One thing I love to do before I start writing the first draft of any book is create a playlist. These are songs that I choose because they fit the setting, theme, or characters. Sometimes, they’re added later after I’ve written a pivotal scene and happened to find a song I believed to be perfect for it. Here are five songs that I played often while writing A RUN AT LOVE:
Kentucky by The Osborne Brothers: This song screamed Kentucky to me. It started my playlist and immediately put my mind right into the heart of A RUN AT LOVE. Seeing how the book is all about romance along the road to the Kentucky Derby, it was a no brainer to have a song about the state.
When Did You Fall by Chris Rice: This book has the tried-and-true trope of friends-to-lovers. Piper and Tuck have been friends since childhood, and each is carrying a torch for the other. I love the tone of Chris Rice’s voice as he sings about missing the signs of the other person falling in love with him. I feel like this is so Tuck and Piper as they work on the journey to finally confessing their feelings.
Black Like Me by Mickey Guyton: As a transracial adoptee, Piper wrestles with her identity and being Black in America. I love Mickey Guyton’s voice and this song fits perfectly with the issues that Piper wrestles with. She wants to see Black Americans experience freedom in all areas, including loving a sport that is viewed as predominantly white.
Mamas by Anne Wilson and Hillary Scott: Piper is a product of a transracial adoption. She’s from a fictional country off the west coast of Africa and her parents are American Caucasians. Regardless of how she came to be adopted, her mama is an important element of the story. This song is so poignant, and I believe gets to the heart of motherhood beyond DNA.
Good Friends by Maren Morris: At the core of this story is a tale of friendship. Not just between Piper and Tuck (though this song gives all the vibes of their relationship), but between Tuck and his guy friends and also for Piper as she develops a friendship with Neveah (my heroine from The Love Script). Friendship is something I love to incorporate in my novels. This song is perfection and Tuck and Piper would 100% agree.
BONUS: Old Kentucky Home by Louis Armstrong: Is there any book about the Kentucky Derby that can be written without listening to this song? It’s sung every year at the Derby, but people often don’t realize it was written to be an anti-slavery song. Check out the Smithsonian Magazine’s article on this song for more information.
A RUN AT LOVE by Toni Shiloh
A CONTENDER RUNNING FOR THE ROSES
As a Black woman in a field with little diversity, Piper McKinney is determined to make her mark on the horse-racing world. Raised on a Thoroughbred farm in Kentucky, Piper’s dream is for her horse to win the prestigious Kentucky Derby. With the help of her best friend and trainer, Tucker Hale, she gains national attention but must grapple with the complications that arise when a journalist delves into her past as a transracial adoptee.
A BEST FRIEND RACING FOR LOVE
In an effort to win Piper’s heart, Tucker formulates a plan to train Piper’s horse to victory, hoping to prove himself to her, her parents, and his own self-doubts. Then a shocking scandal hits the media, implicating both Piper and her parents, and she and Tucker will have to survive the onslaught to find their way to the winner’s circle–and each other.
A ROMANCE WORTH THE CHALLENGE
Contemporary | Multicultural African-American | Romance Contemporary [Bethany House Publishers, On Sale: May 7, 2024, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780764241512 / ]
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About Toni Shiloh
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.
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