Monday, May 24, 2010

Allison Pittman ~ Interview + Giveaway!

**I have recently changed the rules for entering my giveaways and there are new ways to earn extra entries, so be sure to read that section at the bottom of this post. =)**

Today author Allison Pittman is telling us about her new book, The Bridegrooms. She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Welcome, Allison! Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a writer, and a mom to 3 great boys, and a wife to the best guy in the world. Obsessions include Gilmore Girls, facebook, Dateline and DinsneyWorld.

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
I’ve been writing full time for about 5 years. The Bridegrooms is my 5th novel, and I have another great little book called Saturdays with Stella.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in you books?
My writing style? Hmm… that might be a better question to ask readers! But, I’ll go optimistic and say that I compare to Lynn Austin (only because she’s my favorite!) As for romance rating…I love the tension that comes with unresolved consuming passion, so a lot of my romance happens in the characters’ heads, rather than with their bodies. I will say, though, that the Bridegrooms runs a little more PG than my other books…several passionate kisses and some compromising situations.

In your own words tell us a little about The Bridegrooms.
The Bridegrooms tells the story of the 4 Allenhouse sisters, led by the eldest, Vada, and their quests for romance and marriage. I like to think of it as what would happen if Jane Austen had a shot at writing a modern-day sit-com set in 1895. It’s a much more whimsical, light, fun story than my earlier works.

Blurb:
Tragedy hits the Allenhouse family on a hot summer night in Ohio when a mother of four vanished. Eight-year-old Vada virtually grew up overnight and raised her three younger sisters while her father lost himself in his medical practice in the basement of their home.

Now, Vada is a grown woman, still making her home with her father and sisters. Her days are spent serving as an errand girl for Cleveland’s fledgling amateur orchestra; her evenings with Garrison Walker, her devoted, if passionless, beau.

Dizzying change occurs the day the Brooklyn Bridegrooms come to town to play the Cleveland Spiders and a line drive wallops the head of a spectator. The fan is whisked to the Allenhouse parlor, and questions swirl about the anonymous, unconscious man.

Suddenly, the subdued house is filled with visitors, from a flirtatious, would-be sports writer to the Bridegrooms’ handsome star hitter to the guilt-ridden ballplayer who should have caught the stray shot. The medical case brings Dr. Allenhouse a frustration and helplessness he hasn’t felt since his wife’s disappearance. Vada’s sisters are giddy at the bevy of possible suitors. And Vada’s life is awakened amid the super-charged atmosphere of romantic opportunity.

What made you want to write this story?
It was such a small thing…when I was researching for Stealing Home, I came across this team called The Bridegrooms. (they eventually became the Dodgers) And I just thought “cool.” Then, I had an idea of a “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” type of story, but couldn’t quite fall in love with that. I wanted a story about a strong woman, and one that takes into account the healthy romantic passion a woman feels when she is in love, as well as how even good women can be derailed.

What research did you have to do for this book?
I had to be sure to set the story in a time when these two teams (the Bridegrooms and the Cleveland Spiders) actually played a series of games. I also touch on the Suffragette movement. Most fun, though, was studying turn-of-the century Cleveland. They had the first indoor shopping mall. What could be more girly than that!

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I’m working on the final book in my “baseball” books…moving into 1925—the romance between a flapper and a WWI vet. Also, in October, I have a book releasing called For Time and Eternity which deals with the issue of polygamy in the early Mormon church.

How can readers get in contact with you?
They can email me through my website (www.allisonpittman.com) – plus, I connect with a lot of readers on facebook.

What are you currently reading?
I’m reading Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin—loving it! I’m also reading Alice, which tells the fictional story of the girl (now, woman) who inspired Lewis Carrol’s story. ‘meh? Not so great…I’m giving it 20 more pages.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I’m so boring! I’ve never touched a fish.

If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
Not a fish! I’d want to be my dog, Stella. Her life is pretty good.

FAVORITES:

Color?
green

Childhood memory?
Riding my bike everywhere! Just hop on Saturday morning and ride all over post (we lived on an army post)…especially to the school playground to play hopscotch for, like, 4 hours.

Era to write about?
Loving the 1920’s!

What is/was this book’s release date?
April 13, 2010

~~~~~
**USA residents only, please**
Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of The Bridegrooms!


TO ENTER:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment.

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you would not like to be entered.

*Here are the ways to get entries:

(First entry) The mandatory comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

+2 Read and leave a comment on one of my recent book reviews.

**You can earn a total of 4 entries if you do all of the above requirements. Make sure to tell me in your entry comment on this post which of the things you did to get extra entries.**

*The contest will run from today (May 24) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (May 27). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 28th, and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

34 comments:

Tammy S. said...

Please enter me! I'm a follower, and I left a comment on your review of The Country House Courtship. Thanks!
bluerose_shelnut(at)yahooo(dot)com

Amber Holcomb said...

I'd like a chance to win this book! Thanks, Carman! :)

I'm a follower.

~Amber

stokes[dot]a[at]suddenlink[dot]net

Momma Told Me said...

I'd love a chance to win this book!
six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Momma Told Me said...

I follow!
six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Diane said...

Sounds completely chaotic and fun. Thank you for hosting the giveaway. My favorite color is green too.

I am a follower. :O)

estrella8888 at roadrunner dot com

adge said...

Lynn Austin is one of my favorite authors too. This book looks good. Please include me in the giveaway. Thanks. gasweetheart211[at]netscape[dot]net

apple blossom said...

please include me in this book giveaway.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

I'm a subscriber/follower
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

would enjoy reading this novel...thanks for the chance :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

email subscriber :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I did the same thing as a teenager. On Saturday I would ride bikes with a friend all day long. We took a radio and rode until time for supper. The roads weren't as crowded as they are now.

I really want to read this book. I'm a subscriber on Google Reader and I left a comment on your review of In Harm's Way. Thanks!

quiltyreader(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I would really like to win this book. It sounds great!
I am a subscriber on Google Reader, I get your emails and I always try to leave a comment on something you have reviewed.

Question for Alison....

Do you find it easier to outline your story or just write it from "the seat of your pants," so to speak? Thank you.

Christmas with CWG said...

Hi, all--

LaTawna, I am really a "SOTP" writer. I always know exactly what the first and final scene will be, but things in-between...sometimes I'm surprised. For example, in this book, the character Molly (the housekeeper)wasn't even in my character list when I started writing. I just thought, "hmm...why can't these girls cook? Oh, they had a housekeeper..." and then Molly literally came to life word-by-word as I described her in that first paragraph. Ultimately, she's one of my favorite characters!

I love the idea of this story sounding "chaotic" -- that's really the feel I was going for. There's a lot of lessons to be leared in the chaos of life. Like...we should try to avoid chaos :)

misskallie2000 said...

I really want to read this book. It sounds like a fun book to read. Pls enter me in the giveaway.


misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I am a follower and subscriber


misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I left comment on review of The Country House Courtship. Great review.


misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Katie said...

I would love the chance to win this book! It sounds really great! Thanks!

katiegalyean (@) yahoo (.) com

Katie said...

I follow!

God bless!

~Katie G.

katiegalyean (@) yahoo (.) com

Unknown said...

This really sounds like a wonderful read and I would love to read it!

lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com

Patsy said...

Oh, The Bridegrooms sound so good. I've not read anything by this author but am looking forward to it. Count me in on the giveaway.
plhouston@bellsouth.net

Casey said...

This books looks awesome! I have a few sisters, so i think i'll be able to relate really well :) I'm a follower. Please enter me in to win!
randomness.is.awesome@gmail.com

PriviesAndPrims said...

Please enter me in the contest! This book sounds like a great read. :)

I'm a follower and a newsletter subscriber.

Doreen
priviesandprims@yahoo dot com

Aimee said...

Sounds wonderful. I'd love to be entered to win this book. I'm a follower. Thanks!

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered to win this book. thanks
trishbazin@yahoo.com

Kathryn said...

I would love to read this! I grew up and still live about an hour south of Cleveland, and love to visit there when I can. It'd be neat to read about "turn of the century" Cleveland :)

ksmiley2[at]kent[dot]edu

Unknown said...

Please enter me for this book. Thank you!

krhmoseslake(at)gmail(dot)com

Christmas with CWG said...

Kathryn--one of the elements of Cleveland that just grabbed my attention was The Arcade...what some say is the first indoor shopping mall. I figured, if I'm going to have a book about sisters, I have to have a mall, right?

Debbie F said...

I'm a follower!

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Melinda said...

sounds like a great book!

Melinda
mjf926 at gmail dot com

Judylynn said...

Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Judylynn said...

I am a follower.

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

grannyvon said...

I grew up in the deep south or rather in L A. That's Lower Alabama but like to read books that are set all over the world even up "North" Thanks for the chance to win. ybutler@oppcatv.com

grannyvon said...

Public Follower on Google Friend Connect. Great interview. Thanks for the extra entry. ybutler@oppcatv.com

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

I'll toss my name in here. I like her books. joyfulhutch[at]msn[dot]com