Books published by publisher Outskirts Press, Inc.

This lighthearted collection of 52 devotional readings—stories that illustrate relevant Bible truths—is designed for the whole family to enjoy together. Each entry includes a variety of activities that will motivate you to put God’s Word into practice, to share it with others, and to have fun together! Written by a teen, a tween, and their parents, this refreshing book brings a wide range of perspectives to life experiences and Bible lessons. House on the Rock can help your family grow closer to God and to each other. It can also be used by individual children or teens for personal devotional time or as a resource for children’s and youth groups. Use this helpful tool as you build your life and your family on a solid foundation of God’s Word! “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 (NIV)

Jamie Leeds has been forced to flee the only home he has ever known...Earth. Jamie and his mother have returned to his mother’s home, Aurellius—a world where dragons, dwarves, elves, and other so-called mythological creatures actually exist. It is a world created by the leader of the Dragons, Dragonith, and his mate, Gwenith. Even though life on Aurellius is not the ideal that Dragonith and Gwenith had envisioned, it is still far better than Earth, where the nine races have wreaked havoc and exploited Earth’s people. But now a movement, led by a group called The Sisterhood, would seize the powerful “Dragon’s Heart” in order to gain total control of Aurellius. Jamie is unwittingly being drawn into this struggle, with his very life at stake. In order to survive, he must learn many skills that he can only learn in Stonebriar Academy. However, competition to enter Stonebriar Academy is grueling, and only one hundred students will be granted admission. And gaining admission is Jamie’s only hope if he is to survive against the Sisterhood. Jamie desperately wants to be admitted to Stonebriar, not only to give himself a fighting chance against the Sisterhood but also so that he might learn something that a few short months ago he didn’t even know existed—how to fly with a Dragon.

The Legend of the Yule Lads is well-known among Icelanders and has been passed down from generation to generation for over 1,500 years. The country’s rich history of legends and folktales featuring a host of mystical creatures is reflected in this unique Christmas tale about trolls. However, like many of Iceland’s legends, the story of the Yule Lads is virtually unknown outside of the country. This particular story can be traced back to 13th Century and the Snorri Sturlson’s Edda. The Edda refers to the recognized mother of the Yule Lad’s, a horrible ogress named Gryla. In that time, Gryla and her many troll offspring were said to terrorize children, hauling badly behaved children off in great burlap bags to be later eaten. The tales of Gryla and the Yule Lads became so gruesome and disturbing that in 1746 a public decree was issued to forbid parents from using these stories to terrify children. In the years since, the Yule Lads’ character has been softened from horrible trolls to mischievous tricksters. As the legend goes, the Yule Lads come down from the mountain, one each day starting 13 days before Christmas. They stay through Christmas Day, then leave, one each day, in the order they arrived. In 1932, a popular poem was written about the Jólasveinarnir [Yule Lads] by Jóhannes from Kötlum and it first appeared in the book Jólin Koma [Christmas is coming]. As presented in Jóhannes poem, each of the Yule Lad’s name reflects their particular brand of mischief. Stekkjastaur (Sheep Cote Clod) starts things off on December 12th and is best known for stealing sheep’s milk. Giljagaur (Gulley-Gawk) arrives the next day and is preoccupied with sneaking into the barn to steal cow’s milk. Stúfur (Shorty) steals bits of food left on frying pans while Thvörusleikir (Spoon-licker) steals spoons from the kitchen to lick and Pottasleikir (Pot-licker) steals pots and pans for the leftovers. Askasleikir (Bowl-licker) arrives next and sneak away with the bowls of food left for the family pets. Hurdaskellir (Door-slammer) brings his mischief on December 18th by knocking, squeaking hinges on doors, and generally creating thumps and bumps in the night. Skyrgámur (Skyr-gobbler) is next with the primary purpose of pigging out on Skyr, which is a very rich Icelandic version of yogurt. Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-swiper) joins in on December 20th focused on stealing sausage while Gluggagægir (Window Peeper) keeps himself busy looking for shiny objects to stuff in his pockets. Gáttathefur (Door Sniffer) has a very sensitive nose, which he uses to sniffs out all the goodies he can find. Kjötkrókur (Meat-hook) arrives next and hangs out near the dinner table to swipe any meats he can. The last Lad, Kertasníkir (Candle-beggar) arrives on Christmas Eve and pilfers candles. This modernized version of the Icelandic Yule Lad tale brings new life to this very old story. After accidentally being seen by a human, Stekkjastaur finds he must rely on a young Shepherd boy to keep his secret. He gives a gift just to protect his troll reputation, but the little boy’s happiness made him happy as well. He learns that one of the greatest gifts you can receive is the joy in giving to someone else. One by one, the Yule Lads each take a break from his own mischief, and each one learns the happiness gained from gift-giving. Even from a source as unlikely as a troll, a selfish act wrapped up in the Christmas spirit can grow into something wonderful.

