Review & Giveaway: Five Years To Live by Frank Zaccari

Title: Five Years to Live

Author: Frank Zaccari

Publication: October 2012

Publisher: Frank Zaccari (Createspace)

Source: Publisher/Author

Genre: Family/Relationship

Audience: 15 and up

Frank Zaccari|Amazon|Goodreads

Synopsis:

It is the phone call every person lives in fear of receiving. There has been an accident and your loved one is paralyzed. A spinal cord injury is the single most devastating and life altering event. Based on a true story, Michael and Donna were young, successful, in love and planning their life together. That life was radically changed by a tragic car accident. Now a wheelchair user as a quadriplegic, with limited movement, constant infections and multiple surgeries, doctors projected Michael’s best case life expectancy to be five years. See how this young couple battles through his injury and spends his five years making a lasting impact on hundreds of people. It will make you realize what can be accomplished when a person does not let circumstances dictate their life.

My Thoughts: This is the story of Mike and Donna and how they handle a life changing accident. You receive a view of what life was like for Mike and Donna prior to the accident and their lives after. There are many challenges for this couple in the weeks, months, and years following the accident.

This is a great read. It is emotional and well worth every tear shed. Zaccari draws you into the raw reality of what can happen to anyone. Although it is not always sunshine and rainbows Zaccari provides the best example of how to handle all of life's challenges.

I could relate to Mike on several levels. When I was 18 I had a car accident which left me with an extended hospitalization and several months of rehabilitation. Having a strong support system, just like Mike has, was important to my recovery. I spent many a moment in tears or laughing while reading this. I know that had I had this book when I was struggling threw my recovery it would have been much speedier. Also, in a former life I was a hospice social worker and I could see how this would have been beneficial to many of my patients and their families. Even though this is a great read for families in crisis it is perfect for everyone. My favorite part of this book would have to be all of the inspirational quotes and moments. Here are a couple quotes from Bill.

“Courage is when you are scared to death, but you saddle up anyway”

“Don’t let you past dictate who you are, but let it be part of who you will become”

               

Excerpt: 

With terror in his voice, he said, “I’m not going to walk again, am I?”

“We don’t really know yet, like I said…”

Michael angrily cut her off “Answer the god-damn question. I’m not going to walk again am I?

“I don’t know Michael.” Tears began to will up in his eyes, and he looked at her, begging for an answer.

After she wiped the tear from her eyes she said “The odds are not in your favor.”

  

Author Bio:

Frank Zaccari is a native of western New York. He received his bachelor’s in finance from California State University at Sacramento after serving as a military medic in the United States Air Force. He spent more than two decades in the technology industry, holding various positions from account representative to CEO. He also spent time specializing in turn-around management of companies under $100 million. Zaccari left the industry to provide primary care of his children, purchasing a small business that was more accommodating to his family. He presently owns an insurance agency in Sacramento, where he currently resides. “Five Years to Live” is not his only book for sale. He has also written, “When the Wife Cheats,” “From the Ashes: The Rise of the University of Washington Volleyball Program,” and “Inside the Spaghetti Bowl.”

Giveaway:

Thank you to Frank Zaccari for generously providing one lucky winner with a copy of Inside the Spaghetti Bowl. This giveaway is open to US/CAN residents only and will end on February 18. You must be a follower of this blog via GFC and leave a comment on this review with your email ( youremail at provider dot com). Sorry I don't have a rafflecopter form for this one. 

*This book was provided by the author and/or publisher for Providence Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review*