Cecily Wolfe's Blog: The Start of Something New - Posts Tagged "high-school"
Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry
A new Katie McGarry? Sign me up!
I am honored to be a part of the Inkslinger blog tour for Say You'll Remember Me, which releases next week. Are you ready for another fantastic story?
I finished reading this last night and was WOWED. My review here on Goodreads:
I loved everything about this story - the relationship between Drix and Elle is so believable, with all the stress coming from her parents (and the public) as well as his fight against his tendency to act out in ways that will only hurt him, and the chemistry they share that not only keeps them physically attracted to each other, but emotionally bound as well. McGarry is the queen of realistic teen drama, and her latest only reinforces my belief in this. I highly recommend this story, but beware: once you start reading, you won't be able to stop until you find out how these two overcome the many obstacles in their way and find a way to be together.
An excerpt from Say You'll Remember Me:
~Ellison~
The two of us are different. Complete sliding scale different. The only thing we have in common, as far as I can tell, is that he appears about my age and that we are both wearing shoes. My sandals to his scuffed combat boots. His sagging jeans with rips and white T-shirt to my ironed khaki shorts and fitted blue top. My diamond earrings and gold bracelet with a heart charm to his black belt that has metal studs and silver chain that hangs from his belt loop to his wallet.
By looks, I should have more in common with the loser college boys, but it’s this guy I’m comfortable with. “What’s your name?”
He throws the ball, and he’s right, he sucks at it. While he has unbelievable power, his aim’s completely off. The ball hits the back curtain with a loud thud, then drops to the floor. “Drix.”
“Drix?” I repeat to make sure I heard him correctly.
“Drix. It’s short for Hendrix. Like Jimi Hendrix.”
“That’s cool.” Because it is.
I wait for him to ask for my name, but he doesn’t. Instead he says, “Are you here alone?”
He throws the second ball, and this time he hits the top of the three bottles, sending that one to the ground.
“No. My parents are here. I’m supposed to meet them at the convention center. What about you? What happened to the people you were with? Or are you here alone now?”
“Yes, but no.” Drix pulls his arm back, releases the ball, and when the ball hits the bottom bottles, my heart lifts with the idea that he won, but only one of the bottles goes flying. The other stays completely untouched.
He turns in my direction, but his gaze roams over my shoulder, then flickers to the left. Drix then glances behind him, and when he returns his attention to me he raises his eyebrows. “They appear to be gone.”
That’s awesome news, but I’m still stuck on his answer of “yes but no.” Honestly, I’m stuck on him. He’s a million questions without a single answer, and he makes me incredibly curious.
“My parents weren’t thrilled about me hanging out alone at the midway, but I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal. It’s just Whack-A-Mole, you know?”
“And a ball toss.”
“And a ball toss. None of it should have been complicated.”
“Shouldn’t have been.”
“Elle!” Part of me is relieved to see Andrew craning his neck over the crowd. Another part of me is majorly disappointed. There aren’t many times in my life I’m left alone. Not many times I’m able to explore new places and people without someone hovering and not many opportunities when I would meet someone like Drix.
“Elle,” Andrew calls again. I wave at him, hoping it will buy me a few seconds, and he waves back in a way that tells me he needs me to walk in his direction. That works well for me.
“Is that a friend of yours?” Drix asks.
“Yes, but no.” I borrow his answer because it’s apropos. Andrew’s a few years older. More friend of our family than a personal friend of mine, and I don’t like the idea of explaining that my parents think I need a babysitter.
Drix’s mouth twitches at my words, and my lips also edge upwards. “I just made you smile a third time. Is this a Guinness Book of World Records thing?”
“I liked your answer.”
“I’m just creative like that.”
From critically acclaimed author Katie McGarry, comes SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME —a story of two people from different worlds pushing themselves, and each other, to get what they deserve!
SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME releases on January 30, 2018. Pre-order your copy today!
SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME Synopsis:
“Doesn’t matter who did it. Not anymore. I did the time. It’s over.”
When Drix was convicted of a crime–one he didn’t commit–he thought his life was over. But opportunity came with the Second Chance Program, the governor’s newest pet project to get delinquents off the streets, rehabilitated and back into society. Drix knows this is his chance to get his life back on track, even if it means being paraded in front of reporters for a while.
Elle knows she lives a life of privilege. As the governor’s daughter, she can open doors with her name alone. But the expectations and pressure to be someone she isn’t may be too much to handle. She wants to follow her own path, whatever that means.
When Drix and Elle meet, their connection is immediate, but so are their problems. Drix is not the type of boy Elle’s parents have in mind for her, and Elle is not the kind of girl who can understand Drix’s messy life.
But sometimes love can breach all barriers.
Fighting against a society that can’t imagine them together, Drix and Elle must push themselves–Drix to confront the truth of the robbery, and Elle to assert her independence–and each other to finally get what they deserve.
Preorder SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME here!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Google Play | B-A-M | Kobo
Add it to your Goodreads Now!
Pre-order SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME, register and you will receive AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER, a novella that features your favorite Pushing the Limits and Thunder Road characters!
From the Pushing the Limits series, Noah, Beth, Isaiah, West and Logan are all grown up. Catch up with your favorite characters as one of them finally says, I do.
Pigpen, Eli and Addison from the Thunder Road series: Three separate personalities who still needed to find love…and still had someone important to meet.
This is a limited time offer! So hurry! Registration ends on February 3, 2018! You must register your pre-order to receive AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
https://a.pgtb.me/4tLZSM
Katie McGarry’s SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME – Tour Schedule:
About Katie McGarry:
Katie McGarry 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 full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON, BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine’s 2012 Reviewer’s Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumbler | Instagram
I am honored to be a part of the Inkslinger blog tour for Say You'll Remember Me, which releases next week. Are you ready for another fantastic story?
I finished reading this last night and was WOWED. My review here on Goodreads:
I loved everything about this story - the relationship between Drix and Elle is so believable, with all the stress coming from her parents (and the public) as well as his fight against his tendency to act out in ways that will only hurt him, and the chemistry they share that not only keeps them physically attracted to each other, but emotionally bound as well. McGarry is the queen of realistic teen drama, and her latest only reinforces my belief in this. I highly recommend this story, but beware: once you start reading, you won't be able to stop until you find out how these two overcome the many obstacles in their way and find a way to be together.
An excerpt from Say You'll Remember Me:
~Ellison~
The two of us are different. Complete sliding scale different. The only thing we have in common, as far as I can tell, is that he appears about my age and that we are both wearing shoes. My sandals to his scuffed combat boots. His sagging jeans with rips and white T-shirt to my ironed khaki shorts and fitted blue top. My diamond earrings and gold bracelet with a heart charm to his black belt that has metal studs and silver chain that hangs from his belt loop to his wallet.
By looks, I should have more in common with the loser college boys, but it’s this guy I’m comfortable with. “What’s your name?”
He throws the ball, and he’s right, he sucks at it. While he has unbelievable power, his aim’s completely off. The ball hits the back curtain with a loud thud, then drops to the floor. “Drix.”
“Drix?” I repeat to make sure I heard him correctly.
“Drix. It’s short for Hendrix. Like Jimi Hendrix.”
“That’s cool.” Because it is.
I wait for him to ask for my name, but he doesn’t. Instead he says, “Are you here alone?”
He throws the second ball, and this time he hits the top of the three bottles, sending that one to the ground.
“No. My parents are here. I’m supposed to meet them at the convention center. What about you? What happened to the people you were with? Or are you here alone now?”
“Yes, but no.” Drix pulls his arm back, releases the ball, and when the ball hits the bottom bottles, my heart lifts with the idea that he won, but only one of the bottles goes flying. The other stays completely untouched.
He turns in my direction, but his gaze roams over my shoulder, then flickers to the left. Drix then glances behind him, and when he returns his attention to me he raises his eyebrows. “They appear to be gone.”
That’s awesome news, but I’m still stuck on his answer of “yes but no.” Honestly, I’m stuck on him. He’s a million questions without a single answer, and he makes me incredibly curious.
“My parents weren’t thrilled about me hanging out alone at the midway, but I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal. It’s just Whack-A-Mole, you know?”
“And a ball toss.”
“And a ball toss. None of it should have been complicated.”
“Shouldn’t have been.”
“Elle!” Part of me is relieved to see Andrew craning his neck over the crowd. Another part of me is majorly disappointed. There aren’t many times in my life I’m left alone. Not many times I’m able to explore new places and people without someone hovering and not many opportunities when I would meet someone like Drix.
“Elle,” Andrew calls again. I wave at him, hoping it will buy me a few seconds, and he waves back in a way that tells me he needs me to walk in his direction. That works well for me.
