As an editor it’s always a thrill to work with an author who hits a best-seller list, and that has happened to me a few times in my long career as an editor. What has never happened before is having two back-to-back clients who hit that mark.
The first, Cancer’s Wake Up Call: A Warriors Path to Radical Healing has hit several #1 spots on Amazon since it’s June 25 release, and is still going strong. The author, Rebecca Ratliff, has an amazing story to tell about how she survived three bouts of cancer and came out whole in body, mind, and spirit. I was deeply honored when she asked me to write the Foreword.
***** SYNOPSIS ****
When Rebecca Ratliff heard “you have liver cancer,” it became her greatest wake-up call—one that led not just to healing her body, but to transforming her entire life.
Living years cancer-free without chemotherapy or radiation, Rebecca shares her remarkable journey of radical healing through the powerful mind-body-spirit connection. After declining conventional treatments, she embarked on a transformative path that astounded her medical team and changed everything she knew about wellness, purpose, and self-love.
In Cancer’s Wake-up Call, you’ll discover:
- How to find your voice and stand in your power during treatment
- Proven mind-body healing techniques that complement any treatment path
- How to transform fear into faith through meditation, gratitude, and energy work
- The power of emotional frequency and how your thoughts create your reality
- Practical tools for spiritual awakening that accelerate healing
- Energy healing practices and the power of group meditation
- The healing power of service and why helping others helps you heal
Whether you’re facing cancer, supporting a loved one, or seeking deeper spiritual healing, this inspiring memoir-meets-practical guide offers hope, wisdom, and actionable steps to transform your life. Rebecca’s authentic story proves that healing isn’t just about surviving—it’s about awakening to your true potential and living with joy, purpose, and radiant vitality.
It was such a joy to work with Rebecca and I’m thrilled that the book is doing so well. I firmly believe the book is helpful for anyone dealing with health issues, or any other challenge. It puts forth a lifestyle that is transformative. As I worked with Rebecca in editing, I found that many of her tips for practices to reduce stress, boost our body’s ability to heal, and more, were helpful for me. I deal with a chronic neurological disorder that is quite painful, and my pain level would go down a few notches when I tried some of her practices, especially the stress-reducers.
***** ABOUT THE AUTHOR *****
Rebecca Ratliff is a speaker, mind-body healing advocate, and author of Cancer’s Wake-Up Call: A Warrior’s Path to Radical Healing. Once a high-level corporate executive, Rebecca now helps others discover the powerful connection between how we live and how we heal. Her journey through cancer led her to explore a wide range of holistic and spiritual healing modalities—experiences she now shares with honesty, warmth, and wisdom.
Whether speaking in corporate boardrooms or spiritual circles, Rebecca empowers people to shift their mindset, awaken their inner strength, and take a more active role in their healing. Her approach is grounded in universal faith, practical tools, and the belief that healing is possible—body, mind, and spirit.
Rebecca lives in Fort Worth with her partner and their two beloved dogs. When she’s not writing or speaking, you’ll often find her at the piano, playing music that brings joy to her heart and others.
Cancer’s Wake-Up Call is her debut book and signature message—a bold invitation to face life’s hardest seasons with courage, curiosity, and radical hope.
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The second book, also addresses cancer, but in a totally different way. Bella -The Little Furry Chiweenie Who Saved Our Lives is an inspirational story about Love, Resilience, and Healing. The image of Bella used on the cover was painted by Michael’s wife, Rebecca, before Parkinson’s made it impossible for her to paint anymore.
***** SYNOPSIS *****
What do you do when you’ve been battling cancer…
and the rest of your world is crashing down on you?
You wear a hot pink Hawaiian shirt to your final chemo treatment and you have conversations with your little dog Bella, who just happens to talk back. Sometimes with sass. Sometimes with humor. And always with heart.
“She had that effect… turning grief into something you could actually sit with, breathe through, maybe even giggle at.”
“Being strong means showing up, even when you don’t feel strong. And letting someone else fall apart without trying to glue them back together in a hurry.” ~ Bella
Bella is a heartwarming, whimsical, and deeply emotional tale about love, resilience, and the unexpected ways healing finds us.
When Michael, a weary three-time cancer survivor and full-time caregiver to his wife Rebecca, reaches the end of his chemotherapy, his quiet rescue dog Bella does the impossible—she speaks.
What follows is a tender, funny, and life-affirming journey between a man, his talking dog, and the woman they both adore.
As Rebecca bravely battles Parkinson’s, Bella becomes more than a companion—she’s a guide, a therapist, and the emotional glue holding them together. With snarky wit, surprising wisdom, and boundless loyalty, Bella helps this struggling couple find light in the darkest moments.
Told with raw honesty, humor, and a touch of magic, Bella is a love story—not just between man and dog, but of a family clinging fiercely to grace, laughter, and each other when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
It will bring many smiles through just a few tears.
I met the author, Michael Whelan, on Twitter and responded to his request for someone to read this book and offer some feedback. When I read the opening, I sat back and said, “Wow.” Keep in mind that not a lot of writing makes me say that. Here is that opening:
I used to think miracles were rare—reserved for saints, lottery winners, and people who make it through the TSA without losing their dignity.
Then my dog, Bella started talking.
But I’m getting way ahead of myself.
Here’s the setup: I’m seventy years old. A three-time cancer survivor and the caregiver to my wife Rebecca who has Parkinson’s.
And on this particular day in August, I was driving my 2011 Nissan Juke to the hospital for my very last chemotherapy treatment.
That car? It rattled like a tambourine in a hurricane. The A/C only worked when the humidity dropped below my sarcasm.
But it still ran.
And so did I.
Riding shotgun, as always, was my Bella.
My rescue Chiweenie.
Part dog.
Part therapist.
But all heart.
After reading that, I eagerly agreed to edit this book, offering him terms that he could afford since he has medical bills piling up like mad; and I was happy to do that. His book also debuted in a number 1 spot on Amazon and continues strong, with some wonderful reviews. One reviewer mentioned how many times she read the book and cried each time – tears a mix of joy and sadness and healing. I must admit I cried a lot in the process of the back and forth editing process.
I was once told that tears wash our soul and the poet Gemma Troy puts it this way: Tears are how you water your soul so you can grow.” If Michael’s book brings tears to your eyes, know that it is okay. Maybe more than okay. Healing.
What Michael posts on Twitter is just as honest and raw, and will be the subject of future books.
***** ABOUT THE AUTHOR *****
Former Production Executive HBO & VP The Golf Channel. Emmy & Peabody Award. Cancer, Mental Health & Animal Rescue Advocate. Head & Neck Cancer survivor. He lives in Florida with his wife, Rebecca and their family of dogs and cats. This is his first published book.
I urge you to consider buying these books, one for yourself and maybe a couple for gifts. I’ve already gifted a copy of Bella to a friend that I knew would enjoy it. She called to tell me how much she liked it, especially the illustrations.
That’s all from me for today, folks. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
