A Season of Harvest

Author: Lauraine Snelling
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Leah's Garden #4
Pages: 336
Release Date: January 30, 2024
Publisher: Bethany House

Can her dreams for the future--and a budding romance--survive the trouble that comes calling?

Larkspur Nielsen is determined to keep her family homestead running and to fulfill their dream of starting a seed catalog, with or without her siblings' help. With Isaac McTavish back in town, Lark finds herself at odds with her own heart and her determination to shoulder the burden of carrying her responsibilities alone. But Isaac is set on convincing her that he's here to stay and she doesn't have to carry everything by herself.

As a new romance blossoms between Lilac and an old schoolmate and the other Nielsen sisters are busy caring for their families, Lark bears more and more responsibility on the farm. When a long-feared threat returns and Lark approaches the breaking point, the life she has always dreamed of is in danger of disappearing forever.

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Reviewer: Deanne Patterson

A Season of Harvest is the fourth book in the Leah's Garden series. The series is about four sisters, all named after flowers.

The sisters have really faced some hardships in life, and despite not always agreeing with each other on everything, when in a bind, they are always there for each other.

The author has a flair for writing historical fiction that feels real. I could picture many of the things taking place in my mind during this time period. The books and situations are not fancy or full of pretense. In one situation, a woman's dress drags in the dirt. Very realistic for this time period. 

We can feel the tension in many of the scenes, but despite this, the sisters keep their strong faith. It's so easy to get lost in the long-ago times written here, centered around family, faith, and unconditional love. 

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Jeanette Durkin

I loved this book! The story is full of surprises, difficult circumstances, accidents, births, deaths, and some beautiful love stories! I enjoyed the setting of Nebraska in the 1800's. The Nielsen farm comes to life with descriptive words and prose.

The characters are so familiar to me. They're like family! The Nielsen sisters are amazing. They're industrious and never shirk from hard work. I love the closeness of this family and how they include others in their lives. Larkspur is such a take-charge woman. She does struggle with matters of the heart. Isaac's character is complex. He loves Larkspur but is hesitant to act on that love.

Faith in God is prevalent throughout the book. I liked that the characters struggled and weren't shy about it. I also enjoyed the stories that were told during the church services. They touched my heart. It's evident that the authors value faith.

I was provided a copy of the book from Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Conny Withay

 "When a long-feared threat returns and Lark approaches the breaking point, the life she has always dreamed of is in danger of disappearing forever,” it states online regarding the Christian novel A Season of Harvest by Lauraine Snelling with Kiersti Giron.

The fourth book in the Leah’s Garden series, this three hundred-and-forty-page advanced reader copy targets those interested in a historical romance involving a sister who feels she must be in control of everything, leaving little time for love. The topics of gambling, injuries, physical abuse, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers.

Set in Nebraska in the mid-1800s, this ongoing tale about four sisters involves mainly the eldest, Larkspur, who is stubbornly determined to run the family farm by herself, and Lilac, who questions if she is rebounding when she becomes interested in a past schoolmate. When the past returns to haunt the family, they must band together and trust God with the outcome.

I appreciate reads where I learn something, and this saga about a family trying to thrive and survive was engaging. I liked the deep commitment Larkspur had for her siblings and the farm and Lilac’s devotion to others. It was thoughtful to focus on how control can wear a person down while pride and fear threaten to take over. The many prayers, written-out hymns, and townspeople’s testimonies were nice additions.

Those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ may not like this story of giving control to God. Since I had only read the third book, I felt the beginning of this one was slow, but it did redeem itself, showing how the Lord is always nearby and provides peace when we trust in Him.

I hope the final copy includes a list of characters, as there are a plethora of them weaved throughout the story. It would have been ideal to add the simple plan of salvation, but it may have been in a prior book. I prefer all pronouns of God to be capitalized for reverence.

If you read the three prior books in the series, you may enjoy this one that weaves all four sisters together as they learn that they reap what they sow, especially when it comes to trying to control things while learning to let go and let God handle life’s problems.

Thanks to Bethany House and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.