Sharon grew up on a farm in Iowa where she learned the importance of family and a reverence for the land which are central themes in her novels. She and her husband lived in Dubuque in the 70's and...view moreSharon grew up on a farm in Iowa where she learned the importance of family and a reverence for the land which are central themes in her novels. She and her husband lived in Dubuque in the 70's and fell in love with the splendor of the Upper Mississippi Valley. She wanted to write a novel which not only captures the beauty of the area but also depicts a chaotic time in American history when families struggled with heartbreaking events while questioning long established beliefs.view less