The audience laughed gently. And then Kellyjean began to read:
The Green Flash
There we were, all of us,
The ritual had begun.
Standing there, patiently,
Our eyes upon the sun.
Some of us wished for riches,
Some of us wished for fame,
But I knew my friend had wished for love
When that green flash came.
And who of us can argue?
Who of us can blame?
Those who believed the magic
Of that emerald flame.
I believe in wishes,
I believe in love,
I believe that falling stars
Are signs from God above.
So when I saw that sunset,
As green as green can be,
I wished my friend’s wish would come true,
And that wish has come to be.
When she finished reading, Kellyjean looked right at me—frozen with my shoulder pressed against Will’s, and my eyes filled with tears—and smiled. “I wrote that poem for a friend of mine,” she said. “I’m just so happy that she’s found what it is she was looking for after all this time. Thank y’all so much for having us here to your pretty little island.”
There was a moment of silence as the audience absorbed what they’d just heard. Then they burst into thunderous applause, many jumping to their feet … including Will.
“You know,” he said to me enthusiastically, as he clapped, “that was really quite good. A little amateurish, but quite a hit with the audience, which is what you want in a book festival. What do you think?”
I rose to my feet as well, applauding. “I think I’ll take your advice,” I said, “and change my flight. Maybe I will stay for a few days.”
He glanced at me in surprise. “Really? To look at houses?”
“To look at houses,” I said. “And … maybe some other things.”
He smiled at me happily.
And I smiled back.
From #1 internationally bestselling author Jo Wright comes the most highly anticipated release of the year:
Kitty Katz, Kitten-Sitter #27
SU-PURR STAR!
Kitty Katz has graduated from middle school and started high school!
Kitty Katz and Felicity Feline have been best friends fur-ever, and have always dreamed of being Broadway stars. That dream takes a step closer to coming true when the two of them are cast in their high school’s musical production of
Hello, Doggie!
But as re-purr-sals go on, Kitty isn’t sure a life on the stage is for her, especially as she begins to have feelings for her costar, Raul Wolf. Once her rival in all things academic and extra-purr-icular, Raul has always seemed aloof and stuck up—until Kitty gets to know him better, and realizes that things—and wolves—aren’t always what they seem on the surface.
Could this be the end for Kitty and longtime beau Rex Canine? And what happens when the star of the show, Susie Spaniel, develops fleas and can’t make opening night?
Looks like it might take a SU-PURR
STAR to step in and save the day!
Purr-raise for Kitty Katz: Su-purr Star
“Once again, Kitty saves the day—for all of us.” —USA Today
“The best furry tail yet from Jo Wright.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Five stars. Raul Wolf is my new book boyfriend.” —Lauren
“One star. Spoiler alert: Rex + Kitty break up. Thanks for ruining my childhood, Jo Wright!!!!!!” —Cassidy
“Purrfect.” —Reese Witherspoon
Look for Kitty Katz, Kitten Sitter #27: Su-purr Star everywhere books are sold, coming soon to a store near you!
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Re: Little Bridge Island Book Festival
Dear Ms. Wright,
It’s that time of year! I’m writing in the hope that you will once again join us for Little Bridge Island’s annual book festival. You were such a huge hit at last year’s event, we couldn’t possibly hold the next festival without you!
The 2nd Annual Little Bridge Island Book Festival will begin Friday, January 8, and finish on Sunday, January 10.
We’re able to offer you first-class airfare to Little Bridge Island, a luxury suite at the Lazy Parrot Inn, and a $1,500 stipend in exchange for you being a panelist. We’d love for you to do a signing, as well as read from your new book, Kitty Katz, Kitten Sitter #27: Su-purr Star! and discuss your upcoming Netflix series, Kitty Katz: Kitten Sitter, the reboot.
Please let me know your thoughts. Once again, the festival just wouldn’t be the same without you, and I know I’m not the only one who’d miss you if you couldn’t attend!
Best,
Molly Hartwell
Children’s Librarian, Norman J. Tifton Public Library
Will Price
Little Bridge Island Book Festival Board Chair
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Little Bridge Book Festival
Dear Molly and Will,
Thank you so much for the kind invitation to next year’s book festival. I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
Please don’t worry about a stipend for me, however. You can donate it back to the program. And I don’t need a hotel room, either. I can stay with my father at his new house in Little Bridge.
Thanks again for the invitation! Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Best,
Jo
Subject: Re: Re: Little Bridge Book Festival
Staying at your dad’s, are you? We’ll see about that!
Subject: Re: Re: Little Bridge Book Festival
♥
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you so much for reading this book! I hope you enjoyed it.
The first thing people asked me when they heard I was writing a rom-com about two authors at a book festival was: “Oh, are you going to write about authors you know?”
The answer is no! None of the authors portrayed in this book are based on anyone I know. Although Key West, where I live most of the time, does have an annual literary seminar, the book festival in this novel is not based on the Key West Literary Seminar, and I most certainly do not have a literary nemesis.
I do, however, have many amazing people in my life that I would love to thank for their help and support while I was writing this book. They include my agent, Laura Langlie, and everyone at HarperCollins/William Morrow, especially my editor, Carrie Feron, and assistant editor Asanté Simons.
Special thanks as well to friends and readers Beth Ader, Nancy Bender, Jennifer Brown, Gwen Esbenson, Michele Jaffee, Rachel Vail, and to my amazing media managers, Janey Lee and Heidi Shon.
Thanks also to the many, many readers I’ve met at book festivals and signings around the world. Thank you for supporting your favorite authors. We so appreciate you. And please—keep reading!