Book Review A Montana Feud

As you're back in the saddle with Book Three of The Rodeo in Blood Series, hang on to your hat. You will gallop full speed into the heart of cowboy rodeo culture, being immersed in its jargon, traditions, and superstitions. It's a drama-filled story filled with complicated relationships, family dynamics, and a competitive rodeo circuit impacted by COVID-19. 

While "A Montana Feud" has been written as part of a series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel. Author Jim Overstreet is adept at inserting backstory notes from his two other books to keep readers abreast of previous actions and relationships.

The storyline again examines the lives of Rusty Blackstone and Warren Weston but more closely. A 20-year relationship once built on rivalry has now mellowed over the years. While both embrace a competitive spirit on the rodeo circuit, they seem more willing to form an alliance as both men share custodial rights to Todd, a 5-year-old whose mother is Jenny, Warren's former wife. The stakes are high when, unexpectedly, Todd becomes the sole heir to the Weston Ranch. It is Warren's former home where his disabled mother is still living. The scenario becomes complicated when Warren and his ex-wife Jenny struggle over ranch ownership for a portion of what Warren feels is his rightful inheritance. Harlan, a lifelong friend of both Rusty and Warren, steps in. His reliability and trustworthiness help him maintain peace and “mend fences,” finding satisfactory solutions for all.

This book has no shortage of drama when Rusty's wedding to Amanda is marred with several violent events. Buckshot, a young woman introduced in Book Two, plays more of a starring role in Book Three as her romance develops with Casey, part of the rodeo circuit gang. As the drama of these relationships intensifies, so does their competitiveness on the rodeo circuit. With limited opportunities to compete due to COVID-19, many riders have been forced to step back and find other work to supplement their income. Rusty unexpectedly inherits a small ranch home he hopes can be a place for him and Amanda to start their new married life. Warren, having recently married Corrine, has a new opportunity with ranch developers.

Overstreet is an experienced horseman and former rodeo participant who understands the complexity of training for saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, and how to perfect roping skills. His descriptive writing immerses the reader in cowboy culture and ranch lifestyle. Along with authentic dialogue, he offers the readers a realistic portrayal of how life unfolds on the rodeo circuit. As locations change quickly, the author wisely labels each chapter with a date and location. The book is an excellent mix of rodeo life, ever-changing family dynamics, and ever-evolving relationships. 

ALL ABOUT  THE AUTHOR

JIM OVERSTREET

Jim Overstreet is a lifelong cowboy and author of three books in The Rodeo in Blood Series. Raising horses for most of his life, he earned multiple titles in tie-down roping, from youth rodeo to the senior circuit. He lives in Montana and still rides and trains horses. 

Overstreet is passionate about telling stories of the contemporary West that demonstrate the physical toughness, mental determination, and dependence on community inherent to ranching and rodeos. His work has been published in national magazines, including Reader’s Digest and Persimmon Hill, as well as numerous equine magazines and Western Horseman. The American Horse Publication honored him as a winner in their Feature Article category. 

Check out Overstreet's website https://jimoverstreet.com/ for more information about the author, his books, and future events.