New Holiday Books and Local Literary Events Bring Fresh Stories to Northeast Ohio
Northeast Ohio is closing out the year with a mix of new books, local authors, and holiday-themed stories, each offering something different for readers of all ages. Three new releases—Holiday Headlock, Nick the Toymaker of Akron, and Lucas & Emily’s Food Bank Adventure—stand out alongside a packed schedule of author events across the region.
Holiday Headlock is a Christmas romance by Terry Armstrong, a writer from Warren who blends small-town charm with the world of professional wrestling. The book follows Aaron McClellan, known in the ring as Fabulous Freddy Foxx, who returns to his hometown of Deer Creek Falls just before Christmas after hearing that his mother has had a health setback.
Aaron expects bad news about his wrestling contract and finds himself juggling even more obligations once he’s home. He agrees to help coach the high school wrestling team and steps in as a substitute teacher, all while preparing for his upcoming class reunion.
He also reconnects with Abby, his former crush, whom he thought had become a doctor but who is still living in Deer Creek Falls. The complication is her husband, an insufferable rich classmate who has managed to become even more unbearable over the years.
Although pro wrestling doesn’t fully enter the plot until later in the story, Armstrong’s long-time familiarity with the sport is clear. The author shares that his love of wrestling began with trips to matches with his grandmother, and that the idea for the book grew after watching Hallmark Christmas movies with his wife.
Holiday Headlock runs 262 pages, is available in softcover for $19.99, and can be ordered through major online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Armstrong will hold signings on Nov. 30 at Books a Go Go in Ravenna, Dec. 3 at Lakewood Public Library, and Dec. 6 at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library.
Another new release, Nick the Toymaker of Akron, is a 28-page hardcover storybook by Karen Wilkie Edwards, illustrated by Chuck Ayers, known for Crankshaft and Funky Winkerbean. The book reimagines the origins of the Blue Santa, an 1890s pottery figurine discovered during a 2002 archaeological dig at the former American Marble & Toy Manufacturing Co. site in Akron.
The story imagines Santa as Nick, a local toymaker who can’t stop creating even after retirement. One night he sneaks back into his old factory, enlists his playful toy companions—including a marble and a ceramic cat—and produces enough toys for every child in Akron and beyond.
Nick travels the world on his canalboat, inspiring his toy friends to craft a blue Santa figurine in his honor. The real Blue Santa found in 2002 is considered the oldest known figure of Santa, and the former toy factory location is now Lock 3 Park.
The book is recommended for ages 3–8, priced at $19.99, and can be purchased online or at local retailers. Edwards is also known locally as a tour guide at Stan Hywet and a percussionist for Overboard: The Love Boat Band.
For younger readers, Lucas & Emily’s Food Bank Adventure by Hudson author Dave Grunenwald introduces kids to how food banks work. In this 38-page softcover, Lucas shares his lunch after thinking his friend Tommy didn’t have one, only to learn the school keeps meals on hand for kids who need them.
Lucas doesn’t understand why some people lack access to food, so his grandfather takes Lucas, Emily, and little Jack to meet volunteers who serve lunches to homeless individuals. The group then tours a large food bank followed by a smaller neighborhood one, where they learn how community support systems function.
Illustrated by Bonnie Lemaire, the book costs $13.95 and joins a series that includes Lucas & Emily’s Animal Adventure and several activity-focused “Merit Badge” books created by Grunenwald. These include Grandparent Merit Badges, Friends & Family Merit Badges, and themes like cooking, gardening, and pets, all available through grandparentmeritbadges.com.
Northeast Ohio’s literary calendar is packed with holiday-season events, including appearances by Regina Brett, Quartez Harris, Jeannie Emser Schultz, Michelle Park Lazette, Gary Sikorski, David Spero, Sue Hincenbergs, Joe Pulizzi, Jayne Kennedy, John Gorman, and many others. Libraries and bookstores from Shaker Heights to Cleveland, Hudson, Mentor, and Akron will host signings, talks, and readings through early December.
Readers seeking local literary activity can find full schedules and registration information via venues such as Cuyahoga County Public Library, Hudson Library & Historical Society, Music Box Supper Club, and Akron-Summit County Public Library.
