A compelling, insightful guide…

In simply written, engrossing accounts of experiences working with emotionally traumatized adolescents, a social worker turned freelance writer and author Murray educates readers about how Teen Centers, the School-Based Youth Services Programs (SBYSP), can help bring a positive change in affected adolescents’ lives. Beginning with the basic workings of teen centers, Murray discusses complex issues of teen pregnancy, adolescent and child abuse, teen mental health awareness, grief, bullying, suicide among others, emphasizing the importance of how having someone to listen to an adolescent’s problems could make a difference of life and death, especially if the teen is suffering from depression. Drawing from her own experience of working as a Case Manager at a Teen Center, Murray also distills lessons for parents and educators, including tips on how to recognize signs of teen dating violence, bullying, and psychological trauma. The topics of jobs, colleges, and scholarships, and recreation are also covered. This is a highly usable guide with the potential to help traumatized teens and parents alike.

–The Prairies Book Review (Crying, Learning, and Laughing: Why Students Visit the Teen Center

Being a homeowner is set in different phases. You may be interested in purchasing a home due to a growing family or you may be looking to downsize and sell your home for various reasons but, despite your reason, the home must be attractive enough both aesthetically and financially for the buyer. What this does is put lots of pressure on the seller. In the book, From Grunt Work to Light Work: A Homeowner’s Guide to Attracting Buyers by Tamika M. Murray, you’re taken through eleven chapters of how to prepare your home to sell; from doing repairs and hiring an attorney and a realtor to the importance of a clean title. While these different tasks worked for this seller, which allowed her to sell her home within thirty days from listing, yet it took her years to get it buyer-ready. The author advises caution when using any of these tips and tricks from the book for preparing to sell your home. Be mindful that one size does not fit all.

I enjoyed From Grunt Work to Light Work because not only will you learn a lot about the process but you are asked specific questions to help you better understand the process, as well as space where you can write and map out the process. The author is there coaching you as you walk through each step. As you begin to answer the questions, you’re better able to gauge what works and what doesn’t for you in making your home attractive to the buyer. As the author states, research and referrals are your friends and the key to successfully working through this process. I enjoyed how the author implemented The Law of Attraction and the art of manifestation in acquiring the ideal buyer for the home. You’ll be able to work through and write out your manifestation process as well. Highly recommended.

–Reviewed By Vernita Naylor for Readers’ Favorite 5 Stars