St. Martin's Press (October 13, 2009)
[The contest portion has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated!]
Author Bio:
Sarah Jane Stratford received an MA in medieval history from the University of York in England. She lives in New York. This is her first novel.
[The contest portion has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated!]
Author Bio:
Sarah Jane Stratford received an MA in medieval history from the University of York in England. She lives in New York. This is her first novel.
Meanwhile the contest for a copy of Midnight Guardian begins now. Look for rules as the end of this post.
The Story:
It’s 1938, and the tentacles of Hitler’s terrifying Third Reich have commenced their stranglehold on Europe. The Nazi empire will soon be clean of all bloodlines deemed tainted or undesirable…including vampires.
London’s ancient tribunal of vampires is aghast at the destruction taking place on the Continent. Though vampires try not to interfere with human politics, Hitler’s terrible plans force them into action. They resolve to send five of their most formidable vampires to Berlin— millennials that have lived over 1000 years and whose age and wisdom make them close to invulnerable— to infiltrate, disrupt, and destroy the growing Nazi war machine.
But as the millennials attempt to penetrate and sabotage Hitler’s armies, they discover that the Nazis are more capable than any human force they’ve yet encountered and more monstrous than they'd ever imagined. Forced to take bolder, more dangerous steps, they soon attract the attention of specially trained vampire hunters loyal to Hitler and his vision of a vampire-free Europe. Exposed, deep inside enemy territory, with vicious Nazi officers and hunters at her heels, Brigit must attempt a daring escape from the Continent, guarding precious cargo that marks the only hope of salvaging their mission.
Become a Facebook Fan
The Midnight Guardian can be purchased through the author's site. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Midnight-Guardian/129029047149
Become a Facebook Fan
The Midnight Guardian can be purchased through the author's site. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Midnight-Guardian/129029047149
Three lucky readers will each win a copy of The Midnight Guardian: A Millennial Novel. To be eligible do one or more of the following:
* Leave a comment
* Ask Sarah a question
* Link this interview to your own site or a social network site, and be sure to let me know the URL.
If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response.
Contest update the publisher has limited winners to US and Canada
My apologies for this misunderstanding. It was my mistake!
[The contest portion has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated!]
If your email is not associated with your ID, please put the address in your response.
Contest update the publisher has limited winners to US and Canada
My apologies for this misunderstanding. It was my mistake!
[The contest portion has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated!]
The contest ends November 4, 2009 at 11:59 PM Hawaii Time.
63 comments:
Vampires are considered to be "monsters", yet who was more monstrous than Hitler and his fiendish Nazi army? Please enter my name in the drawing.
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Hi :)
Congratulations to Sarah on her Release Day yesterday!
I'm looking forward to Sarah's interview here.
Is The Midnight Guardian the start of a series?
Will Sarah be on Twitter more?
(She's @stratfordsj)
Will she tell us about "The Call"?
Has she seen her novel in the bookstore yet?
:)
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
Hitler has always fascinated me. Not in the things he did but why he thought he needed to do them.
Wow, an MA in medieval history! What classes did you take for that? The medieval time period of history is definitely my favorite.
Deidre
deidre_durance at hotmail dot com
I'm loving the cover to this book! :) Would love to read it.
bookreviewsbyjess(@)gmail.com
Hi Sarah,
If you could trade places with anyone, past or present, real or fiction, who would it be and why?
Bridget
How did you come up with the idea of the story?
Who are your favorite authors?
kimi kaio @ yahoo.com (no spaces)
This looks like a promising novel. I'll throw my name in the hat.
I Tweeted about this contest here.
As for a question to SJS, I'm curious if there are any genres she is averse to reading.
e-mail: rabidfox(at)ymail.com
Looking forward to this book!
Hi Patricia and everyone - and thanks so much!!
RKCharron said: Is The Midnight Guardian the start of a series?
Will Sarah be on Twitter more?
(She's @stratfordsj)
Will she tell us about "The Call"?
Has she seen her novel in the bookstore yet?
Hi RK! The Midnight Guardian is indeed the start of a series! In fact, Book 2 is due to my editor in 2 weeks. And I'm going to try and tweet more - still just getting into it. By "the call" do you mean when my agent said we'd made a sale? That was quite a day! She had to tell me twice before it sunk in. And actually, since there was a delay at Barnes & Noble, I haven't seen the book yet, but soon. The cool news is that I've gone to some indie bookstores near me and chatted to them and some will order the book, which is lovely. Love independent bookshops!
