One Step Over the Border: A Novel [Paperback]

Stephen Bly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 12, 2007

Award-winning author Stephen Bly weaves the tale of a pair of contemporary cowboys on a quest across the West. As a boy in Wyoming, Hap Bowman
fell in love with a girl named
Juanita. Ever since, he's experienced
nothing but failure and misfortune.
Laramie Majors--quiet,
reserved, and patient to a fault--
hasn't left Hap's side since they
became rodeo partners right out of
college. Now, after spending most
of his adult life looking for Juanita,
Hap wants to do one last big
search that will take them all over
the Southwest before he admits defeat.
Together these two cowpokes
find themselves reluctant heroes in
a series of misadventures as they
travel the West, all the while thinking
that Hap's--or Laramie's--true love may be in the
next town.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen Bly is the author of 95 books and hundreds of articles. The mayor of Winchester, Idaho in his spare time, he pursues the three Rs of ridin', ropin', and rodeo . . . and construction of Broken Arrow Crossing, a false front western village near his home. Visit his Web site at www.blybooks.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Center Street (June 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599956896
• ISBN-13: 978-1599956893
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,410,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

STEPHEN BLY has authored over 100 books, hundreds of articles and has over one million books in print. Recent novels released include: Cowboy For A Rainy Afternoon, Creede of Old Montana, and The Land Tamers (all hardback). Four of his novels were finalists and THE LONG TRAIL HOME won the 2002 Christy Award in westerns category for excellence in Christian fiction. His PAPERBACK WRITER has received strong national reviews (PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, July 14, 2003, et. al.) He speaks at colleges, schools, churches, seminars and conferences across the U.S. and Canada. He has spoken on numerous television and radio programs, including Dr. James Dobson's Focus On The Family. He pastors Winchester Community Church in Winchester, Idaho. He also served as the town's mayor (1999-2007). He is an Active Member of the Western Writers of America.

He and his wife, Janet (who is also a writer) live at 4,000 ft. elevation in the mountains of north-central Idaho, in the pine trees next to Winchester Lake on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. The Blys have three sons: Russ, Mike & Aaron, three daughters-in-laws, Lois, Michelle & Rina Joye and three grandchildren, Zachary, Miranda, and Keaton.

Steve graduated summa cum laude with a degree in philosophy from Fresno State College. He has an M. Div. degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Listen Carefully, June 24, 2007

By 

Donita K. Paul (www.dragonkeeper.us) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Step Over the Border: A Novel (Paperback)

If you don't pay close attention, you might just slide over some of the subtle witticisms that make this book stand out. The banter between two good friends is worthy of old western movies when the language and plots were still clean. Stephen Bly doesn't hit you over the head with theology either, but if you miss God in this book, you must have your eyes closed. I finished this book ten minutes ago, and wish I had another three or four chapters to go, because I just wasn't ready to leave these wonderful characters.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous story about cowboys and the search for that one special girl, June 14, 2007

By 

Christina Lockstein "Christy's Book Blog" (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: One Step Over the Border: A Novel (Paperback)

One Step Over the Border by Stephen Bly is a surprising good read! I'm not a fan of westerns or cowboys, so when I first read the description of this book, I was a bit hesitant to read it, but I'm certainly glad I did. This book redeems cowboys from the Brokeback Mountain curse! Hap Bowman has spent nearly his whole life searching for the girl named Juanita who stole his twelve-year-old heart, but all he knows about her is her name and the horsehead shaped birthmark under her ear. Laramie Majors a quiet peace-loving cowboy with a painful family history hooks up with Hap and they work as cowboys , spend time on the rodeo circuit and rescue beautiful women all in the search for the elusive Juanita. Hap and Laramie's exchanges are stellar, and the humorous situations they fall into a hoot. Bly evokes the simplicity of the cowboy lifestyle while gently teaching that life is less about the destination than about the journey. Both men fall in love with strong unconventional women, but Hap learns that the pursuit of his quest may cost him what he values most. This book put a smile on my face every time I picked it up.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh Out Loud Funny - And a Wonderful Message As Well, July 20, 2007

By 

Paula J. Miller "Author of One-Eyed Jack" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Step Over the Border: A Novel (Paperback)

Not only did the cover of One Step Over the Border make me smile, but the first chapter had me laughing out loud. I don't think I stopped chuckling until I finished the book - in record time I might add, because it was just that good. There's just something about a story of two lonesome cowboys getting themselves in one scrap after another that tickles my funny bone.

Not only was this book a fun read, but it also made you think just a bit about what you'll leave behind. A touching scene at a graveside burial makes you wonder just what words are going to be said over your own casket. Stephen Bly writes from a Christian viewpoint without preaching. He gives you a little bit to ponder while slapping you in the saddle and taking you for a ride you won't soon forget.

A must read for western fans!