Chasing Destiny: A Western Story

by Stephen Overholser, Paul Michael Garcia (Narrator)

Bobby Eckstrum is known around the town of Columbia as a drunk. In a surprising turn of events, he is thought to have murdered and robbed Roger Simms, a local rancher. A posse is organized, and they hunt down and kill the man they believe to be Bobby.

But Destiny Eckstrum, Bobby's daughter, believes they did not kill her father, but rather his equally shiftless brother who lives elsewhere in Colorado. When no one heeds her, she decides to set out on her own to try to locate her father. She is accompanied by Michael Jennings, who wishes very much to leave his family farm. They are soon joined on their quest by a protective dog named Boy and a mysterious man named Noah Locke.

In Chasing Destiny, Stephen Overholser has created a story of tremendous emotional depth filled with mystery, danger, and gripping suspense.

Genres: Westerns

Audio Cassette

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Kristi Cramer]

Well done story. Thematically reminded me (after the fact) of True Grit. An epic saga of a couple of pre-teen heroes on an adventure that would indeed have lasted in anyone's memory.

The talent who read the Audiobook was skilled.

Having driven across the country this book is set in, I could picture the landscape perfectly, and quite literally put myself in their shoes to feel every blister and sore muscle.

Recommend to anyone, young adults included, who enjoys western themes and likes a good adventure.

[Jennifer]

I can't decide if "Chasing Destiny" is a western story for adults or children. It progresses slowly at a pace similar to a children's book but includes violence, profanity and sexual violence that's geared more to an adult reader. Regardless, it's a story of friendship with typical western elements such as gorgeous scenery, a mule and a dog.

[Steven]

It was a good enough book, just not outstanding in any way.

But I also read it at a very unique time in my life when not much of anything was going to detract my attention from personal problems, so ...

Yeah.

[Cindy B.]

Read and enjoyed this lovely adventure-mystery. Very informative of life on the prairie, especially with changes coming [trains, etc.]. Sad and heartening. Contains profanity and sexual situations. Very REAL life.

Forgot to date. Added this review to encourage others to read or listen to it.

Free audiobook available on Librivox and free text on Gutenberg.com

[Dirk Grobbelaar]

The bookish schoolboy protagonist of Chasing Destiny who becomes a runaway is a far, far cry from the usual Western hero. I actually found this to be pretty well written, and cleverer than most are giving it credit for. Everything you need to know about this novel is revealed in its title (it's more ambiguous than you think).

Poignant.
4.5 stars

[Anne]

Another great Western--I'm stil lovin' the wild west!

[Rick Bostian]

I liked it

[Tammy]

Quick, easy read with sweet young characters.