Thursday, August 22, 2013

*BLOG TOUR* Courtney Cole's IF YOU LEAVE: Interview with Madison + Review + Giveaway



Welcome to my blog tour stop for the fabulous Courtney Cole's latest novel, IF YOU LEAVE!
I have the absolutely wonderful Madison Hill with me on the blog today! I'm so excited to get to know her better and for you to get to know her as well. She's one of my favorite female leads and I pretty much love her to pieces.

Then, stay tuned for my review and a giveaway!!
If You Leave by Courtney Cole
Publication Date: August 6th, 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Synopsis:
26-year old Gabriel Vincent is a badass hero. Or he used to be, anyway. As an ex-Army Ranger, Gabe never thought he needed anyone. But after one horrible night in Afghanistan scars him in a way that he can't get past, he needs someone who can help him heal...even if he doesn't realize it.

25-year old Madison Hill doesn't need anybody...or so she thinks. She grew up watching her parents' messed-up abusive relationship and she knows there's no way in hell that she's ever letting that happen to her.

They don't know it in the beginning, but Gabriel and Madison will soon develop a weakness: Each other.

But Gabriel's got a secret, a hidden monster that he's afraid Maddy could never overcome... And Maddy's got issues that she's afraid Gabe will never understand. They quickly realize that they need each other to be whole, but at the same time they know that they've got demons to fight.

And the problem with demons is that they never die quietly



Hello dear readers! We're here today chatting with the lovely Madison Hill! You got to meet her as Mila’s sister in Courtney Cole's hit novel, If You Stay, and soon, you’ll get to read her story in the phenomenal If You Leave! But for now, let's get to know her a bit better.

Hi Maddy! Thank you so much for joining me today!

Thank you for having me!

I have to say, I was completely intrigued by you as soon as you walked onto the scene during Mila and Pax’s story. And, since I brought them up...How are things going with those two? I know readers are anxious about whether or not they’ll get to see them around.

Oh, my. Thank you! I don’t feel particularly intriguing, but okay. Pax and Mila are doing amazing. If you could see them in the same room, they’d make you gag. They’re all sweet and crap.

Hahah...okay, let’s get back to you though. You meet a pretty sexy bad-ass guy by the name of Gabriel Vincent. Can you give me five words to describe him?

Ummm. Brave. Strong. Fearless. Sexy. Amazing.

That was a pretty wild and crazy night you had there. Was that the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

Yes, that was the craziest thing I’ve done. I’m not usually that kind of girl—but I just wanted to go and pretend to be someone else…just for that one night.

Will you tell me something random about yourself or about Gabe? Something that no one else would know?

Gabe wears boxer-briefs. And we sleep naked.

*Sigh* if I had I guy like that, I'd say that would be my preference as well. *ahem* Yeah, okay, let's jump right into a little quick fire round!

Celebrity Crush? Channing Tatum

Favorite Sleeping Attire? Haha. Nude.

Your pet peeve? Rude people

Your go to comfort food? Hot bread

Your prized possession? An amazing family

The best sound in the world? A baby laughing

And that’s it! I hope you had fun, Maddy.....and hahah, I hope you didn’t mind my totally random questions! I really didn’t want to give anything away so I just wanted to hear some little tidbits from you! =)

Thank you so much for having me. This was fun!

Big hugs! I hope to hear more about you and Gabe in future books! You’ll nudge Courtney with that feedback for me, won’t you? *wink*

I’ll tell her. Haha. 




And now for my review:
*Spoiler-Free* REVIEW: If You Leave by Courtney Cole
Publication Date: August 6th, 2013

*DISCLOSURE: ARC was provided in exchange for a fair and honest review


My Thoughts:

Much like in her first installment of the Beautifully Broken Series, If You Stay, Courtney Cole doesn't pull any punches and drops you straight into the storyline and into the action with If You Leave. I didn't think it would be possible to like this book as much as I liked Mila and Pax's story, but this novel absolutely blew me away and has stuck with me long after I finished the last page.

The name of this series Beautifully Broken could not be more apt. With this series, Courtney shows some very real and ugly truths in the world. Some serious issues concerning some very sadly damaged people. Yet, she also intersperses these times with lighthearted moments and bone meltingly sexy scenes as well. This novel reaffirmed my belief and my trust in Courtney’s ability to tell a painful story that is real for so many, and in telling the story, she is able to evoke feelings of hope and the belief that even in the darkest of places, there is the chance for a light to lead you out to the other side.

I absolutely loved both of these characters. Of course I have been known to constantly fall in love with these book boyfriends, and the honorable, stoic, sexy hunk of alpha that is Gabe is certainly no exception. But for me, in this book, there was something that really called out to me about Maddy. She too is broken. But just in different ways. There was just something so heartbreaking about her. Seeing her have so much taken away from her and so much threatened. I NEEDED her to have her happily ever after. I felt so ecstatically rewarded by the end, so full of pure, blissful happiness that both she and Gabe received their so well deserved HEA.


"It's like I'm not whole when I'm not with you. You're a piece of me. A big piece of me. And when you're gone, I can't function right. I'm only half a person."




The Final Verdict:
This is a book that truly struck a chord with me: resonant in it's beauty, haunting in its grim realities, and most of all, uplifting and vibrant in its message of hope. An immensely beautiful novel that I feel honored and blessed to have read. Courtney Cole has made a lifetime reader out of me.
Rating:





About the Author: 

Courtney Cole is a novelist who would eat mythology for breakfast if she could. She has a degree in Business, but has since discovered that corporate America is not nearly as fun to live in as fictional worlds. She loves chocolate and roller coasters and hates waiting and rude people.

Courtney lives in quiet suburbia, close to Lake Michigan, with her real-life Prince Charming, her ornery kids (there is a small chance that they get their orneriness from their mother) and a small domestic zoo.







And now it's GIVEAWAY TIME!!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


This blog tour is brought to you by the FAB:



While you're here, be sure to visit the GINORMOUS Giveaway that I'm hosting now! Prizes from over 30 amazing authors! INCLUDING Courtney Cole!! Get a SIGNED copy of the first book of the Beautifully Broken series, IF YOU STAY, swag, and more!




all the best, dear readers!


46 comments :

  1. I am just looking forward to reading. It looks good and I do love the blurb.

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  2. I still need to read this one, but I loved the 1st book. I'm glad that not only is the guy appealing, but the girl doesn't annoy either, lol. I love Courtney's writing. Can't wait! Great review!

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  3. great review! added on my TBR!
    Thank you for this giveaway~ :D

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  4. I am excited about the story. If You STAY was an awesome read and I am excited to read Madison's own story and of course, I am hoping we get to read scenes where Mila & Pax are in.

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  5. I am most looking forward to reading it because I'm crossing my fingers ill be reading it on the Kindle I won with it :)

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