From the Beginning is the third book in William E. Noland's Uncommon Bonds series. It takes readers on a gripping journey filled with suspense, mystery, and otherworldly encounters. Set against the backdrop of a devastating flood and a chance discovery, the novel follows the intertwining fates of Lotte Schwarz and Eric Schneider as they weave through mortal and supernatural challenges. Then Lotte suddenly disappears, triggering a rapid-fire series of events that pulls Eric into a game of cat and mouse. As the search for Lotte continues, the bond between Eric and Olive deepens. Can they confront the supernatural threats that lie ahead and discover Lotte's whereabouts?

William E. Noland has written a supernatural thriller with endearing characters. While the narrative is filled with tense moments, the author balances the tension with insightful and enjoyable banter between the characters. The conflict is brilliantly developed in that there is always something that disturbs the tranquility, a stake that moves the story forward or a problem to be solved. The setting is finely rendered, from the scenic beauty of Radicofani, Italy, to the author’s attention to detail when capturing the social pulse of North Carolina locales like Durham, Chapel Hill and Lumberton. From the Beginning is a suspenseful narrative with themes of sacrifice, love, self-discovery, and redemption. Noland's clever use of colloquial language and humor infuses realism and humanity into the story. This fast-paced, action-packed adventure is filled with twists and turns, and lovers of the supernatural genre will find enjoyment in its pages.

Eric Schneider looks back on the ten years he has been involved with Lotte Schwarz as he ponders the next logical step in their relationship. He is intrigued when he receives an exciting message from her about a fortuitous discovery that will change everything they know about ancient Mesopotamian deities and portals. Eric gets on the next available flight to join her on this adventure but is disturbed when Lotte goes missing before Eric can reach her. He discovers he is not the only one interested in Lotte's research. Others are willing to kill to get their hands on this mysterious artifact. Having come to terms with the dangers posed if this artifact gets into the wrong hands, is he prepared for the consequences of preventing this? Only time will tell in William E. Noland's From The Begining.

The third book in William E. Noland's Uncommon Bonds series, From the Beginning closes the circle on an intriguing relationship. For those who have not read all the previous books, Noland provides a thorough summary of the earlier works that will pique the interest of new readers. The characters' origin stories have been fully developed, with allusions to earlier occurrences placed purposefully to highlight each character's significance in the plot. Noland gives this story a unique romantic subplot that becomes the key to understanding the gripping ending, balancing the hunt for clues in the adventure with explaining the inner workings of Eric's mind regarding his feelings for Lotte. This narrative approach gives the conflict between the Mesopotamian gods a human face and simplifies their motivations so readers can understand them. Understanding the ramifications of Eric's agreement with the Afrit gives this adventure a sinister edge, leading one to question whether his steadfast commitment to defending his love interest has turned him from a hero to a villain in this developing tale. Noland's exceptional description of the battles and the attention to detail combine to create an immersive adventure steeped in Sumerian lore.