Chasing Ava by Siera London

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Enter the world of Shell Cove Medical Center
A world of sacrifice, seduction, and sabotage
Where everybody has a secret…

Ava Walters is a pediatric nurse who doesn’t do relationships. An abusive past has left her wounded, but she is determined to pursue her dream of becoming a Navy Nurse. Ava is in the midst of rebuilding her life, when she is targeted by a sexual harasser who wields the power to destroy her dream before it sets sail.
Logan Masters, is an ambitious specialty surgeon whose past is riddled with betrayal. His trust in women is conditional – no secrets and no boundaries. When he comes to Ava’s rescue, there is no denying the spark of attraction. Things get complicated when Logan pursues Ava, rather than the arranged relationship that holds the key to his future.

After years of being alone, Ava starts to believe that love is possible under Logan’s skillful touch. But Ava is harboring a secret she doesn’t want exposed. Determined to guard her heart, Ava soon discovers Logan is as focused on winning her heart as she is at shielding it.

When secrets and broken alliances threaten to torpedo both their futures, how will they learn to trust each other and chart a new course to lasting love?

Excerpt

The dashboard clock read ten forty three when he killed the engine in the driveway of Ava’s 1940’s style single story bungalow. The solar lamps outlining the stone walkway allowed him to see the manicured yellow and orange pansy gardens landscaped in the front yard. White azalea bushes were trimmed short along the front of the house and fern plants filled hanging baskets on the full-length porch. A tropical teak table and two coordinating chairs were to the right of the door. It felt warm and inviting. Logan delivered two thuds to the densely paneled door with the authority of a SWAT team leader. Panic raced through him at the thought of Ava not answering. Had Randall intercepted her en route to the ladies’ room? He infused more power into the blows landing on the door. Be here Ava.

When soft yellow light illuminated the covered porch the needle on his internal pressure gauge started the downward arc to safety. A feminine “Who is it?” came from the other side of the closed door.

“It’s me. Open the door.”  He meant to sound more controlled than the equivalent of a male bark.

A moment of hesitation passed before he heard the distinct slide release of a chain lock. Ava’s sweetheart shaped face came into view. Relief replaced the tension that held him captive, the bunched muscles in his back slowly unfurled.

“What in God’s name are you doing at home?” No background noise came from inside the house, only the soft sounds of night creatures. She’d left him to sit in a quiet house?

The shock of his being at her door glinted in her eyes, before it gave way to something more cautionary.

“Leave God out of this. And how do you know where I live?”

“Where you live, are you serious? You said you were going to the bathroom. I called Lina when you didn’t return,” he said, through clenched teeth. “I couldn’t find Randall. I thought…never mind what I thought. Why did you leave without me?”

“I’m sorry Logan.” She took a step back allowing him a clear view of her and the small living area. The room was an open rectangle with a white stone wood-burning fireplace on the right wall. An over stuff couch with rolled arms and block feet was separated from the hearth by a burnished metal table with an oak base. “I never meant for you to worry.”

Her voice pulled him back to the natural feminine beauty on display before him. From the bottom to the top he assessed the woman that had him running to her doorstep. He spied well-toned legs and the soft yellow boy shorts covering her curved hips through her half open robe. Petite bare feet peeked from behind the door. Her springy locks were still loose around her shoulders. His fingers tingled at the thought of running his fingers through the thick tresses. Delicious, that is what she is.

“You’re forgiven.” Now came the blockbuster question. “Why did you leave me?”

“I never thought you’d come looking for me.” She angled her head towards his Lexus sedan to make a point, “but it wasn’t a good idea for you to drive me home.”

“Clever woman. Help me understand this. You’re apologizing for causing me to worry, but not for leaving me.” An unrepentant flicker danced in her eyes. She was gorgeous in her defiance.

“Why didn’t you come back to me?” He didn’t know why her response was important, but somehow he knew it was. She seemed to study him as if determining the best way to answer his question. He didn’t want some contrived response to soothe his bruised ego. He needed honesty from her.

“The truth, Ava.”

“I was coming back to you, but on my way up to the ballroom, I thought it best that we leave things the way they are.” What happened on the dance floor was more than a collegial response. He could tell she was choosing her words carefully now.

