To Win A Prince by Toni Shiloh

 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 . . .

 

Review: I was so glad to receive the sequel to "In Search of a Prince" by Toni Shiloh. Last year, I had the pleasure of reading Toni's first book, which centered on Brielle. Do you remember the movie from the 90's, "The Princess Diaries"? Well, "In Search of a Prince" was an adorable, faith-based, and wonderful spin-off of that fun movie where Brielle, an American girl, finds out that she is actually heir to the throne of an African country called Ọlọrọ Ilé.

 

Brielle's best friend, Iris Blakely, is Brielle's stalwart supporter and she definitely deserved her own book. Iris is a budding fashion designer, and as Brielle takes over ruling Ọlọrọ Ilé, Iris' dream to bring the textile industry to her friend's country blossoms. However, Iris is a fashion designer - not a business woman - and both skills will be needed to run a successful non-for-profit organization. Enter, Ekon Diallo, a prince who has lost his position, wealth, and status due to his part in the unscrupulous plots of his sister and her slimy attempts to overthrow Brielle. Ekon has lost pretty much everything. Not only has the pampered prince been literally dropped into the squalling ocean of 'real life' (where he must cook for himself, rent a taxi, and dress himself!) but he is also tasked with community service hours as punishment. His task? Help Iris get her business off the ground. 

 

From the start, sparks fly between Ekon and Irish. This story is a wonderful one, but one of my favourite aspects is not Iris and Ekon (though they are sooo cute), but Ekon's search and eventual discovery of his faith in Jesus Christ. His journey through this story is beautiful, and I really enjoyed reading it.

 

Thankyou to Graf Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing for a copy of this sweet read.