Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Book Review: Seasons of Tomorrow by Cindy Woodsmall

Seasons of Tomorrow , Book 4 in the Amish Vines and Orchards series, by Cindy Woodsmall, was a good finish to all the threads of people’s lives and conflicts that we have been following through the previous three books in the series. 

I am happy to report that each of the main characters (Samuel, Rhoda, Leah, and Jacob) and others grew in their relationship with the Lord and resolved the conflicts with each other.  Any time there are non-Amish intimately involved in Amish family and business, there is conflict, and this book reveals that clearly.  It also discloses the ability of some to love deeply enough to let others, however different, into their hearts.  I am saddened that some of the relatives were willing to rigidly cut off fellowship for the sake of tradition and rules that I personally have never found in the Bible.

I enjoy reading Amish books, because they are wholesome, but sometimes the culture really frustrates me.  I love it when some of the characters in this series believe deeply in obeying God’s Word more than obeying man’s words.  It is painful to do, because of the conflicts that it causes in families, but it is the right thing to do.  This book closes with Samuel, Rhoda, and Jacob purposefully choosing to support Leah in her walk with God even though they know they will be shunned again.

If you have read the other three books in the series already, please read this one for closure on all your favorite people!  I would not recommend reading it as a stand-alone, as you would miss too much of the context provided previously.  There were times when this book moved too slowly for me, especially with too much construction information or orchard tending information, but it was all needed for the occupations of the characters.

I received my free copy of Seasons of Tomorrow from Waterbrook/Multnomah in exchange for my honest review.