Author's love of coffee inspired latest book
For most of us, a job is, well, work -- rush hour traffic, eight hours in a cubicle and fast food at your desk for lunch.
For Allie Pleiter, however, work means something entirely different.
Her job has taken her to Seattle to explore the city and interview a men's rugby team; to San Francisco to learn to crack a bullwhip; and, to the self-described coffee fiend's idea of Nirvana, Intelligentsia Coffee Roasters to use a $14,000 espresso machine.
"I have the coolest job in the world," Pleiter said.
The Villa Park wife and mom of two is an author who just published her eighth book, "The Perfect Blend."
The novel follows Maggie Black, who feels that she's been called by God to open a Christian coffee house in Seattle.
Her dream appears to be crushed when her loan request is denied. However, handsome British-born banker William Grey III suggests he may reconsider her application if Maggie takes a small business course he is teaching.
"I wanted to do a book set in Seattle, and Seattle and coffee go hand-in-hand," Pleiter said. "It was one of the most fun research trips I've ever had. I just drank my way through the coffee bars."
The trip included a surprising discovery for the java junkie: You really can have too much caffeine.
"I never realized I had a caffeine limit, but I definitely found it," she said with a laugh.
While she was in the Emerald City, she also learned all about rugby, explored Seattle's varied neighborhoods and familiarized herself with Chinese tea ceremonies -- all of which play an important role in her new book.
Pleiter will introduce "The Perfect Blend" at the second annual Live Audiobook Knit-In at 7 p.m. today at the coffee bar/yarn store Knitche, 5150 Main St., Downers Grove.
Guests can work on knitting projects (and, of course, drink coffee) while Pleiter reads from the book. The event also will include a short presentation by Intelligentsia Coffee Roasters about fair trade.
The Live Audiobook Knit-Ins first were offered last year to introduce "My So-Called Love Life," Pleiter's seventh book. Both the author and that book's heroine share a common passion for knitting, so it seemed a natural fit.
Even though "The Perfect Blend" doesn't include anything about knitting, the events were so popular that store owners invited Pleiter back.
Pleiter, who specializes in Christian fiction and parenting books, will release her ninth book, "Masked by Moonlight," in June and her 10th book later in 2008. She's contracted for at least two more books after that. She also travels around the country for speaking engagements.
Not bad for someone who never set out to be an author -- she started writing after a friend in publishing dared her to try it.
"It just astounds me," she said. "It's a pretty amazing thing. I'm just trying to be humble about this tiny little slice of heaven."
For information about Pleiter's books or her appearance schedule, visit www.alliepleiter.com.
If you go
What: Local author Allie Pleiter will introduce her new novel, "The Perfect Blend."
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: Knitche, 5150 Main St., Downers Grove
Details: www.alliepleiter.com