Baltimore, MD (November 2009)-Health Professions Press is pleased to announce that Facing Death: A Companion in Words and Images by Linda Watson is the winner of a 2009 National Best Books Award. Presented by USABookNews.com, the premiere online magazine and review website for mainstream and independent publishing houses, the 6th annual National Best Books Awards "…yielded an unprecedented number of entries which were then narrowed down to over 500 winners and finalists," commented Jeff Keen, President & CEO of USABookNews.com. "The 2009 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the United States." Facing Death received the top award in the Spirituality: Journals & Quotes category.

"We know what a unique and essential resource we have created in Facing Death and it is wonderful to have this kind of national recognition for the book," states Melissa Behm, President of Health Professions Press. "Our hope is to get this book into the hands of those who need it most, and this award will definitely help us in this cause."

Facing Death offers not only comfort and inspiration, but it can also be customized to the individual needs of each person who is dying. The book combines breathtaking nature photographs with affirmations that nurture the emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs of individuals at the end of life. It addresses both practical and metaphysical concerns for the person who is dying, and also serves as a gateway to meaningful conversations between the dying person and those nearest to him/her, including professional and family caregivers, family members, and friends.

Author Linda Watson is a former pastoral and supportive care professional in Winnipeg, Manitoba, who has worked extensively with the dying and bereaved. Her counseling and theological training, plus her own life experiences, have combined to give her the knowledge and sensitivity to create this invaluable resource and to be a positive presence at the sides of those facing death.

The book's photographer, Maggie Sale, is a Toronto-based photographer specializing in landscape and nature photography. Ms. Sale's images have appeared in exhibitions and been published in magazines and books in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. She is a member of the Canadian Association for Photographic Art.

For more information or to order Facing Death: A Companion in Words and Images by Linda Watson, please visit the www.healthpropress.com/facingdeath.

Health Professions Press, Inc. (Baltimore, Maryland) is a publisher of high-quality educational resources for professionals in the fields of aging, long-term care, and health services administration. Visit www.healthpropress.com to learn more about this independent company, its vision, mission, and ever-growing list of publications.