Jamie Leeds’s first semester at Stonebriar Academy: School for Dragon Riders was a tumultuous one. First he had to win admission when only one hundred applicants would be selected from over four hundred. Then Jamie had to learn how to use the power of a Dragon belt and learn to fly with a Dragon. Added to all of this, against all tradition, Jamie has been bonded to a Dragon in his first year. But Jamie overcomes all of those difficulties and even helps his bonded Dragon, Tomith, whom he has nicknamed Tommy, to learn how to fly. Now Jamie and Tommy face the second semester, and in this semester they will continue to struggle— but not only with their classes. They have now been caught up in the Stonebriar House Championship. Each year, the five Houses—Blackburn, Warwick, Aubondale, Waverly, and Pembroke—all compete for the coveted House Championship. Jamie’s and Tommy’s House, Aubondale, has finished in last place for the previous seven years. The overriding passion of every student in Aubondale is to finally get their house out of last place. To help accomplish this, Jamie and Tommy will have to compete in the school’s Dragon races, something they know nothing about. Even as Jamie and Tommy settle into the day-to-day struggles of school life at Stonebriar, they have been marked for capture or assassination by a shadowy organization known at the Sisterhood. For decades, the Sisterhood has been seeking to fulfill a prophecy that will grant the sisters total control over all the nations of Aurellius—along with immortality. But, in order to achieve their goal, they must eliminate Jamie and Tommy. Jamie’s and Tommy’s greatest challenge will not be helping get their House out of last place—their greatest challenge will be to simply survive.

Aunt Mallory dies in a mysterious boating accident, revealing a family curse… The twins set out to uncover the truth about their family and what really happened to their aunt. They learn that everything they believe to be reality is just an illusion, and they must rely on each other and their faith to keep their family together. The one constant is their twin connection and the ocean…With Mermaid Eclipse, N. E. Carlisle has written an exciting adventure about mermaids, perfect for any young adult interested in mythical creatures and the lore of the sea.

Every rescue dog deservesA Place to Call Home . . .Every rescue dog has a tale to tell, a story uniquely their own. A Place to Call Home is Toby’s tale. His story takes you on a journey across the country from California to Connecticut and across the spectrum of life’s emotional and spiritual experience. Born on a small farm in northern California, Toby narrowly escapes the death sentence imposed upon him by his breeder. Through a series of events driven by good intentions, he finds himself in a Connecticut suburb where life with his new family soon collapses on him, and his newfound happiness is brutally destroyed. On his quest to find a place to call home, Toby encounters and endures the best and worst of humanity as he comes face to face with sorrow and joy, fear and courage, and ultimately, with the power of love.

Be Prepared For Your Next Encounter With The Bully In Your Family Or Church...In this long-awaited sequel to Narcissistic Predicaments, award-winning author Sister Renee Pittelli not only teaches more lessons on handling abusive birth-families, but expands the discussion to include abusive church families as well, with invaluable insights and information about phony "Christians" and toxic churches, the biblically in-error "Christian" abuser and the ignorant, rude and presumptuous Spiritual Bully. Narcissistic Confrontations is chock full of eye-opening revelations and helpful strategies, including: *The Narcissist's 35 Rules of Engagement *12 Examples of juvenile behavior and mentality in narcissistic confrontations *All Narcissists Are Liars, and the things they lie about *Every interaction with a narcissist is a competition, and only the narcissist is allowed to win *The 3 Basic Principles of Selective Amnesia *3 Things that prove "I Can't Help It" is a lie *What happens when you go to counseling with a narcissist *8 Ways to make a narcissist prove he's really changed *The Business Deal with the hidden clauses *Making abuse sound like a good thing *How to spot and handle a child of Satan who is pretending to be a child of God *When they sense they're losing their grip on you, 5 Surprising Tactics they use to keep you attached *37 Typical Steps in the decline and fall of our abusive relationships *How to handle the Silent Treatment, ultimatums, being "second fiddle," getting disowned, and other narcissistic "punishments" *The Narcissistic Nuclear Meltdown *4 Secret Ways to "change" a narcissist *How to set a trap for the "spy" in your midst, and what to do with her once you figure out who she is *14 Promises to make to ourselves that will help us recognize toxic people and choose healthy relationships from now on *Luke 17:3 Ministries' Abuser/Narcissist/Psychopath FAQ. In Narcissistic Confrontations you will learn about "norm

