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International Mission Force #1
Czechmate
Nicole Wise loves her new life in Prague almost as much as she loves telling people about Jesus. But when an election upset changes the balance of power in the formerly communist country, Nicole’s outspoken attempts at evangelism lead to her parents’ arrest on espionage charges.
Teaming up with Jakub, a handsome, young Romani Czech, who has grown up homeless, Nicole and her little brother, Adam, evade corrupt authorities by hiding out in underground tunnels of the ancient city while hoping to find evidence of their parents’ innocence. Their last resort is to make the proof public in a desperate bid to save them before it’s too late.
When Nicole and Adam’s parents are caught in a standoff between political forces that threaten to erupt into a bloody civil war, Nicole finds herself standing alone against an army, faith her only defense.
Teaming up with Jakub, a handsome, young Romani Czech, who has grown up homeless, Nicole and her little brother, Adam, evade corrupt authorities by hiding out in underground tunnels of the ancient city while hoping to find evidence of their parents’ innocence. Their last resort is to make the proof public in a desperate bid to save them before it’s too late.
When Nicole and Adam’s parents are caught in a standoff between political forces that threaten to erupt into a bloody civil war, Nicole finds herself standing alone against an army, faith her only defense.
ebook
Published May 31, 2016
20 people want to read
About the author
Felicia Bridges
16 books14 followersI believe life is a great adventure written by the Author and Perfecter of our faith. My blog, Adventures that Inspire Action, focuses on living on mission wherever life’s adventure leads.
My adventures as an Army BRAT included traveling around the United States and living overseas for two years in Junior High. Along with a strong foundation of faith, this nomadic childhood created a passion for missions and travel which leads my writing to exotic places.
My first series, the award-winning International Mission Force, features the adventures of teenage missionaries around the world and begins with CzechMate, which is set in Prague. BoliviaKnight, set in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and KenyaQuest, set in Mombasa, Kenya. These are all available now. Volume IV, IslandGambit, is scheduled for release in fall 2019.
While I have a degree in Psychology, my experience as an HR Manager, mother of four, and Pastor's wife provide my most unusual tales. Names may be changed to protect the not-so-innocent. If you'd like to hear some of my stories, I'm comfortable speaking to an auditorium full of people or a stranger in the checkout line. I'd love to hear about the adventure God is writing just for you!
My adventures as an Army BRAT included traveling around the United States and living overseas for two years in Junior High. Along with a strong foundation of faith, this nomadic childhood created a passion for missions and travel which leads my writing to exotic places.
My first series, the award-winning International Mission Force, features the adventures of teenage missionaries around the world and begins with CzechMate, which is set in Prague. BoliviaKnight, set in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and KenyaQuest, set in Mombasa, Kenya. These are all available now. Volume IV, IslandGambit, is scheduled for release in fall 2019.
While I have a degree in Psychology, my experience as an HR Manager, mother of four, and Pastor's wife provide my most unusual tales. Names may be changed to protect the not-so-innocent. If you'd like to hear some of my stories, I'm comfortable speaking to an auditorium full of people or a stranger in the checkout line. I'd love to hear about the adventure God is writing just for you!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 5, 2017
Inspiring Nail-Biter!
Nicole Wise isn’t sure about the move her family is making to Prague, but she’s excited about the chance to share her faith in the formerly Communist country. Though the Cold War is over, apparently it isn’t in Nicole’s Czech high school, because she receives a chilly reception as a new kid and an even chiller one when she attempts to share Jesus. As the country heats up politically, Nicole’s well-meaning efforts actually place her entire family in grave danger.
It takes all of Nicole’s faith and courage and a series of amazing miracles to bring her through this trial.
Author Bridges’ grasp of the details and difficulties of high school as well as the life of a missionary family are remarkable. Interwoven in the story is an intriguing folktale of the creation, terror and ultimate destruction of the fabled monster Golem. CZECHMATE is a YA novel that had this grandmother on the edge of her seat! Highly recommended.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Nicole Wise isn’t sure about the move her family is making to Prague, but she’s excited about the chance to share her faith in the formerly Communist country. Though the Cold War is over, apparently it isn’t in Nicole’s Czech high school, because she receives a chilly reception as a new kid and an even chiller one when she attempts to share Jesus. As the country heats up politically, Nicole’s well-meaning efforts actually place her entire family in grave danger.
It takes all of Nicole’s faith and courage and a series of amazing miracles to bring her through this trial.
Author Bridges’ grasp of the details and difficulties of high school as well as the life of a missionary family are remarkable. Interwoven in the story is an intriguing folktale of the creation, terror and ultimate destruction of the fabled monster Golem. CZECHMATE is a YA novel that had this grandmother on the edge of her seat! Highly recommended.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2018
This is an exciting young adult book about a teen girl whose family goes out into the mission field for the first time. The author skillfully brings out some of the challenges they face in adjusting to a starkly different culture than America, and how difficult it can be to make friends when you barely speak the language. Her descriptions of the city help readers imagine that they are there.
I don't read much YA anymore and needed an adjustment to switch from the typical fantasy in that genre to a simple mission story, but the author does bring in a bit of the youth market's love of fantasy with an old legend that she weaves throughout the story. Young readers will likely enjoy that, though I found it distracting and had trouble getting back into the meat of the story after the diversions. I think I missed how the legend tied in with the story. I would recommend this book to young readers, expecially those who love travel and have a heart for sharing their faith.
I don't read much YA anymore and needed an adjustment to switch from the typical fantasy in that genre to a simple mission story, but the author does bring in a bit of the youth market's love of fantasy with an old legend that she weaves throughout the story. Young readers will likely enjoy that, though I found it distracting and had trouble getting back into the meat of the story after the diversions. I think I missed how the legend tied in with the story. I would recommend this book to young readers, expecially those who love travel and have a heart for sharing their faith.
May 22, 2016
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you NetGalley and Vinspire Publishing, LLC
As I am from the Czech Republic I was really excited to read this book. It shows a story of Nicole, young American who moves to Prague as her dad is to be a hosting professor there. They also came to Prague to tell people about Jesus...
Okay, the premise was nice but I had so many problems with this book. So let's discuss them.
I hated how Czech people were portrayed. Czech are shown as Communism loving idiots. Let me tell you, we don't want those time back. Of course, there are always people who want certain times back but there are very few of them. We are also depicted as rasists towards Romani people people who hate religion and faith! I myself am a Christian and I know that there are a lot of atheists in the Czech Republic but no one would beat you just because you've been talking about your faith!! NO!!! On the other hand, I have had several great conversations in my life on the topic of my faith with people who are atheists! Czech people don't hate faith...
My other problem is with the actual knowledge of the Czech language. Some utterances shown in the book are completely wrong. They don't make sense at all. No native Czech speaker would ever use them. I don't know if the author just used Google Translator or what but the book should have been checked by a native Czech speaker! Also the whole election to the Senate doesn't make sense. This situation is completely implausible as we have a different election system. Also the Senate doesn't have so many rights to do things described in the book. For the purposes of the story it would have been much better if there had been elections to the Chamber of Deputies.
Overall I still felt that everything got resolved very quickly, the solution came out of nowhere and didn't make sense. (Deus ex machina??) I really do appreciate the concept and maybe I am a bit too harsh just because this is my country we are talking about but I cannot get over those things. I do believe this book would be better if there was more knowledge about the Czech language (maybe the language shouldn't be used at all) and about the Czech Republic in general.
As I am from the Czech Republic I was really excited to read this book. It shows a story of Nicole, young American who moves to Prague as her dad is to be a hosting professor there. They also came to Prague to tell people about Jesus...
Okay, the premise was nice but I had so many problems with this book. So let's discuss them.
I hated how Czech people were portrayed. Czech are shown as Communism loving idiots. Let me tell you, we don't want those time back. Of course, there are always people who want certain times back but there are very few of them. We are also depicted as rasists towards Romani people people who hate religion and faith! I myself am a Christian and I know that there are a lot of atheists in the Czech Republic but no one would beat you just because you've been talking about your faith!! NO!!! On the other hand, I have had several great conversations in my life on the topic of my faith with people who are atheists! Czech people don't hate faith...
My other problem is with the actual knowledge of the Czech language. Some utterances shown in the book are completely wrong. They don't make sense at all. No native Czech speaker would ever use them. I don't know if the author just used Google Translator or what but the book should have been checked by a native Czech speaker! Also the whole election to the Senate doesn't make sense. This situation is completely implausible as we have a different election system. Also the Senate doesn't have so many rights to do things described in the book. For the purposes of the story it would have been much better if there had been elections to the Chamber of Deputies.
Overall I still felt that everything got resolved very quickly, the solution came out of nowhere and didn't make sense. (Deus ex machina??) I really do appreciate the concept and maybe I am a bit too harsh just because this is my country we are talking about but I cannot get over those things. I do believe this book would be better if there was more knowledge about the Czech language (maybe the language shouldn't be used at all) and about the Czech Republic in general.
April 17, 2017
It was incredibly refreshing to find a young adult Christian novel that features a heroine who serves as a spiritual leader. She has her flaws, which makes her more relatable, but she seeks to continue to honor God. Through a page-turning adventure, she teams up with a Romani boy and together they seek to uncover the truth surrounding her parents' arrest. Felicia writes in exquisite detail and the conflict rolls seamlessly throughout the novel keeping the reader engaged. I am very excited to dive into the next book in the series. This is a must read for young women who are looking to be leaders in their communities.
Read
July 23, 2020This stand alone story is one to inspire and encourage. Felicia wrote an exciting mission centered story to bless the soul. Her characters are engaging and the way she writes take the reader straight into the sights, sounds, and feelings they encounter and endure. My mom devoured it in one sitting. I highly recommend this book.
August 21, 2016
"Sometimes there was no good option. No right answer. Just a choice between bad and worse."
