 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 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. Here are a few of my romantic suspense novels with twists you might like! Click an image to read an excerpt online!
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 Isn’t it the truth? Doesn't a great book just take you away? 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. If you're ready to fall in love, solve a mystery, laugh, cry, gasp, have hope for a happily ever after, and most of all just escape for a few hours, try one of my stories. 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
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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  We authors are an eclectic bunch; we have to be. How else could we design the multitude of characters needed to create a work of fiction? In every story there must be a protagonist, most know this, but... Without an archenemy, be it a person, a character flaw, or a psychosis, where would the conflict stem? If we as writers cannot imagine — get into the heads of — different emotional aspects of characters, how could ALL the characters be believable? It's easy to design a protagonist after yourself or even someone you know. But how do you create a character whose mind you never really want to be a part of in the first place? Research is one way, tons of it. But you also have to possess the ability to identify with the psyche of someone you'd rather not understand. You have to put yourself in their shoes, recognize they are people. They may be the "bad guys," but they typically have families, go to work, and play just like the rest of us. A truly believable character must have some normal human characteristics, or he or she won't be believable -- yes, I like a woman to be the "bad guy" sometimes. Yes, they may be the "bad guys," but they still live, work, and socialize in the real world. Oftentimes, they are our co-workers, next door neighbors, friends, or heaven forbid, our relatives. And sometimes, the "bad guy," may grow and no longer be the bad guy. That happens, too. Sometimes, we as people learn from our mistakes and no longer want to live as the "bad guy." Want to see how I blend the good and the bad with all my characters, as they all have a little of both? Click one of the links below for a little more about what I write. My stories are available in eBook, print, and audiobook formats at your favorite retailer. I'll even give you a free book just for stopping by. From there, all my stories are priced "less than a latte" each so you can afford to READ UP and enjoy!
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Newsletter - BookBub - Amazon  NOTE: Beards, tattoos, height, body build, and few other exterior attributes are the differences between alpha and sigma males; it's their mindset. Alphas are usually at the top, Betas follow, and Sigmas don’t fit a standard mold. Read on for a better explanation of these two archetypes. In recent years, the Alpha Male and Sigma Male have emerged as popular character archetypes in romantic suspense novels. While both types of characters may possess strong personalities and leadership qualities, there are some key differences between them that set them apart. First, let’s define what I mean by an Alpha Male. The Alpha Male is the traditional strong, confident, and assertive male character. He is often the leader of the pack, who is not afraid to take charge in most situations. Often, he is the person in control, and his confidence and assertiveness are often seen as attractive to the female protagonist. Alpha Males in a novel are typically powerful, domineering, and confident. On the other hand, the Sigma Male is a more recent archetype that has emerged in literature. A Sigma Male is often seen as an outsider, someone who doesn’t fit into the traditional Alpha Male mold. They tend to be more introverted, and they are not as concerned with fitting in with the crowd. They often possess a strong sense of self and self-reliance, and they are not afraid to question the status quo. They can be more mysterious and less predictable than Alpha Males. Sigma Males in a novel are often seen as mysterious and enigmatic. Second, the Alpha Male and Sigma Male usually have different approaches to relationships. Alpha Males tend to be more dominant and are often the ones who take the lead. They are not afraid to make the first move, and they are often seen as the ones who are in control. They may also be more possessive and jealous, and may not be as open to compromise in a relationship. Sigma Males, on the other hand, tend to be more independent and less interested in being in charge of a relationship. They are not as likely to make the first move, and they may be more reserved in expressing their feelings. They may be more comfortable in being equal partners with the other person and not needing to be in the lead role. They may also be more open to communication and compromise. Lastly, the Alpha Male and Sigma Male have different approaches to solving problems. Alpha Males tend to be more assertive, and they are often the first to take action. They are not afraid to confront a problem head-on, and they may use force to solve it if needed. They are often seen as confident problem solvers. Sigma Males, however, tend to be more thoughtful and introspective. They may not be as quick to take action, but they are more likely to take a step back and consider all options before making a decision. They may be more likely to use tact and diplomacy to solve problems, instead of brute force. They can be more strategic and use unconventional methods to achieve their goals. While both archetypes can be interesting and complex characters, I realize one or the other might appeal to different readers and play different roles in the story. Personally, while some of my male characters might have one area where they seem Alpha-like, nearly all of my male characters are Sigma Males. Personal preference plays out in my stories, I guess. 😊 Comments Welcome! What Say You? Did you know there was a difference between Alpha and Sigma Males? Do you have a preference? What books have you read lately that you can clearly see the difference in the types of characters? 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. Find all my books at your favorite book retailer in eBook, Paperback, and Audio! Amazon US - Amazon Worldwide Google Play iTunes Kobo Barnes & Noble Audible Chirp Audiobooks My books featuring some of my favorite Sigma Male Leads!
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Newsletter - BookBub - Amazon  "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!  Follow my newsletter or author pages to stay up-to-date on New Releases, Specials, and Writing Posts!
Newsletter - BookBub - Amazon  “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) 
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Newsletter - BookBub - Amazon 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  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. Grab Daire's Resolution now!  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 While you're waiting for Daire's Story, take a look at... What I've been reading!
