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Max
Max could fix anything that had moving parts., but he couldn't fix what sent him to prison for five years. Now, he was back home and had to fix a lot more than machines, and found it was almost impossible to repair people that didn’t want to be fixed.
- GenresWesterns
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2017
970 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Petit
104 books220 followersMost biographies start with birth and then roll through the years as they drift by but that would bore me to death, and I lived through it.
The interesting part of my life began on September 23rd, 1995 as we were driving back to Omaha after watching the Notre Dame - Texas game in South Bend with relatives. The #21 Irish beat the #13 ranked Longhorns 55-27; and in a real oddity, scored points in just about every way conceivable in the game of football. They scored touchdowns on passes and runs, kicked a field goal, intercepted a pass for a TD, returned a punt for a touchdown and even added two points for blocking a Texas extra point.
As we were driving along westbound I-80 somewhere in Illinois in our Jeep Cherokee, I absent-mindedly rubbed the left side of my neck under my chin.
My very astute wife asked, "What's wrong with your neck?"
Now I had been an Air Force medic for twelve years; and as evident in my descriptions of outlaws' agonizing deaths in my stories, have a good working knowledge of anatomy and physiology. But that knowledge is offset by being a guy and thinking that we all live forever. My neck lymph nodes had been enlarged for around three months when my wife asked that question.
I obfuscated as if I was a lawyer and replied, "Um, a few weeks or so." (Note: Twelve or thirteen weeks does qualify as a 'few' weeks if one chooses to be generous.)
"And what did the doctor say?"
"I'll ask him when we get back."
"Yes, you will."
I do not want to make my wife out to be a harpy or a nag, because she is neither. She's an incredibly patient woman who could only put up with so much stupidity by yours truly.
Three days later, after the doctor copped a quick feel of my lymph nodes, he said, "I don't know what it is, but I don't like it," which was an honest, albeit an imprecise diagnosis.
So, we trotted over to a local ENT specialist. She didn't like them either and took me into surgery a few days later where she yanked one out, so the lab could dice it and slice it, then look at it under a microscope.
The pathologist who looked at the cells through his microscope reported his findings as 'lymphoepithelioma'. That meant that it was a secondary tumor and there was a primary tumor somewhere else in my nasopharynx that was the original problem.
Back I went into the operating room where the ENT doctor did an extensive examination and found nothing. She was so sure of her reconnaissance of the back of my throat that she told me that the pathologist was wrong, and it was just a lymphoma.
Now, being a computer geek, even way back in the dark ages of the internet in '95, I did some searching and found that if the primary tumor wasn't found, then the survival rate plummeted to about a fifth of the already lousy survival rate for the advanced Stage IV cancer. My wife and I decided that a second opinion might be a good idea.
Off we went in her Jeep to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota as the lousy weather descended across the Midwest. It's been known to happen, you know.
They had a problem getting the doctor here to release the specimen she'd yanked out of my neck, which I thought was odd because I don't remember selling it and figured I still owned it. Anyway, they eventually got the lymph node, did their own peek and confirmed the pathologist's diagnosis.
It wasn't until Halloween in 1995 that they finally found the original little bugger. It was just a tiny bump in the back of my throat that must have been there for a long time before it sent its friends marching into my lymph nodes.
They wanted to treat the cancer there, but I opted to have it done in Omaha and was sent to the care of Doctor Patrick J. McKenna (a name you may recognize from Max). Doctor Mac was the perfect man for the job as he was very personable, optimistic, had a good sense of humor and wouldn't put up with my constant whining. It helped that he knew his job, too.
(Read the full bio on Amazon)
The interesting part of my life began on September 23rd, 1995 as we were driving back to Omaha after watching the Notre Dame - Texas game in South Bend with relatives. The #21 Irish beat the #13 ranked Longhorns 55-27; and in a real oddity, scored points in just about every way conceivable in the game of football. They scored touchdowns on passes and runs, kicked a field goal, intercepted a pass for a TD, returned a punt for a touchdown and even added two points for blocking a Texas extra point.
As we were driving along westbound I-80 somewhere in Illinois in our Jeep Cherokee, I absent-mindedly rubbed the left side of my neck under my chin.
My very astute wife asked, "What's wrong with your neck?"
Now I had been an Air Force medic for twelve years; and as evident in my descriptions of outlaws' agonizing deaths in my stories, have a good working knowledge of anatomy and physiology. But that knowledge is offset by being a guy and thinking that we all live forever. My neck lymph nodes had been enlarged for around three months when my wife asked that question.
I obfuscated as if I was a lawyer and replied, "Um, a few weeks or so." (Note: Twelve or thirteen weeks does qualify as a 'few' weeks if one chooses to be generous.)
"And what did the doctor say?"
"I'll ask him when we get back."
"Yes, you will."
I do not want to make my wife out to be a harpy or a nag, because she is neither. She's an incredibly patient woman who could only put up with so much stupidity by yours truly.
Three days later, after the doctor copped a quick feel of my lymph nodes, he said, "I don't know what it is, but I don't like it," which was an honest, albeit an imprecise diagnosis.
So, we trotted over to a local ENT specialist. She didn't like them either and took me into surgery a few days later where she yanked one out, so the lab could dice it and slice it, then look at it under a microscope.
The pathologist who looked at the cells through his microscope reported his findings as 'lymphoepithelioma'. That meant that it was a secondary tumor and there was a primary tumor somewhere else in my nasopharynx that was the original problem.
Back I went into the operating room where the ENT doctor did an extensive examination and found nothing. She was so sure of her reconnaissance of the back of my throat that she told me that the pathologist was wrong, and it was just a lymphoma.
Now, being a computer geek, even way back in the dark ages of the internet in '95, I did some searching and found that if the primary tumor wasn't found, then the survival rate plummeted to about a fifth of the already lousy survival rate for the advanced Stage IV cancer. My wife and I decided that a second opinion might be a good idea.
Off we went in her Jeep to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota as the lousy weather descended across the Midwest. It's been known to happen, you know.
They had a problem getting the doctor here to release the specimen she'd yanked out of my neck, which I thought was odd because I don't remember selling it and figured I still owned it. Anyway, they eventually got the lymph node, did their own peek and confirmed the pathologist's diagnosis.
It wasn't until Halloween in 1995 that they finally found the original little bugger. It was just a tiny bump in the back of my throat that must have been there for a long time before it sent its friends marching into my lymph nodes.
They wanted to treat the cancer there, but I opted to have it done in Omaha and was sent to the care of Doctor Patrick J. McKenna (a name you may recognize from Max). Doctor Mac was the perfect man for the job as he was very personable, optimistic, had a good sense of humor and wouldn't put up with my constant whining. It helped that he knew his job, too.
(Read the full bio on Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 8, 2019
GUNFIGHTS, FISTFIGHTS, JAIL, WOMEN
4 STARS for this old west era drama exploring the different types of abuses women of that day would have afflicted on them depending on the moral high caliber of man that was her main guardian or the men in her general close family unit. A man had the right to beat his wife or daughter as he saw fit for all tpyes of what a lot of women thought were ridiculous reasons & was the reason some women of the era fled to be working girls to live in boarding houses. In this case, the work was only waitress work at the cafe. In this intriguing tale Max went off to Prison, but could have gotten out of it except he felt guilty for religious reasons and in his mind went to prison to pay a penance for an accidental killing in a fist fight. However, he finds out the fight could have been avoided and it really bothered the man who followed a code of right in his life. When he got out he was going to live in his parents house but due to interesting reasons and why you should be getting this book to read and enjoy; Max ends up allowing first 2 sisters to move in then a day or so later another girl that he had known all 3 for years even before he had left to go to prison. He had then as a gentleman moved back into his shop he lived in before he went off. Why, what were his motives and 3 women? Oh my Max was needed up muscles up looking fine, too; what was going on; then he was getting in gunfights. Excitement! Entertainment! Drama! Sex! Have you got your copy yet?
4 STARS for this old west era drama exploring the different types of abuses women of that day would have afflicted on them depending on the moral high caliber of man that was her main guardian or the men in her general close family unit. A man had the right to beat his wife or daughter as he saw fit for all tpyes of what a lot of women thought were ridiculous reasons & was the reason some women of the era fled to be working girls to live in boarding houses. In this case, the work was only waitress work at the cafe. In this intriguing tale Max went off to Prison, but could have gotten out of it except he felt guilty for religious reasons and in his mind went to prison to pay a penance for an accidental killing in a fist fight. However, he finds out the fight could have been avoided and it really bothered the man who followed a code of right in his life. When he got out he was going to live in his parents house but due to interesting reasons and why you should be getting this book to read and enjoy; Max ends up allowing first 2 sisters to move in then a day or so later another girl that he had known all 3 for years even before he had left to go to prison. He had then as a gentleman moved back into his shop he lived in before he went off. Why, what were his motives and 3 women? Oh my Max was needed up muscles up looking fine, too; what was going on; then he was getting in gunfights. Excitement! Entertainment! Drama! Sex! Have you got your copy yet?