See Reviews First On My Blog
This was one of those stories, that I really wanted to like, but ended up kind of falling flat for me.
Nicole and her father had gone to Prague before as missionaries, and had loved it there so much that they convinced the rest of the family to move there. Once there though, they start to see that while the city is beautiful, it might be harder than they originally had thought to actually live in Prague long term, especially since they were still doing some missionary work. The first part of this book, is rather slow with them just getting settled in and Nicole and her brother trying to fit in and make friends with the other students.
"Forty-eight hours ago, they had been bickering over the computer and now, they were a team."
Things start to pick up when the government falls into the hands of communists and their family and friends that are Christians end up becoming wanted and are forced to hide out in order to stay safe.
This leads Nicole and her brother on a journey of having to strongly believe in their faith, and using the tools they are given because of it.
This was an okay read for me. I didn’t love it, but I still enjoyed it, especially the parts with Prague fairy tales that were added in as well. The tunnels I also found to be very interesting, how had they made it so long? Especially after we see what can happen to them towards the end of the book.
If you’re looking for a clean read, with religion, then this would be a good option.
"People do bad things. But they can change and do something good if you give them time."
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
See Reviews First On My Blog
This was one of those stories, that I really wanted to like, but ended up kind of falling flat for me.
Nicole and her father had gone to Prague before as missionaries, and had loved it there so much that they convinced the rest of the family to move there. Once there though, they start to see that while the city is beautiful, it might be harder than they originally had thought to actually live in Prague long term, especially since they were still doing some missionary work. The first part of this book, is rather slow with them just getting settled in and Nicole and her brother trying to fit in and make friends with the other students.
"Forty-eight hours ago, they had been bickering over the computer and now, they were a team."
Things start to pick up when the government falls into the hands of communists and their family and friends that are Christians end up becoming wanted and are forced to hide out in order to stay safe.
This leads Nicole and her brother on a journey of having to strongly believe in their faith, and using the tools they are given because of it.
This was an okay read for me. I didn’t love it, but I still enjoyed it, especially the parts with Prague fairy tales that were added in as well. The tunnels I also found to be very interesting, how had they made it so long? Especially after we see what can happen to them towards the end of the book.
If you’re looking for a clean read, with religion, then this would be a good option.
"People do bad things. But they can change and do something good if you give them time."
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 30, 2020
I read these books out of order, but I loved this one as much as the other two! Bridges knows how to write with suspense and keep you turning one after page. I read this one in just a couple sittings. Ready for the next one in the series!
May 22, 2016
Czechmate
Book 1—International Mission Force Series
by Felicia Bridges
Vinspire Publishing, LLC
Christian, Teens & YA
Pub Date 31 May 2016
I was given a copy of Czechmate through the publisher and their partnership with Netgalley in exchange for my honest review which is as follows:
Nichole had went on a two week mission trip to Prague so when her parents tell her they are going back to Prague even renting a small apartment in the city. Though excited she soon finds herself homesick for her friends back in the states.
Soon Nichole meets a young Romami boy who endures prejudice and mistreatment.
Nichole wants nothing more than to make friends and to tell them about Jesus, but sometimes she finds the very people she wants to witness to push away from her.
When she gives Mara a Bible and her friends Father finds it Mara worries for Nichole's safety as well as her own.
Mara's Father is a powerful Senator and against Christian missionaries which could very well put Nichole and her family in danger.
Soon strange men barge into their apartment knocking Nichole and Adam's Mother unconscious. Nichole and Adam escape but soon they discover their Father was arrested and they are alone so Adam leads them to tunnels the Pastor has told them about.
Will Nichole and Adam be able to save their parents with the help of Jakub.
Will Mara and her Father come to Christ!
Find out in Czechmate.
Five out of five stars
Happy Reading
May 7, 2016
If you crave adventure, this is the book for you! It is so exciting as the main characters weave their way through Prague's underground tunnels attempting to escape capture. Accusations of spying add mystery, and miracles increase the intrigue. Finally, this book challenges the reader spiritually! Pretty amazing to have all of these elements: adventure, excitement, mystery, intrigue, and faith wrapped up in one package. I couldn't put it down. A MUST READ!!!
May 25, 2016
The first words that come to mind after enjoying Felicia Bridges' first novel, Czechmate, are Gripping and Inspiring! I love reading a book that I never want to put down, that makes me forget what time it is and is truly compelling. Combine that with how the author brings Prague alive and captures the rhythms of another culture and the result is I felt like I had been there on this adventure. I'm now following the author on Amazon and looking forward to the next book in the series!
June 1, 2016
Czechmate is a coming of age adventure for the adventurous at heart. The story masterfully weaves first century folklore with modern day drama and intrigue. Its punctuated with complex and unresolved cultural tensions with lessons that will resonate worldwide. Bridges' novel validates that the connectedness of our humanity hinges upon the fulcrum of shared vulnerabilities.
Want to read
June 20, 2016Read Interview with Felicia Bridges here: http://bookread-mumswritings.blogspot...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews