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Jess Williams #78
Schoolmarm
Jess is on the hunt for his next prey, Max Thunder, which leads him to an almost deserted town called Appleton. He puts Thunder down and heads to the town of Pinkney, directly into another fight with the rest of the Thunder family. Bullets fly and two more men in the Thunder family die.
While in Pinkney, he has an encounter with a woman by the name of Martha Heller. She doesn’t think much of what he does for a living. Three men attempted to rob the stagecoach she was riding in, but she shot two of them, wounding one of them seriously.
Jess joins the posse on the hunt for the three men. They bring in three dead bodies but the stagecoach driver refuses to take Martha on the last leg of her journey to the town of Harrison, Texas, where she is supposed to take over as the teacher.
Against Jess’s warnings, she travels alone to Harrison, but is almost raped and killed by one of the men Jess is hunting. He saves her life and escorts her to Harrison, where the schoolhouse has burned down. Jess begins to have feelings for Martha, but she is not happy with his life of bounty hunting. He leaves her in Harrison, but he feels as if he is leaving a part of himself there. He continues on the hunt for more bad men, but the memory of Martha Heller will haunt him for many years to come.
When he continues on his hunt for more bad men, Shadow suddenly shows up. Then, he receives a special assignment from United States Marshal Frank Reedy. Two outlaws have hanged a Texas Ranger in Verde, Texas, and Reedy wants Jess to track them down. Before he begins his hunt for the two outlaws, his good friend John Bodine joins him and the hunt for the two murderers begins.
The only problem is, the closer they get to the killers, the more dead bodies they find.
While in Pinkney, he has an encounter with a woman by the name of Martha Heller. She doesn’t think much of what he does for a living. Three men attempted to rob the stagecoach she was riding in, but she shot two of them, wounding one of them seriously.
Jess joins the posse on the hunt for the three men. They bring in three dead bodies but the stagecoach driver refuses to take Martha on the last leg of her journey to the town of Harrison, Texas, where she is supposed to take over as the teacher.
Against Jess’s warnings, she travels alone to Harrison, but is almost raped and killed by one of the men Jess is hunting. He saves her life and escorts her to Harrison, where the schoolhouse has burned down. Jess begins to have feelings for Martha, but she is not happy with his life of bounty hunting. He leaves her in Harrison, but he feels as if he is leaving a part of himself there. He continues on the hunt for more bad men, but the memory of Martha Heller will haunt him for many years to come.
When he continues on his hunt for more bad men, Shadow suddenly shows up. Then, he receives a special assignment from United States Marshal Frank Reedy. Two outlaws have hanged a Texas Ranger in Verde, Texas, and Reedy wants Jess to track them down. Before he begins his hunt for the two outlaws, his good friend John Bodine joins him and the hunt for the two murderers begins.
The only problem is, the closer they get to the killers, the more dead bodies they find.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2019
241 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Thomas
193 books61 followersLibrarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
In 1990 Robert J. Thomas was sworn in as the full time mayor for the city of Westland, Michigan. He served twelve years, making him the longest serving mayor in Westland's history.
While he was mayor he wrote his first book titled, How to Run for Local Office, which has now sold over 25,000 copies worldwide.
He has written and published on Kindle, the Jess Williams Westerns series. Retired, he now lives in Mississippi with his wfe Jill.
In 1990 Robert J. Thomas was sworn in as the full time mayor for the city of Westland, Michigan. He served twelve years, making him the longest serving mayor in Westland's history.
While he was mayor he wrote his first book titled, How to Run for Local Office, which has now sold over 25,000 copies worldwide.
He has written and published on Kindle, the Jess Williams Westerns series. Retired, he now lives in Mississippi with his wfe Jill.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 21, 2021
Jess and Bodine set out on the trail of two really bad guys who hanged a Texas Ranger. Side story has Jess smitten by a young schoolmarm.
January 22, 2019
Another great western story by Robert J. Thomas with bounty hunter Jess Willams.
Jesus keeps doing his civic duty to rid the west of the worst killers. With all the gun fighters who want to brace him he keeps busy. Jesus always finds someone who could a little help along the way and his generosity with all he meets it inspiring. I have read all seventy-eight of Robert J. Thomas books and can't wait for the next one to come out.
Jesus keeps doing his civic duty to rid the west of the worst killers. With all the gun fighters who want to brace him he keeps busy. Jesus always finds someone who could a little help along the way and his generosity with all he meets it inspiring. I have read all seventy-eight of Robert J. Thomas books and can't wait for the next one to come out.
June 11, 2021
Not the same
Too many feelings explained. Since when does Jess say ‘I reckon’? Stupid stuff over explained. These last two books are not written like the others.
Too many feelings explained. Since when does Jess say ‘I reckon’? Stupid stuff over explained. These last two books are not written like the others.
January 25, 2019
MARTHA HELLER..SCHOOLMARM
We'll make this a short review regarding our friends Jess Williams, John Bodine and Frank Reedy whose in charge of the Stratton Office for United States Marshals. Jess has met a school teacher named Martha Heller, whom he has deep feelings for, but she doesn't like the business he's in, even though he saved her life from a murderer, rapist while she was riding to Harrison, Texas to take up residence as the new schoolmarm. If Jess hadn't followed her, she would have become fodder for the critters.
Well Bodine, whose the Sheriff of Stratton, has teamed with Jess to hunt down a pair of owlhoots who hung a Texas Ranger, which we all know is a quick way to visit "LUCIFER" free of charge. So, Jess and Bodine are on the hunt joined by "Shadow" which we all know means that this is a dangerous hunt. When Shadow makes an appearance, Jess knows he's going to have the breath of the "GRIM REAPER" getting ready to blow his breath on him...not a good feeling.
Great character portrayal and plots, always good to see or should I say, these characters are unique in the way they approach their deaths. Still acting as though they will beat Jess to the draw...well ain't happening today bucko...or NEVER. Jess had better keep his mind on his job and stop letting his mind wander about the schoolmarm...or show any outward feelings for her or she might end up like Annie...
We'll make this a short review regarding our friends Jess Williams, John Bodine and Frank Reedy whose in charge of the Stratton Office for United States Marshals. Jess has met a school teacher named Martha Heller, whom he has deep feelings for, but she doesn't like the business he's in, even though he saved her life from a murderer, rapist while she was riding to Harrison, Texas to take up residence as the new schoolmarm. If Jess hadn't followed her, she would have become fodder for the critters.
Well Bodine, whose the Sheriff of Stratton, has teamed with Jess to hunt down a pair of owlhoots who hung a Texas Ranger, which we all know is a quick way to visit "LUCIFER" free of charge. So, Jess and Bodine are on the hunt joined by "Shadow" which we all know means that this is a dangerous hunt. When Shadow makes an appearance, Jess knows he's going to have the breath of the "GRIM REAPER" getting ready to blow his breath on him...not a good feeling.
Great character portrayal and plots, always good to see or should I say, these characters are unique in the way they approach their deaths. Still acting as though they will beat Jess to the draw...well ain't happening today bucko...or NEVER. Jess had better keep his mind on his job and stop letting his mind wander about the schoolmarm...or show any outward feelings for her or she might end up like Annie...
January 14, 2019
Maybe maybe not!
I would be only be fooling myself denying that I'm not addicted to Jess and this series... Almost through reading through all 78 of the other books in the Jess Williams saga again. Mr. Thomas wow another great book, Wildcat still has my vote as the future Mrs. Williams who else can better understand the dangers and fight side by side with her and Jess and not be judged. Excited for more not even close to wanting this series to end... To many characters to revisit in future books.
