Why I Read Book Reviews, a $0.99 Bestseller, and a New Release in the Midnight Sons Series!7/8/2024  Hello, dear readers! Authors are often told NOT to read reviews. But I've always been on the fringe, living outside the box. One of the most rewarding aspects of writing is connecting with my readers. Your feedback, reviews, and social media posts have a profound impact on my writing journey. Today, I want to share why I always listen to my avid-reading friends' reviews and how they inspire my stories. Several of my stories have come about after reading your insightful reviews and engaging social media posts. The Midnight Sons series is a prime example of this dynamic interaction. When I concluded the original series, many readers expressed their desire for more. It was clear that the Midnight Sons had captured your hearts, and you didn't want the journey to end. Your enthusiasm and passion for the characters sparked an idea in me: what if I explored the origins of the Midnight Sons? To ensure I was heading in the right direction, I put out a call-to-action, asking what you, the readers, would like to see next. The response was overwhelming! Many of you wanted to dive deeper into the backstory of Adam and Claire, the parents of the five heroes in the series. Their stories were touched upon in the books, but there was a strong desire to know more about their journey and the beginnings of the Midnight Sons. Listening to your requests, I'm thrilled to announce that, due to popular demand, "Adam's Rising (The Original Midnight Son)" is now available for pre-order. This prequel delves into the trials and tribulations that shaped Adam's destiny and the legacy of the Midnight Sons. To show my appreciation for your support, I've priced it at only $0.99 so that previous fans of the series can download it at the lowest price. If you haven't started the Midnight Sons series yet, now's your chance! The first book, Sam's Folly, is $0.99 for a limited time. Dive into the world of the Midnight Sons and experience the thrilling adventures that have captivated so many readers. Thank you for being such an integral part of my writing journey. Your reviews and feedback are invaluable, and they help shape the stories that I create. Happy reading, and thank you for your continued support! Carmen DeSousa Sam's Folly is $0.99 for a Limited Time! Grab it now & start your Alaskan Adventure! Or... If you've already finished the series, pre-order the new release for only $0.99! Hurry, this introductory offer is only until release day! My way of making sure my previous readers always get the best deal!
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Alex's Atonement, a stand-alone story in the Midnight Sons series is available at all retailers.
For those of you who'd like a glimpse into the inspiration and motivation behind Alex's Atonement, please read on....
Have you ever felt the weight of guilt? A deep-seated burden that claws at you, night and day? Well, imagine carrying that weight for more than ten years. This feeling was the initial spark that birthed Alex's character. Alex is a man grappling with past decisions, constantly tormented by his part in his father's death and the impending doom of his family's company.
Backdrop always plays an immense role in my books, and the frigid expanse of Alaska was the perfect setting for Alex's story. Its harsh environment mirrors the internal conflict of our hero and heroine. The vastness of the landscape, coupled with its biting cold, serves as a metaphor for the isolation and despair that Alex feels.
Then there's Irene. Her character contrasts Alex's in so many ways. Where he is haunted by his past, she's trying to forgive the people in her past. Where he feels an overwhelming weight that makes him feel he can't go on without offering a penance, she’s received a potential terminal diagnosis that makes her re-evaluate everything she's ever known.
The intertwining of these two souls in the desolate beauty of Alaska, especially when they're thrown into a survival situation, brings out the rawness of human emotions. It's about finding hope in the most unexpected of places. It's about facing one's demons head-on and finding redemption.
While crafting their story, I played with elements of trust, or a lack thereof. Irene's reluctance to trust Alex forms the crux of their relationship. And who can blame her? Alex, despite his undeniable charm and skills, is a man on the brink of giving up on life. Irene’s battles, on the other hand, are more internal. She struggles with the reality of her shortening life span, forgiveness, and the ever-looming threat of the drug smugglers.
Writing Alex's Atonement was a journey of delving deep into the complexities of human emotions. Of charting the gray area between right and wrong. It reminded me, as I hope it will remind readers, that often, redemption and atonement come from the most unexpected encounters.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of writing is the process of character development. Watching Alex evolve from a man ready to end it all, to someone willing to face his deepest fears for love, was both challenging and rewarding. Irene, with her fiery spirit, served as the catalyst for this transformation. Their dynamics, their push and pull, breathed life into the pages.
I hope that Alex's Atonement is more than just a thrilling romantic suspense for you. I hope it becomes a tale of hope, redemption, and the transformative power of love. Because, in the end, that’s what all of us seek, isn't it? The assurance that despite our past, despite our demons, we can find our way back to love and light.
So, get ready to be transported to the icy terrains of Alaska, to get lost with Alex and Irene, and to find your way back, filled with hope and warmth.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. Remember, every hero has his demons, but love might just be the key to redemption.
Until next time, Happy Reading!
Carmen
Want to read a sample? You can do that right here!
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 Greetings from the mystical, enigmatic lands of Alaska, the ultimate hiding place of our nation, where secrets are often buried under snow-capped mountains and frigid landscapes. Today, I want to whisk you away on a breathtaking journey of love, secrets, and courageous rescues in my latest novel, Daire's Resolution. Enter the world of Daire Belgarde, the youngest of the Belgarde brothers, who resides in the heart of The Last Frontier. Despite the multitude of skeletons that have already danced their way out of the family's closet, Daire's identity remains the most alluring mystery of all. As if this wasn't enough, Daire grapples with another secret that makes his heart pound a tad too fiercely. He is in love with his boss, Silvia, and therein lies his paradox. To love a coworker can be a gamble, but when that person is your direct supervisor, it's an adventurous dance on thin ice. The fear of revealing his feelings becomes a torment, especially when they virtually live together for their 24-hour shifts. His days off are filled with the thrills of search-and-rescue missions with his Midnight Sons brothers, providing a necessary distraction from his longing for Silvia. Now, imagine Silvia, a woman who dared to conquer death at sixteen and resolved to be a rescue worker. She ran from her past, leaving behind her family, her home, and her identity to make a fresh start in Alaska. But as secrets tend to do, hers lurks menacingly in the shadows, threatening to shatter the life she painstakingly built. Her biggest fear is her past catching up to her or, worse, her loved ones. This very fear forbids her from succumbing to her feelings for Daire. Daire's Resolution is more than a thrilling romance; it's a cocktail of suspense, adventure, love, and the inevitable face-off with one's own past. It showcases the courage to love, even when the circumstances are less than ideal, and the strength to face one's fears. It's a testament to resilience and the power of the human spirit to fight, even when the battle seems almost impossible. 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. Let Daire's Resolution keep you company on a cozy evening or a hot day on vacation, pulling you into a world where the heartache of secret love and the thrill of uncovering secrets will leave you breathless and asking for more. Will Daire and Silvia find their way toward each other or lose themselves in the labyrinth of secrets? Only one way to find out. Daire's Resolution is available at all major book retailers! Daire's Resolution is a stand-alone story, but if you'd like to read the collection in order, visit the Midnight Sons Series page on Amazon.com.  Follow my newsletter or author pages to stay up-to-date on New Releases, Specials, and Writing Posts.
The Midnight Sons ~ Men as Wild and Rugged as The Last Frontier Itself Five brothers risk their lives to rescue those caught in the death grip of the Alaska wilderness...and find their hearts in danger of falling for women as tough as the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that 2020 is starting out great! As you might remember, I spent some time in Alaska a couple years ago after I decided to write a search-and-rescue series set in Alaska. And now, the first three of these stand-alone stories are coming out in the first half of this year! The Midnight Sons are five brothers who risk their lives to rescue those caught in the death grip of the Alaskan wilderness...and find their hearts in danger of falling for women as tough as the Land of the Midnight Sun. Book One - Sam's Folly When a bigwig fight promoter needs someone to search for his missing fiancée, he hires expert tracker Sam Belgarde and his search dogs. Sam is more than a little reluctant. His family's company, Search and Rescue Alaska, is in financial trouble, though, so if searching for a spoiled socialite will save it, then he's willing to break the rules--just this once. Read more Order from your favorite retailer now!
  Y'all probably thought I was kidding when I said I was going to offer three books back to back. BUT, the Midnight Sons are here!!! I hope you enjoy this new series of strong but gentle heroes and tough but tender heroines, all set in the beautiful state of Alaska! The Midnight Sons ~ Men as Wild and Rugged as The Last Frontier Itself Five brothers risk their lives to rescue those caught in the death grip of the Alaskan wilderness…and risk losing their hearts to women as tough as the Land of the Midnight Sun. The siren call of Alaska’s untamed wilderness, vast mountain ranges, and majestic glaciers draws thrill-seekers from around the globe. But with more unsolved missing-person cases than anywhere else in the world, the Alaska Triangle has an ominous reputation. Enter the Midnight Sons, five brothers who risk their lives to rescue those in peril. Being a hero isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, though. The pay sucks, as does the fact that the team leaders have to be ready to spring into action 24/7, 365 days a year—a lifestyle not conducive to a healthy love life. Worse, while the brothers are experts in their individual fields, they each harbor inner demons and secrets that threaten to tear their family apart… and jeopardize any chance of finding the women who could complete them. All three novels are available to order from your favorite retailer!
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