[ [ [ The Man from Shenandoah [ THE MAN FROM SHENANDOAH ] By Ward, Marsha ( Author )Dec-01-2002 Paperback

The Owen Family Saga #2

by Marsha Ward

Carl Owen returns from the Civil War to find the family farm destroyed, his favorite brother dead, food scarce, and his father determined to leave the Shenandoah Valley to build a cattle empire in Colorado Territory. Crossing the continent, Carl falls in love with his brother's fianc¿¿e while set to wed another girl, but he might lose everything if the murderous outlaw Berto Acosta has his way. Carl battles a band of outlaws, a prairie fire, blizzards, a trackless waterless desert, and his own brother-all for the hand of feisty Ellen Bates.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction, Historical, Romance

Paperback

First published December 1, 2002

About the author

Marsha Ward is the author of the American Civil War era novels that make up "The Owen Family Saga:" Gone for a Soldier (which takes place during the Civil War), The Man from Shenandoah, Spinster's Folly, Ride to Raton, and Trail of Storms. Marsha also is an accomplished poet, a mentor, conference presenter, and the founder of American Night Writers Association, Inc. (ANWA). She lives in the heart of the Old West in Arizona.

Reviews

[Valerie Waters · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe one star is a little harsh? I'll think about it. But ugh. First of all the names!!! Are you kidding me?!?!? There are millions of names but the only ones that were used were soooo similar. That was horrible. Mary and Marie. I mean seriously?!?!? The same name???? Then Julia and Julianna. Oh and Juliellen. I mean seriously. Carl and clay. Then they were even confused at time. Ugh. Obviously I was really annoyed by that. I just got to the point I would skip the name and hope I could figure out who they were talking about. And um hello. Why didn't anyone bother asking the girl who SHE wanted to marry???? Grrrrr

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Owen family is large, with five living sons and two daughters, having put two sons in the ground during the Civil War. With the final return of the four soldiers of the family (Rulon, Carl, James, and father Rod), the family decides to leave their farm in the Shenandoah Valley, destroyed by the Union Army, and set off to Colorado territory to raise beef cattle.

Rod sets about gathering up families (including Rulon and his wife) to make up a wagon train, two of whom conveniently have daughters for Carl and James. Without letting on to the boys, he arranges for the marriages to take place the evening before they hit the trail. However, his plans are foiled when the preacher is called away to a dying woman's side. The two couple are forced to make the journey unhitched. Conflicts ensue.

This story centers on Carl who is engaged to Ida, and Ellen, who is engaged to James. The characterizations are somewhat predictable. Carl is noble if hot-blooded. Blonde Ida is shallow, manipulative and grasping. James is dutiful, hardworking and angry. Redhead Ellen is feisty, outspoken and, paradoxically, silently self-sacrificing. Rod goes around arranging everyone's lives with seemingly little thought and only token resistance from his long-suffering wife, Julia.

They say that only a few 19th century pioneers traveling through the western frontier ever suffered the harrowing experiences of the likes of the Donner Party or the Willie & Martin handcart companies. By and large, most journeys were long, boring days of drudgery, an extended if demanding camp-out. The Man from Shenandoah seems to have taken its cue from that particular truth. The Owen wagon train doesn't even encounter any Indians.

The book is a pleasant, casual read which requires little emotional investment. The characters are likable, the plots uncomplicated. Unlike These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner, the reader is not left panting for breath at the end of every chapter, begging for a bit of respite. Despite the war, the outlaws, the carpetbaggers, the Union soldiers, the blizzards, and the unending toil, the lives of the Owen family go on rather smoothly, right down to the timely windfalls that make everything possible. Although the Big Bad Evil comes in the form of murderous cattle rustlers and Berto Acosta, by far the most promising (in a literary sense) conflict rests between the two brothers, Carl and James. Unfortunately, Marsha Ward doesn't get there in this book.

The Man from Shenandoah is intelligent and well-written, if paced a bit slow here and there. The plot is believable and the characters well-defined. Ms. Ward embraces the themes of family, honor and sacrifice with certainty. Filial obedience, a foreign concept in the 21st century, finds its place and its justification in the Owen family.

Marsha Ward masterfully transports the reader to the 19th century. She manages authenticity without assaulting the reader with obscenities and constant sexual innuendo. Her her calm, even voice with a slight country twang rings true. Her writing creates a safe and engaging environment for youth which at the same time satisfies the adult reader.

Bottom line: Marsha Ward has provided me with a pleasing introduction to the Western genre. I enjoyed reading this book and have already started the second installment of the Owens Family Saga, Ride to Raton.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Man From Shenandoah by Marsha Ward

The Civil War has just finished and Carl Owen has just returned home to find his family farm destroyed. His family decide to leave Virginia to seek his mom's brother in the gold fields of Colorado Territory. Carl's father decides to start fresh with starting a cattle ranch and with other families in the community going with them, the journey is bearable. Carl encounters and battles Berto Acosta, a murderous outlaw leader, along with his gang, battles a prairie fire, blizzards, a trackless waterless desert, and his own brother, who has been promised Ellen as his bride by both fathers, while Carl is set to marry Ida. This western novel has everything and the action is non-stop. There are two more in this series and I've just started the second Vol., Ride To Raton, with Trail of Storms the last one. I highly recommend this excellent novel. Kudos to Marsha.

Forever Friends Rating 5 Stars by Teri
Until Next time, See You Around The Book Nook

Publisher: iUniverse, Incorporated
Pub. Date: December 2002
ISBN-13: 9780595263080
248pp

[Taffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

First line:

"The gaunt-featured young man with the lanky build choked down the last of his moldy bread, then got to his feet and climbed atop the stone against which he'd been sitting."

I've been wanting to read one of Marsha's book for a long time! She is such a sweet person and I feel a connection to her in that we lived in the same small town in Arizona.

Marsha's got a good handle on setting and dialogue set in the time of the Civil War. Carl left his family to serve in the war and when he got home, things had changed. Instead of being able to settle down, Carl's dad is ready to leave for Colorado and start a business he has no idea how to run. Add to that the fact that his dad has also got him a fiance, the journey will be interesting.

Rated: PG

V: some fighting

L: No

S: Some kissing

Liked:

Setting

Carl

Ellen

Cover

Disliked:

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a writer! Her dialogue and description is so authentic, I felt as if I'd time traveled to the old west the whole time I was reading. True, much of the plot was fairly predictable, but that didn't detract because the main characters were so well-fleshed out and likable. Now I'm anxious to read her two sequels, "Ride to Raton" and "Trail of Storms." Unfortunately, I have the latter but not the former and I really don't want to read them out of order. It's too bad her second one isn't available as an eBook.

I haven't been a fan of Western fiction until now, but Marsha Ward is changing my mind.

[Krista Darrach · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read!
I'm not a "Western" reader, they arent' my favorite. But I think I'm converted.
I really liked this book, it was quick and easy to read.
Very enjoyable.
I loved the charactors and could feel their struggle. Oh what the world would be like if everyone was still like the charactors in this book. It was nice to transport myself into such a wonderful time. (Yep I'm converted)

I only wished it had ended a few more chapters into it.
Left me wanting more....(but maybe that's a good thing)
For sure...I'll have to get the next book in the series...

[Pauline Hansen]

Marsha has written a lively tale with plenty of action and a dash of romance. Her metaphors had me gasping out loud, they were so clever. The beginning of this book is a bit dizzying since so many characters are introduced so quickly, plus there is a Mary, Marie, and a Muriel, but once the story moves along and some of the characters begin to stand out and take shape, it's riveting and keeps you turning the pages.I look forward to reading Road to Raton, the next in the series.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this book in spurts and I can't help think about the characters in between sessions. The story grabs you, pulls you in and won't let go until you're done. I'm not usually into Westerns but these books have been refreshing and captivating. I love that you can read the books out of order (or even just one) and not be left feeling like you've missed something important.

Will definitely be on the lookout for more from this series. Highly recommend this book!

[Margaret Larsen Turley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like historical fiction, and this story starts in the Civil War Era. Marsha adds humor and humanness to her characters that make them real to me. I would recommend The Man from Shenandoah to anyone who likes historical, romance, westerns, family sagas. All three books in the series show a poignant side of life.

[Daron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very enjoyable read, and felt quite authentic to the time period. The characters were well done with both vulnerable men and strong women, both of whom grow throughout the story. I don't normally read western novels, but I would recommend this book for all readers. I look forward to reading the sequel!

[Lona Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a romantic/western story. Written by a local Mesa Mom. I was leary at first because of the "Mormon Genre", but it was actually very well written. The mother of Jonathan's junior high friend, Jeremy Ward wrote this book. Her other books are great also.

