Interview with Sarah Sundin *** GIVEAWAY***

From Sarah

By Kelly Bridgewater

I'm so excited today!!!

My favorite World War II author is here!!!

If you have followed my blog for  a while, then you know who I'm talking about.
Are you ready?

My Guest today is . . .

SARAH SUNDIN!!

Here is a little background of Sarah Sundin, if you are unfamiliar with her writing.

Sarah Sundin is the author of nine historical novels, includingAnchor in the Storm and When Tides Turn. Her novelThrough Waters Deep was a finalist for the 2016 Carol Award, won the INSPY Award, and was named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years.”A mother of three, Sarah lives in California. 

Of course, once you find an author you enjoy, there are plenty of ways to stay in touch. To reach Sarah, connect with her through these avenues:

Website:http://www.sarahsundin.com

Blog: http://www.sarahsundin.com/blog

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2992396.Sarah_Sundin

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahSundinAuthor

Twitter:http://twitter.com/sarahsundin

Other (please specify): Pinteresthttp://pinterest.com/sarahsundin

Now to the interesting part. I had the opportunity to interview Sarah about her writing and reading. I hope you enjoy and learn something from her like I did. 

From Amazon

Yourself:

  1.)   Tell us a little bit about yourself:  How did you start writing?  What has kept you writing?

I have an odd path to writing, since I never intended to become a writer! In college I studied chemistry, then became a part-time pharmacist and a stay-at-home mom. But in 2000, I woke up one morning with a dream so compelling, I needed to write it. It’s as if God suddenly had flipped on the writing switch in my brain. Since then, I haven’t been able to stop writing. The characters and their stories drive me.

 2.)   The first person who encouraged me to pursue my writing was . . .

My mommy. I love her. When I told her I was starting a novel, she immediately began bragging about Her Daughter the Writer. Oh dear. Thank goodness I actually finished that book. Anyway, she continues to be my greatest cheerleader.

3.)   What draws you into historical romance stories?

I think I’ll always write romances—no matter what, I look for the romance. I can handle almost any of my husband’s action movies as long as there’s a love story. As for the history, it came out of the third novel I wrote—my first published novel, A Distant Melody. The inspiring idea for that story wouldn’t have worked in current times, so it had to be historical. I somewhat randomly selected World War II because it had always interested me. However, as I researched the era, I was drawn in and it’s become a passion.

Where Tide Turns:

4.)   What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?

The need for balance in life. Work, rest, and play all have their proper places, and we need to embrace each of these.

5.)   If you could sit and have a cup of tea or coffee with one of the characters in the Waves of Freedom series, who would it be? Why?

The heroine, Tess Beaumont. She’s so fun and caring and encouraging, and she draws people out.

From Sarah

6.)    Do you identify with one character more over the rest? Who? Why?

I really related to the hero, Dan Avery. Although I’m not nearly as driven and serious as he is, I’d been swamped by work before and during the time I was writing this story. Like Dan, I’d cut almost everything but work from my life, and it was hurting me. Unlike Dan, I disliked it. However, the lessons Dan learned about making yourself take time for rest and play sank in. As soon as that crunch time concluded, I’ve been more careful to schedule time for exercise, rest, and fun.

Writing:

7.)   Where did the idea for this novel come from? How do you narrow down all the different areas of research that surrounds World War II into one idea for your novel?

First, I wanted to finish the story of the American involvement in the Battle of the Atlantic that I started with Through Waters Deep. Lt. Dan Avery, as the determined-to-become-admiral oldest brother, was the natural choice for this climactic turning point of World War II. Second, I wanted to tell Quintessa Beaumont’s story. She’d unwittingly caused a bit of trouble in Through Waters Deep, and I knew she had room to grow. I figured putting her in the WAVES would give her the humbling she needed. Third, I couldn’t wait to see what would happen when I put no-nonsense, black-and-white Dan together with fun-loving, colorful Tess. It was so fun to watch.

8.)   As a budding historical writer, do you have some advice for me? My problem is the amount of research out there to write a historical novel. Where does it end? How do you know when you have enough?

Deadlines are my friend. Seriously. Research is fascinating but never-ending, so I have to be disciplined and prioritize my research time. I start with the most vital books and websites, then let the story guide the research. I have enough research when I have enough to write the story. When writing the rough draft, I give myself permission to leave research holes—which I highlight—and then fill them later. But I’ll never complete all the research I’d like to. For the novel I just finished, The Sea Before Us (Revell, Spring 2018), I had fifty major resources on my research list. I actually read thirty-three of them. I still plan to read seven of them, because they’ll help with the rest of the series. But I did read the most important ones.

9.)   How do you balance the story versus the research in your writing? I, personally, do not like reading a historical novel that reads like a textbook. You're really good at not doing that. You invite me into the time period and allow me to take the journey with the characters, which I LOVE!!

From Amazon

I give myself permission to overwrite in the rough draft. All those facts and details I discovered and adore—in they go. Then I whittle them down. My critique partners whittle some more. I slash and burn in the edit. My editor at Revell slashes some more. In the rough draft I include everything I want the reader to know. In editing I aim for what the reader needs to know to understand the story. Story rules.

Off the topic:

10.) Are there any up-coming projects? What are they?

I’m currently writing another World War II series, Sunrise at Normandy, which follows three estranged brothers as they fight on D-day on the sea, in the air, and on the ground. The first novel, The Sea Before Us, has been turned in and is scheduled to be published in Spring 2018.

In 1944, American naval officer Lt. Wyatt Paxton arrives in London to prepare for the Allied invasion of France, determined to redeem himself with the brothers he has betrayed. Dorothy Fairfax serves as a “Wren” in the Women’s Royal Naval Service, striving for the love of her bereaved father and of the man she’s always adored, Lawrence Eaton. When Wyatt and Dorothy work together on Allied plans for D-day, he hopes Dorothy will return his growing love. But will family secrets, misplaced affections—and the seas off Normandy—separate them forever?

11.) What books are on your shelf or e-reader right now?

I’m currently reading Dandi Daley Mackall’s World War II novel, With Love, Wherever You Are, which is charming. Next up—Julianna Deering’s Murder on the Moor and Laura Frantz’s A Moonbow Night.

Thank you, Sarah, for stopping by and giving me this interview! I greatly appreciate your stories and hope there will be many more! 

*********************GIVEAWAY*********************

Sarah Sundin has kindly offered to giveaway one paperback copy of her newest release, Where Tides Turn, the final book in the Waves of Freedom series. To back this giveaway even better, I'm offering a paperback copy of Anchor in the Storm, the second book in the series to a lucky winner!  TWO WINNERS. TWO WINNERS!! (Even though I love foreign readers, this giveaway is open to US residents only. Sorry!) The giveaway runs from Wednesday, March 15th to Tuesday, March 21 at midnight. Enter with the Rafflecopter below. 

Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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