Product Description
To Live or Die in Arizona is a novel of suspense set amidthe magnificent San Francisco Peaks of Northern Arizona.Abby Taylor,an English professor at Vassar College, has relocated to Arizona toaddress the physical challenges she faces due to polycystic kidneydisease.What was intended to be a relaxing stay in the cooler climesof Flagstaff, turns into an adventurous mystery involving a stolenvintage Alfa Romeo, the 1872 Mining Law, environmental activists onthe prowl, and a sweet, lost corgi dog.

100% of the author’s and publisher’s proceeds are being directed to the Arizona Kidney Foundation providing patient care and education, and the PKD Foundation.The PKD Foundation is devoted to programs of research, patient education, public awareness and advocacy for the nearly thirteen million people worldwide who have Polycystic kidney disease, by far the most common of all life-threatening hereditary diseases. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Love the "older" heroine
I love the "older" heroine of this novel (Abby). She's real and her struggles are real. She's smart and funny and even romantic. She thinks, at one point, `I can't even relate to David as a damned attractive man'; a half-page later `she wanted to play the part of a carefree woman out on a lark with a fun, intelligent good-looking man'. What woman past her 20s hasn't felt that way?? Although some of the characters (Bob, Pam) could have been fleshed out a little more, and the environmentalists weren't shown in the best light, the mystery kept me in suspense until nearly the end (and the "mystery within a mystery" about the Alfa Romeo car). I found it interesting that I also have a character in my novel, "Last Chance Rescue," with the last name "Van Dyke"!

Great Read
A great read for Arizona fans: evokes the region with vivid imagery and authenticity. But the real fun is in the murder plot and its resolution by an engaging heroine who doesn't let a little thing like kidney disease get her down. ... Read more

Product Description
The only sibling with healthy kidneys, Suzanne is ambivalent about donating a kidney to a sister she's not even sure she likes--but she makes the offer. Eight family members, including her mother, have died from the disease. Now her sisters have PKD and each need kidney transplants. The Reluctant Donor exposes Suzanne's doubts, raw fear, and strong Irish Catholic family history.

Her terror at the prospect of surgery is offset by her wonder at the small miracles that surround her. Inspired by her faith and the courage of those who came before her, Suzanne Ruff navigates uncertainty with humor and honesty. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

More than a story about organ donation
This book is about more than organ donation---it is about courage, faith, and love, too.Anyone who enjoys reading memoirs about families and courageous people will enjoy this book.Many of Ruff's relatives have been dealt a bad hand when it comes to kidneys, but the family has a lot of heart!And Ruff captures the reader expertly with her humorous and heartwarming stories about her memorable family.

The Reluctant Donor
As a person with Polycystic Kidney Disease and a strong family history, it is wonderful to have Suzanne Ruff help share our stories.I, too, was blessed to have a kidney donor, a co-worker, who gave me the gift of life in 2005 -giving back my life (I was on dialysis 2 years).I had the good fortune to meet JoAnn, the recipient of the author's kidney, at a meeting with PKD volunteers.We are excited about this great book.The book is warm, heartfelt, and easy to read.This book helps each of us with PKD know that Suzanne will help bring awareness to PKD as well as the gifts that generous donors provide others in need of kidneys, livers, pancreas, hearts, and other organs/tissue.The world is a better place because of Suzanne's donation and all other organ donors.Thanks Suzanne! ... Read more