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GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: On Maggie’s Watch by Ann Wertz Garvin

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Description

Maggie Finley has returned with her husband from the big city to her Wisconsin hometown, where she reunites with her best friend and awaits the any-minute-now birth of her baby. She’s determined to create a safe haven on Hemlock Road, a neighborhood that has always meant security, community, and love. One way to do that: resurrect the defunct Neighborhood Watch program.

The Watch folks are mostly concerned with dog poop and litterbugs. But Maggie’s done some digging and discovered a potential threat living just around the corner-a threat that must be eradicated. And the more Maggie tries to take control, the more out of control she gets…

About the Author

Ann Wertz Garvin is a full professor at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, where she teaches courses on nutrition and stress management. This is her first novel.

Details

  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Berkley Trade; Original edition (November 2, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0425236781
  • ISBN-13: 978-0425236789

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

    MY THOUGHTS:
    ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

    This book will strike a chord with women everywhere.  Especially those who have been pregnant and understand the bizarre thought process that occurs during this special time.  From my own experience, pregnant women are not always rational and the hormonal tidal wave that happens to your body seems to enhance thoughts that would normally be dismissed.  And there you have Maggie in a nutshell.  Maggie is pregnant again after losing her first child and the obsession over keeping this new baby safe overcomes her rationality.  Maggie restarts the local neighborhood watch and finds a predator among them.  Of course, Maggie, not knowing all the details, jumps head first into wacky attempts at trying to remove the offending person.

    Garvin does a splendid job of portraying Maggie’s issues without making us pity her or wanting to kill her off.  There is such a fine line that between those two and I loved how the author develops Maggie into someone we understand and cheer.  This plot line is unique and filled with believable characters.  Julia, Maggie’s best friend, tries her best to keep Maggie somewhat on a rational track and her wisecracking is just pure fun.  Maggie’s mother lets her daughter learn from her mistakes instead of trying to fix everything. which probably would have been the easiest route.  There are two major men in Maggie’s life as well, but I am going to make you go buy a copy to find out about the details.

    If you like Cathy Lamb, you will love this one! 

    WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?

    Contest is open to anyone with a US mailing address –  PO Boxes are ok!
    Contest ends on 11.25.10 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 11.26.10
    Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
    This giveaway is sponsored by The Author and ME!  One book is available.
    Only one winner per household address!

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    Comments

    3. I thought it was interesting that she attended Nursing school at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN.

      lusravesandrants AT gmail DOT com

    4. Thanks for the giveaway!

      From the title of one of her posts she thinks men would make great pets. LOL

      taffy(dot)lovell@gmail.com

    6. I learned that she pretty much had no idea how the system worked on writing a book! But she went to conferences, did alot of research and pretty much didn’t give up, and thats how she got her book eventually signed 🙂

      And I LOVE that this book is written by a WI author (GO WI!) I’m from Wisconsin so I gotta support my state 🙂 Thanks for the review/giveaway and I wish Maggie lots of luck with her book she deserves it since it sounds like she put ALOT of hard work and dedication into this book!

      unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail.com

    26. I love how you say “not want to kill her off” .. seriously, in one book I read lately, I wanted to just shoot every single one of the neurotic characters or at least slap ’em upside da head! Thanks for the giveaway!

      Julie @ Knitting and Sundries
      knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

    28. Great giveaway. From visiting Ann’s site, I found out that she backpacked through Europe twice. Plus many other interesting facts like her going to school to be a nurse.

      Thanks for the giveaway. Filled out the form lovingly. 😉

      ThriftyWays(at)gmail(dot)com

      Kelly

    40. She has a master’s degree in exercise physiology and has backpacked through Europe twice. Now I am wondering, did she go to different places on the second trip?

      CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    41. Julia — JHolden955

      An email has been sent to the lucky person named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam). She has until Monday to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

      Thanks to all who entered.