Big Man's Keeper

JL Tate #5

by Lou Bradshaw

US Deputy Marshal JL Tate had settled somewhat comfortably in his new life as the youngest marshal in the country. His reputation was growing, and those who knew him had no worries, when something like a bank robbery or a runaway stage coach came up. They knew he could handle such things, and they weren’t disappointed. But when a very important man was kidnapped, while vacationing in the mountains of western Colorado, some had their doubts. One of the most outspoken of his critics, was the man’s own wife. If she didn’t have faith in the young Marshal, then she might as well get a new wardrobe and start wearing widow’s weeds. Rescuing the well-known figure was the easy part, but getting him where he needed to be and when, wasn’t something to be taken lightly. Tate and the big man who was loved by many and hated by others, had a long way to go. They would use the iron rails with its cinders, smoke and steam. But the railroads were too easy to watch, and a message sent up the line would have the wrong kind of reception waiting for them. Whether by rail or on horseback, it was a race to the finish, and nerves were stretched to the breaking point… and beyond.

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2020

About the author

Lou Bradshaw is a lifelong story teller, who spent most of his life as a commercial illustrator and graphic artist. Deadlines, clients, and vendors were all sources of sleep depriving stress. To combat insomnia, he would often create stories in his mind to take the place of what was bothering him. Soon, some of those stories had grown to the point that they needed to be put on paper. Taking up a felt tip pen and a loose leaf binder, he found something new, challenging, and exciting. He soon filled multiple binders and his distraction had become a passion. Upon retirement, he began assembling notes and scribbles into novels… the rest is history.
One of the unique features of his work is that as a dyslexic child, he was considered either slow or lazy by most of his teachers. To date he has written 7 books, which is 6 more than he was able to read while in school. His only legitimate book report, although 3 months late, was Huckleberry Finn.
Lou and his wife Avon live in the Missouri Ozarks, where they enjoy their family, golf, and the great outdoors.

Visit me on Facebook at Lou Bradshaw Artist – Author
www.facebook.com/loubradshawarts.

Also check out my blog “Your Daily Dose of Nonsense”
www.loubradshaw.blogspot.com

Reviews

[virgil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Story, Too Many Errors

I love the author's ability to tell a terrific yarn, and develop some quirky and interesting characters. But, as I have mentioned in previous reviews of his work, he greatly needs an editor and a proofreader. There are just too many mistakes, and some are significant. Location 552: Senator Bradl's daughter states "Papa was a botany professor... most summers he goes out west to look for new species...the last few years he has written papers on nine new forms of fauna." This is mentioned a couple of other times as well. A BOTANIST studies FLORA (plants) not fauna (animals). Location 2885: Senator Bradley states to the Senate... "we had to finish the trip by horseback from some place in KANSAS." In fact they traveled by train through Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, getting off in eastern Ohio. There are other errors, but these are the most egregious. I gave three stars because the story is very good, and Tate is a great character. But if I am going to keep reading his books, he must resolve this serious issue.

[Preston Dannelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Man's Keeper is a keeper!!!

But ALL your books are keepers. I know that there ain't a clinker in the bunch. They all just keep gettin better and better and the humor keeps gettin funnier. Reading one of your books is the high point of my day. Thank you for bringin happiness to an old man!

[Joanne Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great author

Great author great stories. Please keep up the good works. Really enjoy your books, your series are great stories and I pounce on one as soon as they come out on my Kindle unlimited. Thanks again

[Gay Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read as always

Tate stood up to the challenge as always. Taking a city man from West to East with escalating danger. Maybe he will visit friends on his way home. Waiting to see the next book.

[John Shearer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big man's keeper #5

This was an interesting story that was full of good action and it didn't cool down till the end. The ending was a little bit off but still didn't take away from the story.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action and humor

Lou Bradshaw may need an editor for spelling and grammar but he needs no help at all in writing a funny yet facinating story!

[Julie]

JL

JL Tate finds himself saving the life of a U.S.Senator, many times over. Good story with a somewhat surprise ending.

[Jim Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book as Usual!

All I've got to say is, make sure I know when the next book is released!! I enjoy all characters that this old rascal writes about! (:

[Linda Childs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Blue Related books

I really enjoy all of these books from Ben Blue, Cain and Tate series. Can’t wait for the next ones

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Books

I love this fellow’s sense of humor. The stories were great while being well written and edited for the most part. I will read all his books!

[Jimmy Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Good story, it made sense and was well told. The highway men, the kidnappers, it all made a good yarn. And missing the appointment with the Major was amusing.

[Steve Trig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Been there

I like reading the old west lingo but I wasn’t to interested in the story line.. seems I’ve read similar before. All in all... not bad though.

[Keith D Hauber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short

Even though the story was easy to follow I felt this good story was extremely to short but kept my interest.

[Anthony R Woods]

Fantastic tale

Another fantastic tale of JL Tate. I love your characters and how real they seem. I hope you keep on writing. I have read about 25 of your books so far.

[Dave Duren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy all of Lou Bradshaw's Westerns. Have read everyone.

[LUAYNE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

JL Tate is one of my favorite book characters. His adventures are full of gun fights, tense situations, and comical sayings. Tate needs a wife and a couple of curly headed young'ns.