The Latest from Sarah Sundin

Congratulations to Sarah Sundin on her latest book, Through Waters Deep! She is a wonderful storyteller; her books are rich and engaging historical tales. If you are a fan of such, I highly recommend her stories.

Hi Sarah - Welcome back to Write Now!  Can you give us a peek at the story?

Hi Karen and friends! It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges–and dangers–await them.

It sounds jam packed with adventure and intrigue. :) I love the cover. How involved are you in the cover selection process? 

I love it too! Revell sends me a titling and cover questionnaire well in advance. I share a bit about the story, characters, and setting, and I include pictures of clothing, uniforms, ships, setting, hairstyles—anything that could help them. Before the photo shoot, they often send me pictures of the uniforms or outfits to make sure they’re correct, especially the military insignia. Then they do the photo shoot and send me the cover. I give feedback, and they can make certain adjustments. For example, the first cover for Through Waters Deep had the wrong ship—it looked like a modern destroyer—and they changed it to a WWII-era Gleaves-class destroyer as in the novel.

Wow, there is much more to the process than one might think. The finished product looks great. Since your books are set in or around WW2, am I correct in assuming this period interests you? What originally drew you to write about this era? 

I heard my grandparents’ stories about their war years, and I was always drawn to the era. There’s a certain nostalgia—the great clothing and music and upbeat attitude. But there’s so much more. World War II showed us the very worst and the very best in human nature, and forces us to think what we’d do in similar situations. It was a time when ordinary men and women were placed in extraordinary circumstances, and learned they could do extraordinary things. This inspires us ordinary people today. 

It is indeed an inspiration. The details in your books are so authentic and lend realism to your stories. What steps do you take to maintain accuracy? 

I do a lot of research, finding the best books and websites on each subject and reading thoroughly. For Through Waters Deep, I was even able to conduct research at the National Archives in Boston, a fantastic experience. I also seek out personal stories to lend color and human touches. Whenever possible, I visit the location. I was able to spend a week in Boston last summer, exploring the sites for this series. I took tons of pictures and notes! 

I love the idea of adding color and personal touches. Your research and enthusiasm are evident in your stories. What’s on the horizon for you? Will we see another book in this series in the coming months?

Anchor in the Storm, Book 2 in the Waves of Freedom series, comes out in the summer of 2016. For plucky Lillian Avery, America’s entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. She loves the wartime challenges of her new job but spurns the attention of society boy Ens. Archer Vandenberg, even if Arch is her brother’s best friend. As Arch’s destroyer battles U-boats along the East Coast in the darkest days of the war, Lillian uncovers a black market drug ring. Arch’s efforts to aid Lillian’s investigation and to win her trust fling them both into danger—from torpedoes, drug lords, and opened hearts.

Sounds exciting! Thanks again for coming by to see us, Sarah. Wishing you much success with your books! 

Thank you, Karen!  

About Sarah

Sarah Sundin is the author of seven historical novels, including Through Waters Deep (Revell, August 2015). Her novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in Where Treetops Glisten is a finalist for the 2015 Carol Award, and her novel On Distant Shores was a double finalist for the 2014 Golden Scroll Awards. A mother of three, Sarah lives in California, works on-call as a hospital pharmacist, and teaches Sunday school.

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Is there a certain era in history to which you are drawn? Why?

Happy reading and writing,

Karen