History with a Twist: New Novel Teaches Christian Themes From a Unique Perspective

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Pendleton, IN, April 12, 2010 — In the normal Midwestern town of Edinburg, the local boys are scheming normal boyish warfare and an 11-year-old named Calvin Colson wants more than anything to be smack in the middle of the action. Carolyn Reger weaves an exciting tale rich in the details of Christian history for young readers with her new novel, The Belt of Truth (published by AuthorHouse).

Calvin can hardly wait until his initiation into the neighborhood “Bravo Force” is complete. Little does he realize, however, that a supernatural journey awaits him. Eager to please his older brother, Keith, the commander of Bravo Force, Calvin accepts an undercover mission to the old abbey ruins of Edinburg. As he crosses the crumbling abbey steps at sunset, he enters the eternal world of the Dunamis Force, God’s most explosive force in the universe. Once inside, he hides, silently in awe of a magnificent soldier in golden armor. Calvin follows this otherworldly warrior through a mysterious door and into a strange, snowy world. Everything seems odd, yet strangely familiar, as he studies the commander and his poorly dressed, shivering soldiers. Calvin is amazed to hear the soldier address the commander as “General Washington.”

In the days following his ethereal experience, Calvin is unable to stay away from the abbey. As the ruins are once again transformed at sunset, Calvin meets Tobias, the golden angel, who informs the boy that he is to be trained for the Dunamis Force. Calvin will learn the full armor of God. The most important piece of this armor, he learns, is the belt of truth, for it is the piece that holds all others together. He makes another trip, this time to the ill-fated city of Pompeii just as Mount Vesuvius threatens to unleash her fury. Miraculously, Calvin pulls off a rescue in the wake of the eruption, but with relief comes the realization that he must leave behind the friends he has made. When he wakes inside the abbey ruins, he wakes to find his Belt of Truth lying beside him. With his token firmly buckled around his waist, Calvin makes his way home, wondering if his adventures were real.

The Belt of Truth is an exciting tale for middle-grade readers that skillfully blends Christian themes and notable historical events.

Carolyn Reger is a freelance writer from Pendleton, Ind. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Indiana Wesleyan University and a master’s degree from Ball State University. She has taught at Greenfield-Central School Corp. and Liberty Christian School in Anderson, Ind. Reger and her husband, Malcolm, have two grown sons.

AuthorHouse is the premier publishing house for emerging authors and new voices in literature. For more information, please visit http://www.authorhouse.com.

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