It Happened at Dawn: A Hybrid Memoir: a Story of Strength to Overcome Overwhelming Adversity

by Shanna Lee James

While in her twenties, Shanna was full of hopes and aspiration for her future, until a physician coldly delivered a grim prognosis:
“Be prepared to be disabled and in a wheelchair by the time you reach your forties.”
Shanna defied that doomsday sentence and fought hard to discover her full capabilities, crushing every daunting circumstance that tried to prevail.
Shanna lives by the words she coined: “Just because the sun set yesterday does not mean there won’t be a fresh dawn tomorrow.” With each morning sunrise, she embraced the day, full of new hope and opportunities. Through relentless persistence and hard work, she overcame every obstacle that came her way, becoming all she ever dreamed possible, and more.
It is her hopes to not only recapture the memories that made this book, but offer hope to any and all who desire to live their dreams and reach their full potential.

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2020

About the author

When I retired from a career in nursing, I felt a void inside. Like something was missing. I still had more to offer. Through writing I found I could fill that space. I began with my deeply personal memoir: “It Happened at Dawn" Preview:
Forsaken by family. Sent far away to live with relatives at the age of 15. Strange town. Knew no one. Alone and Afraid. Fast forward ten years to when a physician said, "Plan to be disabled and in a wheelchair by the time you reach your "... A story of strength to overcome overwhelming adversity.
This was the forerunner to my books that came after.
"You Don't Have to Be a Star to Shine" was written for everyone who said to me after reading my memoir: "I have a story to tell but have no idea where to begin."
And "How to Reserve Your Place in Heaven" was inspired from working up close with patients in Intensive Care where I saw first-hand how very fragile life is and that in the blink of an eye, life can abruptly end.
This book, which is written with love and warmhearted real-life stories, is not to judge or condemn anyone but in a non-religious way present life beyond our wildest dreams!
I graduated from the Children's Literary Agency and am currently writing delightful and uplifting children's books.
I am very happily married and live with my husband in the Pacific Northwest with our two darling budgies. I love nature, wildlife, and animals and actively protest animal abuse.
I will soon be adding my Author webpage for the full picture.

This link displays my books .. Look for Shanna Lee James
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of the strength to overcome adversity. Much happened to the gal telling the story and she kept on keeping on no matter how her life was going. As a child she grew up without much love and too much discipline. Many times things happened that showed she was just a child enjoying having fun, but the adults did not see it that way. Also being sent to live with her grandmother and another time her cousin, were hard to understand for her. Her mother did not come to get her as she said she would in a week. As she grew up, she rose too many occasions and embraced hope and became the person she wanted to be. Her dreams became reality as the people in her life understood her and appreciated all her hard work and desire for becoming the person she was meant to be. Sad, but the outcome is good and positive.
Many people go through difficult times in their childhood and then health problems arise as an adult. Never giving up and always looking for answers is the best approach to happiness and healthier days no matter how hard it is to face at times.

[C.L. Craig]

Shanna Lee James proves that she has a natural talent for writing, in this, her first memoir. In the introduction, through the metaphor of life as a long trek through the desert, she shows how each of us can take our difficulties and transform them into victories through perseverance and a positive attitude. Whether abandoned, as Shanna was in the opening and later in her life, or some other equally difficult obstacle, she reveals how through adversity we can discover who we really are and what we're made of, and how we can use this for the greater good. Never one to play the victim, she instead offers humor as a way of transforming a situation, and hard work as a means to give back to a world that is sometimes unkind. She teaches the importance of compassion and forgiveness, and especially of gratitude, as these are the cornerstones of a meaningful life.

C. Craig

[Sara Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. I wasn’t even done with the introduction and already felt inspired. She captured my attention for wanting to know more at the end of every page. Well written and very inspiring. Want to read other books by her!!!!

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book.It is full of hope and worth the time to read more than once !

[Lelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read through the pages, I could feel the weight of the emotions behind the story moments of pain, reflection, strength, and quiet resilience. It is not just a story being told, but a life being shared, and that makes it very powerful.

There are parts that are truly moving and make you pause and think about life, choices, and personal growth. The writing carries a sincere voice that connects easily with the reader and creates a strong emotional bond with the story.

I also believe that if this book is translated into other languages, it would allow even more readers across different countries to experience and connect with its powerful message on a deeper level.