Toni Shiloh Interview -- Praying to Battle Sickle Cell

Author Toni Shiloh

Toni, welcome to Overcoming With God.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers. 

Thank you so much for having me.

Would you tell us about the one of the most difficult things in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help? Answer:  I’m so thankful for God’s love and the gift of prayer. It has seen me through many illnesses with my youngest son, who has sickle cell. He’s only seven but has been through a lot these few years. At almost two years of age he had his first spleen crisis where it swelled up, causing intense pain and dropping his blood count in the low anemia stage. (Since he has sickle cell, he’s always anemic.) He spent a few days in ICU, got pneumonia from the stay, and finally a blood transfusion to make him feel better. After that he had pain crises in his legs and arms. I’m talking about the kind of pain that needs morphine to manage it. He’s had multiple spleen issues that finally had the doctors decide to remove it at age 5. Fevers that go over 103 and earn a trip to the ER for IV antibiotics.

This past summer he was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Since he really needs oxygen (low oxygen can cause a pain crisis and other sickle cell related issues) they decided to remove his tonsils in hopes it will correct the issue. So surgery number two under his belt and another hospital stay (he’s had one every year except for one year since he’s been alive).

Through it all, I’ve prayed. Prayed that God would heal him. Pray that my son would feel God’s presence and rest in Him. Pray that my son would pray to God on his own free will. And most importantly, others have prayed for us. I can’t tell you what it means to feel the Body at work, knowing countless people are praying for your child. It’s comforting beyond measure and fortifies my strength. And I know it’s prayer because I’d be a nervous wreck without it.

So as I sit in a hospital room with my son, I know we will overcome illness with prayer.

What passages in the Bible have been most helpful to you in those times? Philippians 4:6-7 is my go to verse. It reminds me to prayer with a grateful attitude and the beauty of the peace that follows.

What helped you get through or helped you cope with this difficulty? Prayer has always helped me. That and the love and prayer from friends and family. Knowing they are praying blesses me.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  In Returning Home, Evan loses his leg and has to deal with the struggles that brings. He also has to decide if God will be the forefront in his life. I hope that his struggles will help readers trust in God and look to Him through all things.

BIO: 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.

Toni’s Links: 

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Blurb for Returning Home

Jo Ellen Baker is shocked to find out that the boy who teased her mercilessly throughout high school, has returned to their hometown of Freedom Lake, and he’s missing a leg. When his mother asks her to renovate their carriage house to give him a place to gain his independence back, she wants to say no. But one look at him brings a rush of forgotten feelings.

Evan Carter can’t believe he has to return home and live with his parents. Every hope and dream he ever had dissipated in a car crash that cost him his leg. Stuck in a wheelchair, he’s forced to reexamine his relationship with God and the local carpenter, Jo Ellen Baker.

Will renovating his home open the door for a mended relationship, or are some wounds too deep to heal from?  

Question: Have you experienced the power of prayer?
Giveaway: Toni is offering an Ebook giveaway (in Mobi, Epub, or PDF format) to one of our readers.

Cover Reveal of Susanne Dietze's "A Mother for His Family"

Blurb:

Lady Helena Stanhope’s reputation is in tatters…and she’s lost any hope for a “respectable” ton marriage. An arranged union is the only solution. But once Helena weds formidable Scottish widower John Gordon, Lord Ardoch, and encounters his four mischievous children, she’s determined to help her new, ever-surprising family. Even if she’s sure love is too much to ask for.

All John needs is someone to mother his admittedly unruly brood. He never imagined that beautiful Lady Helena would be a woman of irresistible spirit, caring and warmth.

Or that facing down their pasts would give them so much in common. Now, as danger threatens, John will do whatever it takes to convince Helena their future together—and his love—are for always.

Susanne Dietze shared her Inspiration behind the cover in saying: "I love marriage of convenience stories and always wanted to write one! It’s always fun for me to read a book where the wedding happens at the beginning and things progress out of order with the couple: marriage first, then love.

