Hope. Dreams. Life... Love: Island Detour

Monday, February 26, 2024

Island Detour

Island Detour

by Maria Imbalzano

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

Falsely accused of wrongdoing at a Princeton Prep school, Sophie Kearns accepts a temporary teaching position at an environmental school in the Florida Keys to wait out her suspension. The time away is meant to be an anxiety-free escape, but her clashes with the hot but arrogant marine biology teacher, Max Heaton, are anything but tranquil.

Max is determined to start an environmental research institute at the school, but he suspects the gorgeous new Lit teacher, who lacks even the most basic outdoor skills, is there to hinder that dream. Yet, something about her tames the demons from his past, and he can no longer ignore the fire she’s lit inside him.

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EXCERPT

How’d Sophie end up working with women who could have been in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue?

She glanced down at her own one-piece halter and smoothed out an imaginary wrinkle. Not ready to venture back to the bikinis of her college days, she’d chosen a lime-green hue that looked great against her tan. And even though her midriff wasn’t bare, the high-cut detail on her legs showed plenty of skin. At least she wasn’t embarrassed standing next to Maddie. Or the other two.

She’d come a long way from the buttoned-up professor at Valen, thanks to her new friends here. After their shopping spree in Key West, they’d made sure to compliment Sophie on her new look—obviously afraid that if they didn’t, she’d go back to her old ways. And it had worked. Along with the exercise she was getting from boating and swimming, she looked and felt like a new woman.

Stealing a glance at Max, she assumed he’d be staring at Maddie. A slow burn crept across her face when his gaze fell on her.

His mocha eyes blazed a scorching trail as they traveled up her legs, her torso, then stopped at her face. She turned and looked out over the ocean, swallowing hard, to banish this erotic discomfort. But try as she might to ignore his scrutiny, she felt it deep down in the pit of her stomach as fingers of heat spread over her skin, doing much more damage than the sun.

A Word With the Author

1.Did you always want to be an author?

No. I hated creative writing in high school and college. It wasn’t until I went to law school that I enjoyed writing – but that was legal writing which is analytical, linear. I was very good at writing legal briefs and memoranda to the court where you state the facts, apply the law and make your arguments by applying that law to the facts. It wasn’t until I was 40 that I thought I wanted to try to write a book. I always read – a lot and one of the authors I was reading was bothering me. I said “I bet I could do this.” Which is what prompted me to try. I had no idea how to write a compelling book of fiction. But I went to seminars, joined NJ Romance Writers, read how-to books and sat myself in the chair and wrote. It took me fifteen years to get published, but it was worth it.

2.Tell us about the publication of your first book.

My first book published was the fifth book I wrote. The other four sat in a drawer after many rejections. That book is called “Unchained Memories.” It is still one of my favorite stories about a medical malpractice lawyer and an ER doctor. I sent that manuscript to the Wild Rose Press and they sent me a contract. What a thrill that was after fifteen years of working toward that goal.

3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in?

I have so many, but one of my favorites is Emily Giffin. I loved “Something Borrowed” and “Something Blue.” They are fairly old, but one of her newer books, “The Lives That Bind” was also excellent.

4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst?

I love creating a new story—developing the characters, figuring out what their conflicts are, coming up with the plot and character arcs, working toward the black moment when there appears to be no chance of heroine and hero getting together. Everything is new and fresh and fun (from the creative side).

The worst part is marketing. I know I’m supposed to be posting on Facebook, and X/Twitter, and Instagram but I would rather be writing my book than talking about it on social media. Although I do like doing interviews like this.

5.What are you working on now?

I have a series out called the Sworn Sisters Series. Its about four girlfriends from high school who are now in their 30s. Each of them has their own story. The first three books are out, (Sworn to Forget, Sworn to Remember, and Sworn to Fly) but I’m having trouble with the fourth and final book (Sworn to Collide). I’m working on the issues and hopefully it will come out this year.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Maria Imbalzano is an award-winning contemporary author who writes about strong, independent women and the men who fall in love with them. She recently retired from the practice of law, but legal issues have a way of showing up in many of her novels. When not writing, she loves to travel both abroad and in the states. Maria lives in central New Jersey with her husband--not far from her two daughters and granddaughters. For more information about her books, please visit her website at http://mariaimbalzano.com where you can also sign up for her newsletter.

Awards

Maria is a member of New Jersey Romance Writers and has received many honors and awards for her work including the ACRA Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence Award, the Wisconsin Romance Writers Write Touch Readers Award, The NEST (National Excellence In Story Telling) Award, the Carolyn Award, Book Buyers Best Award, The Stiletto Reader’s Choice Award, Long & Short Reviews Book of the Month Award (3rd Place for Book of the Year), and Still Moments Magazine Reader’s Choice Award.

Social Media Links

Facebook –

https://www.facebook.com/mariaimbalzanoauthor

Twitter

http://www.twitter.com/mariaimbalzano

@mariaimbalzano

Instagram

Mariaimbalzano_author

Website Link

http://www.mariaimbalzano.com

Goodreads Author Page

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7276749.Maria_Imbalzano