THE BOOK CHARMER
By Karen Hawkins
On sale July 30, 2019
Trade Paperback Original ▪ 9781982105549 ▪ $16.00
eBook ▪ 9781982105556 ▪ $7.99
Book description
Sarah Dove is no ordinary bookworm. To her, books have always been more
than just objects: they live, they breathe, and sometimes they even speak. When
Sarah grows up to become the librarian in her quaint Southern town of Dove
Pond, her gift helps place every book in the hands of the perfect reader.
Recently, however, the books have been whispering about something out of the
ordinary: the arrival of a displaced city girl named Grace Wheeler.
If the books are right, Grace could be the savior that Dove Pond desperately needs. The problem is, Grace wants little to do with the town or its quirky residents—Sarah chief among them. It takes a bit of urging, and the help of an especially wise book, but Grace ultimately embraces the challenge to rescue her charmed new community. In her quest, she discovers the tantalizing promise of new love, the deep strength that comes from having a true friend, and the power of finding just the right book.
If the books are right, Grace could be the savior that Dove Pond desperately needs. The problem is, Grace wants little to do with the town or its quirky residents—Sarah chief among them. It takes a bit of urging, and the help of an especially wise book, but Grace ultimately embraces the challenge to rescue her charmed new community. In her quest, she discovers the tantalizing promise of new love, the deep strength that comes from having a true friend, and the power of finding just the right book.
Excerpt:
Sarah
crossed her arms and leaned on the case, peering through the dim light at the
journal. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I have a question.”
The
book grumbled, but she couldn’t make out the words, so she continued. “There’s
a new woman in town and I think she’s a sign that Dove Pond is about to be
saved.”
The
book said something under its breath.
“What?”
Sarah asked.
I’m
not your personal seer, the
book snapped.
“Look,
I just want to know how she’s going to help. That’s your job, isn’t it? To
explain how I’m going to meet my destiny? How I’m supposed to save the town?”
The
book didn’t answer, and after a moment, Sarah tapped her finger on the glass.
The
book jolted as if awakened.
“Her
name is Grace Wheeler.”
The
book said in a sharp tone, Ask
another book! I’m sleeping.
Sarah
had to fight not to snap out something unpleasant. “Come on,” she pleaded.
“This is about Dove Pond, and that’s what you’re about. No other book here
would know.”
That’s
true, the book
said grumpily. It sighed and then rustled, as if searching for an answer.
Sarah
tried to contain her excitement. She tucked a strand of loose hair behind her
ear, and, as the minutes lengthened, jiggled her foot impatiently under the
case.
Finally,
she could stand it no more. Just as she opened her mouth to ask her question
again, the book spoke.
She’s
the one.
Yes!
There it was. Confirmation at last. “I knew she was important! But what will she
do? I know she’s here to help me, but how?”
You’ll
know.
The
book’s flat tone suggested that was all the help it was willing to give. She
bit back a frustrated sigh and said, “Come on. Just explain what you mean by
that and I’ll leave you alone.”
No.
She
supposed she was lucky it had taken the time to say what it had. “Fine. I’ll
make it work. It’s not ideal, having an assistant, because I always thought I’d
be the one to do all the work when the time came, but hey, I’ve never been one
to turn down help, so—yes. This will be great. But I hope she hurries and does
whatever she’s supposed to do, because she’s not planning on staying long.”
The
book, which had been drifting back asleep as she spoke, suddenly focused its
attention on her. What?
“I
spoke to her not five minutes ago and she says she’ll be here a year, if that,
and no more.”
She
has to stay.
“Has
to? Like . . . forever?”
Yes,
forever. The
book couldn’t have sounded more irritated.
“But
why? I mean, once she’s helped the town, she can leave, because I’ll still be
here.”
She
has to stay forever.
Sarah
gave an uneasy laugh. “I wish she would, because I’m sure she’s nice once you
get to know her, but I can’t just make someone stay in Dove Pond who doesn’t
want to. I couldn’t even get my sisters to stay, and I know them.”
She.
Has. To. Stay. The
book hissed each word, punctuating them as if with a hammer.
Sarah
grimaced. “That’s not going to be easy.”
The
book didn’t answer but muttered about “silly people” as it settled deeper into
its cushion. Soon, the only noise coming from it was a faint snore, and Sarah
knew it was done for the day.
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About the author
A New York Times and USA
Today bestselling author, Karen Hawkins writes novels that have been praised as touching, witty, charming,
and heartwarming. A native Southerner who grew up in the mountains of East
Tennessee where storytelling is a way of life, Karen recently moved to frosty
New England with her beloved husband and multiple foster dogs. The Dove Pond
series is a nod to the thousands of books that opened doors for her to more
adventures, places, and discoveries than she ever imagined possible. To find
out more about Karen, check in with her at Facebook.com/KarenHawkinsWriter,
@KarenHawkinsAuthor on Instagram, and at her website, KarenHawkins.com.
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