The Catalyst Book One: The Waiting by Kim Koontz

Heaven’s angels intervene in earthly lives waiting for the Catalyst, their leader in the great battle of good versus evil.

Spanning Nearly 100 Years, New Genre-Crossing Series Explores the Adventures, Battles, and Triumphs of Mortals and Angels

Traverse City, Michigan—When writing her debut book, author Kim Koontz decided to go big. The Catalyst, Book One: The Waiting, Mission Point Press, (June 3, 2025), which has been called “a riveting genre-crossing work,” is the first title in her three-part series.

The Waiting follows Benjamin Paulie, a boy with an active imagination and a passion for drawing in 1920s Iowa. Dismissed from school for perceived learning difficulties, he finds purpose beside his father, who works on a modest horse farm. When a life-changing accident alters his path, Benjamin forms an extraordinary bond with a horse that reveals a rare talent—one that eventually propels them to the prestigious 1927 National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden. From there, Benjamin’s journey unfolds against the looming Great Depression as an elite group of angels observe an emerging darkness and await a leader who will unite them.

The Catalyst Book One: The Waiting

The great battle of good versus evil as the central plotline came to Koontz unexpectedly as did the small-town 1920s setting that evolves to epic adventures. “I don’t know how I arrived at the idea; it came to me suddenly. I don’t have any connection to equestrian life or much knowledge of life in the 1920s so I relied on my imagination and substantial research about the era and it became my journey. Little by little, my characters came with their own stories and the entire first book nearly wrote itself before I even began, delivering surprises along the way,” Koontz shared.

A Trilogy in the Making

To ensure authenticity, Koontz recognized the importance of her historical research. “I spent hours conducting research and checking resources, especially about communications and transportation in all forms. I felt like I could be dropped into life in 1926 and thrive. I even learned how to start a tractor by the flywheel—it was an amazing journey.”

Looking ahead, Koontz shares what readers can expect in the rest of the series:

The Catalyst, Book Two: The Gathering—The earthly characters from The Waiting continue to evolve—stepping more fully into their lives and grappling with their personal flaws as the Great Depression takes hold. Through both hardship and triumph, their faith and beliefs—more often than not—grow stronger. Simultaneously, the angels begin to come into their powers and learn why they were chosen for their collective mission.  

The Catalyst, Book Three: The Reckoning—With their preparations complete, the battle of good versus evil awaits the angels. At last, the tenth and final angel emerges to lead them in the war against darkness.

Advance Praise

Advance praise for The Catalyst, Book One: The Waiting from Matthew Dowling, pastor and hospital chaplain:

“… A profound reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, hope and redemption are never out of reach …” 

Author, Kim Koontz

The Author

Kim Koontz gives readers an inspiring story with The Catalyst series. Over the years, she has been encouraged by others to write, but with an active life, 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. She resides in Michigan.

The Book

The Catalyst, Book One: The Waiting

Kim Koontz

442 pages, 6 x 9 inches, B/W

Historical fiction, Christian fantasy, Great Depression, Battle of Good vs. Evil, Coming of age

ISBN: 978-1-965278-38-3, $29.95 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1-965278-39-0, $19.95 (Softcover)

Mission Point Press, September 23, 2025

Copies are available for preorder at Bookshop.org, Amazon, and other online retailers. On its September 23 publication date, it will be available for purchase wherever books are sold. For information or to arrange for signings and events, contact the author at kimkoontz1010@gmail.com or kimkoontz.com.

.