Hello, lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host Maria
Imbalzano and her new book, “The Blueberry Swirl Waltz”! For other stops on her Goddess Fish
Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in
this post.
Be sure to make it to the
end of this post to enter to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Maria
and to increase your chances of winning!
Thanks for stopping
by! Wishing you lots of luck in this
fabulous giveaway!
The Blueberry Swirl Waltz
by Maria
Imbalzano
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GENRE: Historical Romance (1950s)
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BLURB:
After
a family crisis, Katie Hathaway must return home to help out in the family's
ice cream shop. She leaves behind her dream job of teaching ballroom dance to
spend her summer scooping ice cream and mixing milkshakes.
Chaz
Hollander, Katie's high school crush, has also returned to town to work in his
family's business. After Katie treats him to a blueberry swirl sundae, he
invites her to the town's upcoming dance. The only problem is he has two left
feet.
When
Katie starts giving Chaz dance lessons, their chemistry ignites, and the
postponement of her dream doesn't seem as ominous. But financial woes and a
suspicious business deal cast a shadow on their budding relationship.
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EXCERPT ONE:
Then
the music ended.
She
stood in his arms, unable to step away.
He
lifted her chin with steady fingers, and his sensuous gaze roamed from her eyes
to her mouth. “So beautiful,” he murmured.
A
thousand butterfly wings beat in her chest.
Ever
so slowly he lowered his head before brushing her lips with his. Light as a
feather, he kissed her tenderly, and her hands drifted to strong shoulders,
closing the infinitesimal space between them. Her head swam as his mouth
captured hers in a more passionate exchange. His tongue swept against hers,
fanning the fire she’d been trying to keep under control.
Muscled
arms held her against him, sending her passion into overdrive. His palms roamed
down her back, awakening every atom, every synapse, every nerve, before
settling on her hips. Heat then fire swarmed her body as they pressed against
each other while their tongues tangled.
The
scrape of the record player needle circling the vinyl was the only witness to
their flaming desire.
Dancing
had never been so good.
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MY BOOK REVIEW:
This book was a delicious treat with extra jimmies and a cherry
on top!!
This book quickly swept me off my feet – I could not put this
book down and read it in just one sitting!!!
This
book follows the story of the Hathaway family, mainly Katie, a smart and energetic
young lady who has just landed her dream job to teach ballroom dancing. Beyond ecstatic she heads back home elated to
tell her family about her big opportunity.
However, when she arrives, she learns that her mom has just broke her arm. This couldn’t have come at a worse time as
Katie must now give her up life and dream job to move back home and work in the
family’s ice cream shop while her mom recovers.
With the help of Katie’s siblings, Henry, Holly, and Tina cover the
store during their busiest time of year, the summer, and the town’s biggest
event, the River Front Festival. While
back home Katie reconnects with her high school crush, Chaz, who has also recently
returned back home. Chaz invites Katie
to the big dance at the end of the month at the Festival. However, he admits he can’t dance, and Katie
takes it upon herself to teach him in time for the event. There are sparks, fireworks, and explosive chemistry
between these two! Will coming back home
end up being the best thing for Katie after all?
I absolutely loved this book!!
There were such well-developed and relatable characters, strong story
lines with intriguing plots, and kept me fully engaged and entertained from
chapter to chapter!!
I totally
loved the main characters, especially Katie!
She was so easy to connect with and relate to! She was smart, strong, beautiful, caring,
compassionate, respectful, and quite talented.
Like Katie, when my mom needed me, I quit my job, moved back home, and gave
up my life to help take care of her. My
mom had cancer and as an only child I needed to be there to take her to doctor’s
appointments, chemo treatments, etc. Not
everyone understands that kind of sacrifice.
So, I totally felt akin with Katie.
And enjoyed watching her story unfold.
I
also really liked Chaz. He was kind,
confident, bright, charismatic, polite, and quite handsome! I really liked Katie and Chaz together! They just fit so well, and the passion just
leapt off the pages! I could feel the
heat she described as he made her blush.
This
book takes place in the 1950s – specifically June of 1951. The author brilliantly captured that time
period and way of life into the story. It
is clear that the author is well versed on the culture and understandings of
small mill town life in 50’s.
The writing style is fluid, well developed, and at a steady pace.
I also loved the
author’s writing style as she was superior on detail and the way she immerses
you into her storytelling. Her writing
draws you in and keeps you fully engaged as the story unravels!!
This book was such a fun, quick, enjoyable read that kept this
reader glued to the pages!!
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few very
unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
This book is not currently listed as part of a book series. It can be read as a standalone. This book does have a tidy ending, but leaves
an opening for a follow up book - perhaps an adventure with one of the other Hathaway girls or other folks in this small town community.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely
recommend it! I think all historical
romance fans and sweet romance readers will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to
reading - you won't be disappointed!
Did you find this review helpful?
If so, please, please, please mark it as helpful
on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/REQ537YOTC3HS
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AUTHOR BIO:
Maria Imbalzano is a
retired matrimonial lawyer who now writes full time. Instead of drafting
motions, legal memoranda, and briefs, although fascinating, she now spends her
days creating memorable characters and taking them on their emotional journeys
through her contemporary romance novels.
In
addition to writing fiction, Maria is on the Friends of Thomas Edison State
University Foundation Committee and is still involved with Dress for Success
Central Jersey, having been a founding Board member. She also serves on the
finance committee for The Present Day Club. She has received the distinguished
Family of Edison Award for her work with The Thomas Edison State University
Foundation, the Iron Mike Professional Achievement Award from Trenton Catholic
Academy and was inducted into the Italian American National Hall of Fame.
Her
novel, “Unchained Memories,” won the Wisconsin Romance Writers Write
Touch Readers’ Award and the ACRA Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence Award. “Sworn
to Forget,” the first of the four-book Sworn Sisters Series was a
finalist for the illustrious RONE award as well as the Book Buyers Best Award.
Visit Maria at the links below!
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CONNECT WITH
MARIA:
Website:
Blog:
Newsletter:
Email:
mimbalzano@aol.com
Facebook:
Twitter:
BookBub Author Page:
BookBub Book Page:
Goodreads Author Page:
Goodreads Book Page:
Amazon Author Page:
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BOOK BUY LINKS:
Amazon Kindle eBook:
Apple iBook eBook:
Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:
Google Play eBook:
Kobo eBook:
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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Maria will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to
a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.
**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a
purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this
blog. This does not cost you anything,
it just helps pay for all those awesome giveaways on here.**
This contest is sponsored
by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish
Promotions. Prizes are given away by the
sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish
Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.
Maria ~ Good morning! Welcome to FAB! It is so great to have you here! Congrats on your new book and good luck on the book tour! I really enjoyed reading and reviewing your book, thanks for providing the copy! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Ally: Thank you so much for having me and for the great review. You made my day. I love the lpok of your website/blog.
DeleteMaria
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteHi Rita: Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteMaria
Really awesome cover and great review - Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Victoria: Thank you for stopping by. Debbie Taylor did the cover. Love her.
ReplyDeleteMaria
Good morning and thank you for the book description and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your review thoughts.
ReplyDeleteFabulous cover
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great book. Lovely cover!
ReplyDelete