Shanna Lee James

It was a cold and dark Halloween night. Shanna and her best friend, Brie, dressed up as nurses and strolled through the corridors of a hospital. Shanna said to Brie, "Walk in like you own the place!" "But heads are gawking!" Brie protested. "What if they stop us and ask what we are doing here?" "Just keep walking and avoid eye contact!" Shanna caught their reflection in a window and remarked, "You know, Brie, what are we doing with our lives? Our kids are going to be in school, but what about us? We need to do something with our lives while we can! Besides, look how good we look in white!" That Halloween night, Shanna and Brie decided to change hats from homemakers to nurses by enrolling in a nursing program and pursuing their dreams.

As a young girl around seven years old, Shanna entertained herself by playing with her lifelike dolls. She pretended to be a nurse, and when her dolls were not feeling well, she opened her little nurse's kit and took out a tongue blade, a small stethoscope, and some "medicine" that was actually candy. Shanna loved helping people feel better, and even at that young age she knew she wanted to become a nurse when she grew up. The years passed, and Shanna fulfilled the dream she had carried since childhood.

Shanna retired from her nursing career after four decades and was especially grateful for the years she worked closely with patients in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital. Looking back to the morning when a surgeon gave her the grim prognosis that she could expect to be in a wheelchair by the time she reached forty, determination and a burning desire within fueled her to press on. Had she not followed the path of her dreams, she would never have experienced the rich opportunities life had to offer. Shanna fondly remembers and shares many of those heartwarming stories throughout her books. Her hope is to inspire readers with one simple message: "Follow your dreams." Let them lead you to a fulfilling journey uniquely your own.

Formally trains as a writer at the Institute of Children's Literature.

Her hybrid memoir arrives - a story of resilience and courage.

Published a creative writing guide encouraging those who desire to write but don't know where to begin.

How To Reserve Your Place In Heaven becomes an Amazon bestseller.

Continues writing and encouraging others from her home in the Pacific Northwest. Shanna also enjoys writing for children and is currently working on a delightful and uplifting children's book that is sure to bring smiles to young readers and their families.