by Crystal Caudill | Mar 8, 2022 | Character Interview
One of my new favorite things to do this year is to interview characters. They are so much fun, and it just really gets you connected to them even before (or after) you’ve read the book. Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Brielle Adebayo from In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh. Before we meet officially, let me introduce you to her story:
In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh
It seems like a dream come true . . . until it forces her to question everything.
Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha’s Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops a bombshell–Brielle is really a princess in the island kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, off the coast of Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, the king, is failing.
Distraught by all the secrets her mother kept, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before her coronation, or the crown will pass to another. Brielle is uncertain if she even wants the throne, and with her world totally shaken, where will she find the courage to take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring?
CC: Hi Brielle! It is so great to meet you. Would you please introduce yourself to my readers?
BA: Thank you so much for having me. In case you haven’t seen the cover of the story or read the back cover, I’ll assume you know nothing about me. I’m Brielle Bayo, or at least, that’s the name I went by growing up. It wasn’t until recently that my mom informed me I’m actually a princess. *awkward laugh* I know, the stuff from fantasy, right? But I am Princess Brielle Adebyao, heir to the throne of Ọlọrọ Ilé, a country of the coast of West Africa in the Gulf of Guinea. In Search of a Prince is centered around me, finding out this huge secret, and what that means for my future.
CC: Wow! That is the stuff of fantasies for sure, but I’m sure it couldn’t have actually been that easy to brush off and deal with. Who ended up being one of the hardest people for you to deal with?
BA: Um, my uncle. I know I should be over the moon to have more family since it was just my mom and I for the longest. But he has made it apparent he doesn’t like me or want me around. Every time I see him I want to turn around and hide. But I can’t let him see how his words hurt me.
CC: Ugh. That is so hard. Family can be a challenge to deal with in the best circumstances but in this? My heart goes out to you. So how about the family gatherings? Do you like them? Hate them?
BA: In the past, our family gatherings consisted of my mom and me. Just us two against the world. Now that my family has been expanded, I’m still unsure how I feel about family gatherings. Some of my father’s family seem to judge me and find me lacking. What kind of joy is that to gather with them? *sighs* Maybe one day this question won’t fill me with so much doubt.
CC: Oh, sweetheart, I hope one day you will be able to hang out at those gatherings with so much joy that you burst with rainbows. That is understandably hard right now, and suddenly being a princess comes with a lot of stress. What is your biggest fear?
BA: Failing those who depend on me. I’m not sure why God saw fit to allow me to be a princess that will one day become queen. But if He has called me to this life, I pray that I won’t fail. That He’ll equip me and allow me to be a blessing to this country.
CC: It sounds like you have a good footing in your faith and that is so refreshing. So since you’re a princess, you’ve got to have a prince right? Tell us a little bit about him.
BA: I feel like I cannot NOT talk about the hero. However, I also don’t want to give anything away since there’s a little Bachelorette-like vibe going on in my world thanks to the royal council’s decree. Regardless, the hero fits every definition you can think of. Someone dependable, someone who has my back, someone who makes me smile and want to be around him all the time. I’m so glad I met him.
CC: You’re making me want to swoon just hearing that description. I can’t wait to meet him. And readers, you can meet him NOW. In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh is available for purchase at most book retailers, but you can click this link to find all the options.
Readers, in the comments below, what would you do if you suddenly found out you were royalty?
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novels, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist, Risking Love a 2020 Selah Award finalist, The Truth About Fame a 2021 Holt Medallion finalist, and The Price of Dreams a 2021 Maggie Award finalist. Learn more at http://tonishiloh.com.
Connect with Toni: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub | Pinterest
by Crystal Caudill | Nov 19, 2021 | Counterfeit Love
One of the most nerve-racking parts of being an author is sending your book out into the world for the first time, knowing you can no longer change a single word of your book. Thankfully, the first people to read my novel outside of my critique partners and the Kregel team are endorsers. I am so honored and encouraged by the ladies who read my book and then wrote up beautiful endorsements. For the next few months, I’m going to feature one endorser every couple of weeks. So settle in, hear what they have to say about Counterfeit Love, and then learn about who they are, the books they’ve written, and how you can connect with them. Maybe you will be blessed to discover a new author.
At the end, I’d be blessed if you would leave an encouraging note for this author who has encouraged me so much!
I am pleased to introduce you to . . .
Toni Shiloh
Soulfully Romantic
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novels, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist, Risking Love a 2020 Selah Award finalist, The Truth About Fame a 2021 Holt Medallion finalist, and The Price of Dreams a 2021 Maggie Award finalist.
A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni seeks to encourage authors in the writing industry. She loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. You can learn more about her writing at http://tonishiloh.com.
Connect with Toni:
Website: http://tonishiloh.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortonishiloh
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tonishilohwrite
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/tonishiloh
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/tonishiloh
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tonishiloh
BookBub: https://bookbub.com/authors/toni-shiloh
What she had to say about Counterfeit Love:
“Crystal Caudill creates a world of intrigue inCounterfeit Love that will thrust readers into a Secret Service investigation paired with a romance that will have you cheering for second chances.”
—Toni Shiloh, author of An Unlikely Proposal
Eep! I am so blessed and excited Toni enjoy Counterfeit Love! Second chances are a huge part of the story, and I’m so glad she cheered those challenges on. Second chances are never easy and come with so much baggage. Thank you, Toni! (And I’m shamelessly putting the link to Counterfeit Love here if you would like to learn more or preorder it.)
Toni’s Books
Toni has written a TON of wonderful books that you don’t want to miss, and I am certain you are bound to find something you love. I’ve included only the standalone and first books of a series. She has a ton of novellas that you can check out as well. You can purchase them from any major retailer, but here is the link to her Amazon Author Profile where you can grab any of the titles you like.
In Search of a Prince
Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha’s Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops the mother of all bombshells—Brielle is a princess in the kingdom of Oloro Ilé, Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, King Tiwa Jimoh Adebayo, is failing.
Distraught by her mother’s betrayal, Brielle is further left spinning when the Oloro Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before assuming the throne or the crown will be passed to another. Uncertain who to choose from the council’s list of bachelors, she struggles with the decision along with the weight of her new role in a new country. With her world totally shaken, she must take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring.
Book releasing February 1, 2022 from Bethany House
An Unlikely Proposal
Their friendship can survive almost anything…
For two best friends,
marriage could be their greatest test yet…
Trinity Davis must not have heard firefighter Omar Young correctly. Did her handsome widowed best friend just suggest they get married? Omar needs a mom for his adorable little girls, and it’ll fix Trinity’s financial woes. But saying “I do” isn’t just business. Especially when the only vow they’re in danger of breaking is their promise to not fall in love…
From Harlequin Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
The Trouble with Love – Book 1 in the Faith & Fortune Series
I, Holiday Brown, have it all. A platinum record. Multi-million dollar home in Manhattan that I share with my two best friends. Life is looking fantastic until my roommate’s brother decides to bunk in our guestroom while his house gets renovated.
W. Emmett Bell has always been the bane of my existence. He’s annoying, stubborn, a know it all, and just might be the most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on. But I refuse to fall for him. But when his sister’s threatened by a stalker, dynamics change. His unwavering faith isn’t quite as self-righteous as I’d always thought, and maybe he has a good side I’ve overlooked all these years.
Or maybe it’s all too much trouble.
The Trouble With Love is the first book in the Christian Chick Lit series: Faith & Fortune.
Returning Home – Book 1 in the Freedom Lake Series
Jo Ellen Baker is shocked to find out that the boy who teased her mercilessly throughout high school, has returned to their hometown of Freedom Lake, and he’s missing a leg. When his mother asks her to renovate their carriage house to give him a place to gain his independence back, she wants to say no. But one look at him brings a rush of forgotten feelings.
Evan Carter can’t believe he has to return home and live with his parents. Every hope and dream he ever had dissipated in a car crash that cost him his leg. Stuck in a wheelchair, he’s forced to reexamine his relationship with God and the local carpenter, Jo Ellen Baker.
Will renovating his home open the door for a mended relationship, or are some wounds too deep to heal from?
Buying Love – Book 1 in the Maple Run Series
Will money ruin everything?
Nina Warrenton is ready for the next step in her life plan—marriage, but there is one problem. No one has proposed! Taking matters into her hand, she places an ad in the newspaper hoping to entice a willing stranger. But when she begins to fall for the small-town chef, she realizes how much she wants him to love her and not her money.
Dwight Williams needs fast cash to save the family restaurant. When he sees Nina’s monetary offer for a husband, he goes for it. He’s determined to save the legacy his dad left him, but can he let it go to prove his love for her?
Can Nina and Dwight find true love, once money has entered the equation?
Leave an encouraging note for Toni Shiloh in the comments. This writing journey is rough, and I’d love to bless her as much as she has blessed me.
