Finding Home

Hope Springs, SD #1

by Lois Greiman

1 broken down mare
2 baby lambs
3 lost teens
And a busted up bronc rider with more balls than brains. . .

They all add up to trouble in Casie Carmichael's book. She's come back to Hope Springs, South Dakota, with only one thing in mind--selling the family's tumble-down ranch and returning to Sioux Falls and her very practical fiancé. But leaving isn't as easy as she imagined, not when every bedraggled stray in the territory has a homing beam straight to her barn.

Suddenly, angry parents, hairless goats and a former flame's new heat aren't Casie's most pressing problems. Her own mixed-up heart is at the top of the list, and as she throws herself into making a safe haven for her motley crew, she realizes home is a lot closer than she thought.

"Lois Greiman delivers." – Christina Dodd

Praise for Lois Greiman

"Greiman's writing is warm, witty and gently wise." --Betina Krahn, New York Times bestselling author

"Lois Greiman is a natural storyteller." –Victoria Alexander

Lois Greiman was born on a cattle ranch in central North Dakota where she learned to ride with the best of them. After graduating from high school, she moved to Minnesota to train and show Arabian horses. She sold her first novel in 1992 and has published more than thirty titles since then. A two-time Rita finalist, she has won such prestigious honors as Romantic Times Storyteller Of The Year, MFW's Rising Star, and RT's Love and Laughter.

With more than two million books printed worldwide, Ms. Greiman currently lives in Minnesota, where she is actively involved in horse training and animal rescue.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Westerns, Womens Fiction

292 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Born on a North Dakota cattle ranch, Lois Greiman graduated from a high school class of sixty students before moving to Minnesota where she professionally trained and showed Arabian Horses for several years. Since that time she's been a high fashion model, a fitness instructor, and a veterinary assistant. But an incurable case of writing fever put a stop to all those occupations.

Since selling her first book to Avon in 1992, she has sold twelve other historical romance novels, most of which are set in medieval Scotland and involve her very popular Forbes clan. In an attempt to pursue her love of humor, Ms. Greiman has also recently sold three romantic comedies to Harlequin Enterprises.

While caring for three children, fifteen horses, and a menagerie of pets on her small farm in Minnesota, Ms. Greiman writes full time, producing two or three novels a year and garnering much praise from readers and reviewers alike. Affaire de Coeur called HIGHLAND WOLF "magnificent." Romantic Times proclaimed LADY AND THE KNIGHT"...pure magic." Christina Dodd proclaims "Lois Greiman delivers....The Fraser Bride offers delightful characters, breathless adventure."

Her Highland novels have received Affaire de Couer's Critic's Choice Award, Romantic Times K.I.S.S. Award, and been nominated for Romance Writer's of America's prestigious Rita. Her titles have appeared on Barnes and Nobles Best Selling Romance list and won her the Midwest Fiction Writer's Rising Star Award.

Reviews

[Sibel Gandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 / 5
Keşke yayınevi kitabı basmadan önce okuyup hataları düzeltseydi. Özellikle başlarda diyalogları takip etmekte zorlandım. Kim ne dedi, bunu kim söylüyor vs. Bunun dışında orta karar hoş bir hikayeydi. Hemen devam kitabına başladım.

[Lizbeth Selvig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the first page--it's so my kind of story. This is pure emotion mixed with wonderful description, filled with heartwarming characters who are real not wooden or cliche'. Plus there are horses in it, and cows and hairless goats! "Finding Home" might not be the fave of readers who want quick, funny, rom com books. But if you love a rich, riveting story that will wrap itself around your heart--this one's for you! Again I say, loved it!

[hatice]

sonu olmayan bir kitap okuduğum için çok da memnun değilim :/

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did a lot of yelling at the MC in this one. It was frustrating to see her constantly swallowing her emotions and sinking inward so that she wouldn't be a problem to others. Especially the judgey jerkface fiance.
I loved the other characters though. Colt is my current literary crush. And I want to wrap protective arms around Ty.

The actual structure of the story was choppy. Scenes would abruptly end and suddenly much time had passed and the next scene would start in the middle of something and the reader was left confused.

