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A.J. Smith
AJ Smith had finally achieved his Big Dream. He had his ranch, a good-sized herd, and a healthy bank account. He thought he had finally added the last, most important part of the dream when Hannah Jacobsen, recent widow and mother of two, moved in with her sister in the neighboring ranch. But the reason she had become a widow would turn into a harrowing race across two counties, sometimes as the pursuer and other times as the pursued.
- GenresWesterns
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2017
1030 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Petit
103 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 79 reviews
September 3, 2021
AJ had to go rescue Hannah from the kidnappers
This adventure starts out that way with retired gunman lawman AJ Smith settling down at his ranch and 4 years later having to rescue a neighbor from kidnappers. He rescues her and they become close and he kills the bad guys one by one as they come against him. The adventures continue with the mind sending a couple of roughnecks after Hannah to kill her because she possibly knows the location of the missing payroll money. In the meantime AJ gets her home and Courts her. The two mining assassins see Rachel Hannah's sister and think that's the one they're supposed to kill. AJ sees them aiming for Rachel and fires his gun near Rachel's so she'll drop to the ground. Rachel does and the shot misses her from the assassin's gun.
This adventure starts out that way with retired gunman lawman AJ Smith settling down at his ranch and 4 years later having to rescue a neighbor from kidnappers. He rescues her and they become close and he kills the bad guys one by one as they come against him. The adventures continue with the mind sending a couple of roughnecks after Hannah to kill her because she possibly knows the location of the missing payroll money. In the meantime AJ gets her home and Courts her. The two mining assassins see Rachel Hannah's sister and think that's the one they're supposed to kill. AJ sees them aiming for Rachel and fires his gun near Rachel's so she'll drop to the ground. Rachel does and the shot misses her from the assassin's gun.
April 15, 2018
#18
18 down and a bunch to go, so far so good. AJ was an interesting change, good character development and nice relationship with his adoptive son, well done. The action, the riding, shooting etc was up to your usual high standards.
There's a minor mystery at location 1539 in Chapter 3; people were placed in a windowless room with no lock on the door. And then; "the big man used the rope to fashion a more secure lock than any simple bolt. When he finished, the door was tightly closed and the occupants trapped inside." An inside door on an inside spare room with no protrusions, poles, posts, hooks, iron rods or anything else available to secure the rope to, just HOW was this possible?
In the spring in Kansas it does get warm, but 4-5 hours inside a bunkhouse out of the direct contact with the sun, a body would NOT be so rotten or decomposed to make it necessary to burn the structure down because of an removable odor!
At location 2684, "seen the bloom of smoke rising into the air in the cloudless sky at their 10 o'clock position." "They were 3 miles back."
Bull! Black powder smoke from a pistol at 3 miles even on a clear day, not likely. There's always a slight breeze on the open plains and the smoke is small.
But I must admit, I love your story all the 17 others I have read as well. Keep on rolling, I'm on to number 19!
18 down and a bunch to go, so far so good. AJ was an interesting change, good character development and nice relationship with his adoptive son, well done. The action, the riding, shooting etc was up to your usual high standards.
There's a minor mystery at location 1539 in Chapter 3; people were placed in a windowless room with no lock on the door. And then; "the big man used the rope to fashion a more secure lock than any simple bolt. When he finished, the door was tightly closed and the occupants trapped inside." An inside door on an inside spare room with no protrusions, poles, posts, hooks, iron rods or anything else available to secure the rope to, just HOW was this possible?
In the spring in Kansas it does get warm, but 4-5 hours inside a bunkhouse out of the direct contact with the sun, a body would NOT be so rotten or decomposed to make it necessary to burn the structure down because of an removable odor!
At location 2684, "seen the bloom of smoke rising into the air in the cloudless sky at their 10 o'clock position." "They were 3 miles back."
Bull! Black powder smoke from a pistol at 3 miles even on a clear day, not likely. There's always a slight breeze on the open plains and the smoke is small.
But I must admit, I love your story all the 17 others I have read as well. Keep on rolling, I'm on to number 19!
October 8, 2017
A.J. SMITH. KUDDO'S. AGAIN !!!!!!!!
