A Season on the Wind

A Season on the Wind by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a lovely Amish novel. We get to return to Stoney Ridge, Pennsylvania where it is almost time for the Christmas Bird Count. Micah Weaver, who is an avid birder, reports a rare White-winged Tern in the area. Author and birder, Ben Zook wants to get a picture of the bird for his latest book. His cousin, Natalie Crowell comes along with him because she needs a change after the end of her marriage and the betrayal she experienced. They are staying in the guesthouse on Lost Creek Farm managed by Penny. Penny cannot believe that Ben has returned after twenty years. She gave her heart to him when she was twelve and Penny has been waiting for his return. Unfortunately, Ben has no memory of Penny or the time they spent together one long ago summer. I enjoyed reading A Season on the Wind. It is a sweet story that draws you in and holds you until the end. I stayed up late trying to finish it. I like the characters in this story. They are well-crafted so they are realistic and relatable. We get to follow Penny, Ben, Micah, and Natalie. I like getting to see each of their perspectives. The story is filled with fascinating information about birds. I learned quite a bit about birds and the count that occurs each year at Christmas. This story makes you think about the beauty God created for us. He provided us with these beautiful birds. I like how the author handled a speech disability and Alzheimer’s. The author handled them with dignity. There is also humor in the story courtesy of Hank Lapp. He is quite a character. You can always count on him to lighten up a situation. My favorite phrase from the book is, “Every day was a new day, . . .so yesterday really shouldn’t matter. Even better, there was no point in worrying about the future.” A Season on the Wind has romance, old wounds, new relationships, deep faith, and a stray bird. A Season on the Wind was a special and unique Amish tale.

This is a beautifully written story set in the Amish town of Stoney Ridge, a peaceful town filled with people who genuinely care about each other and practice the tenets of the Amish faith daily. When Ben Zook, who used to live in Stoney Ridge and who is a famous birdwatcher, returns to the town, he has one goal in mind. He wants to see the White-winged tern, a bird that is rarely seen in the states. Ben has come to meet with Micah Weaver, a teen boy who has a speech impediment but who knows birds better than anyone around. Ben stays in a guest house provided by Penny Weaver, Micah’s sister and an old friend whom Ben does not recognize, much to her dismay. The stage is well set for a complicated tale of family, friendships won and lost, relationships and choices. I was drawn into the story of these complex and realistic characters from the beginning. Each character is presented realistically, complete with flaws and human foibles, but they are also each seen as uniquely suited for the tasks that they are expected to do. As Ben spends more time with the Weavers, waiting for that Tern to appear, he also goes on a trip of self-reflection and discovery. He has escaped from Stoney Ridge once and does not want to return permanently, but he does have roots there that cannot be denied. The most brilliantly written parts of the book occur at the end of each chapter where we are introduced to various birds that Micah and Penny have seen as they walk around their environs. The habitat of each bird as well as their eating and mating habits are described in a scientific way that inspired me to curiously seek my guide to birds that includes photos so that I could picture the bird as they were described. Thus, this book was entertaining, educational and encouraging as it sought to gently guide the characters to the place that God would want them to be. I really enjoyed the language used in this novel; it was almost like lyrical prose, calling to my heart as the birds spoke to Micah. There was some inevitable conflict between some of the characters and a little mystery involved with Ben’s cousin Natalie, a young woman who seems to want to know more about the Plain people but won’t reveal her reasons for her curiosity. The relationship between Ben and his estranged father is a focus of Ben’s self-discovery and forgiveness is a definite thread throughout the book. Fans of brilliantly written Christian fiction will thoroughly enjoy this book and it’s message of heart, home, and hope. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: As a member of the Revell Reads Blogger Program, I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

5 Stars, Tragedy can be overcome A SEASON ON THE WIND by Suzanne Woods Fisher Publisher: Revell, Baker Bookhouse Ben Zook has had many tragedies in his life, he was born into an Amish family, but because of a tragedy, he left his home, to become a world-renowned birder. He writes books and travels to new places for the chance to photograph and see unique birds who are travelers that have lost their way, ending up in unusual places. The bird alert has mentioned a rare White-Winged Tern that has been spotted in Stoney Ridge, Pennsylvania. Penny and Micah Weaver are Amish, adult siblings who manage their grandmother's Lost Creek Farm. They both have a deep love of nature and birding. Micah is an expert field guide who helps other birders see what the area has to offer in bird sightings. Ben ends up at Lost Creek Farm and has paused his most recent book manuscript, for a photograph and the report on the White-Winged Tern. He has hired Micah to guide him to the elusive bird. The novel is about birds, birding, and the Amish lifestyle. There is a Cast of Characters page and also a Birder's Glossary to help understand who's who. Interspersed throughout the book, there is Micah's Bird Watching Logs, which help you learn a little more about each bird that he has seen and what makes that particular bird unique. This is an inspirational novel, thankfully, there is nothing offensive in it, so you, like myself, can expect a nice, clean tome that will be enjoyed by reading again and again. Who knows, you may learn something new about birds, like LBJs or CBC. Much gratitude to #revell @revell @bakerpublishinggroup for the complimentary copy of #aseasononthewind by @suzannewoodsfisher @suzannewfisher I was under no obligation to post a review.