Interview with Sarah Sundin & GIVEAWAY | The Engrafted WordSarah Sundin is the author of eight historical novels, including Anchor in the Storm. Her novel Through Waters Deep was named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years,” and her novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in Where Treetops Glisten was a finalist for the 2015 Carol Award. A mother of three, Sarah lives in California, works on-call as a hospital pharmacist, and teaches Sunday school.

For more, visit her at http://www.sarahsundin.com

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Welcome back to the blog, Sarah. I’m so honored to have you here today. Congratulations on your new release, Anchor In The Storm. It looks sooooo good! 🙂

What part of this story did you enjoy researching the most?

Interview with Sarah Sundin & GIVEAWAY | The Engrafted WordAll of it! I enjoyed visiting Boston and doing on-the-ground research. I loved learning more about the US Home Front in the early years of the war. As a pharmacist, I had great fun researching pharmacy practice during the war and the medical elements of this story. And I was fascinated—and horrified—by the details of the U-boat war off the US East Coast in early 1942.

What’s been one of your favorite covers so far? Love the cover of Anchor in the Storm, btw. 🙂

I do too! I’ve loved all my covers. Through Waters Deep may be my favorite aesthetically, but I’m also especially fond of the cover for Blue Skies Tomorrow. The hero looks exactly as I pictured him, and the cover designers used some incredible details—the actual historic El Campanil Theatre featured in the novel, the movie on the marquee, even the license plates!

Did you come up with the title? If not, can you share with us the previous title you had picked?

Interview with Sarah Sundin & GIVEAWAY | The Engrafted WordMy working title was Let the Seas Roar. I liked the nautical flavor, but I always considered it a “placeholder” title. When I filled out my cover questionnaire, I suggested using the word anchor in the title because of the theme verse (Heb. 6: 18-19: We might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast). Revell came up with Anchor in the Storm. At first I was hesitant—there was no storm in the story. However, I was in the process of writing the big climactic scene and realized a storm would make a great addition. So I wrote it in.

That is so cool! What has been the most memorable book you’ve read so far this year?

I was really touched by Karen Barnett’s Through the Shadows. Not only is it a well-researched novel set in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, but the characters’ journeys resonated with me. The heroine struggles with shame over sin in her past, and the hero faces a professional ethical dilemma.

http://www.sarahsundin.com/Do you have a word of advice for aspiring authors out there? Maybe a lesson or piece of advice that has helped you?

Be both persistent and teachable. Those two traits seem to be the best predictors for success in this industry. If you’re confident that God wants you to write, keep pushing toward the goal and don’t let negative voices get you down. But persistence alone can become arrogant mule-headedness. Maintaining a humble and teachable spirit allows you to work with editors and agents, to grow as a writer, and to handle both positive and negative reviews with grace.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Sarah! Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?

The third novel in the Waves of Freedom series, When Tides Turn, is going through edits right now—and I’m eagerly waiting for the cover! I’m also starting work on my new World War II series that follows three estranged brothers as they fight on D-Day on the sea, in the air, and on the ground.

That sounds great! I’m so looking forward to reading your next book. 🙂 Have a great 2016!

GIVEAWAY!!

Sarah has graciously offered to give away a copy of Anchor in The Storm to one lucky reader! Enter below and it could be YOU! ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! Contest is open to US residents only and ends May 31, 2016.  The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!