June 12, 2022
Almost L. L'amour quality
As a western writer the book does, as do all this authors works contain clearly defined characters. The hero, the villain(s), the damsel in distress are present and well developed, but, far too common how her toes curl when her true love finally kisses her.
As a western writer the book does, as do all this authors works contain clearly defined characters. The hero, the villain(s), the damsel in distress are present and well developed, but, far too common how her toes curl when her true love finally kisses her.
June 2, 2017
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCE
A great western setting love story of pain, confusion and misbegotten behavior of persons, who were only concerned about themselves and what they could take for themselves. Our main character is set up for murder by a conniving woman, who didn't want her virtue soiled..scandalism would follow her for the rest of her life. There is incestuous relations of a brother and father aimed at his sisters. When the brother is killed, the father takes his place..and practically ruins ruined their lives and psyches.. Ugly, Ugly..your not going to put this story down, until you finish reading the entire story. The story touches a lot of areas, women rights which didn't exist. Something bad happens to females while living in those times, there wasn't any recourse for you other than marriage to some brutal egomaniac who automatically assumes whatever assets you would bring into the marriage..READ, READ ENJOY...🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻
A great western setting love story of pain, confusion and misbegotten behavior of persons, who were only concerned about themselves and what they could take for themselves. Our main character is set up for murder by a conniving woman, who didn't want her virtue soiled..scandalism would follow her for the rest of her life. There is incestuous relations of a brother and father aimed at his sisters. When the brother is killed, the father takes his place..and practically ruins ruined their lives and psyches.. Ugly, Ugly..your not going to put this story down, until you finish reading the entire story. The story touches a lot of areas, women rights which didn't exist. Something bad happens to females while living in those times, there wasn't any recourse for you other than marriage to some brutal egomaniac who automatically assumes whatever assets you would bring into the marriage..READ, READ ENJOY...🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻
March 26, 2018
Ongoing
Another good read, normal number of escaped cpu errors. The story is quite well written in that it's a page turner and a unique approach to the love story , well done.
Couple things to mention, at location 1447, you wrote; "We need to get some young heifers castrated..." Sorry, that's not in the realm of possibilities.
Then at location 3497, a couple of sentences made no sense. "If they were all cattle and branded and castrated. But the herd is probably only about half cattle I think." Doesn't make sense, they are all cattle; bulls, cows, heifers, uncut calves, branded, unbranded, ear marked, tagged or not. Cattle is the generic term that applies to semi domesticated farm/ranch bovine.
I would like to mention a first, that appeared in the first paragraph of chapter 6, last sentence. A refreshing dose of reality in the days of outdoor privies, or lack thereof. Thank you, those of us who have been there appreciate the honesty and the reality.
Another good read, normal number of escaped cpu errors. The story is quite well written in that it's a page turner and a unique approach to the love story , well done.
Couple things to mention, at location 1447, you wrote; "We need to get some young heifers castrated..." Sorry, that's not in the realm of possibilities.
Then at location 3497, a couple of sentences made no sense. "If they were all cattle and branded and castrated. But the herd is probably only about half cattle I think." Doesn't make sense, they are all cattle; bulls, cows, heifers, uncut calves, branded, unbranded, ear marked, tagged or not. Cattle is the generic term that applies to semi domesticated farm/ranch bovine.
I would like to mention a first, that appeared in the first paragraph of chapter 6, last sentence. A refreshing dose of reality in the days of outdoor privies, or lack thereof. Thank you, those of us who have been there appreciate the honesty and the reality.
March 4, 2024
I could totally relate to this handy fix-it man, in my own childhood enthralled with taking things (like my toys) and putting them back together. Naïve but sturdy, Max harbors an uncommon sense of moral duty and responsibility that costs him five years of his freedom, yet he makes the best of his circumstances—an inspiration to all of us when we think we’re down and out. Justice served, he returns to his hometown where he’s loved and respected but seems to face more treachery than life in prison! Petit works in a storyline of abused women who must heal from horrible experiences and discover the true meaning of love and security. PKB
August 15, 2021
Max who can fix anything went to the defense of a girl and accidentally killed a man sent to prison for 5 years
Max learned while he was in prison that the girl he went to defend from rape probably wasn't there for anything but a meeting with the boyfriend. He had been very naive about women. But he did the best he could do in prison was on the chain gang and repaired things for those around the prison. He did his 5 years and was released only to walk back into a male storm of suspense danger and more adventure than he planned on.
