The new Pumpkinnapper is here!
The all-new, expanded and completely rewritten Pumpkinnapper is now available at Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords, Amazon and other retailers:
Universal Buy Link: http://books2read.com/u/3L0g6N
Have some fun with a Regency Halloween, a second chance at love, ghosts and a jealous goose.
BLURB:
EPIC eBook Contest Finalist in Historical Romance
Ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties and geese that go
bump in the night!
Geese?
Hank,
Baron Grey, might have found ghoulies and ghosties as he lay in the dirt on
this cold autumn night watching and waiting for pumpkin thieves. With widespread
food shortages in 1816, this Year Without a Summer, pumpkinnappers—pumpkin
kidnappers or pumpkin thieves—have threatened his friend Emily’s pumpkins.
Instead, he got a goose. A big, mean goose who “watched” him in a very
embarrassing place. Repeatedly.
Any
sane man would give up. But Emily is here—Emily, the special playmate of his
youth. He could never let anything endanger her. Ten years ago when they last
saw each other, they might have become more than playmates. Perhaps now they
can pick up where they left off—if her pet goose ever stops damaging him.
The
widowed Mrs. Emily Metcalfe reluctantly allowed Hank to try and catch the
would-be pumpkin thieves, partly as an apology for accusing him of being the
pumpkinnapper. But that may have been a bad idea. Her pet goose will warn her
of any villains and he intensely dislikes Hank. And then there is Hank himself,
the lost friend of her youth, and with whom she would like more than mere
friendship.
He’s
unwed, and she a widow. Can a flame from so long ago once more burn bright? Or
will the pumpkinnappers and the goose thwart them?
A
sweet, traditional, drawing room not bedroom, Regency romantic comedy with
paranormal elements. A new version of the previous work, expanded and
completely rewritten. 31,000 words, about 120 pages.
EXCERPT:
Hank stopped. “That reminds me. Today in the tavern, the owner
mentioned a night roamer carrying a lamp. You cannot stay here.”
“Oh, that.” Emily lifted a shoulder. “Just a tale. No one
has ever seen this lantern-bearer up close, if he exists at all. Nothing to
worry about.”
“I disagree. Even with Henry, formidable as he is—” Don’t you even think of getting in my way,
bird.
The goose’s narrowed eyes spat Hank’s thought back at
him.
“—you need protection. I will send over some footmen to
guard the place.”
“No. Turnip Cottage belongs to Charlotte’s husband.
What will the townspeople think, with Lord Grey’s servants about my house?”
“Well, then, I will send over Lindsell’s servants.”
“Again, no. The neighbors will still know who made the
arrangements. In any event, the earl’s steward checks on the tenants every
week, and I sent him a message about the pumpkinnappers. He was here before you
arrived, and I convinced him I was safe. Henry and I can manage quite well by
ourselves, can we not, Henry?” She nodded at the goose.
“HONK!” The goose smirked. If geese could smirk.
This one probably
can.
“But thank you anyway.”
Hank balled his fists as his patience thinned and
something else thickened. He would explode if she didn’t see reason. The sight
of her petting that benighted goose didn’t improve his mood, either. “I will
find you a guard dog. You require protection out here all alone.”
“But I have Henry.” She petted the demon bird’s head.
Again.
The goose snuggled into her hand. Again.
Damnation.
“Henry is a very good watch animal. He also crops the
grass and eats weeds. Though I might consider replacing him.” She fluttered her
eyelashes. “Do you eat weeds?”
“I could be tempted.” Curse it, but Emily had always been
stubborn. If only she would touch him instead of that blasted goose, and then,
afterwards—long afterwards—they would celebrate with a goose dinner featuring
this particular goose. “Very well, then, you leave me no choice. I will help
you catch the villains.”
“Fustian, I am fine.”
He raised a restraining hand. “I insist. I worry about
you. Please agree, for old time’s sake.”
“But—”
He changed his voice to the voice that either melted a woman
or earned him a slap in the face. “Who knows, mayhap we would enjoy ourselves
as I lie in wait with you.” I would love
to lie with you.
Her eyes widened and then narrowed. “I cannot stay
alone with you. You know that as well as I.”
“You are a widow in your own home. No one will see. I
promise.”
“No.” She marched into the cottage and slammed the
door.
Henry smirked—that was definitely a smirk—and waddled
away.
Hank grinned. He would be back, whether she liked it or
not.
Thank you all,
