Pumpkinnapper is Here!

The time has come! The Wild Rose Press has released my Regency Halloween comedy novella, Pumpkinnapper.

Buy link here. Note, depending on your location, the link may not yet be active.

Join the fun as Henry the man and Henry the goose spar over heroine Emily's affections while they try to capture the foul pumpkin thieves.

The day's events (September 30):

3-5 PM Eastern time: I'll be at the Classic Romance Revival loop
9-10 PM Eastern time: I'll be at The Wild Rose Press loop. I'll drop in all day, but I'll be there for sure at this time.

You must join the loops in order to post.

And enter my CONTEST--Find Me a Hero! Prize is a PDF copy of Pumpkinnapper. Contest runs through October 31. Details on my Contest page.

BLURB:

Pumpkin thieves, a youthful love rekindled and a jealous goose. Oh my.

Last night someone tried to steal the widowed Mrs. Emily Metcalfe's pumpkins. She's certain the culprit is her old childhood nemesis and the secret love of her youth, Henry, nicknamed Hank, whom she hasn't seen in ten years.

Henry, Baron Grey, who's never forgotten the girl he loved but couldn’t pursue so long ago, decides to catch Emily's would-be thief. Even after she reveals his childhood nickname--the one he would rather forget. And even after her jealous pet goose bites him in an embarrassing place.

Oh, the things a man does for love.

EXCERPT:

"Emily, even with Henry, formidable as he is--" Hank glared at the goose. The goose glared back "--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?"

Her refusal increased his fury. The sight of her hand on that damned goose's head didn't improve his mood, either. He balled his fists as his patience thinned and something else thickened. "I'll find you a guard dog. You must have some protection out here all alone."

"But I have Henry." She patted the goose's head and the bird snuggled into her hand. Again.

Heat flooded Hank, part desire for Emily's touch, and part desire to murder that damned goose, who was where he wanted to be. His insides groaned. "Very well, then, you leave me no choice. I will help you catch the culprits."

"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. Had she understood the innuendo?

"I cannot stay alone with you, and you know it," she said, her voice severe.

"You are a widow in your own home and no one will see. I will make sure of it."

"No." She marched back into her cottage and slammed the door. Henry smirked and waddled away.

Hank grinned. He would be back, whether she liked it or not.

Thank you all,

Linda

Linda Banche

Regency romance--most with humor, some with fantasy, and occasionally a paranormal

Lady of the Stars--4 stars from Romantic Times, Regency time travel available from The Wild Rose Press

Pumpkinnapper--Regency Halloween comedy, available from The Wild Rose Press

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Gazebos: How to Find a Time Portal

SETTINGS - SIMPLY SCENIC OR SPECIALLY SIGNIFICANT?

See the setting for my Regency time travel, Lady of the Stars.

http://lindabanche.blogspot.com/2009/06/gazebos-how-to-find-time-portal.html

Thank you all,
Linda
www.lindabanche.com

Release Day for Lady of the Stars, Regency time travel

Hi all,

Today is release day for my very first book, Lady of the Stars, a Regency time travel novella. I can't believe it's finally happened.

I'm promoting twice today--all day at Brenda Williamson's Romance Party yahoo loop, and from 9-10AM EST at The Wild Rose Press yahoo loop. I'll also be blogging at Kaye Manro's blog. Come to one, come to two, come to all three.

Blurb:

A legend spanning time, and the man and woman caught in it.

Caroline knows something is wrong the instant she steps into that unusual gazebo with two doors. But when a man she thought forever gone appears outside, she flings caution aside and plunges through the back door, crashing into the man--and 1817.

A voyage through time? Impossible. Richard refuses to believe the strange woman's outlandish tale. Still, the lady is lost and alone, and he helps the stranded wayfarer.

But as attraction flares between these two lonely people, Richard's family legend grinds to its ultimate fulfillment--will it bring them together, or tear them apart forever?

Excerpt:

She followed him into the room she knew was the kitchen and he stepped up to the banked fire.

Fire? Where were the stove and refrigerator? And all the chrome and stainless steel of the ultramodern kitchen she had seen only this morning? This kitchen contained a scarred wood trestle table with several chairs pushed under it. Pots and pans hung on wall racks and reflected the dim firelight. A cupboard stood against the far wall, next to a sink with a pump. A pump?

With shaking hands, she set the lantern on the table and pulled out one of the chairs. She was in trouble, very deep trouble.

As she sank into the chair, she turned her stunned attention to her host.

Unaware of her gaze, he busied himself at the fireplace. His back to her, he placed the candelabrum on the mantle above the hearth, then drew the fire screen to the side of the grate. Dropping onto his haunches, he pulled several logs from the nearby basket, then arranged the wood in a neat pile on the smoldering embers. Almost at once, the flames blazed to full roaring life.

Silhouetted against the light, he straightened, replaced the screen, then removed his hat and tossed it on the table.

Her jaw dropped. Good heavens, the aggravating man was gorgeous. Tall and slim, his broad shoulders tapered to narrow hips and long legs. But where had he found that outlandish outfit? He wore a top hat, out here in the middle of nowhere. His shirt collar was turned up and he wore a huge white tie. And his waist-length, double-breasted jacket had tails, like the one an orchestra conductor wore. Muddy black boots with the tops turned down came up to his knees. Skintight trousers, or were those breeches--of all things?--emphasized every well-formed muscle.

Now if his face matched his form...

What was she thinking? She hadn't felt anything for any man in a long time. Not since...

He turned, and for the first time she fully took in his face. She gasped. Had she seen a ghost through the gazebo's back door? "Richard?"

Puzzlement spread over those chiseled features she now saw only in her memories. "How do you know my name?"

Thank you all,

Linda

Cover for Pumpkinnapper, my Regency Halloween comedy

I've just received my cover for my upcoming Regency Halloween story, Pumpkinnapper. Another gorgeous cover from Nicola Martinez, who also did the cover for my Lady of the Stars, which The Wild Rose Press will release on January 7, 2009.

Pumpkinnapper blurb:

Pumpkin thieves, a youthful love rekindled and a jealous goose. Oh my.

Last night someone tried to steal the widowed Mrs. Emily Metcalfe's pumpkins. She's certain the culprit is her old childhood nemesis and the secret love of her youth, Henry, nicknamed Hank, whom she hasn't seen in ten years.

Henry, Baron Grey, who's never forgotten the girl he loved but couldn’t pursue so long ago, decides to catch Emily's would-be thief. Even after she reveals his childhood nickname--the one he would rather forget. And even after her jealous pet goose bites him in an embarrassing place.

Oh, the things a man does for love.


And an excerpt:

"Emily, even with Henry, formidable as he is--" Hank glared at the goose. The goose glared back. "--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 Baron Grey's servants about my house?"

Her refusal increased his fury. The sight of her hand on that damned goose's head didn't improve his mood, either. He balled his fists as his patience thinned and something else thickened. "I'll find you a guard dog. You must have some protection out here all alone."

"But I have Henry." She patted the goose's head and the bird snuggled into her hand. Again.

Heat flooded Hank, part desire for Emily's touch, and part desire to murder that damned goose, who was where he wanted to be. His insides groaned. "Very well, then, you leave me no choice. I will help you catch the culprits."

"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. Had she understood the innuendo?

"I cannot stay alone with you, and you know it," she said, her voice severe.

"You are a widow in your own home and no one will see. I will make sure of it."

"No." She marched back into her cottage and slammed the door. Henry smirked and waddled away.
Hank grinned. He would be back, whether she liked it or not.


