Title: Island Detour
Author: Maria Imbalzano
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Book 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.
Excerpt:
It wasn’t long enough before Max and Ben ushered Sophie to the fishing boat. She inhaled huge breaths of salt air, hoping the oxygen would perform some magic on the dull throb in her head.
“I know you’re going to find this hard to believe,” she started hesitantly, “but I don’t know how to fish.”
“What a surprise.” Max didn’t even bother to moderate his sarcasm.
Sophie’s scowl fell on his back as he and Ben gathered up rods and reels, a tackle box, and cartons of what she could only assume contained live bait. He had been sniping at her for days. Ever since Andy had asked her to cover for him as director. It was as if she had caused Andy’s accident intentionally, just to take over his job and keep it from Max.
She followed them onto the dock and into the boat, wishing she had brought her bottle of aspirin to dull the pain of this ill-conceived trip.
She sat on the bench, quiet as a church mouse, as Max steered the boat out toward the ocean. Her eyes betrayed her as they were drawn to the muscles in his back and shoulders, stretching and straining with each movement. His tawny, bronze skin glistened with a layer of sunscreen and ocean mist. A work of art. His jaw was square and tight, his cheekbones chiseled. Soft, wavy brown hair blew straight back from his forehead, giving her a bird’s-eye view of one very gorgeous man. Oh, so easy on the eyes. Too bad he wasn’t as easy on the nerves.
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What makes your featured book a must-read?
Who doesn’t want to escape to the sub-tropical Florida Keys, especially during these frigid days of winter. “Island Detour” is the perfect escape. It’s an opposites attract, fish-out of water story that will have you laughing, sighing, and perhaps even crying. You will meet Sophie and Max, two head-strong, powerful personalities who have different goals and different life views, as they navigate through their past struggles and current conflicts while living and working at Sunrise Island School. But this is a romance after all, and there’s nothing more romantic than breathtaking sunsets, moon lit skies, warm breezes, and wafting palm fronds to ignite Sophie’s and Max’s flammable chemistry—both in and out of the bedroom. This emotionally charged page-turner will have you reading well past your bed time.
Giveaway –
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Open Internationally.
Runs December 16 – December 31, 2024.
Winner will be drawn on January 2, 2025.
Author Biography:
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.
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, The Stiletto Reader’s Choice Award, Book Buyers Best Award, Long & Short Reviews Book of the Month Award and Still Moments Magazine Reader’s Choice Award.
When not writing, she loves to travel both abroad and in the states. Maria lives in Lawrenceville and Bradley Beach 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
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