Customer Reviews

Winter Turns to Spring (Seasons of Marriage)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A very interesting series of 4 books - I loved them all. Catherine Palmer has done a really good job of developing her characters and making the seasons of marriage come to life. She does a great job with Dr. Chapman's 4 Seasons of Marriage concept. Dr. Chapman's teaming up with Catherine is a winner for all of us. I wish there were more books coming out to continue this series because I really enjoyed the characters and story line. I look forward to more great books from both Catherine Palmer and Gary Chapman!

"Winter Turns to Spring" is the fourth installment of the Four Seasons of Marriage series that started with "It Happens Every Spring." The Four Seasons of Marriage principle was developed by the co-author Gary Chapman who believes that marriage is a continuous journey back and forth through different seasons of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. "Winter means difficulty. Marriage is harder in this season of cold silence and bitter winds." This installment revolves around newlyweds Brad and Ashley Hanes who find them selves living separate lives. Brad works construction during the day. Ashley works at night at a country club while trying to run an on-line beaded jewelry business during the day. Instead of waiting for Ashley at home, Brad frequents the local pub, Larry's Lake Lounge with his friend, Mack Lang. This is where Brad finds an abandoned puppy outside in the cold which he brings home thinking that it may bring him and Ashley closer. During the course of the story, however, more things happen between them that make it more difficult to keep their marriage together. The residents of Deepwater Cove grow concerned and try to help the couple through the Tea Lover's Club held at the local Just As I Am beauty salon as well as the Men's Bible Study at the Rods-N-Ends. Only Brad and Ashley's faith in God and the power to forgive can help them through this winter season. Marriage is not easy. It takes effort, understanding, forgiveness and love. Like the seasons, it is forever evolving and changing. Even though I have not read the other three books in this series (It Happens Every Spring, Summer Breeze, and Falling For You Again) this read like a stand-alone novel. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.

I read Catherine Palmer's books as soon as they are publishe, and keep all of her books on a special shelf. The four-book marriage series has been excellent.

I knew her wonderful parents, and prayed for them and for Catherine and her siblings when they were growing up on mission fields, but would love her writing even if I didn't have that connection.

Elizabeth Swadley

What a wonderful story about an older couple in love. You don't see much written about people that are in the last years of marriage.

Brad and Ashley Hanes are each considering ending their marriage. They are tired of constant fighting over bills and habits. They rarely do anything meaningful together.

Their neighbors want to help the couple, but they have their own relationship issues. That is everyone except elderly widower Charlie Moore, whose spouse Esther just died. As he grieves his loss, the Hanes see someone who has lost his long time companion; both want the same long time from each other as the arguments seem trivial, but will either take that first step towards intimacy or will each assumes it is too late.

The final novelization of the Four Seasons of Marriage is an interesting contemporary look at a couple struggling with seemingly overwhelming issues and major differences re how to deal with them. The story line is well written as winter roars like a lion but spring with its renewal promise including marital vows and love is coming. In some ways Charlie steals the show as the Hanes in spite of their fights seem too sweet. Still this is a fine entry in a solid series that reflects on marriage through the parable of the seasons of life.

Harriet Klausner

I first ordered the first 2 of this series and thought I would wait to order another time for the second 2. Well they were helpful, inspiring and nurturing my spirit so much that I had to have the second 2. Gary Chapman's had my ear for several years now, my husband & I buy the 5 Love Languages to have on hand to give as gifts to our friends & family. Catherine Palmer, this was my first experience reading her books, and am looking forward to reading more. Fell in love and could relate to all of the characters and thought the whole series was well planned and enjoyable, couldn't put them down.

OMW!! I have this whole series and I just adore it! The characters are so great! You are guaranteed to find someone to relate to in this 4 book series located in a small lake community in Arkansas and I would be surprised if you don't just fall in love with Cody and his passion for chocolate cake cut into squares.

This series was hard for me to really get into it. It didn't keep my interest
like a lot of series do.