Tag Archives: Monica Murphy

Monica Murphy-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

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Monica Murphy – Interview and Giveaway with the Author

I recently experienced the emotional ride that is Drew + Fable and wanted to get to know the person behind the author Monica Murphy. One Week Girlfriend pulled at my heart; dragged several tears and tissues out of hiding; and had me wondering how many young men and women may be caught in the same horrifying nightmare.

Second Chance Boyfriend was released in April 2013 (the sequel to Drew + Fable) and with that the realization that ‘Karma is truly a b*tch’. The Reading Cafe would like to introduce MONICA MURPHY-the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.

FOLLOW Monica: Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Amazon/Goodreads /

Monica Murphy:Karen Erickson

TRC: Hi Monica and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the success of ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND and SECOND CHANCE BOYFRIEND.

Monica: Thank you so much! And thanks for having me. I’m excited to be here. 🙂

 

TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Monica: Well, I grew up in Northern California, I now live in central California and I’m a wife of one, mom of three. When I’m not writing (ha ha), I’m spending time with my family, reading or wishing I was traveling. Preferably to Hawaii. 😉

TRC: You also write as Karen Erickson. Would you please tell us what is upcoming for Karen in 2013?

FOLLOW Karen: Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Amazon

Monica: I do! In fact, I wrote as Karen first and have been published since 2006. I have plenty coming out this year as Karen – the “teaser” in my new series The Renaldis, TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT is available for FREE.

ORDER your FREE ‘teaser’ of TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT:
Amazon.com/ Amazon.ca /Barnes and Noble / KOBO

It’s a short story that is a kickoff for the full length book, TEMPTED BY HER BOSS, which comes out July 2nd. The second book KIDNAPPING HIS BRIDE comes out in October.

The Renaldis

I also will be finishing out my series Game for It series from Entangled’s Brazen line. GAME FOR MARRIAGE was out in January, GAME FOR TROUBLE will be out in September and the third as yet untitled book will be out in December. Sexy football players for the win. 😉

Links to Order Links: GAME FOR MARRIAGE: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

Game for Marriage
Click HERE for our review of GAME FOR MARRIAGE

TRC: You write under several different genres including New Adult, Contemporary Romance and Historical Romance. Which genre do you prefer to write and why?

Monica: I love writing all of them! What I like about writing in different subgenres is that I don’t get bored. I like changing it up. It’s fun. I haven’t written a historical in quite a while and I’m starting to miss it. I hope to get back to working on one next year.

 

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of your highly successful ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND and SECOND CHANCE BOYFRIEND novels?

Monica: A hot football player asks a down on her luck townie to go to his parents’ house for Thanksgiving week and pretend to be his girlfriend for cash. But once they spend time together, they realize they have a lot more in common than they thought. And are soon falling for each other…completely.

TRC: The novels are a roller coaster of emotions, especially One Week Girlfriend with the traumatic revelations and Drew’s family disfunctionality. What or who influenced the storyline premise?

Drew and Fable

Links to Order ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Links to Order SECOND CHANCE BOYFRIEND: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Monica: I saw a report on my local news about an attractive, young female teacher who was arrested for having sex with her student. Her excuse? She thought the 17 year old was really 18. It got me thinking, if that had been a male teacher and female student, she would’ve been treated as a victim who’d been completely violated by a trusted adult. When it comes to a male 17 year old who’s having sex with a teacher? It’s treated more like a notch on his bedpost. Like, ooh, he’s getting some with the hot teacher.

I hate that double standard. I wanted to create a male victim who doesn’t know how to react to what happened to him. That victim became Drew.

Fable’s been in my head since 2009. I tried to write a YA with her as the main character (a completely different version of Fable by the way) but it bombed spectacularly. She’s been lingering in my brain ever since. I knew she was the perfect match for Drew.

TRC: What challenges did you face (logistically, psychologically, research) in writing this series?

Monica: Drew’s story is tragically sad so that was hard at times. This is not a light and fluffy story but I did want to have as much hope infused in the book as possible. So that was difficult, trying to find that balance. Not to make it too heavy or too light. I didn’t want to make light of the subject matter either. I hope I didn’t. That was my biggest fear.

And I wanted to show that despite what a person has been through, ultimately, everyone deserves love and acceptance.

Logistically I’ve been to Carmel and the Monterey Bay (where Drew is from) many times. It’s truly one of my favorite places to go. It’s so beautiful and I guess I wanted to show that even in the beautiful places there’s ugliness.

