I am so incredibly excited to share an interview with Katie McGarry today! I read Nowhere but Here and absolutely fell in love with it. Thanks so much to Katie for answering some questions I had!
About the Book:
An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible.
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.
Author Interview:
1. I love that your stories feature dual narration. Did you always plan to write them that way or did you try different styles?
The first two books I ever wrote were in first person and in one point of view. I especially found with the second book that I missed having the hero’s point of view in several scenes. I was dying to write his thoughts and feelings about a situation and felt so limited.
I decided to try writing from dual point of view with my third book and I fell in love.
2. Nowhere but Here contains something I don’t recall seeing in a YA book before… a motorcycle club! I was so interested in this aspect. What made you want to include it? What kind of research did you do about it? Were the ideas you had going into your research changed once you learned more? (Basically I just want to know more about the motorcycle club aspect!)
I grew up fascinated by motorcycle clubs. I remember watching them driving in my neighborhood and coming into the liquor store that my father worked at part time. These men were always nice to me and others. As I grew up, I realized that people had a different perspective of MCs than I did. Thus the idea for writing NOWHERE BUT HERE was born.
When I went to write NOWHERE BUT HERE, I wanted to try to write the story as legitly as I could. I contacted a local motorcycle club and asked if I could hang out with them and I was thrilled when they agreed.
When I walked into the motorcycle club, I already knew the plot of the story. The main characters Oz and Emily had already been created. I even told the president of the Mother Chapter the plot the first night we met.
While I did expect to find some awesome people in the club and some possible wild parties, what I didn’t expect was the bond of brotherhood and family I found within those walls. There was a level of love and respect that blew me away.
3. Your books always have a really excellent romance! What are some of your favorite love stories (books, movies, real life, whatever!!)
Aw, thank you! Not sure if it would be considered a true romance, but I love the movie Casablanca. Some of my favorite romance writers are Lori Foster, Gena Showalter and Miranda Kenneally.
4. Clearly I’m a huge fan of young adult literature. what draws you to YA as a writer or a reader?
THE OUTSIDERS by S.E. Hinton is a book that changed the course of my life when I was younger and I was hungry for more books like that. I grew up in complicated circumstances in a complicated neighborhood. That book was the first time I saw a reflection of myself and that was a powerful moment. I write the YA I needed more of when I was younger. Stories that show that life can be tough, but there is always hope.
5. On that note, read any good YA books recently?
I have read some fantastic YA books lately! I love The DEVIL YOU KNOW by Trish Doller, JESSE’S GIRL by Miranda Kenneally, and THE LIES ABOUT THE TRUTH by Courtney Stevens.
Thanks again to Katie! You all should be really excited for this one! There’s also a super awesome pre-order deal going on. Check it out here!
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