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Seasons #3
Times and Seasons
Cathy Flaherty is devastated when her son Mark is arrested, forcing Cathy to cancel her wedding plans to Steve Bennett. Determined to change her mind, Steve sets about trying to right the wrongs in Mark's young life. Can all things really work for good, when everything seems to be turning out bad?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
111 people are currently reading
492 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 18, 2021
Probably shouldn’t have read this with all the pregnancy hormones I have going on! Specifically the journey of having a Downs Syndrome baby and wanting to help her achieve her full potential hit me deeply. Just love that little person for who she is without demanding she goes by your timeline! It’s ok, though, good lessons learned by the end. 😊
September 1, 2016
Parts of this book were interesting - the general story line was OK. But the characters were too reactionary and lashed out verbally, emotionally and selfishly. I suppose their reactions could be considered normal, but it is difficult to relate to people with apparently so little self control - which would be more understandable if they were all children. Then, everyone turns around and reconciles like being irrationally hateful has almost no lasting effect on relationships.
June 25, 2023
I've only just started this, and I'm sorry to point this out but it's kinda bothering me. In the last 2 books, Steve's daughter's name was Amanda and somehow it's now Tracy. I tried looking at the other reviews to see if anyone else noticed it, but Goodreads isn't letting me see them. The storyline is great so far, lessons to be learned so I still give it 5 stars, but the mess up with the name (which would be the editor/proofreader's mistake) is kinda bothering me a lot.
January 9, 2017
Not very good. When Terri Blackstock writes by herself....the books are excellent.
January 29, 2025
3.5 stars. Steve is the ultimate ICK for me. This book mainly follows Cathy and her kids and her fiance Steve and his daughter as they navigate her son's imprisonment. Her son has gotten in trouble for trespassing and one other thing before, but when he's caught selling drugs, the judge throws the book at him and gives him a year in a juvenile prison. He goes to jail really angry and sinful, but leaves a changed and reformed Christian. Its a little eye rolly for sure. But the real deterrent in this book was Steve. He oversteps his boundaries and gives such conservative Christian narcissistic vibes, I wanted Cathy to run for the hills. He overstepped his role as a potential stepfather so many times. He criticized Cathy's parenting, aggressively went out of his way to confront her kids dad, forced his faith on others, etc. His views are too dictator-esque for me, but not when it comes to his own kid. She's perfect and he's made no mistakes. YUCK. I liked seeing the other characters-- Tori and her daughter with Downs, Sylvia and her time in mission work (along with Cathy's daughter who decides to join) and a small amount of Brenda and her kids.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2018
I enjoyed these books in the series, and will now be searching for a copy of the fourth in the series.
Despite times when it can get as hokey as one of those romance novels, there is a lot of wisdom included in these stories, and this was the best so far.
I was bothered by the fact that one of the characters in this series suddenly went from being Steve's daughter Amanda to Steve's daughter Tracy. At first I had difficulty figuring out who Tracy was, and then it sort of irked me every time I read her name.
I read this one in less time than the previous two, proving that I was enjoying it more. The life lessons and scripture lessons in it are flawlessly incorporated to make the story so much richer.
Despite times when it can get as hokey as one of those romance novels, there is a lot of wisdom included in these stories, and this was the best so far.
I was bothered by the fact that one of the characters in this series suddenly went from being Steve's daughter Amanda to Steve's daughter Tracy. At first I had difficulty figuring out who Tracy was, and then it sort of irked me every time I read her name.
I read this one in less time than the previous two, proving that I was enjoying it more. The life lessons and scripture lessons in it are flawlessly incorporated to make the story so much richer.
August 18, 2017
Actually this is the 2nd time I have read this series. I read it many years ago and loved it then and I have appreciated it even more now. The trials different families go through are so relevant and so true to life in this series. From disrespectful children, divorce, marriage, drugs, to illness, to cancer, death and salvation, marriage issues, downs syndrome, foreign mission work- everyday life that is thrown at us.
In all of the issues, it is that God is in charge. He only wants best for His children. We are the problem - we just have to let go and let God and keep learning along the way.
In all of the issues, it is that God is in charge. He only wants best for His children. We are the problem - we just have to let go and let God and keep learning along the way.
January 23, 2020
Book number 3 in the series. This book is about Cathy so son Mark is caught dealing drugs and have to spend a year in jail. Mark a self centered boy who only cares for himself, grows up fast and start relying on Christ as his savior. Cathy, who is supposed to marry Steve, calls off the marriage until mark is out of prison. Will mark finally gives his permission to his mother to marry Steve. Will mark finally gives his life to Christ and grows up to be a man of God? A great series. One more book left. What will happen???
August 7, 2021
Third in a series of three books, I did not have the 2nd one but they are Seasons Under Heaven, Showers in Season, and Times and Seasons. The two that I read were outstanding and inspiring faith based books. I strongly recommend them to anyone who is struggling in the faith and the trials of life.
August 21, 2024
Life,,,wonderful, messy life
This is my second book in this series, and it's killing me to stop and write this review when all I want to do is get started on the third. God is so good, and these women show us that, even in hard times, our Father is watching us, guiding us, loving us. Bravo, Ms.LaHaye! Bravo, Ms. Blackstock!
This is my second book in this series, and it's killing me to stop and write this review when all I want to do is get started on the third. God is so good, and these women show us that, even in hard times, our Father is watching us, guiding us, loving us. Bravo, Ms.LaHaye! Bravo, Ms. Blackstock!
April 25, 2025
I will be honest. The story was good but the narration was like nails on a blackboard. “Steve” sounded like a bad ventriloquist. Idk what she was trying to do with the “v” and “pf” sounds for the “b’s and p’s”. I had to endure it for hours as I want to finish the series. But it was torture.