Again C.J. Petit has written a tale of the good guy's doing what is right for all the right reasons and walking away from the experiences with much more than they started with. This book is certainly worth the time and effort to sit down and just enjoy the moment. I have truly become a fan of this author, because I am never disappointed in the final outcome . I recently read a book from another author , and in the last five pages became very angry that I had just wasted the last seven hours just to absolutely hate the last five pages. Needless to say, I'll not waste my time of money on that one again, however C.J. PETIT never disappoints, he only gets better !!!!!! BRAVO 👏👏👏
Again C.J. Petit has written a tale of the good guy's doing what is right for all the right reasons and walking away from the experiences with much more than they started with. This book is certainly worth the time and effort to sit down and just enjoy the moment. I have truly become a fan of this author, because I am never disappointed in the final outcome . I recently read a book from another author , and in the last five pages became very angry that I had just wasted the last seven hours just to absolutely hate the last five pages. Needless to say, I'll not waste my time of money on that one again, however C.J. PETIT never disappoints, he only gets better !!!!!! BRAVO 👏👏👏
February 11, 2020
KIDNAPPING, WIDOW & FAMILY, NEWS, STOLEN PAYROLL, RANCHS
One more 5 STARS Old West Era Drama that is an Excellent Package of Excitement from CJP. This read starts with one great openings for any book that should get any reader say WoW, because it definitely has enough Snap, Crackle, & Pop for everyone! Action Packed with gun battles that you can almost see the smoke from the guns after they are fired. AJ was a Deputy at 18 so he could start saving money in order to buy a ranch but then got his ranch and became a known rancher. It is very moving emotionally besides the Flair, Action, Secret Service & all of the Surprising things the reader will love as they happen. Don't wait you're missing out as you are!
One more 5 STARS Old West Era Drama that is an Excellent Package of Excitement from CJP. This read starts with one great openings for any book that should get any reader say WoW, because it definitely has enough Snap, Crackle, & Pop for everyone! Action Packed with gun battles that you can almost see the smoke from the guns after they are fired. AJ was a Deputy at 18 so he could start saving money in order to buy a ranch but then got his ranch and became a known rancher. It is very moving emotionally besides the Flair, Action, Secret Service & all of the Surprising things the reader will love as they happen. Don't wait you're missing out as you are!
November 26, 2017
I continue to be impressed with Mr. C. J. Petit's wonderful storytelling and his selection of characters always amazes me. This story is definitely one of his best.
Well worthy of the five stars I awarded it and the storyline was very well selected by the author. I was hooked from the beginning and the success of pertinent details were very well stated. I had no problem following the vivid details, as the author was very explicit in his descriptive exploits of each and every character throughout the entire . I certainly recommend this novel to all readers who love an exciting western romance story, as I believe this will definitely fill your needs.
Well worthy of the five stars I awarded it and the storyline was very well selected by the author. I was hooked from the beginning and the success of pertinent details were very well stated. I had no problem following the vivid details, as the author was very explicit in his descriptive exploits of each and every character throughout the entire . I certainly recommend this novel to all readers who love an exciting western romance story, as I believe this will definitely fill your needs.
October 14, 2017
THE MISSING MONEY
Ah, C.J. Petit a writer of love for lovers who meet under unusual situations. Those situations are about domestic abuse and child abuse which seem to feed off of each other, you know a kind of symbiosis which some how filter into a lovely, descent relationship.
After you've read his books, the plot is about how quickly this man and woman fall in love and how considerate they are to each other, you don't care because it's heart warming to read there are decent humans out there.
Ah, C.J. Petit a writer of love for lovers who meet under unusual situations. Those situations are about domestic abuse and child abuse which seem to feed off of each other, you know a kind of symbiosis which some how filter into a lovely, descent relationship.
After you've read his books, the plot is about how quickly this man and woman fall in love and how considerate they are to each other, you don't care because it's heart warming to read there are decent humans out there.
April 5, 2024
Dicing with death and dirty dealing here where a large (and greedy) mining concern has something big to hide after a stage coach heist turns sour and the loot is hidden beyond the average detective's comprehension. Leave it to a commons sense man to find it and expose the company's dirty laundry ... after killing off his boot-licking minions. The arrogant still try to get away with this sort of #@&$ today. PKB
June 9, 2018
4 Star's
When Hannah's husband is hanged for a train robbery. Everyone from the law, to the train company, to a mining company thinks she knows where he hid the stolen money. She and her children flee from Dodge City where they meet A.J. Smith who is determined to prove her innocence.
When Hannah's husband is hanged for a train robbery. Everyone from the law, to the train company, to a mining company thinks she knows where he hid the stolen money. She and her children flee from Dodge City where they meet A.J. Smith who is determined to prove her innocence.
March 9, 2019
Good, but
Too many mistakes. The 1876 Winchester could not hold 15 rounds. The .44-40 round used in the 1873 Winchester is about 1.3 inches. The shortest round .45 used in the 1876 is 1.9 inches, while the most common one is 2.1 inches. The constellation Orion is not visible in Kansas in late spring.
