The Proposition by Katie Ashley ~ Happy “Book” Anniversary ~ Giveaway

Posted October 30, 2013 by Michelle in Book Reviews, Giveaways / 0 Comments

7154_10151545916845851_642253540_nLast year I was stumbled upon the book The Proposition by Katie Ashley, purely by accident. Although I thought the book sounded intriguing, I was even more intrigued by this new author (who friended me on Goodreads) because she lived about 30 minutes away from me. So I purchased The Proposition and immediately fell in love with Aidan Fitzgerald and thus began my friendship with Katie Ashley.  (Of course, don’t let that fool you.  Katie will definitely tell you that I am one of her toughest critics!)  Yes, Aidan is my #2 book boyfriend, and I have greatly missed him.  I remember the night I finished reading The Proposal, I had dinner with Katie, JB McGee, and Yesi, and I was sulking and already going through withdrawal of that beast of a man named Aidan!

In honor of  the anniversary of The Proposition, below are my reviews The Proposition, The Proposal, and The Party!  Congratulations Katie, Krista, or whatever the hell your name is!

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Photo Credits: Cris from The Book Avenue

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Title:  The Proposition
Author:  Katie Ashley
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Grade/Rating:  5 out of 5

Synopsis:  With her thirtieth birthday looming, Emma Harrison finds her biological clock clanging and the elusive knight in shining armor yet to appear. She’s running out of options, especially after her gay best friend backs out from being her sperm donor. Of course, there’s always a sperm bank, but Emma fears a donor mix-up might impregnate her with the spawn of Satan.

Resident company womanizer, Aidan Fitzgerald, is used to always getting what he wants, especially in the bedroom. When Emma spurns his advances at the company Christmas party, he’s determined to have her no matter what it takes. After Aidan learns of Emma’s predicament, he is quick to offer a proposition that will benefit them both. He will father Emma’s child, but she must conceive it with him naturally. Not one for hook-ups or casual sex, Emma is reluctant to take him up on his offer, but his charm, coupled with her intense desire for motherhood, wins out.

Soon their baby-making sessions become more than just physical. Aidan can’t seem to walk away from her while Emma begins to wonder if Aidan could be the one. But can Aidan leave his past behind to become the man Emma needs him to be?

I had so many personal connections to this book, combined with the fantastic writing and storytelling, that 5 stars just isn’t enough to relay how much I enjoyed reading The Proposition. If this book is mixed in with a bunch of others on that never-ending TBR list, do yourself a favor, and move it to the top. You can thank me later.

The storyline was quite different but extremely enjoyable, especially without the “damaged characters.” And I am not going to rehash the “book synopsis,” as that would be redundant. But instead I am going to tell you in true David Letterman Fashion The Top 3 Reasons Why You Need to Read The Proposition.

The #3 Reason

Katie Ashley is truly a fantastic writer/storyteller, and the words seem to flow so effortlessly onto the page, which made for an absolutely enjoyable read. The characters are so relatable and true to life. The backstories of Emma and Aidan’s lives were so delicately weaved into the main story that I felt like I had known these two characters my whole life.

Furthermore, I enjoyed that Ms. Ashley used a number of unique words in The Proposition that will no doubt become trademarked. For example: The word “douchenozzle” was a term unfamiliar to me. Shaking your head in confusion? Here’s the word used in a sentence:

“Why does everything have to be so damn hard on me? Women everywhere can drop their panties and have mindless sex, but no, not me! I have to get emotionally invested in a douchenozzle who is only willing to knock me up for his own pleasure!”

The #2 Reason

The humor and the camaraderie between all of the characters in this book were absolutely refreshing. Emma and Aidan, as well as Casey (Emma’s best friend), were all quick-witted characters that kept me laughing throughout the entire book. I never knew what they were going to say as the humor was blended into the writing. I could be reading a sweet, tender moment, and then there was some sarcastic humor thrown in there.

“Damn, are these Scooby Doo?”
She giggled. “I wasn’t expecting company, and I have a slight obsession from growing up with the old cartoon.”
“They almost killed my hard on.”
She slid her hand between them and then quirked her eyebrows. “Seems fine to me.”

“I don’t know if I want all the moral and ethical responsibility that comes with being a godmother. I’m more the naughty aunt who sneaks them into R rated movies and buys them booze when they’re underage.”

Aidan rolled his eyes. “Jesus, Em, just when I think my dick is safe from your grandfather’s wrath, you sneak in here.”

And The #1 Reason Why You Need to Read The Proposition

Aidan Fitzgerald. Yes, ladies, we now have another man to add to our ever-growing list of fictional boyfriends. Although Aidan is arrogant and a womanizer with commitment issues, he is also incredibly handsome, sweet, tender, but not overbearing like many of the alpha males appearing in books today.

Emma is not a weak soul that cannot handle Aidan; she knows just what to say and when to say it. And once she and Aidan are together (as in the baby-making process), Emma starts to see a side of Aidan that she didn’t know existed…a side that Aidan is afraid to show and admit exists inside of him.

“Ah, but that’s where appearances are deceiving. Sometimes the ones that bloom fastest fade quickly. It’s these that are the toughest to coax out that make some of the most gorgeous flowers.”

Emma and Aidan’s chemistry together left me fanning myself a few times; and the sex scenes were much more true to life, which I truly enjoyed. Yes, this is one steamy read you do not want to miss.

“I could care less if you have a belly or not, Em. You are the one who makes yourself sexy, not a body. It’s not even the way you looked in that luscious lingerie you had on earlier. It’s the way you swayed your hips and shook your ass in front of me, knowing it would drive me insane, or the way you sucked me off with total abandon.”

The Proposition has definitely been one of my favorite books this year. I could not put it down nor could I read it fast enough. Yes, Ms. Ashley, you now have a new fan, and I eagerly wait for The Proposal.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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Title:  2940016080338_p0_v1_s260x420The Proposal
Author:  Katie Ashley
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Rating:  5 out of 5 Stars

“It’s the love that goes through the hardest trials and survives that’s worth having.”

Okay, let’s face it, we all have book boyfriends.  It’s fun.  It’s safe.  But it’s something common that all of us women bond over and talk and swoon about.  Kellan Kyle has been my one consistent book boyfriend (with a few runner ups).  Well, that was until Aidan Fitzgerald came into my life.

I was first introduced to Aidan when I read The Proposition back in October.  Whew, I was so glad The Proposal came out in January close to its originally planned published date.   The night that I finished reading The Proposal I was already having Aidan withdrawals, and I kept thinking, “Why can’t he be real?”  And I was sad too knowing that most of Aidan and Emma’s story had been told, although they will be appearing in a companion novel.  That my friends, tells you what a fantastic writer Katie Ashley is as she has written a real, relatable character who has truly captured my heart and the hearts of so many other women.

The Proposal in short is about Aidan’s redemption for “screwing up!”  What was he honestly thinking when he decided to go home with another woman at the end of The Proposition besides the fact that he was scared and wanted to push Emma away?   Aidan was “absolutely broken by the ghosts of the past and present,” and he had a different way of dealing with those ghosts.

I did promise my late mother I would one day have children.  But it was also about being able to find redemption with myself…and with God.  I thought if I could help you bring a baby into the world, it might take away the hurt of the past.

Unfortunately, Emma has endured quite a bit of stress lately, which lands in her the hospital with pre-term contractions.  She is placed on two weeks of bed rest.  Although Casey adamantly protests, Aidan gladly offers to take Emma home and take care of her during that time.

Let’s face it.  Considering I’m the only one out of the three of us who has a vagina and knows what Em would want, you’re going to need me.

This is where Aidan’s redemption definitely comes into play, and we see a completely different side of him.  He is sweet, caring, attentive, and trying to become the man Emma wants him to be.  (But Emma soon reminds him that she fell in love with the “old” Aidan.)  You will also see another side of Emma, not the strong, confident woman that you saw in The Proposition.  Why?  Well, she’s pregnant and her hormones are going crazy!  One minute she’s crying, the next minute she’s not, she can’t decide what she wants.  I could definitely relate to those fluctuating hormones as well as the self-doubt.

I’m glad having Noah is a way you feel you can repent for what you did.  It’s never too late for redemption, Aidan.”

Don’t ever think Noah’s in the way. He will always be the string that ties us together. He’s our love growing inside you. He may not be the reason why I fell in love with you, but he’s the reason why I got another chance at life. You saved me, Emma.

Of course, we do have a little “drama” when we enter Dr. Alpesh Nadeen into the story who is quite attracted to the beautiful Emma.  I am not going to post any spoilers about his role in their relationship or his relationship with Emma.  I love that once again the family, friends, as well as Beau, are involved throughout much of the book.  Family is very important to me so this is definitely a plus!    And, of course, I can’t forget to mention the use of a few old and new words:  douchnozzle, twatwaffle, and douchcanoe, just to name a few.

The banter between Em and Aidan is priceless, the love scenes tender, and the sex scenes on fire so get your extinguishers ready.  The story comes full circle and once again proves that love always prevails.

If I don’t clean my plate, are you going to spank me, Mommy?
No, but I will force feed you myself like the damn petulant toddler you insist on acting like.

You’re the sexiest, most beautiful pregnant woman I’ve ever seen.
Aw, baby, you’re so sweet. But you don’t have to keep complimenting me because you’re so getting laid tonight.

Once again, Katie Ashley, you have done a fantastic job in making me fall in love with the characters all over again, and even more so this time!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

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Title:  The Party (The Proposition #.05)
Author:  Katie Ashley
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Rating:  5 out of 5 Star

The Party is a FREE novella on Smashwords which author Katie Ashley has offered to her fans for their incredible support.  Having read The Proposition and The Proposal, I felt The Party really brought this series full circle for me and helped me understand Emma and Aidan’s personalities so much more.

In this novella we learn more about Emma and Aidan’s lives before their first encounter at the work Christmas party. My heart ached for Emma while listening to her desperate plea to Connor for him to be the sperm donor so should could have a baby. And although Aidan was always referred to as a manwhore, we really get to experience what a jerk he truly was/is.

If you haven’t read The Proposition and the sequel, The Proposal, I still advise you to read those first and come back The Party. I think you will appreciate The Party so much more if you read them in the order in which they were written. We’ll get to see more of Aidan and Emma this summer with The Pairing: A Companion Novel to The Proposition and The Proposal.

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