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Author Interview,  Giveaway,  Hope-filled Fiction

Interview with Toni Shiloh & a Giveaway

February 4, 2026 / 36 Comments

I’m excited to interview Toni Shiloh on the blog this week about her new Contemporary Romance, Hearts on the Fly.

Comment below by February 10 for a chance to win a paperback of Toni’s new release! (US only)

Welcome back to the blog, Toni! Let’s start by going back a few years and learning what you, as a child, wanted to be when you grew up?

So many things! I wanted to be an interior designer, librarian, lawyer, translator, writer and whatever else I could dream up. Now I get to live vicariously through my characters and their different occupations.

I also wanted to be an interior designer or a lawyer when I was young, and I agree about living vicariously through book characters. What genre do you write and what inspired you to write that genre? 

I write Christian contemporary romance. I’ve always been a hopeless romantic, watching many rom coms and reading as many romance books as I can. It made sense for me to write in the romance genre and as I’m not a huge fan of research, sticking to present-day appealed to me.

Another thing we have in common—avoid research whenever possible! LOL What would you tell your younger writing self? 

Don’t lose heart! God will use your stories in ways you never imagined, and you’ll be reminded over and over that you’re writing for His glory.

Wonderful words of encouragement to yourself. Is Hearts on the Fly inspired by true events or personal history? 

It’s inspired by my grandfather. He has macular degeneration and I’ve always admired him as a person. He’s been a strong influence in my life and giving my hero the same eye disease allowed me to learn more about my grandfather’s history and what he’s overcome.

I love that! Let’s talk about the setting of your current novel. Is it a real location or fictional? 

I chose to set my story in Washington D.C. I live not too far from our nation’s capital so going there for the day and playing tourist or just researching for books is easy.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to D.C. in 2019. It’s a great setting for a novel. If you could only publish one book in your lifetime, which of your novels would you choose? 

In Search of a Prince. It really used so much of my creative brain, and it was an absolute joy to write. I got to build an entire country using real history and modeling it after a mix of real countries. Any time I write in that world, I’m giddy all over again.

I loved that book! I can understand why it’s your favorite. What was the best money you ever spent as a writer? 

Going to a writer’s conference. I learned so much about the craft and how to improve my writing. Not to mention meeting writers and connecting and making lasting friendships.

Yes, conferences are money well spent. Which character in Hearts on the Fly was easiest for you to write and why? 

Val was probably the easiest because I really connected with her. We’re similar in a lot of ways so that made writing her character so easy.

How many unpublished and unfinished manuscripts do you have? Any plans to pursue publication for any of them? 

I have about 18 unpublished/unfinished manuscripts. Two of them will be published by Bethany House. As for the rest of them, time will tell.

That’s amazing, especially considering how many books you’ve already published. What do you enjoy most about being a writer? 

I’m not sure I can choose just one thing. I think the biggest blessing is hearing from readers just how much my books have touched them. That always reminds me that I wrote exactly as God had me do.

Yes, that’s a huge blessing. Do you have critique partners or a critique group? What are the pros and cons of participating in such a group? 

I do have three critique partners, but we don’t participate as a group. The great thing about them is each has their own strengths, so they all improve my writing in their different ways.

Great critique partners are priceless! What’s next from you? 

I have a Christmas novella titled, Matchmaking Christmas, coming September 1! It’s a twist on The Parent Trap and I can’t wait for it to come out.

That sounds so fun! Congratulations on your success, Toni. I pray God will continue to bless your writing.

Visit the #HopeFilledFiction blog and comment on @tonishilohwrite’s interview by 2/10 for a chance to win her new release, Hearts on the Fly! US only. #giveaway #contemporaryromance

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Join the conversation. Have you read any of Toni’s books? Do you have a favorite? Does a hockey romance sound like a story you’d like to read? What comments and questions do you have for Toni?

Be sure to comment below by February 10 for a chance to win a paperback of Toni’s new release! (US only)

Hearts on the Fly by Toni Shiloh

Click the book cover for purchase links

When the game changes, love finds a way to score.

Jabari Hall has spent his entire life chasing victory on ice—but one devastating hit leaves him benched, not just from hockey, but from the future he thought he had. Now, as he struggles with deteriorating eyesight, his well-meaning teammates set him up on a date, hoping it will cheer him up—only the date they choose is none other than Val Elliott, his ex’s sister.

Val never expected to be sitting across from Jabari, especially after the way he broke her sister’s heart. But when Jabari opens up about his diagnosis, Val’s guarded heart softens, and she offers him a listening ear out of compassion. What begins as a simple friendship quickly turns into something more.

As Jabari navigates life off the ice and searches for a new purpose, he’s drawn to Val in ways he didn’t expect. With her loyalty to her family on the line and Jabari searching for faith and a new purpose, can they make it to the goal together, or will their hearts wind up in the penalty box?

Delve into award-winning author Toni Shiloh’s sports romance for fans of Emma St. Clair, Pepper Basham, and Melissa Ferguson.

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. Her novel In Search of a Prince won the first ever Christy Amplify award. It has been praised by Oprah Daily, POPSUGAR, Library Journal, and Booklist, and is a Parable Group bestseller.

Her books have been finalists for the Holt Medallion and won a Selah Award. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writers (FHLCW), Toni loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. 

Connect with Toni: Website / Facebook / Instagram

Toni Shiloh headshot

Please share Toni’s interview on social media to help spread the word about her new release!

If you missed my spotlight on Deborah Raney last week, FIND IT HERE.

As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is a multi-award-winning author, an active ACFW member, and a six-year ACFW Virginia board member. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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