Max learned while he was in prison that the girl he went to defend from rape probably wasn't there for anything but a meeting with the boyfriend. He had been very naive about women. But he did the best he could do in prison was on the chain gang and repaired things for those around the prison. He did his 5 years and was released only to walk back into a male storm of suspense danger and more adventure than he planned on.
April 27, 2021
A very unusual book for Mr. Petit, but an enjoyable read. An accidental death, followed by five years in the State prison. Once released, Max is shot three times and has three attractive women residing in his home, none of whom is his wife. A fourth woman, who was deeply involved in Max's prison sentence, re-enters the scene and arranges two different scenarios to have Max killed. This is one of those books that was difficult to put down.
March 28, 2022
Some men are innocent and naïveté
Max came to the rescue of a girl who cried rape and fought off the aggressor who accidentally fell backwards and hit his head on a table killing him. Turns out the girl wasn’t innocent and the man was a pervert that molested his sisters. Before the truth was discovered Max chose to go to prison to serve 5 years because he really killed a man even though it was an accident. Much more to learn by reading the story.
Max came to the rescue of a girl who cried rape and fought off the aggressor who accidentally fell backwards and hit his head on a table killing him. Turns out the girl wasn’t innocent and the man was a pervert that molested his sisters. Before the truth was discovered Max chose to go to prison to serve 5 years because he really killed a man even though it was an accident. Much more to learn by reading the story.
November 4, 2017
The Fixer
Max spends 5 years in prison for causing the death of a man who he thought was raping a woman. However, most people in The town know that he was duped. He returns home after prison with hopes of continuing his business but soon finds out that some people want him dead. I highly recommend this author.
Max spends 5 years in prison for causing the death of a man who he thought was raping a woman. However, most people in The town know that he was duped. He returns home after prison with hopes of continuing his business but soon finds out that some people want him dead. I highly recommend this author.
March 12, 2018
Proper knowledge of what your writing about.
I enjoyed the story line as I have on several of your books. However you don't castrate heifers. That would be like a woman having her balls cut off. A heifer is a female cow that is less than 3 yrs old. You cut Bull calves NOT heifers.
I enjoyed the story line as I have on several of your books. However you don't castrate heifers. That would be like a woman having her balls cut off. A heifer is a female cow that is less than 3 yrs old. You cut Bull calves NOT heifers.
May 17, 2020
Another C.J. Petit western masterpiece novel. I loved it and read it almost non-stop for the past two days. It is a magical story of good over evil and love conquers all! It brings the reader to tears in more than one place that overpowers the reader with compassion and understanding of what is portrayed by the characters in the story. Well written and very heartwarming to the end.
June 20, 2021
Another great amazing Petit book.
This is a awesome clean book about being wronged, abuse, scars from the past, and healing. The story takes you through the intertwined lives of Max, Mary, Amanda, Patty, and especially scarred Colleen. The story takes you from sadness to madness into the lives of each of these people. It does have a ☺ ending.
This is a awesome clean book about being wronged, abuse, scars from the past, and healing. The story takes you through the intertwined lives of Max, Mary, Amanda, Patty, and especially scarred Colleen. The story takes you from sadness to madness into the lives of each of these people. It does have a ☺ ending.
September 26, 2021
Don't miss reading this one!
I almost missed this book, as I thought I had already read it, what a incredibly good storyline! Sad in places, but well written and loved how he and the banker set up Mary! I wish it would have told what the other two women did after Max and Colleen got married though!
I almost missed this book, as I thought I had already read it, what a incredibly good storyline! Sad in places, but well written and loved how he and the banker set up Mary! I wish it would have told what the other two women did after Max and Colleen got married though!
February 2, 2024
He can fix anythig
Overall this book was very entertaining. The only thing I found very confusing was johan's wife Patty s sister telling her future brother in law they had heifers to castrate. As far back as I can remember a heifers was a cow that had never birthed a calf hence no testicles.
Overall this book was very entertaining. The only thing I found very confusing was johan's wife Patty s sister telling her future brother in law they had heifers to castrate. As far back as I can remember a heifers was a cow that had never birthed a calf hence no testicles.
September 18, 2017
Your books
Just finished Max loved it have read several in the last month I. Grew up Zana gray Louis L'Amour then got in William w Johnstone books like am 60 years old read a lot my options you rate with above authors
Just finished Max loved it have read several in the last month I. Grew up Zana gray Louis L'Amour then got in William w Johnstone books like am 60 years old read a lot my options you rate with above authors
February 3, 2018
Master Repairman
Another beautifully told story by this author. It takes unconditional love and a lot of patience to heal a damaged spirit. I enjoy reading about characters that aren't greedy and practice the golden rule.
