Crafting Compelling Characters: The Evolution of a Prequel! Plus, a $0.99 Book and a New Release!7/8/2024  Creating Multi-Dimensional Characters: The Story of Claire One of the most rewarding aspects of writing is crafting characters that resonate deeply with readers. As a storyteller, it's essential to breathe life into your characters, making them as complex and multi-dimensional as the people we encounter in real life. In my Midnight Sons series, Claire, the mother of the five brothers, exemplifies this approach. She started as what seemed like a background character but evolved into someone readers demanded to know more about. Let's delve into how Claire's character was crafted and what you can learn from it. Introducing a Character with Purpose From the very beginning, I knew Claire wasn’t just going to be a passive presence. In the first book, we meet her sitting in a dive bar, celebrating the youngest Midnight Son’s 21st birthday. This introduction was intentional. It immediately paints a picture of a woman who is deeply involved in her sons’ lives, not just as a mother but as a friend and mentor. Sam mentions how she was a climber back in the day but now handles the business end of things. This tells the reader that Claire has had an adventurous past but is now the backbone of the family business. Building a Multi-Layered Persona Claire’s role in each book is pivotal. When Sam is upset, she’s there to encourage him. When a new woman enters the scene, Claire is the first to take her under her wing. She speaks truth into her adult sons’ lives, offering wisdom and guidance that only a mother can provide. This consistency in her character makes her a reliable and relatable figure for readers. However, what makes Claire truly compelling is the gradual revelation of her past. Unveiling the Backstory In every book, readers learn a little more about Claire’s previous life. This slow drip of information keeps readers intrigued and invested in her character. She even mentions to one of her son’s girlfriends that she shared a similar situation, hinting at a depth and complexity that isn’t immediately visible. This technique of revealing backstory bit by bit can be incredibly effective in maintaining interest and adding layers to your characters. The Importance of Knowing Your Characters When crafting a story, I make sure to know all my characters’ backgrounds intimately. Often, I find myself sharing a scene from a book with someone, going into more detail than what’s in the book. They often stop me with a, “Wait! I didn’t read that.” That’s because not all details make it into the final version, but they’re still a part of the character’s history—in my head. This comprehensive understanding of your characters’ pasts, motivations, and desires is crucial. It allows you to write them with authenticity and depth, even if all those details aren’t explicitly stated. Readers’ Demand for More The real test of a well-crafted character is how readers respond to them. Imagine my surprise when readers started demanding to see Adam and Claire’s story. I had included so much detail about what seemed like a background character that she became central to the narrative in readers’ minds. This demand led to the creation of Adam’s Rising, where I delve into the origins of the Midnight Sons and explore the rich backstory of Adam and Claire. Until next time, Happy Reading and Writing! Carmen Grab Sam's Folly for $0.99 for a Limited Time! Or... If you've already finished the series, grab the new release for only $0.99!
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 Writing my novels, In Search of the Cannibal King and Cannibal King, required more than just my knowledge of the stories; it also required the use of imagery to bring the stories boldly to life. My love for photography and the immense library of photographs I’ve created over six decades was the perfect tool to personalize the varied scenes and accurately describe the cast of characters.
As you delve into the pages of In Search of the Cannibal King and Cannibal King, you will find descriptions of these photographs interwoven within the text. The stories are not just tales of adventure and exploration; they are a journey through the landscapes and cultures of the Marquesas Islands, brought to life through the lens of my camera. In conclusion, the setting is a vital component of storytelling. It grounds the narrative in a specific time and place, provides context for the characters' actions, and enriches the overall reading experience. For me, the Marquesas Islands were more than just a setting; they were a source of inspiration, a character in their own right, and a gateway to a world of adventure. Through the power of imagery and personal experience, I endeavored to bring this world to life for my readers, inviting them to join me on a journey of discovery and wonder.
START YOUR ADVENTURE NOW! If you want to explore with me, start with In Search of the Cannibal King, which my publisher is offering FREE for a limited time. If you want to dive right into the fast-action historical adventure of John Rumell, head right to the Cannibal King!  Connect with Nanine to stay up-to-date on New Releases and Specials!
The ultimate battle starts with Creatus Unyielding and a twist, we assure you, you did NOT see coming. But, as you know by now, this series is about the myths surrounding the creatus species, so get ready for an explosive end, leading to Creatus Sovereign!
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Romance, Suspense, Mystery, Action & Adventure
While searching for answers about his past, Erik runs head-on into Kimi, who’s running from hers. Although he knows she’s keeping secrets, Erik can’t help but admire how she loves horses and his beautiful home state of Alaska.
When authorities start asking questions about the new horse whisperer in town, though, and Kimi disappears, Erik realizes their future together is what matters most and calls on his Midnight Sons brothers to find Kimi before her past catches up to her. READ MORE  Romantic Suspense, Women's Fiction  Dive into a world of secrets, laughter, and passion! Three gorgeous men and three fiery women find their destinies together in this unforgettable romance collection. READ MORE! Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Multicultural Romance  Like butterflies in the spring that disappear into cocoons and emerge, completely changed, M.J.’s characters are no longer the same when their stories end. READ MORE 
Working together, hiding secrets, and fighting attraction…
Rath needs to find Dan, the informant whose false information costs his SEAL team their careers — and one soldier his life. Neesa needs to find her father, Dan, who’s been missing since the debacle at a compound in Mexico. When Rath and Neesa team up, they’ll face danger, deception, and a sensual fire that threatens to consume them. . . READ MORE
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Tina Wainscott delivers high-octane suspense and red-hot romance! Full of edge-of-your-seat action and red-hot passion, Wild on You is a souped-up roller coaster of a page-turner.” — Julie Ann Walker, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Black Knights Inc. series
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Bad boys breaking rules and hearts and dishing up justice — Tina Wainscott nails it!” — New York Times bestselling author Cindy Gerard 
 Series Starters!
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When I sit down to write a novel, I generally have no idea where I’m going. My typical start of a story is usually the main character—whether it’s the male protagonist or the female protagonist—and whatever issue they are facing.
From there, I just ask myself questions:
The great thing is, just like the reader, I never know exactly what my characters will do. Sure, I know I want a happily ever after, but I also know that not every character will get a happily ever after. And the detours they make along the way sometimes even surprise me. Why? Because I allow my story to progress naturally. I typically write two thousand words a day, and then every night I read the last few chapters to make sure the story flows, marking any areas that need addressing, and then go to sleep, allowing the characters to come alive in my dreams. And ohhh how they do. It’s not unusual for hubby to see me typing on my iPhone’s notepad in the middle of the night. Often it’ll just be a great line or a missing link I was in search of. When I finally finish the novel, I take an entire day and read from beginning to end, making sure the story flows and that there are no holes or contradictions. Easy, right? I’ve read this story almost thirty times at this juncture. How can it surprise me, how can it make me cry? And yet, here I am, sitting on the sofa, my afghan curled around me, and I’m bawling over something that happened. Hubby, who has been sitting quietly by his computer—because he knows it’s read-through day—whips his chair around to face me and asks, “Are you okay?” I swipe away my tears and answer, “Yes, I just can’t believe that happened.” “Wait. I thought you were reading your book?” he asks. “I am,” I answer. “But it still makes me cry.” He shakes his head and goes back to typing his nonfiction. One of my favorite quotes is by Robert Frost: “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” Well, I’m always surprised, and I always cry when something happens to my characters, so I hope when you read my books you will, too! If you enjoy stories that blend happy and sad, romantic and suspenseful, click the link for your favorite retailer below and grab one of my free books. If you’ve read all my books, make sure you grab my new release, Erik’s Revelation, so you’ll know why I was crying! Until next time, happy reading! Carmen DeSousa
Learn more about Carmen: www.WrittenMusings.com/CarmenDeSousa
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Men as Wild and Rugged as The Last Frontier Itself Five brothers risk their lives to rescue those caught in the death grip of the Alaskan wilderness…and risk losing their hearts to women as tough as the Land of the Midnight Sun.
The siren call of Alaska’s untamed wilderness, vast mountain ranges, and majestic glaciers draws thrill-seekers from around the globe. But with more unsolved missing-person cases than anywhere else in the world, the Alaska Triangle has an ominous reputation. Enter the Midnight Sons, five brothers who risk their lives to rescue those in peril.
Being a hero isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, though. The pay sucks, as does the fact that the team leaders have to be ready to spring into action 24/7, 365 days a year—a lifestyle not conducive to a healthy love life. Worse, while the brothers are experts in their individual fields, they each harbor inner demons and secrets that threaten to tear their family apart… and jeopardize any chance of finding the women who could complete them.
Carmen's stories overflow with romance, suspense, a hint of humor and, of course, a few Kleenex moments. After all, what would a great story be without an emotional event setting the stage? All her novels are sensual, but not erotic, gripping but not graphic, and will make you cry, laugh, love, and hope. Although some of her books include supernatural or ghostly beings, her stories dance on the edge of make believe. Her hope is that as you read her stories, you'll wonder, "Hmmm...what if?"
Currently, she lives in Arizona with her husband of twenty-nine years and a very spoiled "rescued" calico they lovingly refer to as “Baby Kitty,” even though she's twelve years old. Carmen enjoys learning about different American cultures, so she moves a lot. She's lived on both of Florida’s coasts: Cocoa Beach and Tampa Bay; Charlotte, North Carolina; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; Bullhead City, Arizona; the Northern Central Valley of California, and now she lives in "The Heart of Arizona." But she's always looking for her next adventure, so she travels every chance she gets. Most of her novels share some of our favorite hobbies, mostly, anything to do with the great outdoors. Both she and her husband love to read on the beach—or in a coffee shop if it's raining—and if the weather is really nice, they go kayaking or hiking. Carmen says she rarely spends her days off at a movie theater or the mall. In fact, she claims to hate shopping, and laughs that her husband would rather do anything other than watch a movie when she's already read the book. :) 
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