The Maverick

Men of the Saddle #3

by Lori Copeland

Book three in the popular Men of the Saddle series by beloved author Lori Copeland. Six years ago, Susanne McCord tricked Cass Claxton into marrying her in a shotgun wedding. They haven't seen each other since that day, but when they cross paths again, everything has changed. Susanne has mended her ways—at least some of them—and she needs Cass to help her transport nine orphans cross-country in a covered wagon. They drive each other crazy as they encounter challenges along the trail, but through it all they find themselves falling in love as well. Who would've thought that a maverick like Cass could actually succeed in winning Susanne's stubborn heart?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Christian, Romance, Westerns, Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Lori 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.

Reviews

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Copeland's writing is always great and The Maverick continues her tradition. I especially liked this one as Susanne reminded me so much of myself - speak and act first then think, pray and ask forgiveness afterwards when you realize what you have said/done. She kept trying to learn the other way around and it took her a long time. The relationship between Susanne and the orphans as well as Susanne and Cass were purely delightful. I highly recommend all the books in the Men of the Saddle series.

[Sheeroh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the separation time when Susanne and Cass were away from each other and were writing letters to update each other on their lives. I love that the ending wasn't so storybook and that reality set in and it took time for them to get back together. It made it more real.
I liked this book :)

[Kimberly Cook Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read from Lori Copeland. Susanne was a spoiled young woman who would do whatever it took to get her way, and that included lying about her relationship with Cass Claxton, resulting in a shotgun wedding.

Years later after gaining her goal of going to live in St. Louis with her aunt and being left there by Cass, Suzanne has matured and has changed. Sadly, the death of her aunt has left her and some orphans she and her aunt fostered without a home.

In her quest to find a new home for her adopted family, Suzanne once again crosses paths with Cass.

I enjoyed reading how Suzanne struggled with letting go of her old habits and how Cass learned to see the changes in Suzanne as they traveled back to their hometown in a wagon train.

Definitely worth reading again :)

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing’ Appatently there is a #1 and #2 books in this series. I didn’t know that when I grabbed this one off the library shelf. Soooo happy it wasn’t one of those where you don’t know what is going on because of previous read books. This book held its own! I was fascinated by the first chapter. It was an I usually storylines… a single woman trying to raise orphans. And is she ever a mess!!! The things she does to poor Cass! But then again, he needed his arrogance knocked down a notch or two. If I had one negative, it was that she kept telling him she loved him. Maybe I’m just old fashioned- but most men want you to at least “think” they are the ones doing the chasing (even if they aren’t) every time she kept begging him, it just hit me all wrong. But that’s it. Loved the story, loved the characters. The children. The romance. All in all great book!!!!

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW!
After the last two books, I am surprised this one could be so different. Youngest brother Cass meets his own headstrong female Susanne and she is the most onery one yet! Six years after an eventful run-in with her, he once again is at her mercy, but this time with nine orphans to boot!
It was quite an adventure and I was glad to go along for the ride!

Faith moments are woven throughout.

I recommend these books and have read 3 out of 4 in the series read so far.

I own this book.
All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 48 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This third book of the series was the best one yet. I loved the main characters and all the orphans. Each child had their own personality that stood out. The chemistry between the two main characters was great. There were parts of this story that made me laugh out loud. It also illustrated how often we think we are trusting God when really we are trying to manage our own lives. This is a story I think everyone will enjoy.

[Bobbie Monroe Boyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story and enjoyable read but the main character is unlikable, constantly conniving and although the story focused on how she changed, she did not change much. Would have been more interesting if the events of her early life/life with aunt/how she changed were the focus of this book. Good ending with the main characters writing letters to one another. That could have been more detailed.
Third book in a four book series

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Maverick

When a spoiled, selfish woman lies to get her man and gets to leave town, things go from bad to worse. When that same woman starts turning her life for the better she finds she strongly needs God's presence in her life to become a caring woman who stops tricking people to get her way.
In the end she gets her way lovingly and her life becomes complete with the love of her life freely joining her and her 10 children!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is definitely the best so far. Love the Claxton family, but Cass and Suzanne just took the cake. Their relationship, the fighting, their antics...very entertaining.

I love it when a book has kids in, and this one had 9. Cass and Suzanne were both awesome with the kids, and I couldn't have asked for a better ending to the book.

[Karen Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book

Sometimes in life we do things in life we are not proud of. So we have to make amends for them as in the story. This story was so filled with a lot of emotions. I would recommend this book to everyone.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to on Recorded books audio

[Chesney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Fun learning about the Claxton brothers.

[Ralynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun story about learning to forgive and trust.

[Shalena · Rating 3 out of 5]

never felt the H loved the h.

[Terry Yaceyko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Good characters.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an aduio edition.

[Hannah Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is even better than the first two books!! Easily my favorite book in the series so far. Can't wait to read the fourth, The Plainsman.

[Mellanie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories of reformed bad girls, so I enjoyed this one.

[Linda Robison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good series

[Beverly Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third book of the series was the best one yet. I loved the main characters and all the orphans. The story had me laughing and crying at times. The ending was beautiful.

[Jeanne Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character sure kept you entertained with her shenanigans!

