Better Life Press is a non-traditional press publishing fiction and nonfiction books that inspire, educate, and entertain readers.
Dr. Lester R. Sauvage started this small press to publish his numerous health related books once he retired from his medical practice. His final book, Opening Hearts: A Cardiovascular Surgeon Reflects of Faith, Healing, Love & the Meaning of Life was published just prior to his death in 2015 and has inspired many to reflect on why they do what they do.
Better Life Press seeks to continue Dr. Sauvage’s legacy of love and healing by publishing other books that will inspire and challenge readers to live lives of love and healing.
NEWEST RELEASE
Listen, Think, & Speak Like a Doctor by Smiley Thakur, MD, is a witty, relatable, and honest book full of sage advice about the real life challenges and practice demands experienced in the processes of becoming and being a physician.
It gives insight into what it takes to become a doctor and to practice as a true healer. It’s a great read for doctors, doctors-to-be, and everyday folks who want to better understand their doctor’s thought processes.
Get your copy today on Amazon
If only I had access to these thoughts early in my career instead of figuring it out on my own !! Even now, 20 years on, Dr. Thakur’s words are so helpful and edifying.
Ross Zbar, MD and author of Floating Feathers:: A Doctor’s Harrowing Experience as a Patient
This book has dozens of 5-Star reviews like this…
Released December 2020
A Story of Self-discovery, Persistence, & Friendship for Children Pre-k through 3rd Grade
Little Hannah the hermit crab has outgrown her shell and must find a new one that fits her just right. Joined by her friend Sophie the shrimp, Hannah searches throughout her reef for the perfect shell. The two friends encounter a turtle, rock lobster, sea urchin, and seahorse learning why their shells won’t work for Hannah.
Finally, the seahorse tells Hannah about other hermit crabs gathering nearby. Sophie recognizes it as “the hermit crab shuffle” where hermit crabs gather to swiftly swap shells, an imperative given the danger involved. With Sophie by her side, Hannah races to join in on the big shell-swap. Once there, she trusts herself to do something new and finally gets the perfect shell.
From start to finish, this tale bolsters word recognition through repetition and rhyming verse as it develops knowledge and appreciation of the miraculous natural undersea world. It also acknowledges that children treasure and enjoy the beauty of art as much as any adult.
To read educator reviews, the “story behind the story,” and get free resources about the creatures featured in the story, go to the author’s webpage https://www.bmlbooks.com/the-hermit-crab-shuffle/
As an added bonus, teachers and homeschooling parents can access common core elementary school science and language arts curricula that elaborate on the facts about each sea creature and use the story to teach specific language skills to children. (coming soon)
Released January 2020
The Secrets Underneath
Better Life Press released the debut novel of Barbara Mulvey Little on January 15, 2020. Available now on Amazon (print and ebook) and ebook retailers like Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and more.
The Secrets Underneath is a story of a mysterious medical problem triggered by murderous violence in two families, and the lies and betrayals that haunt them all. With help from visits to another realm, and encounters with people in the here and now, the truth is slowly revealed.
The story asks, can the choice to love really transform us? And can physical healing be found through forgiveness, mercy, and acceptance?
Read a Sample Chapter.
“… an intriguing, at times surrealistic, plot that … is very vivid and emotionally jarring, with memorable and graphic descriptions that will haunt readers long after the last page. While many of this novel’s mystery and paranormal elements–most notably, the ability to communicate with restless spirits–may call to mind other works, the author capably creates atmosphere, while evoking a sense of how violence and trauma continue to reverberate throughout the lives of impacted families.”
—BookLife Prize Critic’s Report“… a complex story of love that spans multiple generations beautifully and seamlessly. The novel has a spiritual feel to it… as it explores one family’s journey to become whole.”
—Michael Gurian, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Stone Boys and The Miracle
Released Winter 2017
Return to Sender by Mindy S. Halleck
Fiction
1955 ~ Father Theo Riley never wanted to be a priest.
He also never planned on being a killer.
