Season of Blessing

Seasons #4

by Beverly LaHaye, Terri Blackstock

The fourth and final novel about the trials and joys of the residents of Cedar Circle. Sylvia Bryan has been feeling weak and tired, but is shocked when her internist finds a malignant lump in her breast. She and her husband can’t understand why God is allowing cancer to attack at a time when their missionary work is going so well. As Sylvia undergoes a mastectomy and chemotherapy, the rest of the neighbors pull together to support her, even while coping with the stress of their own lives. Steve and Cathy experience problems with their blended family. Tory and Barry struggle to raise their Down Syndrome child. Brenda’s husband, David, who is not a believer, watches from the sidelines. Season of Blessing realistically portrays the all-too-common crises of both health and faith. How will God answer prayer? What will this latest trial do to their friendships? Terri Blackstock and Beverly LaHaye skillfully weave together the story of the lives of a group of neighbors who experience the overcoming power of Christ’s love.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Audiobook, Religion, Adult Fiction

Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

wife of Tim LaHaye

Reviews

[Anne Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, heartfelt story of friends and family. Keep a box of tissues nearby as this story will grab your heart and stay there.

[Christine Indorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to dnr this book. No it because it wasn’t good but this story had to do with cancer and how it effects yourself and the family. I went through this with my mother and hit a little close to home for what I went through. Still worth the read if you can handle the material.

[Brenda Saball · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book. I love how they gave a detailed background on each character. The challenges of a Christian walk in all circumstances is shown through the interactions of the stories of the characters of the story. You are pulled into their lives and can reflect on challenges that they face that you could be facing in your own life. It was hard to put the book down to take care of things that needed to be done. It is one I will read again.

[Delinda Mauney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. I read it before and wanted to read again. Glad I did as it hit a part of my life that I can relate to right now. Family issues with kids, death, illness, drugs, jail, divorce All part of everyday life is touched in the stories of the 4 families in this little neighborhood.

All in all through all circumstances it is God who is in charge. He wants only what is best for His children and we have to walk through hard times to realize it is Him that we need. We must not run from Him but to Him when need arises.

Wonderful stories that relate to true life situations.

[Tracey J Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed a number of Terri Blackstock’s mystery and suspense books. As this series is an earlier work and also co-authored I was not sure what to expect. In the books the neighbours pull together and draw on their faith to meet life’s challenges like, single parenting, teenage rebellion and health and financial struggles. I felt is was very realistic and not just another fluffy Christian read. It is different from Blackstock’s current genre, but still a good read.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. Happy yet sad at the same time. Need Kleenex.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enough back story is given that you don't need to read the first three books.
Great faith story, even inspiring. They wrestle with cancer and sickness well and avoid the trite things we say when we're uncomfortable and don't know what to say. Also, avoids the name it and claim it healing teachings.
Only reason I didn't give 5 stars is the emphasis of producing fruit, well done good and faithful servant. Too perfect and too much focus, I fear it sets up an unlikely and near impossible example for other Christian women. Yes it is fiction, but it is too easy to fall into works mentality.

Also, would have rather had David's church wounds discussed and healed rather than the don't be left behind that finally brings him to salvation. Bring him to the cross out of love and forgiveness, not heaven insurance.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books for the cheesy, friendly, good time they are. I hate these books for the uber conservative, cheesy faith. They're definitely more good than bad, especially this one. This book is about Sylvia. She comes home from their mission work because she's been very tired and her husband wants her to get checked out by the doctor. She comes home and finds out shes anemic but also has aggressive cancer. The book is about coming to terms with God's will. Honestly, I'm not sure how we were supposed to feel about this. I wasn't overly sad because Sylvia wasn't sad. I wanted to be more on the journey with her and the rollercoaster of emotions. I wanted the panic and the fear BEFORE the contentment and I dont' feel like we got enough of that. I loved seeing the other characters (except Steve, because YUCK) but it was a good conclusion.

[Linda Dalgliesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A community of women dealing with trials and tribulations of heart, soul and body find mutual support within their faith in God and their love for each other. The Seasons series written by two of contemporary Christanity's top women teachers in the Word of God concentrates on the lives of four friends and neighbours. While it is written almost ten years ago, it has a timeless quality that will be highly applicable for women of any age. It has sub-plots about the children and husbands of the group, which makes it of interest to all ages. I don't usually read contemporay fiction but I learned so much abouut how God loves us unconditionally and cares enough enough to gift us with trials to deepen our relationship with Him that the stories became like a Bible study.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, what a tearjerker! This is a beautifully written book. The story does not turn out the way I hoped it would, but it is beautifully written. The description of always remaining faithful but asking difficult questions. I accidentally started reading the fourth book first, but I couldn't put it down to start with book one. Faith, family, friends-all that truly matters is beautifully covered in the characters given. A truly wonder read!

[Kathy Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made Me Cry

I have close friends battling cancer. Those book hit close to home. I liked the main character, Sylvia, was so upbeat about her illness. She was able to praise God for it. I wish we could embrace cancer the way Sylvia did. I don’t recommend this book for someone battling cancer. It would be painful as it is so sad. It was the ones left that had a hard time with death. However, Sylvia’s testimony ministered to others in her death as much as in her life.

[Jeanine E Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful.

It probably touched my heart more than the other three because I've been through cancer and chemo and asked myself some of the same questions. But as Sylvia said whether I'm healed here or in heaven God is still good. God did heal Sylvia but was it the way each one wanted? Read it and find out.

[Kimberly Storey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book. The content/topic was emotionally very hard to read, because I had just received news that my mother had cancer. It's still a little early in my family's story, but I think I'm thankful I continued to read this book. Sylvia's mental state, her attitude of praise, and her dependence on God are all very encouraging.

[Teresa Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the first 3 books on the series, the characters have become my friends. When one friend gets sick, I feel it personally. I love how even in the midst of pain and suffering, God is still in charge.

[Chelsea Faith Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great moments and beautiful quotes. One of my favorite quotes is “if you’re supposed to take this with all the stoicism of a statue, then why would God let us see the Gethsemane Jesus?“ And this quote: “I hope... that I’ll never underestimate the fruit I can bear in any situation.“

[V Deanna Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series!
The series is about friendships between women of different ages in different family situations. The women support each other in prayer as well as with laughter & everyday needs.
The books left me hoping for more by these two talented authors.

[Sarah Abernathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh, my heart!

I cried through a solid 75% of this book. The story of these friends are so beautiful. Sylvia is the exact kind of person I want to be, beautifully full of faith and kindness. I highly recommend this final book of the series. Bring the tissues!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommend keeping a box of tissues handy.

[Jane Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story of God’s grace

Laughter and tears!! Beautiful servants life of Grace. This series has touched my heart. Let there be joy. It will be worth it all.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. Good morals. Rather easy to predict.
But I did enjoy the series of 4 books.

[Sue J · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful testament.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make sure you have tissues with this one!

[Robin Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad listen on audiobook to a woman's struggle with a very aggressive cancer. Many of God's truths reiterated.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good easy read

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series on hope, joy, faith and love! I won't lie, it was a tear jerker.

[Elizabeth Ekeoseye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried. God is good, all the time.

[Lauri Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story although a tough read for anyone who has lost a loved one due to cancer. In a fight for her life Sylvia still does her best to spread the word of God to those around her. The end is a tear-jerker in more ways than one.

[Laurie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful end to this series! I cried through the last 10 chapters! You'll be inspired, convicted, and changed!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christian novel featuring a cancer patient. As the cancer spreads to a terminal end the urgency of accepting Christ so David is not left behind becomes the main message.

[Tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t love this one. The other 3 were great. This one? Too drawn out and depressing