Life is Not a Candy Store: It’s The Way to the Candy Store
BY: Tal Yanai
PUBLISHED BY: Bat-El Publishing
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-9832025-0-9
Pages: 72
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Life is Not a Candy Store: It’s the Way to the Candy Store is a Spiritual Guide to the Road of Life for Teens, intended to be a self-esteem aimed at young adults, but the book’s message can easily reach most adults. Peer pressure from friends, and even your teachers and parents can be overwhelming for any teenager. Author Tal Yanai uses more of a Christian/spiritual approach in dealing with these matters. Being at an adolescent age can be difficult for anyone. Do you follow your peer group? Or do you follow your own road/path? In order to find your road, but you must first understand yourself, where your ‘soul come into the physical body.’ You’ll be faced with many challenges while trying to achieve your life goals, but with God’s help you can be guided in the right direction.

Having faith is one of the main messages of Life is Not a Candy Store: It’s The Way to the Candy Store. Personally being a victim of High School torture and bulling, I was eager to review the book. Life has many trials, some you’ll conquer and others you’ll fail. As a teenager, you’re not fully emotionally developed, and you won’t react to life’s hardships the same way as an adult would. I recommend the book to teenagers and parents.

*I would like to thank the author for sending me a review copy.


Don't forget to stop tomorrows blog: http://blogcritics.org/books/

Author Bio


During his formative years, Tal Yanai was not happy with his reality. What he was creating in his life was not in alignment with what he wanted in his heart or what he knew and deeply felt was possible.

As a struggling student, he was considered a troublemaker in school. Then one day, during a bike trip from the kibbutz to the sea, he was asked to take charge and make sure none of the other kids lagged behind. For the first time in his life, at age fifteen, Tal got a taste of what it meant to assume responsibility and be a leader. This one experience planted the seed for his goal to assume a leadership role in his later life. After finishing high school, having been raised on Kibbutz, Einat, Israel, he volunteered to serve as a leader in the Kibbutzim Youth Movement, which focused on principles such as volunteering, mutual help, and giving to one’s community and country.

In tenth grade he was diagnosed with dyslexia, which explained his learning difficulties but it did little to ease his frustration with himself and his everyday struggles. He had no mentors he could confide in or look up to. And no matter how hard his parents tried, his living on a kibbutz meant they had little influence during his teenager years.

At the age of twenty-three, when he moved to the U.S., Tal found solace in a higher power and started on a spiritual path, which has led him to align himself with his soul’s essence and mission.
For two years he worked as an historical analyst at the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation, established by Steven Spielberg after the filming of Schindler’s List. As part of his job, he listened every day to testimonies of Holocaust survivors. Many were children or teenagers during WWII and their stories greatly influenced Tal’s decision to become involved with educating youth, so he proceeded to get his Teaching Credential in Social Studies.

Bringing two wonderful children into the world gave him a new sense of urgency to share and teach everything he’s learned about God and spirituality. Today, Tal teaches Hebrew and Judaic Studies in Temple Beth Hillel in the San Fernando Valley as he continues his quest to explore the meaning of soul and achieve his full potential as a spiritual teacher.

How to Forgive: A Practical Guide
BY: Lynda Bevan
PUBLISHED BY: Loving Healing Press
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-61599-030-6
Pages: 98
Reviewed by Billy Burgess



How to Forgive: A Practical Guide is aimed at people, young and old, with emotional problems of letting go or suffering from a terrible trauma like abuse. Do you blame someone for hurting you? Do you have built up anger? Have you hurt somebody else? If you said yes, then you might have a problem with forgiving. Its not easy forgiving someone for emotionally or physically damaging you, but it is possible to forgive when you can fully understand your true self. It’s difficult to let things go, but life can be so much better without this guilt on your shoulders.

During my thirty year of life, I have had problems forgiving people for the emotional trauma that I endured while being bullied through my childhood. Years after graduation, I still blamed them for my life’s problems, but eventually I was able to forgive and continue with my life. Author Lynda Bevan, just like the title suggests, uses a practical approach to help you fully understand why you can’t forgive, and how you can. I recommend the book to councilors, teachers, and readers of all ages.

