The Man from Shenandoah :

Rating:
Summary: Great Reading
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Great Reading
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Western Family Romance Adventure
Review: 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 all. 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! 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!

Rating:
Summary: A Western That is Truly West
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Great plot, great character development
Review: Marsha Ward is a true fiction writer. She moves her story without extraneous detail or obvious research, yet you know she's done her homework. The dialog is masterful, the romance filled with just enough conflict and passion. I'll happily read any sequel she comes up with as well.

Rating:
Summary: In the Tradition of Louis La'Moure
Review: This Book Follows the Great tradition of Louis La'Moure.
Marsha Wards' characters are believable and could very well have existed in the old west. Carl Owen and his family reflect the gritty determination to stand up for what's right no matter the cost.

Rating:
Summary: The Man from Shenandoah
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: non stop action, excitement, and romance
Review: 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.