What do you think?
Rate this book
Men of the Saddle #2
The Drifter: Men of the Saddle
This is the story of Beau Claxton, a cowboy who finds himself obliged to a young widow after she saves him from near death on the prairie. Beau and Charity face the difficulties of life on the prairie and ultimately find joy and hope. Beloved author Lori Copeland takes readers back in time to an era when cowboys were heroes and the rules of the Wild West prevailed. Lori's trademark blend of humor and romance make this an irresistible read.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
19 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Lori Copeland
195 books535 followersLori Copeland was born on 12 June 1941. She had a relatively late start in writing, breaking into publishing in 1982 when she was already forty years old. Over the next dozen years, her romance novels achieved much success, as was evidenced by her winning the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books' Best Seller award. She has been inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame.
Despite her success in more mainstream romantic fiction, in 1995, she decided to switch focus. Her subsequent books have been in the relatively new subgenre of Christian romance. She has also collaborated with authors Angela Elwell Hunt or Virginia Smith on a series of Christian romance novels.
Lori and her husband of over forty years, Lance, live in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the beautiful Ozarks. They have three grown sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. She and her husband are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.
Despite her success in more mainstream romantic fiction, in 1995, she decided to switch focus. Her subsequent books have been in the relatively new subgenre of Christian romance. She has also collaborated with authors Angela Elwell Hunt or Virginia Smith on a series of Christian romance novels.
Lori and her husband of over forty years, Lance, live in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the beautiful Ozarks. They have three grown sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. She and her husband are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 22, 2020
Loved this!
December 27, 2010
I like the western, settling the frontier theme. This is the 2nd book in this series about the Claxton brothers. Cole found his love in the first and Beau finally married his sweetheart Betsy. In this next book Beau deal with the loss of both Betsy and his unborn baby and turns away from God and the love of his family and is a drifter for over a year ending up in Kansas City. He is almost killed by a wounded wolf and is saved by the widower, Charity. She lost her husband soon after their adventure to claim land in Kansas by homesteading it, even though both were raised in the city to prominent families in the east. Charity is determined to finish the claim by making improvements on the land before the 5 year mark is up, but she needs a man's help. When Beau is brought into her life she thinks that he is the answer to prayers that somehow he will be able to stay on and maybe marry her and help her claim the land that her and Ferrand started. Beau wants to help after he has recovered, but doesn't want to marry for the sake of a claim and doesn't want to marry again because of his deep loss of Betsy.
More trials come in the form of an orphan that they are to care for, then there is the town's people and their opionion of Beau living with the single widower. He caves and marries her to ensure her good name and stop the vicious rumors. His brother comes visiting and Charity thinks that if she keeps Cass with them Beau will stay on and actually want to stay and love her.
When a freak blizzard nearly takes both Charity and the baby away from Beau it makes him realize that he can love again.
More trials come in the form of an orphan that they are to care for, then there is the town's people and their opionion of Beau living with the single widower. He caves and marries her to ensure her good name and stop the vicious rumors. His brother comes visiting and Charity thinks that if she keeps Cass with them Beau will stay on and actually want to stay and love her.
When a freak blizzard nearly takes both Charity and the baby away from Beau it makes him realize that he can love again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2009
Beau Claxton has just lost the love of his life. His beautiful wife and unborn child are gone forever. He is heart-broken and so alone. Numb with pain, Beau wanders aimlessly trying to escape the memories that haunt him.
Charity Burk, a young widow, is desperately trying to hold onto their farm in Kansas. After her beloved Ferrand was killed in the war between the states, she is left to keep up the land on her own.
When Beau and Charity meet, Charity is determined to get him to stay on and help her run the place. Beau is determined to move on. If only Charity could make Beau stick around long enough to help her through the year, then she would be able to hold onto all that her husband loved so dear.
The Drifter is a clash of the wills and a test of faith. I really enjoyed this book. Like the first one in the series, it's a fun read. This one is much more somber than the Peacemaker, but a sweet story, just the same.
Charity Burk, a young widow, is desperately trying to hold onto their farm in Kansas. After her beloved Ferrand was killed in the war between the states, she is left to keep up the land on her own.
When Beau and Charity meet, Charity is determined to get him to stay on and help her run the place. Beau is determined to move on. If only Charity could make Beau stick around long enough to help her through the year, then she would be able to hold onto all that her husband loved so dear.
The Drifter is a clash of the wills and a test of faith. I really enjoyed this book. Like the first one in the series, it's a fun read. This one is much more somber than the Peacemaker, but a sweet story, just the same.
August 25, 2012
I did love this book. The loss and bitterness got a bit old, however it end with a good strong love story and acknowledge of Heaven.