*I would like to than Loving Healing Press for sending me a review copy.

Not Fat Because I Wanna Be
BY: LaNiyah Bailey
ILLUSTRATED BY: Laura Perez Ricaud
PUBLISHED BY: CreateSpace
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1461006763
Pages: 42
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Not Fat Because I Wanna Be is written by six-year- old LaNiyah Bailey, and the story is based on her own life. The main character Jessica is made fun of by her preschool classmates because of her size. She wonders “Why Did God give me this big tummy and bow legs?” This is a big question for a girl to ponder with at such a young age. The name-calling at preschool gets worse and Jessica begins hiding in the bathroom. Even some of the teachers poke fun at her. Then one day, Jessica visited her new doctor, Dr. Middens. After a few tests, Jessica learns that her colon was swollen and that she would have to take a special medicine to make her better.

Writing a book at the age of six is a major accomplishment, especially with such a meaningful message for children and adults. The old saying ‘Stick and Stones may break my bone, but words can never hurt me,” is completely false, and both children and adults should know this. Not Fat Because I Wanna Be is a wonderful debut picture books that I recommend for readers of all ages.



LaNiyah Bailey is a 6‐year‐old author with a message for children like her – just because you are bigger than other kid, that doesn’t mean that people have the right to bully you.

In her debut book, Not FAT Because I Wanna Be, LaNiyah details the struggle of Jessica, a fictional girl who has an underlying medical issue that causes her to gain weight. Bullied by her peers, Jessica learns to accept her body and eventually opens up about her condition to her classmates.

LaNiyah is not only speaking to other children through her book, but has become an advocate for anti‐bullying organizations.

With a message that words can hurt and that not all weight gain is due to an unhealthy lifestyle, LaNiyah hopes her book will enlighten and entertain her young readers.



You can purchase Not Fat Because I Wanna Be at www.NotFatBecauseIwannaBe.com.

Other Links: http://gumbumper.com/2011/03/6-year-old-author-laniyah-bailey-talks-about-being-bullied-wow/

Master Self-Publishing 2011 Edition
BY: Owen O. Daniels
PUBLISHED BY: the Small Business Zone, Inc.
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-0-9829036-3-6
Pages: 110
Reviewed by Billy Burgess



Thanks to the internet, more writers are using the self-publishing route instead of going with the traditional publishing houses. It should not take a degree to self-publish your book, but there are some 'how to' books that are extremely detailed, therefore may scare off potential authors. Master Self-Publishing is ‘The Little Red Book’, which is just over 100 pages. The author lays out the simple rules that you should follow by, from determining what size book to go with, to where to get your novel edited. There is a reasonable publishing timeline, giving an estimate from when you start writing the book until the publication. You will learn about obtaining an ISBN Code, obtaining a copyright, obtaining a Library of Congress Control Number, and obtaining a cataloging publication program. There are three print on demand companies listed, Createspace, Lula, and Lighting Source.

I have reviewed several books on self-publishing and Master Self-Publishing is the shortest, but the simplest of them. Each chapter has been carefully written for any reader to understand. My favorite chapter is Chapter 8: Get The Book Reviewed, where there are several review sites listed. I recommend the book to any writer who is interested in non-traditional publishing.

*I would like to thank the author for sending me a review copy.

How to Raise Your New Puppy in a Cat Family
BY: Jackie Sonnenberg
PUBLISHED BY: Atlantic Publishing
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-60138-401-0
Pages: 288
Reviewed by Billy Burgess



If you are excited about bringing your new puppy home, your cat probably has a different opinion. How to Raise Your New Puppy in a Cat Family: The Complete Guide to a Happy, Pet-Filled Home is aimed for families who want to bring a puppy into a cat’s environment. Do you remember those old cartoons where the dogs and cats do not get along? Well, that was just a myth. Cats and dogs can get a long in a household. If your cat is already set in its ways, then it will take some time for the cat to adjust to having a dog in the home.