Thank you all,
Linda
Linda Banche

Regency romance--most with humor, some with fantasy, and occasionally a paranormal
Lady of the Stars--Regency time travel, coming January 7, 2009 from The Wild Rose Press
Pumpkinnapper--coming /tbd/ from The Wild Rose Press
www.lindabanche.com
http://lindabanche.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/lindabanche

My First English Tea Rose Book

I'm so happy to see our own English Tea garden! Thank you, Nicole, for making this available. I'd like to start off, if I may, with my miniature rose, "See No Evil, My Pretty Lady."

The name "Jack the Ripper" is well-known to inspire shivers down the spines of those familiar with the history of this merciless killer. In the 1880's, he terrorized women, mostly prostitutes, along the backstreets of London's East End. His identity was never discovered, and as one of the first serial killers, he carries an aura of both fascination and repugnance.

So what if you lived in Victorian London during the time of this madman? What if you were one of the women he attacked, yet you managed to escape? And what if you knew he needed to find you and silence you before you identified him?

New maid Dorcy Edwards spurns her wealthy employer's attempts to seduce her. When he becomes a victim of the person the newspapers call "Jack the Ripper", estranged son Gareth Davenport returns to London to handle his father's affairs. Dorcy puzzles over what the handsome, brooding heir might be hiding behind his eye patch and black leather gloves. As circumstances unfold to expose the killer's identity, Dorcy's plunged into a nightmare, convinced Gareth is none other than the infamous murderer. But is Dorcy's life what Gareth seeks? Or nothing more easily broken than her heart?

Here are some reviews about this story. The latest is from Linda Morelli, an author, editor, national and regional contest judge, and reviewer for MyShelf.com. Her last paragraph is awesome...

"The author’s style is reminiscent of Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and other great mystery writers. Like them, she keeps the suspense tight and continuous. With combined innocence and intrigue, the plot will interest adults and teenagers. See No Evil, My Pretty Lady is an exciting romance with a fast moving, mystery-based plot, and enough adventure to keep you turning the pages into the wee hours of the night." To read the whole review, go here...

http://www.myshelf.com/romance/08/seenoevilprettylady_ebook.htm

Also, Frost of Dark Angel Reviews gave a review of excellence, Five Pixies...

"...See No Evil, My Pretty Lady is a delightful and intriguing historical mystery which will satisfy fans of historical fiction, those who read for plot, and those who enjoy character revelation and development...Author Miss Mae provides a wealth of genuine historical detail in the setting and plot, delicately interwoven and subtle. The plot has sufficient twists and turns that readers will find themselves figuratively turning pages quickly to discover the next revelation. I can’t imagine any reader who wouldn’t enjoy this book, which is attention-maintaining, intriguing, and will linger in the mind after the end. I highly recommend this book."...

The whole review can be found here...

 https://www.darkangelreviews.com/See_No_Evil__My_Pretty.html

And Verbena of The Long and the Short of It Reviews gives it a Four Book rating, saying...

"...Loved it! This story is a must read! There is action from the first page to the last..." Her entire review can be read here...

http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com (in the archives of March 2008)

Remaining three months on the non-American historical best selling list at  The Wild Rose Press, this story is unique (if I do say so myself!)

I have a free read of the entire first chapter here...

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/64859

Find more background and information at my site:

http://www.missmaesite.com

or visit my blog: http://missmaesite.com

And be sure to buy it from The Wild Rose Press! http://www.thewildrosepress.com 

Research Links

Hey Authors!

We had a great Historical Chat last Thursday, and I promised to provide the links of all the research places we talked about. Here they are, in no particular order.

http://home.insightbb.com/~d.lawson

www.historyundressed.blogspot.com

http://www.scotclans.com/

www.leighmichaels.com

http://www.kipar.org/historical-resources/history.html

http://www.oed.com/

http://www.sca.org/

http://www.phrases.org.uk/index.html

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook.html

Welcome

this is the blog home for the authors of the English Tea Rose line of the Wild Rose Press.

www.TheWildRosePress.com