Enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and nonfiction. An avid knitter, harp player and non-reformed chocoholic, she spends her days writing books, doing laundry, running carpools and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie grew up in Connecticut, holds a BS in speech from Northwestern University and currently lives in suburban Chicago, Illinois. The “dare from a friend” to begin writing eight years ago has blossomed into a career that includes numerous public speaking engagements, two books on parenting; Becoming a Chief Home Officer and Facing Every Mom’s Fears and now novels for Steeple Hill Books. She is the mother of two children and, most recently, a Havanese dog named Bella.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Courage To Hope.
Guidance counselor Heather Browning is desperate. She needs a mentor to help Simon, a disabled student who is struggling at Gordon Falls High School. Unfortunately, hotshot Max Jones is her only option. Confrontational and cavalier, Max uses his flashy persona to hide the bitterness he’s felt since his life-changing accident. Perpetually cautious, Heather finds Max’s bad-boy bravado as intriguing as it is infuriating. But as Heather and Max work together to build Simon’s self-confidence, they begin to trust each other. Max has never been slow and careful with anything. Can he be gentle with Heather’s heart?
Gordon Falls: Hearts ablaze in a small town.
If you’d like to read the first chapter of A Heart to Heal, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Featuring a handicapped male primary character, A Heart to Heal is a departure from the usual contemporary romance novel. The reader quickly gains quite a bit of insight into the challanges that people in wheelchairs face in their daily lives and the often negative reactions experienced by the people they encounter.
Guidance counselor Heather, paraplegic Max, and disabled student Simon are all portrayed realistically and sympathetically. The romantic relationship between Heather and Max developed naturally but with plenty of trials that had to be overcome. Acceptance, tough love, and restored faith joined together to bring much needed healing to Max and Simon.
My eyes were opened to several things as I read A Heart to Heal and caused me to take a look at some of my own reactions in light of them. A quick read, this book is perfect to those who enjoy contemporary romance but do not have time to spare for a full-length novel.
