In Store Event with Mark G. Wentling

JACKLEG BOYS unfolds a gripping tale of survival, transformation, and the bonds forged in the crucible of adversity. Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War's aftermath, Henry and Randy, once privileged sons of an aristocratic Virginian family, find themselves grappling with the ruins of their past. As they navigate the harsh realities of a war-torn landscape, becomes a catalyst for a perilous journey westward. In a quest for survival, the duo must shed their former identities and confront the moral complexities of their choices. This historical novel explores the lengths individuals go to endure and adapt in the face of calamity, challenging notions of privilege, identity, and the pursuit of a new beginning. Jackleg Boys is a riveting narrative that explores the transformative power of desperation and the indomitable human spirit.

FALLING SEVEN TIMES is about a young Ethiopian woman, Alya, struggling to be a migrant worker to support her family. Her story is one of tens of thousands of people going abroad in search of jobs that pay a livable wage so they can send money home. Her sacrifices and the many ups and downs she experiences communicate what migrant laborers suffer. Alya’s particular travels to the Gulf States and Middle Eastern countries illuminate the many desperate pitfalls of migratory labor. This book also highlights the foreign environments, including the different languages and cultures, Alya encounters and how they contrast with her customs. Alya’s case is of such interest that it keeps the reader engrossed in learning what happens next. The reader keeps asking if Alya will live or die. This book of fiction is based on a true story. It teaches some elements of culture and customs of the countries where Alya works as well as in her home country of Ethiopia. There are many twists and turns in this book that keep the reader guessing about what happens next. Each of the book’s thirty-six chapters (98,000 words) provides a description of Alya’s understanding of bondage in a foreign land and her eventual escape to the impoverished sanctuary of home.

Mark G. Wentling has 50 years of humanitarian service that began in 1967 as Peace Corps Volunteer for five years in Honduras and Togo. He has visited over the past half century all 54 African countries. He says he was born and raised in small towns in Kansas but made in Africa. He resides in Lubbock, Texas with his Ethiopian wife. He wishes to be known as a good father, humanitarian, an author, a teacher and as someone who has a good and generous heart.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Watermark Books & Café, 4701 East Douglas Avenue, Wichita, United States