Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with Maria Imbalzano.

Island Detour 
by
​Maria Imbalzano
Contemporary enemies to lovers romance.
Release February 19, 2024
​
Some detours are worth the trouble.
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. 

Buy Link
https://books2read.com/u/4D20y7

The story behind the story.
Twenty years ago, I had learned about a school in the Bahamas that was associated with The Lawrenceville School – a private high school that is about a mile from my house.  It was a semester abroad type program for high school students where they would learn about the marine environment and conservation while continuing their normal studies. I was intrigued. So I asked a lot of questions back then about this opportunity for students, and developed a story based on this setting. Although The Island School is in Eleuthera in the Bahamas, I set my story in a similar environment but placed it in the Florida Keys. The fictional island is Sunrise Island, but it is based on Key West. 
I’ve been going down to Key West every year since I started dating my husband (over 30 years ago). It’s an eclectic island of locals who seemingly dropped out, tourists, and restaurateurs or other merchants who somehow hang in there. The bars are open from 9 a.m. and there is always live music pouring out onto the street from open-air walls. The main thoroughfare, Duval Street, is about a mile long and goes from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Sidewalk cafes, pubs, restaurants, art galleries, jewelry shops and casual clothing boutiques populate this entertaining street where people-watching is a must.
But there’s also fishing, kayaking, bicycling, wave running, and sunset cruises calling out to be enjoyed. However, lazing by the pool, or walking the palm-tree lined streets with gingerbread mansions and tin-roofed conch houses are also musts. 
Every night at sunset there is a party of sorts at Mallory Square where jugglers, musicians, and acrobats perform during the magic hour. 
This irreverent island blends history, beauty, cultural diversity, the arts, architecture, and marine activities to make it a perfect setting for “Island Detour.” And there’s nothing more romantic than sunsets, moon lit skies, warm breezes, wafting palm fronds, or a table for two at a sidewalk café.    ​

About the author.
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. For more information about her books, please visit her website at http://mariaimbalzano.com where you can also sign up for her newsletter.
http://www.mariaimbalzano.com

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https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00FG9RI5K​

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