Win a copy of 'Don't Kill the Birthday Girl' by Sandra Beasley

“Those with food allergies aren’t victims.  We’re people who – for better or for worse – experience the world in a slightly different way.  This is not a story of how we die.  These are the stories of how we live.”

And with those goose-bump inducing words Sandra Beasley launches into her book about living with allergies.

What do you get from this kind of book?  Just page after page of poor little me?  A bit of brave-faced ‘It’s tough, but I manage’ overlaid with a weak smile?

No.  You get a book that you can’t put down. 

Because here is a book telling you what it’s really like living with multiple allergies.  In addition to the anecdotes about her life, there is historical information about how allergies have developed, a discussion of how allergies are diagnosed, a chapter on peanut allergy, a rousing tirade against the portrayal of food allergies in the media and more, lots more. It is part information manual, part autobiography, very good read.

Oh and can you really be allergic to weddings?  Apparently so.  

I didn’t expect a book that recounts repeated anaphylactic episodes to make me smile, but it did.  And I wasn’t expecting to cry, but she got me there too. 

Her descriptions of how it feels to be the child who is different were hard to read.  I realised that it’s what my daughter feels.  My breezy assertions of ‘No, my daughter never misses out on cake, I just bake her a special one!’ don’t really make it all OK.  Of course my daughter misses out on ‘real’ cake and of course she notices that everyone tiptoes around her, sort of freaked out by what might happen.

Sandra's book doesn't sugar coat the problems of living with food allergies, it just tells it how it is.  With humour, eloquence and plenty of attitude.  It is 226 pages of fascinating, compelling read.

"My job is to center on staying safe in this world, but my job is also never to assume the world should revolve around keeping me safe.  We have more important things to worry about.  Don't kill the birthday girl.  The gifts are wrapped and the piñata is waiting.  We have a party to get to."

Sandra has agreed to give away three copies of her book on my blog. I know!  I’m trying to look cool and grown up but I’m wagging like a weeing little puppy.

All you have to do is leave a comment to be entered into the – drum roll please - first ever Pig in the Kitchen giveaway (I may buy a new outfit). 

The competition is open for a week from the date of posting and I’ll announce the winners very soon afterwards.  You then send me your address by email and the books will magically arrive at your house. 

It’s that simple.  

The books can be posted worldwide, so you readers in the Perhentian Islands, don’t hold back.

Leave your comment now!

More information about Sandra's book at: http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Kill-Birthday-Girl-Allergic/dp/0307588114

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