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Cast Iron Farm #1
The Mountain Whispers
Arriving home and discovering the betrayal by her best friend and lover, Eli Fortner leaves to run off her anger and hurt. A chance stop at a convenience store and the purchase of lottery tickets, sends Eli’s life into a whirlwind of change. Able to now pursue her dreams, Eli heads off to see what else fate has in store for her. Whit Brewer, Eli’s neighbor, is everything Eli never knew she needed and wanted. But can she let go of the betrayal long enough to let Whit in? Thirteen black cats, a baby goat, and Cruz, her furry best friend, join Eli on her adventure, new life, and the possibility of real love.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2020
41 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Ali Spooner
72 books123 followersI am a native Floridian who is temporarily (I hope) displaced in Memphis, TN. for work purposes, however I hope to make it home to a partner of 17 years and our family as quickly as I can. I enjoy photography as a hobby along with spinning a good tale.
I am American by birth and Southern by the Grace of God. LOL I enjoy writing about the south and creating characters and events that I hope my readers enjoy as much as I have in creating them.
I am American by birth and Southern by the Grace of God. LOL I enjoy writing about the south and creating characters and events that I hope my readers enjoy as much as I have in creating them.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 25, 2025
**'Listen carefully, do your research, have good ideas, structure your words & sentences to be understanding -- then start telling your stories..'
Okay read!
So extremely unnecessarily detailed plus i wasn't into their (Eli & Whit) relationship -- 16 years difference is a no no. And i didn't think that they had any chemistry but did enjoy the family dynamic and interactions.
Okay read!
So extremely unnecessarily detailed plus i wasn't into their (Eli & Whit) relationship -- 16 years difference is a no no. And i didn't think that they had any chemistry but did enjoy the family dynamic and interactions.
August 16, 2020
Excellent!
When Eli discovered the betrayal, she decided to put down new roots and moved to North Carolina. When she also hit the jackpot, she has everything that was needed to make her dream come true. A dream her brother and his family shared with her. In NC began a new adventure and the start of the Cast Iron Farm. Life is certainly taking an upward turn for Eli. New friends, family who assisted her in everything and another chance at love. The Mountain Whispers is a charming start to this series and the setting is gorgeous. I love all the characters and I love getting to know them all. I wish I could travel through North Carolina, visit the Cast Iron Farm and enjoy all the delicious food. What a way to spend my vacation! Now I can't wait to read the next book.
When Eli discovered the betrayal, she decided to put down new roots and moved to North Carolina. When she also hit the jackpot, she has everything that was needed to make her dream come true. A dream her brother and his family shared with her. In NC began a new adventure and the start of the Cast Iron Farm. Life is certainly taking an upward turn for Eli. New friends, family who assisted her in everything and another chance at love. The Mountain Whispers is a charming start to this series and the setting is gorgeous. I love all the characters and I love getting to know them all. I wish I could travel through North Carolina, visit the Cast Iron Farm and enjoy all the delicious food. What a way to spend my vacation! Now I can't wait to read the next book.
August 3, 2020
A Heard of Cats, A Dog Named Cruz and a Baby Goat
All of these things are just a part of what makes this book so gosh darn good! Eli returns home early from a business trip to find her best friend and her girlfriend in bed together. She leaves and goes for a run, stopping at a store for a snack and ends up buying a winning lotto ticket. Free to chase her dreams, she packs up her dog and heads to the mountains of North Carolina to start over. Whit is Eli’s alluring neighbour who soon becomes a good friend. She is everything Eli wants and needs but can she let go of her ex’s betrayal to try again?
I adored this sweet, feel good tale. There was so many lovely descriptions of Eli’s mountain home that I felt like I was there. I could hear the drone of the insects and feel the heat of the sun, I wanted to drink the sweet water of the cold streams and play with all the animals and watch the star filled sky at night. I liked how this story focused mostly on the cabin and making the land into a dream home for Eli. The romance with Whit was also a bright spot. They are so good together, sharing common interests, working and playing with each other so easily, like they were made for each other. The relationship Eli has with her family is also a joy to behold. There is just so much love and support for everyone involved and I really enjoyed that. There was nothing bad or distressing to happen to anyone (after Sara and Eli’s break up), just goodness to make you smile and feel peaceful and contented. I can't wait to see where the story goes next!
All of these things are just a part of what makes this book so gosh darn good! Eli returns home early from a business trip to find her best friend and her girlfriend in bed together. She leaves and goes for a run, stopping at a store for a snack and ends up buying a winning lotto ticket. Free to chase her dreams, she packs up her dog and heads to the mountains of North Carolina to start over. Whit is Eli’s alluring neighbour who soon becomes a good friend. She is everything Eli wants and needs but can she let go of her ex’s betrayal to try again?
I adored this sweet, feel good tale. There was so many lovely descriptions of Eli’s mountain home that I felt like I was there. I could hear the drone of the insects and feel the heat of the sun, I wanted to drink the sweet water of the cold streams and play with all the animals and watch the star filled sky at night. I liked how this story focused mostly on the cabin and making the land into a dream home for Eli. The romance with Whit was also a bright spot. They are so good together, sharing common interests, working and playing with each other so easily, like they were made for each other. The relationship Eli has with her family is also a joy to behold. There is just so much love and support for everyone involved and I really enjoyed that. There was nothing bad or distressing to happen to anyone (after Sara and Eli’s break up), just goodness to make you smile and feel peaceful and contented. I can't wait to see where the story goes next!
October 9, 2022
Cute and Interesting
I enjoyed this book. I will definitely get the next one in the series. I can see some interesting possibilities coming up and can’t wait to see what happens.
I enjoyed this book. I will definitely get the next one in the series. I can see some interesting possibilities coming up and can’t wait to see what happens.
July 6, 2020
Home always calls to your heart but the mountain whispers to your soul.
Ali Spooner has done it again. This book gives characters that are so much fun. Eli gets the wakeup call of a lifetime when her partner cheats on her with her best friend. Eli could not even imagine what would happen next in her upended world. We meet her brother and sister inlaw Mark and sons Mitch and Brad. The family dynamics is so full of love simply shared that you find this a fun read. A must read for the dreams of so many great possibilities are about to begin. The character that is most intriguing is Whit, the beautiful and brilliant next door neighbor. Eli is smitton by Whit and strong feelings lead to some great romance. I enjoyed this story so much. I hated to see it end but knowing it was the first in a series let me savor the read. I dont want to give too much away but the farm fur family is a bright, laugh filled part of a brillant story. I look forward to the next book on the Cast Iron Farm,
Ali Spooner has done it again. This book gives characters that are so much fun. Eli gets the wakeup call of a lifetime when her partner cheats on her with her best friend. Eli could not even imagine what would happen next in her upended world. We meet her brother and sister inlaw Mark and sons Mitch and Brad. The family dynamics is so full of love simply shared that you find this a fun read. A must read for the dreams of so many great possibilities are about to begin. The character that is most intriguing is Whit, the beautiful and brilliant next door neighbor. Eli is smitton by Whit and strong feelings lead to some great romance. I enjoyed this story so much. I hated to see it end but knowing it was the first in a series let me savor the read. I dont want to give too much away but the farm fur family is a bright, laugh filled part of a brillant story. I look forward to the next book on the Cast Iron Farm,
September 14, 2020
So here's the thing. I love the concept, love the characters, and the descriptions of the land really brought me to the farm. However, while I normally want to beg authors for more detail - this was just too much. Maybe because it often seemed incredibly clinical. At the same time, though, the first 4th of the book seemed rushed, and it was easy to tell that the author just wanted to start writing about the farm. Also, with as much detail there was in the book, it never said what Eli's profession was and that kept driving me crazy. All in all, it took me awhile to get through because of the tedious details and regurgitating lists, but held enough of my interest to keep pulling me back.
With all the details, I was really disappointed that the very intriguing conception of Whit was left to the last like 10% of the book and only glazed over. I would have LOVED excessive detail about that. Maybe we'll get it in the second book.
With all the details, I was really disappointed that the very intriguing conception of Whit was left to the last like 10% of the book and only glazed over. I would have LOVED excessive detail about that. Maybe we'll get it in the second book.
July 22, 2020
Very good story
I was hooked from the start! The fact that Eli came home early only to find her partner and her best friend in bed having sex and betraying her beyond words was the start of her life altering beyond imagination ending up with Eli winning the lottery and being able to make her dreams come true by buying property up in the mountains of North Carolina.
In her new place she meets Whit and her life begins to improve in leaps and bounds. Her oldest nephew Mitch was charming and totally endearing. Eli’s brother Mark and his family were loving, supportive. Her dog Cruz was adorable as was Molly the pigmy goat. The barn cats were no slouches either. They knew how to work the charm.
I kept getting hungry reading about all the food they made. Recipes please!
Looking forward to the sequel!
I was hooked from the start! The fact that Eli came home early only to find her partner and her best friend in bed having sex and betraying her beyond words was the start of her life altering beyond imagination ending up with Eli winning the lottery and being able to make her dreams come true by buying property up in the mountains of North Carolina.
In her new place she meets Whit and her life begins to improve in leaps and bounds. Her oldest nephew Mitch was charming and totally endearing. Eli’s brother Mark and his family were loving, supportive. Her dog Cruz was adorable as was Molly the pigmy goat. The barn cats were no slouches either. They knew how to work the charm.
I kept getting hungry reading about all the food they made. Recipes please!
Looking forward to the sequel!
July 23, 2020
Relationships
Love, betrayal, loss ... KARMA. beautifully written novel about all of it! Eli’s pain turns into dreams met. Whit is an amazing spirit whose soul runs deep. Eli’s family supports and loves unconditionally! Sounds like a fairytale ... but, is plausible and should happen to us all. A very good read. I enthusiastically and unequivocally recommend this book. You won’t be disappointed. Please ... expedite Cast Iron Farm 2 ... I cant wait patiently for the sequel to learn how Eli’s family moves to the mountains with her. Thank you
Peace
Love, betrayal, loss ... KARMA. beautifully written novel about all of it! Eli’s pain turns into dreams met. Whit is an amazing spirit whose soul runs deep. Eli’s family supports and loves unconditionally! Sounds like a fairytale ... but, is plausible and should happen to us all. A very good read. I enthusiastically and unequivocally recommend this book. You won’t be disappointed. Please ... expedite Cast Iron Farm 2 ... I cant wait patiently for the sequel to learn how Eli’s family moves to the mountains with her. Thank you
Peace
August 21, 2020
Wonderful story
This is the beginning of a great series and I'm already dying to read book 2! The author does such a great job of describing things that I could picture sitting on the porch with Eli & Whit. At the same time, Spooner keeps the story moving at a good pace. With lots of interesting supporting characters, this is the beginning of a rich environment with lots of interesting story lines. The romance between the MCs is sweet and funny. Come visit the farm. You won't want to leave.
This is the beginning of a great series and I'm already dying to read book 2! The author does such a great job of describing things that I could picture sitting on the porch with Eli & Whit. At the same time, Spooner keeps the story moving at a good pace. With lots of interesting supporting characters, this is the beginning of a rich environment with lots of interesting story lines. The romance between the MCs is sweet and funny. Come visit the farm. You won't want to leave.
October 18, 2023
Felt so good
Warm, comfortable, and sometimes too familiar. I loved spending time with my nephew in the hills of Kentucky visiting my aunt. Though the story was set in a different state, the love and adventures were there wrapping around me like a warm quilt. Can't wait for this series to continue
Warm, comfortable, and sometimes too familiar. I loved spending time with my nephew in the hills of Kentucky visiting my aunt. Though the story was set in a different state, the love and adventures were there wrapping around me like a warm quilt. Can't wait for this series to continue
July 12, 2020
I recommend this book
This book is very good. The characters are very likable and well developed. I am ready for book two I really want to see what happens. Thanks for another winner.
This book is very good. The characters are very likable and well developed. I am ready for book two I really want to see what happens. Thanks for another winner.
August 22, 2020
Well Worth A Read
This was a story of betrayal, lottery win .love and more .A great read and story. This flowed from start to the end.
Ali Spoonerr certainly knows how to write and keep her reader's entertained.
Recommend+---+Definitely 5** *** STARS
This was a story of betrayal, lottery win .love and more .A great read and story. This flowed from start to the end.
Ali Spoonerr certainly knows how to write and keep her reader's entertained.
Recommend+---+Definitely 5** *** STARS
September 20, 2020
Can’t wait for book Two!
Okay Ms. Spooner don’t make an old woman wait too long. Eli, Whit and the whole cast of characters are in my head waiting on the next adventure. Not to mention the many unanswered questions you have left me wondering about. Thanks for a great read.
Okay Ms. Spooner don’t make an old woman wait too long. Eli, Whit and the whole cast of characters are in my head waiting on the next adventure. Not to mention the many unanswered questions you have left me wondering about. Thanks for a great read.
July 23, 2020
Excellent!
I loved The Mountain Whispers. I love everything about it. The setting in the mountains of NC is perfect. The characters are great. I’m ready for Book 2.
I loved The Mountain Whispers. I love everything about it. The setting in the mountains of NC is perfect. The characters are great. I’m ready for Book 2.
August 13, 2020
Great fun read!
This was such a fun read. Great characters and good story. Never a dull moment. Looking forward to the next book!
This was such a fun read. Great characters and good story. Never a dull moment. Looking forward to the next book!
August 15, 2020
Great mountain book
I enjoyed the book. I will be interested to see what happens between Whit and Eli. All the work being done seems a little much in a short period of time.
I enjoyed the book. I will be interested to see what happens between Whit and Eli. All the work being done seems a little much in a short period of time.
January 20, 2023
One of my go-to when I just need to chill! Loved this whole series!
October 5, 2024
New adventure
I was surprised at the start. Now I can't wait to see the next adventures to come. Very easy to read and get into the story.
I was surprised at the start. Now I can't wait to see the next adventures to come. Very easy to read and get into the story.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews