Released on = January 24, 2006, 12:50 pm

Press Release Author = COSHAR Inc.

Industry = Healthcare

Press Release Summary = 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

This is a \"novel\" approach to health info and is being applauded around the country
as persons read the page turner only to learn at the end that they have learned
something about their health and sterotypes aout the \"face\" of HIV/AIDS is
shattered.

Press Release Body = 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


Web Site = http://www.allieverdidwasloveaman.com, www.cosharfoundation.org

Contact Details = Denise Smith or
Chris Foster
301-773-4811
EMAIL: info@cosharfoundation.org
www.allieverdidwasloveaman.com