Too many mistakes. The 1876 Winchester could not hold 15 rounds. The .44-40 round used in the 1873 Winchester is about 1.3 inches. The shortest round .45 used in the 1876 is 1.9 inches, while the most common one is 2.1 inches. The constellation Orion is not visible in Kansas in late spring.
March 25, 2019
The Cowboy and his milady., Hannah
I so much enjoyed this story from beginning to end. All of the characters were portrayed nicely. I especially liked the two children, Joey and Becky. The plot was very believable and getting to know them all, quite easy. I look forward to another book by C.J. Petit.
I so much enjoyed this story from beginning to end. All of the characters were portrayed nicely. I especially liked the two children, Joey and Becky. The plot was very believable and getting to know them all, quite easy. I look forward to another book by C.J. Petit.
June 20, 2021
The Life and Times of A.J.Smith
This was simply an OUTSTANDING western novel. This book has everything! Kidnapping, shootouts, bad guys, tons of action and was very hard to put down. Petit continues to amaze me. I would highly recommend this one to anyone who loves westerns. Oh,there was also a touch of romance as well.
This was simply an OUTSTANDING western novel. This book has everything! Kidnapping, shootouts, bad guys, tons of action and was very hard to put down. Petit continues to amaze me. I would highly recommend this one to anyone who loves westerns. Oh,there was also a touch of romance as well.
December 5, 2021
Another great Petit book.
A J Smith is a very happy x-lawman and current rancher. Heather's husband is hanged for train robbery, but she is suspect of knowing where the missing robbery money is and has to flee with her two children. When she arrives at A J's neighbor ranch he is compelled to save her from those threatening her life. Another fun any exciting Petit book.
A J Smith is a very happy x-lawman and current rancher. Heather's husband is hanged for train robbery, but she is suspect of knowing where the missing robbery money is and has to flee with her two children. When she arrives at A J's neighbor ranch he is compelled to save her from those threatening her life. Another fun any exciting Petit book.
January 11, 2022
Exceptional as always
I have yet to read a novel by this author I didn't like. This is no exception. Highly reccommended if you enjoy a good story. Before reading this author I hadn't read a western but will explore other now I have almost read the eighty books written by this author in just four weeks.
I have yet to read a novel by this author I didn't like. This is no exception. Highly reccommended if you enjoy a good story. Before reading this author I hadn't read a western but will explore other now I have almost read the eighty books written by this author in just four weeks.
February 7, 2022
This author has a unique style of writing. Very to the dot, no flowing words or descriptions, yet it’s got its own way of keeping you reading. This is definitely a western back in the day, life is rugged and hard story. It’s got a happy ending, but lots of fight to get there.
It’s a pg18 book as they share intimacies before and after marriage. Nothing so descriptive but there and talked about
It’s a pg18 book as they share intimacies before and after marriage. Nothing so descriptive but there and talked about
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November 29, 2022I Love this author!
What amazing talented author C.J. Petit is! An incredible story teller. I just can't stop reading his work!
I highly recommend any one of his books! They're all great. I feel confident I'm saying you won't be disappointed. I'm so hooked that I can't stop buying and reading his exciting stories.
What amazing talented author C.J. Petit is! An incredible story teller. I just can't stop reading his work!
I highly recommend any one of his books! They're all great. I feel confident I'm saying you won't be disappointed. I'm so hooked that I can't stop buying and reading his exciting stories.
February 7, 2025
AJ Smith
Once again, I started reading this story and couldn’t put it down until I finished it. That is the true sign of a great author. Much like Mitchner and other authors, starting at the beginning and continuing to build the story to its logical conclusion is what I like about CJ Petit’s western stories
Once again, I started reading this story and couldn’t put it down until I finished it. That is the true sign of a great author. Much like Mitchner and other authors, starting at the beginning and continuing to build the story to its logical conclusion is what I like about CJ Petit’s western stories
June 29, 2025
A great story of luck and salvation
C.J. Petit remains true to his craft in writing this engrossing story about a lucky man and an unlucky woman. A once in a lifetime poker game. A first time robbery. A misbegotten treasure that captures the public’s attention. And consistent with all of Petit’s stories, a warming love story.
C.J. Petit remains true to his craft in writing this engrossing story about a lucky man and an unlucky woman. A once in a lifetime poker game. A first time robbery. A misbegotten treasure that captures the public’s attention. And consistent with all of Petit’s stories, a warming love story.
October 28, 2017
Another good one!
Another good book from C.J. Petit! I just recently discovered this author and have thoroughly enjoyed each book I've read. This book was probably my favorite of the three I've read.
Another good book from C.J. Petit! I just recently discovered this author and have thoroughly enjoyed each book I've read. This book was probably my favorite of the three I've read.
October 30, 2017
Full of adventure and thrills
Most westerns have an event and a resolution, long or short , of that event. In this one things just keep happening all from the same cause but distinct one from the other.
Great writing despite a few funny autocorrect(?) Misplaced words.
Most westerns have an event and a resolution, long or short , of that event. In this one things just keep happening all from the same cause but distinct one from the other.
Great writing despite a few funny autocorrect(?) Misplaced words.
December 29, 2017
A j Smith
I enjoyed the book because it was lite reading. No suspense. It's the type of book that you can enjoy at. Night to just relax. My only problem was it not being proof read very thorough.
I enjoyed the book because it was lite reading. No suspense. It's the type of book that you can enjoy at. Night to just relax. My only problem was it not being proof read very thorough.
January 9, 2018
A.J. Smith
This was an absolutely great book and storyline. I have read five of your books so far and each one is outstanding. This book like the previous ones was filled with tons of action and suspense. Best part about these stories is the great love stories.
This was an absolutely great book and storyline. I have read five of your books so far and each one is outstanding. This book like the previous ones was filled with tons of action and suspense. Best part about these stories is the great love stories.
January 12, 2018
Really enjoy C.J. Petit's books.
The women are lovely, the bad guys are terrible, the good guys, well, you wish there were lots of men like them and that you knew some of them. There is murder and mayhem, justice and love. They are a joy to read.
The women are lovely, the bad guys are terrible, the good guys, well, you wish there were lots of men like them and that you knew some of them. There is murder and mayhem, justice and love. They are a joy to read.
January 15, 2018
Good read plenty of cowboy , just read it if you like action this should be a good book for any one te
Reading a well told story is just what this is, it isn't just about riding around on a horse .
Reading a well told story is just what this is, it isn't just about riding around on a horse .
January 24, 2018
S
A VERY GOOD STORY
What a great book. AJ and Hannah experiences were extraordinary. What a great day it was with all the elements that the author puts into his stories. A TRULY great story. LCR
A VERY GOOD STORY
What a great book. AJ and Hannah experiences were extraordinary. What a great day it was with all the elements that the author puts into his stories. A TRULY great story. LCR
January 29, 2018
A. J. Smith
Another page turner that continues the western culture with excitement and entertainment. A mastery of story telling. A good read for anyone who likes that western flare.
Another page turner that continues the western culture with excitement and entertainment. A mastery of story telling. A good read for anyone who likes that western flare.
February 28, 2018
A.J.
I've read five of you're books in three days and I love all of them. You have action, love and a lot of adventure. I am about to read Luke, I know it will be as enjoyable as A.J. Smith.
I've read five of you're books in three days and I love all of them. You have action, love and a lot of adventure. I am about to read Luke, I know it will be as enjoyable as A.J. Smith.
May 6, 2018
Wonderful easy read!
C.J. never ceases to amaze me. I am in all of how he winds and tells his stories. He is an amazing story teller and I would recommend any of his books to all of my friends and any other reader who would like to read a good story.
C.J. never ceases to amaze me. I am in all of how he winds and tells his stories. He is an amazing story teller and I would recommend any of his books to all of my friends and any other reader who would like to read a good story.
September 3, 2018
A good western
Petite writes about a part of the early West mostly left out of western stories. What happen to guns of dead criminals and what happen to rewards is interesting to read. I wonder if cowboys in real life ever had the amount of money talked about in these stories.
Petite writes about a part of the early West mostly left out of western stories. What happen to guns of dead criminals and what happen to rewards is interesting to read. I wonder if cowboys in real life ever had the amount of money talked about in these stories.
March 22, 2019
Fun!
What did I like the most? This was fun, exciting and endearing, all in one. What I liked the least? The editorial errors. I swear, man, do not you have a proofreader? Send me your proofs...I will edit them for free! I wish.
What did I like the most? This was fun, exciting and endearing, all in one. What I liked the least? The editorial errors. I swear, man, do not you have a proofreader? Send me your proofs...I will edit them for free! I wish.
June 15, 2019
Top notch
One of CJs best works. Everything you want in your western...good guys, and bad guys, furious battles and a lady in distress. All tied up nicely in the end. These works by CJP are addicting, you can't just read one.
One of CJs best works. Everything you want in your western...good guys, and bad guys, furious battles and a lady in distress. All tied up nicely in the end. These works by CJP are addicting, you can't just read one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews