A Novel Noel

I would like to thank you all

for coming to the launch of Book Three

of our extraordinary

Whispers franchise--

...Whispers of the Kingdom--

the YA fantasy thriller

that is sweeping the world!

Whoo!

- Harper. - Hey.

So great turnout.

Yeah. Fans can't get enough.

And now, let's meet our author--

Lilly Lukenbach!

So? How's it been going?

Well, aside from rushing the book out

in time for Christmas,

everyone wants my input on just about everything.

Honestly, Jaz? I'm exhausted.

Have you talked to Nancy?

No, not yet.

I'm worried I'm about to talk my way out of a career.

Not a chance, lady! Ha.

You pushed this book out before Christmas

when everyone told you it was impossible.

You're a star. She loves you!

And... it is my pleasure

to announce

that we have just signed

the author

for Books Four and Five!

Hey, Nancy. You got a second?

Incredible work, Harper. You've done it again.

Another huge hit.

Thank you. But, um...

we need to talk.

I'd like to take a leave of absence-- one month.

That's very sudden. Why?

Well, the third book is selling well,

but the reviews were just ho-hum.

I was bogged down with promotion and marketing data,

wherein I should have been focusing on the story.

Those metrics allow us to build franchises.

I'm very thankful for that.

But I thought that this book would be better received

than the first two.

You're being too hard on yourself, Harper.

We've had a challenging year,

professionally and-- and otherwise,

but you've done an excellent job

editing our biggest franchise.

The fans are hungry for more.

This isn't the time to abandon ship.

For me,

there's a magic

to creating a great story, and...

I feel like I've lost that spark.

There's a solid roadmap to all of my books

until the end of the year.

I just want to take some time for myself

and come back in January.

Okay, I understand.

Take the time you need.

But can I ask you something?

Of course.

What happens if you don't find your spark?

Um...

So...

what are you gonna do with your time off?

I have no idea.

I'll go home and research.

Maybe go somewhere

pretty...

quiet.

Festive, maybe?

Mm!

- - Oh.

What?

This is crazy.

I got it.

- I got in! - Into what?

I can't believe this is happening right now.

It's this bookstore in St. Ives.

Every December,

they bring in someone to help around the shop,

and in exchange,

you get to live in the apartment upstairs.

I signed up, like, five years ago.

Okay, that sounds like the most "Harper" vacation ever.

The wait list was a mile long!

I completely forgot about it.

But now they sent me these emails

saying that there's been a last-minute cancellation,

and I am next in line if I want it.

Well, this has to be a sign, right?

You've gotta do it!

I don't know.

They want me to start in two days!

Harper! Go. Unwind.

A beautiful small town surrounded by books?

It would be amazing for you.

Christmas at a bookstore?

That could work.

They'll be excited

to have a fancy book editor in their store.

Done. Oh, no-- I think I'm gonna lay low.

If I tell people what I do,

that's when all the questions start,

and I don't want to deal with that.

I just want to kick back, play Christmas Bingo,

read for pleasure,

enjoy the holidays.

Cheers to that.

- Cheers. -

Let me guess.

Syrah?

Bold... savory, ripe.

Lotta spice. Am I right?

I'm more of a cocktail girl.

I'm actually looking for the owner, Sawyer.

That's me. I'm Sawyer.

Oh. I'm Harper Stevens.

Oh!

Uh, glad you could make it on such short notice.

So, am I working at a bookstore or a wine store?

Because you-you seem to have both.

In fact, for a bookstore, it's pretty heavy on the wine.

Well, we need to pay the bills.

I will be managing the business,

and you'll be helping out with the books.

Okay, great.

Um, but why is there a wine café?

You're not a fan?

Well, I just think you do one thing,

and you do it well.

Judgey much?

I bet that you actually know absolutely nothing

about the brick-and-mortar book business.

You caught me! I'm just a... book lover.

But I know a great story from a marketing gimmick.

I would hardly call wine a "gimmick."

Well, not exactly,

but I believe a good book will always find an audience.

I love books.

I introduced the wine café a few years ago,

so that my parents wouldn't lose their store.

Oh.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--

Misunderstand your audience?

Clearly, the concept is working.

Yeah.

Why don't I just show you to the upstairs apartment,

and you can get settled, and start tomorrow?

And by, the way, if-if I were to drink wine,

it's usually a chardonnay.

I have the perfect vintage.

It develops complexity over time.

"The tradition continues.

Merry Christmas to my bestie.

Love, Kimberly.

P.S.

Remember--

the first rule of Christmas Bingo

is you don't talk about Christmas Bingo.

Second rule-- complete everything on the card."

"Watch your favorite Christmas movie."

"Wear the Santa PJs I got you all day."

"Randomly shout 'Bah, humbug!'"

Merry Christmas.

What can I get ya?

Merry Christmas. Ooh! Can I get

one of your gingerbread muffins, please?

Let me guess. You're... Harper?

Wow. News travels fast.

Small town... plus, Sawyer is a good friend.

Oh. How long have you known him?

Uh, well, he and my brother, Kirk,

were best friends growing up.

When Kirk moved out of town,

Sawyer assumed

"overprotective big brother" duties.

Oh, that's really sweet.

Is it, though?

- - Sadly, for him,

he's only able to exercise those powers

when I'm home on break.

Breakfast of champions. On the house.

Thank you.

If you're not busy this evening,

you should join us for Cider-and-Cocoa Crawl.

I'm trying to convince Sawyer to come, too.

It's a good way to meet people, since you're new in town.

I don't want to impose.