Sara Adrien and Tanya Wilde’s Dare to Tempt an Earl This Spring is available now, and they were kind enough to answer some questions for us.
You can get your copy of this delightful historical romance HERE!
Did you always know you wanted to be an author?
TANYA: Not at all! I wanted to be everything that ended in -gist. (Psychologist, archaeologist, Biologist, you name it.) Becoming a romance author wasn’t even on my radar, even though I was scribbling heartbreak poems in notebooks from a young age. But the moment I picked up my first historical romance, everything shifted. I’d found my calling, and I haven’t looked back!
SARA: I’ve always loved stories and reading. From a young age, I found myself captivated by the way words can open up entire worlds and bring people together. My fascination with language has only deepened over time—I’m now learning my eighth language, which has been a constant reminder of the power and beauty of communication.
That said, I didn’t always know I wanted to be an author. It’s a path I found myself on more gradually, and I’m so glad I did. Writing allows me to weave together my love of storytelling and language. Though it’s not always easy to balance the creative side with the practical, business aspects of being an author, there are moments that remind me why it’s all worth it. For example, when a reader takes the time to share how deeply they’ve connected with one of my stories, it’s an incredible feeling and a reminder of why I do this.
The first story I remember writing was… well, I suppose it was less of a full story and more of a collection of ideas jotted down in a notebook. Looking back, those scribbles were probably my way of exploring the kinds of stories I wanted to tell. From there, it’s been a series of steps, mistakes, triumphs, and plenty of learning. Each moment, each story, has shaped the writer I am today. And the journey is ongoing, which makes it all the more exciting.
What is the most inspiring place you’ve visited and has it shown up in one of your books?
TANYA: Norway. The waterfalls. The mountains. Fjords. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever been, and no, Norway has not featured in any of my books. Yet.
How much research do you do into the time period and places you write about?
TANYA: It’s hard to say! I’m very much a research-as-I-write kind of girl. I fall down delightful rabbit holes when I need to, but I try not to live there. 😅
What are your favorite kind of characters to write? Do you have a specific trope that you’re drawn too?
TANYA: I love to write rakes, brooding heroes, and feisty heroines. As for tropes? Enemies to lovers, beauty and the beast, and Cinderella-style stories are my absolute favorites.
Where is your favorite place to write? Does it change depending on where you are in the process?
TANYA: My office and cozy couch are my go-to spots. It honestly depends on the time of day. And the season. Winter writing, which is upon us here in SA, hits different when you’re curled under a blanket!
Which comes first for you: the plot or the characters?
TANYA: I’d say characters about 90% of the time. Always the characters. They show up and demand a moment.
SARA: For me, the characters always come first. Each hero and heroine become like a friend to me. I see them vividly in my imagination, and over time, they take shape as fully-rounded individuals. That connection is part of what makes writing so special for me. Sharing these characters with the world feels natural because they’ve become such an essential part of my life.
This is also why my characters often travel from one story or series to another. For example, in my Wedding Fever series, each heroine is one of four close friends. The other three naturally appear in the background throughout the series or in shared scenes because they’re so intertwined in each other’s lives. I love creating those kinds of bonds in my stories. Even better, there are occasional surprises—I’ve had characters from different series connect, too. One of the heroes in book two of Wedding Fever, Prince Alex, is the brother of two characters from my Miracles on Harley Street series. Those overlapping moments add another joy to writing because all these characters belong to one larger world.
Starting with the characters seems to make everything else fall into place. Their stories, challenges, triumphs—that’s what makes the writing come alive.
Do you know where the story is going before you begin, or does it come to you as you write? Do scenes come to you fully formed or are you as surprised as the reader?
TANYA: Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don’t! It’s a mystery even to me at times.
Does your writing process include any kind of ritual? Story specific playlists, tea, or candles, for example?
TANYA: Nope, just butt in chair. And silence. I can’t write with music much. There has to be a glass of red, then. I also have my sprinting besties that keep me sane through tough days. 😊
What do you like to read when you’re not reading in your genre? Did you have a favorite book or series when you were growing up?
TANYA: These days, I’m drawn to fantasy, but honestly, my entry barrier is gloriously low. As long as there’s romance, I’m in.
From all your books, who is your favorite hero and why?
SARA: That’s such a tough question because, usually, my favorite hero is the one I’m currently writing. There’s something about being in the thick of their story that makes them feel so alive and completely captivating. That said, one hero who consistently stands out to me is Arnold Ehrlich (The Pearl of All Brides). He’s special—not only does he have his own book, but he also gets an encore in a novella, which rarely happens! Arnold is deeply connected to my writing world in so many ways. He’s actually the cousin of the very first hero I ever created, Fave Pearler (Margins of Love), who, funnily enough, is the hero most like me.
What makes it even more meaningful is how intertwined these heroes are in my fictional universe. Arnold and Fave are closely tied to the six Klonimus brothers (Diamond Dynasty series), who are pivotal in eleven consecutive stories. They’re all part of this rich, interconnected tapestry that continues to grow and evolve in my imagination. They don’t just stay confined to their original tales either; they show up in other books, making them feel like a big, extended book-hero family.
For me, Arnold represents everything I love about writing heroes. He’s strong, layered, and deeply connected to the characters and stories that shaped my writing. It’s through heroes like him that my world as an author feels so alive and full of possibilities. There’s more information on my website about all of these at www.SaraAdrien.com.
