The Blueberry Swirl Waltz by Maria Imbalzano - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

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!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**

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:

https://mariaimbalzano.com

Blog:

https://mariaimbalzano.com/blog

Newsletter:

https://mariaimbalzano.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter

Email:

mimbalzano@aol.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mariaimbalzanoauthor

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/MariaImbalzano

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maria-imbalzano

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-blueberry-swirl-waltz-by-maria-imbalzano

Goodreads Author Page:

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

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53722282-the-blueberry-swirl-waltz

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/2Z2B7IB

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/2BwGFTA

Apple iBook eBook:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-blueberry-swirl-waltz/id1508636829

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-blueberry-swirl-waltz-maria-imbalzano/1136868420

Google Play eBook:

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Maria_Imbalzano_The_Blueberry_Swirl_Waltz?id=zubmDwAAQBAJ

Kobo eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-blueberry-swirl-waltz

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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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**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.