July 9, 2023
Beau Claxton's story takes an unexpected turn. I was sure surprised at all of the tears this tale brought, after reading book 1 where I laughed out loud several times. But I still felt it was very good. Charity is having a hard time of it and sends up a few earnest prayers for a man to help her homestead, when Beau is practically dropped in her lap.
I have noticed the author tends to repeat herself a lot, almost as if she's forgotten what she already said (in both books thus far).
She also has an odd way of switching POVs frequently from one paragraph to the next, with no break or warning. I got used to it, but it's definitely different.
Faith moments woven throughout.
I recommend these books & so far 2 out of 4 in the series read.
I own this book.
All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.
𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 47 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023
I have noticed the author tends to repeat herself a lot, almost as if she's forgotten what she already said (in both books thus far).
She also has an odd way of switching POVs frequently from one paragraph to the next, with no break or warning. I got used to it, but it's definitely different.
Faith moments woven throughout.
I recommend these books & so far 2 out of 4 in the series read.
I own this book.
All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.
𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 47 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023
February 1, 2024
Nice historical pioneer story, with xian faith mixed in; two widows learning to love again. At times, not believable (ie young widow - pampered since childhood but on her own as survivalist after her new husband dies in the war, stays out on the Kansas prairie alone for 6 years???? - and remains intact?? But then almost dies in an unexpected blizzard on the way into town??? But if you ignore stuff like that, it was a good story.
June 7, 2018
I had mixed feelings about this book. It was okay, and I did enjoy it, but it wasn't as great as the first one in my opinion. The story was sweet, and I really liked the outcome, but it was almost way too unrealistic. Beau and Charity though.....(heart eyes)
February 22, 2020
Faith and second chances
This is a story of Grief, Faith, and second chances. While we can never go back to change the past we can have Faith and Hope for the future and a second chance.
This is a story of Grief, Faith, and second chances. While we can never go back to change the past we can have Faith and Hope for the future and a second chance.
January 14, 2020
Unexpected story line, but a very good read. Love how God can restore relationships and give second chances.
April 5, 2021
Closer to 4.5 stars. I found this book to be a great addition the the series and can't wait to read "The Maverick".
January 7, 2023
Such a cute series! I love following each of the Claxton brothers!
September 12, 2024
Great read
February 5, 2025
Book 2 of a 4 book series. Good story, enjoyed more than first book
April 13, 2022
Christian Historical Romance
There's a lot of tragedy in this story, so, keep your tissues handy! But, God is good and He never let's go of His own! Beau returns to his faith in the perfect time! Just one more brother to go in this series! I wish this was a bigger family!
There's a lot of tragedy in this story, so, keep your tissues handy! But, God is good and He never let's go of His own! Beau returns to his faith in the perfect time! Just one more brother to go in this series! I wish this was a bigger family!
May 28, 2022
Part of my haul from the Friends of the Library Sale, $5 bag!
4🌟’s
I enjoyed this book. A western frontier book about love, loss, and healing. Although I loved the ending; I got a little frustrated. The last fourth of the story was mostly setting up characters for the next book. It would have been nice to focus more on the main characters in the end. In my opinion that stuff is for the prologue, especially considering she threw the first chapter of the next book in the back. Not a deal breaker, just kind of frustrating. Overall I enjoyed it, and recommend.
4🌟’s
I enjoyed this book. A western frontier book about love, loss, and healing. Although I loved the ending; I got a little frustrated. The last fourth of the story was mostly setting up characters for the next book. It would have been nice to focus more on the main characters in the end. In my opinion that stuff is for the prologue, especially considering she threw the first chapter of the next book in the back. Not a deal breaker, just kind of frustrating. Overall I enjoyed it, and recommend.
January 7, 2013
Widowed after the Civil War, Charity Burk is determined not to lose her homestead, but she needs a man to do the heavy lifting around the ranch. Enter the shattered widower Beau Claxton, who leaves home after his beloved wife Betsy dies from a rattlensnake bite. That Betsy was carrying their first child adds to the overdone melodrama.
Beau is attacked by a wolf near Charity's ranch and she nurses him back to health and gives him a proposition: marry her so that she doesn't lose her homestead. He thinks this is preposterous (as would anyone else) but then Charity leaves to help her friend Letty deliver her baby, and two squaws help care for Beau. The squaws believe that he is theirs, and Beau reluctantly agrees to Charity's proposition if only to avoid going with the natives.
Letty dies in childbirth and Charity and Beau assume the roles of parents when Letty's husband goes off the deep end. Two childbirth deaths in one book is a bit much. Charity and Beau must deal with town gossip (they are living together, although not in the 'friends with benefits' way), caring for an infant, and their growing attraction to each other. It's a funny, warm read.
