Why I Love Courtney Cole! (And Grand Prize Giveaway Week)

I cannot believe that February is almost here! Holy crap! I've got a few awesome things in store for February so make sure you are dialed in for that! ;)

Sadly, with the end of January approaching it means this is our last week celebrating Courtney Cole. *sigh* All good things must come to an end though. On the bright side, it's my favorite Indie Author of the Month segment...Why I Love! Yay!

So, why do I love Courtney? Well, duh! Because she is fan flipping tastic! Courtney was actually the third Indie I'd ever read. (Yes, I remember weird things like that.) I can actually remember exactly where I was when I read each of the Bloodstone Saga books (Every Last Kiss, Fated, With My Last Breath, & My Tattered Bonds.) All I could think while racing through this series was Really, how has this girl has not been picked up by a fancy pants publisher?

Her voice is so dynamic, the way she can write with such intricacies and historical references (Bloodstone Saga) then switch gears into such a sweet fun flirty book (Dante's Girl) and then turn up the heat in her new adult books (Confessions of an Alli Cat, Of Blood & Bone, and If You Stay) more than demonstrates her immense talent. Her characters are always so genuine and they quickly nestle their way into my heart and roam around in my mind for months.

Her books always provide me a means of escape and help me get back to happy! For instance, this past summer I was taking a ridiculous amount of classes on top of working full time (this seems to be a recurring trend for me) and I was feeling down in the dumps, irritated, and just plain cranky.This just so happened to be when Dante's Girl released...lucky for me. :) I devoured that book in no time flat while completely ignoring the growing mound of household chores and homework. I know this sounds corny but once I finished DG it was like I was me again, the happy ambitious driven Michelle had returned, the cranky, depressed girl was long gone. Why? How? I credit Courtney's relentless ability to deliver an amazing story. Courtney (and her work) is like a glass of ice cold sweet tea on a sweltering hot humid summer day. Refreshing! Every book no matter what the details, leaves me refreshed, renewed, and ready to take on the day (and read another book!)

And not only is she talented, Courtney is so amazingly sweet, fun, and just a real deal chick. She is a joy to chat with! She's appreciative, gracious, and lovely! The world could use a few Courtney clones. :)

So, to recap why do I love Courtney? She writes refreshing stories and knows just how to make a fangirl reader feel like the most special gal in the world! I heart you, Courtney!

Now, it's your turn! See the rafflecopter below on details how/where you can Share the Love for Courtney Cole WHILE earning a fourth and final entry for the Indie Author of the Month Grand Prize Giveaway! :)

We've got a $15 Amazon/B&N gift card, Courtney Cole books, & Share the Love swag for this week's GRAND PRIZE WINNER! Hooray! Good luck! And even though, it's our last week honoring Courtney Cole it is highly recommended that you to continue to Share the Love for her all year long!  
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Pax Tate from If You Stay Drops By :D

Oh my word! You, my friends are in for a treat today! Pax Tate (from Courtney's upcoming release If You Stay) has so graciously stopped by the blog. I'm so excited right now! Eeep! If you are a fan of the self proclaimed a-hole bad boy type that have the biggest heart of gold hidden behind a really thick wall of sexy, then you will be a fan of Pax. ;)

While I have had the great pleasure (and I do mean pleasure) of reading an ARC of If You Stay, I realize that most of you have not. So, this interview will be as spoiler free as possible. BUT I hope it will give you a taste of what you have to look forward to because Pax is amazing. He is my favorite Courtney Cole character to date! Ahhh! *fans self* Okay, well we better get this interview going before I turn into a giggling, sighing, blushing mess.  

As I sit down with Pax, it's hard not be distracted by his attractiveness. He is tall, handsome (of course) and is toting a black tee that shows off his muscles and jeans that hug him in all the right places. I better start talking before I get lost in an inappropriate daydream.

M: Pax, thank you so much for sitting down with me. I don't want to keep you too long so if you don't mind let's jump right into this. What is your favorite childhood memory?

P: I don’t remember much of my childhood.  Although, I do have flashes of memories.  I used to spend a lot of time in my mom’s gardens with her.  She’d weed and I’d hunt for bugs.  Those were good memories. 

M: You hunted for bugs. Ick. But I guess that's normal boy behavior. *smiles* Okay next question, if Fate handed you a do-over card, what event from your past would you "do-over" and why?

P: My first instinct is to say that I’d do-over the events of my mother’s death.  They impacted me in a way that shaped my whole life.  But then I think that things happen the way they are meant to happen.  I don’t understand it, but everything happens for a reason.  And those events made me into the man I am right now.  I have to believe that it is for a bigger reason than I am able to understand.

M: *sigh* I whole heartedly agree with that sentiment. *checks notes* What do you like to do in your spare time?

P:  Well, this has changed a lot over the course of the past year.  Haha.  Now, I like to box.  It’s a great stress-reliever.

M: Boxing, huh? *smiles at mental picture of Pax boxing* Boxing, wow. *shakes head* Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

P: My grandfather won’t live forever, unfortunately.  So, I’m sure I will be running Alexander Holdings.  And to do that, I’ll have to move back to Connecticut.  That’s a thought I don’t like to think of now, since I love living on Lake Michigan.

M: Maybe you can run the business remotely. Technology is a great thing. You might not have to move. Okay, here is the million dollar question, what does Pax like in a woman? Do you have a type? If so, please elaborate. *smiles*

P: Ha!  The old Pax would say… I like a heartbeat.  But the new Pax is a bit more discerning.  I like a great smile and a good sense of humor.  Those are what turn me on.  Oh, and a good rack too.  Lucky for me, Mila has all of those things.  *laughs and looks around, checking to make sure Mila didn’t hear the comment about her rack*

M: *giggles* Okay, we've talked women how about cars? What is your dream vehicle?

P: I own my dream vehicle.  A jet black 1968 Dodge Charger in mint condition.

M: Yes, that's right. Danger. How could I forget that car! All right, Pax what would be your dream getaway?

P:  Anywhere with Mila.

M: *sighs* So, sweet. Mila is a lucky girl. I always ask this question a lot but it gives so much insight into a person…what is the one thing you cannot live without?

P:  See above.

M: *smiles* Like I said Mila is a lucky girl. Well, we are almost done, Pax. It's time for the speed round…answer with the first thing that comes to mind…

Color?  Green.

Song?  I’ll Be Gone (Linkin Park)

Drink?  Whiskey

Book?  Mine.  (IF YOU STAY)

Movie?  I can’t remember the name of the chick flick I just watched with Mila…although I thought at the time it would be burned into my head forever.  Ack.

Season?  Winter.

Food?  Steak

Pax, thank you so much for suffering through my interrogation! You were such a marvelous guest.

Don't forget If You Stay drops February 12th! Make sure it's at the top of your TBR list! You will thoroughly enjoy your time spent with Pax Tate! Oh and I can't forget Mila, she's a lot of fun as well!   

Now, onto this week's giveaway! Respond to the following question in the Rafflecopter below.

What is Pax's dream vehicle?

 

   

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Also, a big thank you to Courtney for arranging my interview with THE Pax Tate! Another major milestone in my blogging career! ;) I'll see you guys next week for the SUPER MEGA AWESOME GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY & my favorite Indie Author of the Month segment...Why I Love! So, until next time be sure to Share the Love!

Indie Author of the Month ~ If You Stay Sneak Peek

Welcome back, sweethearts!
It's week 2 of Indie Author of the Month and that means it's book feature time! :) I'm so excited to report that the generous Courtney Cole has provided us with a little taste of her upcoming release, If You Stay! Eeep! Aren't you excited?! Well, take it from me you should be very very VERY excited right now! Check out this smokin cover!

24-year old Pax Tate is an asshole.
Seriously.

He’s a tattooed, rock-hard bad-boy with a bad attitude to match.

But he’s got his reasons.

His mother died when Pax was seven, leaving a hole in his heart filled with guilt although he doesn’t understand why. What he does know is that he and his dad are left alone and with more issues than they can count.

As Pax grew up, he tried to be the kid his father always wanted; the perfect golden boy, but it didn’t work. His dad couldn’t overcome his grief long enough to notice and Pax couldn’t keep up the impossible perfect façade.
So he slipped far, far from it.

Now, he uses drugs and women to cope with the ugliness, the black void that he doesn’t want to deal with. If he pretends that the emptiness isn’t there, then it isn’t, right?
Wrong.

And it’s never more apparent than when he meets Mila.
Sweet, beautiful Mila Hill is the fresh air to his hardened frown, the beauty to his ugly heart. He doesn’t know how to not hurt her, but he quickly realizes that he’s got to figure it out because he needs her to breathe.

