When Will My Prince Come?

Brielle Bayo isn't who she thinks she is.  She is really the Crown Princess of a small island country near West Africa, but she's just finding this out at twenty-five years old.  Her father died before she was born and her mother has held hard feelings toward his family because of things that were said all those years ago.  Now her grandfather, the King, is dying, and he wants Brielle to come and take the throne.  

Toni Shiloh has created a small country with a culture and language similar to other African nations, but it is its own entity entirely.  The research she has put into this book makes the settings and culture all the more realistic.  

Brielle faces opposition from an unknown source who tries to thwart her at every turn.  She is beginning to love her grandfather and hating how short the time is for her to be with him and learn from him.  She has two teachers, one who teaches her the culture and history of her new nation, and one who teaches her the language of the country.  Before she can take the throne, the council of the country decrees that she must find a prince, and has compiled a list of three men for her to see if one of them will fill the bill for her Crown Prince. Each one has something to offer, according to the council, but none of them have what it takes to win Brielle's attentions or affections. 

In Search of a Prince is not the first Toni Shiloh book I've read, but it is one of the best books I've read by her.  She creates characters who are realistic, likable, and compelling--well, with the exception of a couple of villains. The villains add to the plot so that the reader is engaged all the way through the book.  I appreciate the way that Toni has woven her plot together, adding in friends for Brielle who see her vision for the country and also want to make a difference for the impoverished people who live there.  This book may be based on a fictional place with a fictional culture, but it immerses the reader into that culture, with tastes, sounds, smells, and sights to delight the senses. 

This is definitely a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a savory paiss (specialty of the country). 

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.