Monica Murphy joins Fresh Fiction to talk about her hero's, swoon-worthy moments, and what's next for her fans! Jen: Hi, Monica. We’re so glad to have you with us at Fresh Fiction! Monica: Hi! And thank you so much for having me! Jen: One of the unique points in the Fowler Sisters series is that you write in the first person point of view from both hero and heroine’s character. Why did you choose to write from both points of view and did you ever have trouble deciding who would be the voice for each scene? Monica: Here’s why I write from both points of view – I love being in the hero’s head. Though I must admit that I love reading a book with only the heroine’s POV (as a reader you’re always left wondering what in the world the dude is doing/thinking etc.). Whether I write in third person (as I do as my alter ego Karen Erickson) or first person, I always, always want to be in the hero’s head. Sometimes I prefer the hero to the heroine. I can’t help it. I like men. Jen: You’ve a talent for writing incredibly sexy scenes, but as Fresh Fiction reviewer Monique Daoust said your stories aren’t about sex, but about “unbridled passion, life, personal growth and self-discovery.” What do you think changes steamy sex to “unbridled passion”? Monica: I’m incredibly flattered by Monique’s description of my stories (thank you Monique!). Here’s where I admit something embarrassing— between my two pen names, I’ve written a lot of books over the years. This means I’ve received a lot of reviews too, many of them bad. What’s always been consistent in those bad reviews is, “I hated this, blah blah blah, but the sex scenes were good.” The sex was good is my claim to fame. Ha ha. I try my best for every sex scene I write to have meaning and move the story forward. Or backward. Or even sideways (I’m fairly certain I’ve written a sex scene that has sent my characters sideways). My goal for my characters is to discover that this person who’s in their life is going to transform it completely. Not that their life had no meaning prior to them meeting this person, but that they now have new meaning. They’ve discovered parts of themselves they didn’t know exist. The hero is usually transformed the most in my books (the love of a good woman is always just what they need!) but the heroines always grow too. Plus let’s just face it—I love writing all the tingling, swoon-inducing moments. Jen: TAMING LILY is the final book in the Fowler Sisters series. How do you say goodbye to your characters after you’ve finished a series or do you ever really say goodbye? Monica: It’s hard saying goodbye to your characters, but my timeline is different from the readers’ timeline. I said goodbye to the Fowler Sisters back at the end of 2014, when I finished writing Lily’s book. I’ve already moved on. Heck, I’ve written two full length novels and two novellas since I turned in Lily and I’m working on a full length novel right now. My head is constantly full of characters! I will say there’s a sense of mourning after I finish a book. You become so wrapped up in that story that when you’re done, mentally you’re not prepared. I’m always sad to let the characters go. I remember when I finished writing SECOND CHANCE BOYFRIEND, the second I wrote that last line, I burst into tears. That’s a rare occurrence though (and the entire One Week Girlfriend series is such an emotional one for me that I’m not surprised it turned me into a balling baby LOL). Jen: What book are you reading right now? Monica: This is so sad but currently I’m reading nothing. I’m on such a tight deadline schedule at the moment and I’m traveling a lot over the next few weeks. I can’t allow myself to read anything. I must only write words, not read them! But at the tail end of this traveling I’ll be on vacation and I will read. I can’t wait! Jen: Can you give us a sneak peek at what you’re working on next? Monica: I just turned in a book to my publisher that will be coming out in January 2016. I won’t talk about it yet though—I call it my super secret project. I can’t wait for people to read it though! I’m currently wrapping up the second book in my NA series (The Rules). IN THE DARK is fun and silly and sexy, just like FAIR GAME was. Here’s the tiniest glimpse of Gabe and Lucy’s story:
“I dig the curves,” I admit, my voice low. “Sometimes a man wants something to hold onto, you know?”
She blinks. Slowly. “Okay,” she says, drawing the word out.
“Not a stick figure with boobs on it. It’s no fun, cuddling with a bag of bones,” I say.
More blinking. “Are you saying you want to cuddle with me?”
“Anything you’re game for, I’m on board,” I tell her. Cuddling. Kissing. Yeah, I’m up for all of it.
“We’ve only just met,” she points out.
“We’re getting to know each other.”
“I don’t cuddle with a guy on the first date.” There’s that prim little voice again. I don’t believe it for a second. I think this girl could unleash on me if coaxed—and I’m real good at coaxing. I’d love to be the one who makes her fall apart.
“Technically this is our second date.”
Lucy rolls her eyes. “I don’t know if you’ve earned that second chance yet.”
I pretend to be taken aback. Hand on heart, the whole deal. “You’re not impressed with my choice dinner location?”
She shakes her head. “Not enough.”
“I need to do more?”
Her answer is a slow nod accompanied by a sly smile. “Definitely.”
Jen: Monica, thank you so much for joining us and giving us a glimpse into Gabe and Lucy's story!!
Monica Murphy is a writer, a wife and a mom. She drinks too much coffee and spends too much time in front of her computer. She likes to read, she watches bad reality TV and she sometimes acts younger than she really is. Though most of the time she's sure her kids think she's a complete buzz kill. Monica is the author of the USA Today bestseller, new adult contemporary title ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND and its upcoming sequel, SECOND CHANCE BOYFRIEND. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest
Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren, Emma Chase, and Maya Banks, the anticipated finale in New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy’s sexy contemporary romance series about three fiery and determined sisters with their own ideas about life and love. I’m in trouble. Again. And instead of facing my problems head-on, I’ve run away. Far away this time, and no one can catch me—not my two younger sisters, Violet and Rose, not my father, my grandmother, or that witch Pilar who wants to take control of my family’s cosmetics company. Now I’m in Hawaii, enjoying the sun and sand and water, where nobody knows the hot mess known as Lily Fowler. And I’m loving every minute of it. But someone is watching me. Following me. He’s gorgeous. Soon we’re talking, and against all my instincts, I reveal bits and pieces of myself to Max. It feels good, though I know he can’t be the man for me. These sudden feelings we share are way too complicated, too fraught, too intense. Then everything explodes and I’m forced to return home. My intentions have always been true, but now everyone’s mad at me. I don’t know who to turn to anymore . . . except to Max. He’s the one I want to trust. But I’m not so sure I should. Maybe it’s worth the risk—what-ifs be damned. . . .
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