With the coldest season comes the warmest of second chances. At age seventy-three, Laura Kauffman knows she is closer to the end of life than the beginning. If God willed it, she would join her beloved late husband soon. Even so, Laura wonders what purpose God might have for her in this winter of her life–and why this season seems so lonely. Widower Zechariah Stutzman is facing his own barren … his own barren season, despite the great-grandchildren swirling around him. With his Parkinson’s worsening, he had no choice but to move in with his grandson’s family, though now he feels adrift and useless.
When Laura offers to help with Zechariah’s five great-grandchildren after their mother has a difficult childbirth, Zechariah is unsure how he will adjust to the warm but tart demeanor of this woman he has known since grade school. But soon Laura and Zechariah learn they are asking God the same questions about loss and hope. And they begin to wonder if He is providing answers after all.
With Winter’s First Frost reminds us that God’s purposes always bear fruit–and sometimes love is sweeter with age.
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With Winter’s First Frost is a charming story. If you have not read the other books in An Every Amish Season series, you will be fine. Each book can be read on its own. However, I do want to say that they are lovely to read as a collection (enjoy the four seasons with this delightful collection of characters). Characters from the first three books appear in With Winter’s First Frost. Winter refers not only to the season in which this book takes place, but to the later (or winter) years of our life (I like it phrased that way). I found the characters and situations to be realistic and relatable. I liked that With Winter’s First Frost features older main characters. They have wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Just because they are over 65 does not mean they have nothing to contribute (or need to be put out to pasture). Laura has had a busy and satisfying life as a wife, mother and midwife. Now that arthritis has affected her hands, she finds her days empty. She may not be able to knit or quilt, but Laura can assist with many other tasks. Zechariah lost his wife two years prior and he has Parkinson’s disease. His family was worried about him living alone and moved him in with one of his grandson’s. After several months at that house, Zechariah is now living with Ben, Rosalie and their three children. There are a number of rules for Zechariah and he is not allowed to do any of the activities that he enjoys. Zechariah feels inept which has made his grumpy (a sourpuss). No matter what our age and issues, we like to be helpful and busy. No one wants to be burden on their family. With Winter’s First Frost is well-written with a gentle pace. While the story focuses on Zechariah and Laura, there are subplots involving members of their families as well as the picking of a new bishop. With Winter’s First Frost we get to see that we are never to old to learn, adapt or find love. God is full of surprises and has a plan for our lives as we see in With Winter’s First Frost. We just need to trust Him. If you are looking for a heartfelt Amish romance, pick up With Winter’s First Frost.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild, I was not required to give a favorable review. This was a wonderful story about how two people who have known each other since grade school but have loved, married, had children and grandchildren but now are both widow’s and reconnecting because of the closeness of the Amish helping each other. When Laura was trying to figure out what to do with her life a chance to help a young family by taking care of their children when the mother is pregnant with her next child. Zechariah has had to make the decision to move in with his great-grandchildren since his health is not good. This is when he reconnect with a childhood friend, but each don’t kow what it means,
The story is set on two families. Though it mostly on two senior citizens and this it really good. I have not read many stories about seniors in the Amish. This is one really well written story. They are in their 70’s and it about romance with them.
The author show both points of view for both senior citizens. Will they find love and second chances? Laura seems ready to join her last husband. But God seems to have other plans. Zachariah seems a little bitter and grouchy after his wife passes away. He is also dealing with a disease. What will happen when his family get involved in what he can and cannot do?
The author jumps into different topics like Parkinson. There are others things as well. It the way she she shows you how some of the Amish deal with different diseases and mistakes of the young. There so much going on that you will be surprised at how it all comes together.
There seems to be several different plots going on though out the book. The main plot is about Laura and Zachariah. There is also both families. What will happen and will Gods will be done.
This is the fourth and final book in the “An Every Amish Season “ Series. It is so refreshing to read about aging characters who are dealing with the winter season of their lives. Finding self worth and feeling useful are important as we age and love is no respecter of age. It just looks different depending on the stage of your life. Laura is a wonderful character with spunk that keeps everyone on their toes. The author did a wonderful job of incorporating Parkinson’s disease into one of the main characters and also deals with how a stroke can strike unexpectedly. We can all learn something from this book as well as be entertained by well rounded characters. It is nice to revisit previous characters and what is happening in their live. This is a book that will draw you in and gets better with each chapter. By the time it was finished I was saying no….don’t end now, can’t we have just one more book.
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Guild. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Book Review “With Winter’s First Frost” by Kelly Irvin
This is a well thought-out story of a 73 year old widow, by the name of Laura Kauffman, who wonders if God still has a purpose for her, after the death of her husband Eli. Told from an accurate and empathetic viewpoint, I enjoyed this book’s depth of meaning and the realistic characters, Laura, Zechariah, Ruby, Hannah, Mary Katherine, Jennie, and Abel.
A handy reference guide is at the beginning of the book, which explains who is whom, in each family, and…a glossary of the German dialect spoken by the Amish people in this particular community, which I thought were so helpful in keeping things smooth and understandable!
Zechariah is a widower who is in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease. Kelly Irvin dealt with this illness and it’s toll on the victim with much insight and compassion. My own dad died from complications due to Parkinson’s, and each situation Zechariah was in, brought back a memory.
As a mature older woman, Laura’s perspective was one I, and other older women, can relate to. Even if you’re not a senior citizen yet, I think you can gain some wisdom and knowledge about life after 50, if you read With Winter’s First Frost. Kelly presented a strong spiritual message, faith and hope in Jesus and God. I do recommend this book to people who want to read a story with substance and cohesiveness, that’s easy to relate to in one way or another. Thank you, Kelly Irvin.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
I enjoyed reading With Winters First Frost. Zechariah is dealing with being shuffled around amongst his family. He lost his wife and has Parkinsons. Laura is a widow and was a midwife and is helping his grandson and his wife after they have twins. Laura and Zechariah have known each other since they were very young and find themselves struggling with feelings for each other. Family is important for both of them and they want to help and do what is best for all of them. I can appreciate how Laura tries to help Zechariahs family see he not a child and is still a functioning part of the family. This book shows a lot of love, understanding and compassion. I received this book as a ARC from Net galley for my honest review.
With Winter’s First Frost is the story of Laura Kaufman and Zechariah Stutzman that I met in the earlier books of Kelly Irvin’s series, An Every Amish Season. I appreciate seeing the hero and heroine as great grandparents, facing health issues, their wisdom and faith along with discovering a new love. There’s plenty of family drama with their numerous children, grandchildren and great grands that showed the realistic picture of the Amish caring for their elders.
Zechariah felt useless with his disease and his family telling him what to do or not to do. Laura was compassionate and outspoken at times but with twists and turns in the story they both knew God’s time for all things was best. Kelly Irvin’s writing was heartfelt throughout this story and rest of the series. I enjoyed the epilogue that gave inside into the lives of a few of the secondary characters that faced struggles and made it through with Laura and Zechariah’s love, wisdom and encouragement.
I look forward to reading more of Kelly Irvin’s books in the future. I was not required to write a review for this book, but have shared my own thoughts.
As sad as I am to see this series come to an end, I believe the author ended it on a high and positive note. I’ve been a fan of, An Every Amish Season since the beginning and have come to love the characters and their stories.
I was drawn into the lives of Laura Kaufman and Zechariah Stutzman the two main characters in this book. An elderly man and woman who have suffered the loss of loved ones through the years. Laura and Zechariah are now experiencing what many in their age group experience such as forgetfulness, chronic illness, and probably the most devastating of all their loss of independence. There story is poignant and so real as I thought about the older people in my life.
Ms. Irvin has written this entire series quite beautifully and taken her readers into the lives of her characters along the way. As I have finished each of the four books I have felt like I have made new friends and am certain that I will miss them. Having been a fan of the author for a few years, I know that she will be creating more great books with more fantastic characters for me to love.
This book could be read as a standalone but in my opinion the series should be read in order and hopefully you will enjoy them as much as I have.
I received this book from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers. I was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.
What a fun book, would love to be in a room with the banter that the author has given us, between these seasoned individuals, had me laughing out loud!
A book that is going to make you think, and a faith that cares about their members and hate for them to go down the wrong path.
All the while you wonder if two seniors could possibly have a relationship, if the love of a great grandmother will convince her wayward greats to repent and stay in their faith.
We have new babies being born, a change of homes for a great grandfather, changes in their church, and more! A read that is going to have you page turning!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.
Widow Laura finds herself feeling a little useless as of late especially since she has given up working as a midwife and filling in at the local bookstore. When a close friend of hers needs her after the difficult birth of her newborn twins, Laura finds herself enjoying life again taking care of babies, cooking for the family and taking care of the house. There is one exception to this, widower Zechariah, the great-grandfather of the babies. He suffers from Parkinson’s disease and finds himself very grouchy especially when his grandkids and kids don’t think he can do anything for himself.
As the winter progresses he finds himself falling for Laura and Laura feels the same. Can they both let go of the past and let love fill the rest of their days?
What an emotionally charged story that will make you look at love in the elderly in a new way. Laura and Zechariah have imprinted my heart and will not be leaving for a very long time. I want to be them when I grow old, I want to be able to love that unconditionally with everyone in my life. So beautiful and moving. This story will change your life.
What you don’t believe me? Find out yourself by buying a copy on release day of February 5, 2019, from your favorite bookseller.
Every Amish Season Books in Order:
1. Upon A Spring Breeze 4 stars
2. Beneath the Summer Sun 4 stars
3. Through the Autumn Air 5 stars
4. With Winter’s First Frost 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan Fiction through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
What a beautiful book about aging. Laura Kauffman lost her husband many years ago on Christmas. Eve. She wonders now what her purpose is in life. Zechariah Stutzman lost his wife two years ago with breast cancer. He suffers from Parkinson’s and lives with family. When Laura helps a friend that is expecting twins she comes to live in the house that Zechariah lives in with his family. Zechariah’s family does not want him to do things because of his Parkinson’s and feels that he needs help with things. This makes Zechariah depressed and feels useless. It is a story that shows how hard it is to age and the feelings you go through when doing so. This is a well written book with lots of emotion. A beautiful story in time for Christmas.