I love fiction.  Always have. Any time I’ve had to try to explain something, I’ve always done it in story. For example, when my oldest was just about two or three, she got rough with a book and tore a page.  Many of my friends would have given a brief explanation of how to take care of a book.  I wrote a children’s picture book.  (I’m still looking for an illustrator for that one!  It’s a nice story!!!)

But when I review a book, I try to be sure to share what I loved about a book and the things I or others might take issue with.  Sometimes, I fear, that creates the impression that I didn’t enjoy it. So, I’ve decided to do guest author posts here on occasion–to combat that misconception AND to highlight favorites.  If you see a guest author post, no matter what issues I might have addressed in my review, I liked that book!

One such review was Toni Shiloh’s Buying Love. I really enjoyed the characters, the setting, the storyline, and the dog of choice.  I loved that Toni told a faith-filled story without preaching and did it with a unique twist on an old idea. I’m looking forward to the next one in the series.  Yes, I did share what I thought its weaknesses were, but that’s not to imply I didn’t like it.  I wouldn’t have said I did if I didn’t! So, I asked her to come on over and share a bit of her inspiration.

Buying Love

Will money ruin everything?

Nina Warrenton is ready for the next step in her life plan—marriage, but 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?

Without further ado, Toni Shiloh!

Thank you so much for having me today! I’m so excited about Buying Love’s release. It’s the first book in the Maple Run series. Maple Run is a fictional town I set in Northern Virginia. Funny thing about the town, I was driving one day to pick apples with my two boys when we passed this area that was absolutely beautiful. It was on the edge of Loudoun County and the fall foliage was breathtaking. I thought to myself, what a great setting for a story. Thus, Maple Run was born.

In Buying Love, my hero, Dwight Williams is a chef at his family-owned restaurant, The Maple Pit. I wanted it to have a cozy atmosphere that inspired fellowship, laughter and of course, make the readers hungry. So, the idea of a restaurant in a renovated barn came to mind.

Most of my story thoughts come at me in blips. Since I don’t plot before I write, the story can go in any direction. It’s fun to see what the characters have to say and what they want to do. Of course, some of them (ahem, Nina) like to stay in their comfort zone. I’m a big fan of pushing them, so I’m constantly asking myself, “How can I make them more uncomfortable?”

In Buying Love, the answer came mostly in the form of Mrs. Williams. She has a way of getting under your skin. She means well but doesn’t always go about it with finesse. Now that I’m into the third book in the series, I’m wondering if she may have a story to tell. For now, I’m enjoying the characters of this great town and where they’re taking me.

You can learn more about Toni and her books here:

Website
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And, for fun, I’m giving away a copy of Toni Shiloh’s book. Just answer the question she asked below:

If you’ve read Buying Love what was your favorite aspect?

And if you haven’t read it, be sure to let us know what you think of the synopsis.  What appeals most to you?