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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
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Newsletter - BookBub - Amazon 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  Follow my newsletter or author pages to stay up-to-date on New Releases, Specials, and Writing Posts!
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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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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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New to my books, grab these FREE Bestsellers!
Newly Released and Coming Soon!
Sam Belgarde never wanted to be the head of his family’s search & rescue team, but when life dumps responsibilities in your lap, you either run away or step up. Sam stepped up. He also never wanted to be a hero, but he and his search dogs can sense danger a mile away… And Nora Molina is Danger with a Capital D, and Sam doesn't run from danger.
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When Erik Belgarde sets off to find the truth about his past, he encounters Kimi Bennett, a woman running from her present… Erik remembers the day Adam Belgarde found him in the forest. He remembers the day Adam brought him home to Claire Belgarde and his new brothers. Erik grew up with everything a child could want: a mother and father who loved him, who came to his rescue when he had night terrors, who greeted him with the same loving smiles and hugs they offered their own children. The love of his adopted family had made it possible for Erik to suppress the memory of the couple screaming at each other, waiting for their wrath to turn his way. As far as he knew, his real parents had died in the woods, and Adam Belgarde had rescued him. Now he discovers it was all a lie… The Belgardes lied to him from the beginning. Why? While searching for answers about his past, Erik witnesses a runaway horse and runs head-on into Kimi Bennett — literally — while trying to rescue a child. Although Erik and Kimi 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. 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) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Realistic, emotional read." -- TOP 100 VINE VOICE (Vince's Chance) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "More complex than you average romance... As it moved along, I was sitting in my chair finishing the book (for a couple of hours) instead of fixing dinner.." -- AVP (Vince's Chance) 
The last thing Sam Belgarde has time for is to tramp through the Alaska wilderness chasing a spoiled socialite, especially when he discovers she’s the mystery woman who stole his heart then stood him up. But the reward her fiancé offered will save his family’s struggling search & rescue company, so he’ll bend the rules just this once. Once he finds Nora Molina, however, things get tricky. They’re both keeping secrets. She’s obviously running from something — or someone — and they’re having trouble fighting the heat between them. Making matters worse, someone wants them to stay lost in the wilderness…permanently. What readers are saying about the Midnight Sons... ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "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
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Suspense and sensual romance are expertly combined in this riveting story." -- AVP ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Suspense and romance with a good storyline." -- Goodreads
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.
Take advantage of your time at home!!! Read!!! Since many are out of work right now, I'm going to lighten your load. I'm offering three of my bestselling First-In-Series Books absolutely FREE, so please share with your friends! For those of you who've already read these books, let me know which of my follow-up books you'd like. If I have a coupon for it, it's YOURS! Only exclusions are the Midnight Sons series, since Amazon hasn't given me coupons for them yet. AND...if that's not enough... How about some FREE audiobooks to chase away cabin fever! Ask and you shall receive...any of my audiobooks!!! Simply email me: Carmen @ CarmenDeSousa . com, and it's yours! Hurry! Once I'm out, I'm out!  Derrick's desire to save one human girl will ignite a war... For four thousand years, creatus have concealed themselves from the humans who hunted them almost to extinction. Unwittingly, one creatus will endanger them all... In his quest to protect the woman he can never have, a twist of faith propels him into a role that will cause dissension among his family and endanger the anonymity that they've spent thousands of years protecting. Now, he will risk everything to save the girl from humans and his own kind. The one thing he can't save her from, however...is herself. This 2-book set is FREE at all major eBook retailers! Download from Amazon.com now! Find links to all sites here!
  Alex Belgarde has carried the guilt of his father’s death for more than ten years. Every year, as his family’s company falls deeper into debt, the guilt eats away more of his soul until there’s only one answer. Prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to save his father’s legacy, Alex takes off on a frigid winter day with no radio and very little fuel in his seaplane. He’s using up the last of his reserve tank, preparing to drop from the sky, when he sees plane wreckage below. Irene Rose has spent her life running away and chasing her dream. But after a possible terminal diagnosis, she realizes how lonely her life has become and is ready to forgive her sister and beg for her family’s forgiveness. Instead of arriving on the island of her birth, Irene finds herself stranded on an uninhabited island in the Gulf of Alaska. Unbeknownst to her, the pilot of the plane she chartered was a drug runner, so he didn’t alert authorities as they crashed. While Alex’s illogical idea to save his father’s company is thwarted because of his compulsion to help, he finds purpose in offering aid to the beautiful and intelligent Irene. The attraction is mutual until Irene persuades Alex to tell her the real reason he can’t merely fly them to safety or call for help. Now the two castaways will have to fight the harsh winter elements, as well as the drug smugglers who lost their cargo in the wreck, if they want to make it home alive. Not easy tasks when Irene refuses to trust Alex to get her home safely. She simply can’t get over the fact that as talented, tough, and tantalizing as he is, he was going to throw his life away. Especially when her life will probably be cut short. For the first time in his life, Alex will have to face his demons instead of running from them to win the girl and prove to himself that he’s a real hero…
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... 
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When life gives you broken eggs, make quiche!
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