Wednesday, August 04, 2010

MISSION OF HOPE - Allie Pleiter - Free Book

MISSION OF HOPE
by Allie Pleiter
Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical
August 2010
ISBN#: 978-0-373-82842-5

BACK COVER COPY:

No one knows who he is or where he’s from. But witnesses throughout San Francisco report a masked man in black is bringing supplies--and badly needed hope--to homeless earthquake survivors. Some believe that the city’s gallant rescuer is a gentleman of wealth. But others whisper that he is a working class man withcourage as great as his faith. And rumor has it that one of the city’s most spirited society belles is helping him against her family’s wishes. What can be confirmed is that the masked messenger will need more than a miracle to escape those on his trail--and win the woman risking everything to save him...

ONE SENTENCE BOOK DESCRIPTION:

The gallant sequel to Pleiter's San Francisco historical, "Masked by Moonlight," MISSION OF HOPE follows an unlikely hero and his surprising young love as the pair help the city heal from it's massive 1906 earthquake.

EXCERPT:

She looked right into his eyes, and Quinn felt his stomach drop out through what was left of the soles of his shoes. “You’ll probably think it’s silly, but you’ve been such an encouragement to me. Here I was thinking God had left me alone, and you do all those things—those little but very big things—that let me know He’s still minding my path. You’re an answer to my prayers, Quinn Freeman. How does that make you feel?”

He knew the exact moment his heart left his body. The exact instant it disobeyed all the good and solid reasons he had for not pining over Nora Longstreet and left to follow her of its own accord. He stared at her, knowing his affections had just overstepped all kinds of bounds and not caring. He no longer had any choice in the matter. “I’m thinking it might not be wise to answer that, Miss Longstreet.”

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, twelve novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing. Visit her website at http://www.alliepleiter.com/  or her knitting blog at http://www.destiknitions.blogspot.com/

Welcome, Allie. How did you come up with the idea for this story?


I was doing research on the 1906 earthquake and fires and came across a detail about the city’s postmaster deciding to keep the mail going. He pledged to deliver any kind of mail--most of the city’s paper had burned so anything became writing material--no matter the postage. People write messages of survival on shirt collars, scraps of fabric, etc. Arthur Fisk (I don’t use Fisk’s real name or personal details, I created a fictional postmaster) realized how desperately people needed communication. That stuck in my head--the power of a cry for help. And the power of meeting a need, even a small one. The story grew from there, and it wasn’t hard to blend in the mythology of the Black Bandit I’d created in MASKED BY MOONLIGHT, since it already had a bit of Robin Hood stirred in the mix.

I loved MASKED BY MOONLIGHT. If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

Charlene Ann Baumbich, because she’s a dear friend and we could have fun anywhere, anytime; Camy Tang, because she’s also fun and I need someone to knit with; Debbie Macomber, because I’d want to pick her brains for all her wise advice (and she knits, too); Sharon Hinck because I just finished her Restorer book and I’d want to gush to her face, Maureen Lang because I love her work and her sweet personality, and then I’d invite Tosca Lee and make her take us all shopping because Tosca always looks so cool and I feel like I spend way too much time looking like a suburban mom (and I just finished Havah and loved it, too).

Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

Eek, I’m stumped. Let me think. Okay, I’d invite the winners of the past six Christy Awards and ask ‘em how to bring home the shiny hardware. I suspect they don’t know, either, but we’d have a lot of fun speculating. Or just invite the entire Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical author list, (which is way more than six but I could never pick and choose) because I adore the line so much.

Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?

It’s just plain hard for everyone right now. The industry doesn’t have a lot of room for optimism or grace to let a struggling or mid-list author build her career. Risks are very difficult to take, and good art needs lots of risk. For me, it’s the challenge of keeping so many balls in the air with the demands of my family. Emotionally/spiritually, it’s remembering that output is my responsibility (in other words, getting high quality words down on the page) but results (sales, reviews, etc.) are in God’s hands, not mine.

Tell us about the featured book.

I’ve had more fun writing MISSION OF HOPE than any other book. I love swashbuckling heroes, have always adored the historical genre, and Quinn Freemen is a wonderful character. The concept of rebuilding a life from scratch intrigues me so--watching Quinn and Nora learning which things they can change and what cannot be changed. The leverage of hope is a vital message for the world now, I think. So many people are looking for a toe-hold to fend back the loom of disaster. That’s what gives MISSION OF HOPE its power. The fact that it’s about a 1906 earthquake doesn’t change the timeless qualities of love and hope.

Please give us the first page of the book.

It’s not from the fist page, but this is one of my very favorite passages:

She looked right into his eyes, and Quinn felt his stomach drop out through what was left of the soles of his shoes. “You’ll probably think it’s silly, but you’ve been such an encouragement to me. Here I was thinking God had left me alone, and you do all those things—those little but very big things—that let me know He’s still minding my path. You’re an answer to my prayers, Quinn Freeman. How does that make you feel?”

He knew the exact moment his heart left his body. The exact instant it disobeyed all the good and solid reasons he had for not pining over Nora Longstreet and left to follow her of its own accord. He stared at her, knowing his affections had just overstepped all kinds of bounds and not caring. He no longer had any choice in the matter. “I’m thinking it might not be wise to answer that, Miss Longstreet.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is alliepleiter.com , my knitting blog (which doesn’t have much to do with my writing but is great fun anyway) is DestiKNITions.blogspot.com , and I blog monthly with the Craftie Ladies of Romance. I’m on Facebook and Twitter as well.

Thank you, Allie, for once more spending time on my blog.
 
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.














Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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38 comments:

Sylvia M. said...

This plot sounds very intriguing and I don't think I've ever read anything by this author before.

nina4sm[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

Please enter me! the back cover sounds so mysterious! :)
God bless!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

Giveaway Lady said...

Please enter me:) Looks very interesting! Thanks!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

Allie Pleiter said...

Thanks for the comments...yes, I love how unique the plot turned out. It was fun to take the stereotype of the secret identity and see the different and unusual places I could take it.

Linda Kish said...

Intriguing back cover. Count me in, please.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Merry said...

I loved Allie's Masked by Moonlight and I can't wait to read Mission of Hope. Swashbuckling adventures are so fun and romantic!

Michelle said...

Thanks for including me in the drawing! The books sounds great!

Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

A J Hawke said...

What an interesting concept for a story. MISSION OF HOPE is now on my list of must read.

Put my name in the pot for a copy of the book.

A J Hawke
ajhawkeauthor [at] aol [dot] com

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the interview! I really enjoyed Masked by Moonlight and this sounds like it will be just as good. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you1

Bakersdozen said...

By the description, I just know that I will love this book. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cindy W. said...

Sounds like an exciting read. I would love to be entered to win a copy of Mission of Hope. Thank you for the chance to win.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Nancye said...

This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Molly said...

Oh I love LI books! Please enter me! Thank you!

apple blossom said...

Oh, please include me I love love inspired books. Thanks


ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Theresa N. said...

I got goose bumps from reding your review, it sounds wonderful!
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Patsy said...

Great interview. I'm not a knitter like Allie but I crochet and love it. The book sounds great. Love all the Love Inspired books. Thanks for giving away a copy.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

grannyvon said...

I would love to win this book, it is just the kind of book I like. I have not read any books by Allie Pleiter but she goes on my list of authors to read. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

Allie Pleiter said...

So nice to hear from so many interested in the book! Thanks to all of you--I hope you enjoy it!

holdenj said...

Looks like a nice historical story! I think Allie sounds nice and her book good!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

wmmahaney said...

I would love to read this.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

Coolestmommy said...

Great interview. Looks like a book I'd like to read.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail.com

misskallie2000 said...

I love this story. I love a book that takes history and weaves a story of love for country and for the characters as well.
Great interview Allie and Lena.

Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Ashley E said...

Oh wow, I've never had the chance to read Masked by Moonlight, but I will certainly have to now! Please enter me in the contest. Thanks!

MaureenT said...

I also adored the historical genre!
I can sure see why you would want Debbie Macomber ...a fellow knitter at your party!!
Please entre me!
Maureen

rubynreba said...

Looks like a very good book! Thanks for the chance to win it.

Pain SUX said...

THis looks so good!!

~Steph
soklad@hotmail.com

Mozi Esme said...

I love the historical aspect of this book!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Judylynn said...

Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I like the basis for this good story. Great interview. Please add my name for the giveaway and thanks for the opportunity. This sounds like a unique write.

Blessed Be in Christ,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Megan said...

What an interesting fact about Arthur Fink! I can't imagine the different types of mail! Very Cool!

grannyvon said...

I can look at the cover and know I want to read this. Thanks for the chance to win it, regardless it goes on my Must Read List.
ybutler(at)oppcatv(dot)com

Naasom said...

I want read this book and your hope mensage that I think so important to word. Please enter me in this giveaway.
God bless.

letrassantas at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

This is a unique idea for a story. Please enter me in the giveaway. I sense lots of mystery and a sweet romance. I like the title and know that I would enjoy this book. Great interview and I so enjoy meeting new authors...to me anyway!! Thank you.

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Katie said...

This book sounds WONDERFUL! Please enter me!

God bless!

~Katie G.

Shonda said...

Looks like a great book! shondaet@gmail.com

Roanna said...

Sounds like a good book! Please enter me. Thanks!

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Please enter me!

dancealert at aol dot com