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?

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 deception 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

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.

Seasons of a Life is on tour with Celebrate Lit.

Blog Stops

A Baker’s Perspective: August 24

Proud to be an autism mom: August 25

The Power of Words (spotlight): August 26

Avid Reader Book Reviews: August 27

Moments Dipped in Ink: August 28

Carpe Diem: August 29

Reading Is My SuperPower (interview): August 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations: August 31

Pause for Tales: September 1

Simple Harvest Reads (interview): September 2

Quiet Quilter: September 3

Christian Bookaholic: September 4

Just the Write Escape: September 5

Mary Hake: September 6

 

About the Book

Book title: Seasons of a Life

Author: D.H. Barbara

Release date: May 2011

Genre: Inspirational fiction, family drama, romance

Time passes with little regard of human perspective. At times painfully slow and often it slips past more swiftly than we’d like. Sammie Young is a testimony to the changing of life’s many seasons.

As life deals it’s harsh blows, she stands strong. Now, with two of her five children left at home, change whizzes toward her at the speed of light. Frequently down, but never beaten, Sammie steps out in faith to face the new and exciting seasons awaiting her family.

About the Author

Writing and storytelling began in elementary school, including rewriting song lyrics. Often, I would rewrite them to God, and my favorite to sing was “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.” I told elaborate tales to my Barbie and Dawn dolls, stuffed animals and imaginary friends.

My faith is vital to me, and my writing. I write inspirational fiction and fantasy because, frankly, I can’t help myself.  Though I have tried to write without the faith element, it’s next to impossible.

I want my story to reflect faith and honest struggles.

The plots appear in my mind as if I’m watching a full-length feature movie. At times, it’s hard for my fingers to keep up with my brain. I’ve moved from my beloved yellow legal pads and Crystal Bic pens to a keyboard, but the process is the same.

I start at the beginning, find a “soundtrack,” and start typing. In the back of my books, you’ll find a section titled The Song Behind The Story. Many times, I find a worship or praise song that fits the story perfectly and that becomes the main track I listen to while writing.

If I’m not writing something, I’m reading.

I read a wide variety of fiction, nonfiction, theology, and apologetics, to name a few. My favorite genres are, by far, science fiction and suspense. Some authors I enjoy are, in no particular order, Susan Sleeman, Anne McCaffrey, C.S. Lewis, Max Lucado.  John Jakes, Stephen King, Robin Lee Hatcher, Chautona Havig, Frank Peretti, Randy Alcorn. Dr. Richard Mabry, Tess Gerrison, J.K. Rowling, Peter Tremayne, Elis Peters. Oh, the list could go on and on and on! I have the immense pleasure of interacting with some of them online via social media.

Currently, I’m working on completing my Lakeville series. Lakeville is a fictional town in the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania.

Guest Post from D.H. Barbara

Thank you to Celebrate Lit for featuring the first novel in my Lakeville Series, Seasons of a Life, for this tour. I hope many of you enjoy your introduction to Lakeville.

So many people, when they discover my little writing hobby, ask me how I come up with ideas. I then attempt to explain that ideas are literally exploding out of my brain! That usually causes them to search my face with a rather alarmed or concerned expression. Such is the life of an author!

I had no problems writing Seasons of a Life; the story presented itself to me as though I were watching a movie. I even have a soundtrack. That will stay locked in there as I have no musical talent whatsoever. I did have a song that is the theme of the book, which I write about at the end.

In each book, I have a page that is titled “The Song Behind the Story.”

There is a lot of “me” in Seasons of a Life. While no character, specifically, is me, one is totally based on a wonderful friend. I was blessed to have a Victoria in my life for many years before we moved to Colorado. With the exception of hair color, Victoria is a tribute to my dear friend Diana. Also, the story of the Young Turkey Sandwich is true to my New Jersey mall rat youth. Yumm-ola!

Be Blessed and Dream Big!

Barb

Giveaway

To enter a giveaway for a cool beach reading package, Go to the Celebrate Lit Tour Page and enter.