T ea for Two and a Piece of Cake begins after “happily ever after”, when the harsh realities of marriage come into play. The book is Preeti Shenoy's third novel and was launched at Landmark recently.
Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake is a contemporary love story about one girl's journey from her broken marriage to the comfort of another relationship. “It's a very unusual love story, a book about second chances. It is about Nisha who has a fairytale romance and wedding. Eight years later, her husband leaves her to fend for herself and her children. A younger man enters her life and how they deal with their relationship forms the rest of the story,” says Preeti.
Based on a true story, the novel is also about chasing your dreams. “All around us, we see marriages crumbling and people remarrying. This contemporary love story is also about friendship and how people you meet unexpectedly help you achieve your dreams,” says Preeti.
“It was a challenge to write this story because, I had to be very careful that my reaction was not Nisha's reaction. The challenge was to detach myself and write from the point of view of the character.”
As in her other books, 34 Bubblegums and Candies and Life Is What You Make It, romance is only incidental in Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake . “My last book was about bipolar disorder and the first one was about 34 incidents from my life. They're different from each other. There is romance, but that's not the crux of the story.”
Preeti juggles the role of writer, mother and painter and took a year to finish this book. “Its very hard to strike a balance. Being a mother, a portrait artist and a writer is challenging and I usually write late into the night,” says Preeti, “But I get a lot of support from my family.”
Preeti is currently working on her next book, which is due for publication. “There's a little of me in all my characters. In my fourth book romance is only incidental.”
Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake is available at bookstores for Rs. 125.
