diverse fiction

Finally Accepted

On tour with Celebrate Lit!

There’s only one thing Chloe Smith has ever wanted: family. Yet the DNA results she’s received have thrown her life into a tailspin. Her utmost desire has ended up being the catalyst for shaking her faith. She doesn’t even know who she is anymore, and she’s certainly too messed up for her longtime crush to give her more than a second glance.

Darryl Jones is struggling between his past and the grace God so freely offers. His sins feel too big for him to handle, let alone expect the woman of his dreams to accept. Chloe is the only woman he’s ever wanted and the one he doesn’t deserve.

As they form a tentative relationship and examine their faith, Chloe and Darryl ache to know they are finally accepted and fully loved.

My Review

Chloe is caught between two worlds. She grew up identifying as black and when she finds out he father is Caucasian finds her identity in turmoil. I can’t imagine being in the place where what I believed about myself my whole life was called into question. Chloe wrestles with finding her identity in God rather than her skin color or genetics. She wrestles with loss, bullying, rejection, and doubt that God is a good Father.

Darryl struggles with accepting that he is good enough with God’s grace. I like how throughout the story he is continually compassionate and fights to overcome his past though he does not see it. So many of us do things that we think will make up for past wrongs and earn favor with God, not truly believing that His grace is offered freely and that nothing we can do will earn His mercy.

I enjoyed watching Chloe and Darryl’s relationship develop as they both sought God and what it meant to follow Him in the bad as well as the good, how they held each other accountable for dealing with their relationship with God and their families. I was reminded of Biblical truths about who I am in Christ and I know that He’ll reveal something to you as well in the reading.

I received a copy of this story for the purpose of this tour with Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review.

About the Author

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.

She spends her days hanging out with her husband and their two boys. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the president of the ACFW Virginia Chapter.

You can find her at http://tonishiloh.wordpress.com.

Grace Restored – Singing Librarian Books

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About the Book1

Grace Restored

Series: Freedom Lake
Genre:  Adult, Christian, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Indie
Publication date: March 20, 2017

Michelle Thomas has it all. Beautiful and successful, she’s just opened her own law firm in Freedom Lake. What more could she want? When her old flame rolls back into Freedom Lake, she’s intent on ignoring him. But how can she give the widower and his precious twin girls the cold shoulder?

Still reeling from the death of his wife, Guy Pierre returns to Freedom Lake to take over as town sheriff and raise his twin daughters. Alone. Yet, life keeps throwing Michelle in his path and sparks of interest began to rise.

Will old secrets tear them apart again or can they find the faith to let God’s grace restore what has been broken?

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About the Author

toni-shiloh-2_1_orig

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.

She spends her days hanging out with her husband and their two boys. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and president of the Virginia Chapter.

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Blog Contributor:
Putting on the New | Heartwings  Blog | Diversity Between the Pages | ACFW Virginia

Author Interview

1) Here at Kat’s Corner books, we’re fans of cats, but love all pets. Do you have a pet?

T: I don’t. My kids would love if we could get a cat and dog, but we live in an apartment so that makes things difficult.

K: We understand this. Our cats lived with my parents the first year we were married because we couldn’t have any. Thankfully, this landlord understands their role in controlling the mice population, so we have several in our building. They’re key in a city apartment.

2) Open your text message app. What are the first 10 words that come up automatically?

T: High wind warning has been issued for your area.

K: LOL. Considering the number of nor’easters we’ve had lately…makes me happy I don’t have to commute over the Bay Bridge.

3) As you and I have gotten to know each other, we realized we live relatively close. You also set your stories in this area. What are some of your favorite aspects of our region or what are some places you’d like readers to be able to visit if they had a chance?

T: Yes, my Maple Run series has been set in the area. For places to visit, Tyson’s Corner mall is a must. They have a Tesla store which I think is amazing. Chasin’ Tails (Alexandria) is also an amazing New Orleans’ inspired restaurant. Their crawfish bucket and crawfish mac n cheese is awesome. Of course I’ve been to Baltimore which is about a 2-hr drive from me. I loved the Harbor and all it had to offer.And if you come in the fall, go to an apple orchard. It’s so fun.

K: Yes! Orchards! We have some great ones around here. Picking my own apples is such fun. I’ve never been to Chasin’ Tails. I’ll have to keep it in mind the next time I’m that direction. Since Baltimore is home, I am, of course, a fan. I actually work only two blocks north of the harbor!

4) As an author, I know you’re passionate about creating characters outside of the norm for Christian Fiction and contribute to the Diversity Between the Pages blog. Your dedication to a diverse set of characters is one of the aspects of your writing that I love the most. How did this passion come about and how does it influence your writing?

T: When I first started reading Christian fiction, I was so happy to have found the genre that I read all I could. Once the newness of my find wore off, I noticed none of the characters looked like me. I actually remember the day I found Ronie Kendig’s Firethorn in the library. I was so ecstatic to see a Black man on the cover of a CF novel. When I started writing, I wanted to give readers that missing piece.

K: This is a point that I have heard from many friends of different races- having someone that looks like them in fiction (books, movies, etc.) means a lot to them and brings a story closer to them. Being a white female, this isn’t a longing I can relate too, but being part of a mixed race family, I long for stories with more diversity. Our families face unique issues, but at the root, we’re still just family like any other family. So, I love reading more diverse stories!

5) What is one thing you’d like your readers to take away from this story?

T: That God’s grace is enough.

K: A fact I need reminded of constantly.

6) If we ever actually manage to get together for coffee, what are you likely to order?

T: A peppermint mocha. I discovered these last season (I’m not much of a coffee drinker) and got hooked!

7) If you could sum up DC traffic in one sentence, what would it be?

T: A living, unchanging nightmare I wish to avoid.

K: Hehehe. That’s an elegant way to describe it!

Review

What I like most about Grace Restored is that it broaches one topic you don’t see often in Christian Fiction: abortion. While it’s a highly controversial ethical and political issue, at the core, there are many hurting women out there who have made this choice in the past and are now/still dealing with all that comes with it.

In this story, we glimpse two women, Michelle and Tanya, as well as the motivations behind their abortions and the emotions they’re dealing with today. I think that Toni takes a difficult sensitive subject and gives it not just bones and flesh, but heart. On an issue that many of us have solid opinions, she gives us a glimpse into the lives of women processing through the after affects of an abortion and makes us adjust our attitudes toward them. It is a good reminder not to judge the woman, no matter her reasons or actions, but to reach out and love the person as Christ has loved and forgiven us much.

I’ll also say that while the story does get into some deep stuff, Toni doesn’t let it bog the story down. There are friends and two adorable little girls to help ease the tension and give the book some levity in the midst of two main characters being worked on by God and all comes up with that.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions are my own!

Giveaway

For a chance to win an e-copy (International) of Grace Restored by Toni Shiloh, comment on this blog responding to the following question: What verse capture’s God’s grace for you?

Tour Schedule

March 19-Among the Reads | The Power of Words​
March 20-Faithfully Bookish | Wishful Endings
March 21-Singing Librarian Books
March 22-A Baker’s Perspective
March 23-Remembrancy
March 24-Kat’s Corner Books
March 26-Reading Is My SuperPower
March 27-Robin’s Nest
March 28-Cafinated Reads | Fiction Aficionado
March 29-Cordially Barbara
March 30-All-of-a-kind Mom
March 31-Blossoms and Blessings