The Civil War left scars on the nation, some of which have not completely healed to this day. It left scars on those who fought as well. When Jack McKenna left at fifteen years old to fight in the war he wasn't fighting for the South or for slavery, he was fighting for Texas. He was fighting for what Texas represented to his family. Texas was a place where a man's dreams could come true, provided he was willing to work hard, live through some adversity, and have a little luck. Jack had become a legendary hero during the war, known by both sides as 'TEXAS JACK'. He was a hero to the Confederacy, but considered a war criminal by many in the North. It was ten years after the war ended before he came back home to Filo, Texas. Rumors were rampant about where he had been and what he had done for those ten years. He was reported to be a hired killer, a gunman and train robber, but most believed he was dead. He returns to a Texas suffering through the hard times of post war reconstruction. Northern land grabbers, carpetbaggers, and Indian wars were just some of the problems on the Texas frontier. Wanting only to finally return home and put the war behind him, Jack finds that trouble is waiting... and putting the war and his reputation behind him will not be easy.
About the Author: Mark Marchetti was born and raised near San Jose, CA in what is now known as the Silicon Valley. He graduated from Los Altos High School and went on to earn degrees from De Anza College and California State University San Jose. Durning his childhood years he was primarily involved in sports and music activities. He became a music instructor at the age of fifteen while still in high school and was a musician into his college years. At the age of seventeen his parents gave him perhaps the greatest, most long lasting gift of his life... SCUBA diving lessons. He has always been facinated by the sea and spent a great deal of time at the beaches near Santa Cruz, hanging out with friends or surfing. Diving has taken him all over the world exposing him to many of the exotic people and places he writes about. He has been a diving instructor and done work as a commercial diver. He continues to travel and dive on a regular basis. Mark has always loved history and mixes historical facts with legends and fiction. After college he began a long career in law enforcement serving over twenty eight years with four different agencies. He still teaches firearms training at the basic police academy on a regular basis. During his earlier years he also became interested in auto and motorcycle racing, participating in races for a few years. He still likes to cruise Highway 1 on his Harley Davidson enjoying some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Hunting, fishing, and golf are also priorities in his life. Mark has four children, all grown to adulthood. He lives with his wife, Pamela, dividing their time between homes in Montara, California and Catalina Island.