Bethany's Bookshelf.

S.M.A.R.T. Steps to a Healthier Life

Mazen Alghamdi

Outskirts Press, Inc.

10940 South Parker Road, #515

Parker, CO 80134

9781432771973 $29.95 www.outskirtspress.com

Weight training professional Mazen Alghamdi presents S.M.A.R.T. Steps to a Healthier Life, a self help guide to improving one's health through better nutrition and regular exercise. Packed with practical tips, from eating smaller meals throughout the day to reduce the urge to binge to minimizing consumption of sugars and refined grains to extensive, step by step instructions for incorporating a balanced exercise regimen into one's routine, S.M.A.R.T. Steps to a Healthier Life lives up to its title. Of particular value are the sample day by day schedule planners suggesting exercises sets for beginner, intermediate, and advanced fitness levels. S.M.A.R.T. Steps to a Healthier Life is an excellent resource for anyone seeking useful, structured assistance while taking responsibility for improving their own fitness.

Heidi's Hope

Stephen Goss

CreateSpace

100 Enterprise Way, Suite A200

Scotts Valley, CA 95066

www.createspace.com

9781463720520, $12.95, www.amazon.com

Stephen Goss is a truly gifted author with a genuine knack for storytelling and the distinctive writing style he's chosen for "Heidi's Hope" (short direct chapters) is a perfectly suited format to the development of his characters and storylines in this original, creative, compelling, fully engaging, 330 page novel. It's always a good sign when readers "lose" themselves within the story. And that's just what happened! The memorable characters in "Heidi's Hope" spring fully, believably, and engagingly into life. Reader's beware! This is a novel with a "two hanky" ending! Heidi's Hope is highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library contemporary fiction collections.

Philosophy

Ronnie Lee

Outskirts Press, Inc.

10940 South Parker Road, #515

Parker, CO 80134

9781432771836, $37.95, www.outskirtspress.com

Our wholeness and peace of mind come after need not panic about simply surviving. "Philosophy: Structuralism for Unity, Visions of Truth for Justice and Success" is a collection of philosophy from Ronnie Lee, who discusses the flood of information mankind has, as he calls for our search for unity in today's world where quarrel seems to lurk around every corner. Using a medium of free verse poetry to grant his thoughts and opinions on our conflicts, "Philosophy: Structuralism for Unity, Visions of Truth for Justice and Success" is an excellent pick for anyone seeking politically and philosophically driven verse.

Blood Awakening

Tessa Dawn

Ghost Pines Publishing

9781937223007, $14.84, www.tessadawn.com

Through the centuries, one will remember the hardship more than the joy. "Blood Awakening" discusses the place of Marquis Silvasi, an ancient vampire who has seen much, done much, and all things he would rather forget. As a mortal enters his life, his awakened to the world he has mostly ignored. A riveting read for fans of vampire tales of struggle with the monster inside, "Blood Awakening" is worth considering for fantasy collections.

Eden Falls

Joe Shrader

Privately Published

9781456581619, $8.63, www.edenfallsnovel.com

What makes you human is what makes you a flawed killer. "Eden Falls" is the story of a league of assassins trained from birth to be ruthless and flawless assassins. With their instincts and memories pushed away, Cain regains those very things and finds that what he has been set to do is objectionable. He seeks to free the others put through his treatment, and "Eden Falls" proves to be a riveting and psychological read that will be hard to put down, highly recommended.

Welcome ... Do Come In

Bridget E. Hill

iUniverse, Inc.

c/o AuthorHouse

1663 Liberty Dr. Suite #300

Bloomington, IN 47403

9781450237420, $14.95, www.iuniverse.com

Our search for acceptance is never ending. "Welcome ... Do Come In" is a collection of poetry from Bridget E. Hill who presents an intriguing look into our emotions and our pursuit of dreams. "Welcome ... Do Come In" is a somber collection of poetry that seeks the truth of ourselves and what we see in other people. "60": Isn't it funny/how you can love someone so much minute/and despise them the next.

Forgive to Win

Walter E. Jacobson

Privately Published

9781452834115, $11.22, www.walterjacobsonmd.com

Life's too short to be dominated by grudges. "Forgive to Win" is an inspirational book from Walter E. Jacobson, as he discusses learning to control one's life by eliminating destructive feelings and behavior, like guilt and judgment. Advocating a forgiveness diet, "Forgive to Win" has plenty to consider and is very much worth considering for those seeking inspiration.

Fifth Gospel

William Roskey

iUniverse, Inc.

c/o Author House

1663 Liberty Dr. Suite #300

Bloomington, IN 47403

9781462028573, $16.95, www.iuniverse.com

To control time is something few people ever will believe is possible. "Fifth Gospel" is a novel delving into the invention of time travel, and its early application of delving into first century Palestine to find the Holy Grail, seeking the time of Christ. An action and adventure thriller set in Biblical times, "Fifth Gospel" will prove very much intriguing and highly recommended reading.

Returning to Wholeness ...

Michael Hoare, D.D.

Privately Published

c/o Megan Giannini

[e-mail] (publicity)

9781453677605, $9.99, www.amazon.com

When your entire being comes together to accomplish something, it is truly a wonderful thing. "Returning to Wholeness ...: Discovering Ah Man" is a motivational guide from Michael Hoare, as he discusses how to find wholeness in one's being and embrace it fully. "Returning to Wholeness ..." is an empowered and thoughtful read that shouldn't be passed over.

The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg

Doug Bremner

Privately Published

9781463648817, $11.99, www.amazon.com

Accutane did what it was advertised to do ... but it wasn't worth it. "The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg" is a memoir of Dr. Doug Bremner, who campaigned against Accutane and the billion dollar corporation behind it. In the process, he faced having his name smeared and his career almost ruined in the campaign returned against him. Telling his story against corruption in the pharmaceutical industry, "The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg" is worthwhile reading about the extent companies will go for profit.

The Years of Magic

J. Lyndon Hickman

Lulu

Smith Publicity

1930 E. Marlton Pike, Suite I 46, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

9781257519088, $16.95, www.smithpublicity.com

As the power fades, the creatures of the darkness emerge once more. "The Years of Magic" is set in a world where the creatures of myth and legend will potentially emerge once more, as the electricity that the world used so much of begins to fade. Creating a unique world, "The Years of Magic" weaves a story that will keep fantasy readers turning the page, very much recommended.

Sweetgrass

Patricia Ann Kuess

iUniverse

1663 Liberty Dr. Suite #300

Bloomington, IN 47403

9781462011544, $18.95, www.iuniverse.com

With nothing behind you, it can sometimes be liberating to find a worthy way to die. "Sweetgrass" follows soldier Johnathan Traver, who only seeks a proper death after a miserable early life. Serving the Union valiantly, he helps them make ground, although his methods earn him ire. But on top of this, he finds a reason to live when it all may be too late, a reason that will make him an outsider to his army and his country. "Sweetgrass" is a choice bit historical and gay fiction, much recommended.

Susan Bethany

Reviewer