Bestselling author celebrates 30 years of writing with a collection of both old and new stories.
Four short contemporary romances from bestselling author Tracie Peterson take readers to the author’s native state of Kansas. A single mother is braced for spring tornadoes and Stormy Weather when she encounters her son’s scout troop leader. A student finds her King of Hearts while participating in a summer Renaissance festival, but she may lack queenly confidence. Autumn isn’t just about the changing of the trees for a widow living with her mother and aunts on the family farm, it’s all about Falling for Love. A wife faces Silent Nights during winter as her marriage begins to crumble at Christmastime.
Tracie Peterson is a bestselling author who writes in both historical and contemporary genres. Her novels reveal her love for research as well as her strong desire to develop emotionally meaningful characters and stories for her readers. Tracie and her family live in Montana.
We are treated to a contemporary fiction book with four novella length stories in it. This author usually writes historical fiction, but she has presented us with contemporary fiction which I was just as happy to read. The stories take place in Kansas, the author's home state and each one involves a storm which the state is known for, along with hurricane preparedness. Each of the stories takes place in one of the seasons so we get a nice mix of seasonal summer, spring, fall and winter and the activities the revolve around them. The stories though not dated for a time period, to my way of thinking seem to take place in the eighties when people were kinder, more understanding and not quite the hurry, hurry attitude we have today no matter the cost to anyone else. Feel good book that left me smiling! Recommended!
Pub Date 01 Feb 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
We are gifted four beautifully crafted, page turning sweet romances, that each take place in our four seasons.
Each start on a down note, getting to the conclusion of these fast paced reads, is delightful, and sometimes not quite like you expect, making it so enjoyable!
You will quickly be through each story, and can pace it out for four sittings, I found myself quickly going to the next!
Looking for my next Tracie Peterson read!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.
I enjoyed reading this book with four different stories. They made for a quick lunch and break time read. It was easy to read one story at a time as the stories were short with unique storylines. Although they were short stories they had great detail, good dialog and interesting characters which made them fun to read. My favorite of the four was the first story. I liked how the author incorporated the weather with believable actions by the characters. There was nothing over the top or that didn't help the storyline. The little boy in this particular story was written so that you wanted to get to know him in real life! I have always been a fan of the author, Tracie Peterson, so I was excited to read this one and she did not disappoint!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Barbour Publishing, for the temporary digital ARC that I read and gave my honest opinion of.
Love Through the Seasons: 4 Stories from a Beloved Author by Tracie Peterson 9h narrated by Sybil Johnson, 448 pages
Genre: Christian Romance, Short Stories
Featuring: Kansas, God's Plan, Single Parenting, Familial Love, College, Renaissance Fair, Home Renovations, Lots of Widows, Trust Issues, Church, Vicenarians, Tricenarians, Quinquagenarians, Octogenarians, Marital Issues, Workaholics, Farms
Rating as a movie: PG
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟❤️ Stormy Weather (1999)🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 King of Hearts (1997) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ Falling For Love (2023) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Silent Nights (1989) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: 📱8% 40:34 Stormy Weather Ch. 3 - This is pretty much a Family First movie and I'm not mad at it. 📱24% 2:06:35 King of Hearts Ch. 1 - I'm completely shocked by Stormy Weather I wasn't expecting it to be that good. I liked it a lot. Near the end a storm hit and now it's raining and hailing so I'm going to bed. I'm looking forward to more from this author. 📱46% 4:08:25 Falling For Love Ch. 1 - King of Hearts was really cute. Lots of unrealistic parts in the plot, but it was really fun so I can't decide if it was 4 stars or 5 stars. I really liked it, I don't think I loved it but I think it would have been great if I wasn't comparing it to the previous story. 📱76% 6:52:12 Silent Nights Ch. 1 - I was expecting one of these stories to drop the ball, but Falling For Love was just as good as the others I think it may be my favorite so far. 📱100% 8:59:03 Closing - I loved Silent Nights. I couldn't find out if these stories have been previously published but I wondered, where are the cell phones? I checked on Goodreads, and that was the only issue here.
So after I listened to the Closing I got the copyright dates, and only one book is new. They must have been part of other collections. I loved every one of these stories it kind of reminded me of chicken soup for the soul but better written, in my opinion. I will be reading so much more from this author it's rare to have 100% good stories in a collection.
Recommend to others?: Yes! I don't know why I haven't discovered this author sooner. This collection is fantastic.
Love through the Seasons by Tracie Peterson contains four contemporary, Christian stories. Each story takes place during one of the four seasons. We get to enjoy spring, summer, fall and winter along with the activities and holidays that take place during those seasons. We are not given the year in the novellas. I know that they are not the present day because of certain references. Each story has a theme or moral. I like the Christian themes in each novella. There are good life lessons. I found the stories to be easy to read. Each story can be read in a sitting. Each novella begins with a problem, and we see the characters work to overcome them with help from God. My favorite story was Falling in Love which takes place in autumn. Karen Armstrong lives with her mother on the family farm. They soon invite the mother’s sisters to live with them. Modifications need to be done to the home. Karen hires Dan Polk and his sons to do the needed renovations. Karen and Dan have both lost their spouses. Karen’s mother and aunts decide to do a little matchmaking. It is a cute story. I would have liked a whole book involving these characters. My least favorite story is Silent Nights (the winter tale). Lynn Murphy and her husband, Frank have been married for ten years. Frank is gone on business trips more than he is at home. When Frank cancels their tenth anniversary trip to Mexico, Lynn decides she has had enough. She heads to her grandfather’s home to think things through. There is a lot of bickering which got on my nerves. Frank and Lynn both have valid issues. The problem is that neither one has bothered to share their concerns with their spouse. This tale was lacking. I thought there was too much repetition. My favorite character in this story is Gramps. Love through the Seasons comprises four sweet, feel-good romances that transports readers to Kansas.
Things I appreciated: clean stories, believable characters, all but two of the main characters were in their forties, the message of hope and second chances, and that with God, even impossible situations can be turned around. Things I did not like that much: repeated elements (spouses died in car accidents caused by a drunk drivers, for instance), parts of the stories turned too "preachy" for my liking or a little idealistic.
I was glad the winter story, "Silent Nights", was focusing on a problem not many books address. The main conflict here centers around the loneliness and emotional neglect created by a workaholic spouse. Neither Fank nor Lynn believes in divorce, but Frank's frequent business trips are causing him to reschedule or cancel many events that are important to Lynn. The last straw, a canceled anniversary trip, makes Lynn walk out on Frank. The reality of their marriage dissolving causes both of them to search for answers to their expectations and decisions in their childhood. Recognizing the sources behind their actions helps Frank and Lynn start the process of healing and restoration.
Love Through the Seasons is without a doubt one of the best novella collections I own.
Four lovely contemporary romance novella stories all in the one book. Each of the stories is set in a different season and each includes a storm. Sometimes how you think these fast paced stories are going to end up, have a twist in them. An enjoyable read, I read a few chapters each night but you could easily read a story in one sitting.
STORMY WEATHER Gina fights to regain funding for the Scout troops and isn’t backing down. She struggles to help her son with his project and teams up with the Troop leader. There is quite a few storms and they all end up taking shelter together. They have quite a lot in common and end up close.
KING OF HEARTS Elise ends up needing an extra credit and in a Renaissance fair. It seems God had other plans for her life though and it’s not what Elise planned.
FALLING FOR LOVE Karen ends up with a house full with her mum and her mums three sisters. This story was full of laughs and shows the importance of family and helping one another. Dan has a heart for ministry and building. The two become close and Karen no longer feels lonely surrounded by everyone.
SILENT NIGHT Lynn dreamed of the prefect marriage and seemed to have it. But Fran has become a work a-Holic if he’s not at the office working long hours he’s off traveling on business trips leaving his wife at home. Lynn runs to her Grandpas house and Frank ends up finding her and realises things back at home need to change but what about his career. I loved how this story ended it showed Gods love and how God satisfies our hearts even during challenging times.
This is a very enjoyable set of 4 novellas by the wonderful Tracie Peterson. I am already a fan so I was prepared to have a great time reading these. I enjoyed all 4 of the stories but must admit King of Hearts was my least favorite. The novellas are very fast reads. The characters are all likable except for Elise in King of Hearts. She needed to take a chill pill and calm down, she was a very angry person through the first part of the story. I would recommend these to a friend because they are interesting plot-wise and the characters are believable. Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review Love Through the Seasons.
Love Though the Seasons is a wonderful compilation of four short stories written by Tracie Peterson. Each of the stories focuses in on a single woman at different times in their life. These are well written stories that will tug at the readers heart. I enjoyed reading each of these stories and wished they were full length novels. The topics for each story are so realistic and the author does a beautiful job of having the characters work through their issues with wonderful outcome. I especially enjoyed how God put someone in Gina and Karen in situations that brought them second chances at love.
Spring – Stormy Weather – I love how Gina, a young widow, works with the Boy Scout leader to enlighten the city council members as to the true story behind the organization. And the importance it has for the boys and their families.
Summer – King if Hearts – I felt disheartened for Elise as has to put off moving forward with her life due to an error the college made. I felt sorry for her with how she got stuck in a very time consuming class that she understood would not take much time.
Autumn – Falling for Love – Karen is a widow who has been caring for her mother and is now talked into caring for her aunts as well. This is such a sweet story of the elderly sisters coming back to their childhood home.
Winter – Silent Nights – This story is so realistic in how Frank puts the success off his job as number one in his life. To the extent he doesn’t realize what his wife, Lynn, is going through. I enjoyed how Lynn looked for peace and a place to work through her struggles at her grandfather’s home.
I voluntarily received a complimentary ARC copy of this book through NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, this is my honest review.
Author Tracie Peterson has written four contemporary stories of love for each season: Spring: Stormy Weather. Young widow Gina has no idea how to help her son with a pinewood derby car so Danny enlists the help of his Cub Scout leader who turns out to be a handsome young widower! You'll love Gina's ideas for helping her son deal with the Kansas tornado season and with his scout leader! Summer: King of Hearts. This was my favorite of the stories! Elise Jost has worked hard to complete her college degree when she learns one week before graduation that she she needs one more credit! Renaissance Appreciation is the only one credit class that will allow her to continue working. Elise is shocked to learn she will be required to take part in a Renaissance Festival in addition to attending class and continuing her job! Fall: Falling for Love. Widow Karen Jacobs and her mother live together in a large house when Karen's three aunts decide they would like to move in too! When Karen decides to do some modifications to make the house handicap accessible for the older ladies and hires widower Dan Polk to do the work, Cupid gets some help from Karen's mother and aunts. Winter: Silent Nights Life takes unexpected turns when Frank Murphy says he has to work instead of taking his wife, Lynn, on a ten year anniversary trip! Lynn's grandfather offers some great advice to the couple.
This story was so cute! The romance was a bit quick at times, but it was sweet. The various relationships splattered with grief drove this story, but the Cub Scouts and pinewood car race added something special to it as well.
King of Hearts 1 star
This story was a miss for me. A retired professor was much younger and wealthier than his position would permit. He practically forced a student into a “romance.” And the gal fell for him despite his brash, domineering attitude. Also, he insisted she stay at his place even though she protested on grounds of biblical principle and could have recovered from the sprained ankle at home. Not a good example of chivalry or a healthy relationship, that’s for sure.
Falling for Love 4 stars
Cute! This was an older romance between a pair of folks who already had grown kids of their own. I loved how Karen opened her home to her aunts. What a beautiful display of selfless love!
Silent Night 4 stars
This was such an important story. It showed beautifully the struggle to keep a marriage together when communication is poor and what relying on God and wise counsel can look like. I loved seeing these characters fight for their marriage.
Four short stories, one for each season of the year. Spring is tornado weather in Kansas. Think Wizard of Oz. haha Summer finds Elise who is a determined hard working woman who is desperately trying to finish up college when learning she is short one credit. She enrolls in a class with Professor Ian Hunter. Sparks begin to fly! Autumn is the story of a widow lady, Karen, whose mother lives with her. They move her mother's three elderly sisters into the home, also. Karen has renovations done to accommodate them all. A church member recommends Dan who is a widower who has a contracting business along with his two sons. Romance is in the air! Winter finds Lynn Murphy a lonely wife while her husband takes many business trips and spends many hours at work. Now, he has cancelled an anniversary trip that Lynn has been looking forward to. Devastated, she packs and goes to her grandfather's for a time to consider her life. I was given an advanced ecopy by the publisher, Barbour through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
This book contains four novella's, each story portrays a season of the year.
Spring… Stormy Weather set in Kansas, with threats of tornadoes. Gina Bowden is a widow raising her young son. Her son is a Cub Scout and is tasked with has to build tv a car for The pinewood derby. She has no idea nor to turn a chunk of wood into a racing car so she calls the scout leader for help. A nice story of finding love again ensues.
Summer… A student finds her King of Hearts while participating in a Renaissance festival, but she may lack queenly confidence.
Autumn… we encounter a widow living with her mother and aunts on the family farm, it’s all about Falling for Love.
Winter… A wife faces Silent Nights during winter as her marriage begins to crumble at Christmastime.
I have read a lot of Tracie Peterson over the years, she was a staple in my teenage years. This was an enjoyable set of stories. I would have to say the Spring and Winter stories were my favorites. I enjoyed that all of the books were contemporary, I am more used to the historical fiction from Tracie.
All of the stories tucked in valuable nuggets of faith and guidance that I think can help all of us in our daily lives. I think my favorite would be the last story with Lynn and Frank. We can get so busy with our own agendas and thinking what we need in our marriages. We often can forget what our spouse needs. I am guilty of that myself. I really needed the reminders and the sweetness that this story brought.
So great job on this book, these stories are quick with insight and inspiration for our everyday.
Thank you to Barbour publishing and Netgally for this ARC.
4 Contemporary Novellas. I have differing opinions on each of them:
Spring. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My favorite. Sweet, simple love story of a widow and widower. A cute Cub Scout to boot and an element of forgiveness. Summer: ⭐️⭐️ I felt like the grand gestures in this story were a bit creepy and manipulative. Fall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Solid romance story. Winter: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A marriage revival story. It was pretty good, I felt like this one could have been fleshed out a bit more. The problems in the marriage were resolved a bit to quickly for my taste.
Thank you to Net Galley for the eARC. A review was not required and all opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book by Tracie Peterson. I loved how this set of four novellas not only followed the season of the year but also had some stories at different seasons of life. I loved seeing young and old couples find love. I loved how each of these stories were unique and how they were uplifting. I thought this was a good collection of stories and one that can help people believe in love and God’s hand in our lives.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I have long been a fan of Tracie Peterson writing. This book Love through the Seasons is four separate short love stories. Each one is a very easy light read. I really enjoyed the first section Stormy Weather as a lot of the Kansas towns listed are local to the area I live in. Each story is a stand alone but equally enjoyable.
I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a light feel good romance.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
There are 4 stories in Love Through the Seasons. There are written with a strong Christian theme. Each of the book revolve around a bit older people than a "young love" plot. All four stories are well written. The characters are likeable. Then plots have the same "love conquers all." The storylines are easy to follow. If I would have to pick a favorite it would be the second story, "King of Hearts."
I enjoyed these four books through the seasons by Tracie. I am sorry it took me so long to read all of them. I had other books I had to read quicker and would read one book and start on another. I enjoyed this series as much as all of her other books I have read. Each book can be read as a stand alone.
A book composed of 4 love stories throughout the season, these short novella were so delightful. Out of all 4 winter was my favorite. But after 2 serious books I found this one light and refreshing. If you need a book to just gives you a warm hug, I highly recommend this book. Tracie Peterson writes faith so well in her book and this one doesn’t disappoint. Such a great read!!!!
Tender and heartwarming stories of love. Love Through the Seasons also addresses love through various situations - second chances, first loves, reevaluating a relationship. This is a feel good collection of stories.
Tracie Peterson is one of my favorite Christian authors. In Love Through the Seasons, she gives us four short, heartwarming, and emotional novellas set in Kansas. There are second chances, hearts turning back to God, tender love stories, a great read!
I'm a big Tracie Peterson fan! But I was not a fan of this one. I'm probably just not the right reader for it, because I don't care for insta-love stories. The third story was okay, and I did enjoy the very last story, but didn't care at all for the first two due to the insta-love.
I won this book on GoodReads first reads, Thank you!
I love Tracie Peterson’s books and this one will not disappoint. I loved these wonderful stories. There are four different women with different situations and lessons to learn and these women cover all four of the seasons.
Four different stories, each with different romances set in a different season. From a single mom to a couple married for ten years on the brink of divorce, Peterson covers them all. My favorite was four senior (I think it was four) sisters moving back in together.
I'm giving this a 2.5 starts. 3 of the 4 storiea were cute and cozy. One I feel went against common sense and just were a Christian title but didn't represent it. The guy was pushing and disrespected boundaries. There was no love build. Just want and claim!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.