The Man from Shenandoah [Paperback]

Marsha Ward (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2003

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 fianceé 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

"A book to prize, and not only for its gritty realism, exciting action, and compelling characters. The story further engages us by examining the ties that hold family and community together. Not many Westerns do that. Heartily recommended!" --C.K.Crigger, author of the Boothenay Irons Gunsmith series, Western Writers Newsletter, Nov. 2002

The Man from Shenandoah is Book 1 of The Owen Family Saga. Ride to Raton is Book 2, followed by Trail of Storms.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Marsha Ward's clear and vivid writing sweeps us along with her characters on their adventures. --Western Fiction Review

Whatever happened to good, old fashioned westerns? If you've ever gazed over the shelves wondering this, Ms. Ward has a book for you. --Cindy Lynn, Midwest Book Review--Reviewer's Bookwatch, September 2003

I found THE MAN FROM SHENANDOAH immediately mesmerizing." --Jennifer Hill-Russell, Roundtable Reviews, October 15, 2003

From the Author

When I began writing what eventually became The Man from Shenandoah, I had no idea how long it would take to become an actual printed book. I was a teenager, so I doubt I was even thinking in terms of publication as I created the Owen family and their neighbors in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. For some reason, I kept those early efforts that I had typed on a manual typewriter, and they went with me when I married.

In the 1980s, I began to study writing with a view toward publication, and started winning contests and selling articles, poems, and short stories. I dug out the novel manuscript, spiffed it up a bit, and began submitting it. I even acquired an agent! I got some nice comments, but truthfully, the novel wasn't ready to be published. I performed radical surgery on it, and then began a sequel, Ride to Raton.

Life happened, and the urge to publish didn't come around again until I had a severe health crisis. Determined not to leave this earth without publishing my novels, I decided to pursue self-publishing. With eyes wide open, I chose iUniverse as the vehicle, and began hand-selling to family, friends, and others I met at writing conferences and events. To my great surprise and pleasure, readers loved the book, so I began polishing Ride to Raton. It also was received well. After life happened again, I finally produced Trail of Storms, which I thought would wrap up the series. I was wrong, as I'm writing another story about a member of the Owen family.

I'm often asked why I self-publish. My career as a journalist and many complimentary reviews of my works from industry insiders have proven that there is nothing lacking with my writing skills, and I could be published by the traditional means. However, because the self-publishing process is much speedier than traditional publishing, I continue to use that method to bring you my novels.

Thank you for your gracious reviews. You have no idea how they comfort me on dark days when the writing doesn't flow. They also both humble and daunt me. Will my next book live up to your expectations? I'm working hard to make that happen.

~Marsha Ward

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595263089
• ISBN-13: 978-0595263080
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,299,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Because Marsha was asked to provide this information, she says the book order in The Owen Family Saga is: 1-The Man from Shenandoah, 2-Ride to Raton, 3-Trail of Storms. Not yet published, but coming, is 4-Spinster's Folly.

Marsha Ward was born in the sleepy little town of Phoenix, Arizona, in the southwestern United States; and grew up with chickens, citrus trees, and lots of room to roam. She became a storyteller at an early age, regaling her neighborhood friends with her fanciful tales during after-school snacks. Her love of 19th Century Western history was reinforced by visits to her cousins on their ranch and listening to her father's stories of homesteading in Old Mexico and in the southern part of Arizona.

Over the years, Marsha became an award-winning poet, writer and editor, with over 900 pieces of published work, including her acclaimed post-American Civil War novel series, The Owen Family Saga. She is the founder of American Night Writers Association, and a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Pikes Peak Writers, and LDStorymakers. She makes her home in a tiny forest hamlet in Arizona. When she is not writing, she loves to spoil her grandchildren, travel, give talks, meet readers, and sign books. Visit her website at marshaward.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read!, February 8, 2007

By 

Pianissimo "pp" (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Man from Shenandoah (Paperback)

I just finished reading "The Man from Shenandoah", and I thought it was great! I don't usually read Westerns, but this one kept me hooked from beginning to end. I thought the Southern dialect was especially nicely done. Dialet can be extremely hard to read and usually turns me off, but the author made it flow as smooth as butter. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the aftermath of the Civil War or Westerns in general!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, February 9, 2003

By 

Emily Williams (Mesa, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Man from Shenandoah (Paperback)

I was kept literally on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down. I love a good story and this is one of the best I've read in a long while. I feel for the characters and am eagerly awaiting a sequel (please). I would definitely recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars non stop action, excitement, and romance, January 29, 2003

By 

Marian Nicola Spencer "Nikki" (Hemet, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Man from Shenandoah (Paperback)

Wow! I was very impressed with the pace of the story. It was always exciting in one way or another. Just when one adventure finished, another one started. This book had believeable characters, ones you identified with, ones loved and hated. Even if you think you don't like westerns, you will love this one. The story of Carl, James, Ellen, and all the rest just sweep you up and take you away for a while. I can't wait for the sequel.