SYNOPSIS:

“I didn’t want the line to get blurry, and I sure as hell didn’t want you to cross it.”

Ronnie Clark, an edgy tattoo artist with hopes of high tailing it out of the forsaken Military town she followed her now ex-fiancé to, is counting down the days until Valentine’s Day is over. Ronnie doesn’t do romance. She doesn’t do flowers or dates, and she sure as hell doesn’t do love—not anymore. After her fiancé slept with a female solider while deployed, she has vowed never to fall in love again, especially with a soldier.

Sergeant First Class Kale Emerson is home on his mid-tour leave from Iraq, but he only has one thing on his mind—returning to his deployment to finish leading his soldiers on their mission. The last thing he wants is a relationship, but casual sex, that’s a different story. And when he meets the renowned tattoo artist Ronnie Clark, a snarky, blunt, takes no prisoners kind of woman, that seems to be all he can think about. 

But when Kale realizes he has met his match with a bombshell woman who is hell bent against love, will just sex be enough? And if it’s not, will he be able to convince Ronnie that the proverbial hearts and flowers aren’t so bad after all, even if he is a soldier? 
“You changed something inside me, something I didn’t ever think I would want, or feel—but you did, and now I can’t go back”.

REVIEW:

One thing I really loved about doing book blogs is being given the chance to know new great authors.  And I was lucky enough to know one, Kelsie Leverich! You're the bomb! I think I found my next favorite guy in Kale's persona and this is definitely one of my favorite reads for 2012. The characters and how they were built up in the story is just purely amazing. 


Ronnie is not your typical  sweet girl. She's one bad ass gal who will not take second thoughts of taking you down. With all the crappy things she had experienced in the past, being cheated on by the only man she thought she'll be spending the rest of her life with, these make her stronger than ever. She decided she's done with men...soldiers in specific. No more dates, hearts and flowers. Until he came along...

SFC Kale Emerson doesn't do commitments as well. Not for any weird reasons and all but he puts his job as his top priority. He prefers it that way since he knows that he could not afford to give the kind of attention a serious relationship needs. So he does casual sex instead.

There was an undeniable physical chemistry between them, even from their first encounter.  So since both of them are not ready, heck interested yet in doing serious relationship, they came up with a very naughty arrangement, SEX arrangement it is! No strings attached, no demands, no hang ups! Just 2 consenting adults unleashing their desires and urges! Just plain SEX!

Will they be able to resist the temptation of their growing feelings for each other?  Will Ronnie finally give in to hearts and flowers this time? What happens when Kale goes back to his station and leave after his R&R? Can Ronnie stand to do this "old soldier shit" all over again? 

This is an awesome romance that hooked me right from the start. The chemistry between Ronnie and Kale was so intense that you could feel every bit of emotion there is. Its real, and I can easily identify myself in one of the situations. Mind if you ask me about the hot scenes??? OOOHHH Kale is the man! He can definitely give Hawk Delgado a run for his own money! Oozing sex appeal, tough in the outside but a soft cookie in the inside! I HATE THAT I LOVE HIM!!!

I just wish it was a bit longer though. I felt kinda short and I really need to know more about how they relationship goes and of course more of the steamy scenes and showing off Kales hot bod! I also wish that it was written in either of the  two's POV, well Ronnie to be specific. She has a big mouth and does think aloud so I can just imagine it would've been a helluva joy ride if she tells the story.

But overall, this book is amazing and I would definitely recommend it! If you need a quick, steamy read with a very good plot, then you can't go wrong with this one! You can visit the following links for more info about the author and the book. The Valentine's Arrangement will be released on 1st of January 2013. What a good way to start your New Year! Rating: 4.5 stars 


Goodreads: 
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16178117-the-valentine-s-arrangement
Author's Page: :
http://www.kleverich.blogspot.com

BOOK PREVIEW:

I know you've been waiting for this one, and I, too! I really like it coz it looks like a mini movie to me.

Hope you'll all enjoy watching.

WATCH IT HERE!

GIVEAWAYS:

Win a paperback and ebook copy of The Valentine's Arrangement! Just share the Video with your friends, pls dont forget to tag The Book Avenue.

First to share gets the paperback copy and the next 3 gets the ebook!

And the people have spoken!
We have tallied all your entries and here's the result of your best read & author for 2012;

1. Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens
2. Beautiful Disaster by Author Jamie McGuire
3. Edge of Never by  J.A. Redmerski
4. Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
5. Seduced in the Dark by CJ Roberts

We have randomly chosen the winners of $25 Amazon Gift Card.

Congratulations to ERICA ALLYSON & LORRAINE MASTERSON
PLEASE PM ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSES!

The Book Avenue is proud to release its own list of the BEST READS and BEST AUTHORS 2012. You can visit the page on 1st of January to have the full list. We will also be posting the most awaited books for 2013. (This list is based on the blog owner's personal views and judgement)

For the mean time, you can leave a comment here saying your Best Read and Best Author for 2012 for a chance to win $25 Amazon Gift Card. We will be randomly picking 2 winners on 2nd January!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

-from  THE BOOK AVENUE 

Kelsie Leverich: The Valentine's Arrangement Blog Tour: It's blog tour time!  I have some AMAZING woman helping me do this blog tour.  I will stop by a blog every day from now through January ...

All Over You (Devoured 0.5)
by Emily Snow (Goodreads Author)

Before Sienna was devoured, before Lucas was consumed, they were all over each other . . .

Lucas Wolfe is used to getting what he wants—from everyone but one person, that is—so when he meets the wardrobe assistant hired to work his band's newest video, he's got to have her. From the moment Sienna first obediently whispers "Yes, Mr. Wolfe", he knows she's perfect for him.

Three days.

And he'll have her stripped down and bound to his bed.

Set two years before the events of DEVOURED, ALL OVER YOU is the story of Sienna and Lucas's first encounter.

The Valentine's Arrangement by Kelsie Leverich is gracing our little blogsite on 30th Dec for the release of the Full Trailer. Better hang out with us!

The Valentine's Arrangement

by Kelsie Leverich (Goodreads Author)

“I didn’t want the line to get blurry, and I sure as hell didn’t want you to cross it.”

Ronnie Clark, an edgy tattoo artist with hopes of high tailing it out of the forsaken Military town she followed her now ex-fiancé to, is counting down the days until Valentine’s Day is over. Ronnie doesn’t do romance. She doesn’t do flowers or dates, and she sure as hell doesn’t do love—not anymore. After her fiancé slept with a female solider while deployed, she has vowed never to fall in love again, especially with a soldier.

Sergeant First Class Kale Emerson is home on his mid-tour leave from Iraq, but he only has one thing on his mind—returning to his deployment to finishing leading his soldiers on their mission. The last thing he wants is a relationship, but casual sex, that’s a different story. And when he meets the renowned tattoo artist Ronnie Clark, a snarky, blunt, takes no prisoners kind of woman, that seems to be all he can think about.

But when Kale realizes he has met his match with a bombshell woman who is hell bent against love, will just sex be enough? And if it’s not, will he be able to convince Ronnie that the proverbial hearts and flowers aren’t so bad after all, even if he is a soldier?

“You changed something inside me, something I didn’t ever think I would want, or feel—but you did, and now I can’t go back”

This book contains explict sex scenes and is recommended for readers 18
+

Overwhelm Me (Callahan Series #1)
by A.C. Marchman 

December 31, 2012

Allie Marshall has dealt with a traumatic past that she desperately wants to keep buried. She moved to Atlanta to escape her old life and pursue her dream of becoming a Physician Assistant. With the help of her roommate, Livey, she has finally gotten her life back on track and will be graduating from Emory University with honors.

Then, she meets Donovan Callahan, a sexy and wealthy doctor who Allie cannot resist. Their relationship starts off intense and full of passion. Donovan wants to give Allie the world. But she soon learns he was involved with Claire Dubois, a reality star convicted of murdering her husband. Will she stick by his side when all of his baggage comes to the surface or will she be overwhelmed and turn her back on him?

I have been meaning to have my favorite authors to visit my blogsite. I wanted to do it ever since, but never really had the guts to approach any of them. I remember stalking at S.C. Stephens blog and fb page every single day (yeah you heard me, I’m a big time stalker)…too scared to post a comment so I would only like all her updates. But until I met this super special Author, who not only write good, well I think its an understatement, so let me rephrase that…who not only writes excellent books but someone who is very genuine and sincere. She knows her readers well and she always finds time to patiently answer every single question, comment or even just to say hi! So since its my birthday today (yeah, I found an excuse), I decided to have her as my first featured author in my blog. I hope you’ll all enjoy our mini conversation. So lemme give you the New York Time’s Best Selling Author of The Proposition, my ultimate favorite and a good friend…Ms. Katie Ashley.

Me: First, let me say thank you for gracing my blogsite and thank you for being so patient. I know its not easy to deal with a pesky fan like me (lol). So let’s start this party rollin’.

I know that you have been writing since you are about four, (yes, I’ve done my research) but can you tell us more about that story like when did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer?

KA: As a little girl, I was always writing stories. I won the Young Author’s Fair in 8^th grade ironically for a poem I wrote. I kept on through my teenage years, but I was so worried about fitting in that I did it in secret, lol. Story-telling was a great part of my growing up. My paternal grandfather loved telling me stories of his life along with making up stories where I was usually the star. My maternal grandmother also loved telling stories about growing up during the Depression. There was always the desire and the knowledge that someday I would be a writer.

Me: Perhaps you’ve been asked about this next question too many times already, but for the sake of others who are really interested to getting to know you, can you tell us about the first book you have ever written? I mean the official one J (well if you would count the story about the three little cats, Mat, Dat & Lat, who am I to disagree?)

***just a little trivia, this is one of  her childhood stories that she created when she was about four years old. It’s a story about three little cats who went on a camping treat with their parents.

KA: The first book I wrote and completed was my adult literary fiction, The Road to Damascus. It will always be a book very close to my heart. It was a story that was with me for years before I finally decided the summer I was twenty-nine that if I was going to write a book, it was now or never. I wrote it before I knew anything about the writing industry, so it was all about enjoying the process and being immersed in my world and characters. I can honestly look back on the writing of it as one of the happiest times of my life. It was greatly influenced by my roots and my raising along with my love of Southern literary fiction like To Kill a Mockingbird, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café, and Cold Sassy Tree.

Me: Among all the books that you have read, which of these has significantly contributed to your writing style?

KA: I would probably have to say To Kill a Mockingbird. Not only is it my favorite book, but it’s every aspect of the novel. It’s the characters, the setting, the story-telling. (oh, I second the motion!)

ME: Ihave read (oh, well another understatement…I stalked!) somewhere that you love to sing, so which genre do you usually listen to when you’re writing? Have you ever written a book which was inspired by a certain song or singer?

KA: Haha, yes, I was involved in theater back in the day. My YA novel, Jules the Bounty Hunter, was totally inspired by the song Beer for My Horses by Toby Keith—I know that probably sounds odd, but it, coupled with the video and my love for Dog the Bounty Hunter, totally spun the story.

When I’m writing, I prefer movie scores like The Holiday, Meet Joe Black, or Last of the Mohicans.

Now on to the book that placed you on the New York Time’s Best Selling List, The Proposition…

ME: Why do you feel you had to tell this story? Is there something in this book that is based on real life experience?

KA: Back in April, my then Young Adult agent told me I should write what I know. For me, I preferred writing as escapism, not to express my hopes and my dreams. At the risk of sounding like a Mary Sue, lol, there is a lot of me in Emma. I have the same intense desire for motherhood as she does. I’ve also experienced the loss of my parents. Both died of cancer—my dad when I was seventeen and my mom when I was twenty-three.

ME: How do you usually come up with the character’s name? (Aidan’s unique and mmm hell yeah, wooingly sexy, nice pick J)

KA: Aidan is a name I’ve always liked since that sexy Aidan Shaw came into Carrie Bradshaw’s life on Sex and the City! Ironically, there’s a half-finished YA novel of mine with cute brothers named Aidan and Liam Cleary.

ME: Did you ever expect that people would have such warm reception over the book? Did you have any apprehensions that it will make it to the top? (To be honest, the first few chapters alone can prove it will hit big, so I never really had a single doubt)

KA: Honestly, I’m still in shock at how well The Proposition has done. After three years of struggle in the business, it is absolutely amazing to find an audience who appreciates your work, adores your characters, and can’t wait to see where the story goes next.  In a lot of ways, The Propositionfeels like a quiet story—Aidan isn’t your Christian Grey or Gideon Cross. The fact that it rose so fast and went so far is such an amazing blessing to me. I’m still in shock and awe, and I cannot thank my readers, bloggers, and fans enough.

Let’s do fast talk: you can answer with a word, phrase or line but need no elaboration.

1. Coffee or tea?

Erm, neither? LOL Coke zero in the mornings to get me up and about. But if we’re talking dinner, I’m a Southern gal who is very particular about my Sweet Tea.

     2. Lights on / lights off?

Lights off

     3. Boxers or briefs?

Hmm, I’m not picky.

      4. Favorite male body part?

The v…lol

      5. Worst pick up line you have ever received?

Oh God, there’s too many to list!!

      6. Do you believe in love at first sight?

I believe in lust at first sight, I suppose. (Katie! you seriously crack me up, but that's the way we like it, don't we?)

      7. Paperbacks / ebooks?

Both.

       8. 4 things you never leave home without (apart from keys, phone and money)?

Good music, comfortable shoes,

       9. Sleep in or get up early?

Sleep in…I’m not a morning person.

      10. Ever slapped a guy?

Not literally but in my mind I have many, many times!

Final Part:

ME: Any advice to give to aspiring writers?

KA: It’s corny, but don’t give up and don’t stop believing. There were many times over the last three years between the two agents and two almost deals that I wanted to give up. It looks like I would never have an audience for my work, but you can’t give up. You have to keep on believing for yourself.

ME: Any message to your fans? (I know I couldn’t claim No. 1 as the seat has been taken by big mama, but I would gladly take the No.2 die hard fan title though, and you know that J )

KA: God bless you for your support. I can never tell you how much you mean to me. You restored my faith in writing, myself, and sometimes in humanity!

ME: If I put my magic mirror in front of you, what would you tell yourself right at this very moment?

KA: To keep having faith. If 2012 has taught me anything, it’s that when everything looks bleak and dark, you’ve lost all hope, and you’re so ready to give in, just keep believing. Things will change and look up. Most of all, draw on that amazing strength that has been bestowed on you by those you have loved and lost.

And super last:

ME: Was there ever a time your dogs chew on your manuscript? (Awww! Bet Duke and Chance would be grounded)

KA: HAHA, no, but they have chewed through power cords. Does that count?

Thanks Katie! I love you to bits!

For any Katie Ashley update, pls visit her website:
http://katieashleybooks.blogspot.com

and her FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/katie.ashley.129?fref=ts

She is also at Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/katieashleyluv/

and Twitter:
https://twitter.com/KatieAshleyLuv

The Proposition Book Trailer 

"Who gives a damn about their reputation? Oh, that would be me! Especially since mine had gone straight to hell in the span of thirty minutes".

Synopsis:

Maysie Ardin is soaking up the summer before her junior year of college, shopping, hanging by the pool and shopping some more. But when her black belt in spending lands her in trouble with her parents, she is forced to take a second job at a local bar to dig herself out of a deep financial pit.

She thought she’d be miserable. But then Maysie didn’t count on Jordan Levitt, the hot, pierced and tattooed, drum playing bartender who also happens to be very interested in her. And the feelings are totally mutual.

It had the makings of the perfect romantic set up. Boy meets girl. Boy likes girl. Boy has girlfriend? Okay, maybe not.

But attraction is a hard thing to ignore and soon Jordan and Maysie find themselves in the middle of a gossip induced firestorm. Maysie has to learn whether she can set aside her fear of public disapproval in order to be with the one she wants. Or will she let the opinions of others dictate her life and her heart?

Review:

I was very lucky to have been given an ARC for this book (thanks Meredith). 

I'd be honest to admit that it took me a few days to pick up the book and start flipping pages. With the workload I currently have in the office, holiday rush, piling books to read and doing book trailers on the side made me read the book in 3 different times. I read the the first few chapters while waiting to pick up a friend from the airport. Since the flight was delayed and I seriously hate waiting, I then decided to make use of my time, finally open my iphone and start reading it and seriously? Im glad I did! I never knew delayed flights could be more entertaining and somehow I wish it could be delayed even more so I can finish it, but my excitement was short-lived when my friend finally arrived after 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The story is told from Maysie's POV and I couldn't wish to have it any other way. Maysie Ardin is very entertaining. She has a big mouth, a free spirited girl and a big time shopaholic! Due to her wild spending habits, she was then forced to look for a second job to pay all her debts, especially that her parents refused to cover her expenses so as to teach her a lesson. So when she decided to go with her best friend/roommate Riley to submit their application to the local college bar, Barton's, she was stunned to see one of the most gorgeous  and sexiest guy on planet earth, Jordan Levitt. Not only the guy is gorgeous, he also plays as the drummer of the band called Generation Rejects, a bartender in Barton's, and the President of the College Frat, not to mention his beautiful tats & piercings which totally makes him even more sexy. 

The connection between Jordan and Maysie was instant. They have this undeniable chemistry that makes them both hot just by looking at each other. But through a twisted turn of fate...everything has changed. Maysie found out from her sorority sisters that Jordan is already committed...not just with an ordinary girl, but who happens to be the President of her sorority and the most famous gal in the campus, Olivia.

So this is where the conflict begins...the push and pull of temptations.

Will Jordan give up his 3-year relationship with Olivia for someone he just met?
Will Maysie choose love over her sorority friends, and the reputation she has patiently built and created for a long time?

Meredith surely knows how to write sexy scenes. She has this huge sexual vocabulary that can definitely push you over the edge, makes you want to go, excuse yourself and pee (lol) but that's the way I like it. Although I would love it even more if we can witness some more scenes where Maysie can satisfy sexual needs. The story is not overly complicated, but I'd admit that there were  times when I just want to hit Maysie with my fist so she can finally realize how dumb of a girl she is to let go of him. I mean, he's Jordan Levitt for fucking grace! A guy who can literally have any girl he wishes in a snap of a finger. But there he was, head-over-heels, chasing after her.

Overall, I think Meredith has done a KILLER job on this book and I am so hoping that there will be a second book. if you're a fan of a rockstar bad boy turned good, steamy love scenes and one helluva love story? Then this one's for you! Its definitely worth your time! Im giving it 5 stars.

As a show of my appreciation to Meredith for the taking the chance on me for the ARC, let me give you the book trailer for the Bad Rep. Enjoy guys!

Jules the Bounty Hunter

by Krista Ashe

December 21, 2012

High-speed car chases, hiding out in overgrown bushes, nabbing the bad guy—all in a days work for Julianne aka Jules St. James. Sure growing up with a bounty hunter for a father was a little unorthodox, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, how many sixteen-year-old girls can take a man down with her bare hands, fire an assault rifle, or become a chameleon by using fake identities to nab bail jumpers? On her father’s Texas ranch, she’s just one of the guys with her older, twin brothers, Remington and Colt.

So when Jules’s father insists she spend the summer with her absentee mother—a former Savannah debutant and current member of high society, she is more than a little pissed off. Jules has had little use for her mother since she blew out of town six years ago to trade garden parties and black tie affairs for being a bounty hunter’s wife. A summer in Savannah with Mommie Dearest means having refinement and culture shoved down her throat while styling the latest haute couture fashion.

But Jules’s father has another reason behind sending her to Savannah. The society family of Emmett Marshall, a white-collar bail jumper resides there. The mission is for Jules to get close to Marshall’s teenage son, Jackson, thus trying to unravel any clues about his father’s whereabouts. Locating Marshall could mean a hefty payoff —enough for Jules’s freshman year of college.

Since she's better at taking down a guy than hooking up with one, Jules feels like she's in over her head. Enter Wyatt Deluca. Working for Jules’s bounty hunting cousin, Wyatt's suave services are enlisted to help her reel Jackson in. The tattooed, motorcycle riding bad boy is a 180 from sweet, cultured Jackson, but the more that Jules hangs around with Wyatt, the more confused she is about her true feelings and her ability to do her job.

Under the Mistletoe With Me

by 

Kristen Proby

December 15, 2012

T I D A L

by 

Emily Snow

Out Dec. 14 2012

Under the Mistletoe With Me
(With Me in Seattle Novella)
by Kristen Proby 

Isaac and Stacy Montgomery have been married for ten years. They have a beautiful new baby girl, Isaac’s construction business is thriving, and Stacy enjoys being a stay at home mom, reviewing sexy romance novels for her blog. With a very large extended family, and the many privileges they enjoy, Stacy will be the first to admit that they are blessed beyond measure.

When suspicious phone calls and text messages begin, Stacy questions Isaac’s faithfulness for the first time in their marriage. She knows that a new baby brings changes into a relationship, but has the stress of parenthood sent Isaac into another woman’s arms, threatening to destroy their marriage?

This With Me In Seattle novella shows us a glimpse into Jules’ brother, Isaac, and his wife Stacy’s lives, introduces us to some new characters, and reminds us of what it means to reconnect with the person you love the most, even if they never left in the first place.

Review:

Here comes the baby, there goes the marriage!

I was lucky to have been given an ARC of this novella. Kristen knows how I adore her characters in Come Away With Me, needless to say, this book made me happy because Stacy and Isaac are just equally  adorable as Nat and Luke. 

With prose so fine, it demands slow savoring, and a plot so intriguing, it demands breathless page-turning. The story in itself is very realistic, something which normal couples experienced in their everyday lives. I for one, felt the connection with Stacy...underwent the same frustration, experienced the same desperation. But I love how Kristen did not dwell so much on those parts, I love that it was written in a way that it's not overly complicated. Under the Mistletoe With Me serves as a good meditation about marriage and family life.

Being married for 10 years, Isaac and Stacy 's relationship grows closer but the pressure and the changes brought by a baby along with the increasing responsibilities and with lesser time spent together as a couple,  caused a test to their marriage and love for each other. 

Isaac and Stacy's love for each other couldn't be more intense and real but is LOVE enough to stand the test and sustain the best relationship?

Overall, this is a truly stellar novella that you can't help but fall in love with. 

Give this one a go and you will not be disappointed! 

Coming to you on 15h December 2012.

Rating: I give it a 5!

So not to leave you guys hanging...a teaser is up on my next post! enjoy!