October 3, 2019
Completely changed a characters name, so odd. Didnt enjoy the bickersons. All the bickering was annoying. Ending was fine but not an enjoyable read.
August 13, 2020
Neighborhood friends and their problems. Cathy’s son put in detention center for a year
March 9, 2021
Awesome read. Passing on
August 30, 2022
Not lighthearted but oh, it’s so worth it to get to the end. 💜
July 25, 2023
In book 1, Cathy meets a new love interest, Steve. He is a widower raising his daughter Tracy. However, in book 2, Steve's daughter is now Amanda. Just finished book 3. Steve's daughter is back to Tracy. (You definitely need a new proofreader.)
The majority of the book still deals with bratty Mark. He does turn his life around but it really got tiresome with everyone screaming at each other and flying off the handle most of the time.
This series started out great with book 1 but has slowing slid down the hill.
The majority of the book still deals with bratty Mark. He does turn his life around but it really got tiresome with everyone screaming at each other and flying off the handle most of the time.
This series started out great with book 1 but has slowing slid down the hill.
March 16, 2024
Absolutely amazing! This book compels you to reflect. The characters, though fictional are very relatable. There are so many life lessons contained in this book. It is an absolute must read!
January 27, 2025
So upliftingly real!
April 29, 2025
This one might be my favorite!
I think I cried through the majority of this book. It was so full of heartbreak, forgiveness, strength and unimaginable love. Just beautiful.
I think I cried through the majority of this book. It was so full of heartbreak, forgiveness, strength and unimaginable love. Just beautiful.
July 6, 2025
The story has a good message but I thought everything was a bit too easily wrapped up. Easy, quick read.
July 13, 2025
Such a beautiful story!
August 23, 2025
I think this was my favorite of the series so far!
February 13, 2023
I cracked up laughing at 1:13:19 of the audiobook when I heard the narrator's stomach growl. Haha 🤣
But seriously, this series is so sweet. Such good stories and writing. By book 3 it was a little easier to follow the jumping back and forth between the 4 main characters, who was who, and who's kids/husbands belonged to whom.
But seriously, this series is so sweet. Such good stories and writing. By book 3 it was a little easier to follow the jumping back and forth between the 4 main characters, who was who, and who's kids/husbands belonged to whom.
January 14, 2017
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
From back cover:
"When Cathy Flaherty's teenage son, Mark, is arrested for selling drugs, her neighbours once again show that Cedar Circle is more than a suburban cul-de-sac. It is a tightly knit circle of friends whose faith, love, and encouragement help each other make it through the changing seasons of life.
More is at stake for Cathy than her son. With Mark in juvenile detention, the single mother of three finds herself struggling over whether to marry Steve Bennett, a man she truly loves. It will take strength and wisdom for Steve to see Cathy through this time of family conflict. Fortunately, he is not alone. Other lives, each with concerns of their own, weave together in a strong show of mutual care and support. And through the hands and hearts of this loving community, God moves."
***
pretty preachy and still don't really care for the reader
From back cover:
"When Cathy Flaherty's teenage son, Mark, is arrested for selling drugs, her neighbours once again show that Cedar Circle is more than a suburban cul-de-sac. It is a tightly knit circle of friends whose faith, love, and encouragement help each other make it through the changing seasons of life.
More is at stake for Cathy than her son. With Mark in juvenile detention, the single mother of three finds herself struggling over whether to marry Steve Bennett, a man she truly loves. It will take strength and wisdom for Steve to see Cathy through this time of family conflict. Fortunately, he is not alone. Other lives, each with concerns of their own, weave together in a strong show of mutual care and support. And through the hands and hearts of this loving community, God moves."
***
pretty preachy and still don't really care for the reader
April 9, 2009
Another real-life like drama from LaHaye and Blackstock.
From back cover:
"When Cathy Flaherty's teenage son, Mark, is arrested for selling drugs, her neighbours once again show that Cedar Circle is more than a suburban cul-de-sac. It is a tightly knit circle of friends whose faith, love, and encouragement help each other make it through the changing seasons of life.
More is at stake for Cathy than her son. With Mark in juvenile detention, the single mother of three finds herself struggling over whether to marry Steve Bennett, a man she truly loves. It will take strength and wisdom for Steve to see Cathy through this time of family conflict. Fortunately, he is not alone. Other lives, each with concerns of their own, weave together in a strong show of mutual care and support. And through the hands and hearts of this loving community, God moves."
From back cover:
"When Cathy Flaherty's teenage son, Mark, is arrested for selling drugs, her neighbours once again show that Cedar Circle is more than a suburban cul-de-sac. It is a tightly knit circle of friends whose faith, love, and encouragement help each other make it through the changing seasons of life.
More is at stake for Cathy than her son. With Mark in juvenile detention, the single mother of three finds herself struggling over whether to marry Steve Bennett, a man she truly loves. It will take strength and wisdom for Steve to see Cathy through this time of family conflict. Fortunately, he is not alone. Other lives, each with concerns of their own, weave together in a strong show of mutual care and support. And through the hands and hearts of this loving community, God moves."
October 28, 2013
The beginning of the story was annoying with a punk kid who was very disrespectful of his mom and everyone else. It was grating to read. Finally, things started to turn around but in this story it all seems so picture perfect and easy.
Read
October 12, 2007Lahaye,Beverly/Blackstall, Terri
May 18, 2009
(Book 3 in the Seasons series) (book, fiction)
This is another excellent book in the Seasons series. I would read this series again. – 5 STARS
This is another excellent book in the Seasons series. I would read this series again. – 5 STARS
Read
December 4, 2008YA LaH
January 22, 2009
Awesome book! Get the tissues!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews