From: Carol Clark <> Date: Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 9:58 PM Subject: Why Me? To: shazzgayle> My Dear Sharon Before I start writing about “Why Me”, I just want to say how lovely it was to meet you at ...........with your family and friends. I felt very fortunate to be sat between you and Claude and enjoyed the evening immensely. I decided to pack a bag and come and stay at our friends fabulous hotel on the beautiful island of Grenada. I got myself all oiled up for the sun and settled on a sun lounger, ready to begin reading your book. From page one it captured me! Not only have you lost so many valuable people in your life, but your own journey has been so desperately difficult. Going back to the beginning - I can’t imagine what it must have been like to be one of 12 children. I am an only child so I just can’t imagine parents with 12 children to bring up and steer all of them through life. I lost my father at 17, he was 45, so then my small family went even smaller! I kept imagining how joyous it must have been to be brought up in a noisy household where there was always someone to talk to. When I read of you losing your sister Vivienne, I just had to put the book down and sob. I felt your pain! Actually, whilst reading your book, I felt your pain a lot (your mum, dad and adorable Bill) and had to put the book down frequently and just digest what you were going through at that particular time in your life. Losing your husband and the father of your beautiful children was another time for me to put the book down, close my eyes and imagine how you felt at that precise time. So so difficult and totally heartbreaking. Fighting something like cancer takes huge strength of character and you certainly have that with abundance. You made me open my eyes and see things in a different way. My neighbour has his cancer battles at the moment and he and his wife talk about the situation a lot. Being an only child, I tend to hide any problems I have and I definitely would not be talking about any illness, should I be unlucky enough to suffer from something as serious as cancer. Having read your book, I have totally changed track. I now understand why people need to talk about it. I can see how healthy it is to share one’s problems and also attract different opinions from people who care. To be told that you had months to live must have been so devastating, especially as you had your 3 beautiful children who relied on you so much. I kept putting the book down and placing myself in your shoes. How would I have reacted? Reading your book has been a journey for me as well. Having spent an evening with you I totally marvel at your zest for life and your great spirit and optimism. I finished your book this morning and I’ve spent all day digesting all you have written. Your honesty constantly came through and I’m sure it was a great comfort to have family and friends around you who knew exactly what you were going through. Claude and Dr Jacky were hugely important whilst going through this unknown territory and I’m sure that because you shared your unbelievably complex journey with so many people, it definitely assisted with your fight to survive. I can’t remember reading a book so quickly and it having had such an effect on me. You have had so many desperately sad experiences yet you are so much fun to be around. How you have accomplished this, I have no idea but you are certainly a very special person. Obviously, the Lord has been of huge importance in your life. Again, I’ve been a bit sceptical about religion over the years but reading Why Me has brought it back in focus again. I shall treasure our time round the dinner table together. I feel very fortunate to have met you and I thank you so much for giving me your book to read. It has made a huge impact on my life, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Hopefully we will see each other again before you return to the UK. With love Carol xxxxx
Carol Clarke: Owner of Calma Beach Club - Barbados
Amazing, captivating and inspirational. 4 November 2019 Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase A truly amazing, captivating and inspirational read. Sharon's opwness and honesty underpinned by her unshakable faith has truly touched my heart. The journey has just begun and I look forward to the second book.
Eunice D: Amazon customer
This is a very authentic book. Written with honesty and openness. The author was not afraid to open her heart even though it was breaking. Having survived cancer I found it very emotional but it is n must read for anyone, no matter what situation you're in. It's one I highly recommend and will share with many. Why Me will make you laugh and cry. This book will also lift and strengthen your faith. Whilst demostrating the greatest virtue of all LOVE
Bev L: Amazon
This book is a true testimony of how one woman overcame adversities even when the doctor tells you the worse news ever. People ask me how I can remain so positive, it's because I am surrounded by such exquisite beings as Ms Phillips-Gayle. Shazza, you're an extraordinary woman and you've touched our hearts. I salute you queen
Lorna Gee
“Why me?’ will encourage you to reach out to others, to do the good you can, while you can.”
Dr Jacqueline McLeod
Hard Book to put down FANTASTIC!!!!! Bought the book for a future holiday but after reading the first page....I found it hard to put down and read it over 3 evenings. I now want more Sharon Ann Phillips and I now have to find another book for my trip! Well done
Becky: Amazon customer
🎀"Hi Sharon, because my family have had Cancer & some have died from it, I read your book & decided to write about it on my Velindre Facebook, as I want it to be an inspiration to their lives, & I cried when I read all about what you have been through. I want the people who have Cancer or their families to read all about you because I believe you & your book will change their lives. I am a Fundrasing & cancer patient visitor for the Velindre Cancer Hospital in Cardiff & I know & pray it will change their lives because they ask me the same question "Why Me?’ & that's difficult to answer, Gareth.🌹"
Gareth Dredge: Facebook customer
Emotions will be evoked in way you cannot imagine. I could not put this book down. I was gripped from the beginning to the end. My emotions were completely captivated, I chuckled, I cried and felt uplifted in faith. This book gave me an even greater sense of appreciation for life, loved ones and a reminder of how quickly everything can change. What a journey...
P Henry
Sharon I read your book via Kindle last week. I cried and smiled as I could hear your voice so clearly in the words. You are a brave, resilient woman and I'm in awe of what you have been through.
Kim Dorkings
I could not put this book down. I was gripped from the beginning to the end. My emotions were completely captivated, I chuckled, I cried and felt uplifted in faith. This book gave me an even greater sense of appreciation for life, loved ones and a reminder of how quickly everything can change. What a journey...
Amazon Customer
INSPIRATIONAL AND UPLIFTING Format: Paperback I could not put this book down once I started reading it. An open and honest account of life before, during and after a life changing experience. A must read for all those who think 'why me?; when faced with life's challenges.
Georgina C: Amazon
A definite page turner, beautifully written. Fantastic! I’m certain this will be a Bestseller! Not only in the UK but worldwide!”
Sy Edwards
A must read! This book is a must read! Poignant, thoughtful, sad and incredibly detailed. Sharon takes you on her journey from beginning to end with you rooting for her all the way!
G. Lawrence
Why Me? reminds me of a Netflix series, that you get engrossed into and don't want it to end. Beautifully written.
Paul Anthony
“I read Why Me? and I can say I experienced several different emotions as I read through. I found a single page could evoke feelings of sadness, shock and get me giggling to myself at the comments you make. Your insight, strength and sense of humour comes through in this book.”
Sharron Nelson
Thanks for sharing your story (I know there is more to come). It was written well and kept me engaged. There were a lot of tears, but there were moments of sudden laughter as I read on. It was humbling, encouraging I think it was a really purposeful thing to do, it will certainly help many.
Marie
I received your book about 3pm on Thursday, I started reading it at 7pm and I just couldn't put it down. I finished reading the whole book at 2am. I cried so much, you are such an inspiration. I have always believed in God but my faith was very low. I have always asked God to help me with my faith because it is so low and your story has opened up my mind and my heart to understand what God can really do. Your honesty in the book is overwhelming and pure. I will definitely be reading this book over and over again. Thank you so much for sharing your story, it touched me so much.
B K: Website purchase
Oh my. I finish reading Why Me? this morning. Wow! Inspiring encouraging, enlightening. The pictures truly special. I could go on. I truly feel blessed to have had a insight into life and family, your pain struggles. Has your book changed me? Yes! I love you. Is that possible? I ask myself
E.F
What an emotionally moving, captivating and inspirational book for anyone fighting against the odds of life and death. A lady of great faith, hope and strength God Bless You
Myrna
Personally I found this book to be very inspiring. I also found it very rewarding and I am very appreciative of my own life. I recommended this book to my friends and received a very very fantastic feedback. This writer is such a unique and wonderful person.
Elaine M
I originally was going to just read a few pages every night. But once I started reading it I couldn't stop. Every page that I read pulled me in closer into the words. I felt like I was on the journey from start to finish. I cried, I smiled, and I found myself asking the self titled question "Why Me?" A fantastic read, very inspirational, I highly recommend it.
Sharon K
Thank you so much, your writing style is so authentic, it's as though your presence is felt in the room as I read your words. I had to buy 10 more for my friends.
Paul Parkes