Luke Murphy.

Today I'd like to welcome Luke Murphy, author of “Kiss & Tell” to The Thursday Interview. Before we get started, a quick intro!

Luke Murphy is the International bestselling author of Dead Man’s Hand (Imajin Books, 2012). Murphy played six years of professional hockey before retiring in 2006. His sports column, “Overtime” (Pontiac Equity), was nominated for the 2007 Best Sports Page in Quebec, and won the award in 2009. He has also worked as a radio journalist (CHIPFM 101.7). Murphy lives in Shawville, QC with his wife, three daughters and pug. He is a teacher who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing, and a Bachelor of Education (Magna Cum Laude). Kiss & Tell is Murphy’s second novel. He is represented by The Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency.

OK - HERE WE GO !!  

No.1  Would you break the law to save a loved one? ... But why?

Absolutely, without a doubt. There is nothing more important in this life than family and friends, and they cannot be replaced.

No.2  What is the difference between being alive and truly living?

In my opinion, truly living means being happy. This is different for everyone, and the definition of happiness will differ among individuals. For me it means: having a passion for life, chasing your dreams, loving what you do, and being surrounded by loved ones.

No.3  What motivates you to write?

Writing allows me, for a short time, the freedom to leave my everyday world and explore new avenues, to be in another place and time. It allows me to get inside the head of characters—to think, do, and say whatever I want with no rules or restrictions. It means liberty and freedom to express myself. One of my major motivators is the readers. I love hearing from people about their experience in reading my books. I love to entertain and that is my goal when I write.

No.4  Why do humans want children?

The most amazing moments in my life have been the birth of my three daughters. Nothing will ever compare to that. I think that for most people, having children means a fulfillment and a completion of a perfect life. To create life and experience the love of a child is a blessing. It allows you to raise someone with the same morals as you were raised, and to share and give back from your life experiences, as you prepare a child to face the world.

No.5 What was the biggest challenge in creating your book "Kiss & Tell" ?

This novel took me 15 years to write. Well, not exactly, but...even though Dead Man’s Hand was my first published novel, it’s not the first book I wrote. Kiss & Tell is my “baby”. It’s the first book I ever even attempted to write. I started writing the novel in the winter of 2000, while playing hockey down in Oklahoma. A lot of circumstances surround this novel, and it’s the reason I started writing in the first place. This novel, and all of my writing, happened by “chance”. I was playing professional hockey in Oklahoma, and was struck in the eye with a stick in a preseason game. That injury ended my season before it began.

My wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, was attending a French college in Montreal, and her English professor assigned the class the task of writing a short story. My girlfriend knew that I was an avid reader, so she asked me if I would help her develop the story, which I did. I had so much fun with the project, that when we had finished, I took one of the characters we had created and started writing my own story.

I wrote Kiss & Tell in six months, but it was nowhere even close to being publishable. Actually, it stunk. It was a practice story for me, so I left it sitting in my computer, and started writing a second book. After I published Dead Man’s Hand in 2012, I decided to reopen Kiss & Tell and take another look. My first reaction…it was bad, written by a first-time, newbie, amateur author. But I loved the plot, cast of characters, and the potential. I didn’t want to give up on this story.

No.6  What is the most important thing you have learned in life so far? 

Live for the moment. Don`t let the time you have now pass you by. Don`t go through life in neutral, set goals and go for it!  Have no regrets. Chase your dreams while you still can.

No.7  How did you come up with the title "Kiss & Tell" ?

KISS & TELL was the first title I chose and it lasted through editors, agents and publishers. I wanted a “mysterious” title, something catchy that would create suspense. There is some romance/sex and betrayal involved in the story, I thought this title portrayed the meaning clearly.

No.8  How do you handle personal criticism?

I`ve played professional hockey years ago, and I think my skin grew thick during those days. My whole life I`ve heard I wasn’t big enough or good enough to make it, but I`ve always been a self-motivated guy and I have never let criticism interfere with my ultimate goal, no matter what that might be.

Amazon has done great things for writers, but it has also opened up a platform for public criticism, an open board for people to say whatever they want about you and your work. I take the good with the bad, understand that it’s not personal, and that writing is a very subjective industry. You can’t please everyone, some people will like my books and some people won’t.

No.9  Why should people read your book? 

Kiss & Tell has tension and excitement as a result of the action taking place in just over a one-week span. The female protagonist is not stereotypical. While her gender is significant, she does not moralize about the issue or her situation. A strong female protagonist. Double plot - the “rookie detective facing her first case” plot has a twist in that Taylor must work the case while secretly investigating her father’s homicide.

No.10 Why is there something rather than nothing?

I`ve always been an optimist. No matter how bad things are going, how down I should be, I`ve always had the ability to battle through any problems and succeed. That`s why I always believe there is something up ahead, rather than nothing at the end of the road.

Thank you Luke  :)

For taking the time to answer my questions 

& the best of luck with your new book! 

Check out "Kiss & Tell" on

GOODREADS & AMAZON

With the death of her father…

Officer Charlene Taylor has received her dream promotion—working Homicide with the LAPD. Her first case is the high-profile murder of Ken Anderson, a playboy UCLA professor with a haunted past. A mafia kingpin, billionaire tycoon, cheated wife and jaded lover are only a few on a long list of suspects, all with motive and opportunity. 

…all hope of reconciliation is lost. 

Not only does she feel the pressure from media and her boss to solve her first case, but Charlene must also deal with her father’s murderer, the “Celebrity Slayer,” a serial killer who enjoys baiting her with his knowledge of her life and routines. 

Can a rookie detective work two high-profile cases and still keep her sanity?