My Book and My Coffee: July 2012

Title: Deconstructing INFATUATION
Author: Merce Cardus
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Form: Kindle edition
Publisher: CreateSpace

Book Description ~ Deconstructing INFATUATION

Sometimes, whether you're single or with a significant one,

somebody appears in your life unexpectedly.

We feel the need to know who this person is,

the need to know exactly who this person is.

A story may offer different interpretations, even with several irreconcilable and contradictory meanings. As in Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta's story in Dante's Divine Comedy, this story is not about unfaithfulness either. This story is about infatuation: what burns inside of oneself when we let ourselves fall madly for someone.

Deconstructing INFATUATION Book Review

“A short but fantastic read. The book is passionate and direct to the point. I love that the author was able to create a story that will haunt its readers (in a good way), which may lead to us (readers) actually learning something really important about life – and love.” – Ara @ My Book and My Coffee

This book, Deconstructing INFATUATION, was given to me by Merce Cardus, the author, in exchange for an honest review.

This short story offers so much, which is really ironic. I liked the plot; for me, it was realistic, certainly something that could easily be experienced by anyone. It is fast paced, indeed, but the life – and ‘love’ – lessons I think the author wanted to let her readers realize were strategically implied and successfully included in the book.

Deconstructing INFATUATION tells the story about a part of Helen’s life that I think she will never ever forget. Actually, I really believe she won’t. An almost month-long experience that will, for once, let her actually relax… and know what she really wants. And shake her emotionally, and, ‘physically’. :D I won’t give out more information (At least, I'll try not to) as I feel that you will enjoy this book more if you will only have a few ideas of what’s in store for you.

Although just from reading the first chapter, you will already have an idea on what is about to happen, or how likely the story will turn out. For me, I was still surprised as to how the ending went down. It was almost heart-breaking but still, I do love the ending. You’ll probably question me after reading the book yourself. But I think the ending is just fitting. At least, that's how it was written. You’ll know what I mean.

The characters: The book’s characters are all relatable, especially Helen’s. Helen is the book’s protagonist. I like her and I don’t care if she made a mistake; the truth is, we can all learn from her mistake. She has a boyfriend named Mark who travels a lot. Her roommate, Marleen, is about to get married and has to sublet her room for a month. This is where Tiziano comes in… In this book, it will seem that you’ll need more information about the characters especially Tiziano’s. But that’s not how the book was written and intended. The author wanted to emphasize the life lesson you are about to discover.

I think that what happened to Helen, her experiences, her spontaneous change of heart, her situation, are all very close to our reality. This is one of the reasons why I love this book. It's fiction but it definitely and conveniently connects you to real life scenarios. Helen was obviously infatuated, although I don't think she knows that at first or at all. She’s ready to give up everything which is really scary because while I was reading the book, there’s no telling if it will be reciprocated. In real life, some of us may have been in the similar situation where we think we love a person but realize in the end that “Oh bugger, It’s not real.” Or perhaps, we love a person, and we assume that they will love us back – the infamous unrequited love (I’ve mastered this one. HAHA). Or maybe a situation where we are in a relationship, and then someone interesting and appealing comes along and rocks our world, makes us smile and feel that funny sensation whenever we fall in love, and almost immediately, we realize things that we didn’t know we needed, feelings that we didn't know existed, and suddenly, we have that urge to jump and change everything – and soon. All too familiar? I would say so. Oh dear, let me tell you, this book will really make you think and assess maybe not everything in your life, but enough (to actually make you wonder).

“To love is to risk”. Is it really worth ‘loving’ someone when you know that it presents risks in almost every aspect? For Helen, it didn’t matter at the time. She knows what she wants (or at least what she thinks she wants), and is eager to pursue it – no matter what.

I say, live and let live. ;) I mean, honestly, when you’re in the ‘fallen-in-love’ mode (or at least, when you think you are), you rarely think things through. Can you really blame Helen? Like what Meg (from Hercules) said, “People do crazy things… when they’re in love”. So true.

I should tell you now that I was once (or twice) a hopeless romantic and that I’ve been there … and done a lot of risking here and there. I’ve learned a lot, which is all I can say. Helen’s lucky to have realized better in the end.

So, my dear readers, viewers and friends, if you’d like to read a novel that is full of passion and love and life realizations then go ahead, please read Deconstructing INFATUATION by Merce Cardus. You’ll certainly love it. I did.

About the Author:

Author of Deconstructing INFATUATION, Merce Cardus

Photo credit: Monica Galera / MerceCardus.blogspot.com

Merce Cardus is the author of two novels, I say Who, What, and Where! and Deconstructing Infatuation. Her novels are inspirational, thought-provoking, and witty, whose themes reflect and explore the great questions of Life, constantly searching for Truth.

Earning a Master's degree in Corporate Law, she has headed her own law firm. In 2008, after a wake-up call, she began an inner journey to realize her passion, and comitted to following her heart. She's currently living her passion by working on her third novel.

To learn more, visit her at http://mercecardus.blogspot.com

Deconstructing INFATUATION by Merce Cardus is available in Paperback and Kindle edition.

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Title: The Super Spud Trilogy
Author: Michael Diack
Genre: Humour
Form: PDF copy
Publisher: Pen Press

Book Description ~ The Super Spud Trilogy

Genetic engineering has accomplished many things, one of which has been to create the Super Spud! The humble potato elevated to new heights, creating the most flavoursome crisps ever known to humankind! But that's not all - A magical transformation occurs to all Super Spud crisps not eaten before their use-by date. They take on a life of their own. And so long as they remain undetected by humans, they enjoy life in their own Super Spud cities, take part in major Super Spud sporting events and even start the odd Super Spud war or two. Join Colin, Cougar, Hannibal Vector, Generals Rock, Jock and Strap and all the others in their rollicking adventures. You'll never look at a packet of crisps in the same way again! Fun, quirky and totally original.

The personality of the Super Spud is determined by their flavour. Tuna flavours, enriched with omega-3 fish oils are very smart, while steak and spinach flavours are incredibly strong due to their high iron content. The story is fast and composed of a series of non-stop adventures from one chapter to the next, encompassing locations including Egypt, Mexico, UK, Italy and the North Pole!

The Super Spud Trilogy Book Review

“Expect the unexpected world way beyond your imagination. The author’s creativity and vivid imagination are incredible! Great read!” – Ara at My Book and My Coffee

This is a PDF copy given to me by the author, Michael Diack, in exchange for an honest review. This is, indeed, a trilogy. Three amazing, almost heart-breaking (I’ll try to explain later), spontaneous (Yes, I’ll say that), and unbelievable adventures.

This is very different as, I should say now, nothing in this book is really ordinary. In this book, you’ll find stories of the lives of crisps (chips) that once were spuds (potatoes). You’d think that it’s a normal thing, spuds to crisps. But noooo. These spuds were turned into “Super Spuds” – the name of the packet of crisps that are available for humans to consume. Apparently, humans got bored of the normal taste of crisps that the company making the crisps had to create ‘genetically engineered’ crisps so that they will taste even better – resulting to different tasty flavors. Well, aside from these tasty flavors, they can now have a life of their own undetected by humans. And they (the Super Spuds) can’t afford to be detected by humans so they have rules. Unfortunately, I really can’t tell you what the rules are. It's more fun if you find them out for yourself

First of all, the trilogy doesn’t really focus on one main character or protagonist. The story, since it is a trilogy, is divided into three books (overall total of 262 pages) set to tell the tales of Colin, Cougar, and King Martin respectively.

“The word “shotgun” will have a slightly different meaning to you. I tell you, you will be laughing and really hard.”

The adventures: I feel that Colin’s adventure is too short. I don’t want to tell you why it was a short adventure though, sorry! ;) Cougar is already in the first book, so you’ll know him already. Cougar’s adventures are so full of excitement which includes the mention of “Catapults’R’Us” – go figure! Funny, scary, life-threatening, and well, really full of scenes that are unbelievably out of my imagination - including a packet of crisps singing… What? Yup, I can hear you saying that, too. ;)

Aside from that, this book is also full of all-too-familiar references.

You’ll also be reminded that burping in front of other people and looking proud about it should always be a no-no. ;) In this book, it can be very deadly!

Almost heart-breaking. As I’ve mentioned before, these crisps are definitely alive in this book. So, this includes them ‘falling-in-love’… But then, they can possibly die easily. So a love-story in the making can possibly (I'm not saying it will or will not. Hah!) end tragically. You’ll know what I mean.

Oh, yes, I should let you know now that the author did a very good job in creating a world combining our (human's) fantasy and reality. That is a hard thing to accomplish, I would think. But he did a very good job at it.

Please read the book first, and then decide from there if you would let your children read it. For me, I wouldn’t let my kid read this yet (of course, he's only two. :D). There are parts here that are overly tragic, even for a spud. And I should mention now (I guess, this is a bit of a spoiler), there are some humans who died, and the way they died, I think, are not suitable for kids to read.

So my dear friends, viewers, and readers, if you love a good humour novel with imaginative plots and characters that will surely crack you up, then you have to read Michael Diack’s The Super Spud Trilogy. You’ll actually get hungry and end up looking for chips to eat (guilty). Never mind if the certain packet was alive before you ate it ;)

The Super Spud Trilogy by Michael Diack is available in Paperback and Kindle edition.

About the Author:

Michael Diack is currently working as a field geophysicist in Oman. His novel was released 21st April 2012. You can visit his blog if you want to know more about the world of the Super Spud. All the blogs there will be about Super Spuds and will make you more familiar with their world.