Friday, October 31, 2025

The Daughter of Shiloh Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Daughter of Shiloh (Enduring Hope Book Three)

Author: Terri J. Haynes

Genre: Christian Fiction / Romance / Historical Fiction

Release Date: October 1, 2025

A Stampede Tramples Hopes

Collect a series of six historical romances. When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

Lealie Bevard, a determined Tuskegee Institute student, attends the Shiloh Baptist Church convention in Birmingham on September 19, 1902, to request a scholarship for continued education at Harvard. But a beautiful gathering turns tragic when a stampede breaks out and Lealie is injured. While convalescing at the home of fellow Tuskegee student Milton Rafferty, Lealie’s concerns for her future are set aside to help Milton uncover a mystery revolving around missing church funds and a possible murder. Perhaps a pause in Lealie’s well-laid plans can be used for good and lead to love.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Terri J. Haynes, a native Baltimorean, is a homeschool mom, writer, prolific knitter, freelance graphic artist and former Army wife (left the Army, not the husband). She loves to read, so much that when she was in elementary school, she masterminded a plan to be locked in a public library armed with only a flashlight to read all the books and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. As she grew, her love for writing grew as she tried her hand at poetry, articles, speeches and fiction. She is storyteller at heart. Her passion is to draw readers in the story world she has created and to bring laughter and joy to their lives.

Terri is a 2010 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis contest finalist, and a 2012 semi-finalist. She is also a 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarterfinalist. Her publishing credits include: Cup of Comfort for Military Families, Crosswalk.com, the Secret Place Devotional, Urbanfaith.com, Vista Devotional, and Publisher’s Weekly.

Terri holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, a Master’s degree in Theological Studies and a certificate in creative writing and graphic design, meeting the minimal requirements of being a geek. She and her husband pastor a church where she serves as executive pastor and worship leader. Terri lives in Maryland with her three wonderful children and her husband, who often beg her not to kill off their favorite characters.

More from Terri

Growing up in inner-city Baltimore as the fourth daughter of five, money was always tight. Each school year, my mother paid for one field trip because that was all she could afford. With only one shot, I had to pick wisely.

I choose museums every year.

Some years, it was the Walter’s Art Gallery. Others, The Baltimore Museum of Art. I passed up the amusement parks and sports games to go walk through history. My history walking hasn’t changed now that I’m an adult. If I’m traveling, I’m always checking to see what museums are nearby.

History, for me, isn’t just about learning about old things. It’s about learning about old struggles, victories, and modern applications of those things. When I first learned about the Shiloh Baptist Church disaster, it struck me as horrifying and hopeless. As I began to research, however, I saw that this moment in history had a lesson to teach.

The Shiloh Baptist Church stampede is a story of resilience. It gives a snapshot of people, in the worst moment of their lives, figuring out how to move forward. I was moved by the community coming together to care for the victims, many of them total strangers. How local business owners donated to the care of strangers or to cover funeral costs.

History walking informs. It showed me, from a young age, strength and hope. It taught me lessons from ancient texts that helped me through the dark days I encountered in my personal life while writing this book. I wrote this book informed by history that I could face hard times because others did decades ago.

So if you are feeling like there are hard days ahead for you, do a little history walking. Hit the museums or the books. Learn history’s lessons. They are rich and priceless.

MY REVIEW

It is so interesting to read a fiction book that includes historical facts. I have never heard of The Shiloh Baptist Church stampede until I picked up this story. I appreciate how the author delivers an accurate account of this event while giving us realistic characters. I was excited to delve into the book and see where the author would take readers on this adventure mixed with tragedy, mystery and a bit of faith.

I recognized the name Booker T. Washington right away. Where I live we have a school named after this historic figure. He is known for several things such as founding the Tuskegee Institute for vocation and academics for African Americans. The story captures this person with confidence and compassion. The author introduces us to Lealia and her adventure that shapes this incredible story.

Lealia has worked very hard in her academics. It has not been easy but with her parents working hard and contributions from The Shiloh Church she is well on her way towards her dream. Now she has this plan to attend Harvard with the help of a scholarship from The Shiloh Baptist Church convention. All her dreams are waiting for her in Birmingham, Alabama on a day in 1902. She was not prepared for what was about to happen on this fateful day.

Milton is an intriguing character who made me think of him as a remarkably smart person. He makes excellent grades and strives to become known in the medical field. He doesn’t seem interested in going to see Mr. Washington at the convention like others are. There is something about going back to Birmingham he is trying to hide. I like the back story of Milton’s father which helped me understand his bitterness. Will he be able to let go of the past and find a way to forgive? When I discovered what Milton’s father had done, it broke my heart. No wonder Milton didn’t want to return home. He has carried his father’s sin all this time. Will he find a way to forgive and let his heart soften towards others?

This a very emotional story that not only shows us the struggles people faced during this time but reminds us how not letting go can have a lasting effect on you. After I finished the book, I decided to do more research on the tragic event from the story. I pray that readers will take time to study this historical event and strive to listen to our call on our life. We need to also remember that God has a plan for each of us. It may not be what we wanted, but God will place you where you are called to.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.