"To Win a Prince" by Toni Shiloh

As a fashion aficionado and best friend of the queen of the African island country Oloro Ilé, Iris Blakely dreams of using her talent to start a business to help citizens in impoverished areas. But when she discovers that Ekon Diallo will be her business consultant, the battle between her desires and reality begins. Ekon Diallo has lost everything: his princely title, his material possessions, his friends, and the respect of his countrymen. To pay for his actions against Oloro Ilé, he's forced to assist the charismatic Iris Blakely--but he can't allow his heart to distract him from regaining his status. As Iris strives to get her business off the ground while keeping her heart intact, will her dreams of happily ever after survive the challenges she faces?

The Ekon of the first chapter doesn't elicit much sympathy from me, but the Ekon who receives blow after blow (primarily at the hands of his own family) and is forced to reexamine his life and heart--that is a man worth rooting for. He's still not perfect, but it's no wonder Iris falls for him so hard. His story of redemption is captivating. Iris is delightful; she knows her flaws (namely, letting her emotions and imagination carry her away before reality is ready to follow), so she's on the roller coaster of learning how to find balance. The two work together really well, and I'm glad that Ekon has skills that are vitally important to Iris's company as they start up; it's one of the few things that can't be taken from him (though I think if his dad had the power to scoop the knowledge out of his head, he would.)

It's a solid romance in a refreshingly different setting, and a great follow-up to In Search of a Prince. I would enjoy reading more books set in Oloro Ilé!

Christy Award winner for best contemporary romance in 2023!

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Related novels:
In Search of a Prince

"To Win Her Heart" by Karen Witemeyer

Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father's knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets... Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart. Levi's renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she's finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affections?

Levi Grant stands out as one of Witemeyer's best heroes. While he reminds me of John Wayne's character in The Quiet Man, Levi is even better. He's humble, he's firmly committed to the promises he made before God, and he's willing to volunteer the truth of his past, knowing it must be shared, while realizing that it could cost him his new life and love. Eden takes some warming up to, though. By the end, I'm rooting for her just as much as Levi, but it takes a while to get her off her high horse of self-righteousness. I love how young Chloe helps her in her journey. This book also has one of Witemeyer's most vile villains: one who doesn't seem bad at first--just a jerk--but the things he does in the end . . . It's his cruelty, though, that proves before one and all Levi's transformation into a child of God.

This definitely isn't one of Witemeyer's funniest books, but it's still one of my favorites, with a powerful message both for those who have become a new creation in Christ and for those who have forgotten the Holy Spirit's power of transforming hearts.