“Is that a friend of yours?” Drix asks.
“Yes, but no.” I borrow his answer because it’s apropos. Andrew’s a few years older. More friend of our family than a personal friend of mine, and I don’t like the idea of explaining that my parents think I need a babysitter.
Drix’s mouth twitches at my words, and my lips also edge upwards. “I just made you smile a third time. Is this a Guinness Book of World Records thing?”
“I liked your answer.”
“I’m just creative like that.”
From critically acclaimed author Katie McGarry, comes SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME —a story of two people from different worlds pushing themselves, and each other, to get what they deserve!
SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME releases on January 30, 2018. Pre-order your copy today!
SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME Synopsis:
“Doesn’t matter who did it. Not anymore. I did the time. It’s over.”
When Drix was convicted of a crime–one he didn’t commit–he thought his life was over. But opportunity came with the Second Chance Program, the governor’s newest pet project to get delinquents off the streets, rehabilitated and back into society. Drix knows this is his chance to get his life back on track, even if it means being paraded in front of reporters for a while.
Elle knows she lives a life of privilege. As the governor’s daughter, she can open doors with her name alone. But the expectations and pressure to be someone she isn’t may be too much to handle. She wants to follow her own path, whatever that means.
When Drix and Elle meet, their connection is immediate, but so are their problems. Drix is not the type of boy Elle’s parents have in mind for her, and Elle is not the kind of girl who can understand Drix’s messy life.
But sometimes love can breach all barriers.
Fighting against a society that can’t imagine them together, Drix and Elle must push themselves–Drix to confront the truth of the robbery, and Elle to assert her independence–and each other to finally get what they deserve.
Preorder SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME here!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Google Play | B-A-M | Kobo
Add it to your Goodreads Now!
Pre-order SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME, register and you will receive AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER, a novella that features your favorite Pushing the Limits and Thunder Road characters!
From the Pushing the Limits series, Noah, Beth, Isaiah, West and Logan are all grown up. Catch up with your favorite characters as one of them finally says, I do.
Pigpen, Eli and Addison from the Thunder Road series: Three separate personalities who still needed to find love…and still had someone important to meet.
This is a limited time offer! So hurry! Registration ends on February 3, 2018! You must register your pre-order to receive AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
https://a.pgtb.me/4tLZSM
Katie McGarry’s SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME – Tour Schedule:
January 22nd
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Book Boyfriends
January 23rd
January 24th
January 25th
January 26th
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It Book Reviews
January 27th
An Asian Chick & Her Cat Walk into a Book Blog
January 28th
January 29th
Rants and Raves of a Bibliophile
January 30th
January 31st
Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog
February 1st
Katy and Zetti’s Book Ramblings
February 2nd
Angie and Jessica's Dreamy Reads
February 3rd
About Katie McGarry:Katie McGarry 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 full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON, BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine’s 2012 Reviewer’s Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumbler | Instagram
Book Sales & Deals
As February comes to a close (March! then April! then May! then summer!) so will the sale on Reckless Treasure (99 cents), so be sure to snag your copy soon. In case you haven't seen this review of Reckless Treasure (I've only shared it just about everywhere - I love it that much!) I have to quote it in its entirely because it is just that great:
"Wow, ya'll, I think this book is like, the romantic equivalent of Game of Thrones, but no one dies, or that episode of America's Next Top Model where Tyra loses it. WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU. I got invested in all of these characters, rooting for certain things to happen, only for the author to be like, not today, Satan.
The book is told third person from the point of view of several characters, a lot of them wholly unlikable. A few of them, I really wanted to yank from my kindle and punch in the face myself. In the middle of all these characters, you've got Francesca, Trish, Mitch, and Henry that I was rooting for, even if I had my side eye stink eye on Henry for a little while because I didn't know where his motivations lie. Oh, Mitch, WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU.
This is kind of like an old fairy tale. A poor princess, evil step mother or mother, the fairy god mother is actually a man, and it's not exactly what you think it is when you start reading. But it was an enjoyable read."
This review made my week.
And . . .
Throne of Grace is STILL FREE. Not sure how long that one will go on (hopefully until Treasure of Hope releases in October!) but who knows? Nearly 5000 readers (!) have already downloaded their copy, and the reviews have been wonderful, so thank you to everyone who has not only downloaded but left such fantastic praise for this sweet story and series.
