The Secret Society of Governess Spies

A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames

Book 2

In the beloved tradition of Howl’s Moving Castle meets The House in the Cerulean Sea, a whimsical and unforgettable cozy fantasy about adventure, common sense, and the power of love, as a cheeky butcher's daughter, a befuddlingly handsome sorcerer, and his clever talking cat unlock magical secrets in the dark heart of their kingdom…

“Down-to-earth and completely irresistible, Foss is fantastic, as is her talking cat! A Harvest of Hearts is that rare story that feels both classic and unique at the same time. I loved it!” —Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

Everyone in Foss Butcher’s village knows what happens when the magic-workers come; they harvest human hearts to use in their spells. That’s just how life in her kingdom works. But Foss, plain, clumsy, and practical as a boot, never expected anyone would want hers.

When a sorcerer snags a piece of Foss’s heart without meaning to, she is furious. For once a heart is snagged, the experience is . . . well, unpleasant. So, Foss finds herself stomping toward the grand City to keep his enchanted House and demands that he fixes her before she keels over and dies, or whatever happens when hearts are Snagged.

But the sorcerer, Sylvester, is not what she expected. Petulant, idle, and new to his powers, Sylvester has no clue how to undo the heart-taking, or how to do much of anything really, apart from sulk. Foss’s only friend is a talking cat and even the House’s walls themselves have moods.

As Foss searches for a cure, she accidentally uncovers that there is much more to the heart-taking—and to the magic-workers themselves—than she could have ever imagined. . . .

Andrea Eames

Andrea Eames is a poet and novelist living in Texas after eight years in New Zealand and seventeen years in Zimbabwe. She has released two critically-acclaimed novels for adults so far, The Cry of the Go-Away Bird, and The White Shadow, as well as the first volume in her children’s series, Rennies, set in a Renaissance Faire; a YA fantasy novel, Heartbreak; and the first two books in The Lost Land Chronicles, The Lucky Black C.A.T. and The Wizard’s Heir. The White Shadow was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize in 2012. She has also released two collections of poetry: The Making of Stones, and New Monsters.

Currently, Andrea is working on the next book in the Rennies series, as well as two other fantasy books, and another novel set in Zimbabwe, The Strength of a Fish. When not writing, Andrea performs as a fairy at Sherwood Forest Faire, and lives in the gorgeous Texas countryside with her husband—rock musician, Kenny Heavin (a.k.a. Jimi Dharma)—and five ungrateful cats: Mo, Milo, Monty, Miss Maggie, and Merlin.

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