Carmen DeSousa

In 1989 I worked at a restaurant in Rockledge, FL called Ashley’s Cafe. Although fictional, my idea for The Depot stemmed from the ghost who haunts the 1930s tavern. My fascination with the restaurant came about the first night I served as the restaurant’s general manager. I’d worked there for almost two years and had never heard or saw a thing, but my first night in my new position was a different story. It’s been so long, I barely remember all that happened, but one thing that I’ll never forget is one of those large oval trays—that can’t possibly balance on its side—came sliding across the floor at me. Also, a five pound bucket of water spilled across the floor when no one was near it. Maybe the ghost was just reminding me who was boss. But the most nerve wracking occurrences throughout the years was the number of employees—including myself—who felt as if someone had pushed them down the service stairs. My husband—who happened to be a police officer at the ti...

Aspen Creek, Colorado, a small town full of big stories... Find out why those who grew up here come home and why celebrities find it the perfect place to have private lives away from the lime light.  If you've never read a story by Bernadette Marie, get ready... She's the princess of happily ever after, but don't expect the journey to be all sunshine and roses. As with most relationships, her real-life characters must learn to put away the past so they can appreciate the here and now--and each other. Save $15 by buying the series all at once! The Aspen Creek Series Box Set Includes: First Kiss Unexpected Admirer On Thin Ice Indomitable Spirit Find all of Bernadette's bestsellers at your favorite eBook retailer, and hey, she even offers you a couple of FREE novels, just for stopping by. Amazon iTunes Barnes & Noble Thanks for stopping by, please visit my  bio  for more information about what I write and what I like to r...

Creatus Series For four thousand years, creatus have concealed themselves from the humans who hunted them almost to extinction. Now, one creatus will endanger them all by breaking one of their laws: falling in love--with a human. This is just an excerpt. If you'd like to read the first three chapters, you can read them  here . “No … take me, not her!” Her own scream woke her up. She looked around the strange apartment. The flickering TV gave her glimpses, but she couldn’t quite make out where she was. A soft snore from beside her brought her up fast. She looked down at the stranger leaning against her. Uck … she cringed away … trying to move out from beneath him. Thankfully, she was still fully dressed, so at least she hadn’t had sex with him. Umm … was it Cato, Keith … God … she couldn’t even remember his name. She scrambled for her keys and purse on the coffee table. Her shoes. What had she done with her shoes? She fumbled on the floor with her t...

For four thousand years, creatus have concealed themselves from the humans who hunted them almost to extinction. Unwittingly, one creatus will endanger them all... As with most of his family, Derrick Ashton knows his future and what position he’s destined to fill within his unique society. Everything changes, however, when he breaks one of his family’s strictest laws and falls in love—with a human. In his quest to protect the woman he can never have, a twist of faith propels him into a new role that will cause dissension among his family and endanger the anonymity that they’ve strived for thousands of years to protect. 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. The Creatus Series is not your normal paranormal story... It's a realistic romantic mystery based on the myths you've heard your entire life. Prepare to believe... Get all three books for one low...

Creatus Series For four thousand years, creatus have concealed themselves from the humans who hunted them almost to extinction. Now, one creatus will endanger them all by breaking one of their laws: falling in love--with a human. This is just an excerpt. If you'd like to read the first three chapters you can read them  here . She dropped the mail on the table and then worked her way around the apartment, watering her plants. She chattered aimlessly to each plant as she checked the soil and removed dead leaves. She felt silly sometimes, but whom else was she going to talk to, and she’d read that her carbon dioxide was good for them. The plants repaid her in their own way, greeting her daily with bright green leaves that reminded her of a tropical locale. Even when the rest of Boston was frigid and dreary, her apartment was warm and cozy. Someday she’d be able to move south. She set the water canisters in the sink, then plopped down at the table, picking...

Some of you have heard me say that, and it’s funny, but it’s also a curse. It’s a sign of obsessive-compulsive behavior, which I have, but fortunately, I have learned to control—to some degree. My father recognized this trait in me first. He saw that I would rearrange my room, throw away edible desserts, and wad up pages upon pages of notebook paper until I expressed my thoughts clearly. He lovingly reprimanded me by saying, “A perfectionist will never be perfect.” Wow, it was a hard lesson , and I don’t think I’ll ever master it, but I’ve learned to just let go, to not expect perfection in my house, my work, or my writing. I’m not perfect, and I never will be, but I will strive for a comfortable area where I do not have to work fifteen hours a day. Please remember, I said, "try." I am a perfectionist, so I will strive for that elusive perfect   anything   to grasp on to. But when I don’t meet it, please give me a break; tell me softly, so I don’...

Thank you Shirleen Davies for this prompt. You can learn more about Shirleen on her website . What are you working on? An easier question would be 'what am I not working on', but okay, you asked for it. I have three series running: The Southern Suspense Series, The Creatus Series, and a Paranormal Series with a Ghostly Edge, but apparently, that wasn't enough to keep my mind occupied. About four years ago, I penned a novel, but I wasn't sure where I'd sell it, as it wasn't Young Adult and it wasn't Adult, it was somewhere in between. I knew that it wouldn't work for either category, but I loved it, so I wrote it anyway, and then it's just been sitting in my computer. Lucky me, in steps 'New Adult' in the last couple of years. So ... even though I have three stories waiting in my other series, this book is already finished, so I decided to edit it before I move on. Of course, I thought this would be an easy task. Umm ... no...