Nelani lives in Northern Wisconsin with her husband Barry and their five
children, Josh, Jasmine, Sam, Heather and Autumn. In 2009 they were blessed by
the addition of Amber when she married Sam. They have four children Isiah, Noah,
Kiara and William. Nelani loves her family dearly. The members of the family
continue to contribute their artist talents to complement Nelani’s writing.
Nelani writes children’s books, adult fantasy and poetry.
Nelani is the 4th child of 9. She has 5 brothers, Kirk, Devan, Keith, Pat and
Marc. She has 3 sisters, Moana, Simone and Karen.
Visions of 2011 Book 1 is Nelani’s 29th book and 4th poetry book, the 2nd poetry
book fully illustrated by Heather. Some special dates of the year were chosen
and highlighted with artwork and poetry to go along with the pictures to capture
the essence of a year. It grew too large for one book so Visions of 2011 Book 2
is planned to be completed the end of 2011 with early 2012 publication date
planned.
The family enjoys living in the Northwoods, filled with all the wonders that
inspire one to reach toward that something that can only find completion in
meeting with the Creator of it all. Some of Nelani’s favorite activities
include: gardening, stargazing, swimming, biking, hiking, herbal healing and
iridology. In the summer their town has street dances, which the family enjoys.
The winter is her busiest time to write and put books together.
Nelani records audio CDs of all her children’s books and books of poetry.
And yes, when time permits she will put the adult novels onto audio CDs as well.
With the help of her woodworking husband, she has turned many of her poems into
Framed Canvas Works. The poetry is superimposed on the background of a picture
Nelani has taken of the Northwoods.
The family’s seven dogs, Boston terrier/toy poodle mix are Winry, The Cuteness,
Sweetums, Serenity and Kilala. Diefenbaker is a chihuahua and Kindness a
chihuahua mix. (Krammer passed away in 2006 but is still featured in many of the
books as his presence has imprinted itself of the family and their imagination.
He has inspired many characters and creatures.) The family dogs continue to
inspire the family with their antics. They are featured in Creature Companion
News which Nelani, along with Heather and Autumn created in 2006 to keep their
fans informed on upcoming books and events, along with what is going on with the
puppies. The idea of creature companions was developed in the Soaring Free
Series and continues in the Tales of Lamac, where they are highlighted. It
seemed the perfect name for the connection that is made even between a dog (or
other pet) and its people.
Creature Companion Enterprises was formed to bring together all the various
aspects of the family’s creative talents. Heather designed the logo. Within the
dragon circle are the creatures that Heather and Autumn use on the books,
Heather’s updated Novelyst and Autumn’s Inspry. Nelani’s dragon in baby and
adult form are also within the circle. One of Nelani’s favorite Bible passages,
Job 41:20 +21 encircles the bottom portion of the logo. Current and back issues
can be found online on Facebook under Creature Companion Enterprises.
In 2009, Nelani along with her daughters Heather and Autumn started
Christian Rebels News which can also be found on Facebook under Christian Rebels
News. It is a newsletter about news and events in the Northwoods as seen through
the eyes of three local Christian women, them.
Autumn I. Nettrour
Autumn Irene Nettrour was born September 18, 1984. She is the 5th child of
5 and the 3rd girl. Autumn has two older brothers Josh and Sam, and two older
sisters Jasmine and Heather.
Nunkey’s Adventures, Book Two, Birth of Reekey is the 6th children’s book
Autumn has illustrated. The others are: Tales of Lamac, Book 2, Birth of
Takaira; Tales of Lamac, Book 3, Calastapeas’ Gathering; Nunkey’s Adventures
Book 1; The Imagynairs of Jemmidar, Book 1 and Imagynair of Jemmidar, Book A.
Autumn did the cover art and some art in the poetry book, Steps. She also did
the cover art for the 4th book in Soaring Free Series, Chantra’s Awakening. She
has poetry and artwork in Pathways. She is in the process of illustrating more
children’s books.
Music being such a part of her life, Autumn added a special song to the end
of the audio CDs of Birth of Takaira, and Calastapeas’’ Gathering. She also
sang Mira’s Song at the end of the audio CD of Anara Arrives (Tales of Lamac,
Book 1). . She created music for and sang the entire stories of Nunkey’s
Adventures 1, and The Imagynairs of Jemmidar onto the audio CDs after the author
read the story. Although she didn’t illustrate Dragonfly Flight, Autumn did
create the music and sing the story on the audio CD after the reading by the
author.
Some of Autumn’s favorite activities include illustrating, painting,
photography, writing, clothes designing, composing music, stargazing, puzzles,
playing computer and video games. Autumn helps Heather often with their
babysitting.
Autumn continues to work on her own stories and is also writing some stories
with her sister Heather, one of which is The 13 of the Orbs™. Autumn enjoys
creating written and spoken languages for the books she writes.
This year a very small Boston Terrier/Toy Poodle mix puppy by the name of
“The Cuteness My Precious Darling Sweetness Yoshi Nettrour” joined the family
along with her sister Winry Inu Nettrour. Cuteness, for short, is Autumn’s
dog. She is often found nestled on Autumn’s shoulder or in her lap. She weighs
a few pounds and is adorable beyond compare. She is The Cuteness and she knows
it.
Heather Nettrour:
Heather was born May 19, 1982. She is the 4th child of 5, the second girl.
Visions of 2011: Book 1 is the 16th book she has illustrated. The others
are: Tales of Lamac: Book One: Anara Arrives, Cow’s Milk, Dog Tails: Book One:
Welcoming Garcon, Dog Tails: Book Two: All About Krammer, The Dragon Lands: Book
One: The Ripple, The Dragon Lands: Book Two: Banshees, The Dragon Lands: Book
Three: The Village, The Dragon Lands: Book Four: Sun Griffins, Jodi’s Bugs, Jodi
and the Seasons, Jodi's Garden, Dragon Guardian: Book One: Meeshu’s Keep, Angels
in Training, Seek God: Book One: Jesus the Way, Life's Garden. Heather did B&W
chapter illustrations Soaring Free 10th Anniversary Edition. She also has
poetry, musings and artwork in a section of Pathways.
On the CD versions of The Dragon Lands Book One, Two, and Three she wrote
and sang a short song. For Dog Tails, Book Two, All About Krammer, she also
wrote and sang a short song for Krammer. She also created the music and sang the
story of Jodi’s Bugs on its CD. Heather is in the process of illustrating more
books. Besides illustrating Nelani's books she is writing her own books, along
with books with her sister Autumn.
Some of Heather’s favorite activities include, illustrating, writing,
dancing, art, playing all kinds of flutes and ocarinas, walking, biking,
photography, hiking, playing video and board games, swimming, sewing, stargazing
and gardening. During most summers she has Gardening Club for children with
newsletters featuring the children to help them remember what they have learned.
She also enjoys the summer Street Dances, shopping at the local Farmers' Market.
She creates board games, designs and sews clothes and dog clothes and purses.
Heather also makes special gifts using many artistic forms.
Heather enjoys taking care of children. The children that Heather has
babysat over the years have made their way into many of the illustrations.
Heather has two dogs, Serenity a Boston Terrier/Toy Poodle Mix and Kindness,
a chihuahua mix.
Tina Lesnick
Tina Renee was born March 26, 1975 to Larry and
Carole Kober. Tina has two older sisters, Dawn and Brenda and a younger brother
Sean. She married Travis James Lesnick on November 9, 1996. Their son Travis
John was born November 26, 2001. They have a dog, a Rottweiler
named Mason, born March 27, 1998.
Tina enjoys spending her days taking care of Travis John. She enjoys
working on her art, gardening, road trips to visit family and bible study.
Tina’s life in the North Woods inspires much of her art.
