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Pumpkinnapper
Ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties and geese that go bump in the night!Geese?Henry, Baron Grey, called Hank, 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. Secondchance at love, poor widow heroine, wealthy hero, aristocrat hero, pumpkinthieves, vicar's daughter heroine, poor heroine, Halloween, interfering petgoose, comedy romance, sweet romance, British historical fiction, fantasyromance, pumpkins, spirit, ghost, traditional regency, countryside romance,rural romance
125 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2018
24 people want to read
About the author
Linda Banche
11 books218 followersWelcome to My World of Historical Hilarity!
I'm Linda Banche, and I write witty, sweet/sensual Regency romantic comedy with nary a rake or royal in sight. Some might also contain fantasy, paranormal or science fiction. But comedy is my love, and I've created my own wacky blend of humor and Regency with stories that can elicit reactions from a gentle smile to a belly laugh.
Like many other romance authors, I read romances for years before I wrote my own. Once I tried, I quickly discovered how difficult writing is. Did I stop? No, I'm persistent--that's French for "too stupid to quit".
I'm a two-time EPICON finalist, I live in New England and I like aerobics and ducks. So, laugh along with me on a voyage back to the Regency era. Me and my ducks. Quack.
A list of all my books and there availability is available on the catalog page of my website, http://www.lindabanche.com
I'm Linda Banche, and I write witty, sweet/sensual Regency romantic comedy with nary a rake or royal in sight. Some might also contain fantasy, paranormal or science fiction. But comedy is my love, and I've created my own wacky blend of humor and Regency with stories that can elicit reactions from a gentle smile to a belly laugh.
Like many other romance authors, I read romances for years before I wrote my own. Once I tried, I quickly discovered how difficult writing is. Did I stop? No, I'm persistent--that's French for "too stupid to quit".
I'm a two-time EPICON finalist, I live in New England and I like aerobics and ducks. So, laugh along with me on a voyage back to the Regency era. Me and my ducks. Quack.
A list of all my books and there availability is available on the catalog page of my website, http://www.lindabanche.com
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 15, 2014
Review Courtesy of April Hollingworth
This wonderfully funny story is superb and unique, perfect for Halloween. A sweet romance, I totally adored it and couldn’t put it down. Henry the goose is hilarious and Emily and Hank are both truly wonderful. I loved the story and the atmosphere. A must read.
Opening Scene:
Lindsell, Essex, England
Late September, 1816
“You-you-pumpkinnapper!”
The Review:
Someone is trying to steal the widowed Mrs. Emily Metcalfe’s pumpkins. She is certain that it is her childhood nemesis and the secret love of her youth, Henry, nicknamed Hank, who she hasn’t seen in ten years. After all, he arrives back and the same night someone tries to steal her pumpkins.
Henry, Baron Grey, has never forgotten the girl he loved and couldn’t pursue so long ago decides he will catch the pumpkin would-be thief for her. After all it does mean he gets to spend time with her. What he doesn’t bank on is a jealous pet goose biting him in an embarrassing place.
Notable Scene:
Hank pressed his lips together to prevent himself from roaring out his laughter. Never in his life had he seen a woman look as flabbergasted as Emily did now. He tipped his top hat. “And good afternoon to you, too, Mrs. Metcalfe.”
She shut her mouth with a snap. “Good afternoon, Lord Grey. How may I assist you?” She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot. “Are you here to torment me more?”
“No, I am not. Please, Emily, we are no longer children playing pranks on each other.”
“The last time we met you were seventeen and I was fourteen. We were not children, and yet you still pulled my plait.”
“And I regretted it.” No I did not. Pulling your hair was the only way I could touch you. “I had no idea that was the last time I would see you until today.”
The apology appeared to soften something in her, because her foot stopped, and she lowered her arms to her sides. “I was sorry I never saw you again, either,” she said, her voice quiet. Then she stiffened again. “If only to pay you back.”
He laughed. Her lips quivered as she attempted to retain her anger, but then she laughed, too. Still smiling, she stepped back into the narrow hall and beckoned him into the parlor. “Sit down while I make tea.”
“Please do not trouble yourself over me, Emily. I can come to the kitchen.” Hat in hand, he followed her down the hall past the stairway to the upper floor. The kitchen, a large airy room with windows on three sides, spanned the entire back of the house.
This wonderfully funny story is superb and unique, perfect for Halloween. A sweet romance, I totally adored it and couldn’t put it down. Henry the goose is hilarious and Emily and Hank are both truly wonderful. I loved the story and the atmosphere. A must read.
