"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.
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My author journey to twenty-six books and an International Bestseller with more than 8500 reviews!1/22/2024  Reflecting on the journey from my first book, She Belongs to Me, published in December 2011, to now releasing my twenty-sixth novel, I'm struck by the remarkable transformation not just in my writing, but in my life as an author. She Belongs to Me is a suspenseful romantic mystery that marked the beginning of a thrilling and fulfilling path. Now, as I prepare to release Creatus Sovereign, I realize how much has changed and yet, how my core storytelling elements have remained the same. When I started, I was driven by a passion for storytelling, creating characters that readers could connect with, and weaving plots that kept them on the edge of their seats. She Belongs to Me is a testament to that passion. It's about a troubled police officer, Jordan Monroe, and Jaynee, a woman with a past she wants to bury. Their story is one of love, secrets, and danger, elements that have remained a constant in my books. Over the years, my writing has evolved. I've grown more confident in my style, and my stories have become more intricate. With each book, I've strived to create a world that readers can immerse themselves in, feel the emotions of the characters, and be a part of their journey. The industry has transformed dramatically since 2011. The rise of digital publishing and social media has changed how authors connect with readers and market their books. I've embraced these changes, engaging with readers through my blog, newsletter, and social media platforms. It's been a journey of learning and adapting, but it's allowed me to reach a wider audience and connect with my avid reading friends in ways I never thought possible. Writing, for me, has always been more than just telling stories. It's about touching lives, sparking emotions, and providing an escape. I've seen this impact through the comments and messages from readers, and it's what keeps me motivated. The joy and satisfaction I get from reading a positive review or hearing how my books have affected someone's life is immeasurable. Reflecting on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for my readers, who've been with me every step of the way. Their support has been my strength, and their enthusiasm has been my inspiration. As I look forward to the future, I am excited about the new stories waiting to be told, the new characters waiting to be brought to life, and the new adventures waiting to be shared. In closing, whether you've been with me since She Belongs to Me (Romantic Suspense) or have just discovered my Creatus Series (Paranormal Romance), and maybe you don’t usually cross over genres, here’s your invitation to read both bestsellers!
If you’ve read all of my books, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here's to many more stories, adventures, and shared moments! Until next time, Happy Reading! Carmen Follow my newsletter or author pages to stay up-to-date on New Releases, Specials, and Writing Posts.
 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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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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Newsletter - BookBub - Amazon
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 
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!
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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!
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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
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Newsletter - BookBub - Amazon 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!!! Wanderlust should be my middle name... MOVING SALE! Paperback books only $4.99! Includes S&H!5/7/2018  If you've been hanging out with me for any length of time, you're probably aware that I move--A LOT. Yeah...I know, we're sick. I mean, after all, who wants to pack up an entire house every year or so??? But, adventure calls! It's how I can write so many stories set in different locales. And it's also great news for you because I'm trying to lighten my load. I just ordered a new batch of paperbacks for book signings, and the last thing I need is to move more boxes. So, here's the deal! You can order any of my available paperback books this month for only $4.99! Price INCLUDES shipping & handling! Order via PayPal here! Make sure you include which book you want, the name you want me to address the book to, and where you want it shipped. Hurry! This is a first-come first-served sale. When I'm out, the sale is over. To get the special price, you must order through PayPal. Amazon does not offer this deal. But if you'd like to learn more about a book, or to buy the eBook version, click any image.
 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.
What are you doing this weekend?
If you're like me, you'll be curling up by the fire instead of fighting traffic. Gimme a great read and a goblet of wine, and that's all the New Year's celebration I need. Even if you like to go out, you'll need to curl up the next day, so I have some great freebies and deals to ring in the New Year!
Firsts in Three of my Bestselling Series
Available at all retailers!
In other news... There's so much coming in 2018, it was easier to record a message. This is my first go at making a video, though, so please forgive me for it not being very professional. :) 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!
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