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 /
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.
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
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?
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. 🙂
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
