It has been a 10-year odyssey, but Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond, with co-writer C. Grant Wolf, has completed his first book.
The Yellow-Hammer's Song is described as a tale of a First Century Roman soldier who searches for the truth.
The book cover says, "What would you think if your superior made a decision so shocking and unexpected it could change your life or career plans forever?
"That's what happens to young, First Century soldier Articus when his commanding officer sends him on a mission to determine for himself if there is any truth in the Jewish belief there can only be one true God, in contrast to Roman pantheistic beliefs.
"Articus also seeks to know if there is anything to the claim some Jews held that this God had a Son who had been crucified, rose from the grave, and is now back in heaven."
The Yellow-Hammer comes into play because "throughout the story you will be mesmerized by a mysterious little Yellow-Hammer bird until its tantalizing song finally leads Articus to the truth he's been seeking all along."
The cover says, "Though a work of fiction, The Yellow-Hammer's Song is factual in the use of Scripture to present the gospel as it might have been viewed in the years following the life and death of Yeshua, better known today as Jesus Christ."
Sheriff Hammond, who served three full terms and one special two-year term as sheriff of Hamilton County, got to know the Middle East well as he trained soldiers there in between his sheriff duties.
C. Grant Wolf is an Army veteran, pianist and organist, life insurance executive and prolific writer. He is the author/editor of Stories of Faith and Courage from Cops on the Street and he wrote a daily blog for many years.
The Yellow-Hammer's Song is available on Amazon in paperback for $14.99.