BOOKS: My Interview with Carmen DeSousa.

If you are like me, you like happily ever after stories and the author I interviewed writes such stories. I had the wonderful privilege of reading two of her books: She Belongs to Me and The Land of the Noonday . She is also the author Entangled Dreams and When Noonday Ends. Her genre specialty is Romantic Suspense. Before I began with the Interview, here is what she says about herself:

About me:

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.

Both of my published novels, She Belongs to Me and Land of the Noonday Sun, have reached bestseller status right alongside Nicholas Sparks, J.D. Robb, and other great authors.

Carmen also wrote a couple of short stories with an edge of paranormal to them: The Depot and The Pit Stop.

1. Hi, Carmen! Can you tell us a little about your first book She Belongs To Me?

‘She Belongs to Me’ is a true romantic-suspense, meaning it is a fifty-fifty mix of romance and mystery with a line of suspense running equally through both genres. In other words, the mystery and the romance will always have you on your toes, wondering what happens next, whether it’s the “Will their relationship make it?” or “How did she really end up shot in the head?”

2 What is your inspiration for writing She Belongs To Me?

Honestly, I just had a lot to say, and I was tired of not being able to find books that gave me a great romance and mystery without resorting to graphic and erotic scenes. Yes, I want to be swept off my feet and chew on my nails in anticipation, but I don’t want to have nightmares or get accused of reading ‘mommy porn’. So I thought, if they can make Rated R books into great PG13 movies, why not just start with a PG13 book to begin with. Of course, I think my books are appropriate for ages sixteen and up, but that was my goal.

3 Is there anyone in your book who is based on someone you know?

Yes, but that’s all I can say about that. :)

4. In your bio, you said you were on your own at 17. Can you give us a little information about your life?

Well, that would be a horror story, and I try to keep my writing non-graphic. But yes, I am an only child, and I have barely one parent left. I was tossed around from house to house as a child, and I’ve been through almost everything imaginable, but I’ve always had my reading, writing, and an angel who went by the name of “Gram”, who made my life turn out pretty good, so I’ll never complain.

5 Who is your favorite Romantic Suspense Author?

Sidney Sheldon. Even though he is gone, he was my first love and will always be the reason I started writing.

6 You wrote some short stories “The Pit Stop”, and “The Depot”. What makes those books paranormal?

‘The Pit Stop’ and ‘The Depot’ are part of a mini-mystery series with a paranormal edge. Unlike some stories that paranormal is the primary focus, I try to give just a hint of paranormal, so that it is believable. The Depot’s Ghost Story is actually based on a real story.

7 On your website, CarmenDeSousa.com, you explained why you write Happily Ever After Stories. Do you have one of your own? Did you grow up in an unhappy situation and got whisked away by your hero?

Yes, boy, you’re digging deep. LOL! I had a very traumatic life up until meeting my ‘knight in smoky armor’, as he too needed a little polishing before he was ‘shining’. But we do have a ‘love at first sight’ story. I called my grandmother after our first date and told her I’d met the man I was going to marry. Thirteen days later, he asked me to marry him. Thirty days later, we eloped, but then remarried in front of our family. We’ve been married twenty-three years and have two boys ages sixteen and twenty-one. Yes, I’m definitely living my happily ever after.

8 If someone would offer you a movie contract for She Belongs to Me and you could chose anyone you wanted to play Jaynee and Jordan, who would they be and why?

I actually haven’t looked into current day actors, but Hugh Jackman if he were younger would play Jordan. I did see someone the other day who could be my Jaynee, but I forgot her name. Oops. But, on a side note, next month’s contest will be a ‘pick the character’ contest. So, please join me, and we’ll decide together.

9 What is your secret to becoming Best Seller?

Sadly, I’d like to say that it’s because I wrote a great novel, but that’s simply not the case. While my first novel does have 100+ reviews in the US and UK averaging 4.3 stars, which is comparable to most mainstream authors, that’s not how I became a bestseller. After all, no one knew me, so there was no way for them to know my book was any good. I’ve landed on the bestseller list about ten times now, because I socialize with my readers and they tell their friends. I am always on Twitter and Facebook, answering as many questions as I can, and I have a lot of book clubs that pick up and promote my books to their readers.

10. Do you have any advice to anyone interested in becoming an author?

Please don’t think it’s easy. It has to be your dream, as you will end up working fifteen-hour days. But if it’s your dream, never give up! Because nothing feels better to a writer—other than the family stuff, of course—than hearing that someone loved your book. It’s the greatest. :)

Carmen with loves to connect with her readers and fans. She loves to talk all things books. You can find her at these websites:

I encourage you that if you haven't downloaded any of her ebooks or ordered a paperback, to do so. You will not be disappointed. I have to tell you to start with She Belongs to Me. (You will see why when you get into her second book)

You can order her books at

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Thank you Carmen for allowing me to interview you.