The town where Fable lives and where Drew goes to college? I never name it but it’s totally based on where I lived and went to college, Chico, CA. In fact, I’ve had quite a few astute readers email me asking if I based it on Chico. Yep, I sure did.

TRC: Is there a message in the novel that you would like the readers to understand?

Monica: I try not to write a book with a message per say because I don’t want anyone to think I’m preaching at them. I will say that in regards to OWG and SCB, appearances are not always as they seem. Everyone thinks Drew’s life is perfect? Not even close.

TRC: Are the experiences in the book based on someone you know or events in your own life?

Monica: No, I made this entire story up in my head! I don’t know what that says about me but…LOL.

TRC: What part of the book(s) was the most difficult for you to write?

Monica: It was hard writing the reveal in OWG. The scene where Drew tells Fable what happened even though Fable pretty much already had it figured out. Heck, so did the readers but I wanted it to be that way. I wanted readers to know what happened but not want to face it you know? Like a bad car wreck you shouldn’t look at but do anyway.

TRC: Will we see more of Drew and Fable in upcoming storylines?

Monica: Absolutely! They’re appearing in the next two books of the (unnamed) series, especially FOUR YEARS LATER, which is Owen’s book. They’ll play a huge part in his book since they’re the ones who took over raising Owen once their mom took off.

TRC: Would you please tell us how you deal with the stress and anxiety of deadlines while trying to balance family life and writing?

Monica: Um, I freak out on occasion? LOL It’s so hard. I took on too much this year – writing as Monica was an unexpected experiment that turned into this amazing thing that completely changed my career. I’m still blown away by everything that’s happened!

My husband is a huge help. He stays at home and helps take care of the kids and the house. I couldn’t do this without him. He makes my life a LOT easier. I love that guy. 😉

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Monica: Currently I’m writing THREE BROKEN PROMISES, which is Jen and Colin’s story (Jen is Fable’s friend, Colin is Fable’s boss). It’s exciting to be back in this world but also nerve wracking. I hope readers respond as well to Jen and Colin as they did to Drew + Fable.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Monica: I’m thrilled that so many readers enjoy Drew + Fable’s story and I hope they love my new series I’m writing for Avon as well – the Billionaire Bachelors Club. The first book, CRAVE comes out in August.

I also want to thank all the readers, reviewers and bloggers for their continued support. I couldn’t do this writing thing without you all!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food – sushi

Favorite Dessert – chocolate cake

Favorite TV Show – Big Brother (it’s coming on soon whoo hoo!)

Last Movie You Saw – The Vow with Channing Tatum on HBO. Meh. But hey, Channing was in it. 😉

Dark or Milk Chocolate – Milk chocolate!

Favorite Flower – Peony.

TRC: Thank you Monica for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on your success both as Monica Murphy and Karen Erickson. We wish you all the best.

Monica:  Thank you so much for having me and for the kind words! I appreciate it. 🙂

Giveaway-Black and Fuscia

Monica is offering an ecopy (Kindle or Nook) of ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND to one lucky reader.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page of by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Giveaway is open internationally

4. Giveaway runs from June 26-29, 2013

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Second Chance Boyfriend (Drew + Fable #2) by Monica Murphy-a review

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SECOND CHANCE BOYFRIEND ( Drew + Fable #2) by Monica Murphy-a review

Second Chance Boyfriend

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 5, 2013

**Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual content and language, mature subject matter**

New Adult Contemporary

Lost. That one single word best describes my life at this very moment. I lost the last games of the season and both my team and my coach blame me. I lost the last two months because I drowned in my own despair like a complete loser. And I lost the only girl who ever mattered because I was afraid being with me would destroy her.

But now I realize how truly lost I am without her. She has become my story…and even though she acts like she’s moved on, I know she still thinks about me just as much as I think about her. She’s beautiful, sweet—and so damn vulnerable, all I want to do is help her. Be there for her.

Love her…

If only I could convince Fable to give me a second chance. Then I wouldn’t feel so lost anymore, and neither would she. We could be found together.

••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: SECOND CHANCE BOYFRIEND is the second storyline in Monica Murphy’s contemporary New Adult romance series Drew + Fable. For me, this particular novel was not as emotionally strong as ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND because many of the heartbreaking scenes and gut wrenching revelations had already been revealed in the first book.