When memories of his mother’s death resurface from where he’s repressed them for so long, Mila is there to catch him when the guilt starts making sense. Mila is the one…the one who can save him from his broken troubled heart; from his issues, from the emptiness.

But only if he can stop being an asshole long enough to allow it.

He knows that. And he’s working on it.

But is that enough to make her stay?
  
I've had the great honor of reading this book and believe me when I say YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!!!! It's gritty. It's raw. It's real. It's heartwrenchingly beautiful. 

And because Courtney is sooo freaking amazing she's giving us a sneak peek into If You Stay. So, please sit back, relax, and stay a while. ;)

Pax

“Little Red Riding Hood?” Mila cocks an eyebrow at me, a whisper of a smile flitting across her full lips.  I nod.

“For some reason, that’s how I think of you,” I admit to her.  “You were strolling out on the beach, all alone, and came along just when I needed you.”

My eyes are glued on her face.  I know that there is someone else in the room, but to me, it’s just me and Mila.  She stares at me uncertainly.

“That would make you the Big Bad Wolf,” she points out. 

I laugh.  “Now you’re catching on,” I tell her. 

Her gaze remains locked with mine, her eyes clear and dark.  My gut wrenches at the sight of her clean and clear expression. There is no drug induced haze in her eyes, a marked difference from my usual companions.  It’s both refreshing and terrifying.  I’m not sure how to interact with her.  But I woke up this morning craving her company.  I knew I had to seek it out.

So here I am.

“Is this for me?” Mila motions toward the shopping bag and I nod.  She delves into it with interest and then her face lights up when she sees all of the sweaters. 

“They’re all red,” she laughs.  “Every one of them.”

I feel my lip twitch. “Of course they are.  I have to keep you in character somehow, don’t I?  I didn’t know what style you liked, so I bought you a bunch of them.  I wanted you to be fully stocked the next time you come along and save me.”

She visibly startles and stares at me, her movements frozen, her fingers dangling limply at her sides.  I can’t help but notice her slender hourglass figure.  She’s proportioned absolutely right to drive a man crazy.  Full tits, tiny waist, lush hips.  My groin tightens. 

Fuck.  I quickly think of dead puppies, nuns and cold pork.  It seems to do the trick and my dick calms down.  For now.

Mila is still staring at me, an intense, charged gaze. 

“Do you need saving?” she asks quietly. 

The air between us practically crackles with energy as we stare each other down.  Her eyes are deep and dark, the kind of eyes that a man could fall into and lose himself.  Permanently.  I am flustered for a moment, trying to find the words to answer her when the other person in the room clears her throat. 

An escape. 

Thank you, God.

I turn gratefully to find another woman there, a pretty blonde woman that I’ve seen before, but I can’t place where.  She seems to be waiting for an introduction, but Mila isn’t giving her one. 

I hold my hand out.

“Hi,” I tell her.  “I’m Pax Tate.”

She shakes my hand firmly.  Perhaps a little too firmly. 

“Madison Hill,” she answers . “Mila’s sister.”

Oh.  Then her stern handshake makes sense.  Big sister is looking out for little sister, trying to protect Mila from the Big Bad Wolf.  I can’t really blame her. 

Madison is staring at me now with blue eyes that are nothing like her sister’s.  In fact, nothing about her resembles Mila, except for maybe the shape of her nose.  She’s tall and blonde, while Mila is petite and dark.  Mila is sexier, although for some reason, I’m guessing that she doesn’t think so.  She’s quiet now, allowing her sister to do the talking.  It is clear that she is used to her sister taking charge. 

“So are you feeling better?”

Madison cocks an eyebrow, her question a not-so-subtle way of telling me that she knows that I OD’d the other night.  That she thinks I’m a fuck-up who isn’t good enough for her sister.  I can see that in her icy blue eyes.  The thing that she doesn’t understand though, is that I don’t give a shit what she thinks.  She doesn’t know me and that is my biggest pet peeve- when people judge me without knowing what the fuck they’re talking about.

“I am, thank you,” I tell her.  I smile pleasantly.  I won’t bow to her.  She’s crazy if she thinks that.  “Your sister was a lifesaver.” 

Literally.

Madison doesn’t know how to respond. I can see that she wants to say more, but there’s really no way she can without seeming completely rude.  She’s disgruntled as she turns and kisses Mila on the cheek. 

“I’ve got to get back to the Hill.  I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” she looks pointedly at her sister, as if to silently warn her away from me.  Then she glances at me. 

“It was…nice to meet you.”

And then she walks out, her stylish boots clicking on the tiled floor.  The bells above the door jingle and then she’s gone. 

I look at Mila.

“I don’t think your sister likes me much.”

It’s a statement, not a question. And even I can hear the ambivalence in my voice. It’s obvious that I don’t care. 

Mila actually smiles.

“Well, I’m glad you’re not all broken up about it.”

I shrug.  “I’m used to it.”

Mila studies me quietly.  “Why are you really here?” she asks.  “I didn’t need for you to bring me a sweater.  Or six.” She chuckles.  “Obviously I’ll be all set in red sweaters for Christmas though.  So thank you.”

She pauses and looks at me and her face is very delicate.  I hadn’t noticed before how delicate she is.

“So?”  She raises an eyebrow and I realize that I haven’t answered her question. I don’t exactly know what to say, so I decide to simply tell the truth.  It’s a novel concept for me. 

“I couldn’t remember if I thanked you for what you did,” I tell her.  “And I can’t get you out of my head.”

Her breath freezes on her lips.  I can hear the startled little intake of breath and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.  Did the truth scare her?   Or has she been thinking about me too?

I look at her. 

And for a moment, we are suspended in the moment.  She drags her bottom lip into her teeth and her dark eyes are liquid.  She turns her face slightly, the curve of her cheek catching the sunlight from the window. 

We are frozen. 

And then she breaks the spell.

“You’ve been thinking about me?” she whispers.  “Why?”

“I don’t know,” I tell her honestly. “Maybe I feel like I owe you.”

“You don’t,” she answers quickly, her voice clear and sure.  “You don’t owe me anything.  I’m glad I was there to help, but it was purely coincidence and anyone would have done the same. ”

Her hands flutter around her nervously as she shuffles paper on the counter.  I smile. 

“Not everyone would have done that,” I tell her.  “Not at all.”

She’s hesitant now, probably remembering that night and how I had apparently puked all over her.  Finally, she smiles too.

“Okay, fine.  Not everyone would have given you mouth to mouth.  Maybe you do owe me.  What are you going to do about it?”

Her sassy words seem to startle her as much as they startle me.  She looks surprised as soon as they are out of her mouth. But she’s nowhere near as surprised as I am.  Is she flirting?  With me?

My, what big teeth I have. 

I once again feel like the wolf as I smile at her, as I turn on my charm.  I have it, I just seldom care enough to use it.  I’m baffled as to why I’m using it now.  But I am.  Because her sassiness was an invitation.

What did you think about that?! That is only the surface my friends...only the surface! Make sure you take a moment to add this to your Goodreads list and thank Courtney for sharing this excerpt with us! Be sure to add this to your  and MARK YOUR CALENDAR! If You Stay drops February 12th! Now, onto this week's giveaway AND your chance to earn another entry for the GRAND PRIZE! It just requires a bit of stalking. ;) Check out the rafflecopter below for details! And until next time, don't forget to Share The Love!


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Psst! If you are craving more of If You Stay head on over to Courtney's Blog! She just posted another excerpt!!! :)

January's Indie Author of the Month is...

It’s that time again! Time to bestow the great honor of Indie Author of the Month to another one of my favs!

And who would that be? Drumroll please…….

Courtney Cole!

For those of you that know Courtney you know she is freaking AH-MAZE-ZING! For those of you who don’t know Court, this will get you on board…

Courtney Cole is a novelist who lives near Lake Michigan. Her favorite place in the world is on the shore with her toes in the water. Although, since she is deathly afraid of sea gulls, it makes days at the beach interesting.

Courtney is the author of several YA series (The Paradise Diaries, The Bloodstone Saga and The Moonstone Saga) as well as a couple adult series (The Cougar Chronicles and The Minaldi Legacy). Her next project is a Women’s Contemporary Romance titled If You Stay, which will release on February 12, 2013.

To learn more about Courtney, visit her website, www.courtneycolewrites.com

She's awesome, right? I know! I had the great pleasure of chatting with Courtney and throwing some of my mediocre interview questions her way. Check it!

M: Alright Courtney, we'll start with an easy one. How long have you been full time writer?

C:  I’ve been writing full-time for a couple of years.  The problem was, that for the first year and a half, I still had a full-time day-job too.  Luckily, I’m an insomniac, so the inability to sleep came in handy during that time.  Haha.

M:What was the last book you read?

C: I am usually only able to read when I am editing or in between books.  And I was just fortunate enough to read Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker and Vain by Fisher Amelie this past weekend.  Both were excellent and I highly recommend them.  Lovely authors, amazing books.

M: Adding those to my TBR list as we speak! Looking back on 2012 what was your favorite moment/memory?

C: Quitting my full-time dayjob.  It was a surreal experience.  I left at lunchtime that day and had lunch with my husband.  It was an amazing feeling to know that I didn’t have to go back.  It was amazing to know that my future was solely going to be in my hands.  Although, that was a little terrifying, too. 

M: I applaud you! That is so amazing! What's next for Courtney Cole?

C: My next book is If You Stay.  I’m sooooo excited about it.  I think it’s my favorite work of mine so far.  It will release February 12, 2013.  It’s explicit and gritty, but I’m hoping that the story will grab you with both hands and pull you in. 

M: I have no doubt it will! I cannot wait! So, do you have any events on the agenda for 2013?

C: Well, so far, I am thinking of going to UtopYA in June and then I am scheduled to be at the Naughty Mafia Rocks Vegas in August.  It’s an event with a bunch of best-selling authors—some I can’t wait to see again and some I can’t wait to meet.  If you’re in the Vegas area in August, you should check us out!

M: Vegas sounds delightful! You should definitely hit up UtopYA because it is going to be epic AND I'm going! Yay! I can't wait. Sorry, I get really excited at the mere mention of UtopYA. Time to pick your brain a bit.  If you could have any fictional character as your real life bestie, who would it be?

C: Probably Sara from Confessions of an Alli Cat.  How can you not like Sara?  She’s ornery and frustrating, but so freaking hilarious. 

M: I completely agree! Sara in your life would keep things interesting. Here's a tougher one. If you could have any fictional character as your boy toy, who would it be?

C: Hmm.  From my own books?  Maybe Luca Minaldi.  From someone else’s book?  Holy cow.  There are so many.  Maybe Cash Davenport from Down to You by M. Leighton. Or Andrew Parrish from Edge of Never.  He’s pretty yummy, too.

M: Mmm...Luca...Cash. *wipes drool* I must learn more of this Andrew character, making a mental note. Enough of the boy toys for the moment at least. What is your most prized possession?

C: My kids.  :)   Although they would argue that they’re not possessions.  In reality, they’re little minions.  Bwahaha.  But I love them. 

M: LOL! Minions, I love it! What is one thing not many people know about you?

C: Ummmmm.  I like to have the volume on my car stereo set to an even number.  Weird, right? 

M: That is so NOT weird. This coming from a seriously OCD person who likes to sort her M&Ms by color. *giggles* Alrighty! We're almost done. Let's wrap things up with the speed round…respond with the first thing that comes to mind:

Color?  Red

Song?  The Last Time by Taylor Swift and Gary Lightbody  (It’s on the top of my playlist for If You Stay…)

Food?  Chicken enchiladas (it’s what I had for dinner)

Place?  Home. My favorite.

Book?  Edge of Never…because now I’m thinking about Andrew Parrish…

Movie?  Parental Guidance.  I just saw it yesterday with my kids.

Season?  Summer.  Because that’s what I wish it was…

Animal?   Puppies.  Because we recently just got a baby Yorkie for my daughter.  We’ve got puppy toys everywhere.

 Isn't Courtney just the bestest?! Thank you so much for taking the time to hang with me for a bit, Courtney! It is greatly appreciated! 

Now, it's time to kick off the giveaways! Woo hoo! For those of you new to Indie Author of the Month this is how it goes. Each week you can enter to win the weekly giveaway (which includes Courtney Cole e-books and fun swag) along with earning an entry towards the SUPER MEGA AWESOME GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY (which includes Courntey Cole books, swag, & a $15 Amazon/B&N gift card)! So, technically if you are really lucky you can win each week!!! There's more details under the Giveaways Rules & Details Tab or if you have any questions just drop me a line!

So, how do you get entered to win a Courntey Cole e-book of your choice AND your first entry towards the SUPER MEGA AWESOME GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY? Easy peasy! In the Rafflecopter below, respond to the following Trivia Question:

What is the name of Courtney's newest release dropping February 12, 2013?

Thanks for stopping by to celebrate the magnificent Courtney Cole! And til next week be sure to Share The Love! ;)

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