North Wind Books to host three book signings -- Sept. 26, 27, 28

HANCOCK -- North Wind Books in Hancock will host book signings with three authors of newly published works Sept. 26, 27 and 28.

All three book signings are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Earl Brogan will officially launch his debut novel, Various Heroes, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Author Earl Brogan. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

The novel, published this June by North Star Press, draws on historical Keweenaw Peninsula events such as the Italian Hall Tragedy. The story’s modern-day characters find themselves in various conflicts between the real and supernatural worlds. The book’s subtitle is "Life, Death, and the Afterlife in the Upper Peninsula."*

Brogan was raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and, according to the publisher’s website, he has always had an interest in its history and ethnic heritage. A retired high school English teacher, Brogan teaches composition and literature as an adjunct professor at Finlandia University and Michigan Technological University.

Brogan and his wife, Jan, live in Lake Linden.

Karen S. Johnson will sign copies of Picturing the Past: Finlandia University, 1896 to the Present from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27.

Karen S. Johnson displays the book, Picturing the Past: Finlandia University, 1896 to the Present, at the Finn Fest Tori held in the Student Development Complex at Michigan Tech last June. Johnson, Finlandia University executive director of communications, is the editor and lead author of the book. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Johnson is the editor and lead author, with co-author and researcher Deborah Frontiera, of this 256-page full color photo-intensive history of Suomi College and Finlandia University. Both soft cover and hard cover copies of the book are available.

Johnson is the executive director of communications at Finlandia University, where she has been employed since 2004. Originally from Royal Oak, Mich., she now resides in South Range, Mich.

Liz Siivola will sign copies of her new children’s picture book, Little Mouse Finds a Home, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Illustrated by Brittany DuPont, Little Mouse Finds a Home was published in July 2013 by Orange Hat Publishing. It is a true story about a mouse found in a hospital on Christmas Eve.

Young readers will enjoy the story of the mouse's adventure and how she finds a new home, says the Orange Hat Publishing website. The book demonstrates how an animal found in an unlikely place can be rescued, cared for, and returned to its natural habitat.**

Siivola and her husband, Pastor Peter Vorhes, live in Laurium, Mich.

North Wind Books is located in downtown Hancock at 437 Quincy St. For information  call 906-487-7217.

* Click here to read more about Various Heroes.

** Click here to visit Liz Siivola's author's Web page.