Welcome to my stop on the excerpt tour for Return to Wylder by Maria Imbalzano. This tour was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an exclusive excerpt from the book as well as the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to visit the other stops on the tour for more exclusive excerpts. Enjoy!
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Series: The Wylder West
Author: Maria Imbalzano
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: June 27th 2022
Print Length: 147 pages
Genre: Western Contemporary Romance
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The untimely death of EJ Hampton’s father kills her dream of practicing law with him in her hometown of Wylder. Heartbroken, she now has two weeks to organize the practice for sale. When she meets her father’s millionaire client Dylan Addison, he is demanding and entitled—yet his charisma captivates her.
Dylan is under pressure to renovate the Wylder Hotel before his father pulls the plug on his project. He needs EJ’s expertise, but she is bent on returning to her life in San Francisco despite the fireworks between them.
EJ walks a tightrope trying to balance Dylan’s needs against her own, but doing so is far more complicated when emotions get in the way.
Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble *
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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT:
I took in the spiral notebook he was carrying with various papers hanging out at intervals. “Were you coming up with more legal work?”
He chuckled. “No. I got the impression this afternoon you’ve had it with me.”
Uh-oh. And here I’d thought my poker face had been on display. “No. That’s not true. I’m sorry if that’s the impression I gave. I’ve just been overwhelmed with everything there is to do.” I sighed. “For some reason, I thought it would be easier. You know, a small-town law practice should have small-town legal issues.”
“And it doesn’t.” His amused look at my erroneous theory struck a chord, and guilt over my prejudice swarmed through me.
“I’ve been biased living and working in San Francisco. Thinking that I’m counseling first-rate clients who have much more significant problems than those I’d experience if I came back to work with my dad. In the two days I’ve been here, I can see that the legal work, while on a smaller scale, is just as important.”
“Good to hear. I wouldn’t want you to minimize my needs.” A grin accompanied his words, softening the barb.
Not likely with your constant hovering. “What have you been doing?” I nodded toward his notebook.
“Going over my list and second-guessing myself as to what to do first. This place is sure in need of a facelift.”
Vulnerability clouded his magnificent eyes, and for a second, I thought maybe he wasn’t so bad after all.
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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 and granddaughters.
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GIVEAWAY:
Maria Imbalzano will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!
(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions and the author assume all responsibility for this giveaway.)
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteI love the cover and think the book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry: Stops for stopping by. Sorry I wasn't here to respond sooner. My mom's 95th birthday was yesterday and I had many things to do to prepare. Whew! Good luck with raffle.
DeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteHi Rita: What is the best book you've read this year so far? I'll add it to my TBR list. Have a Happy 4th of July - if you live in the US. Lol.
Deletegreat cover, this sounds like a wondrful book
ReplyDeleteGood book for Summer reading.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
Hello Siehan. Thanks so much for stopping by. I love beach reading and this is a novella so it's a quick read. I hope you enjoy it if you get to it.
DeleteHappy Friday! I love the cover and synopsis, Return to Wylder is a must read for me. Thank you for sharing your bio and book details, I have enjoyed reading about you and your work. Have a lovely Independence Day weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Bea: I wrote to you yesterday, but it never got published. Thanks so much for stopping by. The past few weeks have been a whilrlwind. I had a party for my mom's 95th birthday, my daughter had her 3rd daughter and my new book came out. All good! I hope you have a chance to read it (or any of my others.)
DeleteNice book cover and the book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi Deb: I hope you are enjoying the summer and catching up on all the books you'd like to read. I'm reading "Lions of Fifth Avenue" right now. It's taking me a while to get into it, but now I'm on a roll. Lol.
DeleteHi Deb: Thank you for stopping by. Good luck with the raffle and have a great summer. I love summer.
DeleteI enjoyed reading the excerpt - most interesting read!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this.
Hi Barbara: On my blog I tell readers what I learned while writing this book. It might make you laugh. www.mariaimbalzano.com
Deletehave a wonderful long weekend
ReplyDeleteThanks. I intend to go lay by the pool and read - of course. Have a nice day.
DeleteSounds like a good romance story
ReplyDeleteHi Kim: I hope you find some time to read it. It was fun to write and I loved the setting of Wylder, Wyoming.
DeleteThe book sounds wonderful. Love the cover!
ReplyDeleteHi Pippirose: Thanks so much for stopping by. Read about what I learned while writing this book on my blog at www.mariaimbalzano.com
Deletedo you have a favorite author
ReplyDeleteI have many favorites :) I love Emily Giffin, Kristan Higgins, Kristen Hannah, and Rachel Gibson. What about you?
