Thursday, September 6, 2018

The new PUMPKINNAPPER is here!

 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.


Universal Buy Link: http://books2read.com/u/3L0g6N

Thank you all,
Linda




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