I just finished reading an advance copy of Karen Hawkins' upcoming women's fiction novel, The Book Charmer and am happy to report that I was thoroughly charmed. I'll be sharing my thoughts about the book on July 31 when Karen Hawkins joins us for a Q&A. In the meantime, I'm delighted to share an exclusive excerpt from The Book Charmer along with an early copy of the book for one lucky reader who comments on this post (see end of post for details). For an introduction to the Dove Pond series, download the e-novella, Love in the Afternoon, a funny and heartwarming story where "a cranky old ghost tries to help his former hermit-like next door neighbor to open his heart to the potential of True Love." I adored it.
The Book Charmer
by Karen Hawkins
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: July 30, 2019
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.
EXCERPT
THE BOOK CHARMER
Sarah spun on her
heel and raced across the street, the books clutched against her hip.
When she reached the
library, she took the steps to the door two at a time, almost stumbling in her
haste. As she unlocked the doors, Sarah could feel Mrs. Emily’s blazing dislike
burning a hole between her shoulder blades.
The doors banged
closed behind Sarah as the calming smell of old books and the murmurs of
various tomes welcomed her. Heart still racing, she closed her eyes and leaned
against the wall while the cool, air-conditioned chilliness soothed her hot
cheeks.
Forget them. Think
about finally meeting Grace. That’s what’s really important—Grace and Dove
Pond. It
took a moment, but Sarah slowly regained control of her thoughts. Grace Wheeler
was important to the salvation of Dove Pond, that much was clear. But how?
That question needed
answering. Fortunately, Sarah knew where to start. Sometimes the only way to
begin a journey to the future was with a gentle shove from the past.
She left the wall and
set the stack of books she’d been carrying onto the return cart. Then she took
out her keys and headed downstairs to the Dove Pond archives, where Charlotte
Dove’s cranky journal safely dozed in its glass case, far away from the
damaging sunlight and unfiltered air.
The book had aged
over the years and it slept more and spoke less. In fact, it had been more than
a year since Sarah’d exchanged more than a sleepy hello with it.
She unlocked the
door, flipped on the lights, and stepped inside. Rows of shelves and cases
filled the basement, the remnants of Dove Pond’s long history. She walked past
the boxes and bins and went instead to the far corner, where the journal dozed
on an acid-free pillow she’d bought from a library supply catalog her first day
on the job.
She softly tapped on
the case, but the book slept on.
She waited a moment
and then, impatient, tapped the glass a little louder.
The book stirred,
grumbling as it reluctantly came awake.
“Hi, sleepyhead,”
Sarah said. “Are you up?”
What do you want?
Long gone were the
days the journal wanted Sarah to read it. For all of her expertise in the Dewey
Decimal System, the previous librarian Nebbie Farmer hadn’t known how to care
for an ancient book. And so the journal had been displayed near a sunny window,
the glass case magnifying rather than reducing the harmful rays. Nebbie had
also placed the poor book on colorful but acidic paper, which had slowly broken
down the glue that held it together. The years of unintended neglect had left
their mark and the journal’s pages were now delicate, the leather cover laced
with deeper cracks, the binding ragged and failing, and its temper— which had
never been good—infinitely more curmudgeonly.
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 groused.
“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 our town?”
The book didn’t
answer, and after a moment, Sarah tapped her finger on the glass.
The book jolted as if
reawakened.
“Her name is Grace
Wheeler,” Sarah said.
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. Sarah bit back a
frustrated sigh and said, “Come on. Just explain what you mean 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 to save Dove Pond, 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 stiffened, the pages rustling.
What?
Sarah blinked. “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 something 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.
“Well, I guess that’s
that.” She straightened, absently staring down at the old journal as she thought
about the situation. Of course, she was ecstatic that things were going to turn
around for Dove Pond. That was the best news ever, even if she didn’t know
exactly how. And despite talking to the book, she still didn’t know why or even
how Grace was important, which was frustrating, to say the least.
But progress was
progress and Sarah refused to see this new development negatively. Things
weren’t happening exactly the way she’d envisioned, but then again, what in
life did? She should be happy to have a helper, even a reluctant one. “I’ll
just have to convince her to stay.”
From upstairs, Sarah
heard footsteps and the faint echo of a child laughing. She looked at the clock
and realized it was almost time for Children’s Hour.
Feeling more hopeful
than she had in a long time, Sarah patted the case one last time and left the
archives, locking the door behind her. Soon, she was too busy to dwell on the
events of the morning, although every once in a while, she’d stop what she was
doing and smile.
It was finally
happening. Dove Pond was going to be saved.
~~~~~~~~~
I love the magic realism in this story. Hawkins makes it so organic and realistic.
Readers, have you read any other books with magic realism?
Have you read any of Karen Hawkins' books? Do you have a favorite book or series?
Sarah has the ability to converse with books. If you could have the magical ability to converse with something, what would you choose?
Karen Hawkins has graciously offered an early print copy of The Book Charmer to one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM, July 15. (open internationally)
I'm giving away a Kindle copy of the introductory e-novella, Love in the Afternoon to one randomly chosen person who comments before 11:00 PM, July 15.
