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Guest Post with Eve Marie Mont, author of Free to a Good Home & Giveaway

July 5, 2010 by Darlene


I’m pleased to welcome Eve Marie Mont to Peeking Between the Pages today. She is the author of her debut novel called Free to a Good Home releasing tomorrow, July 6 and which I’m anxious to read and hope to be soon.

As you all know who visit my blog anything to do with a dog on the cover or inside the pages of a book is what I call one of my perfect reads. Besides which as Eve mentions in her first paragraph I think she and I pretty much hit it off right off the bat with our love of animals as Eve has a beautiful dog herself named Maggie which you will see in the pictures I’m going to share with you that Eve was nice enough to send. Anyhow, let’s get to Eve’s guest post in which she talks to us about her Inspiration for Free to a Good Home…

First of all, thanks so much to Darlene for inviting me to guest post on Peeking Between the Pages. When I first checked out Darlene’s blog, I knew I loved her taste in books and her fair and insightful reviews. I also fell hard for her adorable dog, Buddy, being a passionate dog lover myself and the mother of a spunky thirteen-year-old shelter pup named Maggie. So Darlene suggested maybe I could write about how Maggie helped inspire me to write Free to a Good Home.

Since the day my husband and I adopted Maggie twelve years ago, she has been an integral part of our lives. She’s experienced all our joys and sorrows right along with us, ready to offer support and love whenever needed. They say that petting an animal lowers a person’s blood pressure, and I know this must be true. I get an inordinate amount of pleasure watching her roll around on the grass in our backyard or trying to catch water coming out of the garden hose. The sight of Maggie eating bubbles is ridiculously funny. She is also my loyal sidekick throughout my writing day. At this very moment, she is sitting next to me on the loveseat, her head pressed against my left arm, almost preventing me from typing. (She does this on purpose to remind me to pay more attention to her.)


I had two really clear inspirations for Free to a Good Home: one was, of course, Maggie, and the other was my mother-in-law, Anne Mont, who just passed away this May after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. The book centers on Noelle, a veterinary technician whose most steadfast relationship in her life is with her Great Dane, Zeke. In my real life, I am fortunate enough to have the most loving and supportive husband, but when I was writing the book, I asked myself, what if I suddenly didn’t? What if my husband left me? How would I cope? And the answer was, in part, through the unconditional love of my dog, Maggie.

Then I asked myself, what if Noelle was still so in love with her ex-husband that she would do almost any favor he asked? What if, for example, he asked her to take care of his ailing mother? Again, fiction diverges from truth because my mother-in-law, Anne, was the sweetest and most selfless person I have ever met; as someone described her at her funeral, she was “grace personified.” But her fictional counterpart, Margaret, is bitter and ornery, and she’s never liked Noelle. And once Noelle is chosen as her caretaker, Margaret resents her even more.

After I had these “What if?” questions in mind, the rest of the story fell into place. A new love interest entered the picture to complicate Noelle’s life, and along the way, Noelle got fed up with her constant doormat status and began to take charge of her life. When the book was finished, I revised and revised, then sent my query out to at least fifty agents, and crossed my fingers. Six months later, I had an agent, the amazingly savvy and supportive April Eberhardt at Kimberley Cameron and Associates.

And Maggie stayed by my side through all the rejections and self-doubt, through all the joys and triumphs. Sure, she is older now and suffers from arthritis, and her eyes are getting cloudy with age, but she still manages to act like a puppy at least once every day. While we still have her with us, I hope to keep learning from her how to live in the moment, play well with others, embrace life fully, and most of all, how to love unconditionally.


Please check out my National Pet Adoption Month contest on my website until July 18th for a chance to win a book club package of eight signed copies and a Skype call-in. Also, if you’d like to read a sneak preview of Free to a Good Home, click here.

***
Thanks so much for this wonderful guest post Eve. I love reading about how Maggie inspired you in the writing of Free to a Good Home. She is so beautiful! The above picture just takes my breath away!

***

About the Book

Noelle Ryan works as a veterinary technician at a New England animal shelter, helping pets find the perfect homes. If only it were as easy to find the same thing for herself. After discovering that she can’t have children—and watching her marriage fall apart after a shocking revelation by her husband—Noelle feels as forlorn and abandoned as the strays she rescues.

She can’t seem to get over her ex, Jay. Unfortunately, all Jay wants from her is a whopper of a favor: serving as a caretaker for his elderly mother, who still blames Noelle for the breakup. While Jay heads off to Atlanta to live the life of a bachelor, Noelle is left with only her Great Dane, Zeke, to comfort her. But when a carefree musician named Jasper gives her a second chance at life—and at love—Noelle comes to realize that home is truly where the heart is.

About the Author


Eve Marie Mont lives with her husband, Ken, and her shelter dog, Maggie, in suburban Philadelphia, where she teaches high school English and creative writing. Free to a Good Home is her first novel.

***

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of Free to a Good Home by Eve Marie Mont to share with my readers courtesy of Eve. Thank you Eve! To enter…

  • Leave me a comment with a way to contact you please for 1 entry.
  • For 2 entries leave a comment about Eve’s post or share with us who your furkids are if you have any.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, July 24, 2010. Good luck everyone!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nan says

    July 5, 2010 at 10:54 am

    Please enter me in the giveaway.

    vtgoat[at]gmail[dot]com

    +2 I have 2 chocolate labs. They look very similar but their personalities are completely different!

  2. Beachreader says

    July 5, 2010 at 11:04 am

    This sounds like a great read on a summer day. My furry people are 2 cats named Sam and Molly.

    jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net

  3. Ekta says

    July 5, 2010 at 12:40 pm

    Great post & thank you for the giveaway!

    +1 ekta.p7[at]gmail[dot]com
    +2 I've been wanting to get a dog for so long now and Eve has totally convinced me. I love the bond she has with her dog. They both seem so sweet!

  4. bermudaonion says

    July 5, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    Maggie makes me think of our 14 year old Milou. She is so loyal and can't get close enough to us. She is old and gray and still acts like a puppy from time to time. No need to enter me – I've read the book and will review it this week.

  5. EmilyJoy says

    July 5, 2010 at 1:21 pm

    Please enter me and thanks for the giveaway! emilyjoymitchell at gmail dot com.

    +2 We have two doggies. A chihuahua named Mali (sounds like Sally, but with an M) and a Belgian Malinois named Deda (sounds like "dee-duh").

  6. lavenderlines says

    July 5, 2010 at 1:21 pm

    This sounds like a great book!
    As for furbabies…..
    I have 4 dogs, 9 cats, a bunny and some FIDs (feathered kids). Yeah, we have a houseful!
    colleenmckie at eastlink dot ca

  7. scottsgal says

    July 5, 2010 at 1:43 pm

    I read any review about dogs so this one sounds great!

    My 2 springer spaniels are silly, loving goof balls – they're going swimming with us today!

    msboatgal at aol.com

  8. Jonita says

    July 5, 2010 at 1:45 pm

    Please enter me to win this one! It looks wonderful.

    jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

    +2 No furbabies for us yet! Our current home doesn't allow for pets, but we will be getting one as soon as we move somewhere where we can have them!

  9. Stacie says

    July 5, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    Please enter me! Staciele(at)netins(dot)net

  10. Stacie says

    July 5, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    My husband's aunt raises great danes, so I will definately have to tell her about this book. Maybe if I win, I will sent it to her and surprise her. Staciele(at)netins(dot)net

  11. Zibilee says

    July 5, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    Oh this sounds like a great book, and I love that Eve takes such inspiration from Maggie. I have a shelter dog that is the light of my days as well. Please enter me in your giveaway as well. I'd love the chance to read this one!!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  12. fredamans says

    July 5, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    Please enter me.

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

    +2 I have a Shih Tzu named Ewok, 3mos old on the 14th.

  13. Molly says

    July 5, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    WONDERFUL guest post!! The cover alone brings a tear to my — it reminds me of my own dogs looking out the window whenever I leave the house. They are always still there when I return 🙂

    +1 = Mstermind1 at gmail dot com
    +2 = I have three yellow labs and they are the joy of my life. I would shutter to think how many dogs I would own if space were no problem 🙂

  14. naida says

    July 5, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    Great post! And what a cute doggie 🙂
    Free to a Good Home sounds very good. Its interesting reading how Maggie inspired the author.