DeleteWhen did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
ReplyDeleteNot until I was in my early 40s. I was reading a Danielle Steele novel and she was annoying me. I said "I bet I could do this." Of course, I couldn't. It took me 15 years to learn how. :)
DeleteReturn to Wylder in the series The Wylder West by author Maria Imbalzano has an attractive front cover.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I hope you like the story. I loved writing it. This was the first book I wrote in the first person point of view.
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbi: Thank you for stopping by. I hope you get a chance to read the book. Happy 4th.
DeleteDo you listen to music when you write?
ReplyDeleteNo. I write with no distractions. If I listened to music, I would be singing along. :)
DeleteNo, I need total silence. If I listened to music, I'd be singing along and not concentrating. Lol
DeleteHappy 4th
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th to you as well. I'm heading outside to enjoy this weather. I hope you do too.
DeleteWhat is your work schedule like when you're writing?
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara: I do something writing related every day. Sometimes its marketing, but mostly it's working on a book (whether creating my blueprint for new novel, writing the first draft, editing, or dealing with problems in my work in progress. I usually work at least four to six hours a day
DeleteI'm not sure what is happening to some of my comments. I responded to everyone, but all of the responses aren't showing up. Thank you to all of you for stopping by and thanks to the host of this site for having me. I'm looking forward to spending the rest of the day reading by the pool. I hope all of you are enjoying your holiday and get a chance to read some of my books.
ReplyDeleteMaria, Blogger/Blogspot sometimes flags comments as spam which is what happened to some of your comments. I have published all the ones that were marked as spam. I think Blogger marks comments as spam if they are written too soon together. I'm not 100% sure if that's why, but that's all I can think of.
DeleteBut like I said, every comment that was marked as spam has now been published. =)
Happy Independence Day!
ReplyDeletehow old were you when you starting writing
ReplyDeleteI started writing when I was 43 although I had no idea how to write a book. I was very good at writing legal briefs for the appellate court but fiction writing was new to me. I took seminars, went to writing conferences, read how-to books and wrote 5 manuscripts before I got published.
DeleteI started writing when I was 43 although I had no idea how to write a book. I was very good at writing legal briefs for the appellate court but fiction writing was new to me. I took seminars, went to writing conferences, read how-to books and wrote 5 manuscripts before I got published.
DeleteGreat excerpt
DeleteThanks so much. I hope you get a chance to read the book. Happy summer
Deletewas it hard to choose the cover?
ReplyDeleteMy publisher has several cover artists for our books and we fill out a form as to what we would like to see on the cover. I usually look through hundreds of stock photos to get an idea of what I'd like, but the cover artist does the work after reading the form I've completed.
DeleteI'm so ready for good reads for the summer, this is on my list!
ReplyDeleteHi MargaretAnn: I'm so happy to hear this is on your list. It's a quick read, perfect for a beach or pool or lake day. Have a great summer.
DeleteHow hot is it where you live?
ReplyDeleteI live in NJ and it's been fairly hot and humid. Not unbearable. It's been in the 80s. How about where you live?
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.
ReplyDeleteabfantom at yahoo dot com
Thank you. I hope you get the chance to read it this summer. It was fun to write (but I say that about all my books - lol). I initially wrote it in 3rd person, then changed the whole thing to first person. Ugh.
DeleteWhat, to you, are the most important elements of good writing?
ReplyDeleteA good story is the most important. But I also think the dialogue should be natural and there should be no typos or incorrect words (which will take the reader out of the story).
Deletedo you have any new books in the works
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. I recently sent a manuscript, called Island Fever, to Hallmark Publishing - but I've heard nothing from them. If I don't hear soon, I will send it to other publishers. I am working on the fourth book of my Sworn Sisters Series. It's tentatively called Sworn to Collide. If you sign up for my newsletter, I will be asking my readers for their input on the title. Just go to my website to sign up if you're so inclined.
DeleteCongrats on the tour!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. This site is hopping. Lots of engagement , which I love.
DeleteDo you like to travel?
ReplyDeleteI love to travel. I've been to Italy 5 times (to all different parts), and three years ago we took a Windstar cruise from Portugal to Barcelona, then travelled by train through parts of Spain. We were just in Hawaii for 2 1/2 weeks and plan to go to Alaska next summer. I've been to Greece, but would like to explore more Greek islands. Within the U.S., we plan to take long weekend or mid-week trips to places within driving range. We recently went to towns near Old Lyme, Connecticut and spent the day in Newport, R.I. There so much to see! What about you?
DeleteWhat inspired the idea for your book?
ReplyDeleteMy publisher, The Wild Rose Press, put out a call for authors to write in the Wylder West series. Most of the books take place in the late 1800s in the fictitious town of Wylder. I used the town map and some of the old hotels and bars in writing a contemporary story for the series. Since I'm a lawyer, many of my heroines are lawyers. I didn't originally want her to be living in Wylder, so I placed her in San Francisco and came up with a reason for her to return.
DeleteMy long answer to your question isn't showing up, but I'm going to give it some time before I answer it again. Lol
DeleteMy publisher, The Wild Rose Press, put out a call for authors to write in the Wylder West series. Most of the books take place in the late 1800s in the fictitious town of Wylder. I used the town map and some of the old hotels and bars in writing a contemporary story for the series. Since I'm a lawyer, many of my heroines are lawyers. I didn't originally want her to be living in Wylder, so I placed her in San Francisco and came up with a reason for her to return.
DeleteHow did you decide on character names?
ReplyDeleteGenerally, I just pick names that I like. I have a baby name book that I used when my daughters were born, and I sometimes go through that.
DeleteI like the themes where something "old" is renovated and how it brings people together.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Then hopefully you will like the hero's goals and issues that he faces in renovating the Wylder Hotel :)
DeleteGreat! Then hopefully you will like the hero's goals and issues that he faces in renovating the Wylder Hotel :)
DeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteHow do you handle hot weather? 103 degrees today.
ReplyDeleteHi Siehan: That sounds awful. It is 75 and sunny here at the Jersey shore. If it was that hot here, I'd probably stay indoors and write.
Deletehave a great Sunday
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. You too.
Deletedo you have a favorite spot to write at
ReplyDeleteSorry, I missed this question. Yes I do. I have a home office with a great desk where I can spread out. I have a laptop and printer as well as many books on writing that I use when an issue comes up. We also have a beach house overlooking the ocean and I have a small desk there. When I need a break, I just walk on the beach. It's perfect.
DeleteSuper hot here, time to grab my book and get some iced tea.
ReplyDeleteAlthough you wrote this on July 11th when it was nice in our area, it is now July 24th and unbearable. I stayed in and read for a while. My sister is here and is in our pool, but I don't even want to do that. My daughters bought me Story Worth for Christmas where I have to answer weekly questions which will eventually turn into a book at the end of the year. I still need to answer last week's question, so I plan to do that.
DeleteReturn to Wylder by author Maria Imbalzano sounds like a book that will charm readers of western style romance.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot)com
Hi Nancy: I do hope to charm my readers. :) Thanks for posting.
DeleteDo you like to people watch?
ReplyDeleteI love to people watch. I especially like to hear snippets from conversations, because without hearing the whole thing, it is usually funny bits out of context. The beach is a perfect place to people watch where I can make up stories about them.
Deletehave a wonderful day
ReplyDeleteWhen you were a child, who were some of your favorite authors?
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Hi Nancy: I loved and read every Nancy Drew book available at our local library. It wasn't until I was older that I learned that Carolyn Keane, the author, was many authors all using the same name. I also read the Bobbsey Twins books.
DeleteWhen did you realize you wanted writing to be your career?
ReplyDeleteIt couldn't be my career until I retired from my first career as a divorce lawyer (which I did for 38 years). I did start writing while I was practicing law and was published, but I couldn't focus on writing full time until I retired.
DeleteDo you write when you're on vacation?
ReplyDeleteHi Siehan: It depends on what type of vacation. If it's a beach, resort type of vacation, then yes. If it's a sightseeing tour, then no. But when I do go on educational sightseeing vacations, I always bring a journal and write down everything. I do this not only to remember all the wonderful places we've been, but I then have the information in case I need it for a book.
Deletebest of luck with the book, it sounds amazing
ReplyDeleteenjoy your book tour
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great book!
ReplyDeleteHi Abbie: It's the perfect length for a few hours at the beach, or lake or pool or wherever. I hope you get a chance to read it.
Deletesounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favorite book to re-read?
ReplyDeletePerfect by Judith McNaught. Now that you're bringing it to my attention, I may have to pull it out and re-read it. :)
Deleteenjoy your weekend
ReplyDeleteYou too. I'm working on my fourth book in the Sworn Sisters series and its the perfect way to spend the day. Although I will have to go for a walk on the beach a little later.
DeleteLovely cover
ReplyDeleteThank you Nancy.
Deletegreat cover, congrats on the release
ReplyDeleteyou are a new author tome- after reading the excerpt -I want to read this book-thanks
ReplyDeleteI would love that! It's the first book I wrote in first person (after I had written the whole thing in third person). Lol.
DeleteDo you have any advice for new writers?
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie: Learn as much as you can from conferences, seminars, how to books and critique partners. And keep writing in the face of rejection because you will get there.
DeleteWhat time did you get up this morning?
ReplyDeleteI usually get up around 7. I have coffee, read the paper, do a crossword puzzle, go to Jazzercize, then take a shower. I'm then ready to write.
Deletesounds like an interesting read
ReplyDeleteMany people enjoy reading western romances like this one!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Do you write more or read more?
ReplyDeleteI read more. My day starts with reading the morning paper and other news online. And although I don't usually read during the day unless I'm on vacation or taking a day to myself, I do read every night before I go to bed.