[Donna Hatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically don't like Westerns because they tend to be too formulaic, but I was pleasantly surprised by this story. It's different and it's really, really good! The sequels are just as good!

[Ester · Rating 5 out of 5]

After all the remaining family returned home after the war. Rod decided that the family would move west. Their land was in ruins and they wanted a new start. Gathering some of their friends together to make the trip with them they headed west. There were instances of hardships for the family went through before they reached the land they wanted. It's a real good book. I recommend it to anyone who likes historical westerns

[Sunshine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was actually disappointed with this book. The relationships were lame. Ellen is an important charater and is grossly underdeloped. I knew I wanted her to be with Carl, but I really don't know her, expect she was more outspoken than the other young girls. I would have liked her to win Carl from Ida rather than be a rebound choice. Carl was an idoit and there was no real investment in a relationship with Ellen. They are only together for tiny moments. He has to stay away from her cause she is intended for his brother, James. James is super possesive, but he doesn't even really like Ellen. Stupid story. There is a sequel to this book telling James adventure after losing his girl. I'm not even tempted to read it.

[Jennifer Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This trilogy just came out in a Kindle version and I"m going to download it to read on a road trip through the West. Perfect combo, I think! Glad to see there's an author not afraid to still write good Westerns!

Update:
I savored this book and enjoyed the story and the characters immensely. Every scene felt real and was infused with conflict. I rooted for the heroine all the way through, and have to give praise to Marsha for her *perfect* choices in creating the dialogue for these well-rounded characters. It was a western-lover's western.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The southern men return from the civil war only to find their homes and land destroyed and learn who will never return. The Owen family decides to go find a relative in Colorado and bring along some other families for a new start. This was a different style of writing of a western story and it was a delightful read. It ends nicely enough not leaving you with major questions but leaves you wanting to read more about their lives and an excerpt is included leading you into the next book of the series.

[Fay Klingler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with one of the characters in this book. Well, not exactly in love. I guess it would be better to say I loved her character and want to be like her. This is one fictional character that really teaches a lot.

I found The Man from Shenandoah well written, well plotted, and well developed. If you like to read romance novels, particularly western romance novels, you will like this one. Especially if you like Civil-War-period books.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about post civil war confederates and how dismal the life was in the South after the war. Their journey across America to the Colorado territory (currently Nebraska) and the trials they faced. Good ideas but some not developed which leads you to wonder why the author mentions them at all. The book ends VERY abruptly, I guess so you are forced to buy the next book but it doesn't continue with the main character but the brother. Somewhat unfulfilling as a result.

[Brooke -Brooke's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

There were lots of things I liked about his book. It has an interesting story that covers a fascinating period in time, just after the Civil War.

I felt like the book dragged on a bit and I wished that the romance of the book played out a little more. The ending was way to abrupt for me.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the premise of the story, but there was something lacking in the execution. I felt a little cheated that we had so much build up and then BAM--the story ended. I love to read romance novels for the romance. This one had some good tension between characters, but rather than culminate in a great ending, it felt rushed. I was disappointed. Otherwise, it was a pretty good book.

[Anna del C. Dye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a Louis L'amour fun and collector of his work my husband was looking for another author of best westerns when we stumble into Marsha Ward family saga. A great read in itself and a must read for lovers of westerns and civil ward history fun. We will keep an eye on this author and are sure that she will not disappoint us.

[TJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad book, there were exciting parts but overall it was just kind of slow moving. The speech was also very annoying for "lil 'ol me". It seemed every single cliche' in Western vocabulary usage was used in abundance.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seemed to me the author didn't know what story she was telling for 75% of this book. It was hard for me to get through and I skimmed a great deal of the book. The character development was nearly nonexistent.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Judging by the cumulative goodreads rating, I had high hopes for this book. However, I scan-read virtually the whole thing. That is an automatic two-star rating. No desire to read more in the series.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does a good job of transporting the reader to another time. I really liked how those times shaped each character rather than just placing people with modern sensibilities into that time. Well done.

[Lisa C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story didn't do anything for me. I couldn't connect with any of the characters other than Carl and even he wasn't that great. Too much description of things and it was just, well, boring.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked by the first couple pages! Historical fiction after the Civil War! Clean reads! Check the rest in this great series.

[Susan Tietjen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean romance, vivid characters, bad guys you really fear, and the flavor of the old west make this book a fun read.