Author Interview: Holly May Cormier, author of "Memphis".

A woman on the run. A family full of secrets. A past that won’t stay buried.

In a worn-down suburb outside Nashville, the Freedman family rules through fear—hard-drinking men who break their women long before life has a chance to. Memphis Monroe, once a soft-spoken choir girl, is swept up by Johnny Freedman’s charm and notorious reputation. Her mother, Doris—eager to pull her daughter out of trailer-park poverty—pushes her into a marriage that quickly turns into a trap.

By the late ’70s, Memphis had spent ten brutal years as Johnny’s wife, worn down by his rage and addiction, barely holding on for the sake of their son, Michael. But when Johnny finally goes too far, she faces a turning point: live like a lion for one day—or a sheep forever.

With Michael beside her in Johnny’s prized Mustang Shelby, Memphis flees Tennessee and races toward Los Angeles, desperate for safety. Along the way, she discovers the voice she buried, a love she never expected, and truths about her past she was never meant to know. But when Johnny and Doris track her down, Memphis is pulled into a tangle of long-hidden lies—leading to a final, shattering reckoning she may not escape.

Memphis is a character-driven women’s fiction thriller exploring generational trauma, domestic violence, and the fight for autonomy during the early abortion-rights era in America. This debut novel is set in 1977—a time when the music and style were unforgettable, but women’s rights, especially in the American South, were far from equal. That imbalance deepens the layers of domestic violence and escape that the main protagonist, Memphis Monroe, must navigate.

To know more about the book, I had the honor and privilege to interview the author, Holly May Cormier, and here is what she says:

Can you explain why you chose the late 1970s as the period for your story?

"I’ve always had a deep fascination with the 1970s—the fashion, the cars, the roller rinks, and especially the music. Although I’m an ’80s baby, I’ve long felt drawn to that decade. For Memphis, setting the story in the late ’70s allowed me to authentically highlight the social realities women faced at that time.

Domestic violence was often ignored or minimized, divorce was far more difficult to obtain, access to abortion was limited, and women had fewer financial and community supports—especially single mothers. Placing Memphis in this era allowed me to portray the extremity of her situation more honestly and dramatically, while also celebrating the style, culture, and music that made the decade so iconic."

Is Memphis a reflection of who you are? How did you develop her character and personality?

"I love how direct this question is—and no one has ever asked me this so plainly. In many ways, YES, Memphis is a reflection of me. While I didn’t live in the 1970s, don’t have a son (girl mom), and wasn’t subjected to the same brutal forms of violence Memphis endured, I am a survivor of emotional warfare at the hands of a narcissistic partner. Like Memphis, I was made to feel small, isolated, and convinced I would crumble without him. But like her, I got back up. I survived. I rebuilt. I made my daughters proud and created a life for us despite the hate, manipulation, and torment. Memphis reflects my personality, my compassion, my love of children and animals, and my tendency to give people too much grace—until I find my footing and learn to set boundaries. She’s a singer; I’m a writer (and I promise you, I cannot sing to save my life). In Book Two, you’ll see her begin to push back even more."

Why is the subject of narcissistic relationships and domestic violence so important to you?

"Because I was raised in it. I am Michael—Memphis’s son—in many ways. Witnessing my mother experience physical abuse as a child profoundly shaped me socially and emotionally. This book is dedicated not only to survivors but to the children who grow up watching violence unfold behind closed doors. As an adult, I spent five years trapped in a narcissistic relationship. I was gaslit, isolated, smeared, and made to doubt my own reality. I remember googling, “Why am I recording my boyfriend’s conversations just to keep my sanity?” That’s when I learned about narcissistic personality disorder and the cycle they all follow: love-bomb, devalue, discard. I also learned what trauma bonding was—and that I had to break it. Narcissists abuse privately and erode your self-esteem slowly. As empaths—people who are deeply compassionate, emotionally intuitive, and harmony-seeking—we often attract them. They sense our loose boundaries and our willingness to care, even at our own expense. Now, my mission is awareness. I want people to recognize the red flags early. Love-bombing is one of the biggest ones—when someone moves too fast, idealizes you instantly, and overwhelms you with attention before truly knowing you. That isn’t love; it’s control. Beyond my book, I’ve also started a YouTube channel dedicated to narcissistic abuse awareness to help others avoid the same traps."

What advice would you give to women who have lost themselves and their voices in marriage?

"Protect your identity and your independence. This is something I still remind myself of daily. Women cannot build their entire lives around a partner while neglecting their own needs, friendships, finances, and passions. We need separate friends, our own income streams, and consistent care for our minds and bodies. Work out. Meditate. Spend time with your girlfriends. Invest in yourself—financially and emotionally. Too many women become trapped because they gave up financial independence, only to find themselves with no exit when infidelity or abuse enters the picture. Always have your own means, even if your partner earns well. Start a side hustle. Open an investment account—just for you. And most importantly, women need to support other women. Join groups that nourish you: book clubs, fitness classes, creative communities. Isolation is where we lose ourselves. Connection is where we find our way back."

In a male-dominated society, how can women rise and stand in front of men?

"It’s far easier today than it was in 1977—Memphis didn’t have the choices we do—but male dominance still exists. The Me Too movement showed the world that women are no longer willing to be silenced. We will wear what we want. We will speak up. We will support one another. The conversation is no longer about women policing themselves—it’s about men taking responsibility for their behavior. Change happens when women stand together and refuse to shrink."

Holly May Cormier is a mom to two daughters and two dogs, living in Toronto, Canada. She works as a media marketing rep, and she is passionate about storytelling, animal rights, and all things vintage.