Maybe you’ve heard that beloved author (and FaithWriters member) Stephen Bly passed away on June 9, after a five-year battle with prostate cancer. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Throughout his career, Stephen wrote numerous articles, poems, and short stories, as well as over 100 historical and contemporary western novels, some of which he co-authored with his wife, Janet.  Stephen wrote an article, Finding Love in a Classic Western, which is posted below and gives more information about his last book, Throw the Devil Off the Train, just released last month.

Janet Bly has graciously offered to give away a copy of Throw the Devil Off the Train. Simply leave a comment on this blog post to be entered to win. The winner will be announced one week from today, on Monday. June 27.

Again, our thoughts and prayers go out to Stephen’s family during this difficult time.

Here’s a brief synopsis of Throw the Devil Off the  Train:

It’s 1880. Catherine Draper has got to escape from Virginia…and she’s desperate that no one knows her real last name. She’s on her way to Paradise Springs to join her fiancé Philip for a fresh start. She’ll do almost anything to find the means to get there.

Race Hillyard’s bent on revenge for his brother’s death…and seeks rest and sleep for his exhaustion. He collides with Catherine at the train station while she’s in a compromising situation. They despise each other on sight. But it’s a long, cramped, chaotic ride from Omaha to Sacramento. . .and something evil’s on board. Will they make a truce long enough to throw the devil off the train?

 FINDING LOVE IN A CLASSIC WESTERN

Stephen Bly

Copyright©2011

 “Hmmm. . .a compliment from Mr. Race Hillyard. Should I be suspicious?”

“I’d be disappointed if you weren’t.”

Catherine studied the faces in the train car window beside them. “You know, yesterday I held you in deep disgust.”

“Has that changed?”

“Yes, today I hold you in mediocre disdain.”

–From Throw The Devil Off The Train

The kernel plot idea determines how much the love element majors in my westerns. Will women play a significant part at all? If so, how much? Will there be hints or scenes of romance? If so, what portion does it play?

For some western writers, especially those who focus on the romance market, those are big questions. In fact, I would presume that they factor the love interest first thing in their plotting. Me, not so much. If my main character’s a woman, which it has been for a number of my novels, then her relationship with the men, or her main man, will be key, of course.

A time or two I’ve written about strong women who turn down the potential love interest because of other considerations, such as a career (i.e. Miss Fontenot, Book #3, Heroines of the Golden West Series). My fans and a few editors screamed about this. But that was the way Miss Fontenot decided it. I had to respect her wishes.

Then out pops the idea for my new release, Throw The Devil Off The Train.

It’s a road story inside a train headed west. The grandeur of the West from a train window. The very slow journey, compared to modern transportation, yet cramped, crowded, at times chaotic conditions.

Later, a theme evolved. . .that people are much more complex than first meetings reveal. That hurts and pains, victories and defeats of the past, affect responses in the present. My observation is that most of us hide spiritual and emotional hurts from others. . .and sometimes ourselves. We must be open to what God is doing around us, even through flawed people, to receive the help he sends.

That lead to. . .what if I tossed two cats into a burlap bag, then watched to see how they’d survive. . .or not? This had to be a male and a female. With a long train ride, sparks are going to hit the track. . .somehow, somewhere. Will it be eternal hate or meld into love?

The gal on the train. . .she heads west to escape from her past in Virginia, to a prosperous fiancé in Paradise Springs, a childhood friend. To get a new name. She’s desperate that no one knows her real last name.

She can be as honey-sweet as any southern belle, if she wants to. She and her twin sister, Catelynn, spent the war years in the north at an aunt’s house. While they missed witnessing the violence and ravages of the Civil War, they lost their parents and their estate. Catherine is not glamorous like her twin sister, but her good looks and confident air capture much attention. She’s willing to use her beauty and personality to get things done. . .her way. 

He travels west to get justice for his brother’s death. His blunt, stubborn ways leave no room for charm or diplomacy. Independent, with focused courage, he’s in the habit of success at whatever he attempts. His set glare keeps most folks scooting away from him. That suits him fine. He has no use for a woman he considers shallow and manipulative. He also has no fear of dying, because he’s not sure he wants to live. When he sets his mind on a goal, he expects everyone to get out of the way.

After a few gouges and bites between Catherine Draper and Race Hillyard, I could see the trail markings of their story. That’s how I knew Throw The Devil Off The Train was a western romance first, front and center. In fact, my original working title was “Throw Away Heart.” But my editor objected. The Bly fans for this publisher look for a western first, romance optional.

Yet a question still remained right up to the end. Will the Miss Fontenot type independence reign? Of course, that’s up to Catherine. . .and Race. Romance comes late for them. . .perhaps too late.

Yep, they hate each other on sight. Meanwhile, traditional western stuff happens. A holdup, hijack, kidnapping and gold mine swindle swirl around them. . .and something else evil’s on board. Fiery, opinionated and quick to react, can they make a truce long enough to throw the devil off the train?

Don’t forget to leave a comment to be automatically entered to win a copy of Stephen’s book.

**Contest disclaimer: Void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents. Odds of winning depend on number of entrants. Entering this giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility in accordance with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws. **

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Stephen Bly was a Christy Award finalist and winner for westerns for The Long Trail Home, Picture Rock, The Outlaw’s Twin Sister and Last of the Texas Camp. He authored and co-authored with his wife, Janet, 105 books, both fiction and nonfiction. He is survived by his wife, Janet, 3 sons and daughters-in-law, 4 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. For more information on Stephen and his novels, visit www.blybooks.com

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1. Winner of Throw the Devil Off the Train AND Member Shoutouts!
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3. Unfocused Friday – Win a copy of Abundance of Life
4. Meet Member and Author, Rachel Burkum
5. Interview with Non-fiction Author, Teena M. Stewart