Virginia C said: Vampires are considered to be "monsters", yet who was more monstrous than Hitler and his fiendish Nazi army?
Yes! That was exactly the dichotomy I wanted to play with. "Humanity" isn't necessarily just the state of being a living, breathing person, is it?
ddurance said: Wow, an MA in medieval history! What classes did you take for that?
I took paleography, which is learning how to decipher ancient writing. Very handy for reading modern prescriptions! I also took Latin and outdid myself by forgetting every word I learned 5 minutes later. Mostly, I researched and wrote a thesis on women's experience before the manorial courts, which seriously makes one appreciate (most) of the modern legal system. Oh, and I was involved with a reenactment group - fun!!!
Jessica Kennedy said...
I'm loving the cover to this book! :)
Thanks, Jessica. I gotta admit, I love it too!
bridget3420 said...
If you could trade places with anyone, past or present, real or fiction, who would it be and why?
Oooh, that can be a tough one! It can sometimes depend. At the risk of being cliche, I'd love to be Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice - it would be great to be so readily witty.
kimikimi said...
How did you come up with the idea of the story?
Who are your favorite authors?
I often think the idea got me, rather than the other way round. I began to see Brigit, the heroine, and feel where she was and just discovered more and more of her story as we went along.
I love Jane Austen, Margaret Atwood, Kurt Vonnegut, George Eliot, my dear "fake sister" Allie Spencer (she's just debuted too!!), Neil Gaiman - many, many more.
Rabid Fox said...
As for a question to SJS, I'm curious if there are any genres she is averse to reading.
No, I'll definitely try anything. I might not get immediately excited about something over 1000 pages in tiny print, but I'll always give it a go, especially if it's recommended by someone I trust.
The Midnight Guardian sounds great.
With a degree in Medieval History, what made you choose the Nazi time period to set you book in?
Do you plan to write more in the Medieval period or modern times?
Posted on sidebar here: http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Congrats, Sarah!!!!
I would like to be entered!
delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sarah, are you going to dress up for Halloween?
delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Sarah :)
How many times have you ever dressed up as a vampire? For Halloween or book signings, or just for fun?
This looks great! Please enter me!
The author is so pretty!
BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com
I've always thought Hitler's regimen wore the face of human monsters. To see it put into a book where the surreal monsters(vampires) are the hero's is fascinating.
What other historical figures would you say wear the guise of humanity over their monstrosity?
I'm delighted to have this opportunity to get to know the storyline and author. Thanks for including me in this drawing! (Hugs)Indigo
ravensquietscreams@gmail.com
I simply love the cover of the book, Sarah did you have any input into the design of the cover?
I linked this contest on my blog
http://froggaritavillesbookcase.blogspot.com/2009/08/contest.html
Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com
http://froggaritavillesbookcase.blogspot.com
A Blog with Bite!
http://blogwithbitereviews.blogspot.com
I really like the cover and would love a chance to win this book.
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
I think its very interesting you combined vamps and Nazis. What inspired you to make that choice?
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
Sounds like my kind of read! tWarner419@aol.com
Congrats on the release!!! The premise of this book is really exciting and I can't wait to read it. Hitler and vampires? - I really don't think a vampire would associate with the likes of him, but who knows...
During WWI and WWII there were many soldiers who reported sightings of "angels" visiting them in the trenches - especially when some of the soldiers thought imminent death was near. They lived to tell the tail, but wonder why no one every really dug deeper into it...I suppose in war stranger things have happened, but still...annhonATaolDOTcom
Congrats on Midnight Guardian's release! Looks like a great read.
Is their a genre you haven't written in before you'd like to try your hand at?
Pam S
pams00@aol.com
Congrats on your debut! Just blogged about this on Win A Book. Don't enter me in the contest.
Looks like an excellent book Sarah love the cover. What is your favorite book that you have wrote so far?
Congratulations on your book's release Sarah! I love paranormal fiction and can't wait to read this! Thanks for the chance!
bookcat1010 at gmail dot com
I Love when you have new authors that I've never heard of and I am always looking for new series type books. This book sounds like a great start to my auto buy list. Please enter me into the contest. Stephmartin71(at)yahoo dot com.
Hi everyone and thank you SO MUCH for your lovely comments and great questions. To answer:
donnas said...
With a degree in Medieval History, what made you choose the Nazi time period to set you book in?
Do you plan to write more in the Medieval period or modern times?
The character told me the time period, and I could hardly argue, but in the backstory of her life, I touch on some medieval history. However, I am definitely planning to write another book set solely in the middle ages!
etirv said...
Are you going to dress up for Halloween?
I like to think that every day is is great for dressing up! But yes, I will, only not sure as what yet. :-/
Crystal Adkins said...
How many times have you ever dressed up as a vampire? For Halloween or book signings, or just for fun?
Oddly, I never have! But I did once attend a party dressed as someone who had died of the plague. (that took a lot of explaining)
Indigo said...
What other historical figures would you say wear the guise of humanity over their monstrosity?
Unfortunately, too many. The zealots who led in massive witch-hunts and burnings come immediately to mind.
Froggy said...
I simply love the cover of the book, did you have any input into the design of the cover?
I like it too! The publishers did take my opinion into consideration. There were a few concepts from which to choose, all of which featured the Brandenburg Gate, and this was the one we all agreed was the most striking.
throuthehaze said...
I think its very interesting you combined vamps and Nazis. What inspired you to make that choice?
I couldn't pinpoint the exact moment of inspiration, but as it developed, I was very excited to explore questions of what really constitutes evil.
pams00 said...
Is their a genre you haven't written in before you'd like to try your hand at?
I'd like to write some pure historical fiction down the line. Lots of amazing stories to be told!
Mitz said...
What is your favorite book that you have wrote so far?
This is my first, so probably this! Although I'm liking the second quite a lot too.
Thank you for all the lovely congratulations!!!
If this is an international contest, then by all means please enter me!
I tweeted about it here: http://twitter.com/alessandra83/status/4997118865
Alessandra
outofblue1(at)gmail(dot)com
The cover of this is absolutely stunning! The story sounds interesting too. Thanks!
melacan at hotmail dot com
Sounds great. Please enter me.
I blogged about it here:
http://completepoppycock.blogspot.com/2009/10/giveaways-at-patricias-vampire-notes.html
thanks
rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net
I would love to read this, it sounds like a great read!
marielay@gmail.com
Hi Sarah!
Im looking forward to reading The Midnight Guardian. Do you any favorite books you would recommend?
I blogged about this comtest + interview in my LJ:http://okibi-insanity.livejournal.com/9624.html
Sue
okibi_insanity[at]yahoo[dot]com
please enter me in the draw :)
rubs.escalona [at] gmail.com
I have been seeing this book around a lot lately, and it looks amazing. Please enter me.
Sarah, where did the concept for The Midnight Guardian come from?
neverendingshelf@gmail.com
I'm looking forward to reading "The Midnight Guardian." I have heard nothing but good things about it!
derek.tatum(at)gmail.com
Hi Sarah,
Are you a planner kind of writer or does your story develope as you go along?
Congratualtions Sarah on the release of your debut publication!! Hope to see more offerings from you in the future!
Love the cover art!! This is the sort of book I would buy just because the cover caught my eye.
Pat, thanks for bringing this wonderful word-smith to us readers!!
Reposted your contest at http://contests-freebies.blogspot.com/2009/10/midnight-guardian-contest-at-pvn.html
Regards,
Cherry
mischivusfairy-inbox12@yahoo.com
This book sounds great.
jellybelly82158@gmail.com
Will you be writing a sequel to this one?
jellybelly82158@gmail.com
Congratulations on your debut novel. I think vampires and Hitler are an interesting combination and look forward to reading your book.
Why did you set your story during Hitler's reign in Germany? walkerd@primus.ca
Hi everyone! Am really loving the comments and questions - thank you so much!
Couple more answers:
Sue (okibi_insanity) said...
I'm looking forward to reading The Midnight Guardian. Do you any favorite books you would recommend?
When it comes to absolute favorites, I always go back to Jane Austen. But I love anything that's well-written and engaging.
Kate said...
where did the concept for The Midnight Guardian come from?
