Welcome back for a second helping of Author Spotlight!
Say hello to Sarah Sundin! To win a copy of her new book, On Distant Shores (Revell, 2013) leave a comment on this post.
Tell us a little about your new book . . .
On Distant Shores is the second book in the Wings of the Nightingale series, which follows three World War II flight nurses—but each book stands alone. Lt. Georgiana Taylor has everything she could want. A boyfriend back home, a loving family, and a challenging job as a flight nurse. But in July 1943, Georgie’s cozy life gets more complicated when she meets pharmacist Sgt. John Hutchinson. Hutch resents the lack of respect he gets as a noncommissioned serviceman and hates how the war keeps him from his fiancée. While Georgie and Hutch share a love of the starry night skies over Sicily, their lives back home are falling apart. Can they weather the hurt and betrayal? Or will the pressures of war destroy the fragile connection they’ve made?
How can readers find you and your books?
You can find me online on my website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. My books are available at your local bookstore and all the online book retailers.
Anything new for you on the book horizon?
In Perfect Time, the third book in the Wings of the Nightingale series, comes out August 2014, and I recently signed a three-book contract with Revell for the Waves of Freedom series (working title), which follows three naval officers based in Boston in the early years of World War II.
Why do you write?
I can’t not write. The characters and stories won’t leave me alone.
Best author moment?
At a book signing last year, a lady came to my table, laid her hand on A Memory Between Us, and told me the book had been on her father’s bedside table when he died. Just a few minutes later, the woman who owns the bookstore—who moonlights as a prison guard!—told me she was reading A Distant Melody in her glass enclosure at the prison. A prisoner tapped on the window and said, “I read that. It’s a good book.” She didn’t believe him, but a few questions proved him right. My goodness! I couldn’t be at the one man’s deathbed or in that prison—but God put my book there!
If you weren’t able to write, what would you do?
Since I’m a pharmacist, currently working on-call, I imagine I’d work full-time as a pharmacist. But I’m glad I’m not doing that right now.
Describe your ideal circumstances to write.
Any moment I can. When I started writing, my youngest was a toddler. I learned to write during naptime, in the dentist’s waiting room, on the sidelines of my daughter’s soccer games . . . whenever and wherever I could. Now that my children are older, I’m able to keep full-time “office hours,” and I have my own office in the den—but I still do some work while waiting at the karate studio, the DMV, the orthodontist’s waiting room . . .
Right this moment, what does your office look like?
Oh dear. I’m glad this isn’t a photo essay. I’m in the middle of plotting a story, so I have notes and charts and index cards scattered all over my desk.
How would you describe your writing style to a reader?
Romance, action, drama, and historical accuracy.
If you could write any book—on any topic—and be guaranteed a publishing contract, what topic would it be?
I’m so blessed that I get to write what I love! I’d be writing exactly what I’m writing now.
Ever had a bad review? How did you handle it?
Goodness, yes. I won’t lie—they hurt, and sometimes I obsess on the nastier points. But then I pray. For the really snarky ones, I pray for the reader—anyone who feels it’s necessary to rip someone else apart to feel good about themselves needs prayer. For the polite ones, I let it go—we all have different tastes.
How do you solve a grammar dilemma?
Chicago Manual of Style. It’s right over my desk, and I love it. A bit too much perhaps.
Are you an introvert? Extrovert? In between?
I’m an introvert, but I can play extrovert.
Do you enjoy public speaking as an author? Why or why not?
I love public speaking. I’ve been teaching Sunday school to fourth and fifth-graders in a large-group setting for ten years, and it’s surprisingly good training. If you aren’t engaging and animated and interactive when you teach ten-year-olds, the boys will have each other in headlocks and the girls will braid each other’s hair and trade flip-flops.
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I would love to know more about Georgie and Hutch. On Distant Shores sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you.
Thanks, Melanie! Hutch & Georgie were fun characters to write.
I love the cover of her book, it catches my eye and I can’t wait to read it!
Thanks, Angie! Revell’s art department does a gorgeous job with covers!
thanks for the chance to read this novel 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win. It sounds like a great book!
Thanks Suzanne for having Sarah here on your Spotlight today. A sweet person and Sunday School teacher. I have her other book, With Every Letter, and would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance to do so. Please put my name in. MAXIE
I loved learning more about Sarah Sundin! I have read wonderful reviews about ON DISTANT SHORES and I look forward to reading this inspirational story!
This sounds like a wonderful read!
Thank you for a chance to win. Can’t wait to read it.
A friend collects vintage books and I just saw a scan of the cover of his copy of Ann Bartlett in the South Pacific, The Further Adventures of a Navy Nurse by Martha Johnson published in 1941. His page says there were 5 books in that series. There are quite a few of these series & are scarce. For example he lists a 13 book series, Sue Merton, Nurse by Louise Logan which was a series written for adults.