He smiled at her premeditated “ditch the doctor” retelling. She was trying to put space between them. She had felt the pull as strong as he did. He smiled then. “You are a clever one.”

“That’s the second time you’ve called me clever. How old are you?” The question took him by surprise. She was a master at deflecting the attention away from questions she didn’t want to answer. His age? He did not see that one coming. It took him a moment longer to respond.

At his silence she filled the void. “I’m sorry. It’s rude of me to ask. You don’t have to answer.” There couldn’t be more than ten years between them. He wasn’t too old for her.

“I am thirty-four. Is my being older than you a problem?”

“Why would your age be an issue?”

Deflecting again. “Answer my question.”

“No. Your age is your age. Do you want to know how old I am?”

“Sweetheart, you have to work on your game face. You are trying to avoid answering the question. I am not going to let you. You are over twenty-one and I like you, so I don’t care about your exact age. So, let’s simplify this for both our sakes. Ava do you have a problem being involved with me because of our age difference?”

“Wait, we’re involved?” He grinned at her question.

“From the moment you placed your hand in mine.”

Interview with Siera London

I am so glad you could join us here at RomanceJunkies. To start, will you please tell us a little bit about your current projects?
Chasing Ava is the first book in the Bachelors of Shell Cove series.  I’m editing book two in the series. Convincing Lina is scheduled for release this summer.

When was the moment that you knew you had to be a writer?
I knew I was a storyteller in junior high school. The nerd in me loved to retell the stories I read, but I would add details that I wished were between the covers. Eventually, it occurred to me I was telling my story.

Who gave you the one piece of writing advice that sticks with you to this day?
I met author Mary Wine, in 2014 at the Romantic Times Convention in New Orleans, LA. Her advice was simplistic, yet challenging. She said, “put your work out there.” Five words that had a profound impact on my writing life, because that meant I had to get over my fear, I needed to write consistently, let my critique partners tear my WIP to pieces, connect with other authors, etc. Those five days with Mary changed my perspective as an aspiring writer.

What are some of your favorite pastimes? Do you have any hobbies or collections?
Teaching and volunteering go hand in hand for me. I co-facilitate a debt reduction program through our local church twice a year. Once a month I serve on a county advisory committee for an adult training program. And when I’m not busy-writing, working or volunteering, I read.

What has been your biggest adventure to date?
Transitioning from 22 years of military service and being told what to do and how to do it. For someone with my highly structured background, the freedom to create is a bit overwhelming at times. I love being a writer. I see a story in everything around me and its lovely to feel the words assemble and the story taking shape.

If your fairy godmother waved her wand and whisked you away to the location of your choice, which place would you choose, and why?
Thailand. The culture, the beautiful country side, and the cooking.

How do you describe yourself? How would your family and friends describe you?
Me: A lovable, Type A++ wench
Family: Dependable, Focused, Fiercely loyal Type A++ wench

What is your favorite comfort food?
Pizza! Lots and lots of pizza.

What is your favorite season? What do you love about it?
Spring. I feel a rebirth similar to what I see in nature as the buds form and the blossoms unfold. I know its tradition to have a New Year’s resolution, but many of my life’s major decisions have occurred in the spring. Actually, I started writing CHASING AVA in April of 2013.

What is the one modern convenience that you cannot do without?
I am worse than Linus, from the Peanuts without my iPad. I’ll drive back home if I’ve forgotten her.

What is this romance writer’s idea of the “ideal romantic evening”?

Anything that involves being alone with my husband and touching.
Any place we can find you in person or on the net this month or next?

I’ll be at the Romantic Times Convention in Dallas, TX, May 12-17, 2015. Stop by and say hello at the Military SOS Tribute event or the  Meet the Author sessions.

About Sierra

Siera London, a former naval officer, is a writer of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. A native Floridian, her love of coastal towns and bustling cities shines through in her sassy and sexy storytelling. Currently she resides in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband and a color patch tabby that has free reign of the house. She loves to hear from her readers.

How can readers connect with you online?

I love to hear feedback from my readers. Connect with me and let’s talk story magic. 😀

E-mail me at: sieralondonwrites@gmail.com
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