Finding Love (Toni Shiloh) – Review + Giveaway!

~ About the Book ~

Delaney Jones has finally started to pick up the pieces of her shattered life after the death of her husband, Parker. Just as life enters a new normal, in walks Army soldier, Luke Robinson. Just when she makes the decision to trust him, life deals her a heavy blow.
Sergeant First Class Luke Robinson can’t get over his part in the death of Delaney’s husband. In hopes to assuage his guilt, he offers to lend a hand. Only, he never counted on the feelings she evokes with just a smile. Will his secrets widen the gulf or will he finally find absolution?
Release date:  28 June 2017
Pages:  197

Amazon US  //  Amazon AU  //  Goodreads

~ Excerpt ~

A low rumble of a motorcycle startled her. She turned in time to see it roll to a stop. The rider rose and took off his helmet in one fluid motion. It was almost like watching a commercial or a scene from a movie. Luke certainly had the rugged and handsome part down pat.
He spotted her, then his steps faltered.
Did she make him as nervous as he made her? The thought offered a small measure of comfort.
She stopped on the trail, waiting for him to catch up. His long strides brought him to her side in no time. A waft of Irish Spring filled her senses. No cologne, just soap. Somehow that was more potent than the fragrant liquid could ever be.
“Hey, you’re here.” He gave a half smile, although it seemed a bit forced and a tad shaky.
“Right on time. I know how you military types are.”
A chuckle escaped, bobbing his Adam’s apple. She blinked. They were here about Parker and nothing more.
Get it together, Dee.
She was too old to let a man turn her into a mushy pile of hormones. “Should we go sit somewhere?” She met his gaze and froze. What was it about his cool blue eyes that made her heart head for her stomach?
Luke Robinson was the opposite of Parker in every way. Race, looks, personality. Parker had been on the reserved side and about an inch shorter than her six-foot frame. Luke, however, seemed confident and borderline cocky. He had at least three inches on her, and she couldn’t stop looking at him. “Yes, ma’am.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Delaney.” His voice came out slightly raspy. He covered his mouth and cleared his throat.
Okay, not that cocky.
“Lead the way, please.”
“All right.” A barrier between them was much needed. Forgetting her desire to sit on a bench, Dee headed for the picnic table. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but her hormones were out of control. It would have been comical if it didn’t induce such a panic. She hadn’t felt like this since she met Parker, and now a fellow soldier elicited a similar reaction.
A shiver slithered down her spine. There was no way she could go down the path of a soldier’s wife again. Not that she was thinking about marriage. Some things were deal breakers. She couldn’t do that to herself, let alone her boys.
No. If she ever did enter the dating scene again, it would be to someone steady and dependable. Whose job had no hazards to their wellbeing.

~ Review ~

I love it when stories really go in deep and ask questions like, When it comes down to it, do you believe God’s got your back? Do you trust Him to be your keeper, whatever befalls you? This is the struggle Delaney, in particular, faces in this story. She’s already received one folded flag, so if she’s ever going to re-enter the dating scene, she’s determined it won’t be with a man in a high-risk job. Unfortunately, her heart didn’t get the memo. To make matters even more complicated, the man who’s caught her attention not only worked with her husband, but believes he was partly responsible for his death. Internal conflict doesn’t get much stronger than that!
Luke faces a similarly tough conundrum. He’s come to Maple Run to offer to make amends, however small, for his role in her husband’s death. How can he now turn around and say, “Oh, by the way, want to go out with me?” He knows his job is a deal-breaker, he totally understands why, and he still has two more years until retirement and the benefits that brings. How could anything work between them? Should he just ignore how much he wants to get to know her, or can they take it one step at a time and see where God leads them?
Taking it one step at a time, without knowing what’s ahead? It’s easy to embrace in theory, but when it actually comes to putting one foot in front of the other it can feel more like taking a leap over a gaping crevasse, and I loved that Luke and Delaney had to work through that in this story. Add in the cozy family atmosphere of the Maple Pit and Delaney’s twin boys Philip and Preston and you have an enjoyable read as well as a faith-filled one. I did feel that the physical attraction between Luke and Delaney was a little too much too soon, and was pointed out more often than necessary, but it was still a sweet romance, and that last part of the epilogue—well, I dare you to still have dry eyes once you’ve read that!
I received a copy of this novel from the author. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

~ Previous Books in the Series ~

~ Giveaway ~

To celebrate this tour, Celebrate Lit Publishing is giving away three $15 Amazon gift cards!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/ba32

~ About the Author ~

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 the president of the ACFW Virginia Chapter.
Connect with Toni:  Website  //  Facebook  //  Pinterest

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