Featured Interview With Author Maria Imbalzano
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am an award-winning contemporary romance/women's fiction author who writes about strong, independent women and the men who fall in love with them. In my previous life, I was a divorce attorney, handling highly contentious matters for over thirty years. I must say that writing romance novels is a lot more fun.
I'm a member of New Jersey Romance Writers, and have received many honors for my books including the ACRA Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence Award, the NEST (National Excellence in Story Telling) Award, Still Moments Magazine Readers’ Choice Award, Long and Short Reviews Book of the Month Award, The Carolyn Award and the Wisconsin Romance Writers Write Touch Readers Award. My books have also been finalists for the New England Readers’ Choice Award, the NJ Romance Writers Golden Leaf Award, the RONE Award, the Beverley Award, and the Book Buyers Best Award.
My non-writing honors include the distinguished Family of Edison Award for my work with The Thomas Edison State University Foundation, the Iron Mike Professional Achievement Award from Trenton Catholic Academy and I was inducted into the Italian American National Hall of Fame.
Born in Trenton, NJ, I grew up in Hamilton and now live in Lawrenceville with my husband. I am thrilled that my two adult daughters have become strong, independent women like the heroines in my books.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I loved books since I could read at age 4. I went to the library every week and borrowed as many books as possible, preferring to stay in the house and enter someone else's fictitious world, than go outside to play with my neighborhood friends. Although my love of reading continued throughout my school years and beyond, I hated to write. I was a disaster when it came to homework compositions. I was not very creative. It wasn't until law school that I learned how to write – but legal writing is very analytical and linear – not exactly the blueprint for novels. I didn't start writing fiction until my early 40's. Unfortunately, I had a full time career, young children, and was on several boards, so the timing wasn't ideal. It took me fifteen years to figure it all out and finally sign a publishing contract. Persistence was key.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite genres are contemporary romance and women's fiction. My favorite authors are Kristen Higgins, Emily Giffin, Rachel Gibson, Kristin Hannah, and Judith McNaught. However, I will read just about anything except paranormal/fantasy. Even with that exception, I loved Twilight and The Hunger Games. I also like historical romance and historical fiction. The story itself is what brings the reader into the author's world, but I also get inspired by good writing. When a turn of phrase or description is particularly compelling, I'll bookmark the page on my kindle or highlight the lines in my print book. There's so much to learn.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My new release, Return to Wylder, is part of the Wylder West series published by The Wild Rose Press. Most of the books in this series take place in the late 1800s in the fictitious town of Wylder, Wyoming, near Cheyenne. My book is the only one so far in this series that is contemporary. I used the same map of the town for the street names and some of the buildings and businesses. There are still ranches and farms on the outskirts of town, but my story revolves around a law office, the municipal offices, the Wylder Hotel, the Five Star Saloon, and the Vincent House Hotel and Restaurant. My heroine, EJ Hampton, grew up in Wylder, but left when she went off to college, then law school. Although she had anticipated returning at some point, issues from the past have kept her away. Until now.
I love writing novellas (about 120 pages), especially in a series that has a theme. I wrote "The Blueberry Swirl Waltz" for the One Scoop or Two series, "A Song For Another Day" for the Deerbourne Inn series, and "Red Velvet Crinkles and Christmas Sprinkles" for the Christmas Cookies series. All of these novellas have won awards, so I may be onto something. I like that I can write these books in three to four months – a third of the time it takes to write a full length novel. Even so, I will continue to write both, depending on the story.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles
Maria Imbalzano Twitter Account
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