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Rustlers and Widows: A Christian Western
True to frontier life, award-winning author Reg Quist delivers a young man who finds himself in a constant struggle between vengeance…and the law.
Following the loss of his wife and young daughter, Jacob Jamison turns his ranch over to his brother and takes his teenage son, Rory, off on an adventure meant to heal their souls. As the two men work on an Idaho gold claim for three summers, they bank considerable riches.
Midway through the third summer, thieves raid their camp—murdering Jacob and wounding Rory.
On the lookout for his father’s murderers and with three graves behind him in Montana, young Rory rides home—just in time to confront sophisticated rustlers who are hiding behind the law and attempting to impound cattle from his family’s Colorado ranch. Not ready to settle down, he makes it his mission to sort out the rustler gang.
Full of intrigue, gunfire, and wild chases through wondrous Colorado hills, Rory is on a steadfast mission to avenge his father and protect the last of his legacy in the form of a family-owned ranch. But taking on life as it presents itself to him…is no easy task.
Following the loss of his wife and young daughter, Jacob Jamison turns his ranch over to his brother and takes his teenage son, Rory, off on an adventure meant to heal their souls. As the two men work on an Idaho gold claim for three summers, they bank considerable riches.
Midway through the third summer, thieves raid their camp—murdering Jacob and wounding Rory.
On the lookout for his father’s murderers and with three graves behind him in Montana, young Rory rides home—just in time to confront sophisticated rustlers who are hiding behind the law and attempting to impound cattle from his family’s Colorado ranch. Not ready to settle down, he makes it his mission to sort out the rustler gang.
Full of intrigue, gunfire, and wild chases through wondrous Colorado hills, Rory is on a steadfast mission to avenge his father and protect the last of his legacy in the form of a family-owned ranch. But taking on life as it presents itself to him…is no easy task.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2022
340 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Reg Quist
27 books15 followersReg Quist’s pioneer heritage includes sod shacks, prairie fires, home births, and children’s graves under the prairie sod, all working together in the lives of people creating their own space in a new land.
Out of that early generation came farmers, ranchers, business men and women, builders, military graves in faraway lands, Sunday Schools that grew to become churches, plus story tellers, musicians, and much more.
Hard work and self-reliance were the hallmark of those previous great generations, attributes that were absorbed by the following generation.
Quist’s career choice took him into the construction world. From heavy industrial work, to construction camps in the remote northern bush, the author emulated his grandfathers, who were both builders, as well as pioneer farmers and ranchers.
It is with deep thankfulness that Quist says, “I am a part of the first generation to truly enjoy the benefits of the labors of the pioneers. My parents and their parents worked incredibly hard, and it is well for us to remember”.
Quist’s heart was never far from the land. The family photo albums testify to how often he found himself sitting on a horse, both as a child and into later life, when he and his wife owned their own small farm, complete with kids and horses.
Respect for the pioneers, working alongside skilled, tough workmen, and learning from them, marrying his high school sweetheart and welcoming children into the world, purchasing land for the family to grow on, and riding horses with the kids, all melded together to influence Quist’s life and writing. Over, and under, and wrapped around his life is Quist’s Christian heritage. This too, shows itself in his writing.
Quist’s writing career was late in pushing itself forward, remaining a hobby while family and career took precedence. Only in early retirement, was there time for more serious writing.
Quist’s writing interests lie in many genres including children’s work, short lifestyle stories, cowboy poetry, western novels, plus Christian articles and novels.
Woven through every story is the thought that, even though he was not there himself in that pioneer time, he knew some that were. They are remembered with great respect.
Out of that early generation came farmers, ranchers, business men and women, builders, military graves in faraway lands, Sunday Schools that grew to become churches, plus story tellers, musicians, and much more.
Hard work and self-reliance were the hallmark of those previous great generations, attributes that were absorbed by the following generation.
Quist’s career choice took him into the construction world. From heavy industrial work, to construction camps in the remote northern bush, the author emulated his grandfathers, who were both builders, as well as pioneer farmers and ranchers.
It is with deep thankfulness that Quist says, “I am a part of the first generation to truly enjoy the benefits of the labors of the pioneers. My parents and their parents worked incredibly hard, and it is well for us to remember”.
Quist’s heart was never far from the land. The family photo albums testify to how often he found himself sitting on a horse, both as a child and into later life, when he and his wife owned their own small farm, complete with kids and horses.
Respect for the pioneers, working alongside skilled, tough workmen, and learning from them, marrying his high school sweetheart and welcoming children into the world, purchasing land for the family to grow on, and riding horses with the kids, all melded together to influence Quist’s life and writing. Over, and under, and wrapped around his life is Quist’s Christian heritage. This too, shows itself in his writing.
Quist’s writing career was late in pushing itself forward, remaining a hobby while family and career took precedence. Only in early retirement, was there time for more serious writing.
Quist’s writing interests lie in many genres including children’s work, short lifestyle stories, cowboy poetry, western novels, plus Christian articles and novels.
Woven through every story is the thought that, even though he was not there himself in that pioneer time, he knew some that were. They are remembered with great respect.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 8, 2022
Rory Jamison established high marks as a new sheriff SW of Denver
Reg assembled an a stellar cast of characters for this new series about a rancher-turner lawman to protect his property as well as care for his neighbors. He even finds time to court the daughter of a smaller ranch.
Reg assembled an a stellar cast of characters for this new series about a rancher-turner lawman to protect his property as well as care for his neighbors. He even finds time to court the daughter of a smaller ranch.
September 4, 2025
Rustlers and Widows by Reg Quist was a fantastic start to the series. I really enjoyed this first book—it hooked me right from the beginning with its strong storytelling and western setting. The mix of action, faith, and frontier life made it especially meaningful.
As a Christian man who loves westerns, this book felt like it was written just for readers like me. It has the grit and excitement you expect from a good western, but it’s also grounded in values and themes that resonate deeply.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a clean, faith-filled western adventure. It’s a quick and satisfying read, and I’m already looking forward to continuing the series.
As a Christian man who loves westerns, this book felt like it was written just for readers like me. It has the grit and excitement you expect from a good western, but it’s also grounded in values and themes that resonate deeply.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a clean, faith-filled western adventure. It’s a quick and satisfying read, and I’m already looking forward to continuing the series.
October 28, 2022
Young Rory Jamison has to grow up fast. When his mother and sister die of the plague, his father turns his ranch over to his brothers family and the try their luck panning for gold. Three years later his father is murdered and Rory left for dead. He arrives back at the home ranch to find rustlers have been cheating small ranchers, where the women had been recently widowed. The wives had been recently widowed. Rory gets appointed a Deputy County Sheriff and given the responsibility to clean up the mess.
November 5, 2022
A Really Good Western
I'm always impatiently waiting for the next Reg Quist book. They are well written, the characters have depth, the story is totally believable.
It is labeled "A Christian Western" but it is not overtly religious. There is just an underlying understanding of God that was common in that season in U.S. history.
I would rate this PG-13. There is, of course gunplay, some fights, and deaths, but no language or sex.
I recommend this book.
(Read with Kindle Unlimited Subscription.)
I'm always impatiently waiting for the next Reg Quist book. They are well written, the characters have depth, the story is totally believable.
It is labeled "A Christian Western" but it is not overtly religious. There is just an underlying understanding of God that was common in that season in U.S. history.
I would rate this PG-13. There is, of course gunplay, some fights, and deaths, but no language or sex.
I recommend this book.
(Read with Kindle Unlimited Subscription.)
July 15, 2023
Lessons learned
When we pay attention we can learn some very valuable lessons. The things Rory learned from his Dad carried him through hard times and prepared him to be able to always be of service to others. The opening chapter of this book is probably the best I've read in over 50 years of reading westerns.
