Home Fires

Hope Springs, SD #2

by Lois Greiman

Welcome to the Lazy Windmill, where guests find that life is what you make it, love is priceless, and family is determined by far more than DNA. . .

Casie Carmichael's accidental dude ranch is well on its way, but the residents of her Hope Springs haven are running wild. With an unwed mother-to-be, a turbulent teen romance, and a bronc-riding grandmother to contend with, the last thing Casie has time for is a romantic relationship. But convincing recently returned Colt Dickenson she's not interested in him--or the confusion he causes her--is easier said than done.

Yet as Casie's ragtag crew saddles up to help with everything from birthing babies to legal woes, she finally begins to see that family wears many faces--and being independent isn't the same as being alone.

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

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

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

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 4 out of 5]

Güzel ilerliyor seri ama yazarcım hiç rahat bir gün yüzü göremeyecek mi bu zavallı Casie 🙄

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I had never read any other author’s books, I wondered if I would enjoy this before I began. I need not have worried. In the vein of Debbie Macomber and Susan Wiggs, this novel will suck the reader in from the get-go. Cassie Carmichael runs a dude ranch, but in addition to her paying guest, a bronco-riding grandmother, she also has taken in abused animals and three , troubled teenagers: Ty, whose mother bet him, Sophie, daughter of a real estate mogul who pays little or no attention to his daughter, and Emily, an unwed teenage mother. Add in a would-be love interest, Colt, and Cassie finds herself with her hands full. This story winds through numerous adventures in their daily lives. The author has provided a story filled with love, hope and a solid sense of family (though, as Cassie reminds us, they are not really a family in the truest sense of the word). Once I began, I found myself eagerly awaiting the next page and/or chapter to see how things would turn out for Cassie’s “family”. One thing I found very interesting is the interest the author has portrayed the plight of abused animals, something not often touched in books of this genre. The characters are both endearing and real as are the situations. Now that I have read this book, I will seek out other books by the author and await any future books. Finally, the author or publisher has included questions for group discussions, knowing that this book is an ideal candidate for these. I received this free on-line to read and review.

[Carol Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s late summer, and Lois Greiman takes us back to the Lazy Windmill Ranch for the second book in her Hope Springs series. In Home Fires, Casie Carmichael struggles to save her childhood home through the kindness of neighbors, a refurbished bunkhouse for paying guests, and the tireless aid of three wayward teenagers, one due to give birth any day. Then there’s Colt Dickenson, determined to get Casie back on her feet—when he’s not using cocky charm to sweep her off. Everyone has one passion or another roiling below the surface, and Greiman smartly balances the intensity of hidden agendas, lost hopes and self-recrimination with zany antics, rapid-fire dialogue and a riveting plot. Through a volatile experience of unconventional horse rustling, traditional concepts of right and wrong tangle with genuine ethics. Into the chaos of denial and realization, add the insight of a wise crone who arrives as a summer boarder, using her almost mythical role to save everyone’s day. How much do we need one another? These are characters with seemingly tenuous emotional ties. Yet with Casie’s determination and passion, their lives become tightly bound.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed meeting the core group of characters in Finding Home for this series, and was just as thrilled to learn even more in Home Fires. While adding in a few new characters and expanding on our core of Casie, Colt, Emily, Sophia and Tyler, it was highly enjoyable and I didn't mind it revolving somewhat around animals... it is a ranch. I see where a third book is already scheduled for release in November and I hope that isn't where this series is going to end. The adventures that happen on Lazy Windmill Ranch could go for many more books with endless possibilities and story lines. I really hope to see it grow. The romance between Casie and Colt is a slow burn and I hope they find their way to each other soon. They would make a great duo and would love to see what they could do together and how they'd grow... kids...that aren't already teenagers or goats? I'd love to see more of Colt's family. We briefly meet his dad in this edition and hear more about his mom... can't wait to meet her! Looking forward to seeing a lot more in this series and what will be adopted next!

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Casie is still stupidly insistent that she doesn't need anyone, and that she doesn't have any right giving even simple advice to the teenagers in her charge.
It's getting ridiculous at this point.
The whole book builds upon the troubles begun in the first book, with some new troubles added in, and Colt trying to help out ezike constantly being rejected and insulted.
I enjoyed the fact that this time we got more than just Casie's point of view. We had a chance to peep into the teenagers minds as well as the newest guest.
I did enjoy the book. But I'm really hoping the last book will be better and Casie not trying so hard to push everyone away

[Renée Gendron]

This was a refreshing contemporary romance. The cast of characters was diverse and each character had their charms and things that haunt them. All characters added to the plot and to the depth of the world, creating a very unique cast of relatable characters.

The romance was subtle but ever-present. It was an enemies to lovers scenario, but not over the top. The hero was strong without being cocky, and the heroine had true depth of character and a kind heart.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series.

[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.

[Svalora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book on Audible — the narration was good, so that added to my enjoyment of the book.
The continuation of a good, clean, fun story about a bunch of mis-fits that seem to fit together and make things work!
On to the finale...

[Vicki Lanzendorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A continuation of a story about a ranch and the unlikely group of people who live there. Trials and tribulations, love and acceptance, growth while trying to hang on to the past.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. It engulfs several real life problems within a group of people living together and how they face and solve these situations.

[Ellyn (Mrs. Darcy in my Dreams) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Frenetic time line. I think the whole book took place over a two week period. I look forward to the wrapup of this trilogy.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, will definitely finish the rest of the series and look at other books by this author.

[Tracey M · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a while to get going on the 2nd one....and a little racier than the first..but like the way the loose ends were being tied up at the end.

[Readsalot81 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Won through Goodreads First-Reads.

My biggest problem with this book was my perception that it was a romance. I didn't find this to be the case AT ALL. If I had to choose how to market the book, I'd put this firmly under chick lit, or literature if I absolutely had to.. because the "romance" in this book was pretty pathetic.

The lack of focus on Casie and Colt Dickenson did contribute to my feeling somewhat buffaloed while reading. There are some scenes that take place, but there is also a huge focus on the secondary characters as well. And by secondary characters, I not only am speaking of the pregnant teen, the runaway, and the older gal that comes to stay, but HORSES ladies and gents.

What really frustrated me was how the horses served as a catalyst to jump start a conversation or discovery about a particular character. No one could just sit down and be straight forward with one another. Oh ho, NO way jose. There has to be a sick horse, a horse in peril, or someone ON a horse for the characters to make any headway with one another.


I really wish I was kidding when I mentioned that dig about the horses, but sadly I'm not. They feature into quite a few scenes. I think I made a couple of mentions of it as I was updating my reading.


I also wish there had been more set up with Casie and how she came to be this halfway home to all these teenagers. I wasn't satisfied with the book's explanation and that also contributed to my crankiness when reading through the book.


Frankly, there weren't enough scenes between Casie and Colt to make me care if they made a go at being a couple. All they did was exchange innuendos and fight.


I was tempted not to finish the book.. but it generally was an easy read, just not a particularly interesting one.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home Fires by Lois Greiman
Finding home is the series with this being the next in line. Casie has told her city boyfriend she's done with him and stays on the farm her father left her when he died.
She adopts not only animals that nobody wants but a child from another farm, Ty whose mother was beating him up, and a pregnant girl, Emily and the real estates daughter, Sophie to make her strong and a love interest, Colt Dickinson.
Colt attempts to come to the rescue with $10k when she needs it for Angels' surgery and Casie does not want to take it...
He is also there to lend her farm a horse for the guest that is paying for the next several weeks. and he's there to help heal the horse with a foot problem.
More trouble arises when Sophie learns of what a farm closeby does to the mares that are pregnant-for health procedures and she enlists Ty to help rescue some of the horses...
Helpful info on raising of horses and most other animals...
I received this book from Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest opinion

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I entered the giveaway for this book. Based on a few other authors I've enjoyed, I was told that I should try out this author. I'm glad I listened. Home Fires is the second in a series, but you don't need to read the first one to enjoy this book.
Grieman is a natural storyteller. Reading a good story is like slipping into a comfortable old robe. You are warmed and feel at ease. That's what reading Home Fires was like for me. I wish I could articulate better but that's what I got. While the family in this book was far from the norm, the last thing you'll do is feel sorry for this group of rescues, both animals and human alike.


**I received a free copy of this book through a GoodReads First Reads giveaway.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tears, laughter and a warm glow in my heart, what more can you ask for from a good book? I even learned just how tough it can be to run a ranch and care for horses. And teenagers, but that part I knew already.

I loved the first book in the series, Finding Home, and this book did not disappoint. Casie, Colt, Tyler, Emily and Sophie had roped me into their lives in the first book and going back was like meeting old friends again. This time they have new problems to deal with, old problems they're still dealing with and a couple of new characters to add to the crazy life on the Lazy Windmill. It seems like everyone's hormones are raging, adults and teenagers, but this isn't a romance. It's a book about finding family, even if they aren't related to you.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 2nd "Hope Springs" novel was just as sweet and endearing as the first. I devoured this book over a couple of evenings and was very sad to see the book end. Of course there has to be a 3rd coming out next year, the only problem is I don't want to wait!! Some would clasify this book as a romance, but it is so much more than a romance. The strong female characters and the humourous events make this a great read.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely little story. I enjoyed the characters very much. It had me in tears near the end. My only criticism is that the ending was too fast and a bit too neat. Otherwise, this was a good book.

[Laney G · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't really care for this book. Really lost interest in it and couldn't get back in it. I dont care for books where I lose interest. Because when that happens there's no point in continually to read it.

[gerif · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this series of books at the Minnesota State Fair on the day Minnesota authors were presenting their books.

They kept me interested, hard to put down. I enjoyed them very much.

Thank you, Lois!

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as a goodreads giveaway and really wasn't sure what to expect. Turns out, I really enjoyed the storyline and it's characters.

I'll write more in a few (storm coming)

[Carol N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good relaxing read - still not seeing Colt as a partner, baby is born to Em and Soph continues to fight for the underdog. Understand 3 book is on its way

[Joan54 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible read by Carrington MacDuffie. I enjoyed this book.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great addition to the story. Very fun to read.

[Jennifer Beavers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, wonderful story, love the evolution of the characters!

[Eliza Grover · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable series and a quick read.

[Deedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book but not as much as the first one.The story picked up where it left off but added a few new characters,too many to keep straight for me. The story continues in book 3....

[Ed Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, enjoyed reading

[John W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

This book was absolutely incredible! I was so lucky to be able to meet her in person! She is such a talented writer, and I look forward reading her future books!