Great Lakes Author & Adventurer, Loreen Niewenhuis, Tours Michigan in July with New Book

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. - June 23, 2013 - PRLog -- Loreen Niewenhuis had a mid-life crisis that evolved into a mid-life adventure, causing her to walk all the way around Lake Michigan in 2009. Then, she wrote the best-selling book, A 1000-MILE WALK ON THE BEACH, released in 2011.
In 2012, she undertook another 1000-mile hike -- this time touching all five Great Lakes -- and her new book, A 1000-MILE GREAT LAKES WALK (published by Crickhollow Books of Milwaukee) was released first to select indie bookstores in April, then nationwide in June. The book was recently awarded the Great Lakes Great Reads designation by the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association.
In this new book, Niewenhuis takes readers along on her hike along the shoreline of all five Great Lakes. This book explores the geology, hydrology, and natural history of the largest system of fresh water lakes in the world. It also illuminates the threats to this massive ecosystem: invasive species, pollution, destruction of wetlands, and the gradual warming of the lakes. She raises important questions about preserving our wild places and protecting the fragile ecosystems on which we all depend. "With sensitivity and humor, Loreen's writings give a gentle message to the reader to care for the great natural resource we have here," says Pam Haferman, owner of Black River Books in South Haven, Michigan.
Niewenhuis will tour widely in the state of Michigan with A 1000-MILE GREAT LAKES WALK in July. On Tuesday, July 16, she'll lecture at the Frankfort Public Library in Frankfort at 7pm. On Wednesday, July 17, she'll lecture at the Inland Seas Education Association in Suttons Bay at 7pm. Then, on Thursday, July 18, she has two events: first, from 2-4pm, she'll do a reading/signing at Leelanau Books in Leland followed by a lecture for the Northport Summer Series at 7:30pm at the Leelanau Township Public Library in Northport, MI. On Saturday, July 20, Niewenhuis will sign books at Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City from noon-2pm.
On July 22-23, Niewenhuis will have two appearances in Petoskey, Michigan. First, on Tuesday, July 22, she'll give her Great Lakes lecture for the Friends @ Carnegie Speakers Series, 7pm at the Carnegie Building in Petoskey (451 E. Mitchell Street). The next day, July 23, she'll sign books at Petoskey's own McLean & Eakin Bookstore from 2-4pm.
Then, Niewenhuis will travel to the eastern Upper Peninsula and lecture at four libraries. Wednesday, July 24, she'll speak at the Les Cheneaux Community Library, Cedarville (2pm). Thursday, July 25, she'll be at Bayliss Public Library in Sault Ste. Marie (7pm). Friday, July 26, she'll lecture at the Tahquamenon Area School Public Library, Newberry (6:30pm). And, finally, at 11am on Saturday, July 27 she'll speak at the Engadine Library, Engadine.
Niewenhuis has a full book tour this year. Her schedule is on her website: LakeTrek.com. She will give readings and do signings of her book, and will also lecture at libraries, museums, schools, and other venues with photos and videos and maps from her adventure. "In my lecture, I explore how these vast inland seas were formed, the fascinating geology of the area, and the hydrology -- how the Great Lakes work as a connected system to move water to the North Atlantic Ocean," Niewenhuis said. "These lakes contain 84% of the fresh surface water in North America. Almost 40 million people get their drinking water from them. They are vital to life in the region."
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Niewenhuis has been constantly drawn to the shores of the Great Lakes and was the perfect person to undertake these adventures and to write about the journey with a clear, authoritative -- and often humorous -- voice.
"Loreen Niewenhuis is a wonder, for her vision, accomplishment, and ability to engage and entertain her audience. We are all challenged by her citing an adventurous goal and achieving it," says Barbara Siepker, owner of The Cottage Book Shop in Glen Arbor, Michigan.

About the author:
Loreen Niewenhuis has a bachelors of science from Calvin College, a masters of science from Wayne State University and a masters of fine arts from Spalding University. She currently lives in Battle Creek, Michigan. She is the author of A 1000-Mile Great Lakes Walk (the account of her hike touching all five Great Lakes) winner of the Great Lakes Great Reads award, A 1000-Mile Walk on the Beach (the account of her hike around Lake Michigan) winner of "Best Non-Fiction Beach Read" in 2012, the novella ATLANTA, and many literary short stories. She was a finalist for the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction in 2009 for her collection of short stories titled Scar Tissue.

Niewenhuis gives lectures about the Great Lakes and readings from her work. To contact her for interviews, appearances or to book her for a speaking engagement, e-mail her at LakeTrek@gmail.com

Please learn more about Niewenhuis, her writing, and her adventures at her website http://LakeTrek.com

And she continues to blog about her Great Lakes adventures at http://LakeTrek.blogspot.com