Franci McMahon

Franci McMahon writes fiction rooted in horses, family pressure, and the contemporary American West. Riding the Storm follows Kate Duncan, a young rider growing up on a Montana racehorse ranch where ambition is complicated by her father’s drinking and involvement in fixed races. Her connection with Chogan Hungry Horse, a Blackfoot character described as two-spirit, opens another perspective on belonging and resilience. Desert Palm Press issued this 2023 novel. McMahon uses the demands of training and racing as more than background: skill around horses gives Kate purpose while the ranch’s troubles force her to judge the loyalties around her. Riding the Storm combines an equestrian coming-of-age story with questions about family responsibility, cultural identity, and the cost of competitive success. Its rural setting and racing detail keep the conflict tangible, while Kate’s developing judgment provides the emotional center. The result is a character-led Western story about finding steadiness when home itself has become uncertain.