Second Chance Boyfriend follows Drew and Fable approximately two months after One Week Girlfriend. With the shocking revelations about his past, Drew walks away from Fable believing he is not worthy of her love or her support, but a chance meeting will find Drew and Fable together again, with the realization that both have been miserable without the other. Wounded souls and broken hearts have a way of finding each other and Drew and Fable needed each other just to breathe.

Part of this particular storyline will focus on Drew’s withdrawal into himself; Fable’s new place of employment and a developing new friendship; the dissolution of a family; and the declaration of love between two emotionally broken souls who want to be loved for themselves. But the mind and the body remember and it is difficult to forget the tumultuous childhood and betrayal by those who were meant to protect you. In order for Fable to keep her younger brother safe there is only one option but fate had a way of interfering before it all began. And for Drew to move on, he would have to face the demons head on but not before the woman he loves is threatened.

If you believe karma is a b*tch then she definitely had it coming. When the past and the truth are finally revealed to everyone concerned, the wall between father and son will begin to crumble and a new beginning is on the horizon.

SECOND CHANCE BOYFRIEND is the final story for Drew and Fable in this particular ARC but Monica will be continuing the series with future books focusing on different characters we have met before. I highly recommend reading ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND before SECOND CHANCE BOYFRIEND-so much of the second storyline is dependent on the first and it would be impossible to not to feel the emotional turmoil and heartbreaking sorrow of betrayal at the hands of someone you trust. Too much information is revealed in book one.

Second Chance Boyfriends is an emotional and thought-provoking storyline of overcoming the odds when the people you trust most fail you at every turn. Monica Murphy writes from the heart and pulls the reader in so that you feel the angst, the betrayal, the sorrow and the pain, but above all else, you will cheer for two people, who at the end of the day deserve happiness and love, above all else.

Reviewed by Sandy

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One Week Girlfriend (Drew + Fable #1) by Monica Murphy-a review

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One Week Girlfriend (Drew + Fable #1) by Monica Murphy-a review

One Week Girlfriend

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND (Drew + Fable #1) by Monica Murphy

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release January 2013

Temporary. That one single word best describes my life these last few years. I’m working at a temporary job until I can finally break free. I’m my little brother’s temporary mother since our mom doesn’t give a crap about either of us. And I’m that temporary girl all the guys want to get with because I give it up so easily. According to the rumors, at least.

But now I’m the temporary girlfriend of Drew Callahan, college football legend and all around golden guy. He’s beautiful, sweet—and he’s hiding way more secrets than I am. He’s brought me into this fake life where everyone seems to hate me. And everyone seems to want something from him. The only thing he seems to want though is…

Me.

I don’t know what to believe anymore. All I know is, I think Drew needs me. And I want to be there for him.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND is the first storyline in Monica Murphy’s new contemporary romance New Adult series focusing on star football player Drew Callahan and bartender Fable-another young woman trying to raise her teenaged brother while her alcoholic mother drinks herself into oblivion. The storyline, told from two first-person points of view, focuses on seven days in the life-seven days that Drew asks Fable (a girl he knows only by reputation) to pretend to be his girlfriend while he confronts the demons back home. What starts out as a friend for hire, will soon turn into something much more. Drew offers to pay Fable to pretend to be his girlfriend suspecting the money is something the young woman may need.

Drew must go home during Thanksgiving break but facing his father and step-mother is not high on his priorities of things to do. The idea actually sickens him to the point he needs someone to anchor him; someone to calm the thoughts and emotions that threaten to explode. Enter Fable- a young bartender with a reputation of putting out for the team, only the reputation far exceeds the truth of what has actually happened. Fable will become the air he breathes and calm the nerves as well as the pent up anger that threatens to destroy Drew every time he is confronted at home.

The relationship between Drew and Fable, as you can guess, goes from a job, to friendship to the beginnings of love. When the demons from his past become overwhelming, Fable will be the one to help Drew confront the person responsible. But when the entire truth is revealed, Drew knows that to save his soul, his must run from his family home and never look back. Pulling Fable into the family mix was a mistake but her presence is the only thing that saved Drew from going over the edge.

ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND is an emotional and heartbreaking storyline that will brings tears to your eyes; flood your mind with revulsion and hate; and take comfort in the fact that Drew could depend on the one person he never thought possible. When Drew hired Fable to be his One Week Girlfriend, their emotional connection is something he never expected but will be necessary to keep him sane. Monica Murphy pulls the reader in and won’t let go. We are caught like a deer in the headlights, not knowing which way to turn, go back from where we came or push forward and hope everything works out in the end.

Review by Sandy.

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