DeleteWhat was your worst injury?
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie: About a month before I got married, I went to an exercise class and herniated a disc. I needed surgery which I had three weeks before our wedding. The doctor had told me we might have to postpone the wedding, but I didn't. I just made sure I did the physical therapy religiously so I was able to dance at the reception.
DeleteWhen did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara. It wasn't something that I had ever thought about until I was in my 40s. I was reading a book that was annoying me and said "I bet I could do this." Then it took me 15 years to figure out how to do it and get published. :)
Deletehow many books you written
ReplyDeleteI have nine books that are published, two in the editing stage and two that will probably remain in my drawer forever.
DeleteHappy Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing cover.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bridgett. So glad you like it. Diana Carlisle created it.
DeleteWho is your greatest champion?
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie: Do you mean supporter or someone I aspire to emulate? If you mean supporter, that would be my mom. She's 95, still drives and hands out my bookmark to everyone she meets. Lol.
Deletehope you are enjoying your summer
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday!
ReplyDeleteWhat author do you most admire?
ReplyDeleteThere are so many wonderful authors, that I don't think I can answer that. Do you have an author you most admire?
DeleteDo you have kids?
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie: I have two daughters and now three granddaughters. Both of my daughters live nearby so I get to see them all the time. That makes me so happy!
Deletehave a great weekend
ReplyDeleteWhat is your latest obbession?
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie: Trying to exercise enough to burn off enough calories so I don't gain weight. It's a daily battle.
Deletewas it hard to choose the cover
ReplyDeleteI don't get to choose my cover. The publisher sends us a form to complete about what we would like to cover to look like. Then they send the completed form to the cover artist assigned to my book, and that person creates it. I do look at stock images so I can send the cover artist a representation of what I'm thinking.
DeleteThanks for the contest.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Ed. Good luck.
DeleteEnjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbi: I hope you enjoy your weekend. too. It is sweltering hot here in NJ. Today's temp is 98, but it feels like 105. I'm staying in, although i did got to the Paint Your Own Pottery place with my daughter and granddaughters who wanted to get out of their house for a while.
DeleteHow do you decide on a title?
ReplyDeleteIt's very difficult. Sometimes a title will come to me through a song. My book "Dancing in the Sand" came from lyrics from Elton John's "Tiny Dancer." My book "Unchained Memories" came from "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers. The Sworn Sisters Series came about because the four friends in the books called themselves the sworn sisters in high school. As a result, I decided that each book should have the word "sworn" in it (Sworn to Forget, Sworn to Remember, Sworn to Fly). I'm wrestling with the title for the fourth manuscript.
Deletelove this cover, so pretty
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
ReplyDeleteI love a good romance!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great night!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday!
ReplyDeleteHave you read Err by Stephen King?
ReplyDeleteNo. Did you like it? the only book I read by Stephen King was called "On Writing".
Deletewho is your inspiration
ReplyDeleteI don't know. Sorry. :(
DeleteHappy Monday!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday
ReplyDeleteI think I would have a hard time putting this book down after starting to read it.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fine book for those who love western romances.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favorite type of candy?
ReplyDeleteAre you working on another book?
ReplyDeletesounds like a wonderful book
ReplyDeleteWhat caused you to start writing?
ReplyDeleteWhat time of day is your most productive for writing?
ReplyDeleteMorning is my favorite time to write
DeleteHappy to find a new to me author, I need more summer reads.
ReplyDeletesuch a wonderful cover, so pretty
ReplyDeleteThat red dress against the yellow background really makes this book cover pop!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Happy Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favourite breakfast treat?
ReplyDeleteChocolate covered donuts. Yum!
DeleteDo you make writing notes on your phone when you're out and about?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea but no. I’m not generally thinking about writing when I’m out.
Deletethanks this sounds very interesting
ReplyDeletelooks like a fun one
ReplyDeleteIt would be emotionally difficult to sell your family's law practice.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Do you have any pets?
ReplyDeleteI had two cats. They were really my daughters' cats, but when they went away to college, they became mine. They would both cram onto my writing desk, lay on my papers or books (or my typing arm) and fall asleep. They both died and I never got another one.
DeleteHappy Thursday!
ReplyDeleteAre you glad or sad when a book is finished?
ReplyDeleteThank you again for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletethanks the giveaway has been fun
ReplyDeleteSounds great, I like the cover and excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. And thanks for stopping by. Good luck in the raffle.
DeleteThank you for a chance to win!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Abbie. If you sign up for my newsletter on my website, you will have a chance to win something almost every month.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to all of you in the raffle. I bought a megamillions lottery ticket today. I need luck as well. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of beverage do you like to keep on hand while writing?
ReplyDeleteWhat is your pets' names?
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
ReplyDelete