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BOOK REVIEW: The Drifter 

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Title: The Drifter (Book Two in the Men In The Saddle series)

Author: Lori Copeland

Publisher: Tyndale House

ISBN: 0-8423-8689-0

Genre: Inspirational/Historical/Romance

When Charity Burk prays for God to send a man to help maintain her farm, she doesn't expect Him to send a half-dead one. As Charity nurses the shaggy-haired drifter, she wonders if he'll live. And if he does, would he be willing to marry her?

Beau Claxton is certain he's died and ended up in the wrong place. Sure, he's been at odds with God ever since his beloved wife died, but to end up in hell? What did he ever do that was so bad? But then if he were dead, would he be in such pain?

As Beau begins to recover from his injuries, he realizes a lovely young woman is caring for him. When Charity suddenly comes to his bedside after he first gains consciousness and asks him to marry her, he is stunned. Though he likes the kind woman and is grateful she saved his life, he’s certain he'll never marry again.

They agree on a truce, but as Beau heals, he realizes his living with Charity looks inappropriate in the eyes of her neighbors and friends. But he owes her and doesn't intend on leaving until he's done some badly needed repairs to her farm. When Charity goes missing, Beau must examine his heart. Is this his chance to get away and return home to Missouri? Or has the kind, sweet gal gotten under his skin and into his heart?

The Drifter is the second book in Lori Copeland's Men In The Saddle series. It tells the story of Beau, the kind-hearted, happy-go-lucky Claxton brother. Only Beau's not too happy in this book. After tragedy strikes, Beau is angry with God and leaves home and family to drift aimlessly. A sudden attack renders him near dead and dependant on the care of an isolated, lonely young widow. It seems nothing good will ever happen to him again.

The tone of The Drifter is as different from its prequel The Peacemaker as Beau is from his brother Cole (hero in Book One). Though the book starts out on a sad note, there are some extremely funny scenes, especially the ones where the two Indian sisters show up. Readers can't help but sympathize with poor Beau and the situation he's fallen into. Charity is a sweet but desperate woman. She's determined to hold on to the homestead she and her deceased husband worked together, but if she doesn't make some much-needed repairs, she'll lose everything—and she needs a man to do them. Charity believes God gave Beau to her for that purpose—once the man is healed.

The Drifter is a sweet story of a man learning to accept the death of his wife and opening his heart again to his family and others. It's about Beau's finding his way back to God after the terrible tragedy that changed his life. Charity's faith in God in the face of her possible loss is inspiring. The Drifter is a story that will leave readers with a warm, fuzzy feeling when they're finished reading. Be watching for The Maverick, Book Three in the Men In The Saddle series, which tells the story of Cass, the youngest Claxton brother. (292 pages / $11.99)