Friday, January 17, 2014

Anniversary ~ Drew + Fable by Monica Murphy


On January 10, 2013, One Week Girlfriend went into the wild.

Where were you?

Me?

I was oblivious until March.


I had never read any of Monica's adult books (written as Karen Erickson) and the New Adult scene was really just getting going.  I bought the eBook of One Week Girlfriend on March 1st.  Read it in one day on March 3rd and I was hooked.   

I met Monica at RT and got signed copies of both One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.  Then I had the best time being Drew's advocate in the NA Crush Tourney.  Got to show off all the reasons I love this guy with some of my favorite quotes!










 I ended up in twitter jail a few times over the course of the tourney but I loved it.



AND, I will never look at marshmallows quite the same way again.


So what is it about this book, this boy that does it for me?  This story, this series is the perfect mix of sexy, strong and vulnerable.  Drew is the reason.  I love Fable too.  She's strong and sassy.  Drew needs her to be.  Together they are incredible.  

If you don't know this one yet, you need to.  

Check out this series...

 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.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17202452-one-week-girlfriendhttp://www.stuckinbooks.com/2013/03/one-week-girlfriend-drew-fable-1-by.html

http://www.amazon.com/One-Week-Girlfriend-Drew-Fable/dp/098836946X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389936213&sr=1-1&keywords=9780988369467http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-week-girlfriend-monica-murphy/1114115673?ean=9780804176781




EXCERPT:
The second we walk into the guesthouse, I exhale a huge sigh of relief, thankful to be out of that stifling house where I grew up. I still can’t believe how Adele acted toward me, like a jealous girlfriend ready to sink her claws into Fable. Calling her my little Fable, what the hell?
And my dad blatantly checked her out. It made my skin fucking crawl and I’m not the one who got the once over. This is far worse than I thought it would be and I’m embarrassed.
Maybe we should leave. Maybe I should put Fable on a bus and send her back home so I don’t have to subject her to this any longer. It’s awful and I don’t want to put her through it. I’ll even let her keep the money.
“Your parents are freaks.”
Her sweet voice insulting the people who raised me shocks me so much I start to laugh. And once I start, I can’t seem to stop. It feels good. When had I last laughed like this? I can’t remember.
“Are you laughing because I’m telling the truth, or because it’s better to laugh than yell at me for knocking your parents?” Fable sounds a little nervous, but I detect amusement in her tone too.
“You’re brutally honest and I appreciate it,” I finally say once I find my voice again. “And I agree. They are freaks.”
“It was so tense in there. I don’t get it.” She glances around the guesthouse. With its open floor plan and near identical wall of windows facing the ocean like the living room in the main house, it’s still impressive, but on a less grander scale. A lot more comfortable in here, doesn’t give off that ‘look but don’t touch’ vibe. “Oh, you have a deck outside. I want to check it out.”
I watch her slip through living area, heading toward the door, which she unlocks and opens without hesitation. I follow her, curious to hear more of her observations of my freaky family and I slip outside onto the deck.
She’s already leaning against the railing facing the ocean, the wind blowing through her long pale hair. She reaches into the pocket of her thin black coat and pulls out a single cigarette and a lighter, her expression full of embarrassment. “I’ve pretty much broke the habit I swear, but I like to carry a few cigs with me in case of an emergency.”
“And what happened in there is considered an emergency?”
Fable flashes me a quick smile before she cups her hand around the lighter and flicks it once, twice. Three times before it finally ignites. The cigarette dangles from between her lips and she brings the lighter to the tip, taking a drag and causing it to light. “Oh my God, totally.” She blows out a stream of smoke over the railing and the little gray cloud hovers in the darkness before it slowly disappears. “Your dad…I think he was checking me out.”
“He was,” I agree, my voice low. “I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault.” She waves her hand, as if waving away what my dad did.
“I brought you here. Technically it’s my fault.”
Another wave of her hand as she dismisses my words. “I don’t look at it that way. I’ll just say this. Next time you bring a fake girlfriend, maybe you should prepare her a little better.”
I chuckle. There’s no way I’m bringing another pretend girlfriend here again. If I had my way, I’d never come back. I don’t care how beautiful this place is. I



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.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17316075-second-chance-boyfriend

http://www.amazon.com/Second-Chance-Boyfriend-Girlfriend-Quartet-ebook/dp/B00CMEOUN0/ref=la_B00AVPYIGG_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389936340&sr=1-2http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/second-chance-boyfriend-monica-murphy/1115060764?ean=9780804176798





EXCERPT:
“I thought you said you were hungry.” He glances up, his gaze catching mine. “What are you in the mood for?”
You, I want to tell him, but jeez. I had him not even an hour ago. What’s wrong with me? I go without Drew for a couple of months and now I act like I need him every minute of every day.
“I don’t know.” I open the menu to check out my options. I’ve never eaten at this restaurant. It’s close to Drew’s apartment and I’m rarely in this part of town. “What’s good here?”
“Fable.” His deep, quiet voice makes me glance up and I find him watching me, his dark brows drawn, a little frown curving his mouth. “Are you okay?”
He’s got both elbows propped on the table now, his hands clasped together, and I want those hands on me. His black long-sleeve shirt clings to his arms, accentuating his bulging biceps, those broad shoulders, that wide chest. I’ve explored every inch of his body the last few days and it’s still not enough. I can’t believe he’s really mine.
And I can’t believe I’m his.
“I’m not very hungry,” I admit.
His frown deepens. “You’re the one who wanted to come here.”
I shrug, feeling silly, my gaze locked on his hands. They are so big. Long fingers, wide palms, a little rough, a little smooth. I love how they touch me, sometimes gentle, sometimes with force. I like it best when he wraps my hair around his fingers and tugs. Oh God, I really love it when he does that . . .
I want those hands on me. Now. “I guess I’m not as hungry as I thought.” My stomach is fluttering with nerves. I don’t want to eat. I want Drew. I feel sort of crazed with it. Like I need to have him as much as possible before he slips through my fingers and I lose him forever.
But I’m not going to lose him. We’re in this together. I need to remember that—and believe it.
“You’re being weird.” Worry fills his eyes. “Are you mad? Did I do something?”
Just his breathing—that does it for me. “I’m not mad. I’m, um . . .” I let my voice trail off, feeling like an idiot.
“You’re what?”
“I’m looking at your hands,” I admit with a little sigh. Can I admit out loud that I’m horny? That would sound ridiculous.
Those dark brows shoot up practically to his hairline. “Why?”
My cheeks are hot. I squirm in my seat again. “I’m . . . remembering what they did to me earlier.”
The frown is gone, replaced with a wicked smile that sends my body temperature skyrocketing. He leans across the table, his voice so low it vibrates through me and settles between my legs. “Maybe we should go back to my place so I can do that to you all over again.”
Oh my God, that sounds like the best idea ever. “Maybe we should.”
The smile never leaves his face. In fact, it grows bigger. My quiet, hesitant Drew has morphed into some sort of cocky sex god. “You don’t want to order anything?”
I slowly shake my head. “Can’t we just get pizza again? Later?” We had it last night, too. “From somewhere different this time. You know, just to mix it up. Or maybe Chinese? I love Chinese.”
He laughs, the sound husky. “You said you wanted to get out of the house for a while because you worried we were becoming addicted to each other.”
“Is that what I said?” I honestly can’t remember. What’s wrong with being addicted to each other? Aren’t we still in this pretend mode where we’re normal people who like to have sex without hangups or issues? I wonder if Drew has ever had sex like this. Carefree and so . . . normal.
“Yep.” He nods.
“Maybe I like being addicted to you,” I admit softly. We haven’t said we loved each other yet. I can’t work up the nerve. Maybe he can’t either. Silly, considering how consumed with love I am for him. He is just . . . amazing. Sweet. Attentive. Funny. Smart. Sexy.
I understand him. He understands me. We’re perfect for each other.
Maybe we’re too perfect together. Too perfect doesn’t really exist. This could all be a façade. Just like our week together over the Thanksgiving break.
That week felt fake, though. Surreal. There were real, grounding moments, but for the most part, we were caught up in an act. Maybe we’re pretending right now too, but I’m trying to be as real as I can with him. Without the baggage and the heartache and the trouble hanging over us. For at least a little while.
It’ll all come crashing down upon us soon. That’s a reality I don’t want to face quite yet.
He reaches across the table for my hands and takes them in his. “I really like being addicted to you.”
The smile I send his way is so big it hurts my cheeks. We are so in this addiction together.
For once, I know I’m not alone.
“Let’s go home and play true confessions,” I suggest because I’m feeling silly. “Nothing heavy, though. We can keep it light and easy.”
“True confessions? I’m intrigued.”
“You should be,” I say coyly. “It’s going to be a sexual true confessions.”
He stiffens the slightest bit and I squeeze his hands in my grip. We need to be open with each other and while the sexual connection we have is amazing, I know sometimes he holds himself back. I understand why. Sort of.
That’s where we’re complete opposites. I was the type who gave it away just so I could feel something, anything, for a little while. He’d rather box himself up and feel absolutely nothing.
“Fable . . .” His voice trails off and his smile fades. “I don’t know if I’m up to that yet.”
“It won’t be anything crazy, I promise.” I lean over our linked hands and bring them to my mouth, pressing a lingering kiss to his knuckles. “No pressure. Just fun.”
“Just fun?” He brushes his thumb over the top of my hand and my entire body reacts.




Monica Murphy returns with her most beloved characters, Drew and Fable, in this eBook original 40,000-word novella that brings her bestselling New Adult series full circle.

Fantasy. How I ended up with NFL player Drew Callahan, the guy every woman wants, is beyond my wildest dreams. All I know is that once he chose me as his one and only, I sure wasn’t looking back. I had past wounds and he showed patience and concern—even taking responsibility for my messed-up kid brother. Now, once again, he’s found a way to blow my mind: an exotic wedding and honeymoon miles and miles away from home. What else could a girl ever ask for?

Reality. Now the honeymoon’s over. Drew’s football schedule takes him on the road constantly, while I need to stay put and look after my brother until he finishes high school—because God knows our sorry excuse for a mother won’t. I know Drew loves me with all his heart, and I’ll always be over the moon about him. This just isn’t how I imagined our life as newlyweds . . . dealing with the distance, missing him all the time. But we’ve gone through hard times before. We can get through this, too, right? We’re Drew and Fable, together forever. At least I hope so. . . 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18733803-drew-fable-foreverhttp://www.stuckinbooks.com/2014/01/drew-fable-forever-drew-fable-35-by.html

http://www.amazon.com/Fable-Forever-Novella-Monica-Murphy-ebook/dp/B00GVZZQ2A/ref=la_B00AVPYIGG_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389936446&sr=1-8http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drew-fable-forever-monica-murphy/1117497955?ean=9780804178631

Currently $.99







EXCERPT:
“We should check out Ocean Avenue tomorrow,” Drew whispers close to my ear, amusement tingeing his deep voice.
“What? Are you serious?” Even though I’ve come to terms with being here, it doesn’t mean I want to linger and make it a serious vacation. Besides, Drew needs to get back home so he can resume practice.
“Well yeah, remember the spot where we kissed?” His eyes are warm as they search my face, filled with so much love I feel my heart swell.
“Yes,” I whisper achingly. “Of course I remember.”
“I want to go back there.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his index finger lingering on my skin. “I want to kiss you again in that little alley and remember how wet we were from the rain. How nervous I was. I was scared you might reject me.”
I’d felt the same way. We’d dealt with much of the same feelings and fears and hadn’t even known it.
“I want to take you to that store where you got the dress that just about killed me and buy you whatever you want,” he continues, his fingers drifting across my jaw. My eyes flutter closed as memories rush back at me. “I want to sit outside the dressing room and have you come out to show me every single thing you’re trying on.”
That he remembers all the little details sends a thrill of pleasure spiraling to the very depths of my soul.
“And then I want to wander off for a bit and let you do whatever you want, secretly hoping that you’ll send me a text that says marshmallow. Though if you don’t that’s okay because I’ll send you one instead.” He offers up a crooked smile and the sight of it cracks my heart wide open, overflowing with so much pure love for him I want to cry. “Because we made a deal. Whenever we see or hear that word, the other comes running. I’ll always be the one to rescue you, Fable. You never have to worry about that.”



There's more to this series than Drew + Fable but they are my favorite part.  Here are some more...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17969384-three-broken-promiseshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17978533-four-years-later


I'm super excited to read Four Years Later!  That's Owen's story - Fables little brother.  Can't wait.

SO...


As my Celebration of 3 years StuckInBooks continues, I'm giving away an eBook of Four Years Later!


INT as long as you can accept an eBook.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

25 comments:

  1. I read One Week Girlfriend last year and loved it! I recently bought Three Broken Promises and am excited to read it, but am sorry to say goodbye to Drew + Fable!
    I can not wait for Owen's book!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I read both OWG and SCB when they came out and love them both. I am excited to read how Owen matured with a strong sister like Fable looking after him.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I found out about One Week Girlfriend during the promo for Second Chance Boyfriend. Love this series!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Valerie, I love you. That is all. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. only found it a few weeks ago but I love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. i read it last year and LOVED it!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I read OWG & SCB in April of last year!
    I'd actually filled my Kindle with books to read while on vacation, and these were the first ones I read! Drew *dreamy sigh*

    ReplyDelete
  8. I found out about it a bit lately. Read it and I loved it! Thank you for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I found out about it when second chance boyfriend was coming out.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I found out shortly after it came out and bought and read it soon there after. I was blown away by the book and just fell for both Drew and Fable.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I found it shortly after it came out! I need to catch up with the rest of the series though. Loved the first one:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm new to the series . Thanks for the giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  13. I found One Week Girlfriend back in January of last year and fell in Loooove! Thanks for the giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. My book friend recommended it to me! I had no clue about them before :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I just found it and hope to read it very, very soon! It sounds fantastic!


    ReplyDelete
  16. This is a new author/series for me. I added this series to my book wish list.

    jmesparza821 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I didn't read it until April of that year! But I absolutely fell in love and read the sequel right after. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  18. I had OWG saved in my TBR list for 6 months and just read it and loved it, now reading second chance boyfriend and will read Three Broken Promises, of course can't wait to read more about Drew and Fable and then Owen, just love these books so far.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love Drew and Fable! I so can't wait for Four Years Later!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congrats on 3 yrs!! And thanks for the great giveaways!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I found it a bit lately but i found it and love this beautiful series!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I read the book a while after it came out and immediately loved Drew & Fable :)

    ReplyDelete