Customer Reviews

The Man from Shenandoah

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

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!

After Carl returns home from the Civil War his father is determined to uproot the entire family and move to the Colorado Territory where he plans to raise cattle. He goes a bit farther when he also chooses a mate for both of his sons. Immediately Carl likes the looks of Miss Ida Hillbrands who with merry blue eyes and the blondest, silkiest curls he has ever seen. James wasn't happy that his father matched him up with Ellen Bates because he already had his heart set on someone else. Before the end these two brothers are fighting over one girl.

There is plenty of romance as well as action as the men battle outlaws, a prairie fire, and the weather. After a slow beginning, I later didn't want to put the book down. I could hardly wait to see what would happen next.

C. LaRene Hall, author of
Martha's Freedom Train

I had nearly given up on reading Westerns as the newer ones I have read present such modern morals and language. Ms. Ward uses the language of the class & region, which makes The Man from Shenandoah so pleasing. Ms. Ward gives us joyous times but doesn't pass lightly over the hardships either. The author draws a character in such human warmth and depth that you have no trouble remembering who is whom. I don't know how a woman can write so well from a man's viewpoint; but, as she illustrates so well, men didn't understand women in the old West any better than they do now, but we women are another story!

Marsha Ward has a way with dialogue that eases us into familiarity with Carl Owen, the book's main character. His thoughts and words flow so clearly that we come to know him as a common man with a sense of humor. Carl is not given to flowery speeches. He can be a complex man who at times makes some pretty funny mistakes, and he doesn't like to apologize for them. Carl's values and his honor cause him no end of conflict with his family and others throughout his story. Often a western (especially one with romance included) lacks a deep feeling of family. I liked this one because the main character was not the 'loner with no family to teach him love and values' hero. The better part of the characters in this novel were members of warm, loving, laughing and arguing families. It was a joy to get to know them.

Ms. Ward paints vivid night skies, warm sun on your face and makes you wish you could lie down to contemplate the clouds in a meadow surrounded by quakies (Aspen trees to those not native to the Rockies). Colorado, Nevada, Utah and of course Arizona have been my playgrounds all my life and the journey into past memories was achingly sweet. A young girl threw her arms up over her head and whirled around in a meadow full of wildflowers and cried "I love you, Colorado, you're beautiful." This Colorado girl was so homesick she cried too - tears.

Ms. Ward's characters worked `danged hard' and they went down to the 'crick' to get water. Arizonan's give me such strange looks when I talk about the dry cricks here.

Well, human nature being what it is, there were people I loved and people I could do without but loved to hate. I was also a bit humbled by the women and yes, I would wish to be more like Ellen Bates myself. Now give us our sequel - it's so hard to wait!
I can't leave you without also mentioning that the cover is to die for. Yummy!

I eagerly anticipate the sequel (hope there is one). I was hooked after a few pages. Haven't read many Westerns, but I would read another in this series (hope there is a series). Enjoyed the characters and the excellent descriptions of scenery and life in the old West. Hope this book is a great success so the author will write more.

This was a very good book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had me on the edge of my seat. I hope someone can talk the author into a sequel!

I finished "The Man From Shenandoah" at half-past midnight because I couldn't put it down. I didn't know I was a western aficionado, but this book made me want to find a horse and put my hubby in riding gear (loved the cover)! This was a great story; the gripping action, the believable characters, and the historical research. I loved that it was as much a romance as it was a family western, and I never realized I was a romance aficionado either.

The author skillfully took me into the past--familiar with mining territory in Nevada, and the more western parts of Utah, Arizona and Colorado-the story had me there with the dust and the snowstorms and cabins and prarie fire and more. Especially beneficial was the story's ability to inspire me to be a better wife. I don't want to be so much like that shallow Ida (gulp); I best be gettin' more like Miss Ellen!

In all, the author's blood, sweat and tears paid off; I will add her sequel(s) to my bookcase as well. Thank you for the adventure, Ms. Ward!

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.