SHARON LEINO
Educator and special education curriculum developer
The oldest girl in a family of 11, Sharon Leino always had a great imagination. As a child, she expressed herself through poetry, pouring out her feelings about love, adventure, anger, and being bullied. When her father died, she quit writing and threw away all her poetry. She’s asked herself why but just decided that sometimes “we do some dumb things in our lives.”
Her childhood love of writing resurfaced with a vengeance when she retired and became a Texas snowbird.
After joining various writer’s groups, it became clear she had a passion for writing inspiring books for children. Just as this happened, her husband lost his sight, and her stories were packed away to make room for their new adventure that was full of trials but also love and joy.
As a grownup, Sharon’s career as an educator and special education curriculum developer found her writing reports and grants. She kept extensive journals of her travels with her beloved husband to the many countries and states they visited.
Florida became their home where Sharon still lives, making a new life for herself on her own. Her days are full of volunteering at church, creating jewelry as an amateur silversmith, and of course, writing.
In Scaredy, Book 1 of The Adventures in Lusair, eight-year old Rudy must learn to conquer his fears and find his power. The life of his best friend and the fate of this strange new world depends on it.
Rudy is afraid of everything, and to top it off, two bullies like to chase him home from school! Every day those bullies try to make Rudy do things he’s scared to do. Rudy’s best friend Billy is usually there to defend him, but some days Billy is at Taekwondo class, and when that happens, Rudy finds himself panicked with fear.
One day Billy convinces Rudy to go fishing with him at a pond deep in the forest. What was meant to be a fun time together becomes the scariest experience of their lives. Rudy, trembling with fear and worry at every turn, mysteriously finds himself and his best friend lost in a strange world full of danger.
“This delightful book is full of inspiration to help youth face their fears–both real and imagined."
-- Richard Paul Evans, New York Times Bestselling Author
In Wandering Ears, Book 2 of the Adventures in Lusair, headstrong Josey finds herself transported to a magical world in dire need of her help. Lusair,
a place of fantastical creatures and magic, is being corrupted by an evil being known as the Dark Old Elf. Josey is strong and ready for the challenge, but
she has a problem—she always acts before thinking! With the help of her unfailing friends and a few magical allies, Josey will aid the elf princess Matina
in a quest to save her mother the elf queen and defeat the Dark Old Elf. While there, Josey must learn the importance of patience and the ability to work with others if Lusair is to be saved.
Have you ever felt really, really mad? It can be tough to figure out what to do when you’re super angry, right? In Tame that Flame, Book 3 of the Adventures in Lusair, Billy feels the same way. Don’t worry! Billy’s friends Rudy and Joey are about to go on another exciting adventure in Lusair. But here’s the twist—Lusair has turned into a land full of anger! Come along with these good friends as they learn all about dealing with their own anger and discover how to make things right in Lusair. It’s going to be a fun journey!