Rachel looked down at her husband’s dead body, the long knife protruding from his gut. She knew she’d be hanged or shot if she stayed in Missoula, so she’d have to run. But where could she go? The only place that came to mind was the hidden valley northwest of town. It was owned by a loner named Marsh Anderson, whom she had never met. She was going to have to bet her life that he wouldn’t turn her in to the sheriff, the brother of her dead husband.
Most 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.
C. J. Petit did an exceptionally great job with this novel of Marsh and his valley. The numerous stories of his gunfight escapades were very believable. There is plenty of romance and mysteries to satisfy the reader, also.
Five stars are almost a disgrace to this great and worthy western story. The storylines and characters were beyond belief. I was very impressed with the love and compassion exhibited throughout the entire story.
Marsh was an exceptionally well perceived character and his consistent display of character was very descriptive throughout the entire story. I have had the opportunity to read, and enjoy, a dozen or so novels by Mr. Petit and every one is five stars, or better.
I, most certainly, recommend this novel to anyone living great western romantic stories, as I am most definitely assured you will not be disappointed. I will be seeking another of Mr. Petit's novel, if I can find one I have not read. Please, do yourself a favor and follow Mr. Petit's stories. Your loss if you do not!
Good man,wronged woman ,crooked sheriff everything works out. Surprise,surprise. No plot to speak of and characters unsympathetic and really didn’t care how it ended.
Marsh finally found his belly to live in bought it and the three parcels at the entrance to make sure that he had his privacy
Marsh rode into town to pick up supplies and learned about Rachel Shipman who had killed her husband and disappeared and how a huge posse was looking for her. The whole thing was very peculiar and made Marsh wonder what in the world was going on. Anything that involved Marshall Shipman and his brothers was always on the other side of the law so he figured the whole thing was a mystery that he needed to solve. The Shipmans and and two of their friends came to his ranch in the valley and wanted to search it. Marsh didn't mind as long as they were behaving themselves and didn't make a mess but they did anyway in the cabin. The sheriff in one of his brothers came out the next day again to search and Billy the sheriff's brother went up into the tower to look into the valley and saw movement to the West immediately Marsh jumped on his bareback horse with his 76 Winchester and the sheriff and Billy followed him on their horses as he tore off to the West. There've been tracks of a big grizzly bear and Marsh just knew that's what it was. Marsh shot the grizzly bear and brought it down as it was right in front of him. The sheriff and Billy had to come see the grizzly and it was huge and they wanted a claw from it and Marsh said that was fine. After the sheriff and Billy left proudly waving their trophies, Marsh called out to Rachel whom he had seen through the trees and told her it was safe to come out. He took her back to his house and there continued the suspenseful and dangerous adventures of the Shipman Brothers and others that wanted to do them harm.
Been a few books since my last review of one of Petit's books but I haven't stopped reading them. This work maybe his best so far as errors of proofreading, although there are errors. The book moves quickly with the plot evolving using all introduced characters. Just when you thought the central players could get on with loving and living, another bad guy would show up! Well done. I liked the house and tower concept and especially the valley. The hot springs is a great idea a nd believable given the geographical location. I also liked the more modest depiction of their lovemaking. Leaving something to the imagination is often the best route. And I didn't miss the lack of "toe-curling" descriptions. I really liked the book and will continue reading them till I have read them all. I highly recommend this to all fans of the western genre.
MARSH's VALLEY has such beautiful characters, so full of life and personality that just undead themselves to your heart. It almost feels like you really know them. Both are what some would consider damaged people, but their unique character does come shining through. Their journey is one that I will read time and again. This makes book #28 that I own from this author, and he just gets better and better with each new book. I always look forward to getting each new book as soon as it comes out. Please keep writing such beautiful material for people like me who needs to take mental and emotional travels through the books that we read. BRAVO 👏👏 BRAVO!!!!!
An orphan who was left on the steps, never knowing who her parents were. Aged out of the orphanage, started working as a waitress where she was humiliated by the antics of the male customers, who physically pinched her and who made lurid remarks without SHAME..Bad marriages, domestic violence perpetrated by the Stanley Brothers, women living during those days had absolutely no rights, could be murdered without any repercussions. This young girl, Rachel married older wealthy men which wasn't unusual, and these men weren't nice men. As all of C.J Petit stories they start out sad, but doggone it everyone lives happily ever after. I love these stories, they are fast moving stories...Love them and so will you..Yippee..Yippee
The decision between four or five stars was hard. See for five star it would have to be very close to perfection. It wasn't perfect , misspellings throughout, and words added in when it wasn't needed. When you have a story this good you glance over these errors. I had a hard time putting this book down, when I couldn't keep my eyes open, I had to stop until the next day. This is the second book that I have read and I am still pleased and ready to read a third story.
There is no way I can say which of this author's books I love the most!
I love reading, Western's will always be my favorite and thi ss author has managed to capture the West in a intriguing way! Very few good authors have put together romance, morals, or cowboy creed, and a brilliant storyline like C.J.Petit! Once again he created a masterpiece! There was a moment I thought perhaps this one was going to have a plain ending but it was perfect as always! Thank you, sir for all my late night\early morning sighs as I finish another amazing book!
The first half of this book was an enjoyable read. Then, the story is turned on its head when Marsh starts meeting women. It was Rachel that turned into an immediate love and the "perfect wife". I thought the story went south from there. Petit has several of his heros acclaimimg the "perfect wife" which requires a lot of bedroom time. Becomes monotonous after a while. Couldn't believe the unexpected knock on the door that Marsh just opens...to get he and Rachel shot. This was after Marsh had anticipated all other intrusions into the valley. As I said the first half of the book was good but it evolved into the never ending story.
Now, I read a lot, and try to give a fair review for authors and readers who like them. I have to say that of all the books by C.J. Petit that l have read so far, this novel is the most outstanding piece of Western/Pioneer fiction that l have found in quite a while. I urge readers of this genre to be sure to discover this excellently written novel before they miss out!
A Knight without armor with the heart of the hero. The Damsel in distress without even a glimmer of hope. Circumstances and the jaws and paws of a Grizzly bear bring them together to fight side by side. Love at first sight and the courage of both to protect the kingdom and each other. Against over whelming odds they prevail to..... Well I guess you'll just have to read the fairytale to find out. It will be worth it.
A Montana Western of a Strong Man and Woman/Ranchers @ Philanthropist
CJP has written another enjoyable western about a man and woman who meet over a Grizzly Bear. From that point on they felt loved by each other even though they faced many trials and tribulations. They faced these together and survived. This is an excellent read for the genre.....ER
This is probably the best book I have ever read. I could never imagine a better storyline that I could ever dream about. This love story in this book was very touching for this 70 year old man. I lived in Montana for a while and have raised horses for over 30 years. Thank you for a very enjoyable read.
A severely abused woman finds unexpected help from a stranger. Petit continues to write great Westerns. Another fast moving, well written novel that is full of suspense. I highly recommend this author since I have enjoyed reading every novel by him that I purchased.
This was the best book I have read from its author, he did an outstanding job on writing this story. I could put myself into this valley and dream wishing I could be there. As always the main character was a very good man who helped others fell in love. This story was full of romance and excitement. I recommend this book.
Less detail, ad nauseam, about guns more research into people's behavior in the time written about was needed. Not a bad story but a lot of grammatical errors and no clue about women. No one walked, ambled or perambulated they all 'trotted'.
I liked the story. However,, after Rachel and Marsh ment I focusing in conversations between them he used her name way more than is normal when two people talk to each other. I finally tried to just not read her name every time it was written. Also, the word trot or trotted was way over used.
I did not enjoy how the book was written. There was a lot of telling and not as much showing if you know what I mean. The story itself was okay I kept thinking maybe this has potential, maybe this will unfold nicely, but not so much. It lacked character and warmth. Characters fell in love in a day and there was no real development.
One of the best stories I've ever read but this book I've read before and kept with my other books as I sometimes reread a book. I've read that there was a great deal of violence in the early days of the country and no law to speak of . Bad sheriff's were common. It was a great book indeed. Thank you Mr. Petit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Marsh and Rachel have fulfilled my childhood dreams.
How wonderful would it be, finding YOUR own dream site on God's beautiful earth, where you can actually feel and see the many wonders of our grand planet. Before we became so very greedy that we have begun the destruction of that ideal site.
When rating this book, I choose 4stars and changed it to 5 after reading the authors BIO. The author is self published and his story is as interesting as the Hero in the book. I too enjoy reading positive stories and I fell in Love with Marsh. I do glad the author decided to write. I have already down loaded another book by C.J. Petit.
Wonderful and exciting story of Marsh and his wife. It was a hard life for her but Marsh believed in her and loved her at first sight. They both had someone trying to kill them but Marsh overcame their attempts. Great Epilogue to hear the wonderful life after the birth of five daughters and a son.
I think I have read all of Petit novels but in my attempt to read them all I some times end up reading more than one for a second time. I enjoy reading the second time almost as I did reading for the first time. I'm still searching for a book I might have over looked.
Another awesome tale by CJ Petit, where the perpetrators of evil are made accountable, wrongs are set right, and the outcome is memorable. Petit always fulfills the reader’s desire to hear the rest of the story by including an epilogue of where life leads the main players. Well done Mr. Petit! I am definitely a fan….
money, money, money, Grizzly bears, hot springs ponds
Another good story! Marsh finds a beautiful valley and builds a cabin and a house. I love a man that can build. He rescues a woman who has had a hard life. (Grew up an orphan) She was married three times (a little much) but understandable and it was a big part of the story. The end was so full of money.
Another great read by C. J. Petit with all the mysteries and exciting adventures that make a great western come alive in your mind. A great storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat so much so that you can't put your book down. I really enjoyed this one. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!!
When I read the brief description it sounded like a story I'd like. Oh, it is so very much more! Every thing mentioned is handled. Every loose end is completely and neatly tied. We are not left wondering how it all turns out. Superb story telling!!!
Good story line with lots of mistakes, grammar and facts!
The story content was good, but, Lots of errors, Sam the horse was referred to as a mule. Zeke came back from the dead as John's brother. Grammatical errors by the dozen, takes away from the content.
Typical of Petit, abuse against women prevails. But, as always, justice is served against the abusers. Marsh, the hero, is a truly good and giving man. Pairing up with Rachel makes a good team.
Rachel and Marsh are so very interesting. Their love story really moved me. The only problem I had with this book was there was,obviously, no proofreading done. The grammatical errors were distracting. That's why I could only give it 4 stars.