Monday, January 23, 2012

Love Inspired author Allie Pleiter--and a giveaway!

Happy Monday!!
I'm so pleased to have Love Inspired author, Allie Pleiter on my blog today!!

About Allie:
An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction. The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie hails from Connecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois. The “dare from a friend” to begin writing has produced two parenting books, fourteen novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing.
Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com
or her knitting blog at www.DestiKNITions.blogspot.com

Please welcome Allie, and read about her writing for the Harlequin Love Inspired line!

“So you write one of those books?”

I get it all the time.  People are startled that a six-foot, knitting-obsessed, extroverted, coffee-loving, loud-mouthed, Dr. Who and spy-movie fan writes those books.  I have a relative who refers to me as “the one who writes the little God books.”  Such comments are usually accompanied with a puzzled look.

I’m never insulted...I love busting the stereotype.  Folks who can’t reconcile me with category romance--especially Love Inspired--probably haven’t read one lately.  I always take that as my cue to thrust one into their hands (me, pushy? never!).  Sure my stories might be labeled as “clean and wholesome,” but they sure aren’t “meek and mild.” Faith belongs in our real world. 

I’m delighted that Love Inspired has always encouraged the “edge” in my voice.  They almost always let me get my “quirk” on.  My heroines are as clever and strong as women I’d want for friends.  If you’re looking for a strapping bare-chested pirate on your cover, you won’t find one in my books.  What you will find is women of depth and strength, learning to love men of courage and character.  And, if I’ve done it right, you will laugh a lot along the way.

So no, in answer to the question, I don’t write one of “those books.”  I write great books that just happen to come in small packages.  Or slip right on your Nook/Kindle/ipad/whatever...because I’m also a gadget-freak.

Oh, by the way, my current WIP has a red-headed hero (for those of you who were pining for one earlier!)

Thanks, Allie! I realy enjoy the Love Inspired line.
And I LOVE that you're writing a red-headed hero in your next book!

Here's a bit about Allie's new release:

Falling for the Fireman
Harlequin Love Inspired
February 2012
ISBN #978-0-373-87725-6
Back Cover Copy:

There's something achingly familiar about the look in fire marshal Chad Owens's eyes. Widowed mom Jeannie Nelworth knows firsthand what it is: loss, hurt and yes—bitterness. Ever since the fire that changed their lives, Jeannie's young son has borne that same look, pushing everyone away. So she's grateful when Chad tries to get through to the boy with the help of his trusty fire station dog.

But the man who's all about safety and prevention keeps himself protected—from loving and losing again. Seems as if Jeannie will have to add his kind, guarded heart to her rebuilding efforts.

Allie has graciously offered to give away a copy of her book FALLING FOR THE FIREMAN to some lucky commenter!
Contest will run from now until Thursday, Jan. 26th 11:59pm EST.
Winner will be announced this Friday!

Good luck!

30 comments:

Karen Baldwin said...

Thanks Jennifer for introducing Allie. And yum! Firemen! Falling for the Fireman sounds great! There's a fire station right down my street and I've almost gotten into a few rear-enders when I pass buy and see those hunks outside.

Prixie said...

I liked her at'chocoholic' :) :) :)

EllenToo said...

I don't read too many of the Love Inspired books because I prefer the Love Inspired Suspense having been brought up reading Nancy Drew, etc but I do read one every once in a while and this one sounds interesting.

PS. I love the cover with the cute beagle on it....oh yeah the fireman is good looking too.:)

Old Kitty said...

Hello Allie, hello Jennifer!! Thanks for a refreshing look of an author busting stereotypes!!Yay!!

Good luck with Falling for the Fireman and all the best! Take care
x

Linda Kage said...

Big congrats on your story. Here's to getting your quirk on!!!

Patsy said...

Would love to read this book. I'm a volunteer firefighter so I know I would really enjoy reading it. I love all the Love Inspired book.

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Bossy Betty said...

Great post! Thanks for writing about clever and strong women though that bar-chested pirate is sounding pretty good today too.

Allie Pleiter said...

What a great group! These comments are making me smile. Us romance readers, we do love our firemen, don't we? This year it's all men in uniform for me...fire fighters and soldiers. Can't miss with that, can you? Here's a question, though--what do you think it is about firemen that draws such admiration? I have my theories, but I'd love to hear yours.

Susan R. Mills said...

Thank you both for this interview. And I happen to like "those" books!

A.L. Sonnichsen said...

I love people who break stereotypes! Thanks for this lovely post and good luck with your book, Allie!

Cathy P said...

Hi Jennifer and Allie! Allie, you got me at 6 foot knitting-obsessed, extrovert. I think that Falling For The Fireman sounds like a great read. I love books where animals are involved.

Southpaw said...

I love that Allie breaks the mold! If the book is as good as this post, it is awesome.

Karen Lange said...

Thanks Jennifer, for the intro to Allie! I enjoy hearing what makes authors tick. :) Thanks, also, for the info and giveaway.
Blessings,
Karen

Linda G. said...

Nice! I do love a good firefighter romance. Hot stuff! ;)

Nancy said...

Sounds good. I love that her WIP has a red-headed hero. Great idea.

Carolyn V said...

Great interview Jennifer and Allie! Yay for chocolate! ;)

PatriciaW said...

Allie, your personality bursts off the page. Chocolate-loving and looking for ways to avoid housework? We could have fun...

Bethanne said...

Aw... I'm like that person saying, "oh you write those books." LOL :D

But i'll have to pick one up and try yours. :) Have a great week.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

I really enjoyed this post, and am all in favor of busting stereotypes. Now I have some more books to check out the next time I download to my Kindle. Thanks!

As for firemen, I'm a sucker for the kind of personality that leads a person into service and humanitarian pursuits. The combination of strong body with a tender caring heart is irresistible. And, um the muscles and uniform don't hurt, either.

Cindy R. Wilson said...

What a fun post, and great voice! I'd love to read this book if it sounds like that :) Thanks for bringing us this interview, Jennifer.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Nice interview!

Allie Pleiter said...

Susan, I think you nailed it: "the combination of a strong body with a tender caring heart is irresistible." I think that's exactly what makes Chad so compelling--especially because his tender caring heart is hidden under a crusty exterior that only Jeannie can see though. Jeannie's one of my favorite heroines...a mother fighting for her son but needing someone to care for her as well. All these comments are great...I'm feeling the quirky love :)

Carol Kilgore said...

New ways to avoid housework? I'm all ears! Oh yeah, the book looks great, too :)

Mary Preston said...

I would love to read FALLING FOR THE FIREMAN thank you. A fun post to read.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Rula Sinara said...

So interesting that you get the same comment I get (although not published yet), but for the opposite reason. If I say I write romance or that I'm targeting harlequin (supers), I get the 'one of those books' comments in ref to the old stereotype. I love pointing out that harlequin has a love inspired line. It always takes them by surprise.

And yay to the red-headed hero!

Robyn Campbell said...

Jennifer, great interview. I would love this book. I crave big people books. Yanno? This one sounds great.

I'z do NOT like housework. Not t'all!

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Sandra Cox said...

This sounds like a fun read.

Jeanette Levellie said...

Allie: I love your style; it reminds me of me! Some call it pushy; I call it bold. And I agree that faith belongs in our world.

I'd love to win your book! Please enter my name.

Thanks, Jennifer, for hosting Allie today!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Great interview. The book sounds like a great read.