    My chihuahua Diego shows me nothing but love everyday. I think theres alot to be learned about unconditional love and devotion from our furbabies.

    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

  15. Anonymous says

    July 5, 2010 at 3:18 pm

    I really have to read this one since I am a dog lover.
    I have 3 very active Jack Russell terriers named Bingley, Boodles, and Bingo. They love books! Actually, if I place my book I am reading in their line of site-oh no, out the doggie door they go and proceed to tear it up into un- readable pieces. I can't count how many times I have had to go to a bookstore to read the last chapter to see how the book ended. However, can't function without them around me.
    JOYE
    JWIsy(at)aol(dot)com

  16. Toni says

    July 5, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    Hey Dar… What a great interview. It was great to stop by and read it. I love the thought that fiction come from life. It really does. I love your blog and this guest post was great. Happy Late Birthday too!!!

    No need to enter me. I am a bit booked up but I will someday FOR sure add this one to my pile.

  17. Angela says

    July 5, 2010 at 4:45 pm

    aploughery (at) yahoo (dot) com

    +2 I have a lovable black lab named Hank.

    Thanks for the giveaway!!

  18. Sandra K321 says

    July 5, 2010 at 7:29 pm

    Thanks for offering this great inspiring book.

    +2 I have one big (and I mean big) yellow lab who, I must say, isn't the smartest dog I've ever met (OK, so he sort of flunked out of the PetSmart class when he refused to get back in the car to go home and dragged me around the parking lot much to the amusement of other customers. Did I mention he is also strong?) but he does keep me company all day while the kids are at school and he has the most beautiful eyes.

  19. Esme says

    July 5, 2010 at 7:32 pm

    This is my type of book thanks

    I have two kitties that are brother and sister-they make me laugh and warm my heart every day.

    chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com

  20. Kay says

    July 5, 2010 at 9:00 pm

    I loved reading Eve's inspiration post. I'm reading FREE TO A GOOD HOME right now and will have my review up on Saturday. No need to enter me in the contest.

    It's been a while since we have had a pet here. We had cats. Several of them when our daughter was young. The last of them is gone now, but our daughter and son-in-law have a cat and two dogs. They are our grand-pets and the cat comes to visit us on occasion.

    I'm enjoyed Eve's book, by the way. 🙂

  21. Gramma Ann says

    July 5, 2010 at 9:37 pm

    I would love to enter the Giveaway. I love reading about pets.

    iowagramma.ann@gmail.com

    I have a toy poodle. He goes by the name of Joey. He just turned 10 years old in April.

  22. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree) says

    July 5, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    This sounds like a great book.

    I have no furry kids. Just my birds that I feed and watch in my yard.

    ~Leslie

    undermyappletree at gmail dot com

  23. Shannon says

    July 6, 2010 at 3:29 am

    Thank you for entering me. =)

    We have a green feather baby named Munki. Hubby liked the name and made me choose between giving the name to our bird or our first born.

    The bird's name is Munki. =)

    tiredwkids at live dot com

  24. carla says

    July 6, 2010 at 3:37 am

    Love that cover! Story sounds good too! Love that Maggie too, she needs her own book.

    I really shouldn't enter but I can't pass it by.

    cjay at iavalley dot edu

    I have 2 rat terriers, Darcy and Sophie. They love to hunt, and they love to sleep too.

  25. Martha Lawson says

    July 6, 2010 at 4:36 am

    Please enter me for this one! It looks really good. I have two "puppies" (full grown but still think they are puppies). One is a mixed breed named Scooter and the other is a Jack Russell and fiest mix. They are spoiled rotten. My husband and I love them dearly!

    I follow on gfc

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

  26. Anonymous says

    July 6, 2010 at 6:10 am

    I love dogs!!

    billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com

  27. JHS. says

    July 6, 2010 at 7:16 am

    I really want to read this one.

    JHS
    Colloquium

    jhsmail at comcast dot net

  28. JHS. says

    July 6, 2010 at 7:22 am

    Oh, yes, I have "furkids." I prefer to think of myself as a mother of 4: 2 human and 2 canine.

    Sophie and Buddy. Both adopted from Pets 'n' Pals in Stockton. Both without any pedigrees or awards. Sophie is app. 10 years old now & she is the queen of the household. My boys call her Queen Sophia and she does, in fact, demand that she be worshiped and adored.

    Buddy is somewhere between 15 & 16, & has much in common with the Cowardly Lion. He barks, then runs behind my legs to safety. He's all terrier bravado, but lacks the bite. (Don't tell the burglars.) My kids nicknamed him "The Goo" as in gaga, googoo baby noises because he is a big baby.

    Ok, I could write about them all night, but I won't. 🙂

    JHS
    Colloquium

    jhsmail at comcast dot net

  29. Anonymous says

    July 6, 2010 at 12:43 pm

    Sounds like a good read…please count me in for the drawing too ~ 🙂 Thanks!

    sounders72 @ aol.com

  30. Carol D. says

    July 6, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    Yep, I'm a sucker for good dog books (and good backstory). Please add my name to the list.
    Thanks. Carol
    cdirks1@sbcglobal.net

  31. Mary (BookHounds) says

    July 6, 2010 at 12:56 pm

    Enter me — how could I miss the release of a book with a dog!

    MaryinHB at gmail

  32. Margie says

    July 6, 2010 at 1:00 pm

    The post definitely makes me want to read this book. I'm a dog lover. We had a black lab for 16 years, and she was very much a part of our family.
    mtakala1 AT y ahoo DOT com

  33. Margie says

    July 6, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    I'd love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

    (I wrote my initial entry once before, but it didn't seem to make it into the post)

  34. Charleydog says

    July 6, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    The cover of this book is reminiscent of Alex Colville's paintings where a black lab is sitting on the edge of a wharf with a priest.

    I have three cats.

    Please enter my name in the giveaway.

    pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

  35. AmandaSue says

    July 6, 2010 at 3:26 pm

    +1- I'd love a chance to read this it sounds like a great book!

    unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com

    +2- I have a wonder almost 4 year old boston terrier/daschund named Lolo who I rescued when she was 5 months old from a local humane society in which she came from a puppy mill. Its been great ever since, Lolo has grown into a a loving and caring princess. She loves going to the dog park (even though she thinks shes human) and loves snuggling with soft blankets.

  36. Serena says

    July 6, 2010 at 5:36 pm

    I'm like you and cannot say not to books with dogs on the cover! I really enjoyed the guest post and the dog photos.

    no need to enter me since I have this for review!

  37. robynl says

    July 6, 2010 at 6:14 pm

    wow, I love stories about dogs; I am so happy I came across this great book and review; what an awesome opportunity to win this.

    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

  38. robynl says

    July 6, 2010 at 6:16 pm

    We had to put our furbaby down a couple of years ago and I still miss him so much. He was Sam, a 14 yr. old male Apricot toy poodle who seemed human to us. He was the love of our lives, did tricks, ate chips and dip(if we played a trick and left the dip off he'd spit it out) and loved going for car rides. My heart aches.

    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

  39. nfmgirl says

    July 7, 2010 at 1:41 am

    Please count me in! Thanks so much!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  40. nfmgirl says

    July 7, 2010 at 1:48 am

    I have five furbabies (5 cats), plus a feathered baby (lovebird), and a hard-backed baby (turtle)!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  41. misskallie2000 says

    July 7, 2010 at 2:31 am

    I would love to win this book. I love pets, all kinds, so I know I will enjoy reading "Free to a Good Home".

    +2 I have 3 cats at present. A very spoiled 12 yr old Silver Gray Persian, Miss Kallie, another spoiled 6 1/2 yr old black & white female named Boots and a 6 1/2 yr old orange male named Garfield who is my good boy.

    Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  42. LAMusing says

    July 7, 2010 at 5:41 am

    Sounds wonderful!

    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

  43. LAMusing says

    July 7, 2010 at 5:45 am

    My furry friend is a rescue cat. He was dumped on an airport runway as a kitten (what's wrong with some people?) Named him Piper because he can purr as loud as a Piper plane! I am not a "cat person" but when a cat adopts you you have no say in the matter 🙂

    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

  44. carolsnotebook says

    July 7, 2010 at 4:34 pm

    I have one dog, Scrappy, who we got a local shelter. He hates the hot weather we've been having.

    The book sounds like something I would enjoy.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

  45. Pamela Keener says

    July 7, 2010 at 9:10 pm

    I would love to win this giveaway.
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam
    pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
    +2 I am owned by a 12 year old German Shorthaired Pointer named Spencer, A 10 year old Golden Retriever named MJ and an 8 year old crazy cat who rules the pack named CB.

  46. Stacey says

    July 7, 2010 at 9:15 pm

    I would just love to win this giveaway. I am an avid animal lover who has rescued several dogs over the years. I have one Hairless Chinese Crested dog who was also a rescue dog(who has his own blog at: http://goaheadmakemestay.blogpost.com)I acquired while working at a pet grooming salon. I was also a veterinary assistant for a time and remember back to that time when I wanted to bring home every single animal who needed a place to go.

    My email:
    rowdycowchick@gmail.com

  47. Carol M says

    July 7, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    I would love to read this! Please enter me. Thank you!

    My two fur kids are two sweet, loving cats named Max and Mindy. They are brother and sister.

    mittens0831 at aol dot com

  48. allisonsbj3 says

    July 8, 2010 at 8:51 pm

    1+ allisonsbj3(at)gmail.com

    2+ My boyfriend and I will be getting our first kitty this weekend. We are so happy!

  49. JenM says

    July 9, 2010 at 1:15 am

    This book sounds really good.

    +2 – I wish I could have a furkid, either a cat or a dog would be fine with me, but I'm horribly allergic to them both – I get asthma if I'm around them for any length of time. I just keep hoping someone will figure out a way to cure these darned allergies.

    jen(at)delux(dot)com

  50. Linda Kish says

    July 9, 2010 at 2:42 am

    I also am a sucker for anything with a dog on the cover or in the story.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  51. Suko says

    July 10, 2010 at 5:53 am

    Great post and I would love to read this book!

    I have a sweet boxer named Jenny and a darling cat named Sara.

    I've posted this in my blog's sidebar.

    Suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

    Thanks!

  52. pmernick says

    July 10, 2010 at 7:49 pm

    I have two rescue dogs and would love to read this!
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  53. Benita says

    July 11, 2010 at 1:23 am

    +1 Thanks for this fabulous
    giveaway. My fingers are
    crossed.

    +2 I have a beautiful terrier, and I adore her.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

  54. Alice Teh says

    July 11, 2010 at 3:29 pm

    Great post, Dar! I love my furkid Hiro too!

  55. My name is Patricia says

    July 11, 2010 at 8:55 pm

    Enter Please 🙂
    PelicanJL(at)hotmail(dot)com

  56. Dawn M. says

    July 12, 2010 at 8:18 am

    Sounds like a great story. :0)

    We have 2 blue heelers, Shyla & Pepper. They're a year old so they still act like puppies. And they're spoiled rotten! Heh.

    Thanks!
    librarygrinch at gmail dot com

  57. Charleydog says

    July 12, 2010 at 8:35 am

    Please enter my name in the giveaway for the book. Thanks!

    pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

  58. Bethie says

    July 12, 2010 at 2:02 pm

    Please enter me. This is on my wishlist!

    +2 Our furkid is Rocco. He is a 2 yr old Labradoole with a ton of energy!

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  59. ~The Book Pixie says

    July 16, 2010 at 8:22 am

    I would just love to win this book!

    I have one furbaby, a very large, very beautiful cat named Rudy.

    ~Briana
    thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com

  60. ruthiekb72 says

    July 17, 2010 at 2:30 am

    Sounds like a wonderful read!

    ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

  61. Bookventures says

    July 23, 2010 at 4:19 pm

    Count me in.

    bookventuresbookclub AT gmail DOT com

  62. Nancye says

    July 24, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

    +2 I have a Miniature Schnauzer named Abby. She is 2 years old. She is the sweetest dog ever! She keeps me company everyday!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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