Another beautifully told story by this author. It takes unconditional love and a lot of patience to heal a damaged spirit. I enjoy reading about characters that aren't greedy and practice the golden rule.
June 14, 2018
Again!lol
What can i say, I totally enjoy another book by C.J.Petit. He has a way of writing that makes it hard for me to put the book. Give his book a try,I bet you will want to thank me.
What can i say, I totally enjoy another book by C.J.Petit. He has a way of writing that makes it hard for me to put the book. Give his book a try,I bet you will want to thank me.
September 24, 2018
Max
A touching story, again, about an honorable man, who cherishes women, and the hardships forced on them in the Old West! A man willing to interrupt his life to protect someone he thought had been wronged!
A touching story, again, about an honorable man, who cherishes women, and the hardships forced on them in the Old West! A man willing to interrupt his life to protect someone he thought had been wronged!
May 31, 2019
Outstanding!
Every book of this Authors,tha I have read,5o far has been 5 STAR !Thanks for letting us enjoy your work! I don't know if it I will write more reviews as thay are outstanding
Every book of this Authors,tha I have read,5o far has been 5 STAR !Thanks for letting us enjoy your work! I don't know if it I will write more reviews as thay are outstanding
June 27, 2020
Max
Just finished 2 in one night its 4:49 am. Will put another one on my phone. Then look for another one. Used to live in Burton. Less than 20 miles from Hutch.enjoy folks. I SURE DO JD.
Just finished 2 in one night its 4:49 am. Will put another one on my phone. Then look for another one. Used to live in Burton. Less than 20 miles from Hutch.enjoy folks. I SURE DO JD.
October 6, 2020
Another good Western by CJ Petit
Another enjoyable and quick read. Author has been very good at coming up with a good variety of stories. I recommend all of the author's stories for those who enjoy a quick and easy read.
Another enjoyable and quick read. Author has been very good at coming up with a good variety of stories. I recommend all of the author's stories for those who enjoy a quick and easy read.
February 20, 2022
Max
Mr. Petit writes a good story, though his heroes are sometimes unrealistically unbothered by gunshot wounds. And I sure wish he knew that a heifer is never castrated, because a heifer is female. A male is a calf, or bull calf.
Mr. Petit writes a good story, though his heroes are sometimes unrealistically unbothered by gunshot wounds. And I sure wish he knew that a heifer is never castrated, because a heifer is female. A male is a calf, or bull calf.
April 15, 2022
Cute story
Another unique tale that keeps you just turning the pages. I'm always amazed at the creative mind the author possesses as he writes such inventive yet totally enjoyable tales. I'm obviously a fan.
Another unique tale that keeps you just turning the pages. I'm always amazed at the creative mind the author possesses as he writes such inventive yet totally enjoyable tales. I'm obviously a fan.
July 24, 2025
Really wonderful western with a solid romance. I appreciate the concern for the welfare of the women throughout the story. While full of action, this novel contains more dialogue and exposition than the other CJ Petit novels that I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
August 9, 2017
Max
Enjoyable read. Another that's hard to put down. It's a different kind of western with the hero being a sweet naive guy that rescues abused girls.
Enjoyable read. Another that's hard to put down. It's a different kind of western with the hero being a sweet naive guy that rescues abused girls.
August 26, 2017
Great read
This is another great western, well researched, kept me reading until it was finished, many books I just have to stop reading becaue of poor content.
This is another great western, well researched, kept me reading until it was finished, many books I just have to stop reading becaue of poor content.
January 6, 2018
It was a good well-written book. This was the second CJ Petit Book for me and it was a lot like the first one plot-wise. I will read more and hope he has more than on plot in him.
June 24, 2018
Repaired
Can Max repair the person m I st important to him? After surviving 5 years in prison, can he survive coming home? Another great story by C. J. Petit.
Can Max repair the person m I st important to him? After surviving 5 years in prison, can he survive coming home? Another great story by C. J. Petit.
September 26, 2018
Max
This book has an easy to follow plot and interesting characters. I recommend this book to all lovers of historical, adventure, romance novels.
This book has an easy to follow plot and interesting characters. I recommend this book to all lovers of historical, adventure, romance novels.
December 28, 2018
Another. Homerun.
I cannot find anything to say except good job. Mr. Petit did it again. Another of my favorites. Thank you.
I cannot find anything to say except good job. Mr. Petit did it again. Another of my favorites. Thank you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews