“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.

Let’s Write Your Story!
Anna V’s B&B in Lanesboro, MN, was my first solo venture in directing a writing retreat. Since that time in 2015, I have enjoyed teaching the craft of writing in many different places. What wonderful people I have met along

Bagley Friends of the Library Wall Hanging
I was so grateful to be included in this 2016 wall hanging created by the Bagley Friends of the Library. Minnesota authors were asked to autograph a strip of cloth that became the spines of the books on this gorgeous

Norway’s Syttende Mai, Constitution Day
May 17 is Norway’s Syttende Mai, Constitution Day, to celebrate Norway’s independence from Sweden. It is a national holiday where everyone wears bunads and waves Norwegian flags in parades across the nation. Many Sons of Norway groups in the U.S.

Inspiration Found in a Norwegian Bunad
I’ve attended a lot of Scandinavian festivals promoting my historical novels about Norwegian immigrants. The Norwegian bunads are always interesting. More than traditional dress-up clothes, the bunads are specific to the different regions of Norway, similar to a state flag.

Let’s Write Your Story!
Anna V’s B&B in Lanesboro, MN, was my first solo venture in directing a writing retreat. Since that time in 2015, I have enjoyed teaching

Bagley Friends of the Library Wall Hanging
I was so grateful to be included in this 2016 wall hanging created by the Bagley Friends of the Library. Minnesota authors were asked to

Norway’s Syttende Mai, Constitution Day
May 17 is Norway’s Syttende Mai, Constitution Day, to celebrate Norway’s independence from Sweden. It is a national holiday where everyone wears bunads and waves

Inspiration Found in a Norwegian Bunad
I’ve attended a lot of Scandinavian festivals promoting my historical novels about Norwegian immigrants. The Norwegian bunads are always interesting. More than traditional dress-up clothes,

Let’s Write Your Story!
Anna V’s B&B in Lanesboro, MN, was my first solo venture in directing a writing retreat. Since that time in 2015, I have enjoyed teaching

Bagley Friends of the Library Wall Hanging
I was so grateful to be included in this 2016 wall hanging created by the Bagley Friends of the Library. Minnesota authors were asked to

Norway’s Syttende Mai, Constitution Day
May 17 is Norway’s Syttende Mai, Constitution Day, to celebrate Norway’s independence from Sweden. It is a national holiday where everyone wears bunads and waves

Inspiration Found in a Norwegian Bunad
I’ve attended a lot of Scandinavian festivals promoting my historical novels about Norwegian immigrants. The Norwegian bunads are always interesting. More than traditional dress-up clothes,
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Krista Soukup Accepting
2018 Laura Literary Award
on Behalf of Candace Simar