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Historical Romance

I've never known of any one believer who has struggled so much with obeying God, but, we all deal with disobedience. And, usually for the same sins over and over again! (At least in my case). This story is a great take of the Israelites disobedience in the desert for 40 years and then again during the time of the Judges and Kings! Great job!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maverick is the 3rd book in the men of the saddle series and a favorite. You get involved with the Claxton men more and more as the baby of the family finds himself married to Susanne McCord by the sherif's convincing rifle in his gut.This story is of a woman and man's journey in growing up and learning what love is in the form of parents love and partners love. they learn that love isn't forced, but earned just like trust.
When he first met Susanne she was having a tantrum in the mercantile and he was ashamed for her behavior, but her hitting him in the face was their first encounter that would tie them together for 6 years, not as strangers, but as married strangers.
Cass dropped Susanne on her Aunt's doorstep and didn't worry about ever meeting up with her again. He thought that she would annul the farce of a marriage...but she never did. She manipulated him then into getting what she wanted and over the past years she'd learned a lot about life when she became informed about what it was like to do without and how blessed of a childhood she had in loving parents who not only met her needs but her wants too and she had taken advantage with no thought of her voiced thanks. She now was responsible for 9 orphans and Cass was the one who could give her what she needed a home for them. With his past experience with her, he didn't want to or believe her tale of needed help and so she concocted another plan to force him to her desire of his help. He ends up helping them safely travel by wagon from St. Lois to Kansas. During the process he learns that neither annulled the marriage and that they are married still but only on paper. They both struggle to behave nicely toward each other, but find that they can't deny the attraction that they find growing as they spend the time in travel. Cass realizes that she has changed for the better, but doesn't know if he can be tied to one woman and the responsibility that she brings with her. Susanne is determined to win him but promises that she won't try to force his decision. He gets them settled and then goes back to business in St. Loise knowing that he is in love with her and the children and missing them terrible. What he doesn't know is that Susanne is pregnant with his child and failed to inform him even if she knew that would get him to stay. Aaron the oldest orphan goes to face Cass and bring his responsibilities to his attention. It didn't take much convincing because Cass was already on his way. He asks Susanne to marry him for real and says he only wants to be with her and their 10 kids forever.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice clean read which was entertaining where Susanne who is a spoiled young woman who does whatever it took to have her way which includes lying resulting in a shotgun wedding.

Years later Suzanne has matured and has changed her way. When her aunt die and left her and the orphans they fostered without a home. Suzanne is trying to find a new home for them when she sees Cass again after many years.

It was nice to see how Suzanne had grown up and learned things don’t always come easy. As they travel Cass got to see the new side of her and learned maybe she had more to give to a marriage and family.

I thought this had a great plot, at times the story was a little to long. It could have been shorten an had been a much better read. It wasn’t a bad read at all the author gives you wonderful characters whose life hasn’t always been so great. They learn, grow and fall in love….It was nice to see how things change people and they find out what they thought was important isn’t but find out what is truly important in life.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this was a fun book! Susannah McCord is a stubborn, obstinate young woman who will do ANYTHING to have her way. This includes making up a ridiculous story just to entrap Cass Claxton into marrying her and taking her to St. Louis.
Cass literally dumps her on the lawn at her aunt's home and that is the last they see of each other for 6 more years. Then when Susanne realizes that Cass has in his possession something that she desperately needs. She is once again on the war path. Only this time, Cass is older and wiser and isn't about to let her trick him into anything ever again. Or is he?
Sparks fly and arguments ensue in this crazy story of two wills battling for their lives.
This book kept me turning the pages till the very last. I hope you will agree.

[Sydney McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I was completely shocked by the start of this book. it was absurd to think how wrong people can be in their thoughts, words, and actions; however, the book got a lot better. Despite doing the young man wrong, Susanne must ask the very one and only man (Cass) for his help on somethign very important. The tale speaks of trials and tribulations, forgiveness and prayer, fear and love. Despite it being predictable for the most part, there are still twists in it that a reader may not foresee.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know I have been through a bit in the last month that may have influenced my opinion about this book, but I had a hard time finding much to like. I thought the characters were shallow and not very likable. I thought the basic story was interesting, but didn't really like where it took me as a reader. It was clean, I suppose, since nothing happened between people not married and nothing was described, but what did happen and their reactions to it were so unbelievable in my mind that I had a hard time finishing the book. I cannot recommend this book to anyone.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Post Civil War era, good depiction of life and struggles in the old west and on a wagon trail. Some funny moments and many face offs with Cass and Suzanne. I didn't care too much for the manipulation by Suzanne to land Cass. I also felt the dream life in the end was a bit over the top. That being said, I have enjoyed each book so far. If you're looking for a clean romance series with classic heroism and chivalry, you will like this book.

[Miss Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I read this one mostly because I could not recall if I had ever read it or not back when I had read a slew of Christian romances. Turns out that I had not.

It was fine. Had a few cute moments, but in the end a little too cliche for my tastes. It is not one that I'll be coming back to.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this third book of the Men of the Saddle series but not as much as the first book. I thought the hero and heroine fought a bit too much (IMO). But other than that I don't have any major complaints. Lori's books are well written with natural conversations. I will definitely read more by her.