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Sheriff Joe

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Sheriff Joe Brooks was talking to a young prisoner who gave him some incredibly bad news. Three notorious gangs of outlaws had merged into one large band big enough to take over entire towns in his sparsely populated county. It was when they began to terrorize his county that he had to act, and he’d have to take them on alone.

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2018

1409 people are currently reading
69 people want to read

About the author

C.J. Petit

104 books223 followers
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.

(Read the full bio on Amazon)

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5 stars
1,998 (69%)
4 stars
635 (21%)
3 stars
191 (6%)
2 stars
42 (1%)
1 star
22 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
1,402 reviews13 followers
May 8, 2018
Sheriff Joe is very worthy of the title, and this story is definitely worth reading. There is continuous excitement and the author does an excellent job in his descriptive, and detailed, episodes throughout the entire book!

Again, five stars don't do this novel justice, and this is a continuing statement by me. I am not sorry I'm stating this, but I do reconcile it really signifies the best of the best.

The storylines, characters, and the exciting episodes in this book are unsurpassed by any other book I have previously read. Each character represents their assigned duties above and beyond all expectations.

Mr. Petit surpassed all expectations in his efforts throughout this entire novel. I am always impressed with his efforts to make each new novel better than the previous story. So far, I believe his is is being successful.

Most definitely recommend this book, and all other stories by this very distinguished and gifted author. To miss read any Petit move is definitely a great loss.
139 reviews
May 6, 2018
It's another winner

Petit never fails to entertain. I almost wish I would never come to the end of his stories. This one is no exception to the rule. In this story the protagonist is a well beloved lawman. Sheriff Joe is loved by all yet has no one to love and doesn't know how to remedy that problem until he meets Emma. His apparent death wish begins to fade as he wipes out the gang that had kidnapped
28 reviews
July 1, 2018
Great story about kidnappings by an abusive gang and rescued by a boy and Sheriff.

I found myself wrapped up in this book, you get so angry with the bad men because they are so heartless and cruel. Then the victims are rescued by the sheriff and a boy that walked several miles the tell sheriff that his mom and sisters were taken. The main characters all had strong personalities. This is a wonderful book I would recommend to anyone, C J Petit writes a wonderful story.
380 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2018
Amazing Sheriff

Fantastic story of an amazing, intelligent, and brave Sheriff. Exciting adventure of Sheriff Joe pursuing outlaws and bringing justice. Also a beautiful love story of Emma and Sheriff Joe. Lessons learned a strong events in his life and his deputies and young Billy and young Ben. Could not put my. Kindle down. Wanted to read it all. Enjoyed the West in the hands of CJ Petit.
10 reviews
May 7, 2018
Loved this book Sheriff Joe it kept me interested to the very end. I loved all the characters and the way the story was put together. Look forward to reading many more books from this auther

Loved the characters and the way the whole story was put together. I have read everyone of c.j. Petite books. Sheriff Joe was a great character.
Profile Image for Betty Melton.
227 reviews
August 6, 2018
Sheriff Joe

I think I am in love. This author has captured my heart. His spell binding, fast moving, captivating books have hooked me. His ability to make you a part of the tale is astounding. I can not say enough about his writing. I am off to discover the next plot waiting to unravel
1,249 reviews23 followers
August 4, 2018
NEVER SAY NEVER

Three games vs joined together to create a hangout for the owlhoots on the run. They could find peace free from law dogs. A safe haven that gangs can rob pillage the countryside and other states and come back to safety, of course for percentage of their take. These three gangs kidnapped women, young girls from three ranches to work prepare food and service the men. The gang stole furnishings and food stuffs from these farms to furnish the empty properties in this gangster town.
Good fast reading and lots going on. Love factions between the many widowed and their daughters. You'll enjoy reading this story of the West and how some of those couples stayed together for more than fifty years, and their love still strong as if they just met..
33 reviews3 followers
February 27, 2022
Sheriff Joe

This is one of the best if not the best of CJ Petit’s western stories. We all strive to be the best men and women we can be - men and women of honor and courage who steadfastly take the next step in what ever circumstances. Always there are evil but the good men and women continue to stand against it. Although the story touches on evils no one wants to think about, it more importantly shows the power and perseverance, the hope and victory… and the wisdom of good men and women who live selflessly. Are there rewards… absolutely as this western depicts. God bless all the Sheriff Joe’s and Emma’s and all those who choose good over evil in this world trusting in God for the next life.
994 reviews10 followers
May 4, 2020
OUTLAWS, RAPES,LAW, LONLINESS

Swirling with fast paced Shoot-em up action along with emotional packed thoughts of lonliness, gut wrenching descriptions of feelings of being raped, & the questions in mind about how people only knew him as Sheriff not as a separate person Joe Brooks I give 5 STARS. Furthermore, Joe gives a compelling speech at the big campfire about keeping your baby over giving your baby up. This highly charged intelligent interesting Old West Era Drama is a great one that shows women exploited & I for one person think a lot of women were treated this way but it just wasn't well known.
38 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2023
No Words

This will be the one that I've read out of all the CJ books to touch hearts.
I have read down the long list of his books since I found this author, He writes with
absolute been there done that experience!
Western writers come in many categories, those who are out doing good research and
Those who can talk family who were there.
Then the truly GREAT WESTERN AUTHORS
who don't only write about west BUT the people of the old western days. About living, loving, scared but also doing what had be done best way they could. CJ PETIT
made this reader feel the people in this book. Just one his books I had stay see ending!
567 reviews5 followers
May 1, 2018
Sheriff Joe

CJP never disappoints, just that simple. His story not only has plenty of action from Joe Brooks, but it always amazes me that CJP's characters have so much description that I always feel as though I truly know them. That makes all his books such a joy to read. The love of his life, Emma, was just exactly what he needed to make his life complete. CJP just keeps getting better and better. Keep the new books coming, I can't wait for the next one!!! BRAVO 👏 👏 👏 BRAVO!!!!
3,198 reviews26 followers
May 3, 2018
A Wyoming Western/A Sheriff/9 Kidnappings/A Rescue/A Life Long Marriage

CUP has penned his 40th Novel either as new novels or reissued of previous novels penned before Kindle. He has again chosen to write about setting female and male roles. In this instance he writes of a long term Sheriff who protects the innocent by stopping those guilty of nefarious crimes against his community and county. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
94 reviews3 followers
May 8, 2018
Mr. Petit

This is one of your best books! Everything about the old West was hard especially the men & women. However, you brought out the characters of Joe, Billy, Emma, and Hanger Bob as the hardest. Joe for being the toughest of men, Billy a smart, courageous young man, Emma a true symbol of womenhood, and Hanger Bob the worst outlaw that ever was!!!
226 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2018
C.J. Petit has written another great western story!

Joe Brooks is a hero and savior for many people in his county. He saved a group of women who were facing a horrible future. The odds were stacked against him, but he did”not think twice. He was severely injured but lived to a ripe old age. Great book.
212 reviews
June 16, 2018
People helping people

This is an almost unbelievable story. Yet it could be true. It is very captivating and keeps you reading. The biggest thing I find wrong with this author is the use of the word trot, trotted everyone people, horses trot every where. In this book some jogging was add,
731 reviews3 followers
February 20, 2022
Landers Of Fremont County

This was one great western! It's the story of Sheriff Joe Brooks and his many perilous actions while serving as a lawman for the city of Landers in the late1800s. It's also the story of the love of his life, Emma. It's filled with action and was hard to put down. I would definitely recommend it!
184 reviews
July 8, 2022
Excellent

Very enjoyable and interesting story. The situations and people were enlightening. The passion and struggles that the individuals faced were captivating. I found it extremely hard to put the novel down. I highly recommend the book to anybody who enjoys reading western books.
25 reviews
December 24, 2022
A very humanistic western story

This book covers all the human emotions necessary for western action as a very well integrated love story between two people who had come from some rough beginnings. This couple as well as others had to live through some tough times and prevailed regardless of the obstacles. A good read and highly recommended action western with romance overtures.
1,468 reviews3 followers
September 11, 2023
My Favorite by CJ Petit

Sheriff Joe was a good man, a great Sheriff. But he was lonely, until he saved 3 widows, and 6 young women from a terrible gang. Joe and his wife lived a Happy contented life. If i write any more there will be spoilers, and this book is to darn good to ruin for other readers.
178 reviews3 followers
May 1, 2018
Great western told by a very good story teller

Y out can get hooked on CJPetit books. The books are like potato chips, you read one you have read more. The stories are interesting and will keep the reader turning pages hooked on the story.
85 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2018
Too bad it couldn't have worked out better for the indians

Great read, as usual petit takes a seemingly trite sounding story and crafts it into a unique story filled with uniquely real characters.
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258 reviews6 followers
May 5, 2018
Justice

This sheriff will not quit until the rapists and killers pay for their crimes. Another fast moving Western that will keep readers guessing from the beginning. I highly recommend this author.
719 reviews4 followers
May 9, 2018
Sheriff Joe

This was one of the best western I have had the pleasure of reading in quite some time. The story starts slowly then takes off with a mind of its own and the action is non stop.
6 reviews
May 22, 2018
Good Sheriff Joe

I have read all the past Petit books and I do believe this has to be the best. Peter's hero's become known friends and are like family. I have to admit that two of Petit's books I have read more than once. Thank you.
37 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2018
A beautiful love story with difficult and violent scenes.

A very difficult book to set down. The last few chapters were almost a shocker, with the unexpected firefighters. A Good Read.
66 reviews
June 21, 2018
A wonderful tale.

A wonderful tale of what true love and devotion in a marriage should mean. Dedication beyond all doubt and reason. A good lesson even in today's world where many couples have lost or never understood this.
8 reviews
June 30, 2018
I really like this one

This is a great read
I didn't want to put it down .
I recommend this book and well all that I have read from C.J. really seem to be the ones that hold my interest and dont want to stop reading.

304 reviews3 followers
February 20, 2020
Another C J Petit winner.

If you like western stories with toughness, love, and excitement... this book will meet your desires. It is a battle between innocent women, evil men, and a sheriff that fights for justice and rescue. I highly recommend this book. Very exciting!
Profile Image for Anthony R Woods.
710 reviews3 followers
May 15, 2020
A very sweet story

A very sweet story filled with adventures, sadness and love.The story of Sheriff Joe and how he had to rescue mine kidnapped women who were taken by 16 bad, evil men.
Profile Image for Neil Cameron.
5 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2020
Sheriff Joe was a ok read.

This is not C J Petits greatest novel. If you like a slushy love story where the characters are simply amazing read this. I found it a bit tedious after a while. C J Petit is a good writer but this was a let down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews

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