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Seasons #2
Showers in Season
On the quiet cul-de-sac of Cedar Circle, where neighbors are close friends, fierce winds of circumstance threaten to sweep one couple away. Their Down's Syndrome pregnancy is shattering news for Tory and Barry Sullivan, but the option Barry proposes is abhorrent to Tory. It will take a wisdom and strength greater than their own to carry them through. That, and the encouragement only a loving, close-knit community can provide. Over kitchen counters and across the miles, the women of Cedar Circle lend their support to Tory and to each other as all of them face their personal struggles, heartaches, and joys. Shining with bright faith and friendship that illuminates the stormiest night, Showers in Season explores the junction of life's realities, the cost of obedience, the power of relationships, and the promises of God.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2000
133 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 27, 2025
a bit uncomfortable
As someone with handicapped sisters, the word use in this book was crazy. Also, the idea of how someone with autism behaves is pretty wild. I have worked with people with all types of disabilities through my life, especially autism and this really missed the mark. However, pushing through those things, it was another beautiful story by this author and I’m looking forward to the next one.
As someone with handicapped sisters, the word use in this book was crazy. Also, the idea of how someone with autism behaves is pretty wild. I have worked with people with all types of disabilities through my life, especially autism and this really missed the mark. However, pushing through those things, it was another beautiful story by this author and I’m looking forward to the next one.
March 14, 2017
*SPOILER ALERT!!*
I really enjoyed this book. It was really was a sweet book near the end. However it was a pretty cliché with the whole husband-leaves, friend-knocks-sense-into-him, he-goes-home type of stuff. Otherwise the book was fine. The book is about a woman named Tory and her husband, Barry. They already have two kids and find out Tory is pregnant. When going for genetic test to make sure the baby is healthy, as Barry's family has a history of genetic diseases/ conditions, they find out the baby has Down's Syndrome. Barry immediately wants Tory to get an abortion and Tory refuses. Eventually, Barry moves out before a neighbor of his talks some sense into him. He goes home and they have the baby early. I really liked when the baby is born because it really hits close to home. My cousin, Grace, was born early like Hannah, Tory and Barry's Little Down's Syndrome girl. Both Grace and Hannah were born 8 weeks early and they had all kinds of monitors hooked up the them. It made me think of Grace and it made me a little sad, to be honest. Grace is doing better now just like the way Hannah was after 12 weeks, but Grace hasn't made her way home yet. However, the part of the book I didn't enjoy was when Tory went to Barry's work to show him the moving baby, and instead found Barry talking to his secretary about Tory and how he wants an abortion. It was my least favorite part because it violated Tory's trust, as he was speaking to another woman about their problems at home. Overall, it was a great book. I especially like how it hit close halfway to what has happened with my family. Of course, Grace didn't have Down's Syndrome, but I still felt a little pain for Tory and Barry, and I kind of know how they felt. I really enjoyed this book.
I really enjoyed this book. It was really was a sweet book near the end. However it was a pretty cliché with the whole husband-leaves, friend-knocks-sense-into-him, he-goes-home type of stuff. Otherwise the book was fine. The book is about a woman named Tory and her husband, Barry. They already have two kids and find out Tory is pregnant. When going for genetic test to make sure the baby is healthy, as Barry's family has a history of genetic diseases/ conditions, they find out the baby has Down's Syndrome. Barry immediately wants Tory to get an abortion and Tory refuses. Eventually, Barry moves out before a neighbor of his talks some sense into him. He goes home and they have the baby early. I really liked when the baby is born because it really hits close to home. My cousin, Grace, was born early like Hannah, Tory and Barry's Little Down's Syndrome girl. Both Grace and Hannah were born 8 weeks early and they had all kinds of monitors hooked up the them. It made me think of Grace and it made me a little sad, to be honest. Grace is doing better now just like the way Hannah was after 12 weeks, but Grace hasn't made her way home yet. However, the part of the book I didn't enjoy was when Tory went to Barry's work to show him the moving baby, and instead found Barry talking to his secretary about Tory and how he wants an abortion. It was my least favorite part because it violated Tory's trust, as he was speaking to another woman about their problems at home. Overall, it was a great book. I especially like how it hit close halfway to what has happened with my family. Of course, Grace didn't have Down's Syndrome, but I still felt a little pain for Tory and Barry, and I kind of know how they felt. I really enjoyed this book.
January 26, 2025
I love the cozy, community nature of these books, but I don't know that I like the characters because their views are much more conservative than mine. This book mainly follows Tory and Barry. They have 2 kids. She writes and stays home and he works. Their marriage isn't GREAT, but then she gets pregnant with their 3rd kid. They find out that the baby has Downs and they don't agree what to do. Barry grew up with a special needs brother and wants to abort the baby. She wants to carry on and have the baby. The crisis of faith was interesting to see, but a lot of the abortion discussion was too much for me. It was VERY hypocritical and frustrating. We also see the others in the neighborhood. One woman (I'm spacing on her name) is starting to date and her teens are getting in trouble. Brenda from book 1 decides to homeschool her kids as well as the other woman's. The matriarch of the cul de sac is off doing missionary work and theres a big hurricane so the neighborhood gathers clothes and supplies. I want to know who is living in her house and how thats working out! There was supposed to be an immigrant family but thats not mentioned at all. I wanted more and less from this book, but I still love cozying up with the characters.
January 23, 2020
I have forgotten how much I love this series!!! I can’t seem to read anything else I’m totally hooked!!! This book is about tori and Barry finding out that they are having a Down syndrome child. Barry wants her to get an abortion because. His brother has special needs and he doesn’t want his daughter growing up like he did. Tori refuses to do so. What will ever happen to the relationship and their child?? Will God change Barry heart. A wonderful book!!! A must read!!
May 11, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is the second book in this series, I read the first one last fall. The series is about the lives of four women who live in the same culdesac, and their journey with some hard things in life and their faith throughout it. I read the series many years ago and wanted to reread it before I donated them. I’ve enjoyed it the second time through as I did the first. ❤️
December 26, 2025
This book is highly recommended for anyone walking through a challenging season especially for couples seeking encouragement and parents with special needs children. Lahaye reminds us through this story that in the midst of unanswered questions, fears, and exhaustion God sees, knows, and provides strength in every season.
July 21, 2023
it got really tiresome, reading about the bratty and rebellious Mark through the entire book.
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. (You need a new proofreader.)
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. (You need a new proofreader.)
July 5, 2025
I’m LOVING this series!! So relatable and true to the Christian life - no one is perfect or has answers and we have to choose to pick up our crosses and follow Jesus DAILY. We’re humans trying to do the right thing.
I find such encouragement in these books. I hope to buy the series one day.
I find such encouragement in these books. I hope to buy the series one day.
October 25, 2018
Could not handle female narrator attempting to sound like various men.
March 4, 2021
Great read passing on
January 14, 2022
What a tear jerker! Another good book with all the emotions - love, sadness, adolescent drama, disappointment, forgiveness, a miracle from an unexpected sibling and oh, did I mention a love story?
March 21, 2022
Good book, a bit long on audio, predictable but good to hear situations on how people go through the emotions to work out their problems with God's guidance.
August 30, 2022
Wow, so powerful. The authors showed the gift of peaceful presence. We truly have no idea how God might shower us with blessings.
June 21, 2023
What a story and message! Look forward to the next in the series.
October 18, 2023
Didn’t finish. Didn’t like the way it jumped around from chapter to chapter. Hard to get into.
March 5, 2024
This is a very phenomenal book.
July 18, 2024
Once I got into this we'll written novel I really enjoyed it. It just took a little longer for it to catch my interest.
September 13, 2024
Love this series! Very heartfelt and inspiring! ❤️
September 30, 2024
An easy read. Real life struggles with all the characters. Inspiring how they got through them.
November 23, 2024
This book is a refreshing story of faith, family & friendship! An example of prayer, & realizing that it’s Gods timing, not ours!
December 17, 2016
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
(I don't care for the reader, but excellent story and love the neighborhood and Sylvia, the rock)
From dust jacket:
"A hurricane is roaring through Leon, Nicaragua, bringing devastation and death to the town where Sylvia Bryan and her husband serve as missionaries.
A different kind of whirlwind rages in the home of Tory and Barry Sullivan, threatening to sweep away their marriage, their family, and perhaps an innocent life.
Is abortion ever right? Everything within Tory shouts NO! THIS LIFE IN MY WOMB IS NOT JUST A DOWN'S SYNDROME STATISTIC-SHE'S MY DAUGHTER! But in defending her unborn child from the one person beside herself who should be most protective, Tory has yet to understand the anguish behind her husband's misguided insistence on aborting their baby.
As Sylvia deals with the heartbreaking aftermath of Hurricane Norris and Tory struggles with the bitterness that clouds her pregnancy, the two other women in their small group of friends on Cedar Circle face challenges of their own. Cathy Flaherty, a single mother, wonders whether her blossoming romance with Steve can withstand the test of her three strong-willed children. And Brenda Dodd finds her patience as a home-school teacher pushed to the limit when she commits to teaching Cathy's troubled youngest son, Mark."
Showers in Season continues the theme of life and relationships on a surburban cul-de-sac. Over the miles and the months, by email and backyard conversation, Tory, Sylvia, Cathy, and Brenda share each other's joys and heartaches, struggles and victories-and together, discover new depths of the faith and commitment that can weather life's fiercest storms. Here is an uplifting novel of God's grace released through simple friendships, and heartwarming glimpses of the love that covers a multitude of sins."
(I don't care for the reader, but excellent story and love the neighborhood and Sylvia, the rock)
From dust jacket:
"A hurricane is roaring through Leon, Nicaragua, bringing devastation and death to the town where Sylvia Bryan and her husband serve as missionaries.
A different kind of whirlwind rages in the home of Tory and Barry Sullivan, threatening to sweep away their marriage, their family, and perhaps an innocent life.
Is abortion ever right? Everything within Tory shouts NO! THIS LIFE IN MY WOMB IS NOT JUST A DOWN'S SYNDROME STATISTIC-SHE'S MY DAUGHTER! But in defending her unborn child from the one person beside herself who should be most protective, Tory has yet to understand the anguish behind her husband's misguided insistence on aborting their baby.
As Sylvia deals with the heartbreaking aftermath of Hurricane Norris and Tory struggles with the bitterness that clouds her pregnancy, the two other women in their small group of friends on Cedar Circle face challenges of their own. Cathy Flaherty, a single mother, wonders whether her blossoming romance with Steve can withstand the test of her three strong-willed children. And Brenda Dodd finds her patience as a home-school teacher pushed to the limit when she commits to teaching Cathy's troubled youngest son, Mark."
Showers in Season continues the theme of life and relationships on a surburban cul-de-sac. Over the miles and the months, by email and backyard conversation, Tory, Sylvia, Cathy, and Brenda share each other's joys and heartaches, struggles and victories-and together, discover new depths of the faith and commitment that can weather life's fiercest storms. Here is an uplifting novel of God's grace released through simple friendships, and heartwarming glimpses of the love that covers a multitude of sins."
April 8, 2009
I loved both of these novels "Showers in Season" and "Seasons Under Heaven" so much.
From dust jacket:
"A hurricane is roaring through Leon, Nicaragua, bringing devastation and death to the town where Sylvia Bryan and her husband serve as missionaries.
A different kind of whirlwind rages in the home of Tory and Barry Sullivan, threatening to sweep away their marriage, their family, and perhaps an innocent life.
Is abortion ever right? Everything within Tory shouts NO! THIS LIFE IN MY WOMB IS NOT JUST A DOWN'S SYNDROME STATISTIC-SHE'S MY DAUGHTER! But in defending her unborn child from the one person beside herself who should be most protective, Tory has yet to understand the anguish behind her husband's misguided insistence on aborting their baby.
As Sylvia deals with the heartbreaking aftermath of Hurricane Norris and Tory struggles with the bitterness that clouds her pregnancy, the two other women in their small group of friends on Cedar Circle face challenges of their own. Cathy Flaherty, a single mother, wonders whether her blossoming romance with Steve can withstand the test of her three strong-willed children. And Brenda Dodd finds her patience as a home-school teacher pushed to the limit when she commits to teaching Cathy's troubled youngest son, Mark."
Showers in Season continues the theme of life and relationships on a surburban cul-de-sac. Over the miles and the months, by email and backyard conversation, Tory, Sylvia, Cathy, and Brenda share each other's joys and heartaches, struggles and victories-and together, discover new depths of the faith and commitment that can weather life's fiercest storms. Here is an uplifting novel of God's grace released through simple friendships, and heartwarming glimpses of the love that covers a multitude of sins."
From dust jacket:
"A hurricane is roaring through Leon, Nicaragua, bringing devastation and death to the town where Sylvia Bryan and her husband serve as missionaries.
A different kind of whirlwind rages in the home of Tory and Barry Sullivan, threatening to sweep away their marriage, their family, and perhaps an innocent life.
Is abortion ever right? Everything within Tory shouts NO! THIS LIFE IN MY WOMB IS NOT JUST A DOWN'S SYNDROME STATISTIC-SHE'S MY DAUGHTER! But in defending her unborn child from the one person beside herself who should be most protective, Tory has yet to understand the anguish behind her husband's misguided insistence on aborting their baby.
As Sylvia deals with the heartbreaking aftermath of Hurricane Norris and Tory struggles with the bitterness that clouds her pregnancy, the two other women in their small group of friends on Cedar Circle face challenges of their own. Cathy Flaherty, a single mother, wonders whether her blossoming romance with Steve can withstand the test of her three strong-willed children. And Brenda Dodd finds her patience as a home-school teacher pushed to the limit when she commits to teaching Cathy's troubled youngest son, Mark."
Showers in Season continues the theme of life and relationships on a surburban cul-de-sac. Over the miles and the months, by email and backyard conversation, Tory, Sylvia, Cathy, and Brenda share each other's joys and heartaches, struggles and victories-and together, discover new depths of the faith and commitment that can weather life's fiercest storms. Here is an uplifting novel of God's grace released through simple friendships, and heartwarming glimpses of the love that covers a multitude of sins."
January 26, 2016
I enjoyed this sequel to "Seasons Under Heaven" even more than the first book. It was not the genre I generallly think of Terri Blackstock as writing, but it was well done. I especially liked the surprise story of Nathan and Millie. Quotes I liked: "'Do you ever feel like life is just one series of crises after another?' 'No. Actually, I feel like it's one series of blessings after another.'"
"Today, we lock ourselves away and put on that happy face, and hide our secrets even from our Christian friends. And then we wonder why our burdens are so heavy."
"You know all those commandments in the Bible and all those suggestions for behavior? They're not just there for the good times, they're there for the hard times, when it doesn't make any sense."
"Today, we lock ourselves away and put on that happy face, and hide our secrets even from our Christian friends. And then we wonder why our burdens are so heavy."
"You know all those commandments in the Bible and all those suggestions for behavior? They're not just there for the good times, they're there for the hard times, when it doesn't make any sense."
July 3, 2011
Very good story of friendships among four women who live entirely different live. Their children, their husbands and school problems all add up to real life living. Realizing you will give birth to a Downs Syndrome baby is bad enough and to have your husband want you to have an abortion complicates the whole thing. God is in charge of the situation as they soon find out. Recommend everyone read this.
February 3, 2015
This is book 2 of the Seasons series and I have fallen in love with these characters. The books center around the lives of 4 families who live in a cul-de-sac and whose lives are closely intertwined. There are heartbreaking situations that they each have to face and it's not always pretty. But I love the way that their faith plays an integral part in how they handle these tough life decisions. I HIGHLY recommend this heart warming series!!
June 7, 2016
Loving this series. I really wish I lived in such a neighborhood where everyone was part of each others lives and shared each others faith. Even the guy that isn't a believer is still part of everyone's life and not an entire butt about it.
September 27, 2007
Best series
Read
August 17, 2011God sometimes shows us how He wants to b in controll in our lives and not all things will b perfect but God will give us the strength and direction for the situation.
July 26, 2011
It was pretty good. I didn't like it as much as the first book. It lead to discussion within my family about things that really matter in life.
May 8, 2015
Very enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews