All I Ever Did Was Love a Man [Paperback]

Sharon Denise Allison-Ottey MD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2006

No one said being a single mother was easy, but, after some difficult years, Sabrena Collins seemed to finally have it together.  She had a good-paying job, two beautiful daughters who were growing up with love and security, and a wonderful friend who was more like the sister she never had.  She even had a man in her life who was everything her ex-husband was not: kind, generous and caring.

Everything seemed perfect—except for one thing. Steve said he loved her, but he was unreliable. There was more than one night when Sabrena would lie in bed, waiting for the phone to ring…alone and crying silent tears.

But when Sabrena was in his arms and he looked at her with his melt-on-the-spot chocolate brown eyes, all the problems, the sleepless nights, the cold dinners, all of that was forgotten.

And then, suddenly, Sabrena’s world was turned upside down by a simple visit that led her on a frightening and unfamiliar path, that led her to a truth passion and words of love could not erase, a truth that would change her life forever. A truth that would test her faith, her courage, her strength, and above all else, her love…

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

A new genre in fiction writing is born, "fiction with a purpose". Join me on the journey of love, trust, friendship, motherhood, broken hearts, self discovery, and challenges that rock us to our very core. This is a story of fiction but all to often fiction is truer than life. Have you ever wondered what REALLY goes on in the mind of someone facing one of life's heaviest challenges? What happens to their emotional, physical and spiritual needs? What runs through their mind when they recieve devastating news? How are friends, families, boyfriends, coworkers and love interest affected? All I Ever Did Was Love a Man is not what it seems-- it is a novel that challenges you to explore it's pages and keep reading to the very end. Thousands have read the book and I have been repeatedly told that lives are changed. The book is appropriate for pre-teens on up and you very well may save a life by reading and giving away this book.Additionally, for groups reading the book you can request a complimentary introductory DVD.

Join me in the world of Sabrena, Steve, Rachel, Deena and Renee as they all navigate the stormy waters of life and seek purpose and answers.

About the Author

Sharon Denise Allison-Ottey is a frequently requested and dynamic speaker and has appeared on numerous television and radio shows. She has been interviewed or cited by a host of media venues, including, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Black Entertainment Television (BET), Redbook, Jet, Heart & Soul, Essence, and Gospel Today. You can find out more information about Sharon Denise Allison-Ottey by going to her website www.allieverdidwasloveaman.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 275 pages
• Publisher: Hilton Publishing; 1 edition (February 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976444348
• ISBN-13: 978-0976444343
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,221,161 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Different Kind of Love Story, January 11, 2006

By 

Mary Ann (Orlando) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All I Ever Did Was Love a Man (Paperback)

All I Ever Did was Love a Man is a very good novel that grabs you at the opening chapter. I must admit that my curiosity was initially tied to the title but this was not what I expected at any level. The main character is one that I relate to as a woman and although she is Black and I am white-- as a divorcee from an abusive relationship--- I really related to her. I have experienced bad relationships, felt alone and scared, overworked and overwhelmed. I have also just needed someone to hold me and have made decisions that could have affected my life and that of my 3 boys. This book is a wake up call to me to first love myself so that I can open my heart to love someone else but also to take care of my sons. This book has changed my life, how I view my life and my decisions but also how I will make decisions for my sons. Yes, I am going to call my doctor but moreso-- I'm going to call my lawyer and really make plans. You never know what will happen-- I loved this book. I laughed, cried, and had some serious sombering moments. I would have NEVER read a book on this topic as I don't think that it pertains to me and my life. However, after reading Sabrena's story-- I know that it could very well be me or my friends. I am passing this on to others and when my oldest son turns 14 I am giving it to him to read! This is a book that you can't stop reading..... and you shouldn't.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This should be mandatory reading for high school, college, single and married persons. The book is fascinating, January 9, 2006

By 

Taffany - See all my reviews

This review is from: All I Ever Did Was Love a Man (Paperback)

I received the book as a Christmas present but I had not heard of it so I just put it on my shelf until I saw the author on TV doing an interview and a few days later got an email from a friend raving about it. I started the book on last Friday night and finished it on Sunday afternoon-- it engulfed my weekend! Once you start it, you have to keep reading and this is the wild part--- I learned health info without even knowing it. I was so taken with Sabrena and Steve's relationship and LOVED Rachel-- I have a friend just like her. I laughed hysterically, cried several times and then would sit and think during parts of the book as I dealt with my own perceptions. I read it from cover to cover and I am now making my boyfriend read it so that we can talk about it together. I also called my doctor for an appointment and am going to get tested for HIV, it never even crossed my mind to get tested but after reading this book-- I am going to every year! Even though I have been in a committed relationship for 2 years, I was made to realize that I may have put myself at risk by a few episodes of unsafe sex. That's just one part of the take home from the book-- the other is to value myself and really try to take care of my life and my heart. This book touched my very soul and life-- it changed me. It sounds corny but it really changed me and my views-- I am recommending it to EVERYONE that I know and am buying more copies on Amazon so I had to write a review.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Book, January 9, 2006

By 

RG - See all my reviews

This review is from: All I Ever Did Was Love a Man (Paperback)

This book was awesome and had a natural flow to the storyline. As a professional man, I was shocked that this book was not anything like the standard books in similar genres. This book has it all: an excellent plot; great character development; dramatic twists and turns and perhaps more importantly, a life changing message. Hands down...the best book I've read in years!!!