When we pay attention we can learn some very valuable lessons. The things Rory learned from his Dad carried him through hard times and prepared him to be able to always be of service to others. The opening chapter of this book is probably the best I've read in over 50 years of reading westerns.
November 21, 2022
Good tale of the west
If you are interested in how people lived and survived in the old west, this would be an interesting book for you. Well written and very descriptive, it definitely held my interest throughout the story.
If you are interested in how people lived and survived in the old west, this would be an interesting book for you. Well written and very descriptive, it definitely held my interest throughout the story.
December 2, 2022
Rory And The Con Men
This was an outstanding Western novel. Full of action and suspense. Plenty of great action and shootouts. If you like a great Western, I would highly recommend this one! I know that I'll be reading much more of this author's work!
This was an outstanding Western novel. Full of action and suspense. Plenty of great action and shootouts. If you like a great Western, I would highly recommend this one! I know that I'll be reading much more of this author's work!
January 23, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this character - smart and very capable of thinking. I so much enjoy reading about a smart, thinking character. Thank you for a refreshing outlook for a young man. I hope to read more of your books (if you have written any) that portray this type of character.
February 8, 2023
Good Western
Quite the good read! It comes out of the chute with a bang. As you read along, the characters come into their place and mature. Some nice action and beautiful descriptions of the country side. A good western indeed!
Quite the good read! It comes out of the chute with a bang. As you read along, the characters come into their place and mature. Some nice action and beautiful descriptions of the country side. A good western indeed!
April 2, 2023
well written
The book was well written. Great details on certain protocols and procedures without being too technical or boring. Overall it felt like I was just moseying through the story much like those moseying through on horseback.
The book was well written. Great details on certain protocols and procedures without being too technical or boring. Overall it felt like I was just moseying through the story much like those moseying through on horseback.
November 12, 2023
Excellent young lawman story
A young man who can't seem to not do right by all. Frontier justice to lawman he seeks to riddle out what happened to him and his dad. Then, goes home to riddle out corrupt law and thieving. Highly recommended for all readers.
A young man who can't seem to not do right by all. Frontier justice to lawman he seeks to riddle out what happened to him and his dad. Then, goes home to riddle out corrupt law and thieving. Highly recommended for all readers.
October 28, 2022
Another great Reg Quist book.
It was worth the wait! A fantastic story that is clean and well written. I am anxiously awaiting the sequel in December.
It was worth the wait! A fantastic story that is clean and well written. I am anxiously awaiting the sequel in December.
October 31, 2022
Rustlers and Widows
Very good western, well written and a great story. Getting ready to get the sequel in December. Highly recommend this one.
Very good western, well written and a great story. Getting ready to get the sequel in December. Highly recommend this one.
December 15, 2022
Good
Very well written and to me worth your while. Different in som we ways but still a good book to read
Very well written and to me worth your while. Different in som we ways but still a good book to read
January 2, 2023
Very good readinh
The story was full of twist and turns so you could not anticipate what the next page was going to be about.
The story was full of twist and turns so you could not anticipate what the next page was going to be about.
February 7, 2023
Enjoyable read
Another well knit together tale. Honorable characters willingly to do the right thing when needed. Thanks Reg! Looking forward to the sequel.
Another well knit together tale. Honorable characters willingly to do the right thing when needed. Thanks Reg! Looking forward to the sequel.
June 27, 2023
Good read.
It is a good CHRISTIAN western. Although it was full of crime it doesn't match the evil of the day. A lot of shooting and action.
It is a good CHRISTIAN western. Although it was full of crime it doesn't match the evil of the day. A lot of shooting and action.
December 6, 2023
Fun reading
Main character well developed, rest of characters as seen by main one. Good to not seeing everyone’s point of view.
Main character well developed, rest of characters as seen by main one. Good to not seeing everyone’s point of view.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews