Monday, May 18, 2015

Interview + Giveaway: Katie McGarry and Nowhere But Here


I couldn't be more excited today to be a part of the promotional tour (thanks Hannah and HarlequinTEEN!) for Nowhere But Here, the latest release from Katie McGarry. I have been a complete and utter Katie fangirl from page one of Pushing the Limits, and when I found out Katie's new series focused on a motorcycle club, I may or may not have dropped dead of swoon. All Katie's boys are magnificent book boyfriend material, but when she went ahead and added biker to the book boyfriend makeup my little heart nearly exploded in anticipation.

I had the pleasure of asking her a few questions about motorcycle clubs and of course Oz in particular, so I hope you all enjoy the interview. Don't forget to check the bottom of this post for a full list of participating blogs as well as a chance to win a finished copy!

You spent a lot of time researching the ins and outs of motorcycle clubs for Nowhere But Here. What's one small thing about them people might be surprised to learn?

Motorcycle clubs can be extremely family oriented. The club that I shadowed for my research for NOWHERE BUT HERE had a family style potluck dinner several Friday nights during the month. In general though, this club required that anyone under eighteen years of age leave around eight in the evening. After this, the party would go into full swing.

Just for fun, what would Oz or the members of Reign of Terror have to say about the portrayal of motorcycle clubs in Sons of Anarchy?

Oz especially would shake his head. It’s shows like this that shape the public’s perceptions of motorcycle clubs. Oz wouldn’t argue that there are motorcycle clubs that dabble in illegal activities, but those are referred to as 1% clubs—meaning that out of all the clubs there are, only 1% of those clubs participate in illegal activities. This means that a good majority of motorcycle clubs abide by the law. A club like Oz’s is a brotherhood of men.

You've written a number of swoon-worthy book boys over the years. If each of them was asked to describe you in one word, what word would that be?

I think each of them would describe me as hopeful. Noah, Ryan, Isaiah, West, Logan, and even Oz know that I like to put each of them in very difficult situations, but I always have hope that they will find themselves better by the end of the story over where they started.

If Emily could reach out to any of the young women from the Pushing the Limits series and ask for relationship advice as things progress with Oz, who do you think would be the most helpful to her?

Emily would definitely reach out to Echo of PUSHING THE LIMITS and Rachel of CRASH INTO YOU. Emily and Oz of NOWHERE BUT HERE share that attraction yet hate at first sight like Echo and Noah did in PUSHING THE LIMITS. But like Echo and Noah, Emily and Oz end up with a love that is epic.

I believe that Emily would eventually reach out to Rachel of CRASH INTO YOU because there is a connection between Isaiah and the NOWHERE BUT HERE crew. Careful readers will be able to make the connection in NOWHERE BUT HERE, and for those who don’t pick it up right away, stick with the THUNDER ROAD series and it will be explained.

Motorcycle clubs seem to embrace nicknames for their various members. If Reign of Terror was to consider you one of theirs, what nickname might they give you?

That’s a fantastic question! Examples of two of the nicknames of the people I hung out with were Fluffy and Mother.  Maybe my road name would be Writer Girl? Sometimes that’s what I would overhear me explained as when people asked. Road names aren’t something members get to choose for themselves. It’s a name that’s given to the member by the club. I met several members whose nickname was a reminder of a moment that made many people laugh.

Thanks so much for answering my questions Katie!

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NOWHERE BUT HERE


Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.




 • • • • • • • • • • • 
 
KATIE McGARRY 


Katie was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie is the author of the full-length Young Adult novels PUSHING THE LIMITS and DARE YOU TO, and the e-novella CROSSING THE LINE. Her debut novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS, is a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and an RT Book Reviews 2012 Reviewer’s Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel.

Writing has given Katie an excuse to pursue her passions. Research for her books has provided her with the amazing opportunity to train with baseball players, ride along in a drag car at ninety-six miles per hour and experience boxing and mixed martial arts. The most memorable moments for Katie are when she speaks to groups of teenagers about her research, writing and the truth that no dream is out of reach. Katie would love to hear from her readers.


Don't miss out on more amazing books by Katie McGarry!
Pushing the Limits: Goodreads | Amazon
Crossing the Line (e-novella): Goodreads | Amazon
Dare You To: Goodreads | Amazon
Crash Into You: Goodreads | Amazon
Red At Night (Harlequin More Than Words) eNovella - Free from Amazon
Take Me On: Goodreads | Amazon
• • • • • • • • • • •

GIVEAWAY


Thanks to the generosity of HarlequinTEEN, I have a finished copy of Nowhere But Here to give away on the blog today. WOO HOO! To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open to US addresses only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

WEEK ONE:
5/18 - Supernatural Snark (Interview)
5/19 - Step Into Fiction (Review)
5/20 - Novel Ink (Review)
5/21 - Mundie Moms (Guest Post)
5/22 - Book Rock Betty (Kiss & Tell Post)

WEEK TWO:
5/25 - The Irish Banana Review (Review)
5/25 - Jenuine Cupcakes (Interview)
5/27 - No BS Book Reviews (Review)
5/28 - Once Upon A Twilight (Guest Post)
5/29 - Fiction Fare (Review & Interview)

28 comments:

  1. I absolutely love Katie McGarrys book. I still haven't read Nowhere But Here but I will be this week I think. Dare You Too was my favourite out her last series. I can't wait to meet Oz and the Reign of Terror. Sounds awesome. Great interview, Jenny! :)

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  2. I still haven't started reading any Katie McGarrys' books, but I do have a pair of them in my Kindle.
    Fantastic interview, Jenny!

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  3. Love this interview and loved this story! Thanks so much for sharing this Jenny!
    I do love the slight similarities between Echo and Noah and Emily and Oz's story. ;)

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  4. This book definitely made me see motorcycle clubs in a more family oriented way. I was nervous when I first picked up the book because I was under the misconception that all they do is kill people.
    I wound up LOVING this book!!
    Lovely interview, Jenny!

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  5. Thank you for the fun interview questions, Jenny! I haven't yet had the chance to pick up Katie McGarry's books, but this may be the perfect chance with her new motorcycle club series. I can't wait to meet Oz :)

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  6. Probably Trippy because I trip on things a lot, or Booker because I read all the time. Yes, I am that lame.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  7. A love story that can be compared to Echo and Noah? Seriously? I'm so happy to be starting it this weekend! I have a good feeling about this one, Jenny! I've had my ups and down with Katie's books but overall, I adore her and I know I'm going to enjoy this story. I'm glad hopeful is the word to describe her. That's exactly what I am. :)

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  8. Great interview! It makes me even more excited to read "Nowhere But Here"! If I had a motorcycle club nickname, it would probably be something that ties into my creativity, like 'Picasso'. That, or 'Blondie', which is self-explanatory. ;)

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  9. Interesting interview. I haven't read this series, but I'm curious :) I liked SOA, and I'd like to see how the other 99% lives. In any case, a motorcycle club a backdrop for any story is ripe with potential.

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  10. My motorcyle nickname??? I have no idea... maybe Wind Spirit. I have heard nothing but good things about this book, and I am ashamed I haven't read this author since PTL.

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  11. I have no idea what my motorcycle nickname would be at all.

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  12. Good inter iew, and it sounds intersesting

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  13. I didn't think you get to chose your nickname. :D This looks like fun. I'm curious on her take.

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  14. OMG< I need to read this soon! I love Katie McGarry and her books so much!

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  15. Lol probably "Nosey" because I have a dot right on the tip of my nose and my sister has called me it ever since I was little.

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  16. My nickname would be Harmony because if two club members are arguing, I would try to be the mediator. :-) Or maybe Blank Skin because I don't do tattoos. Insightful interview, ladies!

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  17. I just recently got a copy of this when I heard it revolved around a motorcycle club!! For YA no less! I'm really excited to dive in. I like the picture Katie got of MCs out there instead of Sons of Anarchy. That was just such a complete mess and I had to stop watching! My husband finished the series so I'd have glimpses here and there and then I heard about the whole sordid, horrible end (are you freaking kidding me?!!) and I hoped that example was not anything like reality. I like Kristen Ashley's take on MCs much more! Sorry for my little rant there! Great interview ladies! :)

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  18. I love the thought of Emily reaching out to Echo and Rachel and other characters for advice - that is so cool! I have my copy of this and can't wait to read it. I don't know much about motorcycle clubs and I don't watch SoA so it sounds like my perceptions won't be colored by the 1% portrayal. Looking forward to this!

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  19. I am a huge Katie McGarry fan, so I'm super excited for this book!
    As for nicknames, sadly I lack creativity so it will probably be omething obvious, simple, or from books I've reads.
    It takes me HOURS to come up with usernames & gamer tags, so... lol.

    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  20. I have NO idea what my nickname would be! Most people give me random nicknames so it would be up to others to decide my nickname!

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  21. I love Katie and hope to squeeze this one in. Lovely interview, and I am hearing good things about the book

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  22. Maybe my nickname would be Always, because I would be always right! lol
    I love Katie's books and can't wait to read this one. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!

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  23. Thanks for the giveaway! I would be Wild Wolf for sure. :)

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  24. Love Katie McGarry!

    I had to do a random biker name generator because I couldn't think of any cool biker names, so I got... Slow Ride. I don't know how I feel about it...

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