The author list different dog breeds, and which ones are more suitable for a family. The early chapters give guidelines to make sure you get the right dog for your family. You might have to take things slow at first. Let the animals meet and see how they react, then, slowly move the puppy into the home. Keep a close eye on your cat’s behavior. They are very emotional and may not understand why another animal is in their home.

I am a cat lover, so I was eager to review the book, and I was surprised to find many cat tips through out it finishing the book, I would have to say I would never keep a puppy and a cat in the same household. It would be too much stress on the animals, and especially on me.

*I would like to thank Atlantic Publishing for sending me a review copy.

Pages: 310
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Now for a twist, Sam asks Sookie for a favor - for her to ask the vampire Eric if Sam could borrow one of his vampire bartenders. Eric can never say no to Sookie, therefore the vampire pirate Charles joins Merlotte’s in Sam’s absence. Meanwhile, Tara is now in the control of the dangerous vampire Mickey.

Dead as a Doornail focuses more on the weres and shape-shifters than it does vampires. If you are watching the current season, you’ll realize that some of the plot elements in Dead as a Doornail are in it, mainly with Jason. Vampire favorites Bill, Eric and Pam have very little to do with the novel, and involves more of the Hotshots and werewolf clans. The death of Debbie Pelt is coming back to bite Sookie in the you-know-what, as private investigators are looking into her disappearance. I liked that the author laid out more of the werewolf mythology into the modern world. Sookie’s fairy-godmother, Claudine, is a riot and fun character unlike the fairy plot from True Blood. The fifth book in the series is great read.

PUBLISHED IN: 2011
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

After reading the back cover, I was a little skeptical about starting this book because it sounded like a reused plot from other Goosebumps books - where a kid is at home, the kid somehow changes, and races across town to find his friends for help. But there is a new twist by the name of Mr. Pinker, a piano teacher, with a hobby of collecting miniature houses, and, of course, Mr. Pinker is not who he seems to be. This is where the story reminds me of the Goosebumps television episodes, "Chillogy,” which wasn’t based on a Goosebumps book. Night of the Giant Everything isn’t scary, but it has enough twists and turns to keep the average young reader interested.

PUBLISHED IN: 2011


Adam had left the Amish community years ago and moved to the big city where he took odd job. After buying a car, a television, DVDs, and ending his on and off again relationship with Ashley, he realized that his life was missing something. Then one day, he retrieved his mail and found a letter sent by an Amish friend, who informed him of Mrs. Shelter’s death. He packs a bag and heads home. Despite Adam’s shunning, his mother welcomes him home with loving arms, but his father gives him a cold shoulder.

Peter’s cousin, Mark, also returns to the community and he is interested in one thing - stealing Clara away from Peter. Meanwhile, Emma and Adam reunite and their old feelings return, but will Adam’s new life interfere with their future.

Treasuring Emma is heartwarming story about second chances. I have read a few other books by Kathleen Fuller and this one doesn’t disappoint. I was instantly hooked from the first chapter where Emma is dealing with her mother’s death and ponders her future. Adam would have to be my favorite character from the novel, a young man who is lost in the world, but desires a family of his own. With all the economic problems in the world, I thought the character Peter was a nice touch, along with his wife, Clara, who loves and supports her husband despite the fact he cannot hold a job. I pleased to able to review this delightful novel that put a smile on my face.

*I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for providing me with a review copy.

PUBLISHED BY: Ace
PUBLISHED IN: 2004
ISBN: 978-0-441-01218-3
Pages: 310
Reviewed by Billy Burgess




With Sookie’s ex, Bill, out of the country, she calls her brother Jason for assistance, but he shortly disappears later that night. Now, Sookie must worry about her brother, and fight off her feelings for Eric.