Friendship, trust, and loyalty were essential in the journey Big T embarked upon in 1970, and he knew that the decisions he would make could cost him and his partners their very lives! Hard work, honor, and a little bit of luck were essential in his quest for the high life, but he found himself in the depths of hell five different times, locked in a prison cell with nothing but his passion for success in an unforgiving world. Big T kept his word, however, and fought for what he believed in, despite having to start over again each time he got out of prison to pursue the American dream.

Baby Boomer women are the first generation of women to retire from professional career roles. These women were uniquely born into a generation known for breaking down traditional societal barriers and searching for personal fulfillment. They pioneered their entrance into the male-dominated professional workplace and persevered to levels of unprecedented success. These are strong, bright women. So why wouldn’t retirement be an easy transition for them? Unfortunately, these trailblazing women are ill prepared for the psychological challenges of retirement, and there are no roadmaps and few female role models to guide them. Dr. Rita Smith interviewed over 200 Baby Boomer professional women, and found a common experience among them—being unprepared for “retirement shock.” Empty Nest, Empty Desk, What’s Next? shares these women’s stories, their challenges, and their successes. The book also includes a Boomer Retirement Re-Imagined Roadmap© which, along with interactive exercises, provide the missing guidance and support to help Baby Boomer professional women reinvent a retirement that works!

Remembering the Simple Things That Christmas BringsDo you remember how special the Christmas season was when you were a child—how exciting it was, how full of wonder? Author Susan Brougher paints vivid pictures from her childhood in rural upstate New York, where winter brought many heart-warming adventures. Follow Susan on her trek through deep drifts of snow to find the perfect Christmas tree in the woods, and watch with her as the clever family cat goes on a holiday spree. Thrill with Susan as the first snowflakes fall, and feel her anticipation as she waits for Santa Claus. And right along with Susan, you will share the wonder of Baby Jesus in the manger, seeing that miracle again through innocent eyes. These five beautifully illustrated children’s poems will bring back your cherished memories as you read them aloud to your children, creating memories of your own for many years to come.

Ruth’s parents immigrated to Australia from Greece seeking a better life. A Greek at heart, Ruth desired to preserve her heritage by sharing her family’s stories and regional specialties of cuisine. Come along this delicious journey through the Peloponnese, Kephalonia, Elefsina and Northern Greece and enjoy Ruth’s beautiful photographs of her beloved Greece. A well-stocked pantry ensures the reader is acquainted with Greek produce and the nutritional benefits of Mediterranean eating. Her recipe chapters are divided into four parts: ‘Whetting the appetite’, ‘the saucepan and the pan’, ‘baked foods’ and ‘sweet endings’; easy to follow techniques and foods which have been tried and tested. With over 80 recipes (half of which are gluten-free) Ruth has cooked, styled and captured a modern yet nostalgic depiction of her life. Family linens, pictures and serving pieces decorate the pages of this book. She has used the abundance of olive oil and spices to achieve authenticity in both main meals and desserts. From a plethora of authentic recipes inclusive of pastry making, pies, feta flat breads, pickled octopus, rabbit stew, yoghurt making, orange and pork sausages, fennel seed bread, vegetarian moussaka, stuffed tomatoes, okra with lamb, lima beans, cumin meat patties, squid with orzo this book will have you salivating. Not to mention the array of desserts such as pumpkin pie, orange apricot semolina pudding, Easter bread, ouzo cookies, olive oil cake with orange blossom syrup, prune stuffed honey soaked biscuits, mouth-watering sesame salted pistachio rose water baklava, honey donuts, milk pie, spoon sweets and Greek coffee! Segments of narrative are intertwined with recipes, all from a Greek heart!