Interview & Excerpt, More Than I Wanted by: Ava Catori

My Interview w/Ava Catori 

Regina: Who or What inspired you to write ?

Ava:  I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I started with poems as a kid and teenager, and haven’t stopped writing. I've since transitioned to stories. I love the ability to express myself by telling a story, painting a picture for others.

Regina: How long did it take you to write your first book ?

Ava: My first book was a handwritten novel and took quite a while. I used to sit at the table after my kids went to sleep (they are now grown, so this was over 20 years ago) and scribble on notebook paper with a pencil. My hands appreciate a keyboard these days!

Regina: What is your favorite genre to read ?

Ava:  My favorite genre has changed so much over time. I used to read a lot of Dean Koontz, Mary Higgins Clark, Jackie Collins, and others years and years ago, but then I shifted into piles of non-fiction and self-improvement books. About ten years ago, I shifted to humorous adult contemporary and romance novels. I found I love the mix of humor with a good story, and have been hooked since.

Blurb:

Kate Tanner sees everything she wants in Austin. After falling for a charming and handsome military man, Kate realizes he may not return her feelings.  

Will Austin fall in love with Kate, or has he hardened from past hurts? Just as he starts to warm up, things are turned upside down. Kate and Austin have to decide if their feelings are worth fighting for, or if walking away will be beneficial to them both.

With the threat of being separated, can Kate and Austin find a way to make things work? Having Austin in her life is more than Kate ever wanted, but she's learning he's all that she needs.

Book Excerpts

Excerpt 1:

“Will you kiss me?” The words were out before I could take them back. Did I just say that out loud? Oh crap. I really did! I hoped I didn’t freak him out.

A smile spread across his face and he moved in close, not waiting for a second to pass. Walking me back to the wall behind me, he pressed me gently to it and pulled my hands up over my head. Leaning down into me, his chest against mine, his lips brushed my own. My knees went weak; his lips were tender and soft. Austin gently licked my lips and then parted his own. Standing there in my kitchen, he gave me the most amazing kiss. I didn’t want it to stop –  ever.

I melted feeling his body pressed to mine, and his warm, wet mouth against me. The steamy kiss lasted all of a minute, and then just like that he stepped back. “Like that?” He asked with a smile on his face.

I nodded, barely able to speak. “Do it again,”  I whispered.

Excerpt 2:

I could almost hear my heart beating, and the second hand ticking on the clock. We were silent, but lost in a magical moment. Everything slowed down, and as Austin kissed me passionately, I knew something was happening between us.  After another delicious kiss, we broke for air.

Wow, just wow.

“What’s for breakfast?” he finally asked, breaking the silence. I was stunned, still standing there, lost in the dream that was his kiss.

“Huh?” I wore a goofy smile.

“Breakfast?”

I laughed, “Oh yeah, that. I hope eggs and toast work; I don’t have much more, other than cereal.” 

“Sounds great,” he said, “how can I help?”

“Sit down.” I said pulling out a chair, “I’ll take care of it.”  I was deliriously happy.

I was standing at the stove, watching the eggs when the phone rang. “Just let it go to the machine,” I said, letting him know he didn’t have to answer it. I had no interest in talking to anyone. If it was important, they’d leave a message. I monitor my calls half the time anyway. Most of my friends call my cell, so when my house phone rings, it’s usually not important.

As the voice came over the voicemail, I lunged for it, but it was too late. “It’s Nick, I miss you. Call me back when you get home from work.” Shit, shit, shit. He usually called my cell, figures he’d call my house phone, now.

“Nick, huh?”

Excerpt 3:

We stood motionless, embracing, understanding in that moment that something was happening. We’d gone from strangers to friends, and now an invisible force was pulling us together. Would we become a pair?  There was an unspoken connection, an intimacy just waiting to bond us closer.

I tipped my head up looking at Austin, and as our eyes met our chemistry sizzled. Something changed – and it told me he wasn’t going anywhere.

I closed my eyes as he leaned in to kiss me. Only this time it wasn’t a soft, tender kiss. It was hungry and filled with desire. Hands groped, tongues explored, and the heat was ratcheted up a few notches. Longing filled my body, and we stood in that very spot, afraid to let go of the moment.

When we finally broke free of our shameless kiss, Austin spoke. “I’m a mess. I have a lot of garbage to work through. I can’t promise you a smooth ride all of the time.”

“Volatile, I get emotional and way too clingy,” I said, in barely a whisper.

“I have nightmares, I get moody, and I’ll rarely put the toilet seat down,” he answered, kissing me again.

“I’m messy, hate to do dishes, and wear sweatshirts more than I wear sexy clothing,” I added.

His hands worked up and down my body, back into my hair, while my own hands rested on his ass, cupping, squeezing, and pulling him in tightly. I felt his bulge pressing into me.

Author Bio

Ava Catori spends her days tied to her keyboard, being happiest there. With a passion for storytelling, she gets lost in the details of building characters and analyzing their thoughts. With a conversational tone, she entertains with fast, fun reads. There’s nothing she likes more than putting a couple together, only to tear them apart so they can find their way back to one another.

Ava resides in New Jersey, but sneaks away to Florida as often as she's able. She’s happily married to a patient man, who has the ability to sustain long hours of rambling thoughts spilling from her non-stop. With the company of three dogs and a cat, she sets her writing schedule around their inability to coordinate their potty breaks.

Links

Website/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/Kobo/All Romance EBooks/Smashwords