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Melinda Foster #4
Waiting Season
A new year brings new challenges … and the chance to make a dream come true.
Melinda Foster hoped to spend January relaxing by her farmhouse’s fireplace while paging through the seed catalogs’ promises of spring. After all, wasn't the simpler, slower pace of the country one of the reasons she let go of her bustling life in the city?
Instead, she finds herself struggling to keep the worst of winter’s threats from her door. Shoveling snow, thawing her farm’s water lines, and anxiously watching over the pregnant sheep in her barn fill her shorter days and longer nights.
She pushes on because Horace’s offer still stands: He’ll sell her the farm in the spring if she still wants to stay. But as winter tightens its grip on rural Iowa, her biggest challenges are still to come. When a series of events threatens to break her heart and shatter her hopes, will Melinda’s faith be strong enough to see the season through?
Melinda Foster hoped to spend January relaxing by her farmhouse’s fireplace while paging through the seed catalogs’ promises of spring. After all, wasn't the simpler, slower pace of the country one of the reasons she let go of her bustling life in the city?
Instead, she finds herself struggling to keep the worst of winter’s threats from her door. Shoveling snow, thawing her farm’s water lines, and anxiously watching over the pregnant sheep in her barn fill her shorter days and longer nights.
She pushes on because Horace’s offer still stands: He’ll sell her the farm in the spring if she still wants to stay. But as winter tightens its grip on rural Iowa, her biggest challenges are still to come. When a series of events threatens to break her heart and shatter her hopes, will Melinda’s faith be strong enough to see the season through?
394 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2018
3854 people are currently reading
605 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Lageschulte
29 books294 followersMelanie Lageschulte writes heartwarming rural fiction, including the "Mailbox Mysteries" and "Growing Season" series. After growing up on an acreage in Iowa with a menagerie of four-footed friends, she had spent much of her professional life telling the stories of the state and its residents. She enjoys baking, sewing, and supporting local animal shelters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
December 24, 2018
Two stars
I think this book was appropriately named. I kept waiting for something to happen or improve but it fell short on both accounts for me
I think this book was appropriately named. I kept waiting for something to happen or improve but it fell short on both accounts for me
June 18, 2021
This series sucked me in with the premise of complete lifestyle change. I keep coming back for more. The storyline feels like Mac-and- cheese comfort food (with kittens and newborn lambs!)
December 10, 2018
I came into this series late, having only read the third and this the fourth books in the series but I am in love with Melinda`s run down farm and bedraggled bunch of animals. This is the big test. If she can survive the winter and keep her assortment alive, she will buy this farm. You will be pulling for her, especially after she tackles the first test in this book, helping young kittens over a major hurdle.
You know this is more than just managing to stay warm and wait out the winter.
Another win for the author and for us readers.
You know this is more than just managing to stay warm and wait out the winter.
Another win for the author and for us readers.
December 2, 2018
Love this series of books!
Just finished this fourth book in the series and loved it! Not sure how I stumbled onto this author but so happy I did. The concept of adding to Melanie's story by book/season is awesome! I love her farm, her family and new friends, and the small town of Prosper. All her adventures and everyday life are so realistic to me. Now I'm needing a farm.
Just finished this fourth book in the series and loved it! Not sure how I stumbled onto this author but so happy I did. The concept of adding to Melanie's story by book/season is awesome! I love her farm, her family and new friends, and the small town of Prosper. All her adventures and everyday life are so realistic to me. Now I'm needing a farm.
December 29, 2018
This book was an easy read. It was not complex nor was it thought provoking, if you are looking for something light to pass the time this may be a good choice. I will pass on reading the other books from the series.
February 15, 2026
After Melinda loses her job in the city, she moves to a rural area to work in her uncle’s hardware store. She is also living on a local farm with the option to buy it. After a stressful lambing season and an unpleasant encounter with a wealthy relative of the farm’s owner, she has to make a decision. I enjoyed this pleasant escapist read with a likable main character and lots of animals.
February 10, 2019
A Slow and Steady Read
First book i have read by this author so had no idea what to expect.
I am still unclear as to what the storyline is for "Waiting Season". I didn't really understand why the main character had transplanted herself to a farm out in the middle of nowhere. I think I might have enjoyed the story more if i could have gotten to know the characters and their personalities. There was a distinct lack of character development which made them all appear to be superficial.
