Historical fiction set in Texas during the closing months of the Civil War. The story surrounds a family with a real historical figure used in a fictitious manner. A 16 year old boy is forced to make a man size journey to save his 13 year old sister.
About the Author: Jerry Doyle was the youngest son of a ranch foreman and a cowboy's wife, and grew up on ranches in Texas, during the 1940's and 50's. He spent most of his formative years between a hat and a horse when he wasn't in school. Jerry graduated from Eldorado (Texas) High School in May, 1959. He worked his way through college, and in January of 1962, he earned an Associates of Arts degree from San Angelo Junior College. He continued his college career at Texas Tech University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1965. His major hours for his teaching fields were in History and Government. In 1972, he received his Master of Education degree from Texas State University. His minor hours during his work on his Master degree were dedicated to the history of the southwest. He continued his education by earning a Superintendent's Certificate in 1975 as well as completing a number of doctoral level courses through the early 1980's Jerry spent three decades in education as a teacher and an administrator. The last eighteen years of his career, he was a public school superintendent. Besides being a professional educator, he has a variety of talents. From his childhood heritage, he is a good horseman and a decent pasture roper, although the last one has diminished with age and the lack of practice, for he learned a long time ago that it is easier to pen a bunch of mama cows with a feed bucket than with a saddle horse and lariat rope. Jerry is also a retired professional farrier. He is a fair to midland guitar player, and speaks pretty good Spanish. He is a reasonably good saddle house carpenter, but his welding skills demonstrate why someone invented a grinder. He drove eighteen wheelers to pay his way through college, and he maintains those CDL diesel truck driving credentials even today. He likes to cook, both inside on the cabinet top stove, and outside on his grill and smoker. He will admit, however, that his best culinary skill is eating. Jerry and his wife, Heavia, met in college on a blind date and have been each others permanent date ever since. He and his wife have probably danced a million miles together. Their honeymoon has never ended. They have been married for 50 years, and have two children, and two grand children.