Book Review: For Every Season

I read For Every Season by Cindy Woodsmall a few weeks ago with the intention of writing my review immediately afterward. For some strange reason I wasn’t ready to put it to bed in my mind.

For Every Season is book number three in the author’s most recent series, Amish Vines and Orchards. The fourth book, Seasons of Tomorrow, will release April 15, 2014. Though I had thought the former was to conclude this series, it would appear the latter will do the job.

For Every Season continues the story of Rhoda Byler and King brothers, Samuel and Jacob, in their move to Maine, and the new Amish community they have committed to pioneer. Despite the many obstacles they have already overcome, there are more in store for this fledgling collection of believers, as well as the business they are struggling to grow. They are the transplants, nursing an abandoned apple orchard while doing their best to find their way through emotional and relational storms that always seem to swirl around them. Will they find their way to clearer skies and a first successful harvest in this new place?

I went into this book expecting it to conclude the series, and I must admit, I was rather anxious to find out how each character’s issues would resolved. The closer I came to the end of the book, the more I realized there was still too much of the story left untold for this to be the final chapter. While many questions are answered in this volume, there are just as many left unanswered. I was, in a way, disappointed. And that is perhaps why it took me so long to write my perceptions of this work. I have never felt this way at the conclusion of one of Cindy’s books. In my opinion, the last chapter, and to be specific, the last scene seemed abrupt. It suddenly came to what felt like a hasty conclusion. While the outcome was what most readers will hope for, it seemed a clumsy way to get there. Perhaps the next book will smooth out the wrinkles for us and explain why that particular scene seemed rushed.

This is no way affected my enjoyment of the book, nor the series. I look forward to the final

installment, to see how my new-found friends manage to set the remainder of their lives in motion.

Cindy Woodsmall has honed her craft expertly over recent years. Her name has become synonymous with well-told stories, compelling characters, and contented memories of satisfying reading.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.