~ MONICA MURPHY ~
Welcome to Under the Covers! We are so excited to have you back with us today.
So glad to be here, Francesca, thank you for having me!
Lets start out with an easy one…or maybe not so easy. When you first released ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND it wasn’t common knowledge that Monica Murphy and Karen Erickson were one and the same. Why did you decide to keep it quiet until just recently?
Well, OWG is completely different from a Karen Erickson book. I didn’t want to confuse readers and hey, if it failed? Then no one would know because Monica was a completely unknown author. Instead of failing though, it took off and now Monica is bigger than Karen. Which makes Karen insanely jealous. *winks*
It’s difficult being two people and it’s especially difficult when you don’t let the two paths cross so I finally had to announce I was one and the same. It’s so much easier now that everyone knows I’m both Karen and Monica. Well, it’s still hard to keep up with the social media (and the deadlines!) sometimes but yeah. Easier.
How would you say your writing style is different when you put your Murphy writing hat on as opposed to your Erickson one? Other than the obvious genre.
The genre, as you said, is different yet similar. At their core, my new adult titles are romances. As Monica, I write in first person present tense, my characters are younger and their stories are a lot more angsty and filled with high drama. It’s such an exciting and dramatic time of a person’s life, living on your own for the first time, first job, first love…lots of firsts!
As Karen, I write in third person past tense and my books are romances with couples that are a little more established in their careers, life, etc. The overall tone is different. I think my voice is different writing as Karen vs. Monica. Hard to describe beyond that so I sound super vague. Sorry. LOL
How did the idea for ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND came about?
Fable’s been hanging out in my brain since 2009 but she was a different person then. Younger. I tried to write a YA and it sucked. But Fable was my main character and I loved her so much, I knew (hoped really) that I would write about her again one day.
Late in 2012 I saw a local news report about a teacher who was arrested for having sex with her 17 year old student. Her excuse? She thought he was 18. This got me thinking. So many boys involved in these types of situations are viewed as “studs”, as in ooh, they got some with the teacher, high five, versus being portrayed as victims.
I wanted to create a male victim and I wanted the heroine to rescue him. And that’s how Drew and Fable were born.
Damaged characters are my drug. Both Drew and Fable have their own history and it’s not a pretty one on either end. What would you say is the most difficult part of pairing those two up?
Drew’s hang ups are difficult to overcome and no one can blame him for that, least of all Fable. His views on sex are negative. So are Fable’s, though she uses sex in a different way than he ever did. So for them to come together and have a healthy, loving, sexual relationship…that’s not easy for these two.
What’s your favorite thing about Fable?
She’s strong and loyal. She takes no shit. She’s a lot of fun to write.
Describe Drew in three words.
Broken, protective, sweet – he always means well, it’s just sometimes life is hard for him to face.
Is there a scene that in any of your Drew & Fable books that was hardest for you to write? Why?
Without giving too much away, pretty much the entire second half of One Week Girlfriend was difficult to write. I never tried to hide anything. I wanted the “secrets” to be discovered pretty quickly for the reader because Fable figured them out fast but she didn’t want to face it. I wanted the reader to experience that along with Fable. It’s like a car wreck. You don’t want to look but you still have to, right? That’s how I felt about writing most of One Week Girlfriend.
Which one of your books have you had the most fun writing and why?
Second Chance Boyfriend was a joy to write because Drew and Fable could actually be together and have a real relationship. So much of it I wrote for the readers who love them. Those two deserved their happily ever after and I gave it to them. I cried after I finished it. They put me through the ringer. If I think about it too much, I could probably start crying all over again. I’m still attached. LOL
We love finding out what our favorite authors are reading. What’s the last book you read that you couldn’t put down?
While on the plane going to the RT Convention, I finished a YA book called Ten by Gretchen McNeil. It was like all my favorite teen scary movie in book form. LOVED IT.
What are you currently working on?
Three Broken Promises, which is Jen and Colin’s story, and they first appeared in Second Chance Boyfriend. I’m excited to bring this story to readers – it will release in December both in digital and print and be available in stores. I sold the series to Bantam and One Week Girlfriend will come out in stores in August and Second Chance Boyfriend in October. So. Exciting!
ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND
Drew + Fable # 1
New Adult Contemporary Romance
**Mature situations and sexual content – recommended for ages 17+**
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.
Forever.
BUY NOW
SECOND CHANCE BOYFRIEND
Drew + Fable # 2
**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.
Forever.
BUY NOW
About the Author
Monica Murphy is a wife of one and mother of three. A native Californian, she lives in the foothills below Yosemite but hasn’t visited the park in years (whoops). She is also the author of the USA Today bestselling One Week Girlfriend and its sequel, Second Chance Boyfriend.
