 According to the inventors of "Blah, Blah, Blah Day," we should celebrate by doing things that people have been nagging us about. Example: Start eating healthy, quit smoking, clean the garage, get a new job... The thought is that once you do some of these things, you won't hear "blah, blah, blah" anymore! 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!
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 March 8th is International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. In my little book world, EVERY DAY is International Women's Day! 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. One of my favorite stories I penned is Unlucky In Love, the prequel to Some Lucky Woman. The novella is a contemporary women's fiction, featuring a thirty-something divorcee who's trying to figure out where she fits in the world and if she can ever love and trust a man again. Unlucky In Love is not a man-bashing book; instead, it shows Jana's strengths and triumphs, when she lets go and moves on. If you've already read Some Lucky Woman, you've already read Unlucky In Love, as it's now Part One of Jana's three-part story. If you haven't read Some Lucky Woman, you don't have to. Unlucky In Love is a stand-alone story and my gift to you. Simply download the complimentary eBook and read on any eReader, Smartphone, Tablet, or P.C.
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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!
More Great Deals and Kindle Unlimited Specials!
No Perfect Secret - Romantic Suspense, Women's Fiction Until I Die Again - Romantic Suspense with a Supernatural Edge Lonely Heart - Romantic Women's Fiction, Multicultural
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Newsletter - BookBub - Amazon BELIEVE IT!!!! This crust checks all the boxes! Easy 💠 Fast 💠 Tasty 💠 High Protein 💠 Low Calorie 💠 Budget Friendly  This recipe makes about a 9-inch crust, but you can double it for a larger pizza.  I don't share difficult recipes. The recipes I share are designed that you can download the image to your Smartphone. That way you can just prop up your phone and cook away! So, the next image is just that, the complete recipe on on photocard. If you have additional questions, just reply to this post, and I'll help out in any way I can. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I don't stick to a strict KETO diet. Instead, I watch my calories, and I limit sugary and high-carb foods. As I said above, this crust clicks all the boxes, weighing in at about 220 calories, 1.5 net carbs, and a whopping 39 grams of protein, thanks to the crust being nearly 100% egg whites and pea protein. Even after I add MY pizza sauce and veggie toppings, I get a delicious and satisfying pizza for less than 400 calories! Don't have pea protein? Run out and get some today because it's worth it! For the record, I use Anthony's Premium Pea Protein. If you buy a large bag, this crust, including the price of eggs, comes out to be about $1.50. It's WAYYYY cheaper and less carbs than those icky cauliflower crusts. Sorry. I'm just not a fan! Also, you don't have to use a cast-iron skillet, but I highly recommend it. I keep my skillet in the oven, seasoned and ready to go. One quick note: After you pre-cook the crust on the parchment paper, remove the paper and then cook right in the pan! YUMMY! Oh, and since you're going to want to make this crust all the time, you're going to have a lot of yolks hanging around. No problem, just make sure you sign up for my newsletter, as I'll be sharing the easiest and yummiest keto dessert you've ever had as well as my plant-based sausage marinara sauce over the next few weeks.  Oh, and if you want something to read while you're cooking and eating, "Down on Her Luck," a thirty-something chick lit with a hint of romance and humor, pairs well with this yummy dish! Grab it from your favorite retailer now!
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Newsletter - BookBub - Amazon  Well, let's look at a couple definitions... ROMANCE: NOUN a novel or other prose narrative depicting heroic or marvelous deeds, pageantry, romantic exploits, etc., usually in a historical or imaginary setting: the colorful world, life, or conditions depicted in such tales. Marvelous deeds? Imaginary setting? Tales? Come on!!! That's not what romance is! No wonder readers -- people in general ... MEN -- get confused. I'd like to think that I'm living a romance because my husband does romantic things. When he surprises me with a mini-vacation, sends me cute little text messages, gives me sweet gifts, cleans the house before I get home, kisses me sweetly when I don't expect it... That's romantic, so doesn't it make sense that we're living in a ROMANCE story. Let's take a look at the words that define love: Profoundly tender Passionate affection Personal attachment Deep affection Sexual passion Desire Ahh... That's better! So why do we define books as contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, romantic comedy, romantic mystery, and romantic thriller? For the record, I wish there was another word other than "romantic" to describe what I write. Funny that they don't have a genre called "Love-Suspense Novel," since according to the definition, it would work better. Even though when I think of a "love story," the first thing that comes to my mind is the movie Love Story or Romeo and Juliet, and I certainly don't write that!!! The fact of the matter is ... I don't write romances either. I don't write about fanciful events leading up to the characters falling in love. I write about a love that went wrong. Love that started on the rocks and went through tragedies, or love stories that are surrounded by a life-threatening event, a murder mystery, secret pasts, on the run, mistakes... And sometimes, I write about a love that never happened that should have...like the one below. Not sure if many readers know this, but many websites don't even have options for women's fiction, chick lit, or romantic suspense; they have ROMANCE!!! That's it!!!! And sadly, some readers see the tag "romance," and they immediately think of a shirtless Fabio sweeping a half-dressed woman off her feet. My only answer is to try like heck to tell readers in the description EXACTLY what kind of romance you're getting when you download my books! So, read the description and take a chance on one of my romances... Here's One! A Thirty-Something Chick Lit with a Hint of Romance & Humor Or should I say, a Hint of Love...??? I'll let you decide!
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Dear Friend,
My wish for you is that 2021 is everything you hope for! Your best year ever!!! My New Year's Goal... I'm going to try to write more and worry less! After all, and I'll quote since no one says it better: "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his/her life?" And since I know you are an avid reader like me, I'm offering FREE Audiobooks so you get more reading in your life, which IMHO, leads to less stress. If you're new to my books, check out the FREE eBooks listed after the audiobooks and my new releases and pre-order! Happy New Year! Carmen
Choose your FREE audiobook from this selection!
Not sure which title to pick, choose from the genre! Or visit my Amazon.com Audiobook Page for more info on all my audiobooks.
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Newly Released and Coming Soon!
 I love Christmas! I love the traditions, family, gifts…the food. But I also grew up poor and, oftentimes, wondered why other kids got presents that I didn’t. As I got older, I saw the realities of the world and realized how lucky I was. While I didn’t get the Barbie Dreamhouse I wanted, I did have a Barbie doll, and we always had a roof over our head and food on the table. Some children aren’t so lucky… When our boys were young, my husband, who was a police officer at the time, worked with the local community and knew the families who had rough breaks. The police department spent months collecting food and toys, and then took them to the hard-working families who needed help on Christmas. The faces of the beautiful children…and the tears of the appreciative parents were unforgettable. Our sons learned something, too. When they saw how wide-eyed a little boy was to receive a Tonka truck, they were more appreciative Christmas morning when they got their Nintendo or Sega…or whatever was popular that year. Someone once said that if a group of people wrote their problems on a sheet of paper and tossed them in a basket and passed that basket around and traded problems, most people would choose to keep their problems. Obviously, no one can prepare for the tragedy that happens in the blink of an eye, but is it possible that we learn to deal with what we have—or don’t have? I think so. I've been through a lot in life, and yet, writing has helped me. So, when a good friend suggested I write a Dear Santa story, I wanted to bring to life a story of a woman who, like me, didn’t realize how lucky she had it…and forgot about her dreams…or assumed she wasn’t powerful enough to make her dreams come true—personally and professionally. I hope you enjoy my story of hope. Hope for a single mother…her son…and the children who live on the poor side of Chicago. Chicago Hope is now available! Download Now or Click the Excerpt Banner to Read the First Three Chapters!
 
So you know... I don't hate Valentine's Day at all. I'm not big on cut flowers, as they die and make a mess of my kitchen, but...I always loved the jealous looks of coworkers when the delivery gal came strolling in with a beautiful bouquet. Hehehe... Note: If you send flowers, send them to your partner's workplace. IMHO
So, why do I ask: "Who hates Valentines' Day?" Easy, because imagine you've been married fifteen years, gave up your career, spent your life taking care of your husband and son, only to find out your husband got another woman pregnant... That's rhetorical, of course. You'd be mad! With good reason!!! Unlike many women's fiction books about divorce, Jana's story starts AFTER she's kicks out the lying, two-timing jerk. Some Lucky Woman is about being thirty-something, and not knowing who you are and what you like because your entire adult life has been spent making other people happy. And now, without further ado, in Jana's words, here's why she's not gonna let Valentine's Day get her down...
“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. READ MORE 
And if you haven't heard, I have a new series out... 
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 find their hearts in danger of falling for women as tough as the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Looking for one of my other bestsellers?
All of my books are available at all major eBook retailers! Click your favorite site to find them!
Christmas in July Giveaways! Grab your free reads and enjoy an escape from the summer heat!7/16/2018 
If you need to catch up with the Creatus series before the new spin-off series release...
Grab the first five books in one set here! 
This deal is not available at any retailer. You must request this freebie from me. However, if you'd like to learn more about the books or buy your own copy, or if you've already read them, perhaps you would consider posting a review...simply click the image for the description and retailer links, then come back and request the one you want!
 Hurry! Only valid while supplies last!!!
Simply reply to this newsletter or email me CARMEN (@) CARMENDESOUSA (dot) COM & I'll send you a Kindle gift code for ONE of these books! One per subscriber please! Happy Summer!!!  To me...every day is International Women's Day. I'm not sure what the world is celebrating today, but I want you to know that every day is YOUR day, in my opinion, the reason I write stories to let women know they are NOT alone. One of my favorite stories that shows a woman's strengths and triumphs is Some Lucky Woman, a contemporary women's fiction with a hint of humor and romance, featuring a thirty-something divorcee who's trying to figure out where she fits in the world and if she can ever love and trust a man again.. If you'd like to read part one, download the novella "Unlucky In Love" simply by clicking one of the formats below. The eBook is not available -- LEGALLY -- anywhere but on one of my websites. This is my gift to you. ePub (works on Apple and Samsung Devices, and most eReaders) MOBI (works on Kindle and most devices with Kindle App) If you'd rather just download all three parts from your favorite retailer, I've attached links below.
Or... Simply click on your favorite book retailer.
Since I just republished all my audio books, I want to get the word out about this great way to hear the books you love come alive.
The rules are simple...
Simply fill out your request before all the freebies are gone! If I still have the tile you want, it's yours! Not sure which book you want? Find my complete line-up on Amazon.com!
Fill out my online form.
It's here!!! If you've been following along with me for the last few months, you may have heard that there's a new release in my line of contemporary women's fiction with a hint of humor and romance.
Down on Her Luck is now available at all major eBook retailers! Amazon - Google Play - Nook - iTunes - Kobo Also available on Audible! While Down on Her Luck is a stand-alone story -- and no cliffhanger -- the story runs parallel with the last part of Some Lucky Woman. Some Lucky Woman is available at all major eBook retailers! Amazon US / Worldwide - Nook - iBooks - Kobo - Google Play Also available on Audible!
Every single one of my books are now available on Audible. To celebrate, I'm giving away FREE copies to the first hundred readers who request them.
Fill out your request here! If you don't receive my newsletter yet, you can subscribe here. You'll receive a free copy of Entangled Dreams just for signing up. And no worries, I only send out a newsletter when I have a special or a new release. At most, I usually send out a couple emails a month.
Amazon - Google Play - iTunes - Nook - Kobo - Smashwords
For a limited time, I will be selling New, Unread, Signed, First-Edition Paperback Copies, here! Hello, my avid-reading friends! Lots of new stuff on the horizon. First, I now have all the links for my newest release, Down on Her Luck, the follow-up story to Some Lucky Woman. Find links to both books at your favorite retailer here:
Next.... Due to popular demand... There will be more books in the Creatus series. However...they will be stand-alone stories, as I just don't know if I have it in me to write an ongoing storyline. It's a lot of work, my friends. :) The next book in the Creatus series -- again because I've listened to your reviews, so keep them coming -- will continue R & V's story. I don't want to give away any secrets to those who haven't read the series yet, so I'll just say that R is going back to Miami, where he worked with the DEA. The working title is Creatus Takedown and, of course, I'll be looking to you guys when I choose the cover. I'm thinking we need to see R on the cover this time. What do you guys think? If you haven't read the Creatus series yet, start with the first book here, absolutely FREE!  Why I CAN'T offer anything but the first books in my series free...even though I'd love to.8/8/2016  It's not that I wouldn't love to put ALL of my books on promotion, I WOULD, believe me. Funny thing that many readers may not know ... most authors actually make more money on books when they offer a book FREE for a limited time. Offering a book FREE creates a buzz, reaches new readers, and qualifies for great advertising through book blogs such as eReader News Today and Book Bub. But the reason I can't -- or won't -- offer anything other than the first book in a series free is because, in my opinion, it does a disservice to many readers. Many readers may not have read the first book in the series ... and sadly, even when I state that the book is part of a series on the cover or in the book description, many readers don't read the "full" description when they find the books on a book site ... or they get upset because they have to pay full price for the first book in order to enjoy the book special. This is particularly important when a book is offered FREE. Often, readers simply don't read the description when a book is free, especially when it's advertised on a site they trust ... like Book Bub or eReader News Today. I know many authors still offer their second, third, and fourth books in a series "free for a limited time," but ... as much as I'd love to make the extra money, it just isn't worth it to me to upset my avid-reading friends by forcing them to buy the first book to get the second free, or when a reader invests time into a book, only to realize something is missing because they didn't know there was a "first" book, which leads to poor reviews, which no author can afford. I made that mistake once before -- I have the poor reviews to prove it -- so I'll never do it again. I do, however, ALWAYS offer the rest of my books for "less than a latte" each, some permanently priced as low as $0.99. And here's the GREAT news, if you follow my newsletter and/or this blog, I almost always offer freebies and giveaways of eBooks, Audio Books, and even print books, on occasion, because if you've followed my newsletter, I know there's a good chance you've already read my "firsts." Also, the "firsts" in my series CAN be read on their own. Of course, I hope you'll want to read the next in the series or collections, but you don't HAVE to. I always finish the current situation, and then usually just add a lead in to the next.
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. I love talking about all things books, so if you want more posts on writing, marketing books, and new releases, and giveaways, please leave your email address here. I usually only send out a post once a week at the most. :)
Until next time, happy reading and writing, my friends. Carmen |
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