Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Enduring Love by Toni Shiloh

SERIES: Maple Run #3
GENRE: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
PUBLISHER: Celebrate Lit
RELEASE DATE: June 28, 2018
PAGES: 256

“There comes a point in every woman’s life where she must decide what to believe: the truth of the past or the circumstances of the present.”

Belle Peterson is hiding a secret. Seeking sanctuary in the small town of Maple Run, she’s intent on starting her life over—one she hopes honors Christ. The plan was going great until an undeniable attraction to Micah has her wondering if she’s changed at all.

Micah Campbell can’t understand why Belle is so uptight and wants nothing to do with her until the gentle whispers of God tell him to befriend her. He didn’t count on the feeling of protectiveness to rise up or that spark of attraction.

Can love really conquer all or will Belle’s past be too much for Micah to handle?

Other Books In This Series

“…don’t let fear keep you from the abundant life He’s promised you.”

Toni Shiloh always does such a great job of writing hurting characters with authenticity and grace – and weaving a story of hope and healing through their journey toward God and each other. Tucked in between are delightful bits of humor and romance and friendship that keep a smile on your face – and keep the story from being too heavy.

Belle is one of my favorite heroines that Shiloh has written so far – she’s stronger than she thinks she is, and I loved watching her fun personality begin to blossom within her newfound friends and her ‘newborn’ relationship with Jesus. She’s a little nerdy (those jokes – hahaha!) and a lot beautiful, but behind her guarded front is a tender heart and a sad story. Belle’s struggles to understand her new life in Christ – its forgiveness and freedom – are honest and true to life. Enter Micah, swoony on his own but when he goes into protective mode with Belle and with her heart? Keep a fan handy.

I loved hanging out with ‘old friends’ – Dwight, Nina, Dee, and Luke, and even Dwight & Dee’s momma who I have been tempted to purse whomp in the past. Needless to say she’s growing on me 😉 Oh yeah – and don’t read this book hungry because The Maple Pit continues to play an important role in the setting and that maple-fried chicken is still calling my name!!

The humor in Enduring Love comes courtesy of Belle’s groan-worthy jokes (lol), Mama Williams, and Micah’s parents. I laughed out loud at one exchange in particular between Mrs. Williams and Belle – when the former is up to her usual situation-inappropriate meddling and Belle’s first thought is “Lord, call me home, please.” Haha! That’s a better avoidance tactic than most 😛 And Micah’s parents are a hoot! Oh my goodness – I’d love to hang out with those two for an afternoon.

Bottom Line: Enduring Love by Toni Shiloh isn’t just a sweet romance with authentically-imperfect characters who feel like friends. Though it is certainly that. It’s also a story of redemption, of God redeeming the time you thought you wasted, of God redeeming the pain that sin has caused, of God redeeming the lies you’ve believed about yourself. It’s a story of forgiveness and justice and grace. And while it is heavy on faith, it’s natural to the story and it doesn’t sound preachy nor does it paint an unrealistic picture of life in Christ. I’m loving the Maple Run series and hoping there’s at least one (if not many) more to come!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4.5 stars / Love it!

KissingBook Level: 3 / May forget to breathe on occasion

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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Other Books by Toni Shiloh

Hey there, Reader Friends!

I’m so excited for the kickoff of Enduring Love. This is book 3 in the Maple Run series and features the story of Belle Peterson and Micah Campbell. You may remember meeting Micah in book 2 of the series, he is Luke Robinson’s best friend. I tell you, this book has a special place in my heart, one that brought out all the emotions in me.

Belle Peterson is living a life filled with shame and regret. She knows mentally that she’s been forgiven, but can’t reconcile the fact to how a redeemed life should look. And when Micah Campbell walks in her life, she’s certain that she has to stay as far from him as possible to keep from back sliding.

Y’all know our wants rarely meet with reality. I had fun throwing Belle and Micah together in Maple Run. Sometimes to their chagrin but always to my pleasure. 🙂 Characters from Buying Love (book 1) and Finding Love (book 2) will make an appearance, rounding out the family that has been created in my fictional town of Maple Run, Virginia.

As you take the time to read Belle and Micah’s story, I pray you keep this verse in your mind. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” – Romans 8:1 KJV

God does not want us to live a life of shame and guilt. Once we ask for forgiveness, He gives it to us freely. Walk in an abundant life, my friends, and bless others with the grace you so freely received.

Blessings to you,

Toni

To celebrate the tour, Celebrate Lit Publishing is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter:

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This giveaway is hosted by Celebrate Lit, not RimSP
Follow along with the tour for more chances to win!

What about you? What makes you want to read this book?