The Catalyst
BOOK ONE: THE WAITING
Discover the World of
The Catalyst
The Catalyst
Book One: The Waiting
By Kim Koontz
Set in the heartland of early 20th-century Iowa, The Catalyst – Book One: The Waiting follows Benjamin Paulie, a young boy with an active imagination. Dismissed from traditional schooling in his early years because of perceived learning difficulties, Benjamin spends his days at his father’s side on a modest horse farm in Greenfield. While his father tends to the stables, Benjamin sketches endlessly, dreaming of soaring weightlessly atop a majestic steed. After a life-altering accident, an enchanting bond with a horse sets him on a course that reveals a remarkable talent that propels him from the familiar fields of the farm to the grandeur of the 1927 National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. Along the way, his courage, resilience, and the loyalty of those around him shape his destiny in ways he could never have imagined.
Yet as Benjamin’s story unfolds, a celestial battle brews in unseen realms. Watching over him and the world are Heaven’s warriors—an elite group of angels entrusted with guiding humanity. But their efforts to protect and shape fate are threatened by an encroaching darkness. Corruption and deceit fester beneath the surface as the Great Depression looms on the horizon, tipping the balance toward chaos. The angels await their leader, the one destined to unite them and reveal their true purpose. To restore harmony, they must fight the final battle between good and evil . . . and only the Catalyst can lead them to victory.
With unlikely alliances, divine interventions, and an epic struggle against darkness, The Catalyst – Book One: The Waiting is a tale of hope, destiny, and the extraordinary power of belief.
Praise for The Catalyst
A riveting, genre-crossing work . . . a fresh take on historical fiction.
Luke Pickelman, M.A., J.D., professor of history at Northwestern Michigan College
A profound reminder that even in life's darkest moments, hope and redemption are never out of reach.
Matthew Dowling, Pastor and Hospital Chaplain
This story will bring God into your life, even if your faith is nonexistent.
Adrianne Croket, Marketing Specialist for Visiting Angels
A thought-provoking and thoroughly engaging experience for readers.
Jay Jahnke, Senior Supply Chain Manager
Meet the Key Players
Every great battle needs its warriors. From celestial guardians to unsuspecting mortals, each character in The Catalyst – Book One: The Waiting has a part to play in the struggle between light and darkness. Learn more about the angels guiding fate, the humans caught in their midst, and the roles they will come to embrace as the story unfolds.
The Angels
Nine celestial warriors stand guard over the balance between good and evil, each with a purpose, a power, and a fate intertwined with humanity. In The Catalyst – Book One: The Waiting, four angels step forward, guiding and protecting as an unseen battle rages around them. More will follow, their presence shaping the course of destiny—until, at last, the final angel, The Catalyst, emerges to tip the scales in ways no one could foresee.
Gabriel
Gabriel is the strongest warrior with an antagonistic sense of humor. His interactions with the other angels are laced with sarcasm and mockery, never leaving an opportunity to tease and ridicule go untaken. Gabriel brings a unique counter-balance to the tribe, interjecting humor, entertaining banter, and an expansive quest to stroke his already inflated ego. With supernatural strength as his gift, he develops his muscles more than his mind. When selected for an assignment, his tempered emotions are brought forth when he heals a human battling the same fear and insecurity he had once endured when he was a mortal.
Jacob
Jacob has a gift for healing animals. His hands are his superpower, radiating a heat so powerful and miraculous, they can turn death into life. His presence is calm and inquisitive, always dutiful and introspective. On assignment, Jacob has an important interaction with a special horse - demonstrating his unique ability in a heart-warming turn of events.
Joshua
An expert archer, Joshua draws his bow and arrow to fulfill his assignment. He is one of the youngest angels, which is evident by his playful disposition and quick wit. He brings a confident energy to the group, holding his own when challenged by the hierarchy among them, sweetening the dynamic with his brazen personality.
Sarah
A visionary and emotional nurturer. Sarah is deeply insightful with the ability to see and interpret visions. Her interactions into the lives of the earthly characters manifests in emotional sensations. Her presence brings healing through the release of trauma. She is a comforter and her assignments are designed to offer assistance in times of crisis. But don’t let her soft touch fool you; she is just as much of a warrior as any of them and proves her strength and perseverance at every turn.
The Mortals
Flesh and blood, hope and fear—humanity stands at the heart of a celestial conflict they can’t even see. In The Catalyst – Book One: The Waiting, a select few find their lives forever altered by forces beyond their understanding. Some will rise to meet their fate, others will struggle against it, but all are players in a story far greater than themselves. As the series unfolds, new faces will enter the fight, each with a role to play in the coming storm.
Benjamin Paulie
During his elementary school years, Benjamin experienced spurts of stagnation, developing much slower than other children in his classroom. Teachers regarded his challenged aptitude as apathetic, uncommunicative and often obstinate – but his distracted and introverted disposition wasn’t a hindrance. It provided the optimal sanctuary to dream and sketch. Outside the classroom, he was free to explore the world outside, allowing his imagination to sculpt an exciting adventure and reveal talents he didn’t know he had. After enduring life-altering circumstances, he finds a new path forward - full of surprise, friendships, and purpose.
Paul Rogers
Level-headed, serious, and guarded – Paul keeps his words and his thoughts short and impactful. He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, not suffering fools gladly and leaves no margin for error. In his role as head granger, he keeps the farm running smoothly until a tragedy reveals a choice. For the first time in his life he allows himself to trust, confronting a terrifying new emotion: love.
Elliot Reed
Young, optimistic, and full of vigor. Elliot has a fun-loving personality and a deep appreciation for baseball – routinely imagining himself on the mound in the bottom of the ninth with two strikes on the batter. His fierce loyalty to the farm’s operation make him an ever-present help, always willing to jump-in where he’s needed most. His relationship with Paul is based on trust and friendship which is evident through their entertaining dialogue. Elliot’s ability to tolerate and appreciate Paul’s stoic personality makes him even more endearing as he approaches every challenge with patience and child-like curiosity.
Carl Ebbers
An old jockey, set in his ways. Carl has a knack for spotting horseracing talent – he knows horses and he knows jockeys. He has spent decades acquiring knowledge about the sport and stakes his reputation on the tried-and-true methods of producing champions. Serious by nature and not one to entertain frivolous whims or the slightest detour in his regimen; Carl is thrown for a loop when an unexpected circumstance challenges him to rethink what it means to be a trainer, and finds himself on a journey that pushes him beyond what he ever thought possible.
Charles & Claire Collins
As the owners of the farm, they have celebrated in times of success and stood in lockstep during the lean years. Claire offers her caring and compassionate heart to their farm-family, joining everyone together in love and kinship. Strong and formidable when she needs to be, yet always willing to nurture and comfort. Charles Collins made a name for himself in horseracing - enjoying the prestige and honor of owning a contender in the Kentucky Derby. When moments in the winner’s circle grew further apart, he doubted if they would ever see another winning streak. With the economy in decline and the Great Depression looming, Charles was forced to take a bold risk against impossible odds to save their livelihood.
Immerse Yourself in the Story
Immerse yourself in the world of The Catalyst – Book One: The Waiting with this heavenly playlist while you read.
About Kim
Author Kim Koontz hopes to give readers an inspiring story with The Catalyst series. Through the years, she has been encouraged by others to write, but with an active life and two teenage sons and two jobs, finding the time was difficult. Four years ago, she made time. The Catalyst, Book One: The Waiting is the first book in the three-book series to be launched. Her intention was to write a good story that will entertain and inspire readers as they experience memorable characters and a pivotal era in our nation's history. Kim resides in Michigan.
