Carmen DeSousa

Reviews are like tipping… You’ve already paid for the pedicure, hair style, meal, valet, book … whatever, but that extra something is what makes that person’s day. No tip or a one-star review could mean that the person did nothing right at all Ten percent or a two-star review could mean that the person did their job, but not very well Fifteen percent or a three-star review could mean that the person did their job, but didn’t offer anything special, didn’t go out of their way to stand out from other persons in the same profession Eighteen percent or a four-star review could mean that the person did everything they were supposed to, went out of their way to connect with you. Twenty percent is that coveted five-star review. This person did everything they were supposed to do and then some. You connected, you're coming back, you're bringing your friends! And also like tipping … just because you get a FREE or discounted meal, does...

But that doesn't mean you should give up! Writing the perfect book, the perfect male or female character, the perfect movie, song, play ... the perfect anything ... is impossible. Yes, impossible! Don't believe me... Take a look at some of your all-time favorite movies, books, plays, music ... anything that you love. Someone, somewhere, hates it. But you know what? That's okay! Variety is the spice of life. If we all loved the same things, it would mean that everything would be the same. How boring would that   be? Very!  I can't count how many times hubby and I have been discussing an issue, and someone who doesn't know us well thought we were arguing. Hey, we've been married twenty-six years ... that's how we talk. And we love it! If he agreed with everything I said or wanted, I'd think, 'Man, where's the tough guy I married?' and if I gave him everything he wanted... Well, he'd probably like it for a little wh...

Book Description: Gabriel Maguire thought he'd buried his past until the night he met Holly, only to lose the woman he cared about, again. Holly Jacobs has always put the cart before the horse. A prodigy who shot to stardom in textile design, she never knew a normal life—and there's nothing she longs for more than to be normal. Sometimes the only way to get where you need to be is to put the cart before the horse. My review for Cart Before the Horse .  As always, I just stick to why I liked. No spoilers—ever! I love when I feel a character's passion--and pain. Though it seems the title gives away the plot of the story, it really doesn’t. Bernadette still managed to reveal surprises throughout the entire novel. The characters were likeable, even when I felt like yelling at them, as I usually do when I want them to get their act together. Always a good sign when an author has me fussing at her protagonists. There were several powerful and emotional ...

The John Reeves Creed: "Kill them with kindness. Unless you have a gun."     John Reeves moves back to his childhood home and takes an easy job as a Private Investigator with an old high school friend. A grieving widow asks for help when the medical examiner unofficially labels her husband's bizarre death a suicide. John joins his brother Alan, a local police officer, to learn why the town's residents keep dying horrific deaths at a breakneck pace.   What Readers are Saying:   "Wrath will stick with you for days after you finish reading. It's a chilling and wonderfully-crafted story with living, breathing characters." — Jack Sheppard Author, The Marlowe Transmissions: Scavenger's War    “WRATH, RAGE and REVENGE John Reeves is back!” — Tom Stronach (Essex, United Kingdom)    “Like ‘Criminal Minds’ in print!”—Alexis Jones   Buy now from Amazon     To connect with Kirkus, please follow the l...

In my effort to never give anything away, I simply try to tell you how I classify the story and why I liked it. And since I talked Kirkus into giving us an excerpt--that you won't find anywhere but the book--I didn't want to take up too much of your time. Book Review: I know the title is The Fall of Billy Hitchings , but John Reeves stole the show. He's not perfect, but what man is. But he was a mysterious man with a past who I wanted to know more about. So, Kirkus, get busy and give us a novel about John Reeves. Now back to Billy Hitchings . The story was different, and I'm having a difficult time classifying what genre it would fall under, but that's okay; I like almost all genres. It had action, adventure, thrills, mystery, and paranormal elements, but somehow, Mr. MacGowan brought them all together to make for an interesting read. The ending came as a surprise, and I found myself wanting more---again with that John guy. Anyway, if you like In...

Tina Wainscott, aka Jaime Rush, is one of those authors who once you read her novels, you will hunt down her others and read all of them until the bookstore runs out of them. Thank goodness for Kindle because that is exactly what happened. Both bookstores nearby closed, so I tracked down her books in pre-owned book stores, and when they ran out, I contacted her and asked why she wasn’t available on Kindle. To my delight, she was working on it. I loved her books so much that when they came available, I downloaded them again. Yep, I’m an addict, but you already knew that if you read my blog. So, here is my short and to the point review, since I talked Tina into giving us an excerpt from Unforgivable to share. I loved the characters, the intrigue, the tension. The paranormal was good without being over the top. The author's description of the town and the people made you feel as if you were really there. Excerpt from Unforgivable : Silas turned to The ...

Okay it's here and I'm fine! Why, you ask? Because the last two reviews were so opposite each other, I can’t help but laugh! I’ve read all the reviews for all the bestsellers and the one thing I learned is you CANNOT please everyone. Just write your best story and let the readers decide. G Winters is partially correct, by the way. Jordan is controlling and protective; he’s a cop. He’s seen a lot of bad stuff in his life, and he only wants to protect the ones he loves. Lisa is also partially correct, by the way. Jordan is chivalrous and kind and will do anything for Jaynee, even let her go if that’s what she wants. Jaynee has been emotionally abused her entire life, so when Jordan walks into her life…well, I’ll let you decide. These are the very last two reviews out of 28, and as I said. I had to laugh, because the last reviewer claimed Jordan is abusive and the prior reviewer had remarked that he was chivalrous and that Jaynee mistreated him. ...