Just some examples:
"What I enjoyed most about Throne of Grace was its unashamed faith. Sometimes in writing Christian characters or Christian themes, an author will pull back trying to avoid being overt. Ms. Wolfe pulls no punches in that regard and it really works. The story really hinges on the main characters being believably devoted to God as the linchpin of the whole story. The two protagonists, Josie and Arthur, are first drawn to one another because of their mutual faith. It is through this commonality that they are able to see past social stratification, which is an important topic of the book, to regard one another as equals in God's sight and consider exploring a relationship beyond professional partnership. Note I said consider just now, because the focus of the book isn't so much on the budding romance between a man and woman, but their concerted effort to pursue a task God has drawn them both to accomplish. At times, Ms. Wolfe had the option of trying to rationalize away some events, but chose to not do so and turned the reader directly to God as the source. I think that is as bold and needed in literature as life and really works well for Throne of Grace, underscoring the title's significance and the themes of the book."
"This is a beautiful Christian historical romance with so much more substance throughout the book. I loved it! I cannot wait to start the next book in the series. "
"Enjoyed this book so much. Found it encouraging, as they face hardships and difficulties in a godly manner. Especially like the leading male character, such a caring and attentive guy. Love his integrity, his grit, his devotion and courage to address opposition and judgement from others. A great lesson on judging, as well."
"This is a great love story. Moving, uplifting and filled with golden nuggets for the heart, this is one of the best Christian love stories I’ve read in some time."
"I was captivated with the story from the first line."
I love reading this great comments as I work on book three in this series - Sarah and Sam's story is the darkest of the three, and it's some tough going, but I promise another happy ending and of course, the Davenport baby. I get soooo many emails/messages about THE DAVENPORT BABY. I think he or she is the most popular character in this series and he or she has yet to be born.
Thank you so much for reading, and have a fantastic weekend!
"Wow, ya'll, I think this book is like, the romantic equivalent of Game of Thrones, but no one dies, or that episode of America's Next Top Model where Tyra loses it. WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU. I got invested in all of these characters, rooting for certain things to happen, only for the author to be like, not today, Satan.
The book is told third person from the point of view of several characters, a lot of them wholly unlikable. A few of them, I really wanted to yank from my kindle and punch in the face myself. In the middle of all these characters, you've got Francesca, Trish, Mitch, and Henry that I was rooting for, even if I had my side eye stink eye on Henry for a little while because I didn't know where his motivations lie. Oh, Mitch, WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU.
This is kind of like an old fairy tale. A poor princess, evil step mother or mother, the fairy god mother is actually a man, and it's not exactly what you think it is when you start reading. But it was an enjoyable read."
This review made my week.
And . . .
Throne of Grace is STILL FREE. Not sure how long that one will go on (hopefully until Treasure of Hope releases in October!) but who knows? Nearly 5000 readers (!) have already downloaded their copy, and the reviews have been wonderful, so thank you to everyone who has not only downloaded but left such fantastic praise for this sweet story and series.
Just some examples:
"What I enjoyed most about Throne of Grace was its unashamed faith. Sometimes in writing Christian characters or Christian themes, an author will pull back trying to avoid being overt. Ms. Wolfe pulls no punches in that regard and it really works. The story really hinges on the main characters being believably devoted to God as the linchpin of the whole story. The two protagonists, Josie and Arthur, are first drawn to one another because of their mutual faith. It is through this commonality that they are able to see past social stratification, which is an important topic of the book, to regard one another as equals in God's sight and consider exploring a relationship beyond professional partnership. Note I said consider just now, because the focus of the book isn't so much on the budding romance between a man and woman, but their concerted effort to pursue a task God has drawn them both to accomplish. At times, Ms. Wolfe had the option of trying to rationalize away some events, but chose to not do so and turned the reader directly to God as the source. I think that is as bold and needed in literature as life and really works well for Throne of Grace, underscoring the title's significance and the themes of the book."
"This is a beautiful Christian historical romance with so much more substance throughout the book. I loved it! I cannot wait to start the next book in the series. "
"Enjoyed this book so much. Found it encouraging, as they face hardships and difficulties in a godly manner. Especially like the leading male character, such a caring and attentive guy. Love his integrity, his grit, his devotion and courage to address opposition and judgement from others. A great lesson on judging, as well."
"This is a great love story. Moving, uplifting and filled with golden nuggets for the heart, this is one of the best Christian love stories I’ve read in some time."
"I was captivated with the story from the first line."