I finished the story wondering what I had just finished reading.
First book i have read by this author so had no idea what to expect.
I am still unclear as to what the storyline is for "Waiting Season". I didn't really understand why the main character had transplanted herself to a farm out in the middle of nowhere. I think I might have enjoyed the story more if i could have gotten to know the characters and their personalities. There was a distinct lack of character development which made them all appear to be superficial.
I finished the story wondering what I had just finished reading.
December 3, 2018
Love this small town series
The characters are warm and so realistic it paints a lively picture of life in a rural community. The heroine faces doubts and challenges from the unexpected changes her life encounters with true grace. The animals play a big part in this book. Highly recommend this author her writing style is refreshing.
The characters are warm and so realistic it paints a lively picture of life in a rural community. The heroine faces doubts and challenges from the unexpected changes her life encounters with true grace. The animals play a big part in this book. Highly recommend this author her writing style is refreshing.
January 17, 2019
I wanted a gentle book to get me through the holidays and I got it. this book was so gentle it verged on boring most of the time. I finished it, so I gave it two stars. If you're looking for something to lull you to sleep, this is the book for you.
February 3, 2019
Cold is cold and farm life is hard
While reading this book, we had cold, snowy weather. It was easy to put yourself in Melinda's place, feel the cold, experience her fatigue, and question her choices.
While reading this book, we had cold, snowy weather. It was easy to put yourself in Melinda's place, feel the cold, experience her fatigue, and question her choices.
January 23, 2019
Still waiting....
February 2, 2019
I love a good clean story, but this one dragged along with too many small details that just bogged down. I couldn't make it even to the half way point. Will not pick it up again to finish.
June 6, 2022
First few pages seemed like a snooze but hang in, it's a sweet story set in Minnesota, if I remember correctly. It didn't bother me that I hadn't read the previous books in this series even though it might help with Melinda's background. She's somehow ended up in this small town that she loves thinking about buying a farmhouse with a couple acres and complete with chickens, sheep, cats and her dog, Hobo. She wanted to live through a winter before making the commitment. The weather was a big factor in how things would go but even worse, a spoiled niece turns up and wants the house and land and is able to pay a substantial amount more for it. Luckily Melinda has a lot of people behind her already. If only she was more sure of herself. Love the cover.
July 28, 2020
Have enjoyed every book in this series thus far and will continue to read the rest. I can relate somewhat to Melinda's journey and admire her determination. Also, I've learned a bit along the way.
March 19, 2024
This series is comfort food for me. It's just a simple story of a young woman who has left the city for farm life. It feeds my dream of wanting to do the same.
December 3, 2018
Wonderful series
Enjoyed the fourth book of this series as .much as the first three. Will be looking forward to the next book coming out next year. Easy reading and brings comfort.
Enjoyed the fourth book of this series as .much as the first three. Will be looking forward to the next book coming out next year. Easy reading and brings comfort.
December 23, 2018
Good story
I really enjoyed this book and the characters. Even though they faced trials and tribulations it was an uplifting story.
I really enjoyed this book and the characters. Even though they faced trials and tribulations it was an uplifting story.
January 2, 2019
I grabbed this as a deal on my Kindle for a vacation read, and it was pleasant. That's what I'd call it. It's not really a standalone, as it doesn't really resolve at the end. I like homesteading books, and this was a great fictional take on it.
Don't expect too much, and you'll like it. The characters are a little stock-y, but the writing is good.
It is what it says it is: a fairly straightforward story.
Don't expect too much, and you'll like it. The characters are a little stock-y, but the writing is good.
It is what it says it is: a fairly straightforward story.
January 4, 2019
So incredibly slow.
January 3, 2019
Enjoyed very much
Really enjoyed reading this book. Being an old farm girl myself, it brought back memories of my childhood of feeding the chickens and other stock. We also had sheep. Story keeps you caught up in the lives of the characters.
Really enjoyed reading this book. Being an old farm girl myself, it brought back memories of my childhood of feeding the chickens and other stock. We also had sheep. Story keeps you caught up in the lives of the characters.
December 17, 2018
LOVED IT, just like the rest!
I am so totally in love with this series! Very quick read. I could just picture the farm animals, Hobo, Sunny, Stormy, and the rest. I laughed and I cried. I'm going to hate the wait for the next book!
I am so totally in love with this series! Very quick read. I could just picture the farm animals, Hobo, Sunny, Stormy, and the rest. I laughed and I cried. I'm going to hate the wait for the next book!
December 26, 2018
Love this series!
I received this book free from one of the book sites. I do not remember which one! This is my honest review.
First off, you will want to read the full series, beginning with book 1. It's a fantastic following of Melinda, who is learning how to care for a small farm while working at her relative's hardware store in the charming town of Prosper.
In this book. Melinda faces challenges during the Waiting Season. Waiting out storms, waiting for power, waiting for lambs, and waiting for spring. She loves her home, but this season brings drama and questions that has her future hanging by a thread.
Pull up to the fire with a warm fuzzy blanket and read about her winter's journey. You will be swept with every emotion possible & will find yourself cheering Melinda through to the end.
I received this book free from one of the book sites. I do not remember which one! This is my honest review.
First off, you will want to read the full series, beginning with book 1. It's a fantastic following of Melinda, who is learning how to care for a small farm while working at her relative's hardware store in the charming town of Prosper.
In this book. Melinda faces challenges during the Waiting Season. Waiting out storms, waiting for power, waiting for lambs, and waiting for spring. She loves her home, but this season brings drama and questions that has her future hanging by a thread.
Pull up to the fire with a warm fuzzy blanket and read about her winter's journey. You will be swept with every emotion possible & will find yourself cheering Melinda through to the end.
December 31, 2018
Finished reading Waiting Season by Melanie Lageschulte. This was the first book I have read by the author but will not be the last. Now I want to read the series! I really enjoyed Melindas episodes on the farm located in a small town. Hang on, she goes through a lot for her animals during a very hard winter going from house to barn in middle of the night during ice storms during lambing season. I just really enjoyed this book.
January 2, 2019
Don't give up!
This story had a very slow start but finally got interesting. If you hang on and keep reading its worth reading.
This story had a very slow start but finally got interesting. If you hang on and keep reading its worth reading.
January 13, 2019
This volume wasn’t as comforting as the others, doesn’t mean I didn’t like it. A very busy book with lots of lows that were somewhat counterbalanced with some ups. I like the heroine looks forward to Spring.
December 4, 2018
Intriguing story
Don’t miss out on this 4th book of this series! Find out if Melinda makes it through the waiting season. Several other characters & circumstances come into the story and into her life, and play a role in her decision making. I was crying along with Melinda in one of the instances, and felt her fear at another.
I highly recommend this book!
Don’t miss out on this 4th book of this series! Find out if Melinda makes it through the waiting season. Several other characters & circumstances come into the story and into her life, and play a role in her decision making. I was crying along with Melinda in one of the instances, and felt her fear at another.
I highly recommend this book!
January 12, 2019
Winter on the farm
Melinda is caring for her sheep and chickens, cats and dogs as winter sets in on the farm. Two little kittens which were left on the Vets doorstep need to be fostered and cared for until they are big and healthy enough to be adopted. She is content but doubting her abilities. The descriptions of winter make me feel right beside her.
Melinda is caring for her sheep and chickens, cats and dogs as winter sets in on the farm. Two little kittens which were left on the Vets doorstep need to be fostered and cared for until they are big and healthy enough to be adopted. She is content but doubting her abilities. The descriptions of winter make me feel right beside her.
January 13, 2019
Love her books. Brings my childhood back and the people that I love.
February 2, 2019
A great series
I really enjoyed this book, as I did the earlier ones in the series. The characters seem so real, they remind me of people I know in my small town. I have laughed and cried right along with Melinda, and I am looking forward eagerly to the release of the next book.
I really enjoyed this book, as I did the earlier ones in the series. The characters seem so real, they remind me of people I know in my small town. I have laughed and cried right along with Melinda, and I am looking forward eagerly to the release of the next book.
December 31, 2018
Fun read
Pleasant story and realistic small town life. Realistic physicals to overcome when living in a cold climate. Very enjoyable read!
Pleasant story and realistic small town life. Realistic physicals to overcome when living in a cold climate. Very enjoyable read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews