Thursday, May 29, 2014

SPECIAL GUEST Debut Author Tina De Salvo

TINA DE SALVO
GIVEAWAY!!!: Please read my post and leave a comment including your email address. I will be giving away two copies of ELLI, a Second Chance Novel along with two $10 Amazon gift cards to two lucky readers!
Congratulations Sarah and Judith on your Blog-O-Versary! I‘m a fan of Romancing the Genres and I’m thrilled to be a guest blogger. Thank you for the opportunity to share why I’m so passionate about the fundraising efforts of my book, ELLI, a Second Chance Novel. All of the proceeds from the sale of ELLI are being donated to help women in the fight against breast cancer with their unmet needs. As many of you know, the difficult treatment to save their lives often causes financial hardship because of interruptions in their wages or because their insurances don’t pay for certain services they need.
I have seen this first hand. I am a breast cancer survivor. While receiving chemo and radiation,  I heard stories of how some patients didn’t show up for treatment because they didn’t have money to put gas in their cars or pay for a cab ride! How awful! If they are to beat the beast, they need to show up to fight it. To learn about what other unmet needs the money raised will fund, visit www.tinadesalvo.com. There you will also discover how the AMAZING Cherry Adair, the TALENTED Stella Barcelona and I raised money for the same cause at #RT14 Convention with our campaign FRIENDS FIGHT TOGETHER. Both ladies helped to keep me writing when writing was very hard to do! Every writer needs a friend to push and encourage them through to "The End". 
CHERRY, TINA & STELLA
1 out of 8 women will get breast cancer. That’s a lot of sisters, mothers and wives. I think their stories of their fears, hopes and triumphs are important to understand. I wanted to tell it in a way that a person could understand the heart and soul of a survivor. I also didn't want to write a fiction book about cancer. Elli is a heroine who had breast cancer.  I deal with issues related to being a survivor (the same issues people with any life threatening or altering health problems face) but the bottom line is-IT’S A ROMANCE.
I tell Elli’s story with a light, humorous voice because that is how I see life.  Elli is tossed into a world of Cajuns, dogs and blogs that she had thought she could control. Her idea of how she wanted to live life post-cancer is quickly detoured when she arrives on Sugar Mill Plantation in south Louisiana and meets the gorgeous Ben Bienvenu, known as the Cajun Dog Whisperer.  
!’ve been honored to receive five star reviews for ELLI, (you can see some on Amazon.com and www.tinadesalvo.com ). As you fellow authors know, that feels pretty darn good. And, I’m thrilled to have NYT Best Selling Author Cherry Adair say this about ELLI…“DeSalvo writes with warmth and wit.  Her characters leap off the page and into your heart. It is a fun read where deals, dogs and disaster blend seamlessly in a fast paced story of second chances.” That feels good, too. 
And this by NYT Best Selling Author Heather Graham…“ It’s a delightful and uplifting read while it touches upon one of the most serious diseases facing us all today–cancer. The book never preaches — it entertains with wonderful humor. I recommend this book — it’s simply excellent in so many ways! A keeper — Bravo!” Okay, pinch me. I'm so ridiculously humbled by all of this. 
ELLI was inspired by my real emotion and those of the people who fought cancer alongside of me. I hope you enjoy reading Elli’s journey in that wonderful, difficult, joyful and fearful time after the cancer treatment ends and a renewed life begins. My next book, JEWEL, a Second Chance Novel, is set in the same delightful place with many of the same fun-loving characters from ELLI. It will be available at the end of 2014. Stay Tuned. For now, buy ELLI, and then, buy a second copy for your sister! Visit me on https://www.facebook.com/TinaDeSalvoAuthor https://twitter.com/tina_desalvo .


16 comments:

Brandi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Brandi said...

Thanks for the chance and sharing the story behind the book. It sounds like a fun, refreshing book and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Everyone seems to think that just because you have insurance there aren't extra expenses. Love that you donate the proceeds, so thoughtful of you. My mom has CML and has had it since 2007 and is constantly bombarded with extra bills so I understand (secondhand) how it is.

Forgot my email: makysmama@yahoo.com

krazymama_98 said...

