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Waylon Nance

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A young vaquero leaves a cattle drive to look for a woman stolen by Comanches. He spends months in Comanche country only the find that the Army will offer no help whatever. So he hires his own Lipan scout, and travels over much of Indian Territory and Texas to find the woman he loves. It's the story of a young man growing up in the wild times of the early 1870s, a time when lawlessness ruled parts of the West. Another story with a touch of romance from the pen of R. O. Lane.

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2022

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About the author

R.O. Lane

64 books116 followers
R.O. Lane is the author of several western novels, including the US Marshal series. R. O. has BA in English and an MA in communications research. He worked as a writer and editor for three daily newspapers and has written dozens of speeches for senior officers of three Fortune 500 corporations.

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5 stars
2,487 (72%)
4 stars
717 (20%)
3 stars
158 (4%)
2 stars
40 (1%)
1 star
27 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
Profile Image for Fred  Barnes.
265 reviews41 followers
June 23, 2026
LOYAL, HARDWORKING, DEDICATED, HEART OF A SAINT YET DEADLY WHEN NEEDED - A TRUE HERO

6/21/26 Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Waylon Nance by R.O. Lane is a well-written story of a young man who has all the characteristics and morals to define what a true hero is, if there ever was. As a thirteen year old, he stepped up to help support his mother, younger brother, and younger sister when his father, a teamster, was killed while transporting supplies in Texas by Comanches. Waylon leaves school and takes up where his father couldn't after passing. If not for Waylon, his mother, brother, and sister wouldn't have survived.

Waylon works hard every day making less of an age doing a man's job better than most of the men at the warehouse moving freight in and out. By the time he becomes sixteen years of age, he's the top worker still getting less pay and decides that he'll move on and ends up with a chance to start a new warehouse working for the railroad working seven days a week fourteen to sixteen hours a day. Sleeping in the warehouse, taking one meal a day (breakfast) out and supporting his family and putting a little bit of money away on a rainy day. His supervisors and his fellow employees respect him which he earns by working the hardest and treating everyone with respect and compassion.

When new management comes into the warehouse four years later, they decide to cut expenses by laying off a quarter of the dockworkers and cutting Waylon's wages in half. That doesn't settle too well with Waylon and he decides it's time to leave and head home to live with his mother, her husband, and their children which includes his younger brother and sister and his mother and her husband's four year old son. On his stepfather's ranch, Waylon learns the business by working at the bottom, learning everything he can, and eventually out working everyone around with the goal of one day starting up his own ranch close to his mother and stepfather's ranch.

As with all of R.O. Lane's books, this book is well written, action packed, and the characters are ones you'll find yourself really enjoying how they deal with the hardships they face in the late eighteen hundreds in the rugged land of the west where at times they have to deal with the outlaws and Indians just tiring to make it from one day to the next. Our hero of this story, Waylon, is just that and you'll be drawn into the story right off the bat and when you find yourself finished with this great book you'll be wishing there was so much more. If you haven't yet read any of R.O. Lane's books, this is a great one to start out with. It's one that I truly enjoyed and feel comfortable stating I know you will too.
Profile Image for Cindy Willingham.
6 reviews
March 2, 2022
Another super book!

I have read all of R O Lane's books. His development of Waylon's character was excellent. It felt like I knew him personally, cheering him on through his young through adult life. He had strong moral values and lived his life according to these values. Wish more people lived this way!
111 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2026
A man of character and honor.

This story is captivating! Nance is a young man who does the right thing even when its hard. Like other books by R. O. Lane, it sent me into the Scriptures; in this story, to Psalm 33. I love that about this writer...he has an amazing ability to make his male characters strong but vulnerable, capable but also humble. Love this book, one of R. O. Lane's very best!
1,438 reviews13 followers
March 10, 2023
A tear jerker for sure, but you will definitely enjoy riding along with Waylon!

You will most certainly enjoy this five star fast moving series of realistically old American western folklore extravaganza's, as there is one exciting adventure after the other! No slowdowns from beginning to end!
This is, perhaps, the most exciting compilation of storylines Mr. Lane has ever penned as they grab your attention immediately, and the excitement only intensifies with each new adventure! Too, the superb selections of characters will definitely appease anyone's desired expectations, from beginning to end!
Definitely recommend this compelling masterpiece to everyone, regardless of what your desired reading might be! I assure you to find this overwhelmingly addictive story to pacify you from chapter one until the final paragraph has been absorbed!!!😃
11 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2025
The best yet

The Covid mess locked us up and I settled into my chair and started absorbing cowboy books.
Mr Lane is very good at character development. This book is the best yet. Waylon pushed through very
difficult times with strength and honor. He faced the rigors o weather on cattle drives, both peaceful and hostile
engagements with western tribes, mafia conflicts in cities, and, of course, personal loses of friends and loved ones.
Along with the story the author includes many details of life in the western states. I think I know more about long guns than my husband does now.
In 2024 we traveled around those areas, and I was able to see and walk in Palo Duro Canyon! I've learned lots of geography and history and that helps a person shake off the trash of our current culture.
222 reviews7 followers
May 25, 2022
R.O. Lane has written another of my favorite books!

I have never read a book by this author that I didn't rate with five stars. I just love to read these books. No curse words, no describing sex acts, no garbage. Just life, as it happened back in the day. Back in the days I would have loved to have lived in. Although having lived with air conditioning and central heat in Texas I would definitely miss those. I would recommend you reading these books if you are not already a fan. I think you will enjoy them. Now if you enjoy reading books that have a sailors vocabulary and describe sex acts you will be disappointed, so to you I say don't bother..you won't find that here.
575 reviews3 followers
May 20, 2024
Waylon Nance

It’s amazing and awe inspiring how an author like R. O. Lane is able to put so much humanity and humbleness in his stories. Reading this hard to live and be raised up in the wilds of South Texas and become a pillar of fatherhood and of great character, Waylon Nance embodies all of this. His devotion to others, his demeanor and strong beliefs in right and wrong carries him throughout this story. The other important character is his intense work ethic. Masterful story.
143 reviews3 followers
March 8, 2025
A heart as big as.. .

Never been moved to so many emotional extremes as I was with this story. Love reading Lane's stories because they inspire and make you want to follow the main character simply because he's the kind of person he is. This is a book to get lost in admire the people in the story. Again this is another story to ride the river with. They don't come much better than this for a romantically inclined reader.
943 reviews4 followers
March 2, 2022
4 Stars

Note: book don't tell you how many minutes is left in each chapter just entire book.
Book started out kind of slow with part one about Waylon's early life working in a warehouse. Part two and three was better with a cattle drive and Indians kidnapping a woman and Waylon searching for her. All in all not a bad book.
12 reviews
June 4, 2022
An exciting Book!

I believe Salon was a man who had a dream and followed it ! I liked the way he
accepted another mans child and raised him as his own a, also the way his Wife accepted another women's child as her own.
You cast of caractors was outstanding!
Steve Stockwell
23 reviews1 follower
June 16, 2022
Another exceptional book!

This book is the second written by R. O. Lane that I have read. Both have kept my attention and I hated to put them down. I'm looking forward to reading another book of his as soon as I can. Plenty of action and just enough romance to make it interesting. An excellent read in my opinion.
3 reviews
January 6, 2023
A Truly Good Read

There was not anything about the book I did not like. I was surprised, and pleased, I might add, with the lack of vulgar language. Neither was there unnecessary lewd descriptions of intimate relations. And of course the violence was pretty graphic, but that was part of the times.
Thank you for two interesting reads.
5 reviews
January 15, 2023
Waylon Nance

I really enjoyed the book I especially enjoyed your effort to emphasize Waylon's integrity, his honesty, and willingness to work hard. I realize it's fiction but it was a good read. I'm almost 90 years old and married October 10 for 70 years. I like to think Waylon and I could have been friends. Thanks.
Profile Image for Jim Buchanan.
165 reviews2 followers
February 16, 2024
Dedicated

Waylon Nance knows what he wants in life and is determined to have it done the right way. When life tosses puzzles into his way he uses bulldogged determination to solve them. The rewards he receives for his dedication to duty can't be calculated. Good book with a remarkable hero.
13 reviews
April 30, 2024
One of his best.

I have read several of Mr. Lane's books. This one was one of his best. I often think about how hard life was in those days. My thanks for writing these books. Even though it is fiction there is a lot of truth in the way it was for generations of people who just wanted to build a life for themselves.
994 reviews11 followers
July 13, 2025
5 STARS, GRITTY ROMANCE WESTERN, SHOOT-EM-UP

Shoot-em-up action packed with lots of locale descriptions as the characters travel through them. Memorable characters with some that you will love & others maybe even have tears for or think about them. Again, I could not stop & put this read down! It is an amazing page turner.

RECOMMENDED
Profile Image for Charles Horne.
188 reviews5 followers
February 25, 2022
Awesome read, if you like R. O. Lane, you'll love it.

Up there with his other books. Keeps you reading and not wanting to put it down. Love the family values and the justice concepts. God bless
160 reviews6 followers
February 26, 2022
Lane just keeps on telling great tales!

Young boy takes responsibility for the family after Commanches
kill the father. Later in life becomes trail driver to Kansas and saves a woman from Commanches.
859 reviews2 followers
February 28, 2022
Western

Waylon Nance by R. O. Lane. I wished I could have met a man in my lifetime with as much strength of character as this gentleman had. To search for the woman as long as he did. I loved this story and the characters. Thank you
27 reviews
March 3, 2022
One of many Great Western books by R. O. Lane

I enjoyed greatly this western story by R. O. Lane. These stories are so real to life that you can put yourself along with people in the story.







Profile Image for Walter Breyer.
88 reviews
March 4, 2022
Another winner.

I’m a big fan and was pleasantly surprised to discoverer R. O. Lane’s latest offering. I was not disappointed and enjoyed it immensely. The story was both exciting and emotionally charged as well.
93 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2022
Great Story Strong Characters

I believe I have read all of R O Lane’s novels and stories and loved them all. I follow him and get notifications when a new one comes out. My expectations are always high and well met. This one is no exception. Can’t wait for his next.
118 reviews2 followers
March 27, 2022
Top read

This is my third Mr Lane book and I have enjoyed them all.This was interesting explaining the hard work looking after cattle in hard and challenging terrain amongst all the various adventures.
149 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2022
Waylon

What a great book!. Enjoyed it from the first sentence. Waylon had a very incredible life. Two loves in his story. Good book. Always look for R.O. Lane book.Never been disappointed.
106 reviews2 followers
April 23, 2022
Excellent story wellwritten.

Way lan Nance is a wonderful young man who never stops helping people and working hard, whether it is as a carpenter, a warehouse worker cattle punched , Comanche fighter, or in his love life. He has many adventures and all are exciting.
9 reviews1 follower
October 31, 2026
Thank you Mr Lane

I love this author’s books. I am so glad to have found him. The settings are authentic , the heroes are straight forward , no nonsense with a code of honor to be admired.
The stories are interesting and hold your attention. I really appreciate books that don’t use vulgar language and have a love story without being sexually explicit.
Profile Image for RITA NOEL.
76 reviews
March 7, 2022
Again another great book

Just can't put the books down that R. O. Lane writes. Another great book for people to read. I start reading and just can't put the book down.. I can't thank R. O. Lane enough for the books he writes..
5 reviews
April 27, 2022
Outstanding

Once again Mr Lane has entertained me with a story.
This tale is so believable and good that I didn't want the story to end, but like all tales it did.
Now I waif for the next one
2 reviews
May 21, 2022
Another great read !

I have read thousands of western and R . O. lane is one of my favorites . While reading this book I place myself as the main character . This story will bring longing of the old west.
67 reviews
June 10, 2022
Well Written

Lane is great in his character development, and Waylon could've been any of the boys I knew growing up. His knowledge of the history of Texas, the railroads, Indians, and "everyday folks" made the story read well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews