To Win a Prince

GIVEAWAY

SHILOH, TONI

TO WIN A PRINCE

Can she stop herself from falling before she's too far gone?

As a fashion aficionado and best friend to the queen of the African Island country Oloro Ile, Iris Blackly dreams of using her talent to start a sustainable clothing line to help citizens in impoverished areas and honour the country's resources. But when she discovers that Ekon Diallo -- the man who betrayed her best friend -- will be her business consultant, the battle between her desires and reality begins.

Ekon Diallo has lost everything: his princely title, his material possessions, his friends, and the respect of his fellow Olorans. To pay for his actions agains Oloro Ile, he's forced to assist the charismatic Iris Blakely -- but recant allow his heart to distract him from regaining his status.

Though they come from vastly different worlds, Iris and Ekon are both determined to reach their goals, and the only way to do that is to work together -- if they can just keep their hearts from getting in the way.

My Review:

I'm beyond gobsmacked. Am stunned into a state of bibliophile stupefaction of which I may never recover. Phew! Let's see if I can gather my thoughts and turn them into words that make sense when all I feel capable of is jumping up and down and screaming "Read this book! Now!!!" (Yes, I can be a bit of a drama queen when it comes to reading.)

So...first off, 'To Win a Prince' is the sequel to 'In Search of a Prince' which released earlier this year. It can definitely be read as a standalone BUT this book starts out with a major spoiler from the ending of the first book. So, if you intend to read 'In Search of a Prince' (and I highly recommend that you do because it is sooooooooo amazing!) definitely read it first. And don't even read the synopsis to this book until you've finished.

This is Iris's story -- best friend of the Queen and American ex-pat who has set up an ambitious fashion business in Oloro Ile. Honestly, the world building the author has done for this imaginary island country is incredible! From the language to the names to the culture. And her descriptions bring it all vividly to life but the 'foreigness' never drowns out the story. Rather, it enhances and lends a bit of a fairy tale quality to this contemporary romance.

And this one comes with all kinds of forbidden romance vibes. There are reasons...so many reasons...why Iris should stay clear of Ekon (pronounced like acorn without the 'r'.) I'm not going to list any of those reasons because you need to live and breath their love story in 'real time' right along with them. So emotional! So uplifting! And swoon worthy!

The funny thing about this hero is he does not start out as hero material. He's arrogant and entitled and bitter and completely messed up. But somehow, Shiloh writes him in such a sympathetic light that I gravitated towards him even at his worst. She does that partly through humour -- think entitled prince trying to cope in the real world for the first time. But Shiloh also lets us glimpse the true hero's heart buried within and just aching to reveal itself.

I was an emotional basket case by the end of the story. I connected with Ekon in a way I didn't think possible when I read the first book. Such a powerful redemptive story! There is absolutely no hiding the fact that this is unapologetically a work of Christian Fiction. Iris brings everything to the Lord -- not always with perfect timing or saintly patience, but it's evident that she's in a relationship with the Almighty. 

"A woman who wore her heart on her sleeve and had no problem loaning it to others in need." (p133) That's how Ekon sees Iris. And recognizes the deep chasm that separates them. But he's on a journey...or more like running from God's pursuit!...and the way Shiloh eventually brings them together into an equally yoked partnership is sweet, sweet perfection.

Honestly, I try so hard not make absolute statements when it comes to rating books but I can't stop myself from saying To Win a Prince takes first place on my 2022 best reads list.

Oh, and though I got a print copy from the publisher, I went ahead and purchased the audible edition (as in preordered and hit play the second my eyes popped open on release day!) Truly incredible performance by narrator Tamika Katon-Donegal. Listening to her Oloran accent brought such authenticity to the story. I kept wanting to do a google search for Oloro Ile and plan an extravagant holiday. lol

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

Goal Update: #5 Diversify my reading, #6 Stay current with series

 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  To Win a Prince , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 24 2022 . Offer open to