THE COTTAGE ON PUMPKIN AND VINE is an anthology with stories by Kate Angell, Jennifer Dawson, and Sharla Lovelace all centered around a B&B in the small town of Moonbright, Maine. Amelia Rose, owner of the B&B, acts as a fairy godmother minus any actual magical powers. Amelia's matchmaking is fun without seeming obnoxious or meddlesome. The continuity throughout the anthology is smooth and the book doesn't feel disjointed. One of the things that helps each romance to not appear rushed, is the fact that each hero and heroine have varying degrees of familiarity with each other before getting together in their story. This book initially grabbed my interest because I'm a fan of Kate Angell's books, but I wholeheartedly enjoyed the stories by the other authors as well.

In "Charmed by You" by Kate Angell, party planner and Halloween aficionado Grace Alden locks horns with Cade Maxwell over her perfectionist ways, but romance sneaks up on them. Grace and Cade are both town locals and know each other, but haven't really hung out or gotten to know each other. At first glance, this appears to be a case of opposites attracting but they are forced to see how much they have in common. I like how Cade and Grace balance each other out and keep themselves from being too set in their ways. Cade and Grace both make an effort to be more understanding and get a little outside their comfort zones. There is a little costume fun and humor that make "Charmed by You" perfect romance brain candy.

"Mesmerized by You" by Jennifer Dawson is perhaps my favorite story in this anthology. I adore friends-to- lovers romances and "Mesmerized by You" is a great example of what makes this kind of romance so appealing. Due to some behind-the-scenes maneuvering by her aunt, Chloe Armstrong finds herself in extremely close quarters with her best friend Jack Swanson. Everything about this story is so delicious -- the cozy setting of the B&B, the skimpy costumes, and the secret long-suppressed attraction Jack and Chloe have felt for each other. Jennifer Dawson combines the cozy with the super-sizzle factor expertly. I like the way Jennifer Dawson incorporates flashbacks into the story to illustrate how Jack and Chloe belong together, as well as get them to slowly come to that same conclusion.

"Enchanted by You" by Sharla Lovelace is perhaps the most emotionally intense story in this collection. Lawyer Sidney Jensen and Sawyer Finn have a sad shared past but, after reconnecting, discover a hopeful future together. This story might have you reaching for the box of tissues. When Sidney is sent to a small town on an assignment for her firm, she experiences a mixture of horror and joy to discover the boy she loved so many years ago waiting for her. The sparks between Sidney and Sawyer are still there, and the encounters between them -- from the everyday to the more erotic -- are electrifying. Sharla Lovelace does an incredible job of packing so much strong emotion into a short story and having it work.

THE COTTAGE ON PUMPKIN AND VINE is an amazing collection of steamy stories that will delight and dazzle. The characters are intriguing and the stories range from fun and flirty to being packed with emotional resonance. I look forward to reading more by each of these very talented authors.

Book Summary

Welcome to Moonbright, Maine…Where the scents of donuts and cider waft through the crisp night air…with just a hint of magic.

It’s time for the annual Halloween costume party at the cottage on Pumpkin and Vine, the perfect place to celebrate the pleasures of the season. Guests return to the picturesque B & B year after year to snuggle up in its cozy rooms, explore the quiet, tree-lined streets and enjoy all the spooky fun of the holiday. But local legend whispers that it’s also a place where wishes have a strange way of coming true.

For three unsuspecting revelers, it’s going to be an enchanted weekend of candy corn kisses and midnight black kittens, along with some real Halloween surprises— the kind that make your heart skip a beat—for many more celebrations to come…

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