A Biography inspired by one of Sharon’s favorite authors.

 

“This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected.” - Tolkien

As a child, you could find Sharon most afternoons curled in some forgotten corner with a book - hiding from homework, from the mundane – embracing one journey after the next. At nine, the Almighty called her name, and she placed her hand in His. The adventure began. Many nights she prayed that God would keep her from boredom. He has since relieved her of that burden, having led on countless experiences until now, a cry for calmness often escapes her otherwise wandering heart.

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At seventeen, Sharon left the safety of the Shire, and entered engineering school. Math and science became her bedrock subjects during this time while literature and the arts were enjoyed from a distance as time allowed. God had more in store, however, and she didn’t stay in the white, starched lab coat for long.

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“Not all who wander are lost.” - Tolkien

Sharon left her career as a Chemical Engineer and entered seminary, graduating a few years later from Southern Baptist Theological with a Masters in Theology. The goal was to earn a doctorate to teach college-level New Testament studies. However, God had another adventure planned - motherhood.

 

The purpose of seminary is still shadowed a bit in mystery. As time passes however, little things are revealed that make it easier to understand why God had her wander in that direction. Perhaps it was the drawing closer to Him through the study of His word. Maybe it was the firming up of her own beliefs which would prove essential when discipling the next generation. It could have been the countless required papers that prepared her for writing a novel. Who on Earth can say? However, the wandering years weren’t lost, idle time. They proved adventurous in their own right.

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“I feel that as long as the Shire lies behind, safe and comfortable, I shall find wandering more bearable: …” - Tolkien

Marty, best husband in the world, is the Shire of Sharon’s world. He provides stability and sanity as she contemplates new ventures. Without him, she would be earning a living, cooking dreadfully boring meals, and not dreaming new tales. He believes in her when she doubts and pushes when she’s passive. Lillian, Anna, Sarah, and Isaac are their delightful little hobbits and surprise them with their abilities and creativity at every turn. They also make great first editors.

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“Then something Tookish woke up inside him, and he wished to go and see the great mountains, and hear the pine-trees and the waterfalls, and explore the caves, and wear a sword instead of a walking-stick.” - Tolkien

Sharon homeschools. Yes, she went rogue a long time ago in terms of education and became mama and teacher all in one. It wasn’t long into this journey when she noticed the ever-growing problem of finding new books for her avid readers. A Godly foundation is primary for the Swans, and an abundance of fiction was found to be beyond the boundaries of Christian morality. Countless books were bought and previewed. A few met the grade, many were sent back, some were trashed. Disheartened, she whined to her husband about the situation and during that non-flattering conversation, an idea was born. She would take up her pen and write her own.

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“The Road goes ever on and on down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, and I must follow, if I can.” - Tolkien

This journey has just begun. Jungle Prophet is only the first of a three-part series. With God leading and Sharon stumbling along behind, hand clinched in His, there’s no telling the adventures that lie ahead.

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“Still round the corner there may wait a new road or a secret gate, and though I oft have passed them by, a day will come at last when I shall take the hidden paths that run west of the moon, east of the sun.” - Tolkien