For Halloween fans who hunger for spice other than pumpkin this fall, this new book from Kensington Press adds a bit of heat to the season of witches, pumpkins and ghosts. The Cottage at Pumpkin and Vine is a collection of 3 romantic short stories. The stories all center around Halloween in Moonbright, Maine at Amelia Rose's Bed and Breakfast. Every year Amelia hosts a Halloween costume party. One story happens before the party, one during, and the last tale unfolds after the costume party is over.

The first story, "Charmed by You'' is by Kate Angell. Cade Maxwell is hired by local costume shop owner Grace Alden to help decorate the B&B for the Halloween party. At first they dislike each other, but as they work together to make Amelia's party a success, they discover they have more in common than they think.

The story has great sexual tension between the two main characters. Enjoyable and definitely hot!

Second is "Mesmerized by You,'' written by Jennifer Dawson. Chloe and her best friend, Jack are on their way to visit her Aunt Iris who lives in Moonbright. Just as they arrive in town, Aunt Iris informs Chloe that they will have to stay at the local B&B because bees have invaded her home. When they arrive at Amelia Rose's B&B, they find out there is only one room available. Halloween, and a bit of magic, weaves a spell over the couple and they find they might want to be more than just best friends.

More steamy, sexy vibes in this story. Definitely a fun, light romantic romp. Lots of action, too!

And, last, Sharla Lovelace adds her story, "Enchanted by You.'' Sidney Jenson and Caleb James were high school sweethearts. Due to a misunderstanding, they broke up years before. They are re-united in this story and find that they still have feelings for each other.

A nice feel-good, second-chance-at-love story! Lots of steam and heat in this tale as well!

I don't usually read the romance genre, but I love Halloween, so I gave this book a try. It was an enjoyable, light read. Don't expect any in-depth characterization or plot, but that's not the purpose of these stories. The stories are meant to be emotional and sexy -- and they definitely met that goal! This would be a great book to read while enjoying a glass of wine on a cool, autumn night before ravaging your spouse, boyfriend or significant other.

I liked the Halloween theme, and the way the stories were unrelated but all centered around the B&B and the annual Halloween shin-dig. Amelia Rose doing tarot readings and fortune telling for each couple was a really neat Halloween-y addition.

All in all, not my usual read, but a nice feel-good, sexual fantasy sort of afternoon. Might just have to sip wine tonight and then rock my husband's world. HA HA

Kate Angell, Jennifer Dawson and Sharla Lovelace have all written multiple romance novels. Check out their websites here: www.kateangell.com , www.jenniferdawsonauthor.com , and www.sharlalovelace.com

The Cottage at Pumpkin and Vine will release August 30th. Pick up a copy and put some spice in your Autumn!!



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I thought this was magical realism, it was more romance.

That being said, there were magical cookies, a fortune reader and a hotel and a party where everyone who attends finds their true love.

All good ideas. I'm not much familiar with the romance genre so I'm not the best judge of the stories in this book. Not totally my style but still cute stories.
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Received via Kensington Books and NetGalley in exchange for an completely unbiased review.
Also posted on Silk & Serif

The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine is an anthology of Halloween inspired tales fit for any romance lover. Although the tales sound supernatural in nature due to the ancient, allegedly magical house located between Pumpkin and Vine street where anyone who stays under the roof of the inn on Hallows Eve will find their true love. Each character and couple experience their own strange experience while staying at the Rose Cottage where they realize or meet their true love.

Charmed By You by Kate Angell
Jack and Chole, best friends, are on their way to visit Chole's aunt in Moonbright, Maine when her aunt informs them the house is having bug issues. Chole and Jack are forced to stay at the B&B Rose Cottage for Halloween. The couple realize that they have been avoiding their mutual attraction and their search for love has been flawed because they have already met their true match.

Mesmerized by You by Jennifer Dawson
Meanwhile, local fix-it man and philanthropist Cade carries a supreme dislike for Halloween, has his mind changed by a challenging woman who sells Halloween costumes for a living. Cade must get Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast in full spooktacular order before the guests of the annual Halloween party arrive. The woman, Grace, arranging the decorating of Rose Cottage's annual Halloween party is making the job a Cade's worst nightmare. When Cade's men quit because of Grace, Cade is left to do the decorating on his own, his opinion of Grace begins to change. Even though Cade haw known Grace his entire life, they realize they don't know each other at all and explore the chance for something more. The two fall for one another and Cade begins to understand the spirit of Halloween.

Enchanted by You by Sharla Lovelace
Sydney's first love abandoned her the night of high school graduation, a lesson she's used to ensure no one can ever hurt her like she was that night. Sawyer, small town town fix-it and local good boy found the small town of Moonbright right when he needed it years ago. No one knows where Sawyer came from, but everyone knows he carries deep pain from his past. When Sydney is forced to go to Moonbright to finish a legal case, Sydney and Sawyer revisit the night that changed the course of their lives forever. Can they forgive?

The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine is an anthology with a little bit of something for everyone: erotic exploration, finding new love where you least expect it and the one that got away. The best of all with this selection of stories: all three tales are happy endings. A perfect set of romantic tales for those looking for Halloween without horror and gore. ( )

It may be Hallowe’en, but romance is definitely in the air in these three novellas. All take place in Moonbright, Maine, at the same B & B. Nothing scary in these stories, and the end of each is easily predicted by the time you read the first couple of pages of each story. The owner of the B & B has a magical air about her, but her character is not well-developed. The stories are somewhat interesting, but given the length restraint, they are also not well-developed. A quick read. ( )

I don't know about you but I love reading anthologies. During the holiday's when I'm busy but still need to read they are my go-to books. It's a great way to finish a book while doing the one-hundred-and-one things you do from Halloween on.

We don't always get very many Halloween books anymore and I think that's due to the fact that we have paranormal romances all year long.

So I was so glad to find one...

I've read Kate Angell before and really liked her books. I have never read either Jennifer Dawson or Sharla Lovelace so I was a little worried. Of course not worried enough not to try it though.

Just a heads up that the stories are connected by place not the day of Halloween itself. Charmed by Kate Angell is up first and happens before Halloween, Mesmerized by Jennifer Dawson happened the day of Halloween and Enchanted by Sharla Lovelace happens after.

Charmed by Kate Angell
This isn't the first time I've read Kate Angell so I was was slightly shocked that at first I was very unhappy about this story. It took me a while to get into Cade and Graces story. I wasn't sure I liked them at first. After a while I saw that they put up walls around themselves so that they wouldn't be hurt. By the end of their story I was enjoying them more.

Mesmerized by Jennifer Dawson
I really enjoyed Jake and Chloe. Friends to lovers can be a good story when done right. I found their story to be very sweet. The magical part of their story was so-so but it didn't really matter because I liked what I was reading.

Enchanted by Sharla Lovelace
This story might have happened after Halloween but you still felt the holiday's spirit with them. This is a second-change romance and anyone who follows me knows I'm picky with them. I'm glad to say that I did enjoy Sawyer and Sydney's story. This story caused a little tear in my eye when I was reading it. You'll be very happy that they find their happy-ever-after.

The Book as a Whole
As a whole the book is very good. I might not have been thrilled with the Angell story, but that did mean by the end I didn't like how the story ended. I really think you'll enjoy the whole book. It will be a perfect book for those chilly nights to come.

Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog:
http://romancingthereaders.blogspot.com/2016/08/review-cottage-on-pumpkin-and-vi...

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ARC received for a honest review ( )