Website: http://www.monicamurphyauthor.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MsMonicaMurphy
Blog: http://missmonicamurphy.blogspot.com/
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/msmonicamurphy/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5934418.Monica_Murphy
Drew + Fable Fan page: https://www.facebook.com/DrewAndFableOfficial
I enjoyed the interview. I liked the extra input on the characters. I’ve had the first book in my to be read list for a while but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it. NOW I can’t wait to read it.
I did not know that you wrote under Karen Erickson. I first was introduced to you thru OWG and I loved that book! Fable is a great heroin and I my heart broke for Drew. I do enjoy more adult books also and will have to check out your books as Karen. :o) Thanks for the great interview and the perfect giveaway!
wow these sound really good!
I have been wanting to read these since I saw some authors I follow on Goodreads give it really good reviews. Loved the interview!
Awesome Interview!!!
Drew & Fable are making waves in the bookworm world!
Thanks for the chance to win it 🙂
I just started my own book here lately, and authors like Monica Murphy and Kelly Elliot and Molly McAdam, i always looked up to. and Reading their interviews give me more inspiration to go further with my writing. and reading this, just gave my more hope!
Excellent 🙂
Thanks for the interview. I’ll have to check these out.
I know some books that are going on my amazon wish list.
brilliant! another one to my wishlist
The blurb sounds very interesting. I would love to read the books.
loved it
These sound like terrific summer reads. I hadn’t heard about either book before. Glad I read this interview and discovered them. They’re going on my TBR list for sure!
The interview is great and it makes me want to read this two books.
These sound like great books. I love reading series. How do you choose your pen names?
I’m just discovering contemporary romance, I’m a paranormal and historical romance fan. It’s nice to find new authors from this website. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway!
It’s great to hear that you are discovering new authors through us! Hope you enjoy reading them as much as we do. 🙂
sounds like a great read adding it TRL 🙂
I just finished One Week Girlfriend and loved it. But, that ending! What the heck, Monica? I can’t believe you did that! It WAS perfect, though. And, that note was inspired! I can hardly wait to start Second Chance Boyfriend.
Great interview, I love the description of Drew! Thanks for sharing and the giveaway.
Great review and interview….can’t wait to read this book!
New author for me – thanks for the interview and the giveaway!!
Great interview. Thanks for the give-away!
I can imagine it being hard to try to be two different people!! This series sounds amazing, thanks for the chance to win!
The interview was great! I love learning about how authors came up with ideas for their books 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
That interview was great!!!!! I love learning what the authors are like!!!! Thank you for this giveaway and the chance to enter!!!!
I’ve heard great things about Drew and Fable’s books. Thanks for the giveaway.
thanks for the chance!!
Great interview! Can’t wait until I can add this book to my bookshelves.
Thanks 🙂
lorih824 at yahoo dot com
Great interview! I will definitely have to get these!
congrats to Monica on the new release !Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks for the great interview and the giveaway. I’ve had OWG on my wish list for too long. Now that i know there is SCB and they both sound do good. I need to get to reading. So please choose me!
Thanks for the giveaway! I’ve heard these books are amazing!
Great interview! I have to admit that I didn’t know that “Monica” and “Karen” are the same – I’ve been reading “Karen” for years but have to admit that I haven’t had a chance to read anything by “Monica” yet. Congratulations to “Monica” on the success of her books. Thanks for the giveaway
Great interview. Love to hear about Drew and Fable.
Great interview. Love to hear about Drew and Fable.
Great interview! I’ve loved Karen’s “Karen” stories and am looking forward to her “Monica” stories!
Broken, protective, sweet – sounds like a guy I need to meet.
Thanks for the interview and giveaway.
Great interview…can’t wait to read both books!
Great giveaway, excited for the chance to win these. I didn’t know there was a second, sill yme.
Great interview! and thanks so much for this great giveaway! I love this author!
excited for the chance to win these.
It must be very interesting writing as two different people – as it were. I must check out your other works too.
Love your books. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Angel.mcguffey @ facebook.com
Hey, nice interview!
Sounds really good. Thank you for the insightful interview and the opportunity to win.
Sounds and looks like a very interesting read.
Interesting types of characters
Great interview. Love finding out about new to me authors. This book looks great.
Love the blurbs and can´t wait for my chance to read! =)
Happy Sunday!
//Linda
These books sound really good! I’ll add them to my to-read list for this summer! 😀
I always love getting additional insight into the characters, how stories came about, and a little insight into the author’s head. Thanks for the interview and for the opportunity here!
Great interview! Woo Hoo! Love Monica/Karen 😉 I have not, however, had a chance to read these books. I’ll have to get on that right away! Thank you for the giveaway.
These books look so great, can’t wait to read them!
Thanks for that great interview. I like the extra info on the characters. Can’t wait to read more of Drew and Fable.
I love the inspiration behind this book. Sometimes guys do need a little rescuing.
Great interview!!
I can’t wait to read this series!!
Thanks for giving your time to this interview.
This looks like a couple of good books. I want to read them so bad 🙂
I have lots of great things about these lately. They are definitely on my TBR list and soon!