In my search of free hobbies, since my budget didn’t allow for paid fun, I’d discovered that there were several nightclubs that offered free line-dancing lessons. I’d also found a free self-defense class, but figured I’d do that after I learned how to dance since I was certain that balance was important. Sadly, I wasn’t what most people would define as graceful. I was also aching to learn how to use the kayak that neither Dick nor Eric had used more than a handful of times, but since it was large and bulky, I figured I’d better wait until I found a dolly on Craig’s List. That way I could transport it from the truck to the water without throwing out my back.
    As it turned out, tonight was ladies’ night at the local country western bar. I had no desire to hang out and drink all night, but according to the ad on Google, they offered free line-dancing classes from seven-thirty until nine o’clock. And everyone in the ad was nice looking and having a nice time, so clearly it was the place to be. Everyone knew that advertisements never lied. According to the calendar, Thursdays were Improver-to-Intermediate night, and I was pretty sure I could fake it. After all, I’d been to umpteen weddings in my life, and nothing — including my two-left-footed ex — had ever kept me from jumping up and trying to do the Boot Scootin’ Boogie and the Cha Cha Slide.
    I fished through my closet for the pair of cowboy boots I’d bought back in college. In the process, I stumbled on the one pair of jeans I’d saved too. I hadn’t worn them since I found out I was pregnant. I pulled them down from the top shelf, hoping they’d still fit.
    No such luck. I guess only the shoes and T-shirts I’d owned since college still fit. But I didn’t have too far to go, so instead of tossing them, I hung them up on the door of the closet. They’d be my inspiration.
    I slipped on my most recently purchased jeans, dabbed on extra mascara, and pulled my mop of hair up into a clip. Even though I knew I looked better with my hair long and flowing, I didn’t think that sweating profusely on the back of my neck would look attractive.
    Besides, learning to dance wasn’t about meeting a man, it was about doing something I wanted to do. If I started thinking about the men around me, I wouldn’t be able to have as much fun dancing.
    When I walked into the country bar, I immediately imagined I was at a down-home shindig set inside the town’s largest barn.
    Of course, it was a rectangular steel building on the outside with plenty of exposed steel beams and rafters on the inside, but the walls and bar area were lined with naturally stained pine and the massive dance floor was filled with dancers of all ages and sizes. From the college girls in their short-shorts, tank tops, and cowboy boots to grannies in large smocks over polyester pants.
    As I suspected, there weren’t a lot of men, which elicited a sigh of relief from me. I really just wanted to learn how to dance. Once I learned how to dance, if I liked it, then I’d consider meeting a man who liked to dance. After all, what if I hated dancing in a bar as opposed to a wedding where I knew everyone? What if I realized that dancing was sweaty and tiring, but then I suddenly met Mr. Wonderful, who just so happened to love dancing so much that he wanted to go out every weekend.
    Jana, my friend, I thought to myself, you really should start seeking professional help because really … you might just be going insane. I gave my psyche a good chiding for picking on the practical side of myself for thinking ahead for once and then allowed my fun-loving self to trot over to the dance floor. Way in the back of the dance floor so that no one could single me out.
    I passed a few men who were entirely too young for me, and then a few who looked like they might be gold prospectors, but thankfully, all of them just smiled and concentrated on their own hops and claps.
    After just a few dances, I felt at home on the dance floor. I’d never been great, but I enjoyed dancing. When I was in college, I never missed a chance to dance.
    An hour later, the instructor informed the wannabe dancers about the specials if they chose to stay after the dance lessons. She smiled widely when only a few people cheered. “Oh, you want to hear about tomorrow’s special?”
    A few more dancers cheered at that announcement, encouraging her, it seemed.
    “Who hates Valentine’s Day?” the woman screeched in response.
    The floor came alive with stomping and hooting. Even I couldn’t help but applaud for that question. I’d almost forgotten about the lovers’ holiday. And why shouldn’t I? If I dwelled on the fact that tomorrow was Valentine’s Day, I might start feeling sorry for myself, and that’s the last thing I needed. For the first time in more than fifteen years, I had no one to bring me candy and flowers. Meh! Chocolate was fattening and flowers just made a mess of my counter top and then died anyway.
    “That’s more like it,” the announcer continued in her drawl. “Tomorrow night we’re havin’ an Anti-Valentine’s Party. Don’t forget to wear blue if you’re single.”

​    Blue … Other than blue jeans, I didn’t own anything that was blue. I racked my brain for something that Angela owned. Ooh … that silky tank top she’d worn for New Year’s Eve a couple of years ago … that would work. I pulled on a pair of jeans and just a basic T-shirt, then texted her I was coming over.
    Before leaving the house, I downloaded the Uber app I’d seen advertised at the bar since the bar offered a twenty-dollar credit. Not that I planned to drink much — drinking at a bar definitely wasn’t in my budget — but I figured why take the chance? I wasn’t opposed to accepting a paid-for drink if a man was so inclined. It was Valentine’s Day after all.
    Angela chuckled as she sifted through her closet.
    “Why are you laughing, Ang?” I bit out. “Do you think it’s too dressy?”
    “No, not at all,” Angela grunted as she nearly got down on her knees. “It’s perfect. Hang on …” She rummaged through the shoe boxes on the floor.
    “Angela, you’re going to hurt yourself. I have shoes —”
    “No, you don’t,” she cut me off, “you have boots.” She exited the closet with the top draped over her shoulder and a shoebox in her hands. She threw the box on the bed and then handed me the ruffly and sequined silk blouse. It really was quite beautiful.
    I slipped the top over my head, noticing that it fell lower than I thought it would. I liked the pockets of these jeans and had wanted to show them off.
    Angela leaned back, shaking her head. “Now, get rid of those boots and jeans.”
    “But … what will I wear with the top?”
    My cousin rolled her eyes. “It’s not a top, Jana; it’s a dress. You never actually saw me wearing it since you and Dick went to that party at the country club he’d wanted to go to.”
    I darted my eyes to hers to confirm that she was serious, then stared down at the tiny patch of fabric between me and my legs. “You’re kidding me. My butt will hang out in this.”
    Angela walked around me, inspecting my backside. “First of all, your butt doesn’t hang — thank God — and no, it won’t.”
    I walked to her full-length mirror and then turned around, doing my best to see my rear. I pulled at the hem, checking the length. “I couldn’t possibly.”
    “You can, and you will. I’m not letting you wear my dress over jeans.” She opened the box and handed me a pair of black four-inch ankle-breakers.
    I pulled the straps over the backs of my heels and examined myself in the mirror.
    Angela popped her head over my shoulder. “You should wear cobalt blue more often, Jana. It looks good on you.”
    “Dick hated blue,” I murmured.
    “Dick was a fool,” Angela said in response.
    I huffed out a breath through my nose as I tried to hold back the tears. Not once had Angela said anything like, I never liked Dick or You’re better off without him. She’d just kept her opinions to herself and had been a shoulder for me these last few months. Even now, she didn’t call him names, she’d just pointed out the obvious: Dick was a fool. And he knew it too, at least I assume he knew it since he’d tried repeatedly to come home. But I just couldn’t do it. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t get the idea of him having sex with another woman out of my mind. And I knew that I never would be able to.
    I lifted my head, attempting to dry my eyes. “Thank you, Angela.” I wrapped my arms around her. “I love you, cuz.”
    “I love you too.” She pulled back. “Now, go have fun, but be careful. Call me if you decide to drink.”
    I smiled. “I downloaded something called Uber. It’s supposed to be pretty easy. If I use it, I’ll call you to go pick up my truck with me tomorrow.”
    Angela flashed a half smile. “I know what Uber is. My husband uses it a lot when he’s out of town on business. Says it’s easier to use than most taxi companies — and cheaper.”
    I rested my hands on my hips. “How is it you always know about this stuff before I do?”
    “Because I’m almost a decade younger than you. My generation grew up with all these new gadgets as you old-timers call them.”
    “Oh, right.” I twirled and inspected my reflection in the mirror again. “Are you sure?”
    “You look hot! Go have fun. Don’t think about meeting anyone, just dance and enjoy yourself.”
    Every time I tugged at the hem of my dress, the famous words of Richard Gere from the movie Pretty Woman flashed in my head: Stop fidgeting. He’d been right, of course. Nothing detracted from what a woman was wearing — or trying to wear — than when she continued to yank on it … because she knew it was too short or too low cut.
    In the case of the dress I was wearing, it was both. Whenever I hitched up the dress to cover my cleavage, I immediately had to check that my rear was still covered. Regardless, I heeded Angela’s command. As soon as I heard a familiar song, I headed to the dance floor. By the second chorus, I had most of the steps down and had all but forgotten the length and cut of my dress. After all, what did I care? I was single. It’s not like I had anyone who would be offended. Actually, even if I were still married, it wouldn’t have mattered. Dick had always asked me to dress sexily, especially when we were going out.
    Since I was no J-Lo, though, I constantly tripped over my own feet and stepped on a few others. Thankfully, most people laughed it off. Those who were wearing cowboy boots, that is.
    By the third dance, I was laughing myself silly, but I was in love … with dancing. I’d been so concentrated on my feet that I didn’t have a chance to see if there was anyone cute around me. I was also parched, though. I quickly remembered why I could eat and drink anything I wanted when I was in college … dancing burned calories — and dehydrated me. I was dying of thirst.
    I headed to the bar, hoping they didn’t charge a buck for a plastic cup of water.
    As soon as I sat down, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
    “Hey …” a male voice shouted in my ear.
    I swung around on the barstool, hoping it wasn’t someone I knew. Nope! The man standing in front of me was a lot younger than I was, so more than likely we didn’t run in the same circles.
    “Yeah?” I asked, not sure what he wanted. Had I taken his seat?
    “Wanna dance?”
    “Oh, thank you,” I said, immediately flattered, “but I just sat down. I need to drink something before I die of thirst. Maybe in a little bit.”
    The man turned to leave, but then waved a hand at me as though he were telling me no. “A hundred dollars? No thanks!”
    “What did you say?” I shouted over the din, even though I was a hundred percent sure I’d heard him correctly.
    The man sat down at a table with several other young men, and they all laughed hysterically at their friend’s rude comment.
    As much as I wanted to walk over to the man — boy — and slap him up the backside of his head, I remembered all those barroom brawls my father had to break up, and how he’d always complained that if people just wouldn’t pay any mind to belligerent morons, there’d be a lot less fights.
    I decided against the water. I wouldn’t stop coming back to the club to dance. I definitely loved to dance. But I really wasn’t into the bar scene. I’d wait until I could come back with a date or continue to restrict my dancing to weddings and New Year’s Eve parties.

I’m over the moon to share that Adam’s Rising—the final book in the Midnight Sons series—earned a Top New Release badge!

If you haven’t grabbed Adam’s Rising yet, you can find links to all the books in the series, including the first book, which is free for a limited time, on Amazon.com. If you’ve finished the books, please take a moment to review them. I love to hear what you think, and reviews are so important to help authors get the word out.

Carmen

🌟 The Final Battle for Balance Ignites 🌟

Although you could technically read each book by itself, as each book has its own storyline, there's an ongoing mystery throughout all of the books in the saga.

If you haven't started the series, the first book is FREE, so catch up now on Amazon.com or follow me on BookBub for links to all of your favorite retailers here: BookBub.com/Author/Carmen-DeSousa!

Hello, dear readers!

​Carmen DeSousa

Hello, wonderful readers and writers!

Today, I want to dive into a topic that has intrigued both readers and writers for as long as novels have been penned: the notion that an author's first novel is often a thinly veiled autobiography. It’s a common belief, one that suggests our initial narratives are deeply personal, drawn directly from our own life experiences. But how true is this for most writers?

Take my first book, She Belongs to Me. This romantic suspense introduces readers to Jordan Monroe, a Charlotte police officer whose life spirals into chaos when his wife, Jaynee, is found with a life-threatening gunshot wound. The plot thickens with suspense, secrets, and the complexities of love — elements that make the story anything but ordinary.

You might wonder... How much of this story is a reflection of my own life? The answer isn't straightforward. Yes, like many authors, I pulled from real emotions and experiences to craft authentic reactions and engaging narratives. However, the art of fiction lies in the ability to weave these truths into imagined scenarios, creating a world that feels real.

In She Belongs to Me, while most of the dramatic events are not autobiographical, the emotional journey of the characters might resonate with personal feelings of love, loss, and resilience that I, or anyone for that matter, could experience. Jordan’s protective nature and leadership could mirror any responsible sibling stepping up for their family, a role many of us know well.

​Moreover, the setting and cultural references stem from a familiarity with Southern charm and the nuances of living in Charlotte, blending authenticity with the fictive tapestry of the storyline. It's this mixture of real-life inspiration with creative invention that often leads readers to speculate about what might be real.

The belief that first novels are autobiographical might stem from the observation that these works are often rawer, filled with unrefined passion as the author lays bare their narrative soul for the first time. It's a blend of what we know, what we observe, and what we imagine.

For any budding writers wondering whether to infuse personal experiences into your work, remember: your stories need genuine emotion to resonate, but they don't have to be a memoir. Fiction's beauty lies in its boundless nature, the ability to explore "what if," not just "what is."

So, dear readers, next time you pick up a debut novel, enjoy the ride of discovering which parts mirror reality and which are the results of the author's vivid imagination. After all, the magic of reading is not just in uncovering hidden truths but also in losing ourselves in the wonders of what could be.

If you haven't read my first novel, She Belongs to Me, I challenge you to figure out what's real and where I used poetic license. Hint: What many readers think are fairy-tale parts are actually the real parts. :)

Happy reading, and as always, thank you for joining me on this writer's journey.

Carmen

As promised, I have continued my commitment to my loyal fans and am offering the final book in the Creatus Series for only $0.99! I know most authors choose to charge full price for their new releases, and don't get me wrong...I get that. I spend a lot of money on new releases, but a promise is a promise, and I know y'all have waited a LONG time.

​Can you believe this series has been ten years in the making? Man, time flies! Please know, I priced this so YOU and your friends and family would be able to take advantage of the price without having to figure out how to get individual copies to each of you. The retail price will return to normal once it publishes, but your pre-order price assure you get it for $0.99!

All right, enough about price... Let's talk about the final two books! :)

In a world where creatus have long remained hidden, Vev, a powerful creatus, must confront her past and use her unique abilities to stop a new, destructive breed of creatus... Read More on Amazon.com!

Grab it from your favorite Retailer now!

Carmen

I invite you to get lost in the beautiful and haunting landscapes of Alaska, to breathe in the chilly air, to feel the adrenaline rush of high-stakes rescue missions, and to experience the exhilarating roller coaster ride of emotions as Daire and Silvia navigate their lives around a whirlwind of secrets and painful pasts.

Hmmm... I don't think so. In my experience, no matter what you do or how much of it you do, someone will always want something from you.

It also happens to be Malbec World Day, which is something I can get behind! Although I don't like Malbec wine as much as my Portuguese grandmother did, I would prefer a glass of red wine and reading a book over checking off my "Blah, Blah, Blah" list any day.

Who's with me? Oh, I forgot to mention that it's also National Kickball Day! Guess what my middle-schoolers will do in P.E. today? Did I tell you I started teaching physical education to K-8? Yep, and today's going to be fun. I will definitely accept one glass of Malbec tonight. 

I have a few of my books I can recommend as "pairing" suggestions with your wine. And if you don't like wine, no worries. They pair well with other drinks and food, too!

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Okay, I know…another blog where I reveal I'm just a tad crazy, but then again, all artists have to be a little nuts to dream up the things we create.

The funny thing is I’d been thinking about this, and then a Twitter friend sent me this great quote.

When I write, I fall in love. Not just with the male protagonist, but all of my characters. Don’t go looking for that straitjacket yet. The difference is I know they are not real, but sometimes I wonder if my heart does.

Yesterday, I had to do the obligatory running around: grocery shopping, gym, errands. You know, the stuff we put off until the last minute and then rush around to finish it.

Anyway, while I was out, I couldn’t stop thinking about my current work in progress. To the point I actually felt the butterflies of anticipation in my stomach. You remember those. Hey, I’ve been married thirty-three years, but I still remember the anticipation of our first kiss. The ache to see my love every minute of the day. Yes, I still feel that way, but life—as it’s supposed to—carries on and eventually you do have to return to work after the honeymoon is over.

My point is, as a writer, I get to experience these feelings every time I start a new book. And hopefully, as the reader, I give you those same feelings, and you do fall in love.

Also, did you know that chocolate can release brain soothing chemicals which increase energy and desire levels proven to produce a natural high which elevates a person's mood and is often equated with feeling in love?

I say, grab some dark chocolate -- as little sugar as possible -- then prepare to fall in love with a new hero! Check out Derrick and his brother and friends as you venture through the Creatus Saga. While there is an ongoing story, each book is a stand-alone story with new heroes and heroines to cheer on! 

Until next time, happy reading!

Carmen

Thank you for stopping by my place and reading my musings. Remember, these are just my opinions and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section, and I promise you I will answer.  If you’re curious about what I write, please visit one of my author pages, where you can read all about my novels and short stories. And hey, I’ll even give you a free book just for stopping by.

​In real life, we usually don’t allow the man of our dreams to walk out the front door thinking we’ve been having an affair with his best friend and secretly plan to leave him, but it makes for a great soap opera, and that’s what that is--a soap opera.

Yes, my characters won’t know all the facts, but I’ll make sure they think they do. That’s the difference between a soap opera and a suspense novel, I believe. Notice, I wrote "misunderstanding and distrust" in my quote, not "lies and deceit."

​Without giving anything away, in Sam's Folly, for instance, to make the story work, I needed to make sure that neither the hero nor the heroine knew all of the facts. But also, I had to give them a reason why they couldn't tell the other. That may sound easy, but it's not always as easy as it sounds. When I write, I have to stop and think, "Why wouldn't he tell her he was hired to find her?" If I can't find a reason, I have to rewrite the story! Or, at minimum, I have to rewrite the situation they're in.

From there, the mystery spins and turns, revealing suspects, secrets, and truths. The key in my mind is to never trick the reader; I hate that. You know everything the protagonist knows and even a little more, as you get to crawl inside the main characters’ heads. 

While I know everyone won't always agree with what I write, I certainly do my best to make sure there aren't any holes in the story.

So if you love your novel twined with a perfect thread of romance and suspense, but not filled with lies and trickery…just a few secrets, please check out my novels. You can sample a few of them below. Just click the image to read an excerpt right online. No download required!

​Until next time, happy reading!

Carmen

March 8th is International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. 

In my stories, I attempt to help my protagonists find a way out of their tragedies and find their happily ever after. The reason I write modern-day fairy tales is because I know somewhere, some woman is going through exactly what I'm writing about, and I want her to know she's NOT alone.

​Follow my newsletter or author pages to stay up-to-date on New Releases, Specials, and Writing Posts.
​
Newsletter - BookBub - Amazon

​Let’s face it! We live in a world where few people find their happily ever after, even though most of our childhood stories preached that to us. Wait a minute! Did they? I keep hearing…and I’ve been known to write, ​

Is it when the dashing prince on the white stallion sweeps in and they live happily ever after? Chuh! But, hey, the protagonist had to go through many trials to get there. So what’s so bad about that? Personally, I don’t think there’s a problem, except for putting all your dreams in one knight in shining armor who turns out to be a FROG! But you can still work at your happily ever after, with or without the prince or princess, right? Although, in my opinion, I think we’re all looking for someone who completes us.

​When we experience trials, we often seek out God and loved ones for support and are that much more thankful when the trial ends. So, I don’t have trouble with fairy tales; that’s why I write them -- modern-day fairy tales, that is.

​My husband will often tell people that he is a better person because of me, but you know what? If it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be alive. So, together, we will make our happily ever after by filling each other's weaknesses.

If you’re interested, this is what I write about in all my stories. People who have flaws, but learn to overcome, trust when all else fails so they can love again, and forgive so they can know peace.

I even used fairy tale in my original tag line for the Creatus series:

Creatus - It is from them we obtain our fairy tales—and our nightmares. They are the reason we believe in superheroes—and monsters. Because…they exist.

And, yes, there is a "knight in shining armor," but the heroine has to go through A LOT of trials to find him. If you haven't read the Creatus series yet, the first book, which is actually TWO books, is FREE at all major book retailers or find it on Amazon.com! If you've already read it, find links to the next books in the series or pre-order the new release here!

​Thank you for stopping by my place and reading my musings. Remember, these are just my opinions and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section, and I promise you I will answer.

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Carmen

As a reader, I love when a book captures me so completely that I feel lonely when I finish. I can't begin to count how many books I've read more than once to hang out with my friends again, probably the reason I enjoy reading series.

No, my books aren't always going to make you smile; in fact, I anger some folks. Why? I'm not sure exactly; maybe it's because my characters are real. They struggle with disappointments, regret, abuse, loss, addiction... But I always give them a way out. Sadly, not all my characters accept the dangling light at the end of the tunnel.

To me, that's what makes a reader connect with the characters. Like a good friend, you stand beside them through their ups and down, experience their tragedies and their triumphs, invest in their lives so that you can cheer for them if they obtain their happily ever after.

Thank you for stopping by my place and reading my musings. Remember, these are just my opinions and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section, and I promise you I will answer.

Looking for that FEELING I mentioned, listed below is a freebie from me and deals from a couple of my authors friends I think you'll enjoy!

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Carmen

Happy Valentine's Day, my friends!

Whether you have a date or not, I know most of you still like to snuggle up with a book over this romantic holiday. And what better way to celebrate than with great deals of romantic books?

Listed below are a few perfect picks for Valentine's Day from my publisher. All are great books, so grab them today. If that's not cause to feel all warm and cozy, my publisher is also running a giveaway, featuring FREE BOOKS and a Kindle Fire!

Hope you enjoy your special day!

​Happy Reading!