Opening Scene:
Lindsell, Essex, England
Late September, 1816
“You-you-pumpkinnapper!”
The Review:
Someone is trying to steal the widowed Mrs. Emily Metcalfe’s pumpkins. She is certain that it is her childhood nemesis and the secret love of her youth, Henry, nicknamed Hank, who she hasn’t seen in ten years. After all, he arrives back and the same night someone tries to steal her pumpkins.
Henry, Baron Grey, has never forgotten the girl he loved and couldn’t pursue so long ago decides he will catch the pumpkin would-be thief for her. After all it does mean he gets to spend time with her. What he doesn’t bank on is a jealous pet goose biting him in an embarrassing place.
Notable Scene:
Hank pressed his lips together to prevent himself from roaring out his laughter. Never in his life had he seen a woman look as flabbergasted as Emily did now. He tipped his top hat. “And good afternoon to you, too, Mrs. Metcalfe.”
She shut her mouth with a snap. “Good afternoon, Lord Grey. How may I assist you?” She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot. “Are you here to torment me more?”
“No, I am not. Please, Emily, we are no longer children playing pranks on each other.”
“The last time we met you were seventeen and I was fourteen. We were not children, and yet you still pulled my plait.”
“And I regretted it.” No I did not. Pulling your hair was the only way I could touch you. “I had no idea that was the last time I would see you until today.”
The apology appeared to soften something in her, because her foot stopped, and she lowered her arms to her sides. “I was sorry I never saw you again, either,” she said, her voice quiet. Then she stiffened again. “If only to pay you back.”
He laughed. Her lips quivered as she attempted to retain her anger, but then she laughed, too. Still smiling, she stepped back into the narrow hall and beckoned him into the parlor. “Sit down while I make tea.”
“Please do not trouble yourself over me, Emily. I can come to the kitchen.” Hat in hand, he followed her down the hall past the stairway to the upper floor. The kitchen, a large airy room with windows on three sides, spanned the entire back of the house.
November 1, 2016
The Pumkinapper is a fun quick story with a dash of supernatural thrown in to keep things lively. Henry and Emily have a comfortable relationship from the start--having been childhood friends and (unbeknownst to them both) crushing on each other for years. I'll admit I'm happy that Emily's first husband, a dashing Naval officer, made her happy and didn't follow the normal cliche that she married too young and regretted it quickly. She held genuine affection for him with only the remote regret of 'what could have been' with Henry.
Her goose, also named Henry (she calls the Baron 'Hank' however) was a quirky addition to the cast. Its not the first time I've seen a goose as a guard-animal, but its not too common. The Baron's friend was just there--he wasn't rounded out or given much backstory other then his ties to Hank. Similarly several other characters are mentioned (the Viscount and his wife, Emily's mother), but not given much backstory or time. This is a short story so by necessitation it had to stay focused on the romance between Hank and Emily.
The true Pumpkinapper is part of the supernatural element, but overall only plays a part in drawing Emily and Hank together with little else use. I did learn something however, I didn't realize that pumpkins weren't a well known part of England. I found it interesting that Emily and Viscountess were busy trying to grow them in wake of the bad crop year. And Emily figured out how to make pumpkin pie.
This review was originally posted at Night Owl Romance
Her goose, also named Henry (she calls the Baron 'Hank' however) was a quirky addition to the cast. Its not the first time I've seen a goose as a guard-animal, but its not too common. The Baron's friend was just there--he wasn't rounded out or given much backstory other then his ties to Hank. Similarly several other characters are mentioned (the Viscount and his wife, Emily's mother), but not given much backstory or time. This is a short story so by necessitation it had to stay focused on the romance between Hank and Emily.
The true Pumpkinapper is part of the supernatural element, but overall only plays a part in drawing Emily and Hank together with little else use. I did learn something however, I didn't realize that pumpkins weren't a well known part of England. I found it interesting that Emily and Viscountess were busy trying to grow them in wake of the bad crop year. And Emily figured out how to make pumpkin pie.
This review was originally posted at Night Owl Romance
September 24, 2009
This is a fun quickie historical from The Wild Rose Press. Its sensuality rating is "sweet"--I'm used to spicy, but I still heartily enjoyed it and loved the Halloween-themed story. Banche is an excellent writer and I'm looking forward to reading more of her works.
September 17, 2018
'Pumpkinnapper' is a sweet tale of childhood sweethearts reunited, despite the antics of a jealous goose. It's a fast-paced, sweet story, perfect for Halloween, indeed for any time of year.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews