In this novella (a sequel to "The Secret History of the Pink Carnation"), the newly married spy, the Purple Gentian, and his bride find more than mince pie when they head home for the holidays. About the Author: Lauren Willig is the author of nine Pink Carnation novels. A graduate of Yale University, she has a graduate degree in English history from Harvard and a J.D. from Harvard Law School, though she now writes full time.