Q&A (plus giveaway) with Farrah Rochon

Life is one endless touchdown for Jared Dawson. Until the former playboy and star corner back for the New York Sabers discovers his girlfriend in bed with another man. Reeling from the betrayal, Jared returns to his flings-with-no-strings ways. But no man can walk away from Chyna McCrea. The ravishing choreographer is already tackling the pro-footballer’s heart.

Playing defensively is supposed to safeguard against heartbreak. But how can Chyna protect herself from Jared’s sensual onslaught? It seems the hunky athlete-and sports world’s most eligible bachelor-has decided that playing the field is not an option. Together, can they score the greatest victory of all and be on the winning team of both their dreams?

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NT: Hi Farrah! Thank you for being my guest today.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Farrah: I’ve been writing all my life, but I didn’t make the decision to be a “real” writer until my sophomore year of college. I wrote my first novel between classes. It’s written longhand in a three-subject notebook that I still have stored away in a closet.

NT: You have a new release this month. Can you tell us about Field of Pleasure?

Farrah: Field of Pleasure is the third installment in my New York Sabers football series. It features the team’s cornerback and punt-return specialist, Jared Dawson, and the Saberrettes dance squad’s choreographer, Chyna McCrea. The book opens with Jared grieving over the discovery that his girlfriend of ten years has been unfaithful. As a diversion to distract him from his heartache, a fellow teammate suggests he engage in a summer fling. But what is supposed to be just a casual affair turns into much, much more when Jared decides to pursue Chyna.

NT: What inspired the idea for this story?

Farrah: I initially planned to pair Jared with his long-time girlfriend; making it one of those “couples rediscovering their love” books. But after hearing several derogatory statements directed toward cheerleaders while attending an NFL game, I decided to create a cheerleader heroine. I had never read a romance that featured one, and I wanted to show that there is more to these women than just glittery outfits and pom poms.

NT: Do you have a writing routine? What is your average writing day like?

Farrah: My writing routine depends on how the story is flowing. On the days when things are going well, I wake up early, brew a cup (okay, three or four cups) of coffee, and can sit at the computer all day and type away. When things are not going all that well I usually have to drag myself to the computer and play mind games in order to hit my daily page goals. The thing that has worked well lately is to write in short, timed writing sessions, rewarding myself for each mini-goal that is met.

On an average day, I can usually write between ten and twelve pages, unless something really interesting is happening on Twitter or in the publishing world. Then it’s more like seven or eight pages.

NT: What was the most interesting thing you had to research and what was the hardest thing to research?

Farrah: That would be the world of the NFL Cheerleading squads. It was fascinating to discover how diverse the women were. But they all had one thing in common, their love of dance.

Nothing about this book was really hard to research, but one of the most enjoyable things I had to investigate was ballroom dancing. In Field of Pleasure there is a scene where my heroine teaches the hero the tango. It’s super fun, and super sexy, and was just a ball to write.

I guess I should thank Dancing With The Stars for igniting this craze. YouTube had hundreds of video clips. I remembering thinking to myself how lucky I was to have this job. Really, who gets to watch video clips of ballroom dancing all day and call it work?

NT: When not busy writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Farrah: My favorite hobby, by far, is reading. I wish I had more time to indulge in it. In addition to reading, I love watching sports, attending Broadway shows, and traveling. And I love all things Disney!

NT: What can your fans look forward to from you in the near future? What are you working on now?

Farrah: My next release will be the fourth book in the Sabers series, Pleasure Rush, coming in April 2012. I’ve hinted about a relationship between Theo Stokes and Deirdre Smallwood, the hero and heroine in Pleasure Rush, from the very first book in the series, so fans of the Sabers are very eager for their book.

I am currently working on the as-yet-untitled second book in a brand new series set in the small, fictional town of Gauthier, Louisiana. It’s a bit different from the urban setting of my Sabers series, but I am absolutely in love with this town and the cast of characters. I hope readers enjoy reading it as much as I’m enjoying writing it.

NT: If someone has not read any of your books, which would be the one you’d recommend they try first?

Farrah: Being a stickler for reading a series in order, I would suggest readers start with Huddle With Me Tonight, the first book in the New York Sabers series. Not only is it an extremely fun book, but it also introduces the guys on the team who eventually get their own stories.

NT: How can readers contact you?

Farrah: Of course, readers can always contact me through my website, www.farrahrochon.com, but I’m also very active on both Twitter and Facebook. Follow me at www.twitter.com/farrahrochon or friend me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/farrah.rochon.

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Farrah will be giving one lucky reader their choice any one of her New York Sabers books. Just leave a comment below. Good luck! 😀