This is a Tag Team Event.
I’ll be giving away two paperback copies of Joshua’s Folly, along with canvas totes and some swag, and some hot chocolate to keep ya warm (US Only), generously provided by Taylor Dean. Also, an ebook copy of Joshua’s Folly to two International; or US winners. After entering my giveaway, head on over to Sherry’s blog at fundinmental for another chance to win!
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Taylor Dean is as awesome as her stories. I’ve received signed paperbacks of each book I reviewed and she sent them in these cute cloth pouches and stuffed in other goodies.
She has her own signature cover art for her romance series and her paranormal series and I’d recognize her books anywhere.
Her blog is always fun to visit and her picture memes are thoughtful and fun. I especially like to think of a song to match the picture she posts on her Wordless Wednesdays.
Check out her blog and tell her hi!
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My Review
This romance story starts in tragedy.
Marisa was 11 years old when she lost her family and found sanctuary with her foster family. It was hard for her to adjust and she was plagued with fears and bad dreams.
One thing gave her peace. A picture of her foster mothers nephew, Joshua. He was not much older than her and she kept his picture under her pillow, creating a fantasy life with him.
Marisa is a young woman now and she’s going to spend the summer with Josh and his daughter, Bethany at his ranch She’s finally going to meet her dream man. The man she’s been in love with for so many years.
Will fate make her dreams come true, or will it end in folly?
There are two meanings in the title, Joshua’s Folly. One is the arbor Joshua built for his daughter. A beautiful floral garden, a place to sit and take in mother nature and play safely.
The other folly you’ll discover when you read the book.
This is a simple romance, with a few complications, mostly insecurity and fear of being hurt again.
Once these three start to get to know each other, they all come out of their shells, connecting and emerging from their cocoons.
I particularly liked the breakfast debates they shared. One of them chose the topic and debated it until a winner emerged. Lively conversation and laughter was good medicine for all of them.
I also thought Marisa’s food fetish was funny. She could mix together the most unlikely combinations and eat it with relish, while Josh and Bethany looked on in horror. Made me laugh and wonder what it tasted like. Was it good, or was she just a good actor?
The romance is sweet and the characters trying to mesh as a family and heal together was charming. I’m keeping my hopes up for these guys.
This is a great summer read for by the pool, or in keeping with the weather, an easy to follow story to read while snuggled up with a hot cup of chocolate.
3 STARS
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDAXyG3Tasw]
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Synopsis
Can you fall in love with a picture?
After Marisa survives a traumatic experience in her youth, she finds comfort in the form of a photograph of Joshua, her foster mother’s nephew. She falls in love with him, creating and refining an image of the man of her dreams. When Marisa has the opportunity to visit Joshua’s cattle ranch outside of Amarillo, Texas, she meets Joshua in person for the first time. She quickly realizes he is someone she could really fall in love with, not just a silly childhood crush.
Life is seemingly perfect for Josh and Marisa, with endless possibilities before them. That is, until Josh’s reservations take a toll on their relationship and their summertime romance ends rather unexpectedly.
Will Marisa be able to forgive Josh for his folly?
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Author Taylor Dean
Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding that she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary, or suspense—you’ll find all sub-genres of romance in her line-up.
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To two US winners: a signed paperback of Joshua’s Folly, tote bag, two bookmarks, two hot chocolate packets
To two International or US winners: an ebook copy of Joshua’s Folly (kindle only)
To enter, please leave your email address with your comment so I can contact you if you win and answer this question:
“What book made you fall in love with reading?”
This is a Tag Team Event hosted by myself and Sherry at fundinmental.
You can visit Sherry’s blog for another chance to win and see what she thinks about Joshua’s Folly HERE.
Giveaway ends February 17th.
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!
To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!
Nice review Laura. It’s funny reading yours and seeing the similarities and differences. I laughed when I saw we both started out the same way, talking about the folly. Between us both, I think we covered all the bases. I’ll be back later and see what’s shaking. ^_^
Just got back from emailing Fayth and heading over to yours now!
Can’t wait to see how we differ. Thanks She!
I I’ve been reading since I was three, so I can’t even remember what book made me love reading so much. I’ve never read a book I didn’t like. I love, love, LOVE this cover, and the book sounds so good, definitely going on my TBR! sdoyle@sucocoopwb.com
Check out Taylor’s other books. You’ll get to recognize the cover art and they are all elegant and charming.
Lovely review Lauren I love the meaning behind the title and the romance sounds delightful. Sometimes second chance romances are the sweetest.
Thanks so much. It’s easy to write a review for such a delightful and fun story.
I love the picture you chose to represent the folly, Laura. Just beautiful–and so is your review. Thank you.
I wish I was an artist and could have painted the folly I pictured in my mind!
Joshua’s Folly warmed my heart and my toes:)
I fell in love with reading at a very young age. I loved the velvitene rabbit. It was this book that I first learned how emotional you could get from a book. I was hooked! I became a huge bookworm.
Reading gave me imaginary worlds to live in to escape my real life childhood. The very first books I remember are Encyclopedia Brown series when I was in elementary school. Then as I grew older V.C. Andrews’ Flowers in the Attic and J.R.R. Tolkien ‘s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series. I have been hooked on fantasy genres ever since.
It seems we read a lot of the same books:)
Mine was a book about a baby hippo. I can’t find it on the internet anywhere or I would buy it again.
I didn’t read that much at school except what was required at me. I read in my twenties, I soaked up Stephen King novels as he was at the top of the charts and then I went into Koontz. I think what made me fall madly in love with book and reading was The Giver which was about 12 years ago. I was surprised that I could such a small book could have such a big impact on my life. Since then, I have branched off into different genres and I my love of reading has grown.
I fell in love with Stephen King as a teen. Found my horror fix then. Koontz is excellent too. I like his new books a lot.
I fell in love with reading a series when I read The Black Stallion Series by Walter Farley.
When my children were small I did not have much money so a walk to the library & some books for us was our treat. Reading to the kids brought us closer & instilled in them a love of reading which they both have to this day. I have also kept my love for reading & have a TBR list a mile long!
Joshua’s Folly, from your review, sounds like a book I would enjoy. I appreciate the giveaway, thanks!!
When I was growing up the library was our special treat and I still maintain that love of quiet, wandering the aisles, pulling books off the shelves at random and sitting down on the floor to browse my choices.