For Every Season ~ Review

For Every Season
Amish Vines and Orchards, Book 3
By Cindy Woodsmall

Having moved to Unity, Maine, the King and Byler families hopes are high for the new Amish community that they are starting.  But something no one expected or anticipated could destroy them before they see the first fruits of their efforts.

At the end of The Winnowing Season Jacob seemed to be getting his past problems in order, Rhoda was still trying to fight her gift, and Samuel was fighting his feelings for Rhoda.  But then everything seems to come to a crisis right at the end and For Every Season picks up where we were left.

But sometimes our heart betrays us and Rhoda is left with a choice.  Does she stay with Jacob or does she listen to the voice that keeps coming to her.  Not wanting to be the means of destroying Kings' Orchard, she moves in with their Englisch neighbors Bob and Camilla Cranford.  But instead of the peace she was hoping for her gift is trying to reveal something to her about Camilla.

But the distance she is putting between her and Samuel has also put a distance between her and the rest of the fledgling community.  And worse Samuel's kiss has driven a rift between the King brothers and this friction is threatening the new community's growth.

As the Rhoda, Samuel, and Jacob struggle with the situation they find themselves in Leah decides to take matters into her own hands and offer a job opportunity to a young Amish woman from Indiana. But Iva is bringing her own problems with her, problems that the community will have to work through.

Rhoda, surprisingly, receives the best help with her dilemma with Jacob and Samuel from her longtime friend Landon.  His insights help her, but she still has a choice to make.  And one way or another someone will be hurt by her choice, and that someone may just be her.

I have to say I really enjoyed For Every Season, but Jacob still annoys me.  At times he seems almost condescending to Rhoda and her needs, while he keeps his own secrets and even his relationship with Sandra and Casey is something he needs to examine.  At the same time I feel sorry for him as he sees his dreams slipping away.

I really like Landon, he seems to be a steadying influence for Leah, Rhoda, and even Samuel.  I wouldn't mind having a friend like Landon, someone who doesn't pressure you to his way of thinking and is ready to give you a ear to listen to your problems and concerns.

I am looking forward to book 4 and what comes next.  Does Jacob find what he is looking for?  Does Kings' Orchard have a good first harvest?  Does the community grow?

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

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About This Book

Working hard to develop a new Amish community outside of Unity, Maine, Rhoda Byler is fully committed to rehabilitating an orchard with business partner Samuel King. But an impulsive decision has created an unexpected strain in her relationship with her beau, Samuel’s brother, Jacob, threatening plans for the orchard. Amidst mounting tension in matters of the heart and business, Rhoda finds that this fledging settlement feels like the home she has always longed for, and she begins to embrace the God-given, heightened intuition that has always felt like a burden to her. She longs for Jacob to fully be free of his past, so they can work towards the future together.

But as Rhoda uses her gift to unpack an old secret with her Englisch neighbors, it is not her beau but an unlikely ally that cheers her on. With the orchard on shaky ground and Jacob’s plans in question, Rhoda is determined to see things through to harvest. But can she trust her insight to direct her path in matters of the heart?