GAP FAMILY BLOG

Author:Donna McDine http://www.donnamcdine.com

Artist:KC Snider www.KCSniderart.com

Hardcover ISBN: 9781616333843; 1616333847

Paperback ISBN: 9781616333850; 1616333853

eBook ISBN: 9781616333867; 1616333863

Category: Academic Wings

Author:Kristen Zajac www.kristenzajac.com

Artist: Julie Tucker

Hardcover ISBN: 9781616333935; 1616333936

Paperback ISBN: 9781616331092; 1616331097

eBook ISBN: 9781616331108; 1616331100

Author:Penelope Cole http://penelopeannecole.blogspot.com/

Artist:Kevin Collier http://kevinscottcollierhomepage.blogspot.com

Hardcover ISBN: 9781616333942; 1616333944

Paperback ISBN: 9781616333959; 1616333952

eBook ISBN: 9781616333966; 1616333960

Author: Mary J Kelsowww.authorsden.com/maryjeankelso

Artist: KC Snider www.KCSniderart.com

Hardcover ISBN: 9781616333997; 1616333995

Paperback ISBN: 9781616330255; 1616330252

eBook ISBN: 97816163330262; 1616330260

Thank you for stopping in to share RV Mouse with us. Readers, you can pick up your copy of RV Mouse from the GAP Bookstore. We are proud to add it to the ever-growing line of quality titles from Guardian Angel Publishing.

Mary Jean Kelso

Mary Jean Kelso, author of the Andy and Spirit series and other children's titles, will be signing books at the Nevada Women's Expo at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center in the Grassroots Book Store booth Saturday, March 23 from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, March 24 from 11 am to 4 pm.


Mary Jean Kelso is a multi-genre author of RV Mouse, The Christmas Angel, and its sequel, One Family’s Christmas, and the Andy & the Albino Horse series (Andy and the Albion Horse, Andy and Spirit Go to the Fair, Andy and Spirit in the Big Rescue and Andy and Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen--with many more to come. She is also the author of the young adult Lynne Garrett series.

Mary Jean wrote for many newspapers and magazines and was an Asst. Editor prior to concentrating on fiction for children, young adults and adults. Mary Jean recently received awards from The Nevada Press Assn. and The National Press Assn. as a correspondent for The Lahontan Valley News.

She is a member of Made in Nevada--http://www.madeinnevada.org/

 Visit Mary on the Web at: www.authorsden.com/maryjeankelso

Spend your Christmas with Camille, an orphaned camel, as she leads three zany wise men and their bossy camels to the newborn King in Bethlehem. Children of all ages will love this fun, easy-to-learn Christmas musical. Finally a drama guaranteed to warm the coldest heart.

The CD has the music included! Also a music video will be available at iTunes.


After a family’s star for their Christmas tree is destroyed they search for another ornament to top the tree. They resurrect the treetop angel carried across The Oregon Trail by a young pioneer and bring the story of The Christmas Angel full circle.

Look for these and other seasonal books at www.guardianangelpublishing.com!

Artist K.C. Snider, who has illustrated such Guardian Angel Publishing books as the award-winning historical storybook, The Golden Pathway by Donna McDine, the tween chapter book, The Weaver by Kai Strand, the Andy and the Albino Horse series by Mary Jean Kelso, and newly released, The Milk Horse by Cat Luce, has become a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

K.C. Snider, an honors graduate from The Eugene School for Art, is a prominent Oregon artist. Her love of the western life and of wildlife has been developed since her youth. She had a natural talent for drawing and color exhibited since she was ten years old. She has shared her talents as an Art Instructor at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. Her painting, the “Brothers of the Wolves I”, has been published by Colorado’s Leanin’ Tree, Inc. Her painting, “Spirit of the Hunter,” was chosen by Leanin' Tree for the 2006 Christmas card line.

Originally specializing in Western Art, K.C. has branched out into a variety of styles and subjects. Her collection of oil paintings, lithographs, and pencil drawings include portraits of the All-American Cowboy and Cowgirl and their lifestyles of days gone by. Recently, K.C. has been sculpting using a variety of subjects including cowboys, domestic animals and other funny caricatures and is working on her first bronze, “The All-American Cowgirl.”

K.C.’s paintings incorporate horses of all breeds, majestic wolves and buffalo herds, as well as eagles and other native birds of prey, in their rustic natural habitats. The western terrain in her art is not only very detailed, but it also transcends time. Now a resident of Redmond, Oregon, K.C. is inspired by the natural beauty of the high desert of Central Oregon. In some of her works, if one looks closely, the visions of spirits create an inspiring visual impact. K.C. has a gift for capturing the shimmering iridescence of the spirit world. In her reverent detail, one can almost hear the howl of wolves and the trampling of running horses on dusty trails as their stories depicted on the canvases come to life in the mind’s eye.

K.C.’s artwork has won many awards during her long career. Her rainbow collection of prize ribbons from all over the Northwest is as colorful as her work. Recently, K.C. has won plaques from the 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Western Art Roundup at Winnemucca, Nevada. She has won prizes in several categories, as well as the prestigious Snaffle Bit Award for her authentic Western Art, the Pioneer Award for the depiction of life on the High Desert, and the Indian Heritage Award for her piece titled, “Hope of the White Buffalo.”

K.C. has now completed illustrating a number of children’s’ books. The Christmas Angel, with author Mary Jean Kelso and The Magic Violin, with Mayra Calvani were the first of the books published by Guardian Angel Publishing.

You can visit her website at http://www.kcsniderart.com/  She also has two blogs: http://blog.kcsniderart.com/  and http://andyandthealbinohorse.blogspot.com/.

GAP author Mary Jean Kelso and GAP Illustrator K.C. Snider have several events planned over the next few months. Here is a current list:

OCTOBER 15, 2011 - Saturday -11:00 am to 1:00 pm


The Fernley Branch Library in Fernley, NV will be hosting Mary Jean at a signing in their meeting room. 575 Silver Lace Blvd., Fernley, NV. 775-575-3366.

OCTOBER 31, 2011 - Monday -5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Mary Jean will be signing books at Zoo'n Around Learning Center on Crimson Street in Fernley, NV. Zoo'n is offering a safe place for children to trick-or-treat indoors.

NOVEMBER 4 and 5, 2011 - Friday, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

KC will be signing books at the Snowflake Show at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds. She has several new books out this year that she illustrated. Some new introductions include hardback covers available on some editions.

NOVEMBER 4 AND 5, 2011 - FRIDAY 4-8 and SATURDAY 10 TO 4

Mary Jean will be signing books at the HOLIDAY ART MART at 312 Ben's Way, Fernley, NV. 14 selected artists will have art work available as well.

NOVEMBER 19, 2011 - Saturday 10 am to 6 pm

Mary Jean will be signing books at the Fernley Intermediate School PTA Craft Faire in the gymnasium off Highway 95A behind Quick Stop in Fernley, NV.

NOVEMBER 25, 2011 - Nine days - Friday 11/25/2011 thru Saturday 12/3/2011

KC will be signing books at the Art of Christmas Botique at Urban and Sixth Street under the Arch in downtown Redmond, OR. Shopping hour details to come.

DECEMBER 3, 2011 - Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Mary Jean will be signingbooks at a Made In Nevada event at The Flag Store, 155 Glendale Ave., Sparks, NV. Plans are to have the hardbound edition of The Christmas Angel available as well as all other childrens', YA and Adult books.

JANUARY 14, 2012 - Saturday starting at 11:30 am

Mary Jean will be signing books at GRASSROOTS BOOK STORE in Reno, NV.


Mary Jean Kelso is a multi-genre’ author. Besides RV Mouse, The Christmas Angel, and its sequel, One Family’s Christmas, and the Andy & the Albino Horse series (Andy and the Albion Horse, Andy and Spirit Go to the Fair, Andy and Spirit in the Big Rescue and Andy and Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen--with many more to come). The Adventures of Andy and Spirit and Cowboy James are scheduled for release soon. She is also the author of the young adult Lynne Garrett series:

Goodbye Is Forever, Abducted!, and Sierra Summer. Also Kat’s Cradle, Blue Coat, and The Homesteader series (The Homesteader, The Homesteader's Legacy, Back to the Homestead and Life on the Homestead) and is working on the next--The Homesteader Chronicles--Annabel's Story.

Mary Jean wrote for many newspapers and magazines and was an Asst. Editor prior to concentrating on fiction for children, young adults and adults. Mary Jean recently received awards from The Nevada Press Assn. and The National Press Assn. as a correspondent for The Lahontan Valley News.


She is a member of Made in Nevada--http://www.madeinnv.com/

Visit Mary on the Web at www.authorsden.com/maryjeankelso or

http://www.andyandthealbinohorse.blogspot/


K.C. Snider, an honors graduate from The Eugene School for Art, is a prominent Oregon artist. Her love of the western life and of wildlife has been developed since her youth, with her natural talent for drawing and color exhibited since she was ten years old. She has shared her talents as an Art Instructor at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon.

K.C.’s paintings incorporate horses of all breeds, majestic wolves and buffalo herds, as well as eagles and other native birds of prey, in their rustic natural habitats. The western terrain in her art is not only very detailed, but it also transcends time. Now a resident of Redmond, Oregon, K.C. is inspired by the natural beauty of the high desert of Central Oregon.

K.C.’s artwork has won many awards during her long career. Her rainbow collection of prize ribbons from all over the Northwest is as colorful as her work. Recently, K.C. has won plaques from the 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Western Art Roundup at Winnemucca, Nevada. She has won prizes in several categories, as well as the prestigious Snaffle Bit Award for her authentic Western Art, the Pioneer Award for the depiction of life on the High Desert, and the Indian Heritage Award for her piece titled, “Hope of the White Buffalo.”

In 2006, K.C. illustrated two children’s’ books, The Christmas Angel, with author Mary Jean Kelso and The Magic Violin, with Mayra Calvani. Both books were published by Guardian Angel Publishing and are also available as e-Books. The Christmas Angel has been an instant success with children, teachers and grandmothers alike. It tells the tale of a young girl who travels with her family to Oregon in the 1830’s on the Oregon Trail and protects a very precious possession, the family’s Christmas tree topper, a porcelain angel. She has now finished illustrations for Andy And The Albino Horse, the first book in a series about an albino horse named “Spirit” and the special children who get to know her. The Andy and Spirit books have a number of sequels already in print. And the sequel to The Christmas Angel titled One Family's Christmas is now available along with K.C.’s first collaboration with author Marilee Crow called Does Heaven Get Mail?

K.C. has been married for 49 years to Fred who is retired from Weyerhauser and is K.C.’s biggest supporter. He does all her framing and some very vital computer work so that K.C. can stay in the studio. They live with their dachshund mix, Jack, in Redmond, Oregon. K.C. and Fred have two children and two grandchildren.

Visit K.C. online at http://www.kcsniderart.com/ or her blog at http://blog.kcsniderart.com/.

GAP author Mary Jean Kelso will be signing books on Saturday, April 16th from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Zoo'n Around Child Center, 380 Crimson Way, Fernley, NV.

Mary Jean is the author of:

Andy & the Albino Horse



Andy & Spirit Go to the Fair


Andy & Spirit in the Big Rescue


Andy & Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen


One Family's Christmas


RV Mouse


The Adventures of Andy & Spirit: Book 1 Tweens


The Christmas Angel

You can visit Mary Jean online at http://www.authorsden.com/maryjeankelso.

Author Mary Jean Kelso and artist K.C. Snider will be signing books at the Family Motor Coach Association Conference in Redmond, Oregon on August 12th. The convention will be held at Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center.

Recently Cheri Ascue, who operates Downs Horseplay and is a local Special Ed teacher in Fernley, NV, stopped GAP author Mary Jean Kelso to introduce her to one of the students.

They were excited because they had been using the Andy series in the classroom and Cheri wanted her student to meet "the author".

Mary Jean had this to say, "Using the books for study has worked out well and the student was very excited to meet me. It was, above all, my pleasure. I am happy to see kids that the books are written to encourage actually enjoying them so much."

Fernley Elementary School recently asked GAP author Mary Jean Kelso to participate in their celebration of Book Week. Mary Jean read Andy and the Albino Horse to approximately 200 very attentive second grade students.

The reaction of the students was one of awe and amazement. They were enthralled with the story and enjoyed that some of the illustrations artist K.C. Snider painted represented the area they live in.

The story and the pictures brought the Nevada wild mustang and Andy to life in a way they appreciated and hopefully will help them relate in a positive way to individuals and animals with handicaps.



Mary Jean Kelso is a multi-genre author. Besides RV Mouse, The Christmas Angel, and its sequel, One Family’s Christmas, and the Andy & the Albino Horse series (Andy and the Albion Horse, Andy and Spirit Go to the Fair, Andy and Spirit in the Big Rescue and Andy and Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen--with many more to come). The Adventures of Andy and Spirit and Cowboy James are scheduled for release soon. She is also the author of the young adult Lynne Garrett series:

Goodbye Is Forever, Abducted!, and Sierra Summer. Also Kat’s Cradle, Blue Coat, and The Homesteader series (The Homesteader, The Homesteader's Legacy, Back to the Homestead and Life on the Homestead) and is working on the next--The Homesteader Chronicles--Annabel's Story.

Mary Jean wrote for many newspapers and magazines and was an Asst. Editor prior to concentrating on fiction for children, young adults and adults. Mary Jean recently received awards from The Nevada Press Assn. and The National Press Assn. as a correspondent for The Lahontan Valley News.

She is a member of Made in Nevada. Visit Mary on the Web at www.authorsden.com/maryjeankelso or http://www.andyandthealbinohorse.blogspot.com/

Hi all,

This month I had the pleasure of interviewing two talented GAP authors, Donna Shepherd and Mary Jean Kelso.

Read the interviews at:

Donna Shepherd

Mary Jean Kelso

Happy reading!