In the Beginning

Finalist in the 2020 Pacific Book Awards in the Historical Fiction category and praised by multiple respected literary outlets, In the Beginning: The Early Days of Religious Beliefs by Jaime Reyes stands as a bold, original, and thought-provoking exploration of one of humanity's greatest mysteries: the origin of faith. This novel transports readers to 40,000 BCE, where survival depended not only on strength and cunning but also on the stories early humans told to explain the unknown. It is within this fertile and untamed setting that Reyes introduces Og, a visionary Neanderthal who, through symbolic ritual and ancestral memory, takes the first steps toward creating spiritual order.

Described by reviewers as "fantastically fun," "impressively imaginative," and "worthy of cinematic adaptation," the novel blends anthropological speculation with vivid storytelling, action-packed scenes, and memorable characters like Mina, Og's fierce and gifted granddaughter. With a tone reminiscent of ancient legends like The Epic of Gilgamesh, Reyes crafts a tale that is both epic in scope and deeply human in emotion. The writing is simple yet profound, making complex philosophical themes about belief, power, and legacy accessible and engaging.

Jaime Reyes brings a unique perspective to his work. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in the United States, he served honorably in military intelligence before embarking on a long career in law enforcement. His intellectual curiosity led him to earn a journalism degree later in life, driven by a passion for writing and storytelling. With ancestral roots that include traces of Neanderthal DNA, Reyes merges personal history with imagination to create a novel that challenges modern assumptions while illuminating the timeless human quest for meaning. In the Beginning is not just historical fiction—it is a mythic origin story of civilization itself.

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In the Beginning: The Early Days of Religious Beliefs by Jaime Reyes.

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Jaime Reyes has enjoyed many career changes. Born in Puerto Rico several decades ago. His family moved to the US mainland when he was nearly 8 years old. He spoke no English but in a few months was fluent enough to become a straight A student. It helped that his mother taught him to read Spanish at three and continued his voracious appetite for words in the new language. After graduating from Thomas Edison HS, he was drafted into the US Army and served honorably as a Military Intelligence Agent/Analyst. After discharge, he started his own business which he managed successfully for seven years. He sold the business and pursued the career of his dreams. He served with the Philadelphia Police Department for five years and the Philadelphia Office of the Sheriff as a deputy sheriff. He served for twenty-five years, the last ten as a supervisor.

During off hours, he wrote articles and opinion pieces as a hobby in English and Spanish for several newspapers and on line publications. After retiring from law enforcement, he wanted to establish credentials to continue a writing career. He earned a Bachelor's degree in communications/journalism at an age when most are enjoying a leisurely retirement. As a result of reading countless books he used College Level Examination Program (CLEP and similar programs to test out of electives and earn his degree in just two years. He continued writing articles and short stories. The short story version of In the Beginning received good reviews and he decided to convert it into a novel. An incentive for the story came from a genealogical study that determined that his varied ancestral lineage included three percent Neanderthal DNA