Big Timber writer releases A Montana Rivalry novel
Big Timber–Montana writer Jim Overstreet recently released his first novel, A Montana Rivalry.Known for his articles in Western Horseman and other magazines, Overstreet grew up on the Sun Ranch in southwest Montana’s Madison Valley. He learned to rope by doctoring scour calves and cows with pinkeye. Later, he was calf roping champion in the old Montana Rodeo Association. More recently, he won the year end tie down roping championship for his age group in the National Senior Professional Rodeo Association. His book is filled with vivid ranching and rodeo scenes told with details that only an insider could know.
The core of the novel is the rivalry between Rusty Blackston and Warren Weston who meet for the first time at age seven and come to blows. Afterward whenever they meet sparks fly. Warren’s family owns a large ranch. His mother idolizes him, but he can never quite live up to his father’s demands. Rusty’s father is a fiddle-footed cowboy, and his mother works two low-paying jobs to feed her family. Yet Rusty and his sisters grow up without realizing that they are poor. Rusty’s father, a former saddle bronc rider, grooms Rusty to ride broncs.
One of the other interesting characters in the book is Harlan, an older cowboy, who mentors both young men. Although they hate each other, Rusty and Warren both idolize Harlan. Warren is big and Rusty is small, but Harlan teaches them both to steer wrestle. Near the end of the book, Rusty and Warren go head-to-head at the National Finals Rodeo, competing to be World Champion.
Although the plot line follows the rivalry between the two men, Overstreet weaves in scenes showing the less-than-ideal relationships the young men have with their fathers and what that leads to. Warren and Rusty covet the same woman adding another twist to the tale.
Overstreet said, “I started writing this book in the mid-1990s. With teenaged daughters and a demanding job, I was only able to write a scene now and then. A few years ago, when I had to lay up after a hip replacement, I finished the first draft. Since then, I’ve written three more books following the same characters further into their interesting futures.”
Why would a writer of non-fiction magazine articles turn to novels? Overstreet explains, “There is always a lot of truth in good fiction. To me, the physical and mental toughness that the men and women working on ranches demonstrate is truly remarkable and it’s easier for me to show that in a realistic novel.”
Overstreet expects his second novel, A Montana Inheritance, to be out soon. Although many of the scenes in his books are loving descriptions of ranch work, he calls his series Rodeo in the Blood. You can order books from Amazon or Barnes and Noble and other national book markets. If you prefer, you can find them at Three Forks Saddlery, The Fort and Crazy Peak Boutique in Big Timber, Connelly’s and Western Ranch Supply in Billings.
–Jim Overstreet
