LONGWOOD, FL-In his novel The Garden of Eden and Beyond (paperback, 978-1-60266-152-3; hardcover, 978-1-60266-153-0), author Don Legler unfolds a 1000 A.D. drama in which a contentious world emerges from the Dark Ages. Sten, the shepherd son of a Viking father and an Arabic mother, finds an altarpiece that facilitates relationships with God. He is forced to become a warrior in the Caliph's army, but he and his wife become Christians and guiding lights in molding a better world. God's plan soon leads them on adventures through ancient Byzantium, Mesopotamia, Norway, England, and the New World.
Standing amidst the ruins at Nimrud/Nineveh during a trip to Iraq in 1967, Legler looked to the west and saw the remains of the empire that had terrorized ancient Israel. He walked down the crudely fashioned steps leading to the tomb of the queen of Ashernasipal II until the way became occluded by rocks and impacted dirt. Then he looked to the east and saw a Christian church with a wall around it, a gate, and a cross in front. He knew he must write the story.
"I hope readers will appreciate the wide variety of means by which the Word is disseminated, the value of biblical history and its authentic translation and transmission, and the variety of people and places that are involved in evangelism throughout the world," says Legler, who says his book Òblends fiction, history, and a Christian message in these respects, it is a class act."
Don Legler spent 10 years as a Methodist minister serving small rural churches in Florida. He had a professional career in dental education and research with more than 50 professional and scientific publications. He holds graduate degrees from Emory University and Garrett Seminary.
Xulon Press, a part of Salem Communications Corporation, is the world's largest Christian publisher, with more than 3,900 titles published to date. Retailers may order The Garden of Eden and Beyond through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. Salem Communications is the country's leading Christian communications company with interests in radio, Internet, and magazine publishing.
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2007