I would be only be fooling myself denying that I'm not addicted to Jess and this series... Almost through reading through all 78 of the other books in the Jess Williams saga again. Mr. Thomas wow another great book, Wildcat still has my vote as the future Mrs. Williams who else can better understand the dangers and fight side by side with her and Jess and not be judged. Excited for more not even close to wanting this series to end... To many characters to revisit in future books.
September 20, 2019
Another Great Book
I enjoyed this story very much, I'm just wondering what Mr. Thomas has in mind for the school teacher. Will she be the one that Jess finally settled down with, in the future? In the first book, his descendant purchases a revolver that disappears only to end up with Jess. Further reading reveals that the two of them are related. Could this be a possible story for the final chapter to the Jess Williams series? Hopefully not for a long time, but it's worth considering.
I enjoyed this story very much, I'm just wondering what Mr. Thomas has in mind for the school teacher. Will she be the one that Jess finally settled down with, in the future? In the first book, his descendant purchases a revolver that disappears only to end up with Jess. Further reading reveals that the two of them are related. Could this be a possible story for the final chapter to the Jess Williams series? Hopefully not for a long time, but it's worth considering.
January 3, 2019
Schoolmarm
Liked this book just like the other 77 books about Jess Williams I have purchased. I hope the appearance of Martha Heller, the woman he marries, doesn't mean the series will be ending soon? Robert J. Thomas and C.J. Petit are my two favorite western authors and I am always waiting for their next book.
Even with the unusual way Jess got his unusual pistol and with Shadow who seems to be a psychic wolf I still enjoy the series.
Liked this book just like the other 77 books about Jess Williams I have purchased. I hope the appearance of Martha Heller, the woman he marries, doesn't mean the series will be ending soon? Robert J. Thomas and C.J. Petit are my two favorite western authors and I am always waiting for their next book.
Even with the unusual way Jess got his unusual pistol and with Shadow who seems to be a psychic wolf I still enjoy the series.
October 14, 2022
A dnf halfway through. The bitchy schoolmarm lost me when she's insisting she's going to ride the two days alone to the next town because she won't ride next to a killer(Jess)even when the Marshall explains repeatedly how unsafe it is to travel alone. Bitchy and stupid.
With all the nice women Jess comes across this is the one that rings his bell. She's a pretentious shrew . Wake up Jess. Oh, well on to the next one.
With all the nice women Jess comes across this is the one that rings his bell. She's a pretentious shrew . Wake up Jess. Oh, well on to the next one.
January 3, 2019
Good gracious he finally met Martha
I can't believe he finally meets the one an only Martha and we still have to wait to see what's going to happen. Smart move on your part Mr. Thomas. I am anxious to see what's going to happen next but will be sad when this series ends. Have enjoyed reading it very much. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
I can't believe he finally meets the one an only Martha and we still have to wait to see what's going to happen. Smart move on your part Mr. Thomas. I am anxious to see what's going to happen next but will be sad when this series ends. Have enjoyed reading it very much. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
January 19, 2019
Jess Williams
As always a great Jess Williams western. I so look forward to these books. I think it is the good Lord guiding Jess instead of the devil. Hope Jess can find a woman to love him as he is. Look forward to book number seventy nine. Thank you Robert J. Thomas for these really great books.
As always a great Jess Williams western. I so look forward to these books. I think it is the good Lord guiding Jess instead of the devil. Hope Jess can find a woman to love him as he is. Look forward to book number seventy nine. Thank you Robert J. Thomas for these really great books.
September 17, 2020
True Love?
Jess meets a young beautiful woman who was in a stagecoach that was robbed. She shot two of outlaws. She is from the East and does not know the dangers of a young woman alone traveling. Jess rescued her and falls in love but she does not like that he kills men for a living. This bothers Jess a lot and does not want to jeopardize her life by being with him.
Jess meets a young beautiful woman who was in a stagecoach that was robbed. She shot two of outlaws. She is from the East and does not know the dangers of a young woman alone traveling. Jess rescued her and falls in love but she does not like that he kills men for a living. This bothers Jess a lot and does not want to jeopardize her life by being with him.
November 12, 2020
Looking for the next one already
I enjoy reading his books because before you are half way through it you always feel like you are right in the middle of the action. I feel like you he makes it really hard to lay the book down before you finish it. Loved each and everyone of his books so far.
I enjoy reading his books because before you are half way through it you always feel like you are right in the middle of the action. I feel like you he makes it really hard to lay the book down before you finish it. Loved each and everyone of his books so far.
January 15, 2019
Jess Meets A School Teacher
Another great Western from RJT. Will meeting a school teacher change Jess's occupation? I highly recommend this author and look forward to reading number seventy-nine when published.
Another great Western from RJT. Will meeting a school teacher change Jess's occupation? I highly recommend this author and look forward to reading number seventy-nine when published.
February 2, 2019
Seventy-Eighth Jess Williams
Another great story in the Jess Williams saga. Like the
Previous 77, this read will keep you glued to the pages. It is always exciting when Shadow shows up to help. A read you will enjoy. So, "Giddy Up."
Another great story in the Jess Williams saga. Like the
Previous 77, this read will keep you glued to the pages. It is always exciting when Shadow shows up to help. A read you will enjoy. So, "Giddy Up."
March 5, 2019
School mark stole Jess heart.
Jess goes after bad men and saved a beautiful school teacher. Jess has feeling but she does not like all of the killing. Jess continues to hunt bad men but does not follow up on his feelings. He wants the teacher to be safe.
Jess goes after bad men and saved a beautiful school teacher. Jess has feeling but she does not like all of the killing. Jess continues to hunt bad men but does not follow up on his feelings. He wants the teacher to be safe.
February 15, 2021
Poor Jess
Always love me some Jess. Of course, he will fall in love with Martha Heller, the schoolmarm. I hope Mr. Thomas writes the end of this saga before he wakes up “on the other side”.
Always love me some Jess. Of course, he will fall in love with Martha Heller, the schoolmarm. I hope Mr. Thomas writes the end of this saga before he wakes up “on the other side”.
January 15, 2019
Enjoyed
Well when you've read 74 books in this series you know what's going to happen but I still enjoy this beautiful series. Until next month?
Well when you've read 74 books in this series you know what's going to happen but I still enjoy this beautiful series. Until next month?
February 18, 2019
Finally, Martha arrives--Jess's future wife (as revealed in the 3rd book)!
March 18, 2019
Another winner
I love these novels. I've read them all and they just keep getting better. Thomas has Jess' character fine tuned. Great read.
I love these novels. I've read them all and they just keep getting better. Thomas has Jess' character fine tuned. Great read.
May 10, 2021
SCHOOLMARM:
Always enjoy book,when shadow gets into Jesse's book.Also his friend. Feel sorry for Jess. He has fallen in love,Doesn't feel like he can't risk her like A nnie.JD
Always enjoy book,when shadow gets into Jesse's book.Also his friend. Feel sorry for Jess. He has fallen in love,Doesn't feel like he can't risk her like A nnie.JD
September 20, 2021
Good book
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
January 28, 2019
RJT!. has penned the 78th western in the Jess Williams series. JW. meets a schoolmarm, becomes a infatuated and tried to do what he can to assist her in teaching. It appears that this maybe his future intended. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2024
Pleased for two reasons.
RJ Parker found a good editor. And, we are finally introduced to the previously mentioned Martha. I hope she is described in more detail in the future. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.
I'm curious about Jess's monthly income from his New York investment, among others. Love Shadow and the new and improved Bodine.
RJ Parker found a good editor. And, we are finally introduced to the previously mentioned Martha. I hope she is described in more detail in the future. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.
I'm curious about Jess's monthly income from his New York investment, among others. Love Shadow and the new and improved Bodine.
January 22, 2019
The book showed the human side of Jess Williams.Even as a bounty hunter he still shows compassion.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews