Meet Sara Blackard: Writing Alaska, Heart, and Suspense

If you love your romance with a side of adventure, rugged landscapes, and heartfelt emotion, then Sara Blackard is an author you’ll want to know. An award‑winning Christian romance novelist, Sara weaves pulse‑pounding action, swoon‑worthy characters, and deep emotional arcs into stories that stay with you long after you turn the last page.

When she’s not crafting daring escapades and tender moments, Sara homeschools her four boys and one princess, keeps the lights on (and the wood stove going) in her off‑grid Alaska home, and soaks up the wild beauty of Interior Alaska alongside her “hunky hubster.” (Don’t ask whether the house is clean—let’s just say life is busy!)

I recently had the chance to sit down with Sara and ask a few questions about her latest book, her writing habits, and the spark behind her stories. Here’s what she shared:

What inspired your latest book?

Sara’s newest release, A Rebel’s Shot, draws heavily from her life in Alaska’s Interior. The dramatic opening scene—set in an ice cave—isn’t pure fiction. She told me she crafted it from real experiences, using her own time in cold, remote terrain to build a sense of authenticity. Living in that kind of wild place isn’t easy, she says, and she wants readers to feel both the beauty and the challenge of the land she loves. (It’s easy to see why Alaska is more than a setting—it’s a character in many of her stories.)

“The opening scene and the ice cave are especially crafted from real‑life experiences… I wanted to show true Alaska.”

If your book were a playlist, what would it sound like?

Sara said it’d be the kind of music that keeps you gripping the edge of your seat—full of tension, power, and momentum. She likened A Rebel’s Shot to the soundtrack of the video game Tom Clancy’s The Division. From start to finish, it’s high stakes, intense, and doesn’t let up.

That description matches the tone you’ll find in her romantic suspense novels: heart racing, emotions deep, and stakes real.

Writing rituals, routines, and accountability

Sara doesn’t wait for perfect moments—she builds them. One of her most beloved habits is joining her friend and fellow author Jodi Basye each morning on Zoom at 6:30 AM. They talk briefly, mute themselves, and write. It’s a ritual of accountability, community, and creative momentum. Sara admits her husband sometimes teases her about it, but she looks forward to it every single day:

“It’s like having an accountability partner right there with me to get my words in… It’s a weird habit I now look forward to every morning.”

That kind of consistency—especially when life is full of homeschooling, chores, and off-grid living—is a testament to her dedication to writing.

Why Sara Blackard?

Sara doesn’t simply write “safe” or “sweet” romance. Her stories feel like real tension, real stakes, and real love—without crossing into explicit territory. She’s committed to creating emotional depth, protective heroes, strong heroines, and romantic arcs that don’t rely on the extremes of violence or sexuality. That balance is part of her mission as a Christian author.

Her works cross subgenres—she’s penned romantic suspense, contemporary romance, even comedic romance in the Wild Hearts of Alaska series.

If you’re curious to dive into her catalog, here are a few places to explore:

• Sara’s Amazon author page, with her newest releases and backlist
• Her official website, featuring blog updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and newsletter sign-up info
• Her Instagram, where she shares day-to-day life, writing snapshots, and Alaska imagery

If you like stories that combine tension, heart, and purpose without compromising on Christian values, give Sara Blackard a read. A Rebel’s Shot is available now, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she writes next.

Want updates or behind-the-scenes glimpses of her next projects or writing life? Be sure to subscribe to her newsletter—it’s where she shares her shenanigans, previews, and more—and offers a freebie to sample her work.