Winner of the 2025 W.Y. Boyd Literary Award
Given annually by the American Library Association, the Boyd honors the best American military fiction set in a period when the United States was at war.
The ALA called Rebel Falls "a riveting novel set during the American Civil War. The book was inspiried by true stories of female spies who risked everything for the Union cause. The story is set against the misty treacherous backdrop of Niagara Falls, which is a hotbed of Confederate plots and clandestine operations. Rory Chase, a determined young woman, goes undercover to disrupt enemy intelligence."
The ALA adds, "Wendel's novel will appeal to adults and teens. It provides a unique prespective of the American Civil War for further reflection."
'High Heat' Re-release
Fifteen seasons ago, I went in search of the fastest pitcher of all time. During that nationwide journey, I talked with Nolan Ryan, Bob Feller, Roger Clemens, David Price, Tommy John, Steve Dalkowski and many others.
'High Heat' was an New York Times' Editor's Choice and it's been re-released with an updated Afterword and debuted as the top title for Baseball History on Amazon.
"An almost literary fantasy in which all the great pitchers throw side by side on the same diamond," the Times wrote.