Mysterious Ways (Mysterious Ways Series #1) [Paperback]

Terry W. Burns (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 18, 2004

When Amos Taylor steals a parson’s clothes, he thinks he’s found the ideal disguise to hide his life of crime—until an old blind man enters his life who has a little trick up his own sleeve. Before long the disguise is working too well: The local residents start expecting Amos to actually serve as their preacher!

When revival breaks out in the small Texas town, Amos’ payoff is bigger than he could have dared imagine—proving, indeed, that the Lord works in Mysterious Ways.

Terry Burns 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. There is inspiration in these pages.
Jory Sherman
Pulitzer nominated and Spur Award winning writer

Download the Readers' Guide.

The Mysterious Ways Series continues with:
Brother's Keeper, Now Available.
Reluctant Shepherd, Now Available

Editorial Reviews

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. John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Terry is a 5th generation Irish storyteller. He is the author of the series that begins with "Mysterious Ways" and continues with "Brothers Keeper" and "Shepherd's Son," giving him twenty-two books in print. "Mysterious Ways" was a nominee for the American Christian Fiction Writers book of the year, nominated for the Christy Award and was just published in Russian.

He has published over 200 articles and short stories, some of which have been included in a short story collections published by the Darkstormy writers and Coastal Villages Press. He also is a contributor to "Heartwarming Christmas Stories" from Cook/River Oak that will be available in November, 2006.

In addition to his fiction titles, Terry has published four nonfiction books and a small book of cowboy poetry entitled "Cowboys Don't Read Poetry."

His available works as well as a daily blog can be found at www.terryburns.net.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: David C. Cook; New edition (November 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589190270
• ISBN-13: 978-1589190276
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #558,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Terry is an agent with Hartline Literary http://www.hartlineliterary.com as well as writing inspirational fiction. As a writer he has over 40 books in print including 10 novels. He has a new series from Port Yonder Press entitled "The Sagebrush Collection" of his collected short works and the first released March 2010 entitled "On the Road Home." A Young Adult entitled Beyond the Smoke won the Will Rogers Medallion, a delightful historical fiction entitled "Saint's Roost recently released, and a new book "A Writer's Survival Guide to Publication" also from Port Yonder Press was developed out of the month long course he held for ACFW. He is working on getting all his titles available on Kindle including the popular Mysterious Ways Series. A popular speaker at workshops across the country, a bookstore of his available works as well as a regular blog can be found at www.terryburns.net. He's a member of the Association of Author's Representatives (AAR).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ...a well-written, entertaining story..., May 19, 2005

By 

Jack W. Regan (Grand Rapids, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mysterious Ways (Mysterious Ways Series #1) (Paperback)

"Mysterious Ways" is the story of Amos Taylor, accomplished conman and thief. Fresh from the successful hold-up of a stagecoach and looking for a way to lay low for a while, Amos spots a minister's outfit drying on a clothesline. Thinking he has stumbled onto the perfect disguise, Amos dons the clothes and wanders into the town of Sweetwater. As expected, he is mistaken for a circuit-riding preacher and is soon roped into conducting church services for the local congregation.

When his secret is discovered by a blind man working in the jail, Amos expects to be turned in. Instead, the blind man, Joseph, understands that, while Amos is operating under false pretenses, he is bringing good to pass. So, under threat of exposure, Joseph forces Amos to continue the pretense. As the two continue, Joe's faith begins to influence Amos. But the will the lawbreaker allow himself to be won?

"Mysterious Ways" is a well-written, entertaining story played out against the background of the Old West. Highly recommended.

Craig Hart - CraigHart.net/ChristianLit Magazine

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Western I've Ever Read!, April 29, 2005

By 

R. Bayne "romance author" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mysterious Ways (Mysterious Ways Series #1) (Paperback)

Terry Burns has a way with characterization, and his inspirational western "Mysterious Ways" kept me turning the pages until the end. Not an easy feat, because I usually shy away from westerns. But this story, with clean language, a quick paced-plot and Scriptural content, compelled me to keep on reading. I will be watching for Terry's next book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, February 21, 2005

By 

Robin C. Miller "Author of Southern Stories o... (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mysterious Ways (Mysterious Ways Series #1) (Paperback)

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. For more of my reviews, visit my website at www.robinmillerbooks.com