All I Ever Did Was Love a Man (Paperback)

~ Sharon Denise Allison-Ottey MD (Author) "Once again she was waiting, which seemed to be her new state in life waiting for Steve to pick her up for another apology date..." (more)
Key Phrases: Uncle Steve, African Americans, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The search for true love, romance, heartbreak, mystery, humor, true friendship, love that only a mother can know and an inner journey to wholeness. All I Ever Did Was Love a Man has it All! <Bold and Center this entire segment>

The Novel <Bold> It wasn't easy being a single mother. Sabrena worked hard to make her daughters happy, to give them a solid, secure home. Getting away from her cruel and abusive ex-husband was almost easy--compared to making ends meet and balancing a job with single parenting. But, finally, at long last, Sabrena felt her life was coming together. She had a good-paying job at a department store, two beautiful daughters who were growing up with love and security, and a wonderful friend, "Rach" who was more like the sister she never had. To put the icing on the cake, Sabrena had a man, Steve, in her life that she loved with her whole heart and dreamed of finally holding onto the love she deserves.

Except for one thing. Steve said he loved her, but he was unreliable, a liar and in her heart she knew that he was not 100% hers. There were countless nights that she was left sitting by the phone, waiting, worrying, praying and crying over the man that she loved. She freely gave love but where was the love that she desired in return, something just for her and her aching, broken heart.

All of this becomes secondary when Sabrena's world is turned upside down by a simple visit to Dr. Scott that ends up leading her on a frightening and unfamiliar path. She finds out what really matters to her the most and while she secretly still longs for unconditional love, her priorities have shifted and she is on a mission to LIVE despite her diagnosis. Sabrena faces her challenges with courage and fear; tears and isolated bursts of joy, heartache and love for her daughters, anger and faith, and holds onto a thread of hope that somehow she can make it through despite the odds. Sabrena must face her monumental challenges and she feels drawn to courageously revisit her past in an effort to find the answers to looming questions that haunt her.

The Challenge <Bold> This book is for those with the courage to address today's challenges head on... self esteem, love, friendship, health, how society deals with HIV/AIDS, and a host of other issues. All I Ever Did Was Love a Man is a novel that will challenge you to revisit your life, your thoughts, and decisions and is an excellent tool to open a full discussion with friends, family, young teens and older adults. This is the first novel of its kind... fiction with a purpose...one that entertains and teaches while demanding that you look within yourself.

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 275 pages
• Publisher: Hilton Publishing (February 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976444348
• ISBN-13: 978-0976444343
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #458,345 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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

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

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 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!!!