Grand Rapids Friends of the Library Raffle
Isn’t this a great idea? The Grand Rapids Friends of the Library in collaboration with the Loon Country Quilters created this beautiful 3ft X 5ft wall hanging. The signatures of 20 Minnesota authors are embroidered on the spines of the different books. I was thrilled to be included with Mary Casanova, John Coy, Nancy Carlson, Monica Ferris, Brian Freeman, Pete Hautman, […]
Fort Abercrombie History Days June 11-12, 2016
I may not be taking the stage into Fort Abercrombie this weekend, but I will be going there. I’ll have a book table all weekend, with a presentation at 2pm on Sunday about the early history of the region. Building homesteads on the prairie wasn’t easy. I’ll share my research about how the immigrants survived […]
Midwest Book Awards 2016
What fun for Shelterbelts to be named a finalist for the 26th Annual Midwest Book Awards. The Gala was held at Luther Seminary. We dressed up for the occasion and joined family and friends to celebrate. The judge’s comments were most encouraging. Thanks Midwest Book Awards for a great experience.
Florida Book Tour
Keith and I had great fun visiting Sons of Norway Lodges in Sarasota, Tampa, Fort Meyers and Clearwater last month. How fun to meet fellow Scandinavians, many with Midwestern roots. Special thanks to Shelley Cooper for her wonderful hospitality at Estero Island. Also thanks to Edith and Fred Olsen for hosting us in Bradenton. After the Sons […]
Shiloh Battlefield
Visiting Shiloh was one of the highlights of my recent Florida Book Tour. I’m researching this famous Civil War battlefield for my present writing project, and doubly interested because Keith’s ancestors fought at Shiloh with an Iowa regiment. Keith’s relative was captured at the Hornet’s Nest, and later died as a prisoner of war. We were able […]
Good Neighbors
This family photo inspired a chapter in Shelterbelts. These neighbor women worked in the kitchen during my grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary party at Tordenskjold Lutheran Church in 1956. The church had electricity but no indoor plumbing. These good women hauled large cream cans filled with water from their homes and lugged them down the […]
Quite a Year!
2015 has been a whirlwind with the release of Shelterbelts, the marketing events and next project. What fun to meet readers from across the country. Keith and I spent a wonderful March in Arizona where I spoke to libraries and a Sons of Norway group. Thanks to the Sun City Lodge for great hospitality and warm […]
Guest Post by Krista Soukup
Listen to a book on your next road trip Long car trips require entertainment. I returned yesterday from a trip to South Dakota and yes, Storm Bella was involved, but I survived any highly probable winter storm accidents. Though the road took me to Sioux Falls and back, my brain took me to Tolga Township in Candace Simar’snew […]
Kirkus Review describes Shelterbelts as Moving, Disturbing and Hilarious
The Kirkus Review people have given their verdict on Shelterbelts. I’m celebrating. The reviewer obviously got my humor, liked my characters and enjoyed the book. Yeah! Good news! She also describes it as disturbing. Hmmm. What could be disturbing about my Norwegian farmer book? Perhaps a city person wouldn’t understand the harsh realities […]
Shelterbelts by Candace Simar, a book review by Mary Algaard
Posted by Mary Aalgaard on Jul 23, 2015 in Play off the Page | 2 comments Quote of the Day: Above the tree line, beyond the Hanson farm, the steeple of Tolga Lutheran poked into the clouds. The steeple showed from every corner of their farm. Tia looked toward the church many times a day while […]