You are following in a fine tradition! Good luck and I will look for your books!
Kathleen – how interesting! I’m so thankful the nurses preserved their stories. Too many didn’t – they didn’t think they were doing anything “important” – but of course they were!
Hey ! I’ve not read any of you books yet , but this would be a good time to get started ! Thanks !
I look forward to reading your book.
I would enjoy reading the book and sharing it with my mom
I would love to win a copy!
Sarah sounds like a wonderful person and a wonderful role model. Please enter my name as I would love to win a copy of her book.
Thanks for the chance!
Hello!
May you and all the characters have a wonderful day.
Thanks for this wonderful giveaway. Wishing you much happiness.
Being a Marine Mom, The books cover caught my eye.This looks like a book I would love to read. Thanks for introducing me to this new Author.
Hope I win, love your books
Would love to win a book 🙂 Always looking for new books to read & your stories sound so interesting!
I love historical fiction and especially stories about WWII. Would love to read a book by this author!!!!
Love learning about new authors/books – took note of the titles and will search the local library/bookstores. Look forward to reading your books Sarah
I love the sounds of On Distant Shores and would love to win a copy. I love the fact you started writing when you were a young Mom~and as the children grow older you still write as your being Mom.
Thanks! I’m in the weird transition-to-empty-nest phase, with one son away at college, my daughter at home but going to college, and my “baby” – who is taller than I – in high school.
Your books look so interesting… I’d love to read this one!
That was a fun interview to read! I’ve read all of Sarah’s books and really enjoyed them.
I’d love to read this one! Thanks for the chance! 🙂
Lovely cover and the story sounds intriguing
Enjoyed the wonderful interview. Book sounds great. Would love to win and read the book. Please enter my name in the giveaway. Thank you!
Love Sarah’s books. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Hi everyone! I’m so excited by the all the interest – especially from so many new names and faces. And of course, it’s always lovely to see names & faces I already know and love as well!
Thank you for spending some time with us. Looking forward to reading 🙂
What a lovely Author Spotlight! Thank you!
I love reading books about WWII era so it would be great to read fiction from that time.
Nice to get to know you Sarah. I have not had the privilege of reading any of your books as of yet, but would love this chance to win one! I usually read the Amish fiction books but I’m beginning to broaden my reading. Hope my library carries some of your books. God bless!
If your library doesn’t carry them, you can ask them to order it – or for an interlibrary transfer – I do this all the time 🙂
Hi Sarah!!! I enjoy reading historical fiction. The cover of your book looks very interesting!! I’d love to win a copy of this book. JudyF
Would love to read one of your books. I also enjoy historical fiction. Thanks for sharing with us.
I would love a chance to win a copy of this book! Thanks for the opportunity!
I’m always looking for authors that my 93 yr old mother-in-law(her birthday is today!) hasn’t read. She absolutely loves fiction that takes place during WWII!
I totally judge books by their covers and I have wanted to read your book ever since I saw the first cover image! 🙂 Hope I win!
Enjoyed your interview, Sarah! Love stories about WWII & would love to read your book – thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Thanks for all the cover love 🙂 Revell Books has an amazing cover art team! They not only try to capture the look of the character but the personality.
By the way, the photo of Pompeii and Vesuvius in the lower portion of the cover was taken by my husband on our 2011 Italian vacation!
The stories about the Amish people give me a longing in my heart to live a simple life as they do. They live a structured lifestyle and there is no deviation from it – if so there are consequences. This is so unlike the non-Amish society. Thank God for the folks who strive to live a Godly life.
Thanks for the chance to win. Love the book cover.
seraphinangel7@aol.com
Hello Sarah Sundin, I have not had the opportunity to read your books. I recently started reading Historical Romance/fiction books that a friend let me read. I enjoyed them very much and have now added these to my desire to read Amish Books. It is nice to meet you . I am looking forward to reading your books.
Nice to hear of another new to me author. I love to read WWII historicals and all the trials that go with it. My parents had some real trials in post-war Germany and so this really piques my interest.
I can’t wait to read this book!! I love Sarah’s books. 🙂
Please enter me for On Distant Shores. Historical fiction is my favorite genre. So interesting to learn about times before us.
What a great interview. I really enjoy Historical fiction.
I have never read any of your books but I will try to soon. Your blurb has me intrigued. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
That was a great interview. Thank you for sharing some of the ups & downs of a writer’s life. Historical fiction is great to read. I haven’t read your books but On distant shores sounds wonderful. I like the fact too that it’s a series or stand alone.