Beau is attacked by a wolf near Charity's ranch and she nurses him back to health and gives him a proposition: marry her so that she doesn't lose her homestead. He thinks this is preposterous (as would anyone else) but then Charity leaves to help her friend Letty deliver her baby, and two squaws help care for Beau. The squaws believe that he is theirs, and Beau reluctantly agrees to Charity's proposition if only to avoid going with the natives.
Letty dies in childbirth and Charity and Beau assume the roles of parents when Letty's husband goes off the deep end. Two childbirth deaths in one book is a bit much. Charity and Beau must deal with town gossip (they are living together, although not in the 'friends with benefits' way), caring for an infant, and their growing attraction to each other. It's a funny, warm read.
September 6, 2016
I have to say I enjoyed this book more than the first one. It is full of pain, sorrow and lost as one brother marries and loses his wife and unborn child. He moves on aimlessly as he tries to out run his pain of losing so much.
One woman is trying to hold her to her land after losing her husband in the war between the states. Two people losing the people who are most important to them come together as Beau is hurt and Charity takes care of him. Can two people who have lost so much find love and happiness together as the learn to live again?
I found this to be a good read at times a little to long, a few things could have been left out and made it a much better read. All in all the author did a nice job, the book does have a wonderful plot with humor.
One woman is trying to hold her to her land after losing her husband in the war between the states. Two people losing the people who are most important to them come together as Beau is hurt and Charity takes care of him. Can two people who have lost so much find love and happiness together as the learn to live again?
I found this to be a good read at times a little to long, a few things could have been left out and made it a much better read. All in all the author did a nice job, the book does have a wonderful plot with humor.
October 22, 2008
another great story! we don't have many "good samaritans" anymore, altho, i'll admit, the main character was NOT totally w/out some motive! still ...
and those two squaws, what a comical pair! a bit devious, too!! girls after my own heart!!! 8^)
on to the next one! and, i'm beginning to think, once the series is done, i just might be tempted to try out this author's other books now, too. very down to earth stories, about real people and real situations, but ... w/ a great sense of humour tossed in too.
and those two squaws, what a comical pair! a bit devious, too!! girls after my own heart!!! 8^)
on to the next one! and, i'm beginning to think, once the series is done, i just might be tempted to try out this author's other books now, too. very down to earth stories, about real people and real situations, but ... w/ a great sense of humour tossed in too.
September 6, 2018
I had to restart this book a few times before I could get into it. Beau's grief from losing Betsy and the baby is truly heart-wrenching. Once I could get past that raw emotion without crying I was good and the story was wonderful. I love Charity. She's a wonderful main character. The romance between Charity and Beau develops naturally considering the grief they each share. The addition of having to care for Baby Mary Kathleen adds depth to the story. The two Indian women are hilarious! I genuinely enjoyed this story!
October 28, 2016
This book and book 3 were my favorites of the series. The other two were less well written. They both moderately drug on. There was only two event in the story that I thought was less than believable. One being that Beau and Charity would leave the baby alone with her crazy father for even a minute, and the other that Beau slept in a chair the first night his brother visited. That would have never happened in real frontier life. People were accustomed to a house full of people and didn't let that deter their actions. Other than that it was a pretty good story.
March 15, 2013
I very much enjoyed this 2nd book of the Men of the Saddle series. It sure was a tough life living on the Missouri frontier in 1867. I think I prefer life in 2010. But I love to read historical romances that depict the life of those times. Back when the men were gentlemen and the women were ladies and both had deep Christian morals.
I also love the humor the author brings into the stories and I look forward to the third and fourth books of this series.
I also love the humor the author brings into the stories and I look forward to the third and fourth books of this series.
August 8, 2011
Charity is determined to find a husband, and when she finds unconcious and injured cowboy Beau Claxton on her land, she decides to keep him, no matter what.
Very fun story. Cute, with a Christian theme. Great for teens.
Very fun story. Cute, with a Christian theme. Great for teens.
October 20, 2012
I liked this one. There were several parts that made me laugh, and it was an enjoyable plot.
Beau Claxton is the answer to one woman's prayers, but he'd like to argue the fact and go home. The Lord has other plans, however, and gently works in mysterious ways to change hearts.
Beau Claxton is the answer to one woman's prayers, but he'd like to argue the fact and go home. The Lord has other plans, however, and gently works in mysterious ways to change hearts.
October 22, 2008
I enjoy her style of writing, especially the light-hearted humor.
November 9, 2008
Audio bookk - on CD
Read
February 2, 2009YA Cop
August 3, 2009
this was an AMAZING book! it was a love story put in a TOTALLY different angle then usual!
October 31, 2009
This series is really fun. It is so clean and wholesome, and I do enjoy a good western.
May 31, 2010
enjoying it.
August 26, 2010
Loved this series!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews