Do you REVIEW? Doesn't have to be long. Readers-and authors-just want to know if you liked.

As an author, I know I can't please everyone. I've given up on thinking that I can a long time ago. What I now concentrate on are the good things. Don't get me wrong, I love critical reviews, as long as the reviewer writes to inform and assist, not attack an author.

I've taken to heart my critical reviews and make certain I don't make the same mistakes twice. I don’t use an editor, so sometimes things get overlooked. Heck, errors slip by in New York Times Bestsellers. Don’t believe me... Look at your copy of Twilight—I know you have a copy…LOL!—there’s a mistake in the first chapter.

"The room was familiar; it had been belonged to me since I was born."

This was an easy slip; she’d obviously been tossing between, “it had belonged to me” or “it had been mine”. BUT…it didn’t affect my review. I liked the story. Though juvenile in some respects, it was original and romantic. But, I also didn’t discount the book because I thought it was juvenile; after all, it’s a young adult, so that wouldn’t be fair. And yet, I see reviewers do that. 

What really gets me are the attacks against the characters. If a reader doesn’t like a book, that is fine. It is their opinion, and they have every right to review as they wish. BUT…giving away spoilers and criticizing the writer because of the characters doesn’t seem right to me. I was reading reviews of Safe Harbor by Nicholas Sparks the other day, and some of the vicious comments appalled me. One reader claimed that the villain wasn’t scary, basically criticized the heroine for escaping an abusive marriage. Then she went on to say she reads Sparks’ books when she needs a good laugh. Really? Does she have nothing better to do with her life? Why would you continue to read an author you don't like?

Now, can I finish this post by saying thank you to the readers who write honest and heartfelt reviews? I don’t just mean the five-star reviews. I’m talking about any reader who takes the time to write an honest review without attacking and/or writing spoilers.

And if you loved a book, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE take the time to review. Sadly, people are quick to attack, but not as hurried to commend. I get emails, blog comments, Twitter, and Facebook replies all the time about how much a reader loved my book, but they don’t write a review.

Please don’t be afraid because you don’t like to write. Readers—and authors—just want to know you liked or didn’t like. We don’t need a long synopsis. Just a sentence or two is wonderful in my opinion. :)

And lastly, if you as the reader/author love a review, please make certain you thank the reviewer for taking the time, by clicking ‘Yes’ if the review was helpful.

Thank you, readers, for taking the time!

Until next time, happy reading, friends!

Carmen

If you would like to read a little more about what I write, follow the links below. My stories are available in print and eBook formats at your favorite retailer. You can download my mini-mysteries with a paranormal edge absolutely FREE or start with my romantic-suspense bestseller She Belongs to Me for only .99 cents. From there, all my stories are priced 'less than a latte', so READ UP and enjoy!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

Amazon UK

I love talking about all things books, so please connect with me via one of the links below.

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#NewRelease: RECLAIM MY HEART by bestselling author @DonnaFaz #ContemporaryRomance #Drama

Sixteen years ago, Tyne Whitlock cut all ties to her past and left town under the shameful shadow of a teenage pregnancy. Now her fifteen-year-old son is in trouble with the law and she is desperate for help. But reaching out to high-powered attorney Lucas Silver Hawk will tear open the heart-wrenching past in ways Tyne never imagined.

Forced to return to the Delaware Indian community where Lucas was raised, Tyne and Lucas are tempted by the heated passion that consumed them as teens. Tyne rediscovers all the reasons she found this man irresistible, but there are scandalous secrets waiting to be revealed, disgraceful choices made in the past that cannot be denied. Love is a powerful force that could heal them both—if the truth doesn't rip them apart.

Donna Fasano is a three-time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, and a Golden Heart finalist. Her books have sold over 3.6 million copies worldwide and have been published in nearly two dozen languages. In her newest story, “You'll love the twists and turns in this fabulous romance by the queen of romances.”

Download Reclaim My Heart:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Thanks for stopping by, please visit my bio for more information about what I write and what I like to read and share. 

Until next time, happy reading!

Carmen DeSousa

Write what you know, even if some readers don't believe you. #AmWriting #MyWana #Blog

 

A writer once told me that all first-time authors write their autobiography, even if tagged fiction. While I don’t believe that’s completely true, after all, some first-time authors write about vampires and shape shifters, I do think there’s a modicum of truth to that statement. In other words, even if an author writes a work of fiction, there are usually many elements of the story that are factual, and I’d venture to guess that at minimum, a new author will probably pattern characters after people they know.

