From the Back:
Can she stop herself from falling before she's too far gone?
As a fashion aficionado and best friend of the queen of the African island country Ọlọrọ Ilé, Iris Blakely dreams of using her talent to start a sustainable clothing line to help citizens in impoverished areas and honor the country's resources. But when she discovers that Ekon Diallo--the man who betrayed her best friend--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 fellow Ọlọrans. To pay for his actions against Ọlọrọ Ilé, he's forced to assist the charismatic Iris Blakely--but he can't allow his heart to distract him from regaining his status.
Though they come from vastly different worlds, Iris and Ekon are both determined to reach their goals, and the only way to do that is to work together--if they can just keep their hearts from getting in the way . . .
My Reflections:
This is Shiloh's sequel to her first book "In Search of A Prince." I absolutely loved that book and was excited to see what was in store for Iris Blakey, the bff to Brielle who is the Queen of Oloro Ile.
Iris, is an exuberant lively character full of emotions and love for people. Having just started up her new fashion business. Her plan is not only to create a sustainable clothing line but also to give back to Oloro Ile and it's people. Filled with excitement and dreams Iris launches full steam ahead into making those dreams a reality.
It is not easy sailing however, the business sustains all kinds of road blocks that keep Iris on her toes. One thing that is forefront in her mind is the matter of her new Business consultant, Ekon.
Ekon is not your typical Business consultant he is actually the fallen prince who tried to betray Queen Brielle's title. As punishment he is ordered by the council to do community service along with helping Iris as she launches her new career. Thing is Pampered Ekon is holding onto so much resentment and bitterness for his punishment he can't see past his own nose to care about anything other than restoring the good graces with his father and the upper-class citizens of Oloro Ile.
Iris and Ekon come to an understanding from the start, this is just a business deal and a way to complete Ekon's sentence and community service hours. It all seems so simple..
Ah, not so. As Ekon grows and matures and with the help of Iris his heart starts to soften. The blinds are slowly peeled back layer by layer until he is reduced to face his past and the person he was. Does it come too late? (I loved the fantastic plot twist, it really added depth to the story.)
Iris tries to keep focused on the tasks at hand, but her heart has other ideas. Torn with what she knows is right and what her heart is telling her she must lean on God to find out his true plan for her life. This is no easy task for a dreamer. Is there any hope for Ekon? Can he turn around his life? What about his heart, is he brave enough to be vulnerable?
I loved the depth this story had, it comes off as a fluffy dreamy type novel but in truth it is filled with the struggles of character, the call to faith and the courage to rise above and follow a path less traveled. There are quite a few surprises to be had in this story! I was entertained by the musings of both characters and their crazy antics. And yes, I fell in love with the Suck up Ekon, he won my heart by the end of the novel. If you love fairytales and happily ever after you will love Shiloh's newest novel, but do your self a favor and read book one!
Well done Toni Shiloh, I can't wait for what you have in store for us in your next!
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Toni Shiloh
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