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Dragon Seed

By Marty Machowski

An angry teen, a desperate mother, a missing father, and a shadow lurking in the background. Things were going from bad to worse for Nick and his family. Tempted to run away after yet another argument with his mom, Nick receives a handwritten, leather-bound copy of an old book—a family legend passed down to him from his great grandfather. The book, called Dragon Seed, leads Nick deep into his family’s history and introduces him to another angry young man who lived in the shadows (the shadows of the tombs). Like Nick, you’ll be shocked to discover where he fits in this story of epic proportions!

This page-turning, young adult fiction story invites older children and teens into the real-life struggles of Nick. But it also ushers them into an imaginative exploration of the life of the young man Jesus saved as he wandered through the tombs. Best-selling author Marty Machowski uses both stories to introduce the reality of spiritual warfare and how its shadows affect and change us.

Machowski, a trusted teacher for children of all ages, presents a thoroughly biblical view of spiritual warfare that emphasizes the importance of humility and dangers of pride. Teens will be drawn to the story of Nick and his struggles and will learn, as they read, to also identify the shadows in their own life and turn from them. While the biblical teaching is evident throughout the narrative of Dragon Seed, Machowski also includes a twelve-lesson Bible study at the end of the book to help teens ground their understanding of spiritual warfare on biblical principles.

Youth pastors, leaders, and parents will also want to explore with teens the small group study at the end of the book with its unique take on spiritual warfare that emphasizes the biblical theme of humility. This is a perfect book to read with a group and discuss together the implications of Nick’s struggles for their lives.
Delve into this imaginative story about the reality of the spiritual war. Sign up to review the book in the sidebar!

ISLAND BREEZES

Dragon Seed? That sounds like something to plant in the back garden. In a way it is. It’s what can be planted in the garden of the human heart.

This is a good allegory that teens can relate to. Hopefully, it will touch them enough that they will take the antidote for dragon seeds seriously.

I’ll be passing on this book to my grandson. One doesn’t have to be a young person to enjoy and appreciate this book. Even grannies do.

Thank you, Mr. Machowski, for this book. I’ll be looking forward to reading more of your work.

***I received this book free of charge from Litfuse.***

Author Marty Machowski is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for more than twenty years. Marty leads Promise Kingdom, the gospel-centered children’s ministry of Covenant Fellowship. He and his wife, Lois, and their six children reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He is also the Executive Editor for Children’s Resources at New Growth Press.

Marty Machowski, who studied industrial design in college, learned to combine the creativity of art with the discipline of mechanical engineering. He reflects on how his background specifically prepared him for his current ministry as an author. “Thinking up the hundreds of object lessons for the Gospel Story for Kids curriculum used problem solving creativity I learned as an industrial designer. It was exciting and challenging to create fun games and object lessons for kids that communicated the biblical concepts of the weekly lessons.”

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah! In His great mercy He caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Messiah Yeshua from the dead.

An incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading inheritance has been reserved in heaven for you.

By trusting, you are being protected by God’s power for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

You rejoice in this greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials.

These trials are so that the true metal of your faith (far more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire) may come to light in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Messiah Yeshua.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. And even though you don’t see Him now, you trust Him and are filled with a joy that is glorious beyond words,

receiving the outcome of your faith – the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:3-9

Yeshua – Hebrew for Jesus

The Captain’s Daughter

By Jennifer Delamere

Warm-hearted Victorian romance brings 1880s London to life.

When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater that is presenting the most popular show in London. A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage.

A hand injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London, he has also spent the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured brother. Although he’s glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can’t wait to leave behind.

ISLAND BREEZES

Sometimes when a captain goes to sea, he doesn’t return. Sometimes the family he leaves behind ar3 by various circumstances separated from each other.

It came time for Rosalyn to leave her sisters, and make her way in the world as a lady’s maid. Then circumstances once again intervene and Rosalyn ends up in London alone and with nothing.

Only by chance did become employed as a costumer for one of the London theaters. Nate also by chance ended up working at the same theatre and befriended Rosalyn. Their friendship slowly becomes more.

Boy meets girl. Boy wants to go back to India. Girl loves her job and never wants to leave the theater. Is there any way these two can compromise?

***I received this book free of charge from Litfuse.***

Jennifer Delamere’s debut Victorian romance, “An Heiress at Heart,” was a 2013 RITA award finalist in the inspirational category. Her follow-up novel, “A Lady Most Lovely,” received a starred review from “Publishers Weekly” and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned a BA in English from McGill University in Montreal, where she became fluent in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. She’s been an editor of nonfiction and educational materials for nearly two decades, and lives in North Carolina with her husband.

Be transported to 1880s London and meet a talented musician and singer in the new Victorian romance novel from Jennifer Delamere, The Captain’s Daughter. When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater that is presenting the most popular show in London. Meanwhile London holds bitter memories for Nate Moran that he is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can’t wait to leave behind.

Enter to win a copy of The Captain’s Daughter. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced July 10th on the Litfuse blog!

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth change, though the mountains topple into the heart of the seas,

though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at their swelling.

Psalms 46:2-4

Though the fig tree does not blossom,

and there is no yield on the vines,

Though the olive crop fail,

and the fields produce no food,

the flock is cut off from the fold,

and there is no cattle in the stalls.

Yet will I triumph in Adonai,

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

Adonai my Lord, is my strength.

He has made my feet like a deer’s,

and will make me walk on my high places.

Habakkuk 3:17,18

For He says,

“At a favorable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2

The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race

By Mike H. Mizrahi

Chattanooga society is turned upside down as a young woman has the audacity to ride a bicycle-in bloomers!

It’s 1895. Anna Gaines, 19, struggles to conquer her insecurities after a horrible fall years ago from her beloved horse, Longstreet. On a visit with her aunt in Brooklyn, she’s drawn to the new pastime of bicycling. But back at home, cycling is a scandalous sport for a proper lady. Southern women did not engage in activities meant for men.

Anna has her eye on Peter Sawyer, president of the Cycling Club. As community outrage grows, an unexpected turn of events pits Anna against Peter in a race between the sexes.

Will Anna prove that women deserve the same right as men to ride “the wheel?” Will she choose to live a quiet, traditional life of a housewife and mother? Or will she pursue college and become one of the “new women” emerging into the twentieth century on the seat of a bicycle? What will become of the spark between Anna and Peter?

Faith, patience, and courage help Anna to become the person she was meant to be.

ISLAND BREEZES

I am woman; hear me roar. I an woman; see me ride.

That describes Anna’s Aunt Harriet. Will it soon describe Anna, too? While spending time with her aunt in Brooklyn Anna is introduced to the bicycle, pantaloons and the lifestyle of the “new woman.”

Surely, what happens when Anna returns home to the farm and receives a gift of a “wheel” of her own won’t surprise you. But the various reactions of some of the members of the men’s bicycle club may.

Anna remains determined to continue riding even though it becomes dangerous at times. She’s also determined to enter the Chattanooga bicycle race. It seems a lost cause.

Many thanks, Mr. Miarahi, for a peek into some of our country’s history. I look forward to your next book.

***I received this book free of charge from Litfuse.***

Mike Mizrahi has a master’s degree in public relations, advertising and applied communication from Boston University. After a career in corporate public affairs, he retired to pursue a deep passion: writing.

Mizrahi and his wife, Karen, led a mission trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo four years ago and were so moved by the experience, Mizrahi wrote his first novel, which he hopes will one day be published. The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race is his debut published work.

Mizrahi loves reading and writing stories about “sozo,” which means to be rescued in Greek. He and Karen are very active in their church and community and love to hike, travel and go the movies together. The Mizrahis live in Woodland Hills, California, where they raised their children who are now adults.

Learn more about The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race and Mike H. Mizrahi at www.mikehmizrahi.com.

“Shalom I leave you, My shalom I give to you; but not as the world gives! Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid.

John 14:27

And the shalom of God which surpasses all  understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua.

Phillipians 4:7

shalom – Hebrew for peace

Yeshua – Hebrew for Jesus

“I am the gate! If anyone comes through Me, he will be saved He will come and go and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly!”

John 10:9-10