Seasons Of Tomorrow

Amish Vines and Orchards #4

by Cindy Woodsmall

A New York Times Bestselling Author A CBA Bestselling Author The Amish Vines and Orchards Series . Book 4 More settled in her heart than ever before, Rhoda Byler feels a newfound confidence living in the Old Order Amish settlement she helped establish in Orchard Bend, Maine. Time has helped to heal her wounds, and even her unusual gift of profound intuition is less of a burden. But when an Englischer friend?s grandchild is taken deeper into hiding from her grandmother, can Rhoda?s gift make a difference ? or will it lead to another season of doubt and misunderstanding?

Genres: Amish, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Amish Fiction

587 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

CINDY WOODSMALL is an award-winning, New York Times, and CBA best-selling author of twenty-five works of fiction and one nonfiction book. Coverage of Cindy’s Amish connections and her novels has been featured on ABC Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal. She lives in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains.

Reviews

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

.
Inspirational Amish read that includes diversity, hardship, faith, and family bonds. It was well written and compels the reader onward with an interesting plotline.

I was disappointed that there is no H.E.A.. for each book in the series. This compares to a four-part book, each part being sold separately, which is fine if the reader realizes it in advance, but not so much when it comes to a complete surprise at the conclusion of each book.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I had read the first 3 in the series it had been awhile and there are so many characters in the book with such twisted pasts that the book was just confusing. Relationships are changing, leave the Amish or not, Phoebe gets H1N1 while pregnant and almost dies, the orchard is almost lost. The ending seemed to wrap up everyone’s story too fast.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: SEASONS OF TOMORROW
Author: Cindy Woodsmall
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
April 2014
ISBN 978-0307729989
Genre: Amish / Women’s fiction


As love restores Rhoda, a sudden tragedy is the test of faith she never saw coming.

More settled in her heart than ever before, Rhoda Byler feels a newfound confidence living in the Old Order Amish settlement she helped establish in Orchard Bend, Maine. Time has helped to heal the wounds of Rhoda’s recent severed relationship, and she finds that even her unusual gift of profound intuition is less of a burden as she continues to seek God’s wisdom for her future. She is happy to be working alongside the King family and the love of her life as they tend and nurture the settlement’s orchard.

Yet when Leah King’s involvement with Englischer Landon Olson becomes known outside of the Maine community, her disregard of the Ordnung could threaten all the Orchard Bend Amish are building. In the midst of addressing the discord, a shocking tragedy challenges the young settlement like never before, threatening to uproot Rhoda’s peace and the future of everything she holds dear.

When several members of Orchard Bend Farms are displaced, the estranged King brother is called upon to return. Can those who founded the new Amish community in Maine unite Or will the lingering pain of past hurts and present struggles result in the end of their dreams?

SEASONS OF TOMORROW is book 4 in Ms. Woodsmall’s Amish Vines and Orchards Series, and readers should read the previous books in this series as they do not stand alone. They are: A Season for Tending, The Winnowing Season, For Every Season, and SEASONS OF TOMORROW.

Books that have long series that you have to read in order are not things I’m fans of, especially when six months or more pass between books. I like to wait until they are all out to read them. I wasn’t able to do that with this series, but I was able to quickly remember what happened prior and go from there.

There are four different stories going on in this book with five different point of views. Stephen and Phoebe, Samuel and Rhoda, Jacob and Esther, and Leah and Landon. Samuel, Rhoda, Jacob, Leah and Landon were point of view characters. There are also other secondary characters so readers who get confused with more than three or four characters might want to keep the character list bookmarked so its handy (at the back of the book) to keep people straight.

This book started out skim worthy, but about halfway through it caught my interest and I read through to the end. I enjoyed the last half of the book very much, raising my initial thoughts of “3 stars” up to 4 stars.

Amish women’s fiction fans or fans of Cindy Woodsmall might enjoy this book.

4 stars. Available in ebook, hardcover, audio, and paperback. 336 pages.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful ending

This book is a wonderful ending the 4 part story. After several more prob!ems, almost losing one of the main characters everything comes to a great ending. I recommend this series to all who like good Amish books.

[Rosemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was actually sad to see this series come to an end. The characters were like well-known friends that you want to keep up with. The author did a wonderful job of wrapping up the story lines of each character. Some things didn't turn out the way I thought they would, but I was pleased with the ending. This is a wonderful series about purpose, God's gifting, the pain and grief of life, healing, forgiveness, family, friends, and community. I enjoyed it immensely.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I feel like this was a really good book, I just don't know how I feel about the conclusion being all happy for everyone as if there is a fix for all problems, though I get it, I really do.

Rhoda isn't really even the main character in this book like she had been for the other books, which is probably why this is not as highly rated by me as I would like to rate it.

If you know how the last book ended before this one, then you know the situation that happened between Rhoda, Jacob, and Samuel. There whole thing is just odd as it is. It is hard to really wrap myself around the idea of things being as easy for them as it was with the transition.

Leah and Landon's story was well done in this. I enjoyed it all the way through. It showed such growth and hardships and love.

I feel the way they wrote Iva into this story from how things seemed to be going in the previous story, they pretty much kicked her out of the story almost completely. I honestly felt that she and Jacob were forming a small bond last book, but that was not a thing in this at all. It was odd.

There is a new character in this story too. Esther. She likes working with wood, likes to travel, and takes care of pregnant girls/women. Se is certainly not a typical Amish woman at all and reminds me far too much of Rhoda with her independence.

Also, why is Rhoda such a bad cook while they made a big deal of the different recipes she made that included apples in the first couple of books? Sincerely that didn't make sense to me that she was perfectly fine with baking things beautifully but can barely make scrambled eggs in this??

One other problem I had with this book. Samuel and Jacob's father has always been a bit demanding and gives into rumors wholeheartedly and is against Rhoda, yet with all his issues against her he would allow one of his sons to marry her and they don't have him causing more strife when at the wedding? I mean, I get the conversation he had with Samuel about seeing the log in his own eye sort of deal, but he is a stubborn man who didn't seem really open to such things.

With positive feedback, I will say that I do like the overall decisions of each family member and who they choose as mates, I just feel it was too easy.

[ASC Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

WOW! This series has always held LOTS of drama and turmoil for it's characters, but the first three books were NOTHING compared to this one!!! This is a book that I've read off and on for a while and part of the reason is because I would come across a chapter that was so emotional and tragic I had to take a break! This book and it's series is definitely NOT a stand alone and really needs to be read in order, in my opinion. But even though there were times when I had to take a break there were also such fabulous and amazing Faith scenes that touched my heart!!!! Overall even though this book was emotionally taxing at times the Faith messages, especially towards the end, are FANTASTIC and I, and I'm sure other followers of the series, will be very happy with the way Cindy wraps all of these characters up and draws them all together in this conclusion! :) I really enjoyed where this book ended!!!

Songs: "Bless The Broken Road" performed by Rascal Flatts and "Deeper" by Meredith Andrews
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Jeremiah 29:11

~ASC

*I won a copy of this book through goodreads. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Season of Tomorrow. ~ASC

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been one of my all-time favorite series and this one was no exception among the four books. Rhoda is highly misunderstood and mistreated due to her gift of "knowing" or "intuition" in my opinion. I think the church needs to be more understanding of her. Jacob also seems to be rather misunderstood, even by his own family. In this book, he is hurt in a deep and lasting way. I truly feel for him and was rooting for his happiness as I read. Landon and Leah's relationship seems destined for heartache as well. Can any of these characters catch a break?
Cindy tops off a great book with some amazing apple recipes featured in the book on the Apple Orchard and perfected by Rhoda. I can hardly wait to try out some of these recipes. Yummy apples!
I love the book and highly recommend it to readers. 5 Stars all the way!!!
I received a copy of this book from bloggingforbooks.org in exchange for my honest review.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The finale to Rhoda and Samuel’s story was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. Jacob’s sudden departure and his broken heart will lead him on a path to true love but the fallout he leaves in his wake is compelling for everyone involved. Samuel and Rhoda’s relationship grows closer as they hold down the fort and search for answers about Camilla’s lost granddaughter while Landon and Leah’s troubles intensify when her father lays down the law. My heart broke for this couple’s heartbreak and the destruction of their questionable future and for Steven and Phoebe’s family as the characters struggle to keep the orchard going and prays for God’s mercy and intervention. Cindy Woodsmall’s writing tugged on my heartstrings and awed me with her generosity of faith and human compassion while I was simultaneously rooting for a swoon worthy happily ever after for all these beloved characters and it’s well worth waiting for. This series is awesome!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of Amish Vines and Orchards entitled Seasons of Tomorrow was everything that I thought it would be and more. Cindy Woodsmall has a way to a writing that readers fall in love with. This book continues the trials and tribulations for Rhoda, Samuel, Jacob, Leah and Landon, Phoebe and Steven and a new character Esther. Will the family be able to overcome and still keep the faith when health problems strike Phoebe and her pregnancy. Will Samuel and Rhoda finally get together? Will Jacob be able to forgive and move on? Will Leah leave the Amish faith? A very intriguing last book of the series and unhappy the series is ending. If you love reading Cindy's books this is a series to read.

[April Suter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhoda and Sam have more trials to overcome in their Amish settlement in Maine. As they lose help when Jacob and Landon leave for different reasons, Leah must decide where God wants her and Jojo decides if her child should meet the father's family.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fairly well written and interesting Amish novel with good character development. It was a pretty good concluding novel of the four book series; however, I did find parts of the plot to be rushed to a conclusion, and I didn't find the epilogue to be all that well written or satisfying. I think part of my problem with this novel is that Rhoda's character arc of growth is pretty much finished by halfway through the novel and the rest of it is devoted to Leah and Landon's and Jacob and Esther's relationships. It especially bugged me that I got to know Iva's character a lot more than I did Esther's, but she ended up being married off to a barely present secondary character. In any case, I think I would have been more pleased with the series if there had been at least a fifth book, so that it didn't feel like there were a marathon of races to the altar with every single main character having found their partner; besides, I had wanted to know more about how Leah dealt with the full transition into life as an Englisher and how her family reacted--there just wasn't enough of an explanation in the epilogue to satisfy me. Overall, I didn't like this final novel as much as I liked the third one of the series, but I would say that I liked it as much as I did the second one and much more than the first; in any case, I'm really glad I decided to finish this series.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author does such a good job that you feel you are right there going through the ups and downs with this family. Phoebe's illness affects everyone and the running of the Orchard. When Steven has her moved to a hospital closer to his and Phoebe's parents, so they can help look after the children, it puts a strain on the Orchard. With Jacob gone, the numbers are dwindling for who is working in the Orchard. Leah's Daed makes un ultimatum to her that jeopardizes her and Landon's relationship. When Landon disappears without even a good-bye, Leah is left grieving for him. Samuel and Rhoda get married so there will be a married couple in the house with the single women. Jacob's character did amazing things. Not only was his heart broken when Rhoda turned to Samuel, but he has the courage to come back to help in the Orchard after Steven and Landon are taken away. Even though he doesn't know how he'll feel being around Samuel and Rhoda, family is a strong pull to bring him back home. It's great in this story of how family is so important and how families work together through thick and thin. I loved all the twists and turns. I was so wrapped up in the characters, I couldn't put the book down because I wanted to see how the story would end. The epilogue was such a happy ending for everything and everyone, especially since all they had been through was a very tough season.

[Shelby Rush · Rating 3 out of 5]

About two-thirds of the way into this last installment, I was ready for it to end. When it did, it was Disneyesque and much too slap-happy for me. I felt the author was hurrying up, wanting it to end too. That last chapter ... a couple of years passed between it and the previous chapter. How neat that all the major loose ends are tied by the series' end. So unlike real life.

There were several typos, not bad, but I got the feeling the editors were getting tired near the end as there were bigger errors:

Chapter 36: I've no idea whose head we're in until the sixth paragraph. On the very next page, there's a paragraph of dialogue with no attribution. I have to guess it's Stephen speaking. Near the end of Chapter 37 Rhoda hands the reins to Samuel. Near the start of Chapter 38 (same scene), Samuel takes the reins from Rhoda. There's no mention of her reacquiring them in-between hand-offs.

Overall, an intelligently constructed story. But I hate unlife-like endings. The older I get, the more I insist on truth, even in fiction. I'm not that 5-year-old enamored by princess stories. I've lived long enough to know better.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Seasons of Tomorrow; I actually read it in one day. This was a good ending to the Amish Vines and Orchards series. I really liked how all the characters changed and grew for the better since reading the first book of the series. The only thing that bothered me was how the author wrote that Rhoda’s gift of intuition was supposed to be from God. While I agree that God does show Christians things we need to do or pray for about our future and from our past, Rhoda’s gift seemed more like fortune telling to me.
Each chapter of Seasons of Tomorrow goes back and forth between the viewpoints of different people. Even though there are several main characters the story easily switches back and forth between their perspectives. While reading the previous books in the series isn’t necessary to understand all that is going on, I would recommend them. I enjoyed the entire series and am sad to see it come to an end. I received a free copy of this book from the Christian Manifesto and WaterBrook/Multnomah in exchange for my honest review.

[Karen Emmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I waited until I completed the 4th book in the Amish Vines and Orchards series by Cindy Woodsmall, before writing my review .

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. I became very involved in each of the characters lives and cheering them on through the trials and tribulations of caring for an apple orchard as well as caring for family. Each character in the book was strong throughout the series and I enjoyed the character development in each of their lives. I would highly recommend this series and look forward to reading more books by this author . I would encourage you to have all four books at the time of beginning the series, because you will definitely want to continue to the next book immediately.

[Carol Ackerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Book 4 of a very well written series about an Amish family who have an apple orchard. But it is much more than that. It is about family relationships, Amish people dealing with the English people who are involved with helping them succeed, and questioning some of the Amish rules and traditions that seem harsh and unrealistic.
Will Leah leave the faith to marry Landon? Will Jacob and Esther further their relationship? What happens with JoJo and her mother Camille?
This book had some bittersweet moments and many heartwarming moments. I hated to see this series end! I will be reading much more by Cindy Woodsmall.

[Arjaye-Rose Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this series and enjoyed all of the books in it a lot happens over that time people move, a new community, relationships change and Leah decides wether to leave or not leave. Then when Phoebe gets H1N1 while pregnant and ends up in ICU in a comma and almost dies. Theres a lot going on in this book and the ending wrapped it all up way to fast. I was reading the epilogue and felt is this the end but what happened to so and so and what about? The questions were answered in the epilogue but I felt there could have been a few more chapters to write more about the characters we as readers have all grown to love over the series.

[robin.hollis7755gmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love happy endings! The suspense was a little redundant at times! It certainly showed that God is good in all situations as long as you follow Him.

The suspense was a little redundant at times! It certainly showed that God is good in all situations as long as we follow Him. I love happy endings.

[Veda Hilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the series

I love, love, love this series. I wish it could continue but I guess everything has happened that the reader would want to happen. I felt I knew each character as if they were family. I hate to say goodbye but since I usually read my books again after a year or so, I'll get to visit them again.

Great job by Ms. Woodsmall.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

God, friendship and love 💘. What more could any one ask for.

I loved this series. I feel that I understand the Amish so much better. Cindy Woodsmall gives life and meaning to all of the people in her books. She shows the bad and the good in their faith. I enjoyed all of the characters and will be reading more of her books.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought they should've explored Jacob and Esther a tad more since she essentially did to him what he did to Rhoda. The focus on this book was a little less on Rhoda and Samuel and more on the other characters but that was okay. I felt like all the loose ends were tied up and the ending was satisfactory.

[Wendy Lemmert · Rating 5 out of 5]

All four books left you hanging

I loved each book that was filled with life lessons. I really enjoyed reading this series and felt for each character. When I finished one book I automatically picked up the next. I love how the characters came to life. Thank you Cindy Woodsmall for sharing your beautiful fiction books with us.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I really like this story line, this book was a little bit of a letdown. It did show aspects of Amish life that isn't often displayed or discussed, but some of the transitions were either too quick or not developed enough. Otherwise, a good story.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank God I decided to finish the series! The third book dragged on but the fourth was a breath of fresh air. I only had a few opportunities to read but each time I devoured a hundred pages like it was nothing. And while it does have an ending it still is open enough to continue on.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read all four books in this series and they were all excellent a lot of twist and turns and heartache but in the end all ended very for all involved. I especially liked Leah and Landon to follow their heart even if there was a lot of stress involved.I have more of Cindy's books to get into soon.

[Lewestover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Satisfying conclusion to this series. Learning when to stand fast, when to bend; when to hold on, when to let go; and coming to understand the many forms of love -- all important lessons which this series has handled.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I truly enjoyed this series; however, after reading the fourth and final book, I still have many questions. I have enjoyed following the families and learning about the Amish culture. I look forward to more books by Woodsmall and the Amish culture.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Might be a possible re read
Another great series ended by Cindy:-( And ended well! Still hated for it to end. I also agree with another reviewer, this book was the best and is not a stand alone. However, the other 3 are not "chopped Liver" by any means :-) I was a little hesitant to read this series based on the name of the series...and I'm not a gardener by choice. lol

THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
As love restores Rhoda, a sudden tragedy is the test of faith she never saw coming.

More settled in her heart than ever before, Rhoda Byler feels a newfound confidence living in the Old Order Amish settlement she helped establish in Orchard Bend, Maine. Time has helped to heal the wounds of Rhoda’s recent severed relationship, and she finds that even her unusual gift of profound intuition is less of a burden as she continues to seek God’s wisdom for her future. She is happy to be working alongside the King family and the love of her life as they tend and nurture the settlement’s orchard.

Yet when Leah King’s involvement with Englischer Landon Olson becomes known outside of the Maine community, her disregard of the Ordnung could threaten all the Orchard Bend Amish are building. In the midst of addressing the discord, a shocking tragedy challenges the young settlement like never before, threatening to uproot Rhoda’s peace and the future of everything she holds dear.

When several members of Orchard Bend Farms are displaced, the estranged King brother is called upon to return. Can those who founded the new Amish community in Maine unite Or will the lingering pain of past hurts and present struggles result in the end of their dreams?

SEASONS OF TOMORROW is book 4 in Ms. Woodsmall’s Amish Vines and Orchards Series, and readers should read the previous books in this series as they do not stand alone. They are: A Season for Tending, The Winnowing Season, For Every Season, and SEASONS OF TOMORROW.

She tells you the story, what has happened so far in the previous books of her series. Very helpful when so many plots/characters.


***
The divine gift on intuition and insight that Rhoda Byler has been given to her by God, have many in the Amish community Orchard Bend, Maine questioning its validity. Most of the Old Order Amish believe that she is practicing witchcraft when the visions she has come true without any knowledge of just how she knows these things before they happen. Even Rhoda herself can't explain them, just that she does. Most of the times, she keeps these visions to herself because of the accusations being waged against her by her own people, most vocal by Samuel and Jacob King's father. They have moved from Pennsylvania to begin a new community and to establish Orchard Bend Farms, an apple orchard and canning business and have partnered with Rhoda Byler in part to her knowledge and experience in organic growing and tending the orchards. She was also in love with Jacob at one point believing they would be married.

But over time, secrets have caused a great divide between them. Jacob has a past that he has kept secret which involves another woman, Sandra and her daughter Casey and placed them all in legal hot water. When Rhoda herself wound up dealing with her own set of legal issues, instead of standing by her, Jacob left in an attempt to keep his secrets from hampering her investigation. Yet what they did was to cause Rhoda to gain support from Samuel, his brother, and over time, they both began to develop feelings for one another. Even though they tried to deny their feelings, eventually all three realized that the relationship between Jacob and Rhoda would never amount to what a marriage should be based on and Jacob called it off. Instead of resolving his bitterness against Samuel and Rhoda, Jacob moved away to give them all time to heal.

Now that the orchard is in full swing getting read for spring, an unforeseen tragedy will test everyone involved in unprecedented ways. Samuel's sister Leah is struggling with her own romantic feelings for Landon, an Englischer that was hired by Rhoda as her assistant to help build the business. Even though he understands the complications facing Leah by their love, he can't help but wonder if God has bigger plans in store for them. If they don't keep their feelings out of the public eye, Leah could face shunning by her community as well as bring down the orchard business for Rhoda and the King family if they get rid of Landon. They too could face shunning from their community for letting an Englischer causing one of their own to fall astray. But Leah is starting to come to an understanding of God's love through her faith by attending Landon's church and believes God might be calling her in a different direction. Once again if she walks away from her Amish faith, and leaves with Landon it will jeopardize more than just Orchard Bend Farms but isolate herself from her support system as well.

***

[LaGail Lenoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

great series