“Shelterbelts is a wonderful novel, full of vivid writing and fierce characters with a passion for finding their place in the world despite the cruelties of war and the realities of living on the land. Like Sherwood Anderson’s Winesburg Ohio, this book explores the secret yearnings of the heart that promise to connect us if we take the time to discover them in each other. Readers are going to fall in love with Simar’s Tolga Township!”
Jonis Agee, Award-winning Author of The River Wife
Candace Simar is a writer and poet from Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, in the heart of Lake Country. As a life-long Minnesotan, the grandchild of immigrants, Candace nurtures a passion for Minnesota History.
Publishing her Minnesota-based historical novels, ABERCROMBIE TRAIL 2009, POMME DE TERRE 2010; BIRDIE 2011; and BLOOMING PRAIRIE 2012, has been a dream come true.

The Glory of Ordinary Times (Book Cover)
#Wolfpack Publishing #Frontier Fiction #Minnesota history #Blue Cottage Agency This note from a Minneapolis reader made my day: “I just finished your book of short stories, The Glory of Ordinary Time. Well done! Beautifully crafted. I was very impressed with

Frontier Logging Comes to Life at the Pine River 150th Anniversary Celebration
Photos by Sherrie Lillich #Frontier Logging #Pine River Historical Society #Pine River Camber of Commerce #Blue Cottage Agency It was great fun to venture into the world of skit writing for the Pine River Variety Show on July 7th and

Hackensack Arts and Book Festival August 12, 2023
#Northwoods Arts and Book Festival #Hackensack #Hackensack Chambers of Commerce #Minnesota #Art #Books #Festival #Blue Cottage Agency I’ve attended the Hackensack Festival since its beginnings. There’s something for everyone. I enjoy the artwork and pottery. The Lions sell food. Local

Hardtack and Salt pork, the Mainstay of Civil War Soldiering
I grew up on dried beef, and knew very well how it was made and how it tasted. In spite of this, until recently, I thought all salt pork was in a liquid brine. The re-enactors at Fort Abercrombie set

The Glory of Ordinary Times (Book Cover)
#Wolfpack Publishing #Frontier Fiction #Minnesota history #Blue Cottage Agency This note from a Minneapolis reader made my day: “I just finished your book of short

Frontier Logging Comes to Life at the Pine River 150th Anniversary Celebration
Photos by Sherrie Lillich #Frontier Logging #Pine River Historical Society #Pine River Camber of Commerce #Blue Cottage Agency It was great fun to venture into

Hackensack Arts and Book Festival August 12, 2023
#Northwoods Arts and Book Festival #Hackensack #Hackensack Chambers of Commerce #Minnesota #Art #Books #Festival #Blue Cottage Agency I’ve attended the Hackensack Festival since its beginnings.

Hardtack and Salt pork, the Mainstay of Civil War Soldiering
I grew up on dried beef, and knew very well how it was made and how it tasted. In spite of this, until recently, I

The Glory of Ordinary Times (Book Cover)
#Wolfpack Publishing #Frontier Fiction #Minnesota history #Blue Cottage Agency This note from a Minneapolis reader made my day: “I just finished your book of short

Frontier Logging Comes to Life at the Pine River 150th Anniversary Celebration
Photos by Sherrie Lillich #Frontier Logging #Pine River Historical Society #Pine River Camber of Commerce #Blue Cottage Agency It was great fun to venture into

Hackensack Arts and Book Festival August 12, 2023
#Northwoods Arts and Book Festival #Hackensack #Hackensack Chambers of Commerce #Minnesota #Art #Books #Festival #Blue Cottage Agency I’ve attended the Hackensack Festival since its beginnings.

Hardtack and Salt pork, the Mainstay of Civil War Soldiering
I grew up on dried beef, and knew very well how it was made and how it tasted. In spite of this, until recently, I
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Krista Soukup Accepting
2018 Laura Literary Award
on Behalf of Candace Simar