When my professor suggested to “Write what you know.” —a quote often attributed to Mark Twain, but some say it is much older—I wasn’t certain if I really wanted to do it. After all, who would believe me?

Here are a few subjects I know:

Child abuse

Sexual abuse

Drug abuse

Alcohol abuse

Abandonment

Rape

Suicide

Depression

Belief in God

The power to over come

Love at first sight

Stalkers

Crime

Tragedies

Police

A new family

Happily ever after

Hey, I'm married to a cop; I've seen a lot. The problem is…does anyone want to read that? Well, I guess that depends. If you put it into a story, add a little as Hollywood refers to it: Based on a true story, but dramatic elements have been added for the sake of artistic expression. Then, yeah, some people will believe because more than likely they can identify with a character and/or a situation. And while they can enjoy an escape into a fictional story, they may take something from it.

The funny thing is most of the stories throughout history are based on a couple of key elements. Though they may not all be in the same story, ‘love at first sight’, ‘family tragedy’, or ‘a vicious crime’ are often the basis of a work of literary fiction. Fairy tales did it, suspense-thrillers do it, it’s a great start.

So if you don’t believe one or more elements of a story, does that make it a bad story? You may not believe in ‘love at first sight’, but readers love it. In fact, even movies that aren’t tagged as ‘love at first site’, usually have a hero and heroine thrust into an incredibly unbelievable situation, and they are all of the sudden willing to die for each other. Of course, there are many classics, Romeo and Juliet, ‘all the fairy tales’, even the The Godfather.

Well, as I mentioned in the above list, these are all the things I write about. Why? Because it’s what I know.

So, let me share one tidbit of information with the unbelievers of the world: I called my grandmother after my first date with my husband and told her I’d just met the man I was going to marry. Thirteen days later, he asked me to marry him. Thirty days later, we married, and we’ve been married twenty-three years.

Yes, I believe in 'love at first sight', yes, I write modern-day fairy tales filled with tragedy, mystery, suspense, hope, and above all, romance, because I’m living one. I’ll leave the rest of ‘what I know’ to your imagination.

If you would like to read a little more about what I write, follow the links below. My stories are available in print and eBook formats at your favorite retailer. You can download my mini-mysteries with a paranormal edge absolutely FREE or start with my romantic-suspense bestseller She Belongs to Me for only .99 cents. From there, all my stories are priced 'less than a latte', so READ UP and enjoy!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

Amazon UK

Until next time, happy reading, friends!

Carmen

I love talking about all things books, so please connect with me via one of the links below.

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Meet Zack, not your everyday hero, he's more. JADED by @MJKaneBooks #ContemporaryRomance

In-between writing projects, M.J. Kane decided to revisit one of her favorite male characters, Zachariah Givens. She tells us that no matter how much you think you know your characters, they still find a way to surprise you. Let's eavesdrop on their conversation, shall we? :) 

Character Interview with Zack and M.J.

“Hi, Zack, long time no see.  Pull up a chair. How are you?”

Zack sits down on the sofa next to me and pulls his ankle up onto his knee. “I’m hanging in there.  How about you?”

“Busy! But this is about you. First of all, I have to say you were a pleasure and a challenge to write.”

“A challenge?” He laughs and shakes his head. “Why?”

“Because you are not the typical romance hero. You’re not an overly Alpha Male and you don’t run around boasting about your conquests. You also don’t go running after the girl. You’ve got some complicated issues that make you very interesting, though.”

“I’m not sure how to take that…”

“No offense intended, believe me. Personally, I think it’s refreshing to meet a man who’s got challenges in his life. Whenever your passionate side takes over, that quiet control that you have, it’s the most attractive thing about you. You’re more than just eye candy. And what woman doesn’t love a man who’s more than just good looking?”

Zachariah chuckles and his cheeks boast a faint pink. “Thanks for that.”

“You’re welcome. I’ve talked to readers who have read your story and they say one of the things they appreciate about you most is your relationship with your mother. A woman likes to think that if you care about your mother, you will care about her.”

Zachariah smiles. “I don’t know where I’d be without her, especially after losing my dad. My mother sacrificed a lot for me to become the man I am today. I will be grateful for that forever.”

“I have to give it to Ms. Belinda, she taught you well when it comes to how to treat a woman.”

“Respect, honor, cherish, and appreciate,” he recites while ticking off his fingers. “Things a lot of men in my generation tend to forget. I guess that makes me old school, huh?”

“Believe me, no matter what we say or how independent we get, we appreciate it.”

Zachariah tilts his head, questioningly. “So being a hopeless romantic isn’t sappy to you?”

I shake my head. “No, not when it’s coming from the right man.”

He tilts his head back and laughs. “If only it were easy to find the right woman. You know I once thought I’d found her…that perfect woman. It’s funny how life’s challenges can bring out the true character of someone. And the strange thing is, even though I knew how she was, to a degree, I never thought she’d hurt me the way she did.”

I watch as his eyes drift down to his hands, a look of hurt flashing over his face before he slips back to his calm demeanor. “Zack, do you think it’s possible for a man to be so hurt by a woman that he refuses to fall in love again?”

He huffs. “And become jaded…yeah, it’s possible. My story is proof. ”

“So when you met Yasmine, what were your first thoughts?”

He doesn’t hesitate to respond. “Beautiful…conceited…complicated…hot as hell….not worth the time, and out of my league.”

“And yet you were still attracted to her.”

“Like a magnet. It’s hard to explain.”

“But instead of trying to date her, you became her friend?”

A small smile spreads, lighting up his hazel eyes as if he has a secret. “Yeah, I did. Yasmine is a good person. It’s a shame nobody sees it.”

“Do you ever regret becoming her friend?”

His smile fades. “That’s hard to answer because Yasmine is so complicated, MJ.” He stares up at me. “Why do women keep secrets? I can’t help but feel she’s hiding something from me, but I don’t know what it is. Honesty is all I want in a relationship, but it seems I’m asking for too much. Do you keep secrets?

My stare is blank. “Am I supposed to answer that?”

Zachariah smirks and lifts an eyebrow, waiting for my reply.

“I’m a woman, Zack, as you said, we all keep secrets. Would Yasmine’s secret make you change the way you feel about her?”

He hesitates. “I guess we’ll have to find out…”

I have read both of M.J. Kane’s wonderful contemporary romances, and let me tell you, she has a great way of interspersing a fiction story with the perfect amount of reality that you get caught up with the characters as if you know them. The Butterfly Memoirs are about overcoming challenges, trusting in love and friendship, and having the confidence that even if you’re different, you deserve your ‘happily ever after’.

You will meet Zack—our guest from the interview—at the end of Book One of The Butterfly Memoirs and he is the lead character in Book Two. You can learn more about the series by clicking the links below.

Book One – A Heart Not Easily Broken

Book Two – Jaded

Thanks for stopping by, please visit my bio for more information about what I write and what I like to read and share. 

Until next time, happy reading!

Carmen DeSousa

Pantser or Plotter ? Travel Agent or Road Trip? What’s your #AmWriting style? #MyWana

My college professor would turn over in his grave if he heard this confession, but I just can’t do it. No matter how hard I try, I simply cannot write an outline. Oh, I’ve written them, had to. It was required to graduate my professor’s class, but they are worthless to me when I write my novels. And I’m not criticizing writers who outline their stories, believe me. On the contrary, I envy them. For one, they pretty much have a completed synopsis when they are finished, again something I lack. Heck, I can barely write a synopsis after I finish the story.

But worse, not only can I not write an outline, I can’t even see the next chapter. I swear that I really do have a muse who whispers in my ear.

It dawned on me the other day that this in pretty much how I live my life, how I vacation, how I decorate. All of it.

A travel agent? Are you kidding me?

Twenty years ago, hubby and I came home from work on a Sunday night, packed our bags and one-year-old son, and drove to North Carolina for a mini vacation and to check out the state. Three months later, we moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Eight years later, we moved back to Florida, a week after I received an amazing job offer.

Pay for excursions on a cruise ship? Don’t even think about it. I talk to the locals, find where the best places are, and GO!

Design and color coordinate my house? Not a chance. One day, one store, and I’d chosen the drapes I would live with for the next ten years.

I’d never thought about it before, but I guess that’s who I am. But because someone told me it would be easier, I tried. I sat down and tried to write where my story was going. I had the entire chapter planned out—I didn’t want to get ahead of myself; this was a test. ONE CHAPTER! I couldn’t even plan one chapter.

I told my character—okay, my male protagonist told the female protagonist exactly what he wanted her to do. I knew exactly how the scene was going to play out. Had my entire day scheduled based on the plan I’d sketched out that morning. And darned if she didn’t do the exact opposite, changing my entire chapter. Yep, there I was typing away and all of the sudden my fingers are typing the complete opposite, and then the crowd milling around my couple cheered her on. Sigh!

Now what on earth am I supposed to do with that? What if I’d taken the time to plan the entire novel? Nope! Never again. If my characters don’t speak, I move on to a different story. In fact, here’s a tidbit you may have interest in and one I’d be curious if anyone else does.

All my stories have a ‘whodunit’ with the exception of one, and it’s still a suspense, it’s just not a ‘whodunit’, rather it’s a ‘what happened in the past’ question. And yet, I never know ‘who did it’ until the character reveals themself. I am just as surprised as the reader is. How’s that for being a panster?

Any other authors do this? Any suggestions on what you think works? I’d love feedback on both styles. And I always love hearing from readers.

By the way, here’s the excerpt from Entangled Dreams where my character disobeyed my explicit instructions. I removed the characters’ names so you wouldn’t have any spoilers, but I hope you agree that her actions made the scene better. Love that little muse of mine.

Excerpt:

He looked back at her. “I want you to go now. Don’t look back. Just keep walking. Okay?”

She nodded and stood up on obviously shaky legs as she wobbled toward him. But she pulled in a deep breath as though pulling herself together and stood to her full height. “I’ll be waiting by the phone for your call. I love you too.” And she turned and walked away, head held high.

He couldn’t help but smile as he turned toward the detective. “I’ve got one heck of a woman there, gentlemen. Only a man with a woman like her could smile while being arrested for something he didn’t do.”

The officer tried not to smile, but he could see it was with great effort. He turned around and put his hands behind his back for the officer to cuff him. It was the third time in his life he’d been cuffed and taken to jail. He knew the drill.

The officer’s words behind him faded into his subconscious as he kept his eyes locked on her. A crowd of people had gathered around, but all he saw was her as the officer patted him down.

At the last second, before she lowered herself into the taxi, she looked back in his direction. “I love you!” she screamed, loud enough for the entire port to hear. “I’ll love you forever, and I’m proud to be your wife.”

The gathering crowd cheered and clapped as he felt the officer direct him to the car. Tears streamed down his face, and he was glad she hadn’t listened to him. “I love you too!” he called back as loud as he could as the officer touched the top of his head, lowering him into the back of the police car.

If you would like to read a little more about what I write, follow the links below. My stories are available in print and eBook formats at your favorite retailer. You can download my mini-mysteries with a paranormal edge absolutely FREE or start with my romantic-suspense bestseller She Belongs to Me for only .99 cents. From there, all my stories are priced 'less than a latte', so READ UP and enjoy!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

Amazon UK

Until next time, happy reading, friends!

Carmen

I love talking about all things books, so please connect with me via one of the links below.

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

If I have such a great husband, why do I feel so awful inside? SPLIT DECISIONS #SampleSunday

This is an excerpt for a follow up novel to the romantic-suspense bestseller, She Belongs to Me. Though there aren’t really any spoilers, you can bypass this sample and read more about the first book here.

If you missed the first excerpts and want to catch up, click here first. There’s a link that will bring you right back.

For the next few weeks, you are going to get longer samples, as I want to get you through the first chapter by the time it publishes. So, make sure you catch up because we're going on a roller coaster of emotions to prepare you for the ‘shocker’ at the end of the first chapter.

Excerpt:

Last week we ended with… 

What would her daughter want in life? Jaynee wondered. Would she want to marry and settle down, or would she choose a different path?

As if hearing her unspoken question, Johanna nudged her. “Did you ask him?”

Jaynee shook her head, and her daughter released a heavy sigh.

“What are you girls whispering?” Jordan asked from the driver’s seat.

        “Nothing important,” Jaynee offered, attempting to postpone the discussion. “Johanna just wants to do something with her friend. I told her we’d discuss it tonight.”

She couldn’t lie. Years ago she’d tested their marriage simply by trying to keep something secret; she’d never made that mistake again. But they needed to be alone, not in front of their children for this conversation. Johanna didn’t understand this. She couldn’t appreciate that if she wanted Jaynee to campaign for her, they needed to discuss matters in private.

“Well, I think it is very important,” Johanna retorted.

Jaynee glared at her, imploring her to stop. “Honey, I didn’t mean it’s not important; it’s just something we need to discuss later.” The fact was she wanted her daughter to have alternatives in life. Jaynee’d had several modeling and singing opportunities when she was a teenager. But terrified of failing, she’d walked away from them. Instead, she’d dated idiots and ended up in horrible situations. If she’d made just one of those other choices, she wondered how different her life would have turned out. Her mother had a decent singing voice, even made it on the country charts a couple of times. But her voice was better, and the couple of summers she’d spent traveling with her, she’d always been asked, “So, when are we going to see your name in bright lights?” Jaynee would smile and look down at her feet. The thought of groupies and stalkers harassing her scared her to death. But then, she’d always wondered, what if.

Jordan patted Johanna’s knee. “Stop fighting with your mother and tell me already.”

“I’ve been offered an opportunity, Daddy.” It was always ‘Daddy’ when she wanted something. She forgot her father used to be a detective, a good one too. Johanna paused, waiting for the word “opportunity” to sink in. “There’s this agency…”

Jaynee caught Jordan’s expression, his brow already furrowed. He wasn’t much on opportunities unless they included academic scholarships, and based on Jaynee’s mother’s history, the word “agency” probably hadn’t thrilled him either.

“Well, the owner…” Johanna stared down at her lap, pulling at an imaginary loose thread on her dress.

Jaynee turned her head to conceal her smile. Her daughter had about two seconds to finish.

“You see, he wants to train me to be an actress.”

As Jordan stopped at an intersection, he made eye contact with Jaynee. She was correct, of course; this wasn’t the place. He was clearly trying to contain his immediate “no” to avoid a conflict before church.

“He assured Mom it wouldn’t cost anything,” she prattled on, oblivious.

Jaynee sighed. The little terror was bringing her in on this, as if she’d had ongoing conversations with the agency.

Jordan’s face reddened, obviously searching for an explanation why she’d do this behind his back. “Jaynee?” His voice cracked in his confusion, since they discussed everything as a couple, as she’d insisted when they first married.

“Nothing has been discussed, Jordan. The owner called and asked if he could train Johanna. I told him we’d talk. I wouldn’t sign her up without speaking with you first. You know that.”

He exhaled a breath. “Jo, your mother is correct. We,” he gestured to himself and Jaynee, “will discuss this, and then the three of us will sit down together, later.”

Johanna crossed her arms. “That means no.”

“No, it means we’ll discuss this later.”

“But you’re just gonna say no,” she pouted.

“If you insist on having this conversation now, you’re correct; my answer will be no. But if you behave like an intelligent young lady and allow your mother and me to discuss this, then…well, I don’t know what will happen, but at least you won’t get an instant ‘no’. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Dad,” she mumbled. She knew not to push him. Jordan doted on his children, but stood firm in his decisions and wouldn’t tolerate disrespect. “I can’t wait until I go away to college…out of this state. Far away…NYU,” she grumbled under her breath.

Jordan ignored her and Jaynee stroked her arm, wanting to tell her I told you so. Jaynee and Johanna got along okay, but the last few months had been difficult. Jordan had mentioned that Johanna was becoming a woman, and it was never good to have two women in one household. He would know. He’d grown up with two older sisters. Because of this, as much as he was one hundred percent male, he had a better understanding of female behavior. He would laugh and inform Jaynee it was what made him such a great husband. She agreed. But then couldn’t help but wonder: If I have such a great husband, why do I feel so awful inside?

Split Decisions will be available this spring! So if you haven’t read She Belongs to Me, read on.

According to readers, the first novel, She Belongs to Me, is a sensual and gripping read that will have you falling in love and wondering if you can trust anyone right up to the last page, and for a limited time, you can download for only .99 cents!

For more information or to download, follow your favorite link:

Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

iTunes

Until next time, happy reading!

Carmen DeSousa

I love talking about all things books, so please connect with me via one of the links below.

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

#NewRelease by bestselling author Bernadette Marie @WritesRomance LOST AND FOUND

Darcy McCary came to Nashville with some big expectations--to find her birth parents. She had no plans of making a life in Tennessee. But when her sources lead her to Eduardo Keller, her heart took over, and plans changed. 

Eduardo Keller is a man who goes after what he wants and he doesn't have time for playing games. Darcy is exactly the woman he's been looking for to assist him in business and be his partner in life.

Because he loves Darcy, Ed promises to help her find the answers she seeks. What he doesn't know is that if Darcy finds the secret to her past it might mend her curiosity; however, it might also tear apart a branch of the Keller family.

For more information or to download, follow links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

5 Prince Publishing

Thanks for stopping by, please visit my bio for more information about what I write and what I like to read and share. 

Until next time, happy reading!

Carmen DeSousa