Inspy Romance

Inspy Romance—Fall in Love With a Good Book

Winning His Trust + #Giveaway

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I’m a pantser. Now some of you may not know what that means so I’ll explain. Basically it means I don’t plot or have an outline on how I want the story to go. I let the characters take over and I’m merely along for the ride. However, that does mean that sometimes the story stalls. There are many reasons this can happen but whenever it does, I’m always stumped. I sit in front of my computer, in a state of confusion, wondering what is going on with the story. Perhaps I gave the characters too much free reign. After all, I’m the writer so I should know when they need to be guided into a different direction.

Well when I wrote the first draft of Winning His Trust, this exact thing happened. It was like pulling teeth trying to add chapters. After awhile (read 20k words written), I decided I had started my story in the wrong place. So in agony, I deleted the words. (Okay, so not really. I saved that draft in a file for just in case purposes but I never used those words again). I started fresh. I started in a new place.

And it worked.

Suddenly the words flew out of me and WInning His Trust was created as it is today. It’s so much better, the banter was so much fun, and the adorable five-year-old added many delightful moments to that first draft. Now that the book is out in the world, I find myself feeling a little lost as to what to say. I have so many emotions about this book.

Should I tell people that this single dad (Declan Porter) just wants to provide for his son. Not just financially, but in love too. After all, his son (River) was abandoned by his mom and Declan feels inadequate in raising a child. Or should I tell people that my heroine (Jordan Wood) always thinks people are judging her and she’s coming up short each and every time. That she wants to be someone people can depend on but unfortunately her past doesn’t offer experience in that department. Or should I tell you that my fictional town of Willow Springs, Arkansas offers a respite from the world, a nature-filled getaway for relaxation, and a cast of secondary characters that keeps you coming back for more?

Since I’m not sure just exactly what to say, I’ll encourage you to check out the StoryChats podcast (Episode 112) I did with the awesome ladies of InspyRomance. And I’ll entice you with a giveaway. ;)

Giveaway

Now for the giveaway. I’ll be happy to give the reader their choice of a paperback (US only) or ebook (US or international) copy of Winning His Trust. For a chance to win, please tell me your favorite outdoor activity in the comments. Comment by 03/13/23, 11:59pm PST and I’ll pick one random winner.

Toni Shiloh (60 Posts)

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). Find out more on her website at http://tonishiloh.com.


Comments

  1. Walking early morning. Hoping winter is over soon so I can get back to it. I walk indoors in the winter not the same.

  2. I love my gardening. I can’t wait to get outside every day and work in my yard.

  6. I love the storychats podcast, I’m a couple of weeks behind so looking forward to hearing about your book.

    My favourite outdoor activity is walking or cycling. Now spring is getting started I’m hoping to get out more!

  9. Wow, your brief description of your characters resonated so much that I just grabbed myself a copy of Winning His Trust on Kobo. I’m looking forward to reading it!

    My favourite outdoor activity is walking, especially out in nature. One good outcome of the lockdown is we discovered so many lovely woodland walks just minutes from our house. We never even knew they were there.

  12. I don’t have a favorite outdoor activity, unless you count sitting on the back porch on the glider! And, that’s only for a short time of year, as the rest of the time I’m inside in the A/C!!!

  15. Thank you for the support!

    And that’s an amazing discovery. It’s good to be near nature to enjoy God’s creation!

  18. Yay for horseback riding! I’d like to try it but not sure my aching body could handle it.

  21. Hello, Toni
    I love to walk though large gardens at these beautiful estates that I got a chance to see their master of gardening.

  23. I love planting flowers and I love walking our pup every morning . I also love taking pictures of our sunrises and our sunsets. Thank you for the chance.

  24. You had me at “a nature-filled getaway for relaxation,” so now I want to visit Willow Springs and go for a hike :) So glad everything worked out for this story! Can’t wait to read it (I already own a copy).

  27. I really enjoy hanging out outside with friends. We could be walking, sitting and talking, or watching our kids play various sports. If friends are invoked, I’m usually a big fan of the activity.

  31. I really enjoy riding my bike. I don’t do it that often, but it’s so fun and freeing to ride a bike on a warm summer day.

  32. That does sound freeing. I don’t currently own one but I wonder if I should attempt to get one.

  35. I love to walk outside when the weather cooperates and to golf, but my favorite thing to do outdoors on a warm sunny day is to read! I love sitting outside in a comfy chair listening to the birds and getting lost in a good book

  37. I’m not a big fan of the outdoors because of my health but I really enjoy watching all the wildlife. And Winning His Trust sounds amazing!

  39. Outdoor activity interesting. I would say it use to be going and watching cricket live which I really can’t do anymore.
    I do enjoy gardening. I just like being outside.
    When I am away I enjoy going to the zoo or a park. Its relaxing and I get to see things I don’t see here.
    When I walk to the street (main street to do the shopping) there is a place that has a fish pond and water lilies. I love watching the fish and love water lilies. So will often stop there for a couple minutes to look at them.

  40. I look forward to nice weather so that I can take my iced coffee and a good book onto the back patio and rock, read, and drink. I do get up every hour to walk around the house to check out the flowers we have planted. Your book sounds good. I will have to add that to my TBR list.

  41. I love to sit among nature and listen to the birds and other wildlife. So peaceful.

  42. My favorite outdoor activity is to go to a park to watch people and nature. I am disabled. I just was able to get an electric wheelchair at the end of December. I do not have the lift on my car yet. It has limited my access to being outdoors. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.

  45. My favorite outdoor activity is sitting on the porch and reading. Walking is okay, but there are so many dogs in my neighborhood that are usually running free.

  46. When it gets warmer I like to go swimming and I just like being outside when it gets warmer .It’s been pretty cold the last few weeks with snow, snow with rain ,hail or just rain so we are ready for warmer weather.

  47. Walking outdoors with my dog. I’m obsessed with God’s beautiful sky, and if there’s water involved (lake, pond, etc.) even better! Nature has been called God’s second Book and reveals so much of his character. It brings calming to my anxious heart unlike anything else.

  49. My husband and I go for a walk around our community every night. It is a great time to talk about our thoughts and enjoy nature.

  50. I love to hike and stop to admire or take pictures of the view.

    Your stories are so real and filled with emotions and God moving through the characters.

  51. Walking, chasing my granddaughter around and just going out and visiting our farm animals. That is very relaxing.

  52. I enjoy reading in my hammock that is on the front porch when the weather is nice!

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