Why Did Santa Leave A Body - Brian Landon

Why Did Santa Leave A Body

by Brian Landon

Yuletide Tales of Murder and Mayhem from eleven of Minnesota's established and upcoming mystery writers. From holly jolly capers to ho-ho-homicides, this selection of stories is sure to please even the Scrooge-iest of readers. So put on your fuzzy slippers, wrap up in a cozy blanket, lock the front door, and keep your Smith & Wesson by your side. After all, this isn't just Christmas. This is Christmas in Minnesota -- the land of 10,000 mystery writers.


BIOGRAPHY
Brian Landon is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, a member of the Loft Literary Center and the Midwest Heartless Murderers, a group of mystery writers formed under the guidance of mystery author Ellen Hart. His humorous essays have appeared in several regional publications including the Minnesota Daily, the Wake, and the Wayfarer. His first Doyle Malloy mystery, "A Grand Ol’ Murder," was nominated for the Minnesota Book Award and the Midwest Book Award. The follow-up, "The Case of the Unnecessary Sequel," was released in Spring, 2010. He lives with his wife Jaclyn in Blaine, Minnesota. Visit Brian at www.BrianLandon.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, Dec. 2nd Once Upon a Crime, Minneapolis 7:00 PM

Saturday, Dec. 4th Barnes and Noble, Blaine 1:00 PM

Saturday, Dec. 11th Barnes and Noble, Apple Valley 1:00PM

Tuesday, Dec. 14th Common Good Books, St. Paul 7:30PM

BOOKS BY BRIAN LANDON






For more information on the anthology and upcoming events, go to www.BrianLandon.com

For more information on North Star Press, go to www.ourbooks.myshopify.com

DOGS AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM

Dogs and the Women Who Love Them

by Allen and Linda Anderson

When the nurturing nature of women meets the loyalty and unguarded affection of dogs, remarkable stories ensue. Dogs and the Women Who Love Them: Extraordinary True Stories of Loyalty, Healing, and Inspiration by Allen and Linda Anderson with a foreword by Rory Freedman, showcases amazing connections between women and their canine BFFs. The results are courageous and compassionate acts of love and healing for the dogs, the women, and all of the people whose lives they touch.

The stories in this book bring laughter, awe, and tears as they feature adorable shelter dogs, police canine handlers, dogs rescued from hurricanes, returning veterans united with service dogs (and the prison inmates who train them), and everyday mutts who transform lives just by providing an exuberant welcome at the end of the day. There’s even a dog that dazzled David Letterman on his Late Show. Ideal for anyone who loves a dog, or simply loves to be inspired, this book delivers a full dose of canine companionship. Betty White, Wendie Malick, Vanessa Williams, and American Humane Association, among others endorsed the book. It has been recommended in O Magazine and on the Oprah.com website.

BIOGRAPHY
In 1996, Allen and Linda Anderson founded the Angel Animals Network to use the power of stories to increase love and respect for all life. They have written a popular, award-winning series of thirteen animal books and have sold over a quarter-million books. In 2007 they won the American Society of Journalists & Authors Outstanding Book Award for Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster. In 2004 they received a commendation from the Governor of Minnesota for their contributions, as authors, to the state. Their work has been featured in national wire service articles, NPR, ABC Nightly News, USA Today, the Washington Post, Animal Planet, the Montel Williams Show, the Today Show, and BBC radio. They donate a portion of proceeds from their books to animal welfare organizations. They are popular speakers at fundraisers for animal rescues and at community service organizations. Allen and Linda live in Minneapolis in controlled chaos with a rescued dog, 2 rescued cats, and a cockatiel who says, “I love you, sweet baby.”

BOOK SIGNINGS
*November 3, Barnes & Noble, St. Cloud, 7:00 p.m.
*November 4, Common Good Books, St. Paul, 7:30 p.m.
*November 6, Border’s Books & Music, Minnetonka, 2:00 p.m.
November 9, A Room of One’s Own Bookstore, Madison, WI, 6:30 p.m.
November 10, Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee, WI, 7:00 p.m.
November 11, Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville, IL, 7:00 p.m.
*November 16, True Colors Bookstore, Minneapolis, 6:30 p.m.
*November 17, The Black Dog Café, St. Paul, 7:00 p.m.
*November 18, Valley Bookseller, Stillwater, 6:00 p.m.

Note: The book events include a dog-woman photo look-alike contest with prizes from pet supply stores. People are invited to bring photos of a woman, side-by-side, with her dog and winners will be drawn from people who submit photos at the event. We also invite people to bring photos of their dogs and share stories, if they wish. It’s a celebration of a relationship that is like no other.

WEBSITES
http://www.angelanimals.net/
http://www.dogsandthewomenwholovethem.com/

Follow on Facebook @Linda-Allen Anderson, @Angel Animals, @Dogs and the Women Who Love Them. Follow on Twitter @angelanimals

BLOG
http://blog.angelanimals.net

OTHER BOOKS PUBLISHED
Angel Animals (published twice in America and in Japanese)
God’s Messengers: What Animals Teach Us about the Divine (published in America and Italy)
Angel Animals Book of Inspiration
Angel Cats (published in America, United Kingdom, and Italy)
Angel Dogs (published in America, United Kingdom, and Brazil)
Angel Horses
Rainbows & Bridges: An Animal Companion Memorial Kit
Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals
Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster
Angel Dogs with a Mission
Horses with a Mission
Dogs and the Women Who Love Them

UNIQUE FACTS
There comes a time in everyone's life when they ask: What will I do with the rest of my time on earth? Allen and Linda Anderson, at mid-life, empty-nested, asked that question and decided to form a "golden team" to bring more love into the world. They used their love for each other and of animals combined with an interest in spirituality to become award-winning, best-selling authors. It has been a journey filled with highs and lows and everything in-between. Job losses, breast cancer, brain surgery -- can you believe it? Life tossed grenades but they kept going. They both believe that when you have passion for doing what you love, it fulfills your purpose.

PUBLISHER
New World Library
www.newworldlibrary.com

Lucy's Hero: Remembering Paul Wellstone

LUCY’S HERO

By Karen Shragg
Illustrated by Bryan Klotz

Lucy's Hero: Remembering Paul Wellstone, is a children's picture book, written by Karen Shragg and illustrated by Bryan Klotz. It is published by Raven Productions. The story is told from the perspective of a fictional farm girl, named Lucy. Lucy’s family and community are helped by Paul Wellstone following a devastating flood which ruined their crops and threatened their livelihoods. Lucy and her family become strong supporters of Senator Wellstone and are greatly affected by the news of the crash of the Senator’s plane. The book leaves us with the comforting notion that while Paul and Sheila may be gone their work and ideals will live on through the efforts of those they have inspired. The thirty-two page book was illustrated in full-spread watercolor paintings.


BIOGRAPHY
Bryan Klotz is an illustrator and educator. He has lived and worked in Canada, the Bahamas, and Minnesota. Currently Bryan lives with his wife and two children in Plymouth, MN and he teaches in Eden Prairie. Lucy's Hero: Remembering Paul Wellstone is Bryan’s first children’s picture book.

Bryan can be reached at bryan_klotz@q.com

PUBLISHER
Raven Productions, Inc.
www.ravenwords.com

Barefoot, Shoefoot - Children's Book

Barefoot, Shoefoot

By Mary Clare Lockman

Barefoot, Shoefoot came from an idea Mary Clare had when she was 21 years old. Years later she brought it to a children’s literature class. Their positive feedback inspired Mary Clare to continue with the story.

She decided to self-publish the book. It was a challenging and interesting learning experience putting the book together from start to finish. She was thrilled to find an illustrator and designer from the Twin Cities and a printing company from Superior, Wisconsin. It was a true local effort.

The book is written in a loose poetic style with strong verbs denoting the action of each image. Colorful pictures and whimsical animals capture the fun of squishing toes through the mud while barefoot, dancing through puddles after a summer storm in rain boots, and many other activities while barefoot or shoefoot.

Repeated phrases and words help children learn to read and make the book a favorite of kindergarten and first grade teachers.

Raising four daughters taught Mary Clare that children really love walking barefoot and wearing different kinds of shoes.

Barefoot or shoefoot, which do you like best?

BIOGRAPHY
Mary Clare’s stories have appeared in three Chicken Soup Books, Grit magazine, and U.S. Navy Cruisers Magazine. She is the self-published author of Warning! Family Vacations May Be Hazardous to Your Health and Barefoot, Shoefoot. Throughout the last five years while promoting the books, she has been interviewed on many radio programs and cable television. She enjoys selling the books at craft fairs because she meets and talks to so many interesting people.

She is currently working on a novel titled, They’re Always With You. Eleven and a half year old Colette is the narrator and catalyst of the story. The question “Who is Daniel” appears on the first page and propels the story events. It is a unique coming of age story as Colette realizes that the adults in her family have many people in their past who will always be part of them. In the process, she also realizes that her grandfather and others will always be part of her.

Mary Clare is a recently retired Oncology/Hospice RN. She also has a BA in Creative Writing. She has been married to Paul for 33 years. They have four daughters, three sons-in-law, and two grandsons.


Barefoot, Shoefoot sells for $8.95 in bookstores and gift shops. At craft fairs, Mary Clare sells it for $5.00. It can be ordered from her through e-mail. mclockman@msn.com

She will be appearing at craft fairs every weekend this fall including Big Lake on November 6th and Duluth Festival of Trees on November 20th and 21st