A New Genre of Fiction: Sharon Denise Allison-Ottey Introduces
"All I Ever Did Was Love A Man"

An Educational and Fictional Novel about HIV/AIDS
Launching the "Get it Done!" Campaign

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 24, 2006--"All I Ever Did Was Love a Man" is a love story with a powerful message. The novel takes the reader through a woman's lifelong search for love and the continual failures that she encounters in her search. The heroine, Sabrena, is torn between her need to take care of her two daughters following her recent divorce and her desire to be loved by a man. This is a story of betrayal, pain, love, loss and triumph infused with intrigue and mystery as she searches to find the source of her most daunting challenge.

"All I Ever Did Was Love a Man" is so much more than the typical love story. This story has an underlying health message that grabs the reader and runs throughout the novel without ever becoming a traditional health book. "I didn't want to write a health book--very few people read health books from cover to cover. I wanted to write a novel that was fun, captivating and held your interest but snuck the health message on you and once trapped would spur you to read more," says the author, Sharon Allison-Ottey of the novel and this new genre. Readers learn about HIV/AIDS by watching Sabrena's life from her emotional diagnosis, her gripping prayers for mercy and healing, her guilt and shame, her disdain for medications, her need to live for her daughters and her continued need for love. The book puts issues that are never discussed on the table such as sexuality post diagnosis, the role of a friend and family dynamics.

The messages that are conveyed break down the stereotypes that we continue to cling to about HIV/AIDS including the "face" of the persons diagnosed. This book gives not only the reader a view of the main character in dealing with her diagnosis; you look at her friends, her family and yes--her lover. The story is rich with emotions and stands as a fiction novel that merits reading by all age groups and lovers of the romance genre. The health message in the story demands national attention by the young and old. The author cleverly inserts a personal letter to each of her readers at the end of the story which demands increased personal attention to HIV/AIDS. Further, the final pages are full of health information, statistics on HIV/AIDS and general health tools that can be used no matter what the diagnosis or condition by all persons. Sharon Allison-Ottey says her novel as "fiction with a purpose" carrying a message that can be easily understood without bogging the reader down in medical "mumbo jumbo". The author is introducing a new genre to the world of fiction; one that both entertains and teaches in a way that is unique and impactful.

In conjunction with the book launch, The COSHAR Foundation is launching the "Get It Done!" campaign. "Get It Done!" will work to develop a national cohesive coalition that will strategize on the most effective response to HIV/AIDS in women, particularly women of color, in the U.S. and territories. The campaign focus is on collaboration to "Get It Done;" "It" refers to Awareness, Testing, and Treatment for HIV/AIDS. While there are numerous organizations that are working in the area of HIV/AIDS and making a significant difference, the statistics remain concerning and require more effort to decrease the incidence, morbidity and mortality of the disease. The COSHAR Foundation is committed to this endeavor by fostering collaboration, increased visibility as well as forging new partnerships. The campaign will bring together various organizations including faith based organizations, healthcare organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, foundations and both profit and non-profit organizations together for a collective cause. The first taskforce meeting for the campaign is slated for February 2006.

About Sharon Denise Allison-Ottey: Sharon Allison-Ottey is a frequently requested and dynamic speaker and has appeared on numerous television and radio shows. She has been interviewed and/or cited by a host of media venues including USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, Black Entertainment Television (BET), Redbook, Jet, Heart and Soul, Essence, and Gospel Today magazine to name a few. Sharon Allison-Ottey continues to make an impact wherever she goes and welcomes the opportunity for you to look inside the world of her first heroine, Sabrena, and join the "Get It Done" campaign. She also serves as Director of Health and Community Initiatives at The COSHAR Foundation, a non profit organization committed to the health of this nation.

About COSHAR Foundation: The COSHAR Foundation Inc. is a non-profit 501 c 3 organization focusing on the major healthcare issues facing the nation. The foundation is organized to address health with a particular interest in health disparities in the United States and around the world.

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