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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Do I Think of Seasons of a Life?

by Chautona Havig · 6 Comments

The book arrived. Signed personally to me from a dear friend—the author. We cut our writing teeth almost at the same time.

And six years later, I’m finally reviewing it. It’s a good thing that Barbara is such a gracious woman or I’d have lost a friend by now.

What Do I Think of Seasons of a Life?

What Do I Think of Seasons of a Life?

This is a book of second chances. Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is allow ourselves the chance of a happy life. But the Lord loves to give good gifts to His children. And D.H. Barbara does a lovely job of showing that idea from several sides—Sammie, Rob, Vi, Sunnie—all of them. I will warn you.  It was difficult to give much information about the plot.  Somehow everything I wrote ended up a spoiler, so I had to be super careful.

What I loved about Seasons:

The characters. Barbara did a fabulous job of creating characters who never deviate from their given roles. She has a significant cast, and yet each one holds a distinct and unique personality.

I also loved that Barbara managed to give a lovely amount of description without weighing down the story with it. We know the world of Lakeville by the description she shares but we’re not smothered by it.

I also loved that she didn’t pull a few of the first author tropes that I started to expect. Every time I thought she would, she didn’t.

And for that, I was just thrilled.

One final thing I loved. This is a romance… and we all know I’m not a romantic, but what I did love is that this story demonstrates that first love isn’t the only love or even necessarily the strongest. I love that it shows people who have lived lives can start again—and it’s not second best… just a second chance.

What I didn’t like about Seasons:

While it slowed down later in the book, in the early parts, the overuse of characters names in dialogue became tiresome. Most people don’t throw a name in at the beginning or end of a sentence, and almost no one does it with both. The things I disliked wee minor things like that—things I don’t like in my early books either. Little of it detracts from the story. So for what it’s worth. If there was something I didn’t like, they’d be little things like that.

What made me laugh in Seasons:

Sammie’s mother Seriously, you’d think she stepped right out of parts of my family. Ahem. I “get” her. Even when I want to slap her. Seriously, I cracked up during the one visit the whole time.

What made me cry in Seasons:

Well, I’m not a crier. But there are a few spots where I suspect some might enjoy a few tears of joy or sorrow. This is an emotional book but it isn’t overly sentimental.

Recommended: 

For people who love family stories that are full of realistic people with faults, virtues, goals, and dreams. The faith shown in this book is woven carefully through the story and leaves with a satisfying and realistic picture of what the Lord does in people’s lives.and enter.

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Comments

  1. dhbarbara says

    September 5, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    Thank you, my friend! This is the one review I was 1-waiting for and 2-afraid to read. Reasons. You know how I am ?

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      September 6, 2017 at 12:36 am

      You wrote a good book, Barb. It’s much better than Noble. I should have written this review ages ago, but first it was before the major revision and I refused to review before that, and then just didn’t take the time after that. shame on me.

      Reply
      • dhbarbara says

        November 11, 2017 at 1:13 pm

        Shame on me for not seeing this 2 months ago ? thank you.

        Reply
  2. NZ Filbruns says

    September 5, 2017 at 12:10 pm

    As I’ve been reading the reviews of this book, I keep thinking I’d like to read this one sometime!

    Reply
  3. MH says

    September 5, 2017 at 10:12 am

    I’ve heard so much about this book! Sounds really interesting. And I’d like to pick out that NJ detail from the book since I’ve been a “Jersey girl” for at least 3/4 of my life.

    Reply
    • dhbarbara says

      September 5, 2017 at 2:44 pm

      Yay Jersey! Where? Born and raised in Bergen County ?

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 438: A Chat with Margaret Philbrick
byChautona Havig

 Oh, wow.  When I read the synopsis for House of Honor by Margaret Ann Philbrick, I knew this was going to be a fabulous book.  Forget all the endorsements and starred reviews, listen in to hear just how awesome this book is!  

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

When Margaret described the story within House of Honor, I not only learned a lot of art history, but I got a taste of Italy (sadly, without pasta and gelato… sniff). I can’t wait to see what she coes up with next.

 House of Honor by Margaret Ann Philbrick

Two Italian sons, one woman, linked by a masterpiece painting, are put to a test of loyalty and honor.

At the heart of this gripping tale is Orazio Bordoni, the wayward son of a construction magnate, living a reckless life like that of his artistic hero Caravaggio. He finds himself befriended by Nicolo Giotto, the devoted son of a powerful Sicilian mafia clan, who wants to uphold the honor of his family.

As the dark underbelly of the art world and the Vatican expose their true character, Orazio finds himself in a world where his loyalty is tested, honor is at stake, and the boundaries between life, love, and art blur. He and Nicolo discover just how far they’re willing to push those boundaries, even if it means sacrificing everything.

House of Honor is a pivotal story that weaves the threads of history, the ruthless allure of the mafia, the enigmatic power of the Vatican, and the timeless brilliance of Caravaggio.

Learn more about Margaret on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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Episode 438: A Chat with Margaret Philbrick
Episode 438: A Chat with Margaret Philbrick
June 14, 2025
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Episode 437: A Chat with Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
June 9, 2025
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Episode 436: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
June 7, 2025
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Episode 435: A Chat with Rachel Keith
June 3, 2025
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Episode 434: A Chat with Lynn U. Watson
May 31, 2025
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Episode 433: A Chat with Megan Soja
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Episode 432: A Chat with Crystal Caudill
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Episode 431: A Chat with Heidi Gray McGill
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Episode 430: A Chat with Amanda Cabot
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Episode 429: A Chat with J. A. Webb
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