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Guest Post with Ann Wertz Garvin, author of On Maggie’s Watch & GIVEAWAY
December 17th, 2010
I’m really pleased to welcome debut novelist Ann Wertz Garvin to Peeking Between the Pages today. Her novel, On Maggie’s Watch, was released on November 2, 2010. I just received the book myself so stay tuned for my review in January. Ann was nice enough to pen a guest post for us here today entitled There by the Grace of God Go I (and You)…Enjoy…
I am so often asked what inspired me to write On Maggie’s Watch; a story of a woman so overcome by fear and possibility that she ventures out and takes matters into her own, often silly, hands.
Friends, who know me, know I have that kind of nut hidden inside me and the honest ones know they do too. And let me say this, give me a nut any day—they’re messy but oh-so-interesting. Remember the time you came unglued behind the wheel or when your child came home with bite marks from day care? How about the time your husband woke you up for sex at 2 AM? My reactions are sometimes more akin to a terrorist attack where my Ninja skills are needed when a mere no thank you would suffice. (Except where my husband was concerned he deserved that poke in the eye.)
But here’s the thing, immoderate actions come with something else that I’m fascinated by which is judgment. And if we pull the string on the sweater of judgment fear is tugged into view.
We encounter something, don’t have enough information, judge it as a threat, fear it and react. Put your kids into the equation and we become badgers, mother bears, my protagonist Maggie.
Here’s something really fascinating. According to the Center for Disease Control the 5 things most likely to cause injury to children are: car accidents, homicide, (at the hands of someone they know), child abuse, suicide and drowning. But what are the five things parents are most worried about? Kidnapping, school snipers, terrorists, dangerous strangers and drugs. Bottom line: we are in this big world together scrambling around in the dark trying to keep our beloveds safe.
My own personal mission is to get the facts, umpire less, be gentle. Concentrate on making my world a better place from within myself. Holding people gently, loving their humanity, even when I want to beep my horn and cut the heads off their geraniums.
__________
Thank you for this wonderful post Ann. I wholeheartedly agree with holding people gently, loving their humanity — makes the world a much better place!
__________
About the Book (from Ann Wertz Garvin’s website):
Maggie Finley has just returned to her beloved Wisconsin hometown, quirky best friend, and eccentric mother. Life should be good, but her marriage to Martin is suffering under the strain of a recent family tragedy and Maggie’s feeling pressed for time. Before the birth of her baby she has to figure out how to fit her high-anxiety-self into a low-anxiety-life.
True to her can do attitude, Maggie hires a compelling handy-man, resurrects a defunct Neighborhood Watch and inadvertently discovers a potential threat to her house and home living just around the corner. Choosing to investigate, despite her best friend’s advice to keep her nose out of it…and despite the risk, Maggie sets her sites on discovering the stranger’s secret. As the mystery of the neighbor’s identity draws Maggie irresistibly in, her ordered life starts to unravel in surprising and hilarious ways.
Unexpectedly compelling and sparkling with wit and intelligence, this debut novel chronicles one woman’s quest for control over her surroundings, and the secrets and surprises that lie hidden in an ordinary suburban landscape.
About the Author:
Ann Wertz Garvin has a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a doctorate from University of Wisconsin-Madison in Exercise Psychology. She is a professor at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater , where she teaches courses on nutrition, stress management, and other health topics. On Maggie’s Watch is her first novel. Ann has lived all over the country, but currently resides in a small town in Wisconsin that provided the inspiration for this novel. To learn more, please visit: www.annwertzgarvin.com.
Be sure to visit Ann Wertz Garvin’s website and blog! You can purchase On Maggie’s Watch here in the US and here in Canada.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
I have 1 copy of On Maggie’s Watch by Ann Wertz Garvin to share with you. To enter…
- For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
- For 2 entries follow my blog. Let me know if you do as the entry is yours as well.
- For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.
This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, January 8, 2011. Good luck to all!
© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Filed under Guest Posts | Comments (67)
Interesting post, sounds like a good book, I'll be eager to read your review next month. Thanks for the giveaway.
extra entry – Google follower
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com
Really nice guest post. I really am trying to do the same thing as the author mentions in the last para, and it is very difficult
I think it is true parents worry about things that don't often happen, because the they don't want to think about what is really a danger. I would love to read the book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
This sounds like a really great, interesting book!
sogni-e-sorrisi[at]hotmail[dot]com
I follow you.
I loved this guest post and see a lot of myself in Ann and the way she deals with things! I think this would make for a great read, so I would love to be entered in your giveaway, and thanks for hosting it!!
zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net
Thanks for this interesting review. This book sounds compelling. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway. This looks like an enjoyable book. Please count me in.
+2 I am a follower.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
Please enter me.
littleone AT shaw DOT ca
I follow on GFC.
littleone AT shaw DOT ca
Please enter me in the giveaway.
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
I am a GFC follower.
Sounds like an excellant read!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com
Email subscriber and GFC follower.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com
I like Maggie's can do attitude. It should be very interesting to read about her investigating the mystery and not having control over everything.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I follow you with Networked Blogs on Facebook and also have an e-maila subscription.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I tweeted:
My Twitter name is Carolee888.
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2010/12/bir2010-grand-prize-giveaways-us.html See link for a huge giveaway.
I'd love a chance to read this, and I love the fact that the author is from WI! You dont hear about to many good books written by Wisconsin authors so I gotta support them
I'm a follower too!
unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail.com
This sounds like a great book, and I love Whitewater, Wisconsin so if it is set near there it would be a nice bonus!
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
I follow on Google RSS
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
What a great post! I do find it interesting that the list of what parents worry about and the real dangers are so far off from each other. No need to enter me.
Wonderful post, and it does sound like a good book
Sounds like an interesting read!! I check/read your blog every day.
So put me down for 2
ladybook21@yahoo.com
Your book looks lovely, thank you for the contest!
dancealert at aol dot com
I subscribe to your site by email and believe I am a GFC follower.
dancealert at aol dot com
I am a subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I think this one sounds great and so can't wait to read your take on it!
No need to enter me. Just wanted to say this was a lovely guest post. Congrats on getting published
Thanks for the chance to win!!
areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com
I also follow!
areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com
I'd love to be entered
strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com
I'M YOUR latest brand new follower
strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like a great book!
Thanks for the chance to win.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Oh, this sounds like a good story.
pboylecharle(at)hotmail(dot)com
I follow your blog on Google Reader.
pboylecharley(at)hotmail(dot)com
sounds like a good one!
caitemaire@hotmail.com
I follow you on Google Reader.
…still caitemaire@hotmail.com
Thanks for all the comments. I hope you like the book. A lot of me is in there mixed up in all the characters but a lot of my friends and family too. The world is such a mish mash of fear and love and hope and works in progress.
Thanks for reading.
Ann
Can't wait to read your book, Ann. Truly
Enter me. I follow on google reader.
aploughery (at) yahoo (dot) com
Sounds like a great book!
billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com
Thanks for the chance to enter this great contest.
Please enter me.
RJB
loki304(at)tds(dot)net
Sounds interesting! aitmama {{at}} gmail {{tod}} com
Follower aitmama {{at}} gmail {{tod}} com
http://twitter.com/aitmama/status/18784972424876032
This is a unique plot – I'd love to read it!
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com
+1 I already like Maggie and want to get to know her. I have a bias in favor of Wisconsin, too, since my dad grew up there! So I would love to be entered into your giveaway and win this book. It's on my list no matter what!
+2 I'm an old & faithful follower!
Thank you Dar!
~ Amy
Aimala127 (at) gmail (dot) com
I would love to read On Maggie's Watch
*Thanks* for the giveaway!
blog[at]theluckyladybug[dot]net
Already publicly following Peeking Between the Pages with Google Friend Connect [Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}]
blog[at]theluckyladybug[dot]net
Tweeted the giveaway
blog[at]theluckyladybug[dot]net
sounds like a great novel..thanks for the chance to read it
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I would love to win this giveaway. Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway.
steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com
Book looks great…thanks.
silversolara AT gmail DOT com
The book sounds delightful – thanks for the chance!
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow you on GFC
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com
Count me in please. I'd love to read it
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com
The book sounds intriguing; it would be interesting to read it.
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com
#1 Follow your blog publicly via GFC (Elena Shkinder-Gugel).
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com
#2 Follow your blog publicly via GFC (Elena Shkinder-Gugel).
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com
#1 tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/spelena/status/23578413675585536
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com
#2 tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/spelena/status/23578413675585536
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com
#3 tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/spelena/status/23578413675585536
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
GFC Follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#1
GFC Follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#2
Tweet! Tweet!
http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/23944847240990720
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#1
Tweet! Tweet!
http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/23944847240990720
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#2
Tweet! Tweet!
http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/23944847240990720
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#3