I started reading the 4th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series last June. My plans were to read it before the third season of True Blood started, but I got sidetracked and the book eventually went back on the bookshelf. After watching the first episode of the 4th season, I decided to read Dead to the World. After a slow attempt, I managed to finish the book on July 4th. The basic ‘witches plot’ is the main plot of the 4th season of the television series. The subplot of the missing Jason is currently being used too, but Crystal and the Hotshots were introduced during the third season. I was disappointed to learn that Bill had a very limited role in the book, but I was glad to see ‘Bubba’ (who is absent from True Blood) had a part. I laughed out loud when Eric was watching Sookie’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer VHSs while she slept. I thought Charlaine Harris has done marvelous work showing Eric’s human side as he fell in love with Sookie. The only downside of the novel was the so-called ‘witch war’ with vamps, weres, and witches, as I thought it could have been longer. Overall, I enjoyed getting back into Sookie’s weird world.

PUBLISHED BY: Atlantic Publishing
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1601383693
Pages: 288
Reviewed by Billy Burgess



Let’s face it; the economy is not getting any better. The food cost and household items are getting more expensive every week. People are looking for ways to save money. The Complete Guide to Creating Oils, Soaps, Creams, and Herbal Gels for Your Mind and Body contains over 101 natural body care recipes that you can make at home.

The book gives a brief history of aromatherapy, an overview of essential oils and how to handle the oils. There is a long list of common carriers and base oils, like - cranberry seed oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, and many others. Then you learn about the common essential oils, like - balsam of Peru, cedarwood, lavender, lemongrass, tea tree, and etc. You learn about the 30 uncommon essentials oils and what oils to avoid. From there you’ll get a brief 101 on soap making. The recipes range from household cleaners, to bathroom soaps and shampoos, beauty and wellness treatments, and other oils.

Wow! I didn’t know there were so many different kinds of oils! I like the concept of making soaps and cleaners at home, but I wonder if some of these ingredients can be found outside of big cities, like - geranium oil, apricot kernel oil, and many others. The book also includes simple home remedies, backache blend, cold and flu blend, and my favorite - cold sore blend, but I have no idea where to find tea tree oil or geranium oil. The recipes look simple if you can find the ingredients. I enjoyed reading about the different oils.

*I would like to thank Atlantic Publishing for sending me a copy to review.

PUBLISHED BY: Outskirts Press
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4327-6671-9
Pages: 192


Have you ever heard the phrase “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day?” Well, you should never skip breakfast and it should always be eaten within an hour of rising from bed.

The only equipment you need for this diet plan are the following: a liquid measuring cup; a set dry measuring cups; a set of measuring spoons; a blender; a small non-stick skillet; and a little kitchen scale.

There are drinks, salads, soups, sandwiches, fish, beef, eggs, chicken, snacks, and many other meal recipes including 100 calories recipes.

Eat All Day - Drink All Day follows a simple plan of eating small nutritional meals throughout the day. In the back of the book the author has provided a three day meal plan that includes 8 small meals a day. Each day is under 770 calories total. You don’t have to be a chef to try out the meals in the book. All of the recipes look easy enough for anyone to make. There’s even a cheese sandwich recipe that is only 100 calories. Some of my favorites are Mocha Mama, Coffee Creamy, and Good for You Cocoa. I enjoyed reading the book and recommend it to everyone.


*I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy to review.

PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Nelson
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59554-788-1
Pages: 304
Type: eBook


Nobody believes that Judith Fischer is telling the truth about the angel. Some think she is fooling around with an English man, including her fiancée, Levi Plank. She had been dreaming of becoming Levi’s wife, but that all changes when he betrays Judith with her sister. To make matters worse, Tobias continues to visit her, and she is also having strange visions. The Bishop’s son, Andrew, may be the only person who will believe her. Is Tobias an angel or just her imagination?

This is the first Amish novel I have read that has a supernatural theme to it, which I thought was a nice twist and adds an interesting mystery to the over-published genre. Judith Fischer is a strong-willed Amish character that any reader will relate to. She questions her faith, as she tries to understand if the Tobias is a messenger from God, or could he be a false prophet, or is she losing her mind. Despite the fact she might be shunned, she tries to tell her family friends about the angel, as she prays that her brother will be healed. The Promise of an Angel is a riveting Amish mystery that will keep you turning the pages till the very end. I recommend it to everyone.

*I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for providing me a copy to review.