I was able to offer three scene suggestions for the cover, and the wedding was my first choice so I’m thrilled the amazing art department at Harlequin chose to work with it. It’s a hopeful scene, since both the hero and heroine, John and Helena, think getting married will be the answer to their problems: he needs a mother for his three kids and niece, and she needs a respectable home.

However, they learn right away that saying “I do” might provide solutions to their immediate issues, but not all of them, and forging a family can be a challenge—one that both breaks and heals their hearts!

I love looking at them in this scene and knowing they have adventures ahead that will bring them closer together!"

Connect with Susie at: Website, Facebook, Twitter, & Newsletter
Historical Charm, Timeless Heart.

Audiobook Review of "The Writing Desk" by Rachel Hauck

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress comes a new captivating novel of secrets, romance, and two women bound together across time by a shared dream.

Tenley Roth’s first book was a runaway bestseller. Now that her second book is due, she’s locked in fear. Can she repeat her earlier success or is she a fraud who has run out of inspiration?

With pressure mounting from her publisher, Tenley is weighted with writer’s block. But when her estranged mother calls asking Tenley to help her through chemotherapy, she packs up for Florida where she meets handsome furniture designer Jonas Sullivan and discovers the story her heart’s been missing.

A century earlier, another woman wrote at the same desk with hopes and fears of her own. Born during the Gilded Age, Birdie Shehorn is the daughter of the old money Knickerbockers. Under the strict control of her mother, her every move is decided ahead of time, even whom she’ll marry. But Birdie has dreams she doesn’t know how to realize. She wants to tell stories, write novels, make an impact on the world. When she discovers her mother has taken extreme measures to manipulate her future, she must choose between submission and security or forging a brand new way all on her own.

Tenley and Birdie are from two very different worlds, but fate has bound them together in a way time cannot erase.

Will Be on OWG's Best of 2017

I listened to this audiobook as a download from Audible.com.

The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck will be on my 2018 Best of the Year list! Rachel's new novel and my own were on the Romantic Times Book Reviews Top Picks for July 2017  -- what an honor for me, and now that I've read her book I'm pretty blown away that My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude's Mooring had that opportunity. Rachel's talent shines in every bit of this novel.  I loved it!

Be prepared for Tenley Roth's spiritual arc to be a little different. Tenley isn't a believer. Jonas is a devout young man and talented craftsman. Their sparks are wonderful.  And Birdie (whom I thought was Bertie because of the narrator's pronunciation) is darling. I was rooting for both her and Tenley all along.

There are wonderful twists and turns in this story. You'll be holding your breath in parts and sighing in relief in others!

The narrator made occasional errors in pronunciation. She also used a Southern accent for this New Yorker heroine but if you can overlook that, you're golden.

What a wonderful listen! There are two time slip stories -- a golden age and a contemporary, both connected by a writing desk. At first I wondered if I could listen to the story because of the author aspect of the story, I was worried I'd feel like author intrusion but I was able to get past that because there was so much more story involved that pulled me in.

I like the look of this writing desk at the left! If you could pick a writing desk, what would yours look like?  Mine is a glass and aluminum picnic table with outdoor chair and that works fine for me!

A War Within by Guest Andrea Boeshaar

Author Andrea Boeshaar

A War Within

By Andrea Boeshaar

 When I began researching my novel Lily’s Dilemma, for the “My Heart Belongs” series from Barbour Publishing, I was surprised to learn that the War of 1812 is often referred to as the Second War of Independence. During this conflict, we were fighting against British constraints on American trade so the war was largely fought at sea, although our Capitol was burned and harbors in Baltimore and Alexandria were attacked. Moreover British ships were attacking American vessels and impressing Americans into serving in His Majesty’s Royal Navy—an act that enraged Americans all the more.

            But as much as I love history, I wanted my novel to address Atychiphobia (the fear of failure). I won’t lie: I struggle with it from time to time. I believe everyone does.

            Before writing Lily I all but believed that God took away my ability to write because of a bad experience with an editor who erased my voice out of my book and inserted her own. Her comments throughout my manuscript demoralized me and left me feeling unsure. The publisher then let me know just how disappointed the higher-ups were with me and that was all I could take. My literary agent stepped in to defend me and negotiations ensued regarding ending my relationship with that particular publisher. At that point, I was certain I’d never write another book.

            But then while reading a novel that touched my heart, I decided to reach out to the author. We corresponded and I confided in her about what was going on. I further explained that I had a contract to fufill (Lily’s Dilemma). We decided to become critique partners and my prayers, her encouragement, along with other friends’ kind words helped me to see that God hadn’t pulled His gracious gift from me. In fact, God had never given up on me even if a Christian publishing house did. I believe God used my sweet critique partner to help me move forward, both in my writing and in my spiritual life. I soon realized it was my fear of failure that hindered me from writing, so I decided to address it – Atychiphobia – in my story. You’ll find my character Mac struggling with the fear of failing as he sets out to make a life for himself in the Shenandoah Valley.

 To date, Lily’s Dilemma has gotten wonderful reviews on Amazon. Readers have stated, “Excellent Story,” “I love historical novels and this one did not disappoint…” and “this story was amazing and was brilliantly written.” 

What? Really? Such encouragement has been like salve to my wounded heart.

What about you? Are you your own worst enemy? Is your fear holding you back from accomplishing great things for the kingdom of God? If so, face your fears by acknowledging them in prayer. Do a search in the Bible and find out how many times God says, “Fear not…”

Then strap on your spiritual seatbelt because the Lord has a wild and wonderful ride ahead!

Giveaway: A copy of My Heart Belongs in the Shenandoah Valley: Lily's Delimma.

Depending Upon God by Carrie Fancett Pagels

I recently had the privilege of speaking at the Writing to Inspire conference in Frederick, Maryland. I spoke on "How to Interview Your Characters Like a Psychologist." But none of it would have happened without leaning into and fully depending upon God. I'd been in an autoimmune flare ever since we returned from our wonderful trip to Michigan in July to promote My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude's Mooring. My "plan" had been to drive up to the event with another author, spend the night, and be at the event for maybe a couple of hours (I wasn't sure how long I could hold up). I was so miserable in the lead-up to planning to go, that I told my husband to never let me do anything like this again.

Well, you know how plans go. which is why we have to depend upon God. The other writer I'd hoped to drive with didn't work out. Which left me driving by myself. But, Praise the Lord, my handsome chauffeur husband agreed to come with me. And, when speaking with my precious aunt Wilda, I learned that she didn't live far from the venue (I thought it was much farther away.)

So, depending upon God to get us through, we left out later in the afternoon on Friday, during the weekend when people were evacuating from the hurricanes. Despite being quite a bit further north, we both suspected there would be heavy traffic on the main interstates (we later learned the roads were clogged with traffic, delaying some of our friends.) We took a route we'd never taken before. It was wide and crazy and included some rocky rutted roads, but we got there safely and in time to enjoy dinner with Rita and Paul Gerlach, and had a wonderful fellowship.

I never know if I'll be able to sleep well and I'd forgotten my medications! I left packing them to the end and didn't have any. Thankfully, I had a couple of them in my wallet for emergencies. And I trusted in God to get me through the seminar. Thankfully, I was able to come even for the morning sessions, which started later in the morning. It was wonderful to see some old friends and to meet some new ones!

In my upcoming release, "Love's Escape" in The Captive Brides Collection, Barbour, October, 2017, my heroine Letitia Burwell is relying upon God to get her North to freedom, on the Underground Railroad for part of the trip, and by transportation by friends. As I was writing this story last spring, I felt the weight of Lettie's dilemma. We all have to depend upon God -- from those who escaped to freedom, to people escaping the hurricanes' wrath, and to a lowly author simply trying to speak at a conference despite autoimmune issues.

Question: How about you? What are you depending upon God for today?

Giveaway: A Copy of The Captive Brides Collection or any one of Carrie's other books including Romantic Times Book Reviews Top Pick My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude's Mooring.