Buy Cheap It Happens Every Spring (The Four Seasons of a Marriage Series #1) 
Buy Low Price From Here Now Meet the characters that live, work, dream, and love in the community of Deepwater Cove. Best-selling authors Gary Chapman and Catherine Palmer team up to show how four married couples, all in different stages in life, experience the joys and hardships of marriage as examined in Gary Chapman's
The Four Seasons of Marriage. In book one, Steve and Brenda face a common problem among middle-age couples: empty nest syndrome. Steve works too much, and with their two children out of the house, Brenda feels lonely and unfulfilled. In order to save their marriage, the two must learn to reconnect. Readers are also introduced to many charming characters, like Cody, the mentally challenged homeless man that shows up on Steve and Brenda's porch; Pete, who owns the Rods ‘N' Ends tackle shop; and Patsy Pringle, who owns the Just As I Am beauty parlor, where much of the action takes place.
The series is based on the marriage principles found in Gary Chapman's non-fiction book
The Four Seasons of Marriage. Similar in tone and light-hearted, quirky humor as Jan Karon's Mitford series, Fannie Flagg's books or
Steel Magnolias. Each book has a study guide that talks about the four seasons of marriage and the healing strategies depicted in that volume's story.
Readmore Technical Details
- ISBN13: 9781594151941
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
- Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices
See more technical details
"Heavy Handed but Nice" 2009-07-10
By Serena
I was pleasantly surprised by "It Happens Every Spring". I picked up the audio book on a long car trip with the in-laws, and it looked like a book that we would enjoy together (fairly PG rated, no profanity). The characters are intriguing, reminding me of Steel Magnolias, with their quirks and strong wills. The marriages are also very real, and I like the idea of the seasons of marriage. It seems to fit most people I know. The plot outcomes were predictable, no surprises here, but that's ok since the characters were fun.
What I found heavy handed were the long "marriage counseling" descriptions and conversations. Where feelings were stated and re-stated to hammer the "seasons of marriage" into your brain, and the arguments border on textbook training for counselors. But that aside, it's a nice read. I may get the other 3 books in the series.
"Entertaining!" 2009-05-16
By R. Thomas (Oklahoma)
I read this book in 2 days, and will be reading the 2nd in the series as soon as it arrives (and know Amazon it will be Monday!)
"Seasons of Love - Cary Chapman" 2009-02-16
By Cheryl M. Miller (somewhere land, CA)
OMW!! I have this whole series and I just adore it! The characters are so great! You are guaranteed to find someone to relate to in this 4 book series located in a small lake community in Arkansas and I would be surprised if you don't just fall in love with Cody and his passion for chocolate cake cut into squares.
"Uneven portraits " 2008-05-05
By kellytwo (cleveland hts, ohio)
I've read and enjoyed many Inspirational/Christian novels that fall into the romance category. But this one is not the most enjoyable I've ever read. I did read it all, to see where it was going, but found it to be very repetitious and preachy.
On the other hand, there were several important life lessons to be learned here, some of which the characters never did seem to get a really firm grasp. Cody is treated well by the authors and the characters, as is Patsy Pringle. Brenda, however, gets lambasted no matter what she does. She wasn't the only one who contributed to the bad and good of her marriage, but her husband Steven is whitewashed to the point of thinking he's the poor, put-upon long-suffering man who just wants a good wife. He doesn't seem to realize he can't expect that without reciprocating, and spending time with his wife.
Depression comes in many guises, and Brenda was fortunate to have good friends and neighbors to help her out of hers; Steve's friends weren't given the opportunity to help him see the errors of his ways. I suspect men who read this book will agree with Steve, while women will tend to see Brenda's side of things more clearly.
I think this is an interesting concept--pairing a non-fiction author with one more well-known for fiction--and using the former's self-help books as a basis for this series. Having not read any of the others--yet--I can't speak to how well they succeed in future volumes. I suspect I'll try at least one more of the series, as the characters and the setting are very appealing. I can't help but hope the women develop a bit more backbone, however. Women are not subservient, and I think it's harmful when they're presented as such. Equal partnerships are much better, and way more fun, especially in a loving relationship.
"Can This Marriage Be Saved?" 2008-02-10
By Grateful Gramma (Southwest Virginia)
First in a series of four novels, It Happens Every Spring by Gary Chapman and Catherine Palmer does a great job at illustrating the two sides of a marriage in trouble.
Brenda feels lost, now that the children are gone and Steve has immersed himself in his new job. She needs to feel a part of something and she needs attention and support from Steve.
Steve needs physical affection and attention from Brenda, to believe that she appreciates his efforts as breadwinner.
But somehow their timing is all off, their needs no longer mesh, and the longer things go, the farther apart they grow. There was an old magazine series called "Can This Marriage Be Saved?"; we find ourselves wondering the same thing.
A little preachy in a place or two but altogether a good story. Bits and pieces of other marriages in Tranquility peek through and we hope they'll be further developed in the other volumes.
Images Product
Buy It Happens Every Spring (The Four Seasons of a Marriage Series #1) Now
