Connoisseur of Apple Cider Doughnuts and the perfect peach (thus far Glohaven). Shawna still remembers the first book she ever wrote; in third grade. It had an April Fool’s day twist with pink construction paper stapled to the front and back. She mostly remembers the kindly librarian who, with just a glance, told Shawna she should write books one day—an idea that made an eight-year-old girl giddy. Shawna grew up in a small Oregon town with her family of six. On their property and through annual camping trips she cultivated her greatest memories and affinity for the outdoors. Her education, career, and passions led her on many adventures and Oregon has remained her home base. As an avid traveler, she is just as likely to be listening to waves crashing as she is to be bustling through a city or listening to the crackle of a campfire. Throughout her journey, she has always seen and recognized the importance of the incredible friends who have graced her path (especially those who have helped her load heavy furniture during her multiple cross-country moves). She is most excited to be writing the books that an elementary school librarian once told her she should write. Wherever you purchase your copy of Beyond the Pear Blossoms, you will have the bonus of knowing that part of your purchase is going to support housing for survivors of the Almeda fire that overtook Talent and Phoenix, Oregon, in September 2020. This fire occurred in Shawna’s hometown, and the Rogue Valley's resilience and ability to come together and respond to the loss of more than 2500 homes has been inspiring. Giving 50% of what she earns from this novel is her little way of doing more to support the long-term stability of this community and their efforts to rebuild.