Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

REVIEW - The Pumpkinnapper by Linda Banche

Title: The Pumpkinnapper
Author: Linda Banche
Genre: Historical
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Buy Link

ISBN:

Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
Heat Rating: Sweet/Sensual
Author Website: http://lindabanche.blogspot.com/

Reviewed by: MarthaE

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, whom she hasn't seen in ten years.
Henry, Baron Grey has never forgotten the girl he loved, but couldn’t pursue, and so 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 will do for love.

Review: This was a wonderfully sweet quick read! I really enjoyed it! Sorry – no horror to this – except maybe for the goose biting!

Emily and Henry didn’t realize they loved each other when they were young. He went off to school and she was courted by and married another man. Now fate, with maybe a little help from friends, gives them a second chance. Will they take the chance or will they forever shield their hearts not knowing how the other feels?

I have to say that I loved Henry, the goose, in this story! We had two African geese many years ago and they do make good watch guards! He was a great addition to the story.

The actual Pumpkinnappers are really the only Halloween part of the story and there is not a lot of explanation for them. They do serve to help bring Emily and Henry together.

Both the heroine and hero are very pleasant characters, independent and strong, but full of kindness and humor. I liked the interesting bits of background given regarding the pumpkin cultivation. The writing flowed nicely with a good blend of descriptions, sweet romance and smooth action. I will look forward to longer stories from Ms. Banche based on this fine short piece!

This is my Tuesday R&R review at SaSR.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Monday's Mailbox October 26, 2009

This Meme starts at The Printed Page

I haven't posted this for a couple of weeks so I have several items!

The Becoming

Won at Patricia's Vampire Notes from 10/6/2009 interview comment.
Thank you Patricia and Author Jeanne Stein

Won Second place in Giveaway to celebrate the release of Love Thy Neighbor by Patricia Bates - Putting Hisotry back in Romance

THANK YOU Patricia! [Good news! I now have Love they Neighbor to review for YGR Reviews!]

Christmas for the Cowboy

and

Borderline Sin

I just received three books from several shout outs at Romance Junkies Readers. Thank you Chaos Cat and RJR!

Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison

The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook

(Everything I Know About Love and Marriage)

and

SkinGame by Ava Gray

I may have to reduce the number of review books I am reading so I can get to some of the good books I have won this year!!!

What are you reading Monday October 26, 2009

Join this meme at:

J. Kaye's Book Blog

Finished this week:

PB: A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi. A good psychological thriller. I have to do the Review this week and post here- probably on Thursday!.

Audible: --------

Kindle2: Killer Dolls by Angelica Hart and Zi. This was a fun Romantic Suspense! Review Posted at YGR.

The Show Must Go On by Kim Sheard. A very good sweet romance! I have to finish the review and send it in to YGR.

Pumpkinnaper by Linda Blance. I got this to read as my Halloween read. Review will be posted here and as my SaSR review on Tuesday !

Audio CD: -------

**************************

Currently reading:

PB: The Hidden Man by David Ellis – Crime mystery from Penguin/Putnam. Just started but it is already interesting! Will review and post at my blog.

Audible: On Hold

Kindle2: Mirror Mirror by Karen Wiesner. Book 3 of the Wounded Warrior Series. About 15% into this and am enjoying it. Ms. Wiesner can really capture the reader. (This revised and updated version coming out soon.) Reading and reviewing for Author and YGR.

Audio CD: I Can See You by Karen Rose. Romantic Suspense. Down to the last two discs now!! This is a wonderful mystery and romance - really good! One villain has been revealed but I still don't know who the serial killer is! Reviewing for YGR.

Expecting a couple of new review Audio books in this week to start after this one!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Finished for Review: The Show Must Go On by Kim Sheard

Title: The Show Must Go On
By: Kim Sheard | Other books by Kim Sheard
Categories: Contemporary Mainstream ROMANCE
Word Count: 41,588

Heat Level: SWEET (the cover may be misleading!)

Published By: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.

Allyson Parker, the stereotypical shy librarian, finds an outlet for her wilder side by performing in community theater. There she can become someone else, someone infinitely more interesting and confident. Partnered in her first romantic lead with newcomer Matt Dauer, she begins to hope that life can imitate art. But can she overcome her bashfulness and self-doubts, cultivated by years of frequent relocations, in order to keep his interest?

Matt moved to Washington, D.C. from Chicago to escape a cheating, diva ex-girlfriend, but he's now also far from his parents and two brothers. His greatest desire is to create a new family as close-knit as the one he left behind. He must return to that past, though, when his ex is involved in a serious car accident and he is called on to help. Will his benevolent act mean the end of his blossoming relationship with Allyson?

Review will go to You Gotta Read Reviews this week!