Young cavalryman 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 fiancée while set to wed another girl, but he might lose everything if the murderous thug 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.

"I finished The Man from Shenandoah at half-past midnight because I couldn’t put it down." - Utah Reader

"This is 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!" - Western Writer's Newsletter

Book 1: The Owen Family Saga

James Owen leaves home to make a new life for himself. Post-Civil War Colorado is a dangerous place for an ex-Confederate. Then he meets beautiful young Amparo Garcés, who came from Santa Fe to marry a stranger, and a twist of fate changes their lives forever.

"Marsha Ward has the ability to grab readers by the lapels, yank them into her stories, and make them care deeply about her characters." - Phyllis Dugan

"Marsha Ward's western novel of love, honor and survival is an exciting ride from beginning to end. From watching his brother marry his fiance to rescuing a Mexican bride when her intended is killed, the story kept me reading with good conflict and plenty of action. Just when I thought things were going a little too smoothly, Marsha throws in an unexpected twist. I recommend Ride to Raton." - Heidi Thomas

Book 2: The Owen Family Saga