Beyond the Pear Blossoms - Rodrigues, Shawna

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Résumé :
Four friends. Three weddings. Two paths. Tori has kept men at a distance while pursuing her goals, and has relished in the friendships she has built. Upon returning to Oregon after college, she quickly realizes the number of weddings and engagements are increasing around her. She trips over the roots of her small town as each relative only seems to care about the prospects in her dating life. By happenstance (or Fate?), she reconnects with an acquaintance, and starts to see him in new ways. She quickly finds herself in a relationship with more depth and trust than she ever thought possible. Their connection is strong and deep, yet ends as quickly as it began. Was it Tori? Was it him? Was it something they could figure out? Do the things she wants most in her life just not align? Isn't this relationship what Tori has been working towards her entire life? Tori looks to her closest friends who know her best to help her untangle these questions, even though the answers lie with her. Beyond the Pear Blossoms is a deep exploration into the heart of the relationships we build, our competing desires, and the decisions we make. It's a journey through the moments of being lost, a reminder of the places where we feel found, and ultimately what it takes to choose our way.

Biographie:
Shawna grew up in a small town in southern Oregon. She grew up in a family of six and her greatest memories and love of the outdoors were cultivated on annual camping trips she would take with her family. She finished her undergraduate studies in Louisiana and graduated with her master's degree from Boston University in their School of Social Work. Her career has led her on many paths, with a primary focus of serving young children and their families as a clinician, a program director, a consultant, and a state and federal level administrator. Her endeavours resulted in her selection as a prestigious Fellow for the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families in Washington DC and an award for her Outstanding Contributions to the field of Social Work from Boston University. Her love of writing has proven useful throughout her career, and yet she has always known that there was more in store for this passion. She knew that the many lessons life has brought her would make their way on to the page and eventually become the books that an elementary school librarian once told her she should write one day.