Every little girl has dreams. Some of them can see their futures clearly. What they will choose for a career. Where they will travel. Whom they will marry. The names of their [insert number here] children. They can see the white picket fence or the New York City skyline or the mountaintop where they will live.
Ah. Blissful dreams.
Ava Santoro definitely had dreams. She grew up in a firmly middle-class household in the (fictional) neighborhood of Bridgeview in Spokane, Washington, the middle child of three. Her older brother, Peter, was the perfect firstborn who made his dreams of creating an organic food box program a reality. Her younger sister, Dafne, botched her dreams as a teen by becoming pregnant, but is tracking with new dreams of becoming a high school English teacher, which, by the time her toddler is in school, will help align their schedules.
But… Ava. As a small child, she lived for music and dance. She fondly remembers her earliest teachers and mentors. She could be that for others, and so she got her teaching degree in music.
As her author, I admittedly took some liberties with the Spokane school system, whereby elementary schools might have a day every week where a music teacher might visit and teach each grade individually, meaning it might take five schools to create a full-time job for this sort of teacher.
Insert a ripple in Ava’s perfect dream, because she only has three schools… and therefore a point-six income.
In Ava’s dreams, she will meet Mr. Perfectly Right any day now. In her words, he will be as pure as the driven snow, like she is. But she’s twenty-six, and he hasn’t come along yet. Also, most of the teachers in her schools are women, and the few men are married. Now where is she going to meet her dream man?
When she spins away from her annoying cousin and into the arms of a very surprised server at her other cousin’s wedding dance, she knows she has not met Mr. Perfectly Right. The server meets exactly nothing on her checklist. He has a tattoo. Gasp. He admits to needing a full-time job. Uh oh.
He’s gorgeous and can dance as well as some of the professionals she’s worked with. He also quickens her heart, but he walks away without asking for her contact info.
Seth Donahue knows he is no woman’s dream-come-true. He’s a prodigal son who returned to the fold mere months before his dad and stepmom died, leaving him with his two half-sisters to raise. He’s struggling with the girls’ grief, his own guilt, and his despair at dropping out of college for a second time and struggling to make ends meet.
He has no business dreaming of a future with the gorgeous Ava Santoro, who has everything together when he most definitely does not.
And so begins the story of a sheltered good-girl and a guy whose only diploma is from the school of hard knocks. How can they dance their way to a dream-come-true?
Dance and music teacher Ava Santoro has led a sheltered life, and she likes it that way. Now she’s ready for Mr. Perfectly Right to come her way. He’ll be a kindred spirit, a gentle, bookish guy, and a life-long Christian. Not someone like the somewhat-reformed temporary worker in her favorite refuge this summer.
Seth Donahue is scrambling to gain permanent guardianship of his two half-sisters. Too bad he’s dropped out of college — twice — and is struggling to find flexible employment. When his new neighbor offers him a job in Bridgeview’s food forest, he’s surprised to discover he enjoys working with edible plants. He didn’t expect to meet a vivacious dancer who challenges him to choose joy over dulling the pain of his past.
When Ava discovers Seth’s background, it might be too late to guard her heart. How can Seth convince her he’s a changed man?
While Joys of Juniper is Book 11 in the Urban Farm Fresh Romance series, it can be read as a standalone. It’s currently on pre-order for 25% off and will release April 13 on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited.
Interested in getting an early peek at Joys of Juniper? I’m offering two readers an advance review copy (e-book only, worldwide). If you’d like to put your name in the hat, please comment before Sunday, March 14. Winner will be announced in the next Sunday Edition. The prize will be awarded via Bookfunnel later in March.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
What is one thing you dreamed of as a child that you’ve actually accomplished? Or, what dream did you once have that now makes you laugh or cry because it didn’t come true?
**The ballet dreamer image is from Pixabay.
PS: Like to binge-read series? There’s a great Spring Break Sale happening RIGHT NOW at my website with twenty series bundles on sale, some of them 90% off! Two series of mine, several from other Inspy Romance authors, and more from other Christian contemporary romance authors. Don’t miss it. :)
One of my childhood dreams was to be able to play the piano! Thanks to Covid and YouTube videos I was able to reawaken the dream and am now playing better than I ever did.
My childhood dream was to become a writer. I am working hard to finally make that dream come true. Another childhood dream was to travel around the world and visit all the countries of the world, lol. Of course, none of that is coming true now because of Covid-19.
I wanted to own a bed and breakfast. Alas it never happened.
Oh, wow, this book sounds good!! My dream that hasn’t come true is getting married and having children. I’m definitely over the children part (I’m close to 60) but I still wouldn’t mind the getting married part! The dream I really didn’t think to dream is having my own proofreading business.
I dreamed of being a flight attendant so I could travel.
I am thrilled by the new Urban Farm Fresh Romance coming out! I love this series!
That was once a dream of mine, too! But I didn’t want to put in the work. I guess I still don’t, since the dream fell away a long time ago. Good for you, acting on it!
I wanted to be a teacher as a child. I also wanted to teach piano. I taught piano lessons for most of my adult life. I was an assistant pre-school teacher, and I was an AVID tutor at a high school for several years. Mission accomplished. :) I did teach music in at a school for one year, but I didn’t actually like teaching an entire class at once.
Your book sounds great! I took ballet and sang growing up. Got into college with a vocal scholarship.
Yay for accomplishing the dream of writing! It didn’t occur to me as a child that real people wrote stories. I’m not sure where I thought they came from! Traveling… maybe your new dream should be to read a story set in every country of the world, since traveling is less possible these days. You might have to write a few of them yourself!
I’ve been intrigued with that idea myself! Alas, I’m an introvert married to an introvert, so this one is unlikely to ever come to fruition…
Not all dreams come true (((((hugs))))). Congrats on making new dreams a reality. :)
Did it happen? Did you get to travel a lot? Not so much in the last year, I’m guessing!
Yay, thank you!
It sounds like you and Ava (my character) have a lot in common :)
I had wanted to own a sprawling horse ranch, all with Arabian bloodlines but not necessarily purebred, with indoor arenas, large 2 story house and of course dogs, german shepherds. My dream was to provide horses for kids who needed them, through high school. They would do chores associated with taking care of their horse but it would be their’s to ride and show during their school career. That would have taken a ton of money so was never more than a very big deeam. I haven’t really been around horses since my 20s either
Aw, that sounds like an amazing dream!
This book looks so interesting! I want to publish a book someday, this is a dream I’ve had since I was a kid and I am still hoping. I just need to find the time to write. 😅
This sounds like a really good book! I had more dreams as a child than would have ever been possible. I did get married & have kids although neither was quite what I expected. I did always want to cook & bake for my family which I did do-the typical “housewife” I believed was the most important thing my Momma (& grandmas) did & that I wanted to do just like her. She was my best and most important role model!
That sounds like such a good book, thank you for sharing! I always dreamed of being a performer as a little kid but I never have.
I grew up getting to know a lot of missionaries, so when God asked if I was available for whatever He wanted, it was easy to say “yes!” My husband and I are now retired after 19 years in Hong Kong, 3 in Cambodia, and another 7 years living in the US and making trips 1-2 times a year in administrative roles.
Love your books, and look forward to this new one!!
When I was in first or second grade, I dreamed of becoming a gymnast. I bought a leotard and tights, got a book on cassette about ribbon dancing, and created my own routines. My parents — who were poorer than I realized — even sacrificed to pay for gymnastic lessons for me. When I tried to show off for my mom and ended up getting the wind knocked out of me, I refused to ever go back. I wish I had.
Oooh, I am looking forward to reading this one!
Do it, Angeline! I put it off for years, too, and I wish I hadn’t. Time never magically appears. It has to be created and carved out. :)
I dreamed of being a teacher!
Being a wife and mom (and now grandma to four amazing grandgirls) is one of my happiest things, too. I was a SAHM and entered the workforce part-time when my kids were in school, and now I’ve been working from home for over eight years. My happy place :)
What kind of performer? Acting, singing, playing an instrument, being a standup comedian… ? :D
Three of my sisters have been career missionaries and are now mostly retired. I think retiring from missions is as hard as retiring from being a parent!
Aw, I’m sorry you gave up your dream! But most of us do — probably all of us — at one point or another. Sometimes it’s for a different dream, but it’s still sad to ponder what might have been!
Thank you! I hope you love it. :)
Did you become one? Now I want to know!
Hi Valerie! Joys of Jupiter is preordered and so looking forward to another story in my favorite series. As a child, I wanted to be a teacher. I tutored my friends in German, started teaching Sunday School at 14 (3 year olds, the upper elementary), received my teaching degree and taught all grade levels (grades 1 thru community college) in 7 different school systems, both public and private, rural and metropolitan for 35 years. After being retired for 8 years, due to Covid, I am now bus driver, lunch lady, and teaching coach to my 3 grandkids grades 1, 7, and 10. Spring is in the air. Snow is melted. Birds are singing. Warmer temperatures and sunshine. So needed after one year of Covid. Glad to be outdoors again. Best wishes and Happy Writing.
This book sounds like a very good read, and I love the book cover, I will be looking forward to it. Have a rest of the week and stay safe.
Please add my name to a virtual hat ;)
What is one thing you dreamed of as a child that you’ve actually accomplished? I became an accountant – LOVE numbers!
What dream did you once have that now makes you laugh or cry because it didn’t come true? To have two kids…hm…kind of over accomplished – we have four lol
Good for you, making your teaching dream come true!
I hope you enjoy it :) I love the cover, too.
Somebody needs to love numbers!
My plan was by the time I was 25 I would have gone to college, started my career & gotten married. Yeah, didn’t work out quite that way, haha! But you know what, God had bigger plans for my life & I’ve learned He has my best interest at heart. I might not have gone to college like I wanted or had my dream career (I don’t even know what that was), but I’ve had a full life nonetheless.
I’m sure there are childhood dreams I had that never came true, but looking back, I’ve been abundantly blessed! And I know I’m right where God wants me to be right now :-)
And that’s the main thing, right?!?!
I wanted to be a mom as a child and that dream has come true! I also wanted to be an caress, and that definitely did not! It’s not something I’d ever want now though, so it all worked out.
Did you mean actress? But yes, being a mom is great, but it’s just a steppingstone to being a grandma! LOL.
I dreamed of getting married and having several kids. None of which happened. At one stage I was really depressed due to still being single at 30 (and as many in a church situation will know people treat you differently when you are still single and have no boyfriend, I even got asked what was wrong with me and told my standards are to high and thats why no one wanted to marry me)
I’m not sure why people tend to rudely decide that one size should fit all. Grr. I’m sorry you’ve gone through that.
Oh, yes!!!!!! I wasn’t told by church members, but I had an uncle tell me I was too picky!! He backed off when I told him I could do like others in the family and get pregnant without getting married. I was NOT serious, as that’s not what I wanted and both of us knew that’s not what God wanted, either. My uncle changed his tune really quick! However, even to this day, if you’re single at our church and over 35, they don’t know what to do with you even for a Sunday School class.
I always dreamed of being married with children. We have been married for 32 years, but we were never blessed with children. We have had dogs and cats who have received our love and attention. In many ways, they have become the children we never were blessed with.
The church needs to do better. Not just your church, THE church. ((hug))
Family is a dream we can’t always control, right?
I dreamed of becoming published, and I was.
A lovely dream!
I found the young marrieds often arranged things and I wasn’t invited although we were friends. Someone in the church said you know why don’t you. (I am not sure if they thought what I worked out or not but its either they envy a singles freedom or they are threatened you will steal their husband which are both osburd).
Even when they had a combined singles group for all churches it was all try to match people up which is not what so many wanted. many of us just wanted fellowship and a chance to go out without being set up. I also find being single you get forgotten. (That is single never married. widowed or even divorced especially if you have children or family get a lot of more support.)
I dreamt of singing and playing beautiful music, alas I sound like a scalded cat and being tone deaf means I can only enjoy others creating beautiful music.
I wish I couldn’t relate to this so well! As a teen, my friends were the band and choir group, and if I could have had one wish come true back then, it would have been to sing. Alas, I fit into the joyful noise category. SIGH!
Jenny, I’m so sorry. I wish I thought it was your overactive imagination, but I feel and know the absolute truth in your words. While it’s natural (and not necessarily wrong) to hang out with people with whom you have a lot in common, there are so very many places of intersection besides marital status: hobbies, love of movies/art/theater, travel, life experiences…. the list goes on and on. And yet I don’t do a good job of reaching out to my single friends, either. I blame it on introversion (and now, of course, covid) but in reality, I just get wrapped up in my life and don’t look around me. I’m sorry.
My dreams were muddled as a young person. I found, in hindsight, that many of them have have come true but in unexpected ways. I wanted to be an actor and I have been just not as a central part of my life. I wanted to get an advanced degree and teach. No degree but I have had lots of opportunities to teach and mentor. One that I didn’t even understand until well into my adult years was that I didn’t want to be alone. God put me together with a wonderful wife who is so well suited to me that we say we have one brain between us. Of course, now that we are in our 60’s, she gets it one day and I get it the next. :)
when it comes to larger gatherings you will find me in a corner or often on the sidelines or chatting with people I get on well with. In a smaller group I do much better (the exception is at the Cricket where you talk to everyone around you). I have a friend from church I go out to lunch with at times (she takes me shopping when I need to buy more than I can carry on the bike or walking). I also am a bit of a loner so can handle being home but I do like to be able to phone someone if needed.
You’ll usually find me on the sidelines as well! Total introvert over here.
Ha ha. When I ask my husband for billionth time what kind of bird or tree “that” is, he sometimes reminds me he’s told me… a billion times. Basically but politely, “don’t you remember anything I tell you???” And the answer is that my personal hard drive is too full of such important details as my childhood license plate number, so there isn’t room for this sort of info. And besides, he’s my flash drive. He can store it, and I can access when needed. Why doesn’t this work for both of us?!?
I hadn’t seen the cover for this one, but it’s really cute and I like it! And that blurb definitely sounds intriguing. A dream I had as a child was to be a vet, but I’m just glad it never got to happen (and that my mom nixed it pretty early) since I wouldn’t have had what it takes to take care of animals properly.
One of my grandgirls (age 8) wants to be a vet. I guess we’ll see if the passion sticks with her or not!