Flowers of the Season with Allie Pleiter

Normally, I’m not much of a flower person.  I like to receive them, of course, but tending and gardening are far from my strengths. 

I was fortunate enough to inherit several patches of peonies when my husband and I bought our house.   The opening of the peonies is the official start of my summer.  Yes, June 1 was yesterday, but on Friday when my first peonies showed their full lovely blooms? That’s the launch of my season.  I think they are my favorite flower—and not just because they require no effort from me save my appreciation.

Roses seem like the opposite of peonies.  I have a neighbor who tends her roses, and there sure seems to be a lot of tending involved.  Don’t get me wrong, I deeply appreciate her roses.  They look and smell lovely.  They seem worth the work.  I’m just a gal who knows when a task is over her head.

My heroine Katrine from my current release THE LAWMAN’S OKLAHOMA SWEETHEART is a staunch optimist, and tries to grow roses in the Oklahoma soil.  It’s tiny details like that which bring my characters alive in my head and hopefully in the imagination of my readers.  Of course, that means the bad guy has to take Katrine’s roses away from her, but you’ll have to read the book to find out how, why, and how our hero restores that hope.

What’s your favorite flower?  Is there one that “launches the season” for you?

Thursday Sisterhood with Allie Pleiter

Family Status: married with one child just out of college and another child just going in 

What Is Your Favorite Beverage: Coffee, followed closely by the SteakNShake Mocha milkshake

What Is Your Favorite Food: Now that my doctor’s asked me to cut back on the chocolate, I’m really into French macarons and lemon meringue pie (but I still love chocolate).

What Is Your Favorite Thing to do During Free Time: Knit!  I’m an avid knitter.  I even write a knitting blog called DestiKNITions.

Who Has Been the Most Influential Person in Your Life: I can’t really identify one person.  I had wonderful high school English and drama teachers who gave me my love of the written and spoken word, but many people in my life now have been great influences as well.

First Book You Fell in Love With: Believe it or not, it was John Garder’s Grendel in high school.  I love old epic poetry, and that book turned my perspective on its head by taking the Beowulf story and telling it from the monster’s point of view.  It changed how I viewed the possibilities of story.

A Book You Wish You’d Written: Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus.  So imaginative and enthralling!

First Book Published: My first non-fiction was Becoming A Chief Home Officer from Zondervan.  My first inspirational novel was Bad Heiress Day from Steeple Hill Cafe.

Most Recent Book: The Lawman’s Oklahoma Sweetheart - the finale of the Bridegroom Brothers multi-author continuity series

Out Next: A Heart to Heal, book four in my Gordon Falls series

How Many Have You Written: 23

What Do You Know Now That You Wish You’d Known Then: Your path is unique to you.  Everyone will craft their careers differently, and if you want staying power than you need to be smart but also true to yourself.  You can learn from the author next to you, but you can’t imitate her.

What is Your Favorite Bible Story: Joseph—I’ve directed too many versions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat not to love that great comeback story.

What is Your Favorite Bible Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

What is Your Favorite Hymn: O Come O Come Emanuel

What is an Ongoing Prayer Request You Have: For my two children to find their unique, happy paths as one enters college and the other enters the “real world.”