Temple Age
Books 13–16 of The Runners Series
Rumors of a powerful icon—Adam's Knife—drive explorers east. But what they find is more dangerous than savages or beasts: organized religion wielded as a weapon of control. The Temple Age explores what happens when humanity's deepest longing for the Creator is exploited by those hungry for power.
Note: This age deals with mature themes including religious manipulation, violence, and the corruption of faith.
Curse of Religion
Book 13
Brad continues his quest for Adam's son by sea, with a group of young explorers but trouble plagues them right from the start. Set fifty-thousand years ago, The Runners Series is the story of the first humans, who disobeyed their creator and escaped from their protected garden valley. Generations have passed since the promised land was settled, and humans have multiplied and spread out, mostly to the west, but Brad hears that some went east, many generations ago, and none have come back. Always looking for the truth of the creator, he assembles a fleet and goes in search, not knowing what he will find.
The trip takes plenty of unexpected twists and turns, and his team is put to the test, and some are found wanting. His children have to come to terms with who they are and what kind of people they want to be in the face of overwhelming challenges.
Curse of Religion is the story of how our basic desire to know our creator can be exploited and Brad and his followers run into far greater trouble than savages in the jungle and monsters in the deep.
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Quest for Adam's Knife
Book 14
Bradson, the son of the most powerful man in the world, keeps making foolish choices, as his father embarks on a quest to find Adam's Knife with a group of young explorers. But now he has a new wife, and new power as they sail east once again. Maybe he will get it right this time.
Set fifty-thousand years ago, The Runners Series follows the first humans who escaped from their protected valley. Bradson's father assembled a fleet to search for those who went east and discovered people who worshiped Adam's Knife. Disaster strikes and Bradson has to make some hard choices, as his team falls apart.
The Quest for Adam's Knife is a thrilling tale of one young man's quest to discover the truth of who he is and what he believes, a belief he may need to die for.
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Spice Islands
Book 15
Bradson, thrust into leadership, continues his father's quest for Adam's Knife with a group of young explorers. However, rumors from the East cause concern, as none have returned from that direction in generations.
Set fifty-thousand years ago, The Runners Series follows the first humans who escaped from their protected valley. Bradson's father assembled a fleet to search for those who went east and discovered people who worshiped Adam's Knife. His death leaves Bradson to continue the quest, along with the secret truth about the knife, with his wife, Starlight, who also carries a secret. As they reach the Spice Islands, they uncover new mysteries, including the cruel slavery enabled by the poppy.
Spice Islands is a thrilling tale of young believers confronting the power of an ancient artifact.
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Cave of the Painted Dead
Book 16
Just when Starlight thought her adventure was over, and they set sail for home, a storm took them into a strange spooky place of caves and mystery. One by one the team disappears without a trace, leaving Starlight alone. For the first time, the intrepid explorers met an enemy that seems immune to their weapons and training.
Set fifty-thousand years ago, The Runners Series follows the first humans who escaped from their protected valley. Bradson's father assembled a fleet to search for those who went east and discovered people who worshiped Adam's Knife. His death left Bradson to continue the quest, along with the secret truth about the knife, with his wife, Starlight, who also carries a secret. As they journey home, they find their adventure is just beginning.
Cave of the Painted Dead is a terrifying look at what humanity is capable of when superstition rules.
Find on AmazonThe Ideas Behind the Story
The Temple Age examines humanity's deepest need—to know the Creator—and how that need can be twisted into a tool of control. From sacred artifacts to priestly power, the patterns repeat throughout history. What separates genuine faith from manufactured religion?
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