1–What is the title of your latest release?
MIDNIGHT ON THE SCOTTISH SHORE
2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Desperate to escape the occupied Netherlands in 1941, Cilla van der Zee agrees to become a spy in Britain. But her plans to betray the Germans and work for the Allied cause are derailed when a suspicious Royal Navy officer finds her on the shores of his Scottish home.
3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
Since my family is part-Scottish, they’ve been begging me to set one of my World War II novels in Scotland. Then my mythology-loving youngest son told me the legend of the selkie. This creature looks like a seal but sheds its skin on land to reveal a beautiful woman. Men who fall for the selkie steal the sealskin to trap her on land, but if she should find that sealskin, she’ll flee back to sea.
I immediately pictured a spy landing on Scottish shores in sight of a kilt-wearing Scotsman, who turns her over to Britain’s MI5. Then I found Dunnet Head Lighthouse, set on a high cliff in the far north of Scotland on the south side of Pentland Firth—within sight of the British naval base of Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands. I knew of MI5’s Double Cross program, which turned German spies to become double agents, so I had MI5 assign my selkie-lass to work at Dunnet Head—with the naval officer who captured her.
4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely. Cilla van der Zee is witty and creative and fun, and she really cares about people. She has a tendency to get herself into trouble, but she also has the ability to laugh at herself and make everyone like her. I grew to like her even more as the story events made her aware of her faults and humbled her.
5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Vivacious, impulsive, caring.
6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I was surprised to learn that Britain’s MI5 captured almost all the spies the Germans sent to Britain in World War II! Only one is known to have escaped capture—and he didn’t have a working radio and committed suicide when he ran out of funds. The Double Cross program successfully turned over three dozen spies to become double agents for the Allies—and the Germans never discovered this! For all the reputation of the Nazis for all-knowing efficiency, their spy program was shockingly inept.
7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
Both. While I’m writing my rough draft, I’ll make minor changes as I go, mostly adding research details or making sentences smoother. For the big changes, I wait until I finish the rough draft. I keep a running list of things I want to fix, then tackle them all during editing. This allows me to capture the ideas when they come while not impeding the magical flow of writing the rough draft.
8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Probably tea. My husband teases me about my “tea collection.” I enjoy trying new and interesting teas, and they make a fun souvenir from our travels—that doesn’t take up much space.
9–Describe your writing space/office!
I’m kind of spoiled. We moved two years ago, and one of the selling features of our new home was the office. It has plenty of space for bookshelves for my research books, a closet for office supplies, and even a little couch for when I want to write by hand. But the desk…it’s a thing of beauty. It’s so big, with lots of drawers and cabinets and shelves and desktop space. I’m thankful the rest of the house worked too!
10–Who is an author you admire?
I spent so much time deliberating on this question. I could name dozens. I should indeed name those dozens. I’ve been blessed in meeting so many talented, giving, and thoughtful authors. But I’ll name Lauraine Snelling because she taught me so much. Not only is she a multi-published, bestselling author, but she gives back. Long before I was published, Lauraine served as an example of the type of author I wanted to be. She is one of the main reasons I teach at conferences—and serve on the leadership team for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference.
11–Is there a book that changed your life?
Another question begging, “Where do I start?” I’ll choose Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books, because they subconsciously showed me the power of historical fiction. Through little girls just like me, I was immersed in an era that was not at all like mine—and I loved it. Historical fiction has the power to sweep you to an era and “live it,” through universal human experiences and emotions, and shows us that if Laura could survive wildfires and locust plagues and the “ague,” then we can certainly survive our trials today.
12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
Midnight on the Scottish Shore is my seventeenth published novel—how is that possible? – but that day when I got “the email” is still bright in my memory. My rejection letter years had stretched long, so I was prepared and braced. That email opened with “I have good news for you today.” Now, I’d come to see the silver linings in the clouds of rejection, but that seemed an almost-cruel way to open. I had to read the email three times to realize it was an offer letter. Then I squealed and did a weird flappy thing with my hands. My three kids ran in, managed to decipher my squealing, and my level-headed oldest son pressed the phone into my hand between flaps and said, “Call Dad.”
13–What’s your favorite genre to read?
I’m always drawn to historical fiction, but I also love fun contemporary romance, juicy mysteries, heart-thumping suspense, and fantasy.
14–What’s your favorite movie?
Technically, it isn’t a movie, but I’ve watched the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice countless times.
15–What is your favorite season?
Autumn. Cool weather, sweaters, and school supplies! Since I was a nerd-girl who adored school, I find the season so energizing and exciting.
16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
At my favorite Chinese restaurant with my family.
17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
We’ve been binging British mysteries, including Midsomer Murders, Vera, Shetland, Father Brown, and Death in Paradise. Some are predictable and outlandish, some are deep and thought-provoking, but they’re just such fun. Also, All Creatures Great and Small, because it’s the best. That’s why.
18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Chinese!
19–What do you do when you have free time?
We have two big dogs who need their walks. Since writing is so sedentary, I need my walks too. And my morning walk is one of my favorite parts of my day. As for free time, I love to hang out with my family, especially my adorable grandson. And my husband and I love to travel!
20–What can readers expect from you next?
My 2026 release is set on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands, the only British territory occupied by the Germans in World War II. Dr. Ivy Picot risks her life to treat men who have escaped from the German forced labor camps on her native Jersey. But when a Dutch engineer sneaks maps of fortifications off the island, it could cost them both everything they love.
MIDNIGHT ON THE SCOTTISH SHORE by Sarah Sundin
WWII Spy Historical Fiction with Mystery, Suspense, and Enemies to Lovers Clean Romance
In a time of war, danger lurks beneath the water—and in the depths of the human heart
As the German war machine devours the Netherlands, the only way Cilla van der Zee can survive the occupation is to do the unthinkable—train to become a spy for the Nazis. Once dispatched to Britain, she plans to abandon her mission and instead aid the Allies. But her scheme is thwarted when naval officer Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie finds her along the Scottish shore and turns her in to be executed.
Yet perhaps she is more useful alive than dead. British intelligence employs her to radio misleading messages to Germany from the lighthouse at Dunnet Head in Scotland—messages filled with naval intelligence Lachlan must provide. If the war is to be won, Lachlan and Cilla must work together. But how can he trust a woman who arrived on his shores as a tool of the enemy—a woman certain to betray both him and the Allied cause?
Christian Historical [Baker Publishing Group, On Sale: February 4, 2025, Paperback / e-Book , ISBN: 9780800741860 / eISBN: 9781493448760]
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About Sarah Sundin
Sarah Sundin is a bestselling and Christy Award-winning author of World War II novels, including Embers in the London Sky (February 2024). Her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly. Until Leaves Fall in Paris received the 2022 Christy Award, The Sky Above Us received the 2020 Carol Award, and The Sound of Light, When Twilight Breaks, and The Land Beneath Us were Christy Award finalists. A mother of three adult children, Sarah lives in Southern California and serves as co-director of the West Coast Christian Writers Conference.
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