However.... I will want to read the next book in the series.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

FINDING HOME by Lois Greiman
Cass Carmichael has returned back home to the ranch in South Dakota. Her father has passed away and she hopes to spruce up the ranch and sell it to get back to her fiance and the city where they share an apartment that she pay for with her job as assistant secretary.
She's funding his college education and after he becomes a doctor they will put their money into her further education. Problem is she's putting all her time and money, what's left into the ranch. The lambs are birthing, the cows are birthing and the horses. There are ducks and other animals on the ranch that she just can't turn her back on.
She accumulates more strays, others will donate their time for a place to sleep and help out to learn and to push themselves into helping others.
When Bradley shows up for a night he talks her into the hotel stay and asks for not only the months rent but the next month as well.
I wanted to read this book because it's about not only horses which I want to learn all I can about but South Dakota. Never visited but like what I've read about it.
Also loved the setting of a table under a tree with light bulbs on, looks so inviting and cozy.
A stray, Emily helps in the kitchen and with the animals. They adopt the real estate agents daughter, well she pays to be there and that helps the animals with better food. She knows horses and helps them learn.
Hospital emergency and it draws them all together and we find out other mysteries that shed light on what happened.
Love how she takes what she has and turns it into something real good. It's everyday living on the ranch where things don't always go right.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent book. I only read it because I was looking for a fun audiobook to listen to and it was there but I ended up enjoying it.

Casie's character was good, I like how she ended up saving the day in the end. I didn't really like her love interest but he didn't make me want to throw the book across the room.

All in all it was pretty okay. I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for romances set on a ranch and are interested in horses and other farm animals.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice book overall. I can't put my finger on what bothered me about the story. Sometimes when I think about it, I think the characters needed more development; other times I feel like there were too many characters/animals/events occurring to fill space... maybe the story was over developed?

[Deepa Swaminathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful, simple story about Cass and her day to day struggles to keep her ranch.

Wish the writing was better.

Cass has just questions in all dialogs. It is like a 5 year old talking.
What are you talking about?
What do you mean?
Why did you do that?
These questions are after every 4 pages! It got annoying.

[Ellyn (Mrs. Darcy in my Dreams) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Couldn't believe the premise of heroine and Fiancé being a part for 9+ months. Also the constant interruptions of the flow of conversations was really annoying. Made the heroine seem so weak. Not really a romance.

[Candy Liggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casie Carmichael is returning home and planning on selling the family farm after her parents died. She is planning on returning to the city and get back to her life which includes getting married to her finance. Casie also has a soft spot for animals who have been neglected and nursing them back to health. She can't say no and has cows, horses , goats etc. Brad her finance doesn't understand why Casie wants to take care of this animals. She doesn't really seem to want to leave or sell the farm.

Casie also has help from the locals and they form a family we have Ty a young boy who has had a rough life but forms a loving bond with Casie. We also meet Emily who is friends with Ty but also is looking for a place to stay. She talks Casie into letting her stay at the farm and will help with the chores.

Casie is at a crossroads in her life she is not sure if she really wants to sell the farm and marry Brad. Brad is very controlling and since Casie grew up seeing her parents fighting and arguing she doesn't like confrontations. Add to the mix is Colton Dickenson a friend from Casie's past who is also helping her with the farm.

This is the first book in a series I loved the characters they are very well written and easy to love and hate. There is a twist I never seen coming and can't wait to read the other books in this series to see what happens to all these great characters. You will become invested in Casie and how she is not sure if she is making the right decisions but is slowly getting there.

[Tracey M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I often don't write reviews. It's hard to figure out what I want to say. Well this time I was searching & searching through audiobooks I could borrow with no wait time ... listened to several samples that I passed on, then even checked several ones out that just weren't a fit. Then I read the description on this one and immediately something said "this is it." I knew I found my next read, very enjoyable book. Not all of it was my style, but so much of it was. I'm drawn to books with plenty of nature and animals, especially horses, the misunderstood or hurting, but many novels that include these are too smarmy or overly romantic for my taste. This author did a really good job of staying focused and balanced in her writing and I am pleased to find out it's a series so I can revisit these characters again.

[Svalora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book on Audible. The narration was good, so that probably contributed to my enjoyment of the book.
In my humble opinion, the book is well written and an enjoyable and believable story. The characters are developed and leave you rooting for them. I hate when books leave you wondering, which this book does, so that would be my biggest “con” with this book. :-). Guess I have to read/listen to the next one now!

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are the the first books that I have read by Lois Greiman and I really enjoyed them. It is a series and the story doesn't end until the end of the third book. I don't ever love that. I like the different books to be focused on different characters but they were still fast to read and had lots of people in the story that I wanted to follow all of them. Also anybody who knows me knows I love a good cowboy story.

[Hot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh holy hell. The book didn’t get good until the last three chapters. MC was annoying as all hell. “What are you talking about” HAS to be her favorite phrase to utter.

Supporting cast sucks. Fiancé is an asshole. Others are inconsequential, mostly. Just irritating.

This was just a back and forth of self doubt, farm work, classism and secrets. I’m not one for super sappy stories that don’t make sense, hence the 2 star rating.

[Kandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate that Colt called her headcase. It was annoying and so demeaning for the most of the book. Emily situation and coming to Casey’s house was so confusing even up to the end. The finance seemed like a complete dick from the beginning and makes me think worse of Casey for being with him and also even when he cheated on her earlier in their relationship.
Listened to on Libby app audiobook

[Sally Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. Why? I guess because it was different and not too predictable, in some ways. I have a friend who lives on her family's ranch, so some of the animal care was very familiar. Good story about family not always being related, finding your 'true north' and sticking to that path, and learning to stick up for what lives in your heart.

[Vicki Lanzendorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of a series about the Lazy Windmill Ranch in Hope Springs, South Dakota. A cast of characters each with his/her own issues, come together while trying to figure out themselves. Enjoyable, easy read.

[Rachel Zblewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it was very charming. I grew up in a farming county and many of the characters I've seen in people I've known. However, the main character's fiancee is one of the most cartoonishly terrible people I've encountered in literature. He was absolutely bananas.

[Joan Horkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good! Good balance of humor and heartbreak with a wonderful cast of characters.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun and entertaining, but lord, this girl needs a backbone.

[Keshia Burchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful read about finding where you belong.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was potential for this to be great, but it turned out to be okay. I listened to this on audiobook, but found my mind wandering as I listened.

[Randi Daeger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Packing my bags…..moving to Hope Springs!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Low key small town novel that is just a feel good book. Definitely will read the next 2 books

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, she finally learned how to say no, and got rid of that trash named Brad.

52 Book Chapters #41. South Dakota

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the idea behind the story in this book. I received it on Mother's Day and couldn't wait to begin reading. I could definitely relate to the main character's personality and feelings, but almost at once the overuse of adjectives to describe commonplace events struck me and nearly discouraged me from continuing to read it. I took a few weeks off and picked it up again while on vacation. I noticed that the author's note at the end of the book was written without the overuse of adjectives and in a more relaxed style that seemed to come from her heart. I know that writers are told to use plenty of descriptive phrases, but too many can cause the writing to appear forced and insincere. In spite of this, I continued reading, and finished the book quite satisfied. I would consider reading this author's books again, but would preview them carefully first.

[Elly Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* This is the type of book that has a lot of the girly, heart pitter-patter stuff I have little patience with. It’s of a genre that isn’t one of my favourites, and I don’t know why I even checked it out. This audiobook is also one of the most delightful, charming, humourous, entertaining, positive, and well-performed treats I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying for some time, exactly what I needed right now. Yes, yes, I could see some things coming, being as smart as I am, but that did not stop me from having it read to me every possible moment, and there were some unexpected twists to surprise me. I’m glad to see it is the first in a series and will be looking for the rest. Good one!

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank goodness I found a book that I couldn't wait to read and not run to Facebook, goodreads groups, or spring cleaning! Lois Greiman's Casie Carmichael is a scrappy woman who comes home to sell the farm. While there, she is faced with the decision of determining who she really is: the scrappy woman raised on this farm or the supporting fiancée of the budding surgeon.

I liked Greiman's fast-paced dialogue and the cast of characters she created. If there is a sequel, I will definitely pick it up to read.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance is not usually my genre to read, but the description of this book intrigued me. Okay, so the plot is a bit predictable, I just loved Cass and her personal conflict to decide what she will do with her life. I know nothing about ranching, but it seems a difficult life, especially for a single woman. Lois Greiman writes from experience and gives life to all the characters. In short, this was a delightful book. The problem is that as this book ends it calls for the sequel. Don't know if or when I'll read it, but do recommend this book for Romance readers !