Charley Sunday's Texas Outfit! by Stephen Lodge

Charley Sunday's Texas Outfitby Anonymous

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June 28, 2004: A cross-country cattle drive complete with cowboys on horseback would seem an unlikely occurrence in today?s west. Using this idea as the premise for a modern novel would seem equally unlikely, yet author Stephen Lodge crafts a convincing tale in Charley Sunday?s Texas Outfit! When a rich villain prevents Charlie Sunday from transporting his recently acquired 300 head of Texas Longhorn cattle by truck or rail, Charlie organizes an outfit of colorful characters to drive them home ? the old-fashioned way. The trip also presents him with an opportunity to provide his 10-year-old grandson, Henry-Ellis, with a character building adventure. Existing ?livestock right-away statutes? supply plausibility for what would otherwise seem an unrealistic plot, but the drovers still encounter plenty of other natural and man-made obstacles along the way. Action packed scenes devoid of gratuitous language and violence create an enjoyable read for the entire family, but this doesn?t mean that the story is bland. The author?s flair for witty dialog keeps the reader engaged: ?Used to be in Texas a man settled his own problems,? Charley said. ?But that was when due process was a bullet.? Reminiscent of a quality western in the style of Louis L?Amour, Charley Sunday?s Texas Outfit! draws a clear distinction between the good guys and bad guys. Readers longing for a family tale where justice prevails will be thrilled with this modern day saga.