February is the month of love, and we’re kicking it off with HEARTS ON THE FLY by Toni Shiloh. In this week’s Jen’s Jewels feature, Toni dives into a fun lightning round, shares heartfelt insights, adds a personal touch, and gives readers a peek at what’s coming next. If you love friends-to-lovers stories, this swoony sports romance is definitely one to add to your list.
LIGHTNING ROUND
- In three words, describe the vibe of your book. Swoony. Heartwarming. Fun.
- Plotter, pantser, or “organized mess”? Definitely a pantser.
THE DEEP DIVE
- Every book has an origin story. What was the “lightning strike” moment that made you say, “I have to write this”? My hero, Jabari Hall, gets diagnosed with macular degeneration. That little note is what gave me an a-ha moment because my grandfather was diagnosed at forty, though he had symptoms years before they found the appropriate diagnosis. It took them a while to name the disease. Having that inspirational moment made the idea of this book personal for me.
- Your protagonist: Did they arrive fully formed, or did you have to excavate them layer by layer? What surprised you most about who they became? Actually they didn’t arrive fully formed. This book was one where I had a little Q&A session with them to discover who they were and why they are the way they are. It’s actually more fun when I get to poke and prod versus when they walk in my head already formed.
- Setting can be a character unto itself. How did your location shape the story’s mood, and what personal connection (if any) do you have to that place? I chose to set the book in Washington D.C. mostly for ease of research. I live in northern Virginia about thirty miles away from our nation’s capital, so I have been to DC plenty of times. Sometimes as a tourist to take in the museums and other times to go to a hockey game and have fun.
- What theme or question haunted you while writing this book? Did you find an answer, or are you still sitting with the mystery of it? That’s an excellent question! I don’t often have a theme or question that haunts me as I’m a pantser and not a plotter. However, as I write the first draft, I often begin to see themes emerge and realize there was on in the back of my mind all along. For HEARTS ON THE FLY the question for my heroine is who is she truly, and how does that shape how she handles life? For my hero, the question was is God truly good.
THE PERSONAL TOUCH
- February is the month of love and connection. What’s your relationship with your writing practice—is it a passionate romance, a comfortable partnership, or something that requires constant wooing? It’s definitely a passionate romance. I absolutely love everything about writing (okay, maybe not editing). I’m always eager to sit down and write story after story after story. I hope my love for writing never fizzles.
- If you could have dinner with one of your characters (or boot one out of the book entirely), who would it be and why? I would definitely boot out my heroine’s sister. If you’ve read the book, you’ll understand why.
LOOKING AHEAD
- Without spoiling anything, can you give us a tiny peek at what you’re working on next? Even just the vibe or the question you’re exploring? I’d love to! I have a Christmas novella, Matchmaking Christmas, releasing September 1st of this year. Think Parent Trap meets Christmas.
- What’s the best way for readers to stay in touch and follow your literary adventures? (Website, social media, newsletter, carrier pigeon…) If you head to my website you’ll be able to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free short story as well as find my social media links to follow.
BONUS: The Author’s Playlist
- Share 3-5 songs that capture the mood of your book or that you listened to while writing. “Skating” by We Three Trio, “Dandelions” by Ruth B., TNT’s NHL theme song
Thank you so much for sharing your insights and creativity! I can’t wait for readers to discover your new release. Happy writing!
Narrator: AhDream Smith, Hassiem Muhammad
A Christian African American & Black Hockey Romance of Forbidden Love and Friends to More
When the game changes, love finds a way to score.
Jabari Hall has spent his entire life chasing victory on the ice—but one devastating hit leaves him benched, not just from hockey but from the future he thought he had. Now, as he struggles with deteriorating eyesight, his well-meaning teammates set him up on a date, hoping it will cheer him up—only the date they choose is none other than Val Elliott, his ex's sister.
Val never expected to be sitting across from Jabari, especially after the way he broke her sister's heart. But when Jabari opens up about his diagnosis, Val's guarded heart softens, and she offers him a listening ear. What begins as a simple friendship quickly turns into something more.
As Jabari navigates life off the ice, he's drawn to Val in ways he didn't expect. With her loyalty to her family on the line and Jabari searching for faith and a new purpose, can they make it to the goal together, or will their hearts wind up in the penalty box?
Multicultural African-American | Romance Sports [ Baker Publishing Group, On Sale: February 3, 2026, Paperback / e-Book / audiobook, ISBN: 9780764245206 / eISBN: 9781493452583 ]
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novel, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist and Risking Love is a 2020 Selah Award finalist.
A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni seeks to help readers find authors. She loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media.
Jennifer Vido writes sweet romances set in the Lowcountry, earning acclaim as the award-winning author of the Gull Island series. When not writing fiction, she interviews authors for her weekly Jen’s Jewels column, leads water exercise classes, and directs a legal nonprofit. Currently residing in Maryland, she and her husband are proud parents to two grown sons and a rescue dog named Fripp.
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