The Journey Before Ever After

one of my SB breaks with BEA

Unlike most books that I have purchased straight from the shelf of a bookstore, I believe that Samantha Sotto's novel, Before Ever After, took quite a journey with me.

Let's start from the very beginning.

In one of our coaching sessions, my former boss and mentor, Ms. O, told me about a mother who turned her back on her corporate career, to follow her dreams. She wrote her book in a cafe near the school of her kids while she waited for them to finish their classes. Fast forward. And now her book is internationally published because she followed the chickens...(you know what I mean if you read the book already).

Ms. O never mentioned the name, I had the feeling that that story is the story of Samantha Sotto, when I saw a link on Facebook about a Pinay who has written a novel which Crown/Random House will publish. I may be wrong...(but who cares?!) All I know is that I was proud of her, of what she had accomplished. She is a Filipino making her mark for the world to see and acknowledge.

And so I did some googling and stumbled into her very nice website and twitter account. I followed her. I learned that she will be at the Book fair in SMX, but it was a Sunday and since its family day, I was not able to go. But I wanted to. It would be my first time to meet an internationally published author. It was not meant to be...at that time. But I know that fate was in my favor because I learned that she'll have a book signing in Singapore on the weekend of September (25) and I happened to be there with my family to watch the SG F1 Night Race.

Our trip to Singapore was a full packed 5-day vacation but I was able to squeeze in a few hours trip to ION Orchard where the book signing will take place. We arrived there early, no Samantha in sight, just a pile of her books ready to be purchased, a chair and a table. So we decided to have a late lunch instead. When I returned to Prologue Book Store, there was already a line of fans, friends and family awaiting for their copies to be signed. As I fall in line, I was giddy and nervous like I was about to meet a celebrity. I can't even take a decent photo of Samantha and the woman before me because my hand was shaking... I tried like 3 times but to no avail...good thing Samantha's hubby was ready to help and he took the picture instead.  He also took the picture of us. Funny because I really felt like a fan. Placing my twitter name on the piece of paper below my name hoping that she would recall and remember our twitter exchanges. Based on our small chit chat, seems like she did remember me....but if she didn't... she was very convincing that she did (haha! but I don't blame her if she really didn't remember me). What's important was I was able to meet her in person (finally after the failed attempt in SMX) and got my book autographed. It really made my day.

With the author Samantha Sotto at Prologue Book Store in ION Orchard, Singapore

my autographed BEA. Follow the chickens!

I have already written so much but I haven't said anything about the book yet. This was suppose to be a book review post...Oh well, all I can say is that I enjoyed each and every character that came alive in this book. Brad, Simon, Dex, Rose, Jonathan, Paolo, Shelley & of course Max. The stories within the story made my imagination worked at its wildest...and the lesson of love, forgiveness and an idea of a great marriage proposal made me love this book even more. And the Epilogue made me think. :) But I am a romantic so I'll keep it at that.

But I prefer the epilogue contains the secret recipe of the Baked Eggs & Cheese. Really.

And with that, I will follow the chickens! You should too but buy the book first :) 2nd printing is now out and available in NBS :)

xoxo.

follow Samantha Sotto on twitter @samanthasotto and visit her website and experience the happy campers.

P.S. Would't it be great if this becomes a movie :) Just thinking aloud... that would be awesome don't you think?