Maria Imbalzano's UNCHAINED MEMORIES || Book Spotlight

As a rising medical malpractice attorney, Charlotte Taylor believes in standing up for the injured, giving them a voice, and advocating for their rights. She couldn't do it for her mother, so she does it for others, even if it means losing the love of her life.

Dr. Clayton Montgomery believes in working hard and playing even harder, until he reconnects with Charlotte. Barely noticing her crush when he tutored her ten years ago, Clay has a chance to make up for lost time when the beautiful lawyer comes back into town...until he discovers her chosen career path.

Now, philosophical differences soon become a reality and Charlotte is faced with the choice of representing a client against the hospital and against Clay. Will Charlotte give up her career and her tribute to her mother for a second chance with the man who got away?

To purchase UNCHAINED MEMORIES, you can go to:

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Author Bio:

Maria Imbalzano is a matrimonial lawyer in central New Jersey where she not only uses her law degree to navigate her clients through the court system, but her psychology degree to guide them through their personal struggles. While writing motions, legal memoranda, and briefs is fascinating, it pales in comparison to creating memorable characters and taking them on their emotional journeys.

In addition to practicing law and writing fiction, Maria enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters either at home or at the Jersey Shore.

For more information, you can go to my website at http://www.mariaimbalzano.com

Read an excerpt from UNCHAINED MEMORIES...

Excerpt:

Charlotte dashed into her condo, threw her briefcase on the floor and stripped her clothes as she hustled to the bedroom.  The clock flashed six-fifteen and even though she wasn’t much of a primper, that gave her less than thirty minutes to make herself look . . . look what? 

This wasn’t a date.  It was a casual dinner with an old friend, as Clay had made a point of enforcing when he’d called.  And she’d agreed.  Yet, her heart danced as she jumped into the shower. 

After having washed the wear of the day away, she opted for a wrap-around navy dress which clung, she hoped, in the right places.  Yes, it was Thursday and yes, there were no expectations of a date, but they were meeting at Zoey’s, a five-star restaurant in the center of town.  Why not look nice?

With a minute to spare, Charlotte entered the muted vestibule, her stomach somersaulting at the thought of spending the evening with her former crush.  But no matter how many times she’d admonished herself to simmer down, it hadn’t worked.

She needed to act cool, disinterested, aloof. Which had never been difficult with anyone else she dated.  There was that word again.  This is not a date.  And even if it was, Annie had indicated Clay’s reputation was that of a player, although it hadn’t been confirmed.  In reality, he could be in a serious relationship, or gay.  A laugh escaped at that thought.  Impossible.  Clay had too much testosterone, not to mention, unending charm and sophistication where women were concerned.

“Charley, you made it.”  His voice flowed through her senses.

She turned toward him and her breath caught in her throat.  He had on a charcoal gray suit, white shirt and a navy tie. Oh, so sexy.

She leaned in, accepting a cordial kiss on her cheek. 

“We have a table in the corner.” 

They followed the maître d’ and Charlotte amusedly watched ladies’ heads turn, following Clay in his wake.  How did he do that?

Sorry, ladies, but for the next two hours he’s mine.  She couldn’t help the self-satisfied smile that insinuated itself on her lips.

Candlelight gave the room a soft, romantic glow, and large vases of fresh flowers were strategically placed on tall tables around the restaurant.  Very elegant.  Clay held her chair, and she eased into it, begging for every feminine charm she might have hidden within, to display itself at the right time.  Obviously, her lecture to herself was not working. 

“You look beautiful,” he said as he sat across from her.

She looked into his gorgeous green eyes and almost repeated the compliment.  “Thank you,” she said instead.

His thick, dark brown hair hadn’t a strand of gray and his expensive looking suit molded itself to his slim, toned physique.  Maybe he had a few laugh lines around his eyes, but they made him look even better.

“So, other than working at Princeton General, what have you been doing for the past ten years?” she asked, steering the conversation toward a more personal exchange.

He arched an eyebrow.  “Are you asking about my love-life?”

Her face burned at his pointed question.  He obviously knew what she was after.  And now she was embarrassed to admit it.  But she wasn’t going to let on.  Staying cool in uncomfortable situations was a trait of a good lawyer, and she had been practicing it since she’d started law school.

“Is that what you’d like to talk about?”  Turning the question back on the questioner always seemed to work.

He smiled.  A perfect smile.  “There’s not much to say about that topic.”

His response annihilated her cool calmness and replaced it with unrestrained curiosity.  

Just then a waiter approached and, after consulting with Charlotte, Clay ordered a bottle of wine.  When he left, Clay gave her a knowing grin. “You couldn’t drink when I knew you before.”

“Must you remind me?”

“Sorry.”  Light sparked in his eyes. 

“Getting back to my question . . .”

“Yes, my personal life.  Never married, no kids, no girlfriend.”  He chuckled.  “I guess I have no personal life.”

“Is this a recent problem, or have you been a hermit since I left?”

“Not a hermit.  But I don’t have time for a relationship.”

She inwardly sighed.  While problematically ecstatic that he wasn’t connected to someone, she wanted to know more.  Had he been in a long term relationship?  Had his girlfriend broken his heart, or he hers?  Did he avoid commitment at all costs or was he just going through a dry spell and using lack of time as an excuse?  While she wanted to pull information out of him, she didn’t want him to think she cared one way or another.  More questions would just indicate more interest.  She tamped down her innate nature to keep going and opened her menu.

The waiter came back with their wine, uncorked it and poured, advising them he’d be back in a few minutes to take their order.

“What about you?”  Clay picked up his wine and clinked her glass.

“What about me?”  Two could play this game.

“I know you were alone a few weeks ago at the Cancer Society Gala, but you never said if you were seeing someone.  I’m assuming you’re not married.”

“Your assumption would be correct.”

“Engaged?  Living with the love of your life?”

If he only knew he’d held that lofty position at one time. 

“None of the above.  I was involved with someone after law school, but it ended when I moved back here.”

“So, the boyfriend didn’t follow you here?”

Charlotte laughed.  “No, thank God.  We were over way before we ended it.”  Of course, that was her fault, but no need to point out her flaws.

Clay shrugged.  “Love is blind, as they say.”

His eyes held hers and she felt a connection so strong, so intimate, she couldn’t, wouldn’t, let go.