Karen for the review. I look forward to reading this one.
    I follow via GFC and Bloglovin.
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Shared on twitter.
    https://twitter.com/AmyBooksy/status/372005533349203969
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks, everyone! It's nice to meet new people!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm sure it's easy to get lost in research when writing a historical book.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great interview and review, Karen. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Sarah and Karen!

    I so relate to the rabbit trails, Sarah. I love researching so much and I sometimes get lost in it too. You are awesome at giving the reader the right amount of story world! Blessings on the book and new deal.
    Shared on Facebook and Twitter.
    jan cline author at g mail dot com

    Jan

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for the interview with Sarah, Karen. Nicely done! She is a seasoned writer. Susan

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would love to win Sarah's new book. Sounds good. Thanks for having her here. Please put my name in .
    MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Can't wait to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway!!

    I tweeted!
    https://twitter.com/mmehresman/status/372049931592155137

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Amy C.,
    Glad you enjoyed it! I've got you down! Thanks for spreading the word! :)

    Diane,
    It sure is! Well, and any other kind of research can swamp us too, I'm thinking. :)

    Lisa,
    Thanks for coming over to see us! Glad you enjoyed it! :)

    Jan,
    I appreciate you spreading the word! Sarah does offer a great balance, doesn't she? :)

    Susan,
    You are welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. :) She is indeed a seasoned writer!

    Maxie,
    Thanks so much! It is a winner! :)

    Marissa,
    You are welcome! It is a great read! :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would love to enter your give away! My e-mail is kristamontgomery@yahoo.com
    Thank you so much for hosting the give away and doing the interview! I really enjoyed reading it! I read The Wings of Glory Series and look forward to reading this series and the next!
    Blessings,
    Krista

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win a copy of this book! I've heard loads of good things about it and would love to read it sometime! I follow via GFC user the name Bethany. Thanks ladies!

    Bethany
    bethanydaughteroftheking{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I enjoyed the interview so much. The research information was interesting and made me think of the dollar bill that I have from my father, who was a bombardier in WWII. I couldn't remember what it was called, but did some quick research. It was called a short snorter. I knew the flight crew carried them for good luck, but that's all I knew. There is a sight online with a virtual museum, so I am going to pursue that idea. Thank you for giving me the little push I needed. I plan to read all your books, but would be happy to win On Distant Shores.

    I am a google follower (different email address).
    may_dayzee@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Krista,
    You are welcome! Sarah is such a fun author to interview. :) I always enjoy her visits.

    Bethany,
    Sarah's books always create a buzz, and with good reason! So glad you stopped by. :)

    Kay,
    Glad to hear you enjoyed the interview. I so enjoy Sarah's visits here! Cheering you on with your research! :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  19. ha, yes, writing is definitely not for the faint of heart. Best wishes for your book, Sarah.
    Lyn

    ReplyDelete
  20. "God had me on a need-to-know basis." I love this. I think it's absolutely true, and coming to grips with this has brought peace to me in my own writing journey!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great interview and the book sounds wonderful. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lynda,
    Us writers are a brave bunch, aren't we? LOL

    Rhonda,
    I know, love that too. Accepting can be hard, but it is a good thing! :)

    Lydia,
    Thanks so much! It is a winner! :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great interview and review.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Diane & Jan - yes, it's so easy to get sucked into the research black hole. There are so many interesting tidbits, and one link leads to another, and to another, and to another....

    Kay - that's wonderful that you have a "short snorter" - what a great little bit of history!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great interview and review. I'm grateful for God's need to know basis for revealing things in my life as well. He knows how much we can handle.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Joy,
    Thanks so much! It's fun to have Sarah visit. :)

    Ruth,
    Thank you! That way things play out as they should, don't they? :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wonderful interview and review Karen. And it's nice to meet you Sarah!

    Congratulations Sarah!

    Nas

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love this period, especially anything about the war. Not sure why, except maybe because my parents were young and in love during that time. The book sounds wonderful. Hope I win!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Nas,
    Thank you! Glad you got to come by! :)

    Joylene,
    Hope you get a chance to read this one! I think you'll like it. :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  30. I hope it isn't too late. Love her books!

    susanjreinhardt AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for this interview, Karen. I appreciate advice from published authors, as they've been through the hurdles of editing and publishing. I especially appreciated Sarah's advice that her writing career is more than a full-time job. I can see that.

    The book sounds intriguing. Be well, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  32. "Need to know" -- I like that. WWII was a fascinating time in our history; sounds like a good read.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Susan,
    Glad you made it over! I think you will enjoy this book! :)

    Janette,
    I appreciate their advice too! There's so much to learn, isn't there? :)

    Milo,
    I know, I liked that too. It's better that way! It is a good read!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!