I love reading this great comments as I work on book three in this series - Sarah and Sam's story is the darkest of the three, and it's some tough going, but I promise another happy ending and of course, the Davenport baby. I get soooo many emails/messages about THE DAVENPORT BABY. I think he or she is the most popular character in this series and he or she has yet to be born.
Thank you so much for reading, and have a fantastic weekend!
Teen Librarian Toolbox: School Library Journal Feature with That Night
I am so honored that That Night was included in this important article about teen fiction focusing on heroin overdose deaths and how the survivors handle their loss on the School Library Journal website:
http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2...
Other featured YA books were The Unlikelies, When I Cast Your Shadow, Dreaming of Antigone, and The Butterfly Clues.
If you love realistic YA, take a moment and click over to read about each story.
Thank you again to School Library Journal and Teen Librarian Toolbox for including Kayla, Sarah, Cassidy, and Paul's story.
Preorder Date for The Competition!
For those of you waiting for The Competition, the e-book edition will be available for preoder on June 20. I can't believe it is already May, and this will release this fall/late summer!
I am so excited to share my second YA title with you all!
I am so excited to share my second YA title with you all!
The Competition - Now on Amazon to Preorder!
The Competition is now available for preorder on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DVVFQXW)! Now you can order from any of your favorite e-book retailers, and to celebrate, I've posted chapter one on Wattpad for a sneak peek:
https://www.wattpad.com/story/1523998...
https://www.wattpad.com/story/1523998...
Insightful New Review of That Night
I woke up to an incredibly insightful and provocative review of That Night by librarian Sabrina Carnesi, who is also on the In the Margins national book committee, which longlisted That Night earlier this year.
https://brichislitspot.blog/2018/07/2...
Ms. Carnesi gets all the gritty details of the problems going on that lead to Kayla's death, and how the adults and society in general are missing these issues in real life - which is what led me to write this heartbreaking story.
Thank you so much to Sabrina and the ITM committee for bringing That Night to the attention of readers, teachers, parents, and librarians!
https://brichislitspot.blog/2018/07/2...
Ms. Carnesi gets all the gritty details of the problems going on that lead to Kayla's death, and how the adults and society in general are missing these issues in real life - which is what led me to write this heartbreaking story.
Thank you so much to Sabrina and the ITM committee for bringing That Night to the attention of readers, teachers, parents, and librarians!
The St. Cat's Chronicles is Here!
The first chapter of The St. Cat's Chronicles is on Wattpad, and readers can expect a new chapter every Monday through the end of May.
You can read it here, where it is and always will be absolutely free to read and follow:
https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/16393...
What is SCC?
Audrey is returning to the private school campus she has known since kindergarten. Elise joins twenty new freshmen, new to the school and unsure what to expect. After all, the rumors about St. Catherine's are rampant, and not all are good. Strict, academically challenging, and full of snobby rich girls. That's what the kids at all the other schools in the area say. Audrey thinks nothing will change this year; new girls would come, some would go, but the ones with whom she has grown up would stick to the same cliques and the same drama. She loves the school and the nuns in charge, but all-girls means mood swings that strike entire grades and certain personalities that fight to dominate. When Audrey and Elise find their locker assignments side by side on the first day of school, the warhorse and the rookie strike an unlikely alliance as their freshman year unfolds, with surprises and disappointments along the way.
*This is a companion sequel serial to The Competition, during which Mary Sofia and Jada are seniors at St. Cat's. They are not main characters, however, and will make very few and brief appearances.
You can read it here, where it is and always will be absolutely free to read and follow:
https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/16393...
What is SCC?
Audrey is returning to the private school campus she has known since kindergarten. Elise joins twenty new freshmen, new to the school and unsure what to expect. After all, the rumors about St. Catherine's are rampant, and not all are good. Strict, academically challenging, and full of snobby rich girls. That's what the kids at all the other schools in the area say. Audrey thinks nothing will change this year; new girls would come, some would go, but the ones with whom she has grown up would stick to the same cliques and the same drama. She loves the school and the nuns in charge, but all-girls means mood swings that strike entire grades and certain personalities that fight to dominate. When Audrey and Elise find their locker assignments side by side on the first day of school, the warhorse and the rookie strike an unlikely alliance as their freshman year unfolds, with surprises and disappointments along the way.
*This is a companion sequel serial to The Competition, during which Mary Sofia and Jada are seniors at St. Cat's. They are not main characters, however, and will make very few and brief appearances.
