Welcome back, Sarah. What are some of the
spiritual themes you like to write about?
The spiritual themes in each story arise from the characters
and whatever issues they face. Themes I’ve explored include trust, fear, shame,
pride, obedience, and forgiveness. I think a lot of Christians allow fear or
shame or a lack of trust to hold them back from what God wants them to do (I
know I have!), and pride seems to be at the root of a great deal of sins we
struggle with, so those issues do tend to pop up frequently in my characters’
lives too.
What other books of
yours are coming out soon?
My next novel, On
Distant Shores, is coming out in June 2013, the second book in the Wings of
the Nightingale series, and the third book in the series comes out in June
2014.
If you could spend an
evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would
it be and why?
I think I’d like to meet Kay Arthur. With her heart for the
Lord and for the Word, I know conversations would be delightful.
What historical
person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
I’d like to meet Lucy Maud Montgomery. I love the Anne of
Green Gables books and Montgomery ’s
humor and dreaminess and insight into humanity.
How can you encourage
authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
That’s an experience I know well. I had five years of
rejection letters, which were difficult—but were also the years God used to
teach me some powerful lessons about humility and trust and faith and
obedience. For authors facing rejection now, my first bit of advice is to keep
taking your dream to the Lord, offering it with wide-open hands for Him to do
with as He pleases. If it’s clear He still wants you to write and submit, do so
wholeheartedly. Keep praying, keep writing, keep submitting. God’s definition
of success is very different from the world’s definition—He honors faithfulness
and obedience.
Tell us about the
featured book.
With Every Letter is the first book of the Wings of the
Nightingale series, which follows three World War II flight nurses in the Mediterranean . Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to
beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing
a letter to a man she’s never met—even if it is anonymous and part of a
morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa , welcomes the idea of an anonymous
correspondence—he’s been trying to escape his infamous name for years. As their
letters crisscross the Atlantic , Tom and
Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other's true
identity. When both are transferred to Algeria , the two are poised to meet
face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who
they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Chapter 1
October 2, 1942
Lt. Philomela Blake
believed mornings should start gently, with the nighttime melting into golden
sunshine and birdsong luring to wakefulness.
Most nurses on the
morning shift assaulted the patients with electric light and harsh voices, but
not Mellie.
She pulled the cord of
the blackout curtain and sang “At Last,” and the volume of her tune built with
the intensity of light. Hurting and healing men deserved a soft hand.
On the nearest bed,
Corporal Sloan shifted under the blankets. He’d undergone an appendectomy late
last night. “Any dame . . .” He cleared his throat, his voice raspy from the
ether. “Any dame with the voice of an angel must have a face to match.”
Mellie’s song and her
hands stilled. How many soldiers dreamed of a beautiful nurse who might fall in
love with him?
He rubbed his eyes, looked
at her, and his smile flickered.
Papa called Mellie his
exotic orchid, but American men seemed to prefer roses.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Website: http://www.sarahsundin.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sarahsundin
Thank you, Sarah, for sharing this book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
With Every Letter: A Novel (Wings of the Nightingale) - papeback
With Every Letter: A Novel (Wings of the Nightingale) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
34 comments:
I have seen this book on several blogs and each time it makes me remember my Uncle telling his story of how he met my Aunt. He was in the army and traveling on a train-at a station he and others threw their address out the window to some pretty girls. one picked his addresss and wrote to him and after sometime of writing back and forth and then meeting -They married. nice memory as they are both gone now....
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
I like the sound of this story!
Monica Ontario
I've been seeing this book around the book blog world several times now. Sounds like an interesting read.
Patty in SC
I was born at the very end of the war so enjoy reading books during that time period.
Blessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
The excerpt is so intriguing. i would love to win. Thanks for the chance, Lena and Sarah.
Marianne from Northern Alberta
mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom
The cover is beautiful -- totally eye-catching -- and the summary is intriguing. I look forward to getting my hands on a copy.
Eldra from BC
Paula - what an enchanting story! I'm sure your aunt and uncle loved telling it :)
Jo - it's a fascinating time period, isn't it?
Eldra - I agree about the cover - my publisher's art department does phenomenal word.
Monica & Patty & Marianne - thank you!
I love the cover - it reminds me of old war time movies with Bob Hope or Danny Kaye. And "Francis Joins the WACS". :)
From the black hills of SD!
I would LOVE to read this one!! It looks so good. :)
thanks for the interview and the giveaway!
Ladette in GA
ladettek[at]gmail[dot]com
I think I would love to read this one! Please enter me! It sounds GREAT! I'm from NC.
I would love to win, read, and review this book! :)
Please enter me!
Amada Chavez, NM
Sarah, I needed to hear your story today. I agree with you--what pleases God is very different from what we think is the prize. Thanks for sharing! And I'd love to be entered in the drawing.
Jill, Ohio
Sounds like a great beginning! Thanks for the chance to win! Deb from Pensacola, Florida
Lady Saotome - I love those old movies :)
Jill - oh sweetie, praying for you :) I first heard this concept from some missionary friends who spent two years in language training, then spent two years in Chad. Not one person came to the Lord. Many would consider them unsuccessful, but they weren't. They were faithful and obedient, and therefore, God was pleased. They shared a quote from Mother Theresa: "God doesn't require us to succeed. He only requires that you try." I grasped on to the concept hard (it was during my rejection-letter years). And it's so true.
Ladette & Breanna & Katie & Amada & Deb - thank you! I'm glad you're intrigued :)
I'm from NorCal, by the way. I should play by the rules too, huh?
I'd love to win a copy of With Every Letter. It sounds like a great story. Thank you for offering this giveaway!
Nancee in Michigan
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Looking forward to reading the Wings of the Nightingale series. I read A Distant Memory from your Wings of Glory Series and hope to read Blue Skies Tomorrow and A Distant Melody soon. Would love to win this first book in your new series. Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.
Brenda from Georgia
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
I've heard amazing things about this book! Can't wait to read it! I'm in MN.
I've seen this book in a couple of different locations now and I am intrigued. I would love to win the opportunity to read it.
Thanks so much for the giveaway.
Val
lastnerve2000 at gmail dot com
A story I look forward to reading. It sounds just so wonderful.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Looks and sounds interesting, Enter me!!
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.
I would love to learn more about these flight nurses. Looks like a great read. Thanks so much! Julie in MN,
Please enter me in the drawing. Thank! Portsmouth, VA
Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville, tx
Thanks, everyone! I'm thrilled to see how many enjoy reading about WWII.
Enter me this book looks absolutely wonderful!! I own a few of Sarah Sundin's books but not this one yet and I would love to!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
Sounds like a story I'd like to read!!
- Leauphaun from BC
I am a fan of WWII stories and of Sarah Sundin, I'd love to be enter for With Every Letter. Thanks!
Merry in TX
I am another Sarah Sundin fan! Her earlier series was unusual in that the characters had flaws, even besetting sins, to overcome, and it was great to read how they did that. The characters grew in the Lord, and that was a great element of that series, I thought.
I can't wait to read this new one! Thanks for the giveaway!
Kandra in Tennessee
I've been waiting and hoping & hoping to win this book!
From Donna, TX
I would really enjoy this book. My Dad was in World War II.
Beth from IA
Looks Interesting!
Enter Me!
Nathanael
Blanch, NC.
Thanks, everyone! It's fun to see some familiar names!
Kandra - thank you :) Since I have flaws myself - and love seeing God work in my own life - I like to offer that hope of change to readers.
Thanks for sharing this interview! I loved the Anne of Green Gables books too. :)
Jes (CA)
jswaks at gmail dot com
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