THE PUMPKIN HOUSE - Pepper Espinoza
Torrid Twisted Tales
Whiskey Creek Press Torrid - www.whiskeycreekpresstorrid.com  
ISBN: 978-1-59374-667-4
October 2006
Erotic Contemporary Romance - Short Story
Rating: Erotic - Explicit

Farmer’s Beach California - Present Day

Peter, Peter pumpkin eater had a wife but couldn’t keep her…

Peter Gourd is a successful attorney at the law firm his Grandfather started.  He can always be counted on at work, he never takes a vacation, or sick days, he works long days, weekends and even holidays.  He is an institution within the institution, and always puts the firm before everything else.  That is why his wife of four years, Emily, has left him, and has sought refuge at her own private sanctuary, a beach cottage the couple owns, lovingly known as ‘The Pumpkin House.

Emily is tired of being alone, and she knows that she cannot continue to live like she is.  She has found joy and solace in pouring herself into the Pumpkin House, where her handmade quilts, paintings and sugary confections can be found.  In fact, the only thing that she loves that cannot be found at the Pumpkin House is Peter.  So, when he shows up, ready to take the time to work on their marriage, Emily is surprised.  She is even more surprised that even after she tells him it is too late to save their marriage, Peter comes back and locks them both in the Pumpkin House.

Can Peter, Peter the pumpkin eater, keep his wife in a pumpkin shell, and keep her very well?

THE PUMPKIN HOUSE is a bittersweet story about not knowing what you have until you lose it, and then finding a way to rework your priorities to keep those you love in your life and happy.  Both characters have to remember why they got married in the first place and rediscover who the other is to figure out if they still love each other.  They also both need to come to terms with what has happened in their marriage and decide if they can forgive what the other has done and move forward.  The only part of the story that was a bit difficult to believe was how forgiving Peter was of his wife’s betrayal.  Even though THE PUMPKIN HOUSE is rated as an erotic story, it’s more emotional than sexual.  I recommend it.

Erin Figueroa