Writers Workspace: Allie Plieter

The Pink Heart Society would like to say a huge welcome to Allie Plieter who writes for Harlequin Love Inspired.

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

Allie is here today to talk about her workspace.  Take it away Allie!

Where do I write? 

Everywhere.  Kitchen counter, couch, coffee shop, back deck, everywhere. I do have a messy desk,but it mostly just holds papers.

My favorite place is on a big comfy pillow, in front of the fire, with a cup of coffee and my dog.  It’s hard not to love a job you can do so comfortably in your pajamas.

Chad Owens, my hero in FALLING FOR THE FIREMAN, probably wouldn’t approve of my laid back approach.  He’s a fire marshall who used to go out on calls, but his current scars run so deep they keep him pinned to a boring desk. A very neat, very tidy desk (totally unlike mine). He’s so busy being dark and dreary that Jeannie Nelworth can’t believe the tender guy she discovers under all that grumpiness.  Don’t you just love--as one reader put it--”the hard shell heroes with soft centers?”

I love my dog, so I figured it’d be fun to put a dog in this story, too.  Plug is no standard issue firehouse Dalmatian.  He’s no cuddly pup, either.  He’s a big, fat, lazy, endearing hound who becomes a crucial ambassador for the firehouse.  Sure, he looks slow, but Plug manages to get both Jeannie and her troubled son Nicky firmly entangled in Chad’s life. 

Jeannie and Chad take a long time to figure out why they’re good for each other.  Like most great love stories, each can’t stand each other for all the reasons that make them a perfect match.  They get their happy ending, but not before a whole lot of healing takes place.  Healing is never easy--as a matter of fact, it’s usually a very messy business.  Add a sullen teenage boy to the mix, and both Jeannie and Chad have their hands full.

Does this unlikely family-to-be get their happy ending?  Well, what kind of romance author would I be if they didn’t?  Of course they do.  Just because I write in unconventional places doesn’t mean I don’t understand all good love stories must have their happy ending.

And, oh, by the way, did I mention that chocolate covered salted caramels are involved?  Because who could resist puppies and fireman and chocolate??

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.