13 Stops

by Steve Martin

Sam - an unemployed alcoholic with very little left to live for - awakens on a train he has no recollection of boarding. As he struggles to discover how he arrived there, as well as where this train is heading, he finds himself reminiscing his way through the entirety of his life, being shown for the very first time how all things have worked together to bring him to the train's final destination - which is exactly where he needs to be. Based upon the real-life experiences of author Steve Martin, 13 Stops is a sometimes thrilling, sometimes sweet, sometimes beautiful ride through life itself, showing how - in spite of our own lack of understanding of why we experience various trials - not one of them is meaningless, and not one tear is ever wasted.

424 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2014

About the author

Steve Martin served with three Christian ministries from 1987-2010, all having a national and international outreach focus. During that time he made 14 ministry trips to Israel, China, India, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom. On his overseas journeys Steve enjoyed sharing written journal entries with family and friends back home, through Internet media. His light-hearted stories gave an up close and personal touch for those reading along. Many could imagine being there themselves. His extensive collection of photos taken during these trips, of both local scenery and common people on the streets, has touched thousands through their varied images. In 2010, Steve and Laurie began Love For His People, Inc, a 501©3 non-profit humanitarian aid ministry. This work touches the natural and spiritual lives of those around them with needed encouragement and strength. His regular messages Now Think On This are posted on the ministries Love For His People and Now Think of This blogs. They are also on Facebook and Twitter, featuring words of spiritual enrichment, along with selected photos. Since 1994, Steve and his good wife Laurie have lived in the Charlotte, NC area, after having homes in Illinois, Michigan and Florida. Now married for more than 39 years, they enjoy their four adult children and spouses (Josh and Chelsie, Ben, Hannah and Jonathan, Christen and Andrew), along with our seven additional grandchildren – Daniel, Logan, Dylan Joy, Jensen, Payton, Jack and Levi Zachary. While continuing to serve organizations with his accounting skills, he enjoys writing, photography and growing the ministry of Love For His People, Inc.

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the story and the premise but it was not written in normal Steve Martin eloquence. it seemed very elementary in writing style and it annoyed me as I I find Martin such an amazing writer. oh well, can win them all, right?

[Steve Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My name is Steve Martin, and I'm the author of this novel. While I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the incredibly talented actor/writer/comedian, Steve Martin, I am not he. I'm a 52 year-old Christian writer who writes a weekly blog (wbc upon further review) that has been read in more than 40 countries, and on all six continents. I'm not sure how my work ended up being linked to his, but while I greatly appreciate the free publicity, I would not want anyone to be misled into thinking that this was written someone who is clearly more handsome, talented, and intelligent than myself. That being said, I believe that this is a very nice book, and it would look splendid on your coffee table.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. Never saw the ending coming! Highly recommended!

[Sharon Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful

Wow, totally worth your time. What a wonderful surprise from Steve Martin. Moving, passionate & what a story to tell. Heartbreaking and inspiring all at the same time.