 Whether you've read my paranormal romance, chick lit, or romantic suspense action adventures, all my stories have a common theme — l call them modern-day fairy tales. Think about it... All those fairy tales we read as a child were anything but mild. What we call a fairy tale often started off as an abused or tragedy-stricken child. Well, I take that concept and what many people deal with in real, modern-day life and attempt to help my protagonists find a way out of their tragedies and find their happily ever afters. Because, let’s face it, isn’t that what we are all trying to do — find our happily ever after? And today, I'm introducing you to two of my friends who write wonderfully romantic stories about second chances and learning to love again! And the best part... All these books are available to read in Kindle Unlimited! Start your FREE Trial Today & READ FREE ALL SUMMER! Women's Fiction, Coming-of-Age Romance  College and career are hard enough without bringing love into the mix, but when Jesse and Kayla meet over spring break, their individual dreams merge into one. Until tragedy strikes. Now thrust into a world of tragedy and grief, others insist they are too young. But when you find the love of your life, all you can do is hold on and Love Like Crazy. READ MORE Kindle US ● Excerpt ● Series ● Audible Kindle UK ● Kindle CA ● Kindle AU ● Kindle IN Also available in a Boxed Set in Kindle Unlimited! Women's Fiction, New Adult Romance  She was supposed to be a summer romance, but Raleigh fell fast for the only person who made him feel worthy of love. He was supposed to be a fling with a bad boy, but he made Mia feel alive … until a tragic accident tore them apart. Seven years later, fate throws them together and, with the same breath, threatens to separate them forever. READ MORE Kindle US ● Excerpt ● Series Kindle UK ● Kindle CA ● Kindle AU ● Kindle IN Also available in a Boxed Set in Kindle Unlimited! Women's Fiction, Romantic Suspense  Dive into a world of secrets, laughter, and passion! Three gorgeous men and three fiery women find their destinies together in this unforgettable romance collection. READ MORE
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 "Publishing a book is like being pregnant. By the end, you're just ready to get that baby out!" Yep, I'm the one who said that! In fact, I've said it every time I've published a book. I haven't been around as long as Nicholas Sparks or Nora Roberts, but this isn't my first rodeo either. This is my (hang on while I take off my shoes to count) 21st novel (plus I've written four novellas). But yeah, just like being pregnant, it doesn't matter. That baby has to come out! And no matter how much preparation I've put into its arrival, no matter how many times I've done it before, when the day comes, I'm scared to death. But here's the real reason I'm here today!!! If "Publishing a book is like being pregnant," which I truly think it is--after all, I've delivered two real babies and twenty-five books, so I know the pain of both--I swear I'm in postpartum depression. Really, and it's not because I have a lack of books to write. In fact, it's just the opposite. I have several half-written novels. I've specked out a six-book follow-up series to the Midnight Sons series, which will tell the stories of our leading ladies BEFORE they arrived in Alaska. I've started book six in the Creatus series. I have several chapters and tons of notes on book six in the Southern Collection. I have a half-written follow-up novel to The Library, which I'd set aside to finish the Midnight Sons series. AND... I have a FINISHED supernatural suspense that has been sitting in my computer for years! So, as I sat around last night, wallowing in my depressed mood--which is actually rare for me; I'm not usually a wallower (is wallower even a word)--I actually started another book. Yes, you heard me correctly. I have no less than ten things on my plate, and before I knew it, I had a thousand words typed out in a new series that has been chomping at the back of my brain. What on earth is wrong with me? I thought. Then I realized... I LOVE being pregnant! Well, not really pregnant--I hate being physically pregnant. But I LOVE to write. It doesn't matter if I get a few bad reviews; I simply LOVE to write! And more than writing, I love to BE READ. I know there are a lot of snobby people in the world, but I assure you, I'm not one of them!!! If you tell me you enjoyed my book and follow me on Twitter, you're my friend.
So, after all this, I think I've resolved my question of why I have PPD. I crave the story... I crave that feeling when I finish a book and send it off to my beta readers, whom I hear from almost immediately, which satisfies my thirst for a while. So, I'm anxious to get back to work and pen another book, so I'll get my fix. Or--and this would be awesome--if you've already finished reading Daire's Resolution and enjoyed it, please write a review on Amazon, BookBub, Goodreads, and/or wherever you buy books. I promise you I'll read it. Unlike some authors, I read every review--good and bad. Though I definitely prefer reading comments from happy folks. :') If you haven't grabbed the new release yet... Daire's Resolution is available at all major book retailers!   “My name is Silvia Markow,” she droned. “Birth date, August 28. I am twenty-six years old.” She recited the social security number she’d had to memorize, the new driver’s license number. City and state of birth. Harvey dropped a mouthful of kibble on the yellowed linoleum floor, then chomped on individual bites, staring up at her as she recited the essential information. She inhaled through her nose for a count of four, held her breath for seven counts, then slowly exhaled through her mouth with a whooshing sound. “I am safe. My mother is safe. My sister is safe.” Crumbs of dog chow fell from Harvey’s thick jowls. She stared down at Harvey and smiled. “And I have a ginormous adopted baby who won’t let anything happen to me.” Daire's Resolution is HERE! Stand-Alone Story--No Cliffhanger!  Secrets. . . Daire Belgarde knows that Alaska is the hiding place of the nation. Nearly everyone who moves to The Last Frontier is running from someone or hiding something. And now, the woman he loves is keeping a secret, too. A deadly one! READ MORE What readers are saying about the Midnight Sons... ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Suspense and sensual romance are expertly combined in this riveting story." — Goodreads (Sam's Folly) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "An escape into the remote wilderness, with scenes that'll take your breath away and characters you can't help but love." — TOP 100 VINE VOICE (Alex's Atonement) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Suspense, Romance, Action, and Drama…Midnight Sons Series Has IT ALL!" — Goodreads (Vince’s Chance) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This series just keeps getting better!" — Goodreads (Erik’s Revelation) 
Are you caught up? The final book in the Midnight Sons Alaska Search-and-Rescue series is here!5/16/2022 When Erik Belgarde sets off to find the truth about his past, he encounters Kimi Bennett, a woman running from hers.  Secrets… Daire Belgarde knows that Alaska is the hiding place of the nation. Nearly everyone who moves to The Last Frontier is running from someone or hiding something. And now, the woman he loves is keeping a secret, too. A deadly one!  When aspiring journalist Maura moves to Chicago with her eight-year-old son, she teams up with fellow employee Rick to fulfill the Christmas wishes of children across the city. Will the spirit of the season bring their hearts together, or will secrets tear them apart? READ MORE
 First of all, I hope your summer was great and that you came through the last year happy and healthy. Me, I'm excited for fall! I mean, really, I know there are three other great seasons, but fall... It beckons me, saying, "Hey, a crazy busy time is coming up, so take a moment to sip a pumpkin-spiced latte and read a book...or ten!" Now that the weather has cooled off in my neck of the woods, I've been flying through books like crazy. And oddly enough, they're not the type of books I've been reading for the last few years. My guess is that I've been wanting to get back to my roots of writing whodunnits, so I've been binge-reading mystery books. Yeah, there's a little romance in them, too, as I love a little sexual tension. Other than the books I've been reading, I have great news. . . The final book in The Midnight Sons collection is on the way! I know y'all have been waiting since Sam's Folly for Daire's story, so I'm happy to report it's up for pre-order. And, as always, to reward my faithful friends, I've set the pre-order price at $0.99! So grab Daire's Resolution as soon as you have an extra buck, please!  Secrets… Daire Belgarde knows that Alaska is the hiding place of the nation. Nearly everyone who moves to The Last Frontier is running from someone or hiding something. And now, Daire is keeping a secret—he’s in love with his boss. Over the last few weeks, keeping his feelings hidden has gotten harder because it’s clear the woman he loves has come to Alaska to hide, too. . . READ MORE Pre-Order Now at the $0.99 Introductory Price! While you're waiting for Daire's Story, take a look at... What I've been reading!
Available at all major book retailers!
Stand-Alone Story - No Cliffhanger!
Women's Fiction, Romantic Suspense
While searching for answers about his past, Erik witnesses a runaway horse and runs head-on into Kimi Bennett — literally. Although they constantly butt heads, he can’t help but admire how she loves horses and his beautiful home state of Alaska. When authorities start asking questions about the new horse whisperer in town, though, and Kimi disappears, Erik realizes their future together is what matters most and calls on his Midnight Sons brothers to find Kimi before her past catches up to her… READ MORE
I had to stop writing when I broke down over a character dying, and I’m the psycho who killed him...4/12/2021  When I sit down to write a novel, I generally have no idea where I’m going. My typical start of a story is usually the main character—whether it’s the male protagonist or the female protagonist—and whatever issue they are facing. From there, I just ask myself questions:
The great thing is, just like the reader, I never know exactly what my characters will do. Sure, I know I want a happily ever after, but I also know that not every character will get a happily ever after. And the detours they make along the way sometimes even surprise me. Why? Because I allow my story to progress naturally. I typically write two thousand words a day, and then every night I read the last few chapters to make sure the story flows, marking any areas that need addressing, and then go to sleep, allowing the characters to come alive in my dreams. And ohhh how they do. It’s not unusual for hubby to see me typing on my iPhone’s notepad in the middle of the night. Often it’ll just be a great line or a missing link I was in search of. When I finally finish the novel, I take an entire day and read from beginning to end, making sure the story flows and that there are no holes or contradictions. Easy, right? I’ve read this story almost thirty times at this juncture. How can it surprise me, how can it make me cry? And yet, here I am, sitting on the sofa, my afghan curled around me, and I’m bawling over something that happened. Hubby, who has been sitting quietly by his computer—because he knows it’s read-through day—whips his chair around to face me and asks, “Are you okay?” I swipe away my tears and answer, “Yes, I just can’t believe that happened.” “Wait. I thought you were reading your book?” he asks. “I am,” I answer. “But it still makes me cry.” He shakes his head and goes back to typing his nonfiction. One of my favorite quotes is by Robert Frost: “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” Well, I’m always surprised, and I always cry when something happens to my characters, so I hope when you read my books you will, too! If you enjoy stories that blend happy and sad, romantic and suspenseful, click the link for your favorite retailer below and grab one of my free books. If you’ve read all my books, make sure you grab my new release, Erik’s Revelation, so you’ll know why I was crying! Until next time, happy reading! Carmen DeSousa Visit one of my author pages to grab my free bestsellers or my new release, Erik's Revelation! Kindle ● Play ● iBooks ● Nook ● Kobo 
You already know Erik!
Today, meet Kimi!
Erik's Revelation is a stand-alone story, as are all the books in the Midnight Sons series. However, if you want to start from the beginning, start with Sam's Folly!
Want to catch up? Click on any of the covers to learn more!
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