The fabulous Allie Plieter

Today I'm welcoming back the fabulous Allie Pleiter! I'm so excited that Allie and I are going to be doing a presentation entitled "Making a Career out of Category" at the upcoming Chicago-North RWA Spring Fling conference (See the sidebar for links). Today, though, she's talking about her latest release, Falling for the Fireman. Take it away, Allie!

I don’t cite myself as the “slightly untidy mother of two” in my bio for nothing.  There’s a canyon-wide gap of difference between “organized” and “neat.”

As I write this, I sit in icky track pants (I’m getting on the treadmill in a minute, and if I don’t write before I start my day, my day takes off with my brain and no writing gets done!) at a sticky kitchen counter.  There are dishes in the sink because I needed to research which trees are native to Nebraska.  I threw in a load of laundry, but not before I checked my Twitter feed for mentions of my newly released book.  I haven’t finished my synopsis because my son needs a ride to school while on crutches, and anyone who thinks I’m glamorous should have seen me picking up the dog’s “business” in the yard yesterday.

Still, I’m fabulously fortunate.  It’s important to remember that.  As an authorial mom, I get to meld the two best jobs in the universe.  I have freedoms directing my time and energy that other people would kill for.  I make people all over the country--all over the world--smile when they read my work. Honestly, who could complain when you put it that way?

Well, I can...some days.  It’s hard to convince a non-writer that this stuff is HARD WORK.  When I tell people that there are days writing is like shredding your soul one inch at a time with a rusty cheese grater, well, they look at me funny.

“Mother” and “Writer” have never been anything but synonyms for me.  Both roles seem to draw from the same well.  I’m never happier than my saddest child, and I’m never more satisfied than the progress of my slowest work.  They’re not my jobs, they’re essential parts of me.

Available from Amazon and B&N
And other fine bookstores
So go buy one!

My motherhood experience is deeply imbedded in Falling for the Fireman.  I took the desperation I felt guiding my son through a medical trial (he’s fine now, by the way) and poured it into Jeannie’s challenges with her son.  How could I not?  I hope you’ll find the story deeply touching to you as a mother--it’ll be my finest satisfaction and blessing if you do.

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.

Author Bio:

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