Home Fires

Terry Redding was a single mother with a sick child and no job. She had lots of skills and that was really her problem. Everywhere she went she was overqualified.She walks into Holden-McNeil Heathcare and gets the same answer: Your overqualifed! Terry faints for lack of eating. Mark Holden then takes her home and after meeting her daughter Makeda offers her a job as his live-in housekeeper. Terry couldn't refuse, because she needed the money and God help her if Makeda had to go to the hospital. She agrees, but Terry had to tell Mark she can't cook. Terry's wayward ex-husband pops up from time to time and bullies her into giving him money. Mark Holden didn't believe in marriage. His marriage to his ex-wife Marlene ended when he found out she was having an affair and left him and their little daughter Yvette behind. He doesn't understand why he is so attracted to Terry Redding. She is not like the women he is usually attracted to.The title of this book says it all Home Fires. Terry taught Mark's daughter accept affection and Mark gave Terry's daughter the attention a father would give to his daughter. They made a happy family. It also shows what can happen when that happy family is invaded for any reason. It was a good book, no drama or suspense, but just a good book.

Terry Redding is an unemployed, divorced, single mother. Looking for work has become her full-time job. Everywhere she goes, she hears the same story: "You're overqualified." What's a girl to do? When Terry goes into a home health employment agency owned by handsome, single father Mark Holden, it doesn't appear as if her luck is going to change. That is, until Terry literally falls at Mark's feet. No, it's not love-at-first sight, it's hunger. After helping her home, feeding her and meeting her outgoing daughter, Mark decides that Terry might be the right person to work as a live-in housekeeper to help take care of his shy daughter. The children get on smashingly. Not so, the parents. The road to true love never runs smoothly but Mark and Terry's route has a couple of off-ramps in the person of ex-spouses. Layle Giusto has written an exceptionally funny and touching novel that will have readers laughing out loud. I never found oranges particularly amusing until I read "Home Fires." It is a very visual novel that would lend itself to film adaptation. It's a keeper.