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MYSTERIOUS WAYS REVIEWS
Click
here to go to River Oak site featuring this book. All proceeds from Cook Communications
books are used to send Bibles and Christian materials free to undeveloped
countries - for more information on Cook International, click here. Reviews:
Western writer Jory Sherman, reviewer Vickie
McDonough, Christian writer Mike Nappa, Booklist
reviewer John Mort, western writer Frank
Roderus, reviewer Cindy Halloran, reviewer Les Williams, editor Sally Walker,
reviewer Christina Andrews, christian writer Bob Blackman , Christian writer Brenda
Lott writer Bill Brown, Author's Choice reviewer Carolyn Scheidies American Western Magazine interviewer
Lincoln Rogers, Christian Fandom's Shannon
McNear, Christian writer DiAnn Mills, Christian
writer Robin Miller, Christian writer Diane
Kalas, western romance writer Linda Broday reviewer Robin Bayne
, Eileen Key of The Road to Romance,and book editor Doris Meredith of the Roundup (Magazine of the Western
Writers of America).
John Mort
American Library Association.
From Booklist
This workmanlike western features rogue and drifter Amos Taylor, who, after
holding up a stage, dons clerical garb and joins the posse to search for the
bandit. But Amos is too clever by half: the town is so eager to see a preacher
that he's dragooned into making sermons. With the help of an old black man, he
does a good job of it, too. And when pretty Judy Valentine appears at his side
to play the piano and sing, Amos finds the Lord's work to be downright
agreeable.
Deceptively
Simple Story Reveals Profound Truths, September 5, 2005
|
Reviewer: |
Joan M. Shoup "J. M.
Hochstetler" ( |
Terry Burns has crafted a deceptively simple, often humorous story
that reveals layers of profound truth as you turn the pages. And turn those
pages, you will! Whether you like Westerns or not, you'll be captivated by this
story of a thief's redemption. Burns brings his characters to life with a deft
and easy touch, and before you know it, you not only care deeply about their
fates, but you're actually rooting for the "bad" guy to see the light
and laughing out loud as his well-laid plans lead him to a reward considerably
more valuable than what he had in mind. Read this story for entertainment, but
don't be surprised if you find yourself moved in ways you didn't expect.
MYSTERIOUS
WAYS is the first book I’ve read by author Terry Burns,
and I must say I was very impressed. Burns took a greedy con man and made me
care about him. Amos is typical of many people today, carrying on deviously,
and caring only about himself and not how his actions affect others. MYSTERIOUS
WAYS shows how God can use even the worst of sinners to get His message across.
Burns took what some would look at as the least of
characters, an old, blind black man, and made him an instrument of the Lord.
Joseph is an inspiring character, stubborn and faithful to the Lord, even when
what God asked of him seemed ridiculous. A powerful faith message is woven into
this story through Amos’s preaching and Joseph’s teaching. Judy is a sweet
young woman, who believes in Amos, even though he hasn’t always treated her
nicely. All the characters are very realistic, even the nefarious bad guys and
the tough Texas Ranger.
Readers who love a good western or a sweet romance are sure
to be captivated with MYSTERIOUS WAYS. (320 pgs)
Vickie McDonough, reviewer
Dancing
Word, and Wordshoppe News
http://www.dancingword.net/mysteriouswaysreview.htm
"In
---Mike
Nappa, author of Tuesdays With Matthew and Who Moved My Church?
http://www.stevelaube.com/authors/mikenappa.htm
Fast moving novel from River Oak Press is the
first in Terry's "
Terry (left) Jory Sherman (right)
Terry Burns gives you people you care about, a rip-roaring yarn and at the heart of it
all the story that makes everything worthwhile, the story of salvation.
In
-- Frank Roderus
on a journey through the old West, as the career of a
thief and
gunman, Amos reveals not only human nature, but divine
nature
as well. From
the moment Amos steals a parson’s clothing and
disguises himself as a preacher, his life begins to
change, and,
consequently, he changes the lives of those he meets. Terry has
crafted a novel of uncommon power and force, revealing
both
sin and redemption, while lifting the reader to a
higher plane
where faith and prayer play a strong role in the lives
of men and
women as God reveals his hand through an unlikely source,
the criminal Amos.
If man is on a spiritual quest throughout life,
witting or unwitting, then men such as Amos might just
be one
of his
messengers. There is inspiration in
these pages, and proof
that God does indeed, work in mysterious ways.
Jory Sherman
Author of THE BARON HONOR
Pulitzer nominated and Spur Award winning Author
Freelance writer
American Western
Magazine interviewer 
I'm glad you liked how the interview with American Western Magazine turned out. I appreciate your comments. I prayed much during the writing of the piece. I wanted to make sure you, and God most of all, were properly represented.
I have to tell you, Pard,
Terry -- The many messages of how to live a satisfying Christian life permeate
your Westerns. You do not preach. You do not proselytize. Your characters
demonstrate how life can be lived by Christian principles. That, sir, is a
literary gift. You quietly tell a
good story about characters with conscience and faith who just happen to
live that story in the setting of the Old West.
Sally J.
Walker
Editorial
Director, The Fiction Works
Cindy
Halloran, reviewer wrote:
I thought your
book was
WONDERFUL! It is definitely getting
a recommendation. I will also be sending a review
to a
syndicated entertainment column I contribute to.
The review for
numerous Christian and Community newspapers
across the nation and
http://www.cohalloran.com/reviews.htm
Brenda J. Lott, aka Maggie Brendan
"The Lord is the Strength of My Life"
|
Reviews in Amazon and Christianbook.com |
Hold onto your hats, pardners! A new
western novel with a flair for humor and realistic characters is riding the
trails in the Christian market with Terry Burns' newly released,
Les Williams - reviewer
Amazon return to top
Amos
Christina Andrews of http://www.mychurchlibrary.com/
posted this review on her church library recommendation site: Mysterious Ways is set in
Bob
Blackman, Barnes
& Noble Review
author of THE COMMISSION at
http://www.padrebob.com/commission.htm
Amazon
Barnes
& Noble
I just finished reading an
advance copy of MYSTERIOUS WAYS by our own Terry W. Burns. I'd love to say it's
as good as Zane Grey or Louis L'amore but the truth is I've never read either
of those authors. In truth, this is the first western I've ever read. I was
favorably impressed. The story was fast moving and with numerous plot twists
that kept me wondering how the various situations would be resolved. I knew
Christian Fandom
Christianbooks.com
Amazon
When outlaw Amos Taylor happens upon a clothesline full of
parson’s garb, he decides it’s the perfect gig—impersonate a preacher as his
means of disguise after a stage holdup, then ride in as the passengers’ knight
in shining armor. What he doesn’t reckon on is getting delayed by townsfolk
hungry for a good sermon, and being found out by a blind black man whose faith
is, indeed, deep enough to shake a mountain—even that of his own cynical
unbelief. Throw in a young woman of impeccable virtue who finds it way too
exciting to be held up by a suave and debonair gunman, and you have the makings
of a cracking good story.
The characters are well-drawn and engaging, and the storyline
absorbing. Though the author explores in detail Amos’s journey toward
salvation, the discussions about spiritual things flow naturally from the
characters’ struggles without seeming contrived or preachy. Amos rather makes a
fool of himself early in the story, and his various attempts at fleecing people
rebound on him with oftentimes humorous results. Yet he shows just enough
promise to keep the reader hoping that he’ll see the light, and even in his
unbelief is a man of honor, and fights against prejudice.
I appreciated the author’s willingness to touch upon hard
issues—hypocrisy in the church, late nineteenth-century attitudes about color,
the sinfulness of human nature—without imposing modern sensibilities.
Historical details also seemed tight.
Kudos to Terry Burns for a story that
colorfully paints the love and faithfulness of God alongside life’s reality.
This is his debut novel with the CBA, and I look forward to seeing more of his
work!
Panhandle Professional Writers
Terry,
I finished
reading MW last night. Great, super wonderful story and plot. Amos was a tough
nut to crack, but those who saw promise in him hung in there. It makes
you wonder how many people walking amongst us have that need of someone to just
give a slight nudge or tug in the right direction or the other side of the
coin, to the wrong direction. Anyway it got me to thinking. I was brought up in
a strict Christian home, taken to church every Sunday morning and night then
again on Wednesday night for prayer services. I'm certain that "Christian
raising" kept me out of jail when I left home for the military and after,
because I knew right from wrong and knew the Lord was watching. I knew when I
reached that boundary. It was such a gradual transition for me that I couldn't
understand why souls plucked out of the depth of sin suddenly changed so
dramatically and exhibited that explosive passion for other lost souls to be
introduced to the Lord. Many that I knew in turn couldn't understand why I
didn't have that passion and was sometimes described as being so laid back that
I walked horizontally. It makes me wonder if I would have that passion for lost
souls if my upbringing had been different, more like Amos'. Anyway, thanks for
a great novel and I highly recommend it. The added Reader's Guide is a great
touch, too. Best wishes with your tour and sell a million copies.
Bill
Brown
AUTHORS CHOICE REVIEWS
Carolyn
R. Scheidies return to top
He's a scoundrel and con artist who has
robbed a coach, covering his tracks by pretending to be a passing parson to the
rescue. He never figured this scam would lead him into a hitch as a real
parson, or that his crimes would catch up to him. He never figured one sweet
lady would grab His heart and, for sure, he never figured that the God He
preached about was not only real, but more powerful than His attempts at
escape.
MYSTERIOUS WAYS embodies all the
ingredients of an old-fashion western--horses, bars, small town justice,
cowboys, sweet love interest and a fast moving plot that takes the reader on a
fun, fast ride. It goes one better, offering a deep faith, racial
reconciliation, and God's amazing grace.
DiAnn Mills
Amazon
Review
MYSTERIOUS WAYS steps into another realm of Western Fiction where
the bad guy ultimately becomes the good. Cleverly crafted and masterfully
written, Burns uses the Old West to depict the redemptive power of God.
BREAKING NEW
GROUNDS from FRESH BREWED LOVE – Barbour Publishing – December 2005
FLASH FLOOD - Heartsong Presents - January 2006
NEBRASKA LEGACY - Barbour Publishing - February 2006
LEATHER AND LACE - Barbour Publishing - February 2006
WHEN THE SHADOW FALLS from MACKINAC ISLAND - Barbour Publishing - May 2006
Doris Meredith,
Book editor
The Roundup
Magazine of the Western Writers of
We meet Amos as he is robbing a stagecoach, not
an auspicious introduction to the novel's main character. He rides into town
dressed in a parson's clothes he stole off a clothes line. It is an excellent disguise - except that
Joseph, the blind black man who works at the jail sees right through Amos. He feels Amos can do some good for the
community. Amos doesn't think so, not
when that good involves standing behind the pulpit preaching a sermon. Amos has never been to church in his life and
doesn't want to start now. Besides, he
is unfamiliar with the Bible and he's not anxious to rectify his ignorance of
the Good Book. But if he refuses to
preach, then the sheriff might become suspicious. Actually, if he refuses to preach, then
Joseph might turn him in to the sheriff.
Fortunately Joseph won't do that, and he loans Amos some sermons written
before he went blind. Amos is
stuck. When Sunday rolls around and he
sees Judy, the beautiful young woman who was on the stage he robbed, Amos
wonders how he can catch her attention.
Then he remembers he robs stagecoaches for a living and can't be
thinking about a decent woman. Mostly he
ought to be thinking how to get himself out of the jam he has gotten himself
into.
This is a humorous
Christian western with strong characterization and a strong plot.
What a delightful and entertaining read! You don't even have to
be a fan of westerns to thoroughly enjoy this uplifting story of a man's
deception and final salvation. The characters are well-developed and complex,
while the plot is refreshingly original. The book leaves the readers with a
general "feel-good" emotion after the last page is turned |
Western romance writer 
I am having such a great time
reading
Christian writer
I finished reading your book, "
I was touched by your hero's story and loved your humor, sprinkled throughout.
It's safe to say I am a fan of your writing and will look forward to reading
more of your books. I'm going to send a recommendation out to ACFW loop. You
are a blessed storyteller.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terry
Burns has a way with characterization, and his inspirational western "
Judy Valentine’s return home from her visit in
Amos Taylor’s brazenness made the hold up successful. A disguise appeared in
the form of a pastor’s suit and collar. Who would suspect a preacher in these
parts? Little did he realize, God had bigger plans for him. He arrived in
Amos’s charade led him to pastor the small town church with much coaching from
Joseph. Would it also lead him to capture the heart of beautiful Judy? How
would she react if she knew the truth about his past life?
Terry Burns has a rich command of Western life. His wonderful characterization
and unusual plots give the reader a wonderful experience.
Reviewed by Eileen Key for The Road to Romance
May
24, 2005
Terry,
I just
finished
I loved it!
You made me
laugh and I bet I cried at least 5 times.
I'm not going
to ask how you do it because you probably don't know how. The testimony in the
story told me that God writes it with you.
Since you are
familiar with
Fabulous job!
Dori
Ps. I checked
the book out at the library and the best part of all was I could tell by the
food stains inside that someone else couldn't put it down either!
LOL.
I agree that Terry's book,
didn't have any food
stains.