Avery John Creede Treks to Lewistown, Montana Territory

Creede of Old Montana

Excerpt from western romance novel Creede of Old Montana by Stephen Bly:

"Where are we going?"

Avery yanked a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to his nephew Ace.

"A telegram? Who from?"

"Read it while I check the riggin' on the team."

"'Wanted for cattle rustling: Curly Buck Clamer and King Snake DuPrix. If seen, notify me at once. U.S. Marshal Kib McCoy, Lewistown, M.T.' What do we have to do with a couple cattle rustlers?"

Western Research: 12 Incredible Montana Factoids

Stephen Bly (1944-2011)

12 Incredible Montana Factoids, western research by award-winning western author Stephen Bly

I've set lots of books in Montana, including the recent historical western romance, Creede of Old Montana. In fact, we came close to moving to the Treasure State over thirty years ago. Somehow, Idaho snagged us instead. Even though there were a dozen towns in western Montana from our western research that intrigued and tugged at us.

In the meantime, I learned a lot about the Big Sky country. All of it part of my extensive western research, both fiction wise and personal. Here's some of Montana's many charms.

7 QUICK TIPS TO WRITE A WESTERN

Stephen Bly

by Stephen Bly

Copyright©2008

The man with the cowboy hat is holding a thesaurus and a dictionary and he tells his friend, "I've got all the words I need for my western. Now I've got to put them in the right order."

So, you want to be a writer? That's a noble goal, it's true. Jist like big time wrestlin', the urge comes over you, to pen that one immortal line before your life is through and find your name in micro-print in America's Who's Who.

So, you want to be a writer? Well, pardner, shake my hand. I hope your journey's short and swift to that published Promised Land, where reviews flow in from coast to coast with accolades so grand. And among them literary giants, you're asked to take your stand.

So, you want to be a writer? Well, it don't sound all that tough. I hope you find the contracts big and loaded down with fluff. And editors a beggin' you to send them some more stuff, while your banker's holdin' up his hands, cryin', "Hold it! That's enough!"

So, you want to be a writer? I know jist how you feel. It holds a certain status and a glamorous appeal. I've been there once or twice myself. That hunger's kind of real. 'Til one day you wake up and find, it ain't that big a deal.

(from "So, You Want To Be A Writer?" copyright©1997)

Here's seven quick tips that might help you kick that barrel down the trail. 

Author & Beauty Queen ANGELA BREIDENBACH: A COUNTRY GAL AT HEART

God's country

Angela Breidenbach loves country living. She considers her home of Missoula, Montana, as God's country. She sent us photos for this Country Life Captions feature. 

See her horses, the view from her office, her adorable toddler grandson, and she uses her barn for a pinata party!

Chief & Spanky

KING OF THE HILL

Winter snows don't stop the games with our two horses, Chief, the standard sized Morgan/Pinto cross, and Spanky, the miniature class B. Spanky loves standing on the hill in the pasture and lording over his domain. Chief and Spanky will often play King of the Hill, tossing their heads and galloping around showing who is king. Spanky ends up back on the hill every time.

Office View. . .Miss Piggy

COLORS OF THE COUNTRY 

The view out my upstairs office window. It's good to work from home as a writer with these views! This is early October last year (2009) with Miss Piggy. She passed away a year ago Christmas week from a fall on the ice. I keep this photo as a beautiful memory of her. The magpies land on our horses backs all the time. They hitch a ride all over the pasture.

BIG YARD, LITTLE GUY


We've got lots of hoses to move. Our grandson takes on this task. The horses look on from the pasture as he mimics grandpa. I love watching him play outside and discover all the amazing things toddlers find. It reminds me of the joy of life.

BATTER, BATTER, BATTER--SWING!


Creative uses for barns...pinatas at parties!
My daughter, Mariah, was overseas in Thailand for 10 months. I loved my son's playfulness with the pinata. He'd lift it every time she swung the bat. It was the perfect way to bring her home since they all played so much in the barn growing up. Lots of laughter!

