(PRWEB) February 11, 2015 -- PEORIA, Ariz. – Even over a century and a half after the emancipation of slaves in the U.S., Americans are not quick to dismiss what has left a large scar in the history of the great nation. Today, racism remains an issue that is often associated with violence and discrimination, calling into mind recent incidences such as the cases of Eric Gardner and Michael Brown. Questions are raised and always, the bottom line of each argument asks: Does one's skin color make him any less of a man? In author Gary Welsh's newest book, "The Kleage" (published by Xlibris), readers are reminded of this oft-repeated plea as they enter the fictional Arkansas town, in an era of the notorious Ku Klux Klan (KKK).
After a priest invites a black army sergeant to stand at attention in his church on Memorial Sunday, his whole congregation walks out. His life becomes a nightmare as the KKK burns a cross on his lawn, destroys his family vehicles and kidnaps his daughter, who manages to escape. The Kleage, Tom Lackey, recruiter for the KKK, is asked by the Dragon in Jonesboro, Arkansas to return to town and recruit more members. But after hearing the nefarious practices of the clan, he realizes he wants out. A huge rainstorm forces him to stop in a predominantly black town, as he drives from St. Louis to Jonesboro where he is aided by a black man and wife, who invite him to share their supper. He sees that they are no different from him. He decides to leave the KKK and help the sheriff and the priest but must reveal his position to them. Now, he must gain the trust of the sheriff, the priest and especially that of Belinda, the priest’s daughter, with whom he has fallen in love.
Murder and mayhem unravel as the forces of good and evil fight to their last breath for what they believe in. Will The Kleage save himself and those he loves when he is against an all-powerful force of vile and hatred? "The Kleage's battle is aflame and fought, not just in the story," says Welsh, "but hopefully, also in the hearts of our American men and women of today."
“The Kleage”
By Gary Welsh
Hardcover | 6x9in | 204 pages | ISBN 9781503525054
Softcover | 6x9in | 204 pages | ISBN 9781503525061
E-Book | 204 pages | ISBN 9781503525078
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Gary Welsh is a retired businessman enjoying the luxury of writing fiction and music and dabbling in oil painting and woodworking. He has been happily married to his wife Barbara for the past 49 years and they have five children and six grandchildren. "The Kleage" is his first published book; however, he has five additional manuscripts waiting for the press.
Xlibris Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider created in 1997 by authors, for authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibris.com or call 1-888-795-4274 to receive a free publishing guide. Follow us @XlibrisPub on Twitter for the latest news.
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