If you have a “spare” minute, check out this interview with author and speaker Yahrah St. John.
Tell me about your latest book.
Blind Date with the Spare Heir is the second book in the Locketts of Tuxedo Park series for Harlequin Desire. The book tells Julian Lockett’s story and his unease with being the middle child and a doctor when the family business is football. At first glance, Julian appears to be a ladies’ man, but when Elyse Robinson switches places to become his blind date, he’s smitten. I loved Julian’s story arc of reformed playboy turned romantic hero. When he meets Elyse, it’s not love at first sight, but lust. Elyse plays hard to get and instead of women chasing Julian, the shoe is on the other foot. He wants to spend more time with Elyse and the more they do, they deeper he falls. Elyse, however, has a secret agenda to reveal Julian’s father swindled hers. Readers can expect a steamy and dramatic love story with the sometimes dysfunctional Lockett family.
What inspired you to write it?
The idea for the Locketts of Tuxedo Park came a few years ago. I was watching an old tv series on USA Network called Necessary Roughness. I wondered what it would be like if I created a series about a family who owned a football franchise, thus the idea was born. The four-book series will feature siblings Roman, Julian, Giana and Xavier. You can laugh at this, but I knew nothing about football, so it’s been a learning experience. I had to watch a lot of football movies and ask family and friends lots of football questions.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
I fell in love with writing when I was 12 years old. I grew up in a very religious household and segregated from other children. Writing gave me a way to create a world I wanted to live in. My first story was written when I was 12 years old. A Wild & Crazy Summer was about a 12-year-old girl going to summer camp, something I never got to do as a kid.
What’s the best part of being an author?
The best part about being an author is holding one of your books in your hand. There’s nothing like seeing your words on paper. It brings the book to life to me. Another fave is meeting readers in person or interacting with them in email or on social media. It makes you feel like a celebrity.
What’s the hardest part of being an author?
The hardest part for me is the advertising and marketing aspect. No one told you when you write a book that it’s up to you to market the book. I’m a hybrid author so I publish both traditionally and indie. However, even with traditional publishing, the lion’s share of marketing your book falls on the author’s shoulders and of course there’s a monetary aspect, which some new authors may not be aware of. It’s hard for me because I still work full time, so it’s a juggling act finding work/life balance.
What books have you read lately and loved?
I don’t often get to read books because I work full time and write. However, I do try to get in a good book here and there. Some recent faves are Vows in Name Only by Naima Simone, Scandal in the VIP Suite by Nadine Gonzalez, The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon, The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory, This time Next Year by Sophie Cousens and The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. I’m working on a single title book so I’m reading books in that genre, but I can’t give up my straight romances either.
What book(s) are you most excited to read next?
I’m excited to read Farrah Rochon’s The Dating Playbook, her follow-up to The Boyfriend Project.
Who would you cast in a movie to play your main characters?
I always imagine actors or singers for my character inspiration. Jaime Callica would be Julian and Cush Jumbo from The Good Fight would play Elyse.
What’s next for you?
My 40th book Seducing the Seal comes out on October 1. It’s my own indie book, and I can be a bit more free with the plot. I’m really excited about this story because the hero Cage Mitchell is sort of anti-hero. Readers will either love ’im or hate ’im. Below is a snippet
Once satisfied with meaningless flings, the combat death of Navy SEAL Cage Mitchell’s best friend prompts him to retire from the military and look for deeper meaning in life. That includes pondering whether he’s ready for a wife and children. What Cage doesn’t bargain for is falling for his younger brother Cameron’s girlfriend, Monae Williams. Monae, a sincere young woman, is passionate about working with foster children because she grew up in the rough-and-tumble foster system. She’s ready to settle down, but her boyfriend is more interested in seeking an Air Force promotion. Honor and duty, the core of Cage’s character, prevent him from pursuing Monae; but when her relationship with Cameron ends, Cage tosses duty to his family aside. Usually guarded, Monae has fallen just as hard for Cage. All sorts of fallouts ensue . . . but Monae has already seduced the SEAL, and there may be no turning back.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I’m not sitting on my laurels, the third book in the Locketts of Tuxedo Park series: Holiday Playbook comes out December 1 and will tell Giana Lockett’s story. I think readers are going to love this sexy and strong heroine, just in time for Christmas.
All marketing executive Giana Lockett wants for Christmas is to land an endorsement deal with Wynn Starks’s sports drink company. It’s tough being the baby girl in a family of alpha men, and this will finally prove her worth to the Locketts’ football dynasty. Also tough? Securing a meeting with Atlanta’s most elusive billionaire. Giana’s not giving up, and once she makes contact, the prize gets closer…and so does Wynn’s bed. The chemistry between her and Wynn is hot. But business is business, until pleasure changes all the rules
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To learn more about author and speaker Yahrah St. John, visit her website or connect with her on social media.
yahrah@yahrahstjohon
Social Media Handles: @yahrahstjohn