Lin Chase was aptly named as he’d chosen the profession of bounty hunter. This chase was to apprehend or kill the notorious Whitacre brothers and he was getting close. They were just a few hours ahead of him now after more than a week and a half of tracking. He was the best at what he did and had never even felt the bite of a bullet and didn’t expect this to be any different. But it wasn’t the Whitacre brothers that would cause the enormous shift in his life. That would come two days later and would start at a peaceful family farm that held more promise than it did danger.
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.
I have found in the sixty books I've read from this author storylines that have kept my interest. I have no idea how he came up with so many plots over such a short time of writing, but it is commendable. There are certainly certain similarities, in particular the character and nature of the heroes, men who are tender with the women they love, have a strong ethic and value system, and always fall in love nearly at first sight. This particular story is similar, but in this one the male figure struggles for a period with the necessary killing of bad men. An Indian comes along and straightens out his thinking, essentially calling it the thinking of a girlie man, which by this time was becoming rather obnoxious behavior for one of the author's heroes. I have often thought these characters were a bit too soft at times, but this one pushed my limits. I was thankful the indian came along when he did because I had already begun to skim through those parts to get past this craziness. For this reason mostly I only gave this book three stars. All the others received four and five stars.
The story was great but I gave it a 3* rating because the cruelty of the outlaws invading the ranchers and settler's homes, killing men, raping women, kidnapping all the women for selling to the miners; as in the sex-trade of today, shooting 2 pregnant women because they weren't 'saleable' and the miners raping and trading the women to be abused by other miners. I didn't want to believe that even the worst criminals in the wild west would treat womenfolk like that. Anyhow, the outlaws got want the punishment they deserved and all turned out well and the story had a good ending. I like C.J. Petit's writing and story telling and will continue to read his books but this one had just a little too much cruelty for me.
Another one of CJ Petite’s great. Books. When you pick up a book to read you never know if you will enjoy the read or not. But knowing the author can rest some of those thoughts. Petite has always given a good read with any of his books. Thank you Mr. Petite for all the words you have given your readers.
Thank you so much C.J. Petit ! I have enjoyed your Books immensely and want Everyone to know that these are my favorite books to read!!! I offer this suggestions All. Thank you Mr. Petit.!!!
I liked the way that I was captivated by the ballistics of sharp shooting. I've been around guns all my life and the details of shooting was intriguing.
A love story but also an inside look of how a bounty hunter starts questioning his life. Especially since he had rescued seven women who were kidnapped by shady men for miners who haven't been around women almost three years. Mainly they were afraid to leave their gold claims, someone would claim it as being abandoned and take it over. So the miners gave the a bag of gold dust which once assayed would amount to fifteen hundred dollars each...human slavery...not good. Lin dealt with all those men, the miners and the procuring bunch of owlhoots. There were a lot of men who did nothing positive, they went around raping, pillaging, murdering and committing murders. These men and some women were a lovely segment of society that were bullies who preyed upon those hardworking pioneers who were trying to make their lives better by working hard being fair, but then you had the segment that wouldn't work and when they wanted something they robbed wrapped those farms/ranches that were far out of nearest town maybe twenty miles or more less from any neighbors or law to defend them. The mother Mary went into a deep deep depression that was sapping her life, because of the horrific rapes she has endured, if Lin didn't speak to her and bring her out of that funk she would have just withered away...the human mind is very complex,complicated and when women and men are subjected to this type of trauma it's difficult to pull out without medical and therapeutic help....Those miners were just as guilty as those men they paid to kidnap those innocent women and the rest of t h e families whom they tied up to die. If Lin hadn't said he would stop by in three days, both the families would have perished... I enjoy this author's adventures and the writing is clean, not that I'm a prude, but sometimes you just want to read and enjoy and share t he lives C.J. Petit puts on paper..ride EASY everyone.
I lover the action and romance , the times it kept you on edge worrying about the characters and sabbend that some didn't make it .The addition of other cultures and the way they were treated in the book . Just enough spice to make it enjoyable but not dirty
This novel by an exceptionally talented author Mr. C. J. Petit, is a different twist from his many previous stories, as this one has as many suspenseful episodes as an Alfred Hitchcock shocker. Started a little slower th a a normal Petit story, but it definitely gained that sought after momentum before too long, and the race was on! Having read most, if not all the westerns by this outstanding author, I anxiously await his next great release.
Anyone not awarding five stars to a Petit release, must not enjoy great western folklore adventures at its very best, as they do not get any better than these impressive renditions of old American western folklore. The selection of characters never ceases to amaze me and the storylines are definitely befitting of the many accolades received by this masterful writer. This is a superbly researched story that entails all the specifics of an accomplished writer, including, but not limited to, speciality gunfights, romance, camaraderie between friends and families, and as aforementioned, outstanding suspense. Too, there so many heartwarming episodes throughout this family-friendly story, that touches the heartstrings of a dedicated Petit reader. I, without hesitation, recommend this Petit release, to anyone, regardless of your reading preference, as you will find yourselves attached to Lin and Julia as they struggle thru their many heartwarming episodes throughout this outstanding masterpiece of western folklore. Please do yourself a favor and enjoy this compassionate story as I assure you, it will definitely be worthy of your time!
Lin Chase was another moral and honorable protagonist in this very interesting story. Lin was a bounty hunter troubled by the number of outlaws that he had killed. He stumbled on a farm family living in ranch country. Julia was driven to punish the criminals who had raped her mother and killed her father. She told Lin that she was going to marry him and carry out vengeance for her parents. After Lin left the cabin a group of outlaws conducted raids on the farm homes and kidnapped all the women for human trafficking to a group of miners. The endurance of the seven women and one boy were gripping as they struggled to endure the rapes of all the miners. The outlaws dispersed before Lin could pursue them. He released the women and killed most of the minors and began pursuing the outlaws. Julia helped the other women endure and cared for her mother who was withdrawn and unresponsive. Lin caught up with all of the outlaws and thought that was over but he encountered more men who were determined to kill him. Overcome by his distress in killing so many people that he took time out to recover his mental stability. He returned to Julia with renewed energy and eagerly took her as his wife. Human trafficking has existed as long as history. This story placed in late 1800's in the West. An excellent story.
A good and very well written story of the old West and the grim truths spawned while taming it.
Lin Chase is a man of action; and a thinking man as well. He knows guns and how to use them. Especially the long range Sharps and Spencer and Winchester. What he doesn't know much about is women, especially tall, beautiful and young ones, not afraid to speak their mind. Certainly, he is drawn to Julia. So when She is kidnapped and sold into slavery to sex-Hungary miners along with seven other woman, the hunt is on to find her and free her. The story only gets better from here. The hunt is on to bring the slave traders to a justice they deserve, looking down the sights of a rifle from a thousand yards away.
Again CJP writes a story that makes you stop and think just how mean, cruel and down right vicious some men could be to make money 💰. This was a very wild and dangerous time where outlaws seemed to overrun the country and a man with the ability to stand up for what was right were few and far between. Lin was just that man, his story was just one of those that was bust sometimes plain unbelievable and a little earth shattering, but definitely interesting. CJP This was another one that I couldn't put down. BRAVO 👏👏BRAVO 👏BRAVO 👏👏 I can't wait to see what you come up with next.
When Lin was heading home from a job he stopped by the lampley farm and met Julia and his life changed forever. He had to go to Cheyenne however and go to work and so by the time he got back to the lampley farm he found the men tied up gagged and their baby screaming. He found out all the women were kidnapped and taken to the mining camp to be wives to the minors. He found the same thing at the Bailey place. He freed all the men and went to Cheyenne to report it to the sheriff on his way to the mining camp to find the kidnappers and to get the women back.
Anyone who is a fan of CJ Petit has come to expect great stories of love, honor and action plus a healthy dose of bad grammar. He is a great writer bad a bad editor. He doesn't need to hire an expensive professional to proof read his books fans that love him would probably do it for free, I know I would. Keep up the great work Chris! Any time you need help let me know so that we can shut the grammar police up. Cheers, dalefloyd@hotmail.com
Another notch on Mr. Petit's pen for an absolute bullseye of a story. The Cheyenne warrior's telling about the mountain and our time on this earth was superb. It had me thinking of my own life and the inevitability of my own mountain. As long as Mr. Petit writes such encompassing stories, then the time I do have left well be that much more enjoyable. Thank you, T.L. Roy
As the husband of a survivor of this most personally devastating crime I was a little concerned as to your approach to the subject. I was glad to read the compassion and understanding of the mental trauma that exist in the aftermath. I do question whether the men of that time period would have been so enlightened as these were but would like to believe they could. I love all of your books and can't out then down when I start reading.
I like your style! So many books yet they all are different! Except for your love for your rifles! That comes through loud and c!ear! When I was going I lived a block from the town library and read all the great westerns! My daughter and her husband both like westerns. I told her about your stories and she is hooked too! Thank you.
Good tread. I like this authors books because, no bad language, no descriptive sex, and he keeps the excitement up. Not sure that I can get through all of the books, but I will recommend them to my friends.
This author has well ritten books and I have enjoyed them very much. Lots of action, good story and nothing offensive. Will continue to read his books and recommend them to others.
Lin Chase took a left turn and came upon the Lampley farm and met his future wife. Lin was a bounty hunter for 6 yrs and a very good one. But life was a disaster when 6 outlaws kidnapped 7 women for miners. Lin promised to get the 6 men and kill them for justice if what they did to the 7 women to include his future wife. Lots of adventure and excitement in the story. I again enjoyed reading stories written by CJ Petit.
My review of this book is " Inevitable "!!! I have read all of your published works, and I am never disappointed! I follow you and anxiously wait for a new book to be published! We a survivor of sexual abuse I liked the way you described the way Julia felt after her rapes, and the patience of Lin was well thought out. Keep up the good work, and hurry and write me more books to read!
5 STARS once more for a C.J.P. Old West Era Drama that is full of exciting action. There is Shoot-em up gun fights everywhere that give Lin, our Hero, nightmares. Amazing ones to study that affect his soul & would anyones that had the details of his dreams but with Indian Logic & Love sees him thru the hard times. In doing so it allows him to be able to give all of love he feels for Julia to heal her, too. Recommend.
A CJP. Western/A Bounty Hunter/A Blue Eyes On Woman/It Was Inevitable
CJP. has. penned a bounty hunter western whoosh takes place in Wyoming around 1870. A departure from his regular route home leads him to be introduced to a blue eyes woman. The blue eyes woman and the women of Two extended families are kidnapped. The hunt is on. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
Starts off slow and then picks up and gets really good until the end. Looking forward to his next book. A few errors, but who cares about that. His books always take me into the moment. That’s what’s important. He could never write a book that was too long IMHO.
#51 is just as fantastic & impossible 2 put down as the 1st 50. I now am the owner of all 51 in my Kindle library most of which I have read 2 times & some 3. I would rather you would write more novels instead of your rewrites. As usual I rate Inevitable at 5+ stars.
This is a well written Bounty Hunter Western from CJP. It is fast moving and full of suspense concerning one man's search for a number on women who were kidnapped and sold to miners as sex slaves. This novel includes an inevitable love story. I highly recommend this author.
I liked this book. I like all of Petit's stories. The portion of the story with a strong woman I found unusual and thrilling. I would have the couple set out together to catch the bad guys. Surely the West has strong capable women that helped build the west.
Enjoyable reading and should be enjoyed both men and woman.
Great book on western bounty hunting. First time PTS is indicated in western stories and how it effects the victim and the Hunter. All should enjoy this book and it will keep you reading even though you have other things to do.
I tried to give it 4 stars, but it automatically ended up with 3 stars. This is my first book by Petit and I will read more of his books later on. There were quite a few grammatical errors in the book, but it didn't take away from the story line - it was just annoying.
I enjoy the story line and the different people he brings into the story.I can look pass the few type's but don't like that a times the animals he brings to life and you really get to like he kills them off as in the hero's dog or horse but all in all good entertainment and keeps you looking forward to the next book.