21/08/2025
Malapit na ang MIBF!! Sana po maisama nyo sa mabibili nyong books ang Love Beyond Fame!! Thank you in advance. 😊
It's a whole new era for our dear megladiolus! Nothing beats a holiday, and Carmela Sweeney sweep us off our feet to the United Kingdom. In her newest book Love Beyond Fame, she prove that even love stories can come from jet lags, a sprinkle of sarcasm, and a whole lot of London magic.
Here's a few fun facts from Mela herself.
1. The book cover was born from a freezing awkward photo op.
Before I even started writing, I already knew what the cover looked like. The classic red telephone booth, Parliament and Westminster Abbey nearby, and Big Ben photobombing in all his clock-faced glory.
Sounds dreamy, right? Well, reality check, I queued in the freezing cold only to end up with 90% of my photos being unplanned selfies with strangers mid-yawn or waving their Pret coffee cups in the background.
2. I thought Tower Bridge was London Bridge… and so did Eve.
For years, I thought the majestic, Instagram-dream-worthy Tower Bridge was the London Bridge. Nope. Turns out, the real London Bridge is… let’s say… far less photogenic and original one is in Arizona, United States.
I only discovered my geography blunder mid-trip and immediately gifted that exact moment to Eve in Chapter 4. She points excitedly and says, “That’s the London Bridge, isn’t it?” and Rhys, dripping in British sarcasm, sets her straight. Proof that art imitates life… and sometimes, life imitates Google Maps fails.
3. That dreamy, heart-flipping boat scene by the sparkling London Eye?
Totally inspired by my own Thames River cruise… minus the swoon-worthy romance, perfectly timed moonlight, and impossibly great hair.
While the real me was wrapped in a coat and fighting my hair against the wind, I watched the city glow and thought: This. This is where love stories happen. So, I gave Rhys and Eve their boat date, river ripples, twinkling lights, and the kind of magic reality rarely gifts you without a script.
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Love Beyond Fame will be available at the Manila International Book Fair from September 10 to 14. Visit the Summit Books booth at the second floor of the MOA SMX Convention Center. Seeyah!
