MONTPELIER — In the heart of Bear Lake County, where the majestic mountains meet the tranquil waters, a literary wonderland has sprouted under the creative watch of local wordsmith June Marie Saxton.

Bear Necessities Bookstore, nestled snugly between the pines in Montpelier, isn't just a haven for book lovers — it's a literary escape, a wonderland where paperbacks and hardcovers alike come to life and a dash of magic is sprinkled on every shelf.

When asked about her urge to write, June Marie stated, “Sometimes, when you least expect it, a red parrot flies into your imagination and tells you a story so interesting you have no choice but to stop and write it all down.”

This local author published her first novel "Dancing with the Moon" in 2009. Since then, she has published 18 more books, including her father’s book, "Whirlwind on the Outlaw Trail."

Her titles include "Beckon," "Into the Second Springtime," "Pirate Moon," "Emerald Fire," "Ball Baby," "Veil of Azure Sequins," "Mach 16," Diamonds of the Quarter," "Improper Son," "Tolliver," "Haley at the Hop," "Perfectly Pepper," "Doctor of Devonshire," "Rose of Ravenswood," "Saylor," "Roxy" and "Clementine."

June Marie shared a short passage from "Tolliver" to give an idea of one of her numerous writing styles: “I picture her gently swaying on a front porch swing, somewhere beyond the uncomfortable ripples of heat, in a peaceful place that smells of lilac perfume. I pray Mama’s heaven is an airy realm where angel wings flutter as softly as butterflies amongst hibiscus. And I hope, that in Mama’s heaven, sweet tea flows in golden streams like liquid sunshine.”

Saxton has three more books announced for release this year: "Teancum," "The Young Lady Doctors of Brookston-by-Sea" and "The Lady Doctors of Coventry Cross."

As she was writing "Teancum," June Marie shared that she was “starting to dream every night now, that I'm in the book I'm writing. It's exhausting me. So I hope I soon finish it.”

June Marie is still promising to finish "Confessions of a Redneck Witch Doctor" as well, which will be a practical guide for nutritional healing.

“I’ve taken a long time on that one,” she says, “because by the time I get home from work at Bear Necessities, I feel like writing fiction more than writing about health, but it will be worth it when I finally do.”

In addition, she will continue working on audio books so that all her work might be enjoyed by those who don’t have time to read.

In January of 2021, June Marie held a “grand re-imagining” of her business as she had converted a salon into the bookstore.

“It's the biggest little bookstore in Bear Lake County,” June Marie laughingly states.

Bear Necessities Bookstore, 395 N. 4th St., sells Saxton’s books but also carries other local authors’ books and a fun array of children’s books, puzzles, games, stationary, greeting cards and journals. June Marie is always around to autograph copies of her books or recommend other wonderful titles.

To stay informed of Saxton’s work, visit www.junemariesaxton.com.