Season of Testing

by Pat Nichols

Final book in the Blue Ridge series.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2026

About the author

Welcome to my author page. I'm delighted you stopped by.
Pat Nichols is an award-winning author who is proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Having retired from a corporate career, she draws on her experiences working with women from all walks of life to write emotion-filled, faith-driven contemporary women’s fiction. Book one in her new multiple-book series, Blizzard at Blue Ridge Inn, introduces three women who meet for the first time at a historic inn where secrets unravel, destinies collide, and nothing is as it seems. Pat and her high-school sweetheart husband of fifty-plus years live in the Atlanta area. They have two children and four grandchildren. One precious granddaughter lives with the angels. Pat enjoys riding in her hubby’s corvette, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite indulgence? Dark chocolate.

I'd love to give you a free copy of my award-winning short story. Simply come on over to www.patnicholsauthor.blog and sign up for my newsletter. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Reviews

[Deena · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This last book of the Blue Ridge Series has all the emotions—joy and laughter, drama and sadness, intrigue and in the end, lots of happy, family relationships. If you’ve read the first books in the series, you know how far the AWESAM ladies have come from their first meeting. If you haven’t read the rest of the series, you certainly need to.

It’s great to have a series about different generations of strong, independent women. They have all had hardships and hard decisions, but have continued to persevere and build new lives. They illustrate what can be accomplished through friendship, support and love.

Nichols does a great job of completing each of the storylines in a satisfactory way. You leave the series feeling content. Looking forward to what comes next.

I did receive an ARC of this book, but the review is totally my own.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, I hate for a good book or a great series to end. I have enjoyed this series so much. These are some very strong and determined women that I have gotten to know and love. As you read and possibly relate to some of their stories it may just give you a little hope and encouragement. I liked the way new characters were introduced throughout the series. They definitely keep the interest level up. Believe me when I say there were some “real characters”. I’m sad to say goodbye to these wonderful folks, but I’m also excited for the ones I’ll be meeting in a new series. I hope you will give Pat Nichols’ books a try if you haven’t already. She was once a new author to me and now is one of my favorites. I received an ARC of this book but my opinion is my own.

[Alice Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful read! Book 10 of Pat Nichols' Blue Ridge series does not disappoint. The Awesam ladies, their family, and friends continue forward in a season filled with challenging situations--exes, new relationships, legal issues, and career disappointment among others. Tears, fears, regret, uncertainty, and charity in these characters stir emotions in readers and dare them to consider how they would react and act in the circumstances. An entertaining, endearing, and thought-provoking book. [NOTE: I was provided with an advance reader copy of the book but was under no obligation to provide a positive review.]

[Janet Bunbuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book. I have absolutely loved this series! The characters are inspiring yet so down-to-earth. The setting is beautiful. I really enjoyed this final story. The characters have felt like people I'm happy to know. I'm sorry to see the series end. I'm looking forward to the next stories this wonderful author will share with us. If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend it.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda, Erica, Wendy, Morgan, Abby and Millie have come full circle from their first days of climbing the porch steps of what was to become Hilltop Inn.
Frustration, changes, disappointments and hope filled their lives daily. But through it all the author brought them through their darkness into their new lives.
A beautiful ending to this wonderful series.

[linda sue starkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

This entire series had been a wonderful adventure and with the most amazing characters. The happy endings made my eyes leak. I was sad to see it end but can't wait for the next series. Thank you for sharing joy with your words

[Beth Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. This 10th book will tug on all your heart strings. Tissues will be needed.