My Characters from Creatus, the Midnight Sons, and The Southern Collection Have Gone on Strike!4/1/2024  Dear Friends, I woke up this morning to an astonishing revelation that left me baffled, intrigued, and, I must admit, a little amused. It appears the characters from the Creatus series, The Southern Collection, and the Midnight Sons have chosen today, of all days, to go on strike. Yes, you read that right! My beloved characters have decided they deserve a day off until I give them what they want. As I tried to negotiate with them—a tricky feat, given their adamant stance on enjoying a bit of leisure—they've presented me with a list of demands. They're quite the imaginative bunch, as you well know. Here are a few of their requests: More Plot Twists: They're craving adventures that are even more labyrinthine and mind-bending. They want you, the readers, to be on the edge of your seats, guessing until the very last page. Exotic Locations for Future Stories: Our Southern charmers are looking to mix it up with the mystical beings from the Creatus universe in locations that span from the enchanting Land of the Noonday Sun in North Carolina to the Land of the Midnight Sun in Alaska. Crossover Cameos: In an unprecedented move, characters from The Southern Collection are negotiating cameo appearances alongside Sam and his team in Alaska to Derrick and the New England Creatus family, who will be soon gathering in Maine. Imagine the rich, Southern charm of Jordan and his friends and the tough Alaska rescue team meeting the secretive, supernatural world. The possibilities are endless! Okay, if you haven’t figured this out yet, this is definitely an April Fools' joke, started by Mike from the Creatus series. Only he would think up something like this. I let him go ahead with it because he’s so fun and lovable, but decided I better offer a peace offering for you, my dear readers. So, on this April Fools' Day, I've enter The Southern Collection into Kindle Unlimited, which means you can read the entire series free with your Kindle Unlimited subscription! If you are not familiar with Kindle Unlimited, you can read more about it on Amazon.com. Until next time, Happy Reading, and, remember, today is a day for laughter, surprises, and, of course, a little bit of mischief. Warmest regards, Carmen DeSousa  Follow my newsletter or author pages to stay up-to-date on New Releases, Specials, and Writing Posts.
0 Comments
"I've obviously read too many fairy tales..." When does the fairy tale aspect actually play out?2/9/2024  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, “I’ve obviously read too many fairytales...” But when I look back, the fairy tales weren’t all sunshine and roses. In fact, as I wrote in another post of mine, often the characters in what we tag as fairy tales were beaten, banished, orphaned, poisoned, lost, and on and on… So when does the fairy tale aspect actually play out? 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. The fact of the matter is a troubled past helps us appreciate a wonderful present. 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. I put my characters through trials and tribulations because I know that somewhere, someone can relate. Yes, there’s normally a knight in hidden armor, who usually requires some polishing before he’s fit to be a prince. But again, isn’t that what great relationships do? They feed off each other to become better partners. 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 of 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. And, yes, there is usually a knight in "hidden" armor, but the heroine has to go through A LOT of trials first. If you haven't read Entangled Dreams, it's available to read FREE with Kindle Unlimited! If you've already read it, Read The Southern Collection books with Kindle Unlimited! Follow my newsletter or author pages to stay up-to-date on New Releases, Specials, and Writing Posts.
 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! 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! 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! 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 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!  Follow my newsletter or author pages to stay up-to-date on New Releases, Specials, and Writing Posts!
Newsletter - BookBub - Amazon
To show her he's the hero she once loved, he must find her son...
Chinitna Bay, Alaska
Determined to give the woman he loves closure and win back her heart, Vince embarks on an all-out manhunt for her missing son. What he discovers, though, might be a death warrant for him and the woman he can’t lose again.
What readers are saying about the Midnight Sons series:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "An Alaskan Adventure... Who doesn't love a bad boy? Match him with a tough, independent female, and you have a dream couple!" -- TOP 100 VINE VOICE (Sam's Folly)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Suspense and sensual romance are expertly combined in this riveting story." -- AVP (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 and romance with a good storyline." -- Goodreads (Alex's Atonement)
For more info or to download, visit Amazon.com.
Vince's Chance is stand-alone story. However, if you'd like to meet all the Midnight Sons, you can find links to the series at all major book retailers.
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... 
Different men, different backgrounds, different lifestyles, all searching for meaning in their lives... Then, they meet the women who complete them.
 Jordan from She Belongs to Me Excerpt from She Belongs to Me: At that precise moment, the man sitting in her booth looked up from his menu, acknowledging her presence. Wow! Now she understood Amy’s grin and offer to assist. The man at her table was a real looker. Not in a generic Hollywood way. He was a genuine all-American, but striking male. The man’s face, chiseled and sculpted to perfection, stared back: square chin, high cheekbones, and angular nose, all framed by a neatly trimmed beard trailing up his jaw that only added to his rugged look. His hair was a deep brown, almost black, and cropped short, military-style. His build resembled an officer of some sort. His shoulders were broad and held back in perfect posture, and based on their width, she now understood the need for a larger booth. His eyes were the best, though. He had a lightly tanned complexion with dark brows, and beneath thick eyelashes were a set of arresting steel-blue eyes. They were beautiful. The shock of electricity that shot through her, though, was incapacitating. She couldn’t think; wow wasn’t quite enough to describe what she felt. Her feet felt as though they were rooted to the wood floor below her, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d just gawked at a complete stranger. Read the first chapter!  Chad from Land of the Noonday Sun Excerpt from Land of the Noonday Sun: If she compiled a list, Chad would fill it…right up until the chosen career line, which would probably be foremost. He was exactly the correct height, about six-foot tall, she guessed. He had dark hair with a small amount of curl that went whichever way it pleased but worked for him. His skin was dark from all the hours in the sun, she assumed, which caused his brilliant blue eyes to stand out. And his build…she sighed...his arms and shoulders were incredible. He looked as though he’d just stepped out of a Hollister advertisement. She shook her head to escape the ridiculous thoughts racing through her head. Remember the plan, Cassandra. This is merely a six-month detour, and then she was back on the plan. It wasn’t like her to get her head turned so easily; she was forever sensible. Read the first chapter!  Cameron from Entangled Dreams Excerpt from Entangled Dreams: Nicky held onto the stranger’s waist as he carefully drove out of the parking lot, nothing like Jonathan would have. He was handsome. He had one of those faces that was just pleasant to look at, one that you couldn’t help but trust. His face was round and kind looking with a tiny cleft in his chin. He didn’t smile much, but the one time he almost did, when she’d asked for a ride, she could see the semblance of a dimple on his cheek. His hair was sandy brown and his eyes a deep hazel. He was taller than she was, too, and that was saying a lot. A little overdressed, though. Why would anyone go out on a Saturday night in dress pants and a button-down collared shirt and tie? And on a motorcycle, nonetheless. Read the first chapter!  Tom from When Noonday Ends Excerpt from When Noonday Ends: Shelby examined Tom as he sat across from her. Man, he was good looking. She probably shouldn’t be thinking about things like that, but she couldn’t help it. He had the prettiest hazel eyes that stood out under long sun-bleached eyelashes. His hair was light brown, but it too had a natural hint of gold in it. He dug inside his briefcase. “So,” he began, as he removed a manila folder with her name written neatly across the tab, “they dropped the charges?” It was a question, not a statement. He folded his hands on the table and looked up at her for an explanation, it seemed. “I’m as shocked as you appear to be,” she admitted. One side of his mouth inched up as he leaned back and crossed his arms across his chest, revealing how well built his upper body was. “Well, at the moment, I’m still bound under attorney-client confidentiality. Care to elaborate? Since you told me that you struck your husband—excuse me, ex-husband—but it’d been done in self-defense. Are you in danger?” Read the first chapter! Hope you enjoyed this sneak peek at my leading men. You can find the complete collection at your favorite book retailer. Until next time, Happy Reading! Carmen
If you've already read all my books, follow one of my author pages for alerts on new releases and other specials!
Newsletter - BookBub - Amazon  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.
Find Love Until It Hurts at your favorite book retailer!
By the way... Love Until it Hurts is a stand-alone story -- without an evil cliffhanger.
However, if you want to read the first book in the Crazy Love Collection, you can find Love Like Crazy at Amazon.com or your favorite book retailer. Simply click on the link for your favorite retailer and grab a handful of treats that won't add to your waistline!
While the characters in Love Like Crazy are only eighteen, this is not "young-adult fiction." Jesse and Kayla's story is my traditional thread of romance, a gentle pull on your heart strings, a touch of suspense about what's going to happen next, and of course, learning to heal and live again after a tragedy... Oh, and while this will be a series, Love Like Crazy is a stand-alone story. No cliffhanger!
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!   How do I keep myself and family from going insane during my up-and-down emotions, especially over family get-togethers or major life events... How do I use my personal strengths and weakness to my advantage... I write during and about them. I keep a running notepad on my iPhone of my thoughts and feelings throughout normal events, such as eating out, grocery shopping, vacations, holidays with family, and children’s events. Anything that will make my characters more believable. But, I also go one-step further. After all, how do you write about a character's tragic death when you just spent a great day with friends and family over a holiday weekend. Sometimes I can. Occasionally, when all is perfect, the writing flows effortlessly, but other times it doesn't. So, if I am experiencing a particularly strong emotion, I'll seek out a scene in my Work In Progress that requires that sentiment, reread, and almost always edit accordingly. When I am feeling down, I seek out a troublesome period in my protagonist’s life, be it past or present. My depression works to my advantage because the words on the page reflect my inner turmoil. The reader will feel the character’s pain and be able to empathize. And a plus, after pouring out my frustrations--as though I've spoken to a good friend, who only listens--I usually feel better when the section is finished. When I am happy, my joy spreads like wildfire, and so the reader will sense my excitement and therefore feel the happiness my characters are experiencing. Romantic... Well, you get the idea. The reader should feel as though she is a part of the scene, as if she is the main character or, at minimum, a close friend. Isn’t that what a great novel should accomplish? The reader should feel chills spread down her arms and butterflies in her stomach at the idea of a first kiss. Her pulse should race as if she is prey in a game of cat and mouse, and when appropriate, she should even shed a tear. So if you're like me and fret when all the extended family is around, and somehow you got the job of managing the food for a small army, don't get upset. Delegate! Then sneak away and jot down what your mother did to upset you. How Uncle Joey dressed for the event. How cute all the new kids acted who were finally old enough to play with the sparklers. In other words, use your emotions, happy or sad! And if you're not a writer, that's okay...trust me, it still helps to write it down. And since you'll probably need a mental escape at some point this week, grab my new release so you'll have something to read when you slip away, and see how Jana Embers deals with her lying, cheating husband of fifteen years and her new life as a single woman. Until next time, Happy Reading and Writing!
Some Lucky Woman
Amazon – Amazon Worldwide Add Audible! Also available on... Nook – iTunes – Kobo – Google Play |
FIRSTS IN SERIES
Categories
All
Archives
July 2024
 |
RSS Feed