The former boxing champion and Korean War veteran gave up more han a career when he went into the Army. He lost the only thing he ever wanted: his love, Andréa Bouvre.
Friends thought Theo entered the priesthood to mend his broken heart or atone for the massacred orphans he couldn’t save in Korea. However, the truth is much darker and more damning, tied to a blood debt and family secret that has haunted Theo since he was a boy. He drinks to forget he ever had a life of his own—waits for death, prays for mercy, and hopes for a miracle.
He gets all three when a child goes missing, another shows up on his doorstep, and the love of his life drives back into his world, the seaside hamlet of Manzanita Oregon. Theo’s dream reunion with Andréa becomes a nightmare when a serial killer who considers himself a holy man targets the town and everyone Theo loves.
Drinking days decidedly behind him, Theo and some old warriors set out to send evil back to hell and a few good souls to heaven in Return to Sender.
“Mindy Halleck writes about family and the ways our roots define our lives with the assured vividness of Dennis Lehane and the unflinching edge of Gillian Flynn. An old school, can’t-put-it-down read.”
—Larry Brooks, critically-acclaimed bestselling author of four psychological thrillers, in addition to his work as a freelance writer and writing instructor. www.StoryFix.com
“You’ll ponder your own redemption as you accompany Theo on his quest to save the woman he loves, his beloved beach town, and himself in this novel that will haunt you long after you’ve put it down.”
—Gloria Kempton, author of ten books, including The Outlaw’s Journey: A Mythological Approach to Storytelling. www.gloriakempton.com
Order your copy today on Amazon or from your favorite bookseller.
Mindy Halleck is an award-winning fiction writer, novelist, and a writing instructor. She is an active member of the Pacific Northwest writing community and additionally is a happily married, globe-trotting beachcomber, and three-time cancer survivor who credits the act of writing as part of her healing journey.
Learn more about Mindy Halleck and her workshops and awards or contact her to be a speaker for your event.
Released Winter 2015-16
Scripture & Meditations for the Rosary
by Barbara Mulvey Little
Nonfiction
Better Life Press is pleased to announce the release of Barbara Mulvey Little’s latest book now available on Amazon.com.
Scripture & Meditations for the Rosary by Barbara Mulvey Little is a helpful guide to the ancient prayer practice of the Rosary. Using scriptural references and personal meditations, Barbara guides the readers to a better understanding of the lessons inherent in the rosary so they can better experience its comfort, joys, and peace.
Purchase the print book for only $4.99 and get the ebook for free with the Matchbook program.
Released October 2015
Lowering Corporate Health Care Costs
by Mark Dedomenico, MD & Barry Wolborsky, PhD
Better Life Press is pleased to announce the release of the latest book by cardiovascular surgeon and health experts Mark Dedomenico, MD and psychologist Barry Wolborskly, PhD
Lowering Corporate Health Care Costs by Mark Dedomenico, MD and Barry Wolborsky, PhD outlines how corporations can lower the cost of the health care they provide to their employees while providing higher quality care and creating healthy outcomes that work for employees and their families.
This book looks at the history of what has been done before, explains why it hasn’t worked so far, and provides impressive ROIs for all their suggested solutions. This is health care that WILL work both for employees and for your business’ bottom line.
Limited availability; please contact us at “info”at”BetterLifePress.com” for more information on obtaining your copy.
Previous Books by Dr. Sauvage
In 1990, Lester R. Sauvage, MD published his first book for the general public. The Open Heart contains a collection of patient stories from the perspective of both the patient and Doctor Sauvage. This book was endorsed by former Surgeon General of the United States, C. Everett Koop, MD and is the only book known to have been endorsed by Mother Teresa.
Dr. Sauvage went on to write two more well received books: The Better Life Diet and You Can Beat Heart Disease, which was endorsed by forty-seven medical doctors. There is a very limited supply of these now out-of-print books. Contact us at “info” AT “BetterLifePress.com” for information concerning these publications.
