Connecticut Author Invited to Share Novel of Strength at American Cancer Society's 15th Annual Breast Cancer Event in New York City

    NEW YORK, NY, October 17, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Linda Merlino, author of the recently published novel Belly of the Whale, is pleased to announce her participation in the American Cancer Society's 15th Annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk and survivor's celebration held in Manhattan's Central Park on Sunday, October 19, 2008.

One of very few vendors, and the only author invited to the large, bright pink Survivors' Tent near the 72nd Street Band Shell, Merlino will be on-hand to meet and talk about her fictional thriller with the estimated 2,000 survivors expected to pass through the tent as part of the day's events which starts with a 30,000 person-strong walk to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Merlino will donate a portion of book sales that day to the American Cancer Society.

"I am honored to have been invited to this empowering and exciting event," Merlino said. "It is extremely gratifying to know it has touched people on this deeper level."

Described by New York Times bestselling author Howard Roughan as a "riveting story" from a writer with "immense talent," Belly of the Whale (Kunati Books, April 2008) centers on a woman who longs for release from the breast cancer that is destroying her, only to realize that life is very much worth living when she is taken hostage by an angry young man planning murder.

The daughter of a breast cancer survivor, Merlino challenged herself to use the experience as the basis for her novel's main character Hudson Catalina. For over a year she researched breast cancer, survivorship and the experiences of caregivers and loved ones in an effort to create true and three-dimensional portraits of her characters. In addition to positive reviews both online and in print, Linda is honored that many breast cancer survivors and their support groups are recommending the novel for it's emotional truth.

What people are saying about Belly of the Whale:

"Belly of the Whale" inspired me to make every day the best it can be." -S. Leonard

"Every reader: male or female, cancer survivor or not, can relate to Belly of the Whale. We've all been at a point in our lives where we've had to examine our spiritual purpose and relationship to God. Hope is everything. If you lose hope, you lose your soul and survival mechanism."
-L. Salkin

"I can only imagine what women like Hudson go through when they experience breast cancer but I do know there is faith and hope, and The Belly of the Whale gives all of us this important lesson."
-Bookroomreviews.com

Contact: [email protected]

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