Ma Coccinelle

Ma Coccinelle follows Aimée Guerard, a college student struggling to cope with the loss of her mother. The story begins as Aimée, overwhelmed by her emotions, stumbles through her first days back at school, a symbolic journey that mirrors her internal conflict.

Throughout the novel, Aimée navigates the challenges of life without her mother, relying on the letters her mother left behind to guide her. These letters not only provide comfort but also serve as a tool for self-reflection. In her attempts to reconcile the pain of loss, Aimée begins to see life's complexities with newfound clarity. Her friendships, particularly with Beth, become strained as she reflects on what truly matters in her relationships, and through her interactions with Nuri, a fellow student, Aimée grapples with questions of identity, purpose, and love.

The novel paints a rich and textured picture of New York, weaving Aimée's story with the city's vibrant energy and diversity. Each scene is crafted to depict the emotional highs and lows of Aimée's life, from her internal struggles to her growing understanding of herself and her mother's legacy—and where she fits in it all.

With themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, Ma Coccinelle invites readers into the world of a young woman standing on the cusp of adulthood, offering a narrative that is as emotionally resonant as it is universal. Through her mother's guidance, Aimée learns that even in the face of life's deepest sorrows, there is room for growth, connection, and hope. There is always room for hope.

Born and raised in Southern California to Romanian parents, Alexander Carabulea's journey into the world of writing began during his time in an advanced placement rhetoric program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. While pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in economics, Alexander found himself drawn to the art of storytelling, a passion that ultimately led to the creation of his debut novel, Ma Coccinelle.

Alexander's writing often reflects his multicultural background and his experiences growing up as a first-generation American. The themes of identity, resilience, and self-discovery run deeply through his work, informed by his own struggles with understanding his heritage and finding his place in the world. His ability to interweave personal experiences with universal themes has made Ma Coccinelle a compelling read for anyone seeking a story about navigating life's unexpected turns.

Outside of writing, Alexander is an avid reader of non-fiction, enjoys playing competitive tennis, and spends his free time traveling and exploring different cultures. His love for classical music, particularly Schubert's Ständchen, often informs the reflective tone of his prose, offering readers a glimpse into the beauty he finds in both music and language.

With the release of Ma Coccinelle, Alexander hopes to inspire readers to embrace the unpredictable nature of life and the discomfort that often accompanies growth. He believes that true self-understanding only comes when we are willing to confront our challenges head-on. His philosophy, that we are our own greatest adversaries, shines through in his writing, encouraging readers to find strength within themselves and live life authentically.