Bøger af Bill Sands

Big Sky and Beyond, by Bill Sands, is a collection of eleven inspiring and poignant short stories concerning life, love, and survival in rugged and rural big sky country. They are based on the author's experiences while living in Montana and beyond. Several of Sand's tales depict the strength and determination of women living their lives in the backcountry. Sand's themes deal with tragedy, romance, loneliness, and courage. Para-normal elements that come to the surface in four of the tales, take readers beyond everyday reality. The inclusion of two poignant narratives written from the viewpoints of a proud Feline and a regal Bull Elk, give readers a glimpse into life from two, very unique perspectives. Readers of all ages will find Big Sky and Beyond a delightful and worthy read.

In three separate stories the author focuses upon the lives of independent women who are searching for happiness in varied surroundings. They must juggle their personalities, their personal goals, and their romantic tendencies as they try to balance their unique existences with the needs and desires of the men in their lives. In an unrelated story, Santa Claus faces an uncertain future and a less than jolly Christmas this year. He tries to put up an optimistic front and hopes for better times ahead. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and all the tiny workers at the North Pole are hoping that this year is only a fluke. In the final selection, the author tells how the stories and characters in all of his books came to be, but he knows not the 'why' of the question.

Bill Curtis ends a long naval career and begins a difficult search for his wayward father. He goes to work for Sarah Cameron the matriarch of a civil war vintage homestead. Sarah's operations on the large ranch are basically pack animal training and a backcountry-packing venture, while Sarah's sister and her husband operate the large cattle business independently. A monumental accident happens that affects all their lives and Bill is caught up in the nightmare. As time progresses Bill realizes that he enjoys the outdoor life, is enchanted by the backwoods environment, and finds that he has fallen in love with Sarah. Bill and Sarah's paradise is shattered by a group of escaped convicts. Together they face this challenge, both physically and emotionally, believing that they will always be there for each other both today and in the many years to come in their beloved Montana wilderness.

Dave Logan wanted to see if operating a small cattle ranch was to his liking. He found soon enough that an attachment was brewing between him and the widowed ranch owner that he had gone to work for. The woman's precocious five-year-old daughter is the biggest catalyst in their relationship. Tragedies strike, but Dave pushes onward trying to hold everything together for the sake of the child. He finds that twenty years have sped by, his life is drawing to a close, and the child is now a young woman stepping in to claim her birthright

Off Sounding, by Bill Sands, is a collection of ten inspiring tales about the life, love, and survival of strong, courageous, seafaring women and men, who have devoted their lives to living on the sea. Many of Sand's stories deal with the professional and personal struggles that women captains face as they seek to balance their desires for meaningful love relationships with the demands of their male-dominated professions. All who enjoy seafaring adventures and tales of romance, chivalry, and courage, will love the intriguing and unique tales found in Off Soundings.

Nicole Martin and her young daughter are starting anew. Nicole has reached out into cyberspace for a solution to her seemingly dead-ended life. With the help of an on-line computer dating service, she meets Matt Webster. He has thrown down the gauntlet, and Nicole has taken the gamble. She and her daughter are leaving behind an affluent lifestyle, shedding the bonds of a disastrous marriage, and beginning a completely different way of life. Gone are the amenities of everyday living. In their place are the hardships, the wonders, and the beauty of the natural environment. They live daily with the dangers and challenges of the marine environment, and they must adapt to the difficulties of semi-primitive living, in a Discovery Island float house, in British Columbia.

Lt. Mike Holden is in charge of the naval armed guard on the Sheba Queen as she sails the sub infested waters of the North Atlantic during World War Two. Captain Gail Hood, commanding the Queen, has her lifelong venture of operating this deep-sea freighter complicated by the war. Both of these people are determined to make the best of these hard times. Gail finds that her role as a ship's Captain suddenly conflicts with a fresh group of feelings. She increasingly confronts deep womanly instincts as she recognizes her attraction to Mike Holden. A profound tragedy strikes leading to a prolonged separation of the couple. At the conclusion of the long difficult war, they manage to get back together. Gail's strong will and Mike's care-free attitude help them work well together as a team. They forge lasting bonds for the years ahead, but must soon face the fact that, "tide and time wait for no man."

In the two leading stories the author, on popular request, has brought back several of his independent Montana women. All of these characters live unconventional lives, surrounded by hardships, danger, and excitement. They lead outdoor lives dedicated to the wilderness, to nature, and to the animals both wild and domestic so abundant in their everyday lives. They still find the time and energy to devote to the basic fact that they are above all, women. They remain deeply committed to their chosen ways of life, to their children, and to their romantic pursuits. In the third story the author gives us a glimpse into the life of a young woman balancing all the characteristics mentioned above. Her husband has been called back to active duty with the Army, and she has stepped into the lead role in their trucking business. We see only a short period in her life as wife, mother, and over-the-road trucker. Still we realized that we have glimpsed a truly remarkable woman, to say the least.

Six long time friends go fishing together and suddenly are struck by a violent storm. Following the storm they find that they are apparently the only remaining people left on earth. Using their varied abilities they struggle to establish a new way of life based on everyday survival skills. Propagation of the species becomes an important part of all their lives. As they work to solve their problems they accept the fact that their ultimate destiny is no doubt a primitive existence. As the years slide by they will encounter romantic involvement and tragic events leading toward an uncertain future.

This book, which describes the author's one man crusade for a new penal rehabilitation program, known as The Seventh Step, takes you right into the drama of prison life. In 1963, Bill Sands, an ex convict, and the Reverend James Post formulated a self- help group in the Kansas State Prison. This first pre-release program adopted a slogan and guidelines that are the basis of The Seventh Step programs today. This was a danger-charged mission of an ex-inmate at San Quentin who crashed the Main Yard to prepare convicts for life in the "e;squarejohn"e; world-to help them go outside-and stay out. Faced with the hopelessness of the men who had been parolled but not released because no one would hire them, getting the men to face themselves and the outside world realistically, knowing about the inmates' desire for revenge, all had to be channeled into an overwhelming desire for freedom. Their stories are fascinating and inspiring. Tremendously successful, the program reduced the number of men returning to prison for crimes committed after their release from 80% to 20% and spawned Seventh Step chapters across the United States. "e;a shocking chronicle of prison life . . . fascinating."e; -BIRMINGHAM NEWS"e;I think it is a great book and I found it full of inspiration."e; -NORMAN VINCENT PEALE