I loved Ellis story.
Its a lovely love story.
With some fabulous thoughtful information. Things we would not know about feelings. And the future. Unless we had been thru it.
Thanks so much for sharing your story too, Tina.

Sarah Raplee said...

Your book is a wonderful way to make people aware of the problems women with breast cancer face, and that there is hope for a happily-ever-after for everyone, and to support women going through breast cancer.

Plus it sounds like a great story!
Thank you for Guesting at RTG, Tina!

Tina DeSalvo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tina DeSalvo said...

Thank you all for your lovely comments. I really enjoyed guesting at RTG! I hope you all spread the word about ELLI. And, I wish you all luck winning the 2 giveaways...Brandi thank you for sharing about your Mom's struggles. Everyone with medical challenges face similar concerns. Tina DeSalvo

Tina DeSalvo said...

Brandi, I didn't finish my comment before I posted, oops. I wanted to thank you for sharing a bit of your Mom's struggles. Everyone with medical challenges face similar concerns and your comment helps people in the trenches realize that they are not alone. There are people out there who understand and care.
I wish your family well. Tina DeSalvo

Anonymous said...

I love ELLI.
Thank you for sharing your story.. I'm a breast cancer survivor myself, and I'm encouraged that ELLI gets her happily ever after.
Thank you for your strong support of all warriors in the battle with this disease.
Peace

Brenda said...

I loved ELLI! (and said so in my review). While I don't have breast cancer, I have been dealing with a rare, life-threatening illness for the past 3 1/2 years. Many issues are the same- it affects everyone I'm close to, shows who my real friends are, extra expenses (not just for me, but also for my friends and family that have taken time off work to sit in the waiting room during long surgeries, stay the night with me in the hospital when I was too sick to be my own advocate, etc.), sheer lack of energy and brain power, concern how your illness is affecting your spouse and children, and on and on. Thank you for writing this amazing book, and for sharing your story. The more we talk about issues like this, the more people will understand. I'm looking forward to your next book, but could you please write a little faster? I don't want to wait until the end of the year- whine, beg, whine...

Unknown said...

Loved ELLI. It's just like what many people have said - a light-hearted, romantic story that deals with a very serious topic in a way that doesn't dwell on the negative. Definitely helps give a new perspective to those of us who don't know the real side of cancer. ebchiasson@gmail.com

Tina DeSalvo said...

Geez. I'm traveling righ,t now and want to talk y
To all y'all!! I will respond as soon as I c
Get to the next airport!! :)

Tina DeSalvo said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Judith Ashley said...

Just want to let you know Blogger has been stuttering and putting posts up twice which is why comments are deleted.

Judith Ashley said...

Welcome, Tina. We love supporting debut authors!
The dreaded "C-word" can upend one's life in the nanosecond it takes to say it. I'm very glad you found your way through the treatment and beyond because you do have a story to tell that can make a big difference in other people's lives. Cancer is a frightening disease whether it is breast cancer or in another part of our bodies. Staying positive is so much harder when we're also dealing with a financial crisis.

Good for you to take what could be a devastatingly negative life event and turning it around into something to help others.

Nancy Quisenberry said...

Tina, it has been a pleasure knowing you through your struggle with cancer and seeing how you still loved, lived and felt for others. Sharing your story of "Elli" is such a positive engaging and humorous way to let the reader know of some of the challenges of a cancer survivor. The book however is most enjoyable for anyone to read as the cancer issue does not overwhelm the story! I am anxious to share it with my family and Colorado friends.
My husband finished it before me and thoroughly enjoyed it. Love your spirit Tina!!

Tina DeSalvo said...

I'm finally back home with my fave computer on my lap. I apologize for the frantic stuttering of messages my mobile devices posted! LOL..They wanted in the convo, too, I guess. I just wanted to say Thank You all for such lovely comments. This book really does mean a lot to me on so many levels. Your support and wonderful comments put a smile on my face that just won't go away...You know the type of smile...the little uplifted at the corners of your mouth one, that makes your eyes nice and shinny, too! It had people in the line to board the airplane...and at the Starbucks at the airport wandering if I had taken an extra dose of Prozac or something...LOL...Thank you all for medicating my heart and soul without drugs--but, with something so much more powerful, WORDS! Especially..on this day, June 1..my 6th anniversary of being diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I'm celebrating today!