LANDING THE TWO-FOOT DANCE

Steve at Maranatha in Michigan

On the Trail with Stephen Bly

Copyright©1993,2010

Miles City, Montana, holds a bucking horse sale every year. Quite a doin’s with rodeo, sale and plenty of celebrations. A stock contractor friend of mine often heads there to check out good horses to buy for his rodeo string. 

Last time I saw him I asked, “How’d you do in Miles City?”

“Well,” he said, “I got there with both feet at the beginning. But things trailed off at the end.”

When a cowboy says he got there ‘with both feet,’ he means he achieved success with his venture. He did the dance. My friend bartered good deals at the auction’s start, but the bidding intensified later.

Life's often a two-foot dance. Getting to the goal with both feet—that’s what most of us want. Whether we’re presenting at a conference, meeting a dinner deadline, courting a romantic interest, or punching cows.

Or about to enter heaven’s gate.

God told Joshua how to land with both feet: “be strong and very courageous,” then he’s promised prosperity and success (Joshua 1:8).

Sure sounds mighty good. Our role is to be strong. To be courageous. Then we’ll succeed. That is, land with both feet.

However, between the exhortation and the promise comes this command: “Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it” (Joshua 1:8).

Whoops—a mighty tall order. That requires diligence … to The Book. To read it. To study it. To memorize it. To meditate upon it. To be careful to follow the instructions. Many folks try to skip that part.

Oh sure, everyone wants instant rewards. On earth, as well as in the life beyond. But things like paying close attention to God’s likes and dislikes, big concepts like discipleship … obedience … that  seems too … constricting.

But there’s no sidestep here.

Follow the basic pattern.

Fully enter in. 

Don't stay on the sideline.

A dance-floor necessity.

And crucial to the spiritual two-foot promenade.

Where do you feel most awkward ... on the dance floor or at a Bible trivia contest?

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Have you read The Surprising Side of Grace?

Available at the Bly Books Bookstore: http://BlyBooks.com/store.htm 

CREEDE OF OLD MONTANA. . .a review by Trinity Rose

No one knew how Avery John Creede got the scar on his face.

From the back cover:
Creede of Old Montana follows the exploits and heartbreaks of Avery John Creede, an ex-cavalry soldier, as he tramps along the upper Missouri River in search of four Army pals who didn’t show up for a scheduled reunion.

In Fort Benton, Avery Creede inadvertently stops a bank robbery. With that action, all hope of sitting on the sidelines and watching the world go by fades away. Suddenly, he finds himself in the middle of one conflict after another. And through it all, he makes some discoveries about himself.

Throughout Creede’s confrontations and adventures, three things remain constant: his courage, his rock-solid faith, and his wounded heart. He knows the first two will never change. And at forty-two, he’s not sure the third ever will either.


My Review:
I have never read a book written by Stephen Bly that I didn’t love and “Creede of Old Montana” is the best one ever. This book will have you laughing, crying, holding your breath and just having a great time. As soon as Avery John Creede comes into the story there is one conflict after another. He stops a bank robbery, a beautiful girl Sunny tries to kill him. Then he finds out his nephew has grown up and is now 16. Avery Creede’s love of his life Carla shows up. Also the Rinkman gang is after him and Sunny. All of this happens while John is trying to find his 4 Army buddies. Creede has a strong faith and tries to do the will of the Lord. He is a person who lives his faith and also is willing to share it with any one he comes across.

One scene in the book made tears come to my eyes and that doesn’t happen often. It was so touching and full of emotion. Sad, but very beautiful.

“Creede of Old Montana” is funny, inspiring, full of love, has many battles and fights, but also has sad, touching moments. So if you love Westerns this is a book you must have. Even if you don’t like them you will love this book.

I HIGHLY recommend “Creede of Old Montana.”
 

Trinity Rose Blog Home Page: http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/