I always say that the idea got me, rather than the other way round. I'd love to peg what really set it off, but I had this notion of a female vampire trying to escape Germany and I couldn't rest till it had spun itself out.
Cherry said...
Are you a planner kind of writer or does your story develop as you go along?
It can be a bit of both. When I first get an idea, as with The Midnight Guardian, several scenes often come to me at once and I'll have to write them at breakneck (or, really, breakfinger) speed to be sure I get them down. (which is rather fun in a terrifying way if I'm walking around town or in a theatre waiting for a show to start) That usually gives me some interesting things to toy with. Once I feel like the bulk of that is out of my system, then I start planning. With Midnight Guardian, I had to be careful with my outline because there are three separate time-lines and I wanted to keep them organized. Which made it a lot more fun, actually!
jellybelly82158 said...
Will you be writing a sequel to this one?
Funny you ask! The sequel is due to my editor next week. I'm looking forward to a brief coma after that.
Anonymous said...
Why did you set your story during Hitler's reign in Germany?
Well, like I said above, I got this notion of the escaping vampire and had to keep investigating it. Also, it gave me an opportunity to delve issues of evil and humanity in a way I had never done before and that was incredibly exciting.
Thank you!!!!
Very nice interview. Posted a link on facebook.
Great interview! Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks,
Darlene W
wrig9945@charter.net
Hello! The Midnight Guardian is already at the top of my to-read list, and the more I read about it, the more excited I get. I was happy to notice that you are a fan of Joss Whedon and his frequent collaborator, Marti Noxon. Do you have any particular favorite episodes, series, or movies?. I love Buffy and Firefly, but I'm an Angel gal. Of course, Dr. Horrible rocks!
Congrats on the series!!
What is your opinion in respects to Angels being the next Popular theme in the Sci Fi/Urban Fantasy genre?
Gorgeous cover! The book sounds awesome. Love the new time setting she's using.
The book sounds awesome. I'm always happy knowing a new author for me.
- What's your favorite quote?
Uniquas at gmail dot com
Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.
avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it
I love vampires! I hope I win. Yes they are scarey but a part of me finds them fasinating;-)
Jeanette Huston
chewysmum79@yahoo.com
Sounds like a great read!
Hope I win.
jellybelly82158@gmail.com
You are all so awesome! Just a few quick answers:
Sandy Rainey
I was happy to notice that you are a fan of Joss Whedon and his frequent collaborator, Marti Noxon. Do you have any particular favorite episodes, series, or movies?. I love Buffy and Firefly, but I'm an Angel gal. Of course, Dr. Horrible rocks!
Dr. Horrible is fantastic - I so want Joss Whedon to write a full stage musical. I love Buffy much, and so many eps were so good! Of course, 'Hush', the silent ep and 'Once More, With Feeling', the musical, stand out, but there are many others. These days, I love Mad Men, although I'm very behind.
Tanya said...
What is your opinion in respects to Angels being the next Popular theme in the Sci Fi/Urban Fantasy genre?
I'm very happy because one of my dearest friends, Stephen Smith, who got a big thanks in my acknowledgments, is putting the finishing touches on an utterly fantastic angels book. Overall, I think it's great as it allows for yet more exploration of conflict and personal character.
mariska said...
What's your favorite quote?
Many! Mind if I give two?:
"Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little."
– Tom Stoppard
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
- George Bernard Shaw
Thanks!!!!
Is this international?
My question : do you have any rituals you go through before you start writing? If so, how did it get started? Thanks!
lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Sarah, I enjoyed the interview. Your book sounds really good. I have read a few books set in WW2, Diary of Anne Frank and a few others but your book is totally different and I love the premise of Vampires going after Hitler. Congrats on your book release.
denwal1@aol.com
Looks like another book to add to my "Must Buy" list. :) Thanks for the interview!
Looks like a great book!
:o)
pippirose59 at gmail dot com
I really like the cover.
I've been looking forward to this release. I am especially interested to read a paranormal set in the time period you choose... def different and intriguing.
I'm adding this giveaway to my contest bar too.
http://sweetvernalzephyr.blogspot.com
Miranda
This sounds like an absolutely awesome book! Please enter me.
Shadowofwonder47[at]yahoo[dot]com
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