Carmen DeSousa

Full definition: Obsession, the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc...  An impulse that continually forces its way into consciousness, often associated with anxiety and mental illness... And, DANG ... it sure makes for good stories.  When I started writing my first book, I had no idea that the central focus would be on obsession, and not just one obsession, but several. As I wrote the second, third, fourth, and fifth, I still hadn't realized it. When I looked back at my Southern Romantic-Suspense Collection, I realized each book had something in common: obsession. Whether the antagonist obsessed over a person or money, their obsession is what fueled the story. Sometimes, in my stories, it looks as though the protagonist may be the one obsessed, but as one of my characters pointed out... Names have been changed to protect the innocent--I mean, avoid spoilers.   Excerpt from  Entangled Dre...

I'm not into jumping on a bandwagon, but if I see something that's good, and I don't have anything to lose, I'm in! Plus, if it looks like a great opportunity for my avid-reading friends and a chance to meet new friends, I love to share the news. Amazon   sent   the book-loving world into a tailspin with its announcement of Kindle Unlimited. This service isn't the first of its kind, but  this is Amazon, so you know it's   gonna   be awesome. That's my opinion, of course, but I'm very happy with the benefits and service I receive from Amazon. I've had several Kindles, and they just keep getting better and better.  And now ... they have Kindle Unlimited, which gives me an unlimited supply of books for $9.99 a month! Considering that I read three or more books a week, with a price tag up to $9.99 (I don't pay more than $10 for an eBook), this is an awesome deal for someone like me. Oh, and I listen to another two to three books a mon...

 Don’t look at the rocks below, keep your eye on the wave, and ride it all the way to shore. Does that translate? I think so. I don’t think you have to be a surfer to get that analogy, and you certainly don’t have to be able to surf well—I can attest to that. Thank goodness for web-surfing, because I never was good at it, even though I grew up in Cocoa Beach, home of Ron Jon’s Surf Shop if you didn’t know. Anyway, how does this relate to writing? It doesn’t. It relates to selling. Here’s what I learned in the last couple of years: · Writing is easy; writing well is fractionally harder · Writing a query letter and synopsis is harder than writing a novel · Querying an agent or publisher is agony, way harder than writing a novel ·  But the hardest part of writing a novel, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is selling your novel. It’s a nightmare! Especially when you realize that although most authors are a little wacky and flamboya...

For four thousand years, creatus have concealed themselves from the humans who hunted them almost to extinction. Unwittingly, one creatus will endanger them all...  This excerpt is from Creatus Book One. If you'd like to read the first three chapters in the series, The Prequel, you can find it  here .  “Why did you save me?” she screamed into the black void, similar to her life. She hadn’t asked him to save her when she was eight years old. As always, no one answered her ridiculous peal, which was probably just as well. Attracting attention in this part of town wasn’t smart. She clicked the key fob for her Grand Am as she scanned the street. She barely even remembered driving here after she left the nightclub. The problem with drinking too much, which she did far too often these days, was that as her inhibitions fell, so did her standards. The man from the bar had been cute, but he’d obviously wanted something other than money in ex...

LOVE ~ BETRAYAL ~ OBSESSION Can you deal with reality? Are you ready to go to the precipice? If so, you're ready for She Belongs to Me According to readers,  She Belongs to Me  is a sensual and gripping read that will have you falling in love and wondering who you can trust right up to the last page. Download Now: Amazon Amazon UK And the book romance doesn’t stop there… When you finish, I have three more romantic-suspense novels! Land of the Noonday Sun Entangled Dreams When Noonday Ends I characterize my stories as modern-day fairytales, as they overflow with romance, mystery, suspense, and of course, tragedy. After all, what would a fairytale be without a tragic event setting the stage? All of my novels are sensual, but not erotic, gripping but not graphic and will make you love, laugh, cry, gasp, and hope.   I love talking about all things books, so please connect with me via one of the links b...

It’s been a wonderful year. Better than I could have imagined. After putting my dreams aside for almost twenty-five years, this community of avid readers and authors helped propel my dreams right onto the bestseller list. My first novel, She Belongs to Me, is currently a romantic-suspense bestseller, and as my thanks, I will keep the price discounted for all my wonderful readers to give as a gift through Christmas. And for all my friends who have already read all my novels or new readers who would like a free introduction, I wrote a mini mystery just for you. So have a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family this weekend, and when you need an escape, feel free to slip into one of my books. J She Belongs to Me is available at: Amazon Amazon UK In print at: Barnes and Noble The Pit Stop (This Stop Could be Life or Death) is free in all these formats: Amazon Amazon UK iTunes Smashwords Available  for .99 Cents at:...

Jaynee questions Jordan wanting to take her salsa dancing. He immediately responds to her comment as though she thinks he's just a dumb country boy, and he assures her he isn't. Excerpt: He flashed a wicked smile, wiggling his eyebrows at her as he shifted the car into drive. “What in the world type of dancing are you planning, Jordan?” she asked. He glanced in the rearview mirror then back at her. “ Salsa …” His tone was seductive as he enunciated the word. “ You, Salsa dance?” He huffed at her reaction. “Baby…it’s not my fault you think I’m a dumb country boy because of my accent, which by the way I can suppress if I want.” He did so instantaneously, demonstrating his ability. She started at the endearment “baby” but addressed his accusation first. “I have never thought you a ‘dumb country boy’, Jordan. Country, yes, but never dumb!” Her face flushed with anger that he would even imply such a thing. He reached across the seat and stroked her arm. “I k...