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.

Interview with Terri

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Very young. I started writing poetry in the 3rd grade. By the time I was in middle school, I was writing poetry and winning awards for it. I started writing speeches and winning awards by 9th grade. I began writing fiction while taking an African-American Lit class in my senior year. I didn’t really spend time wanting to be a writer. I just was.

What is your real-life work schedule like when writing?

I own my own business. I sell hand-dyed yarn for knitters and crocheters at fiber festivals. I work eight hours for my business, then take a few hours to shift gears before I clock in to write. My writing hours are 9-11 pm. I try to at least do something writerly every night, even if it’s just updating my website or checking my email. I’m very careful about having days off, so the weekends are mine to rest. Unless I have a fiber festival on the weekend. Then I schedule two days off the following week.

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

Character development and character arc. I normally begin a book with end. I figure out what my characters are going to look like when they learn the lesson of the book. I work hard to make sure their that arc is believable and relatable. Also, I should add that I am the least objective about my writing. I think it’s all terrible at the beginning. LOL. So I spend months agonizing over every detail. It’s always great to read my reviews, and the reviewers love my characters. That’s when I know I’ve accomplished my goal.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I’m a knitter and crocheter, so if my hands are writing, they are knitting. I have created a pretty extensive sweater collection. I also love to bake and make other desserts. My recent discovery is tiramusu brownies, and now that apple season is here, I’ll make homemade apple butter and apple cider.

What does your family think of your writing?

I have the best family in the world. My husband is my biggest cheerleader and my beta reader. It is a great morale boost when your husband loves your writing, especially when he calls you in the middle of his workday to rant about a scene he just read. I have three children, a daughter in her 30’s and two sons in their mid to late 20s. They are not afraid to help me brainstorm, prep for booksignings. As a matter of fact, I’m sitting in a chair my one son put together for me and working at a workstation that my other son, an AV tech, put together for me. I could not do what I do without them.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

You can connect with me on Bluesky, Instagram, and Threads as @terrij.haynes, and on Facebook as Author Terri J. Haynes. Be sure to go to my website https://link.edgepilot.com/s/7b621ecb/Isn-Ms7Q-UOz81z1eazvJg?u=https://terrijhaynes.com/index.html and subscribe to my newsletter.

Blog Stops

Life on Chickadee Lane, October 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 30

Texas Book-aholic, October 31

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 3

For Him and My Family, November 4

Devoted To Hope, November 5

Stories By Gina, November 6 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 6

Simple Harvest Reads, November 7 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, November 8

Book Butterfly in Dreamland , November 9

Cover Lover Book Review, November 9

Pause for Tales, November 10

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 12 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Terri is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d288/the-daughter-of-shiloh-celebration-tour-giveaway