Carmen DeSousa > Quotes

“A great book increases my heartbeat as if I’m prey, melts my insides in anticipation of a first kiss, immerses me in its depths.”
― Carmen DeSousa

“And they...LIVED! Life isn't always ‘Happily Ever After’, rather, loving FOREVER, regardless.”
― Carmen DeSousa, She Belongs To Me

“Misunderstanding and distrust—the predominant elements of a novel. Without them, everyone lives happily from beginning.”
― Carmen DeSousa

“Publishing a book is like being pregnant. By the end, you're just ready to get that baby out!”
― Carmen DeSousa

“But before she’d start reading, she’d pass the book around to the students. Each child had to inhale the pages, thereby infusing the scent and memory as one into their subconscious.”
― Carmen DeSousa, The Library: Where Life Checks Out

“You'll never get to the happily ever after if you don't move past the current chapter...”
― Carmen DeSousa

“‪If the overuse of adjectives is frowned upon in writing, why are expletives—the ones commonly used as adjectives—embraced?”
― Carmen DeSousa

“Reading is a lot like fine dining... Some readers prefer just the meat and potatoes; I enjoy a seven-course meal.”
― Carmen DeSousa

“Ever think about contract killing?” Angela”
― Carmen DeSousa, Unlucky In Love: Jana's Story Part 1

“Like the roller coaster of life...novels aren't fun without ups and downs and even an occasional loop.”
― Carmen DeSousa

“Morning,” Derrick called as Janelle stepped off the bus. Janelle turned. “Oh ... umm ... hi.” She shook her head. “Were you waiting for me?” Derrick shrugged, handing her a cup of Dunkin’. “I figured since you didn’t have time to have coffee with me, I’d bring it to you.” He took a pull off his water bottle. She rested her hands on her hips. “Well, where’s yours? How can we have coffee together if you already drank yours?” “Oh, I don’t drink coffee.” She laughed. “You’re a bit odd, Derrick.” He smiled in response. “So I’ve been told.”
― Carmen DeSousa, Creatus

“I was behind, but now I'm below. Hopefully, they'll have books wherever I go...”
― Carmen DeSousa

“Jana!” my husband’s shrill tone hit me just as I smashed in the second taillight. “Oh, my God! Are you insane?” I”
― Carmen DeSousa, Some Lucky Woman: Jana's Story

“Pennsylvania State Police searching”
― Carmen DeSousa, The Library: Where Life Checks Out

“So, what time do you get off work? Would you like to grab something to eat afterward?” She released a soft exhale. “Derrick, you seem like a really nice guy, but didn’t you notice that I’m a lot older than you? How are you even in medical school? I know what you are ... you’re one of those young princes from overseas, aren’t you? From Romania maybe? You have such dark hair and eyes, like a gypsy.” He laughed. “I’m not so sure if that was a compliment or if I should be offended, but you’re not even close.” He continued to chuckle as he pulled out his wallet. “I was born in Massachusetts, I assure you, and I’m older than you think.” He was also ten years older than his driver’s license indicated, but he couldn’t share that with her. She peeked at his date of birth. “Twenty-five? I’m twenty-five! You barely look eighteen, while I probably look thirty,” she groaned. He furrowed his brow. “Most people say I look at least nineteen, so I’m above the legal age to date. That’s why I showed you my license, though. No one ever believes me,” he said through a laugh, attempting to set her at ease. “And you don’t look thirty. Twenty-nine tops,” he said, grinning. She smacked his arm. “Hey, that’s just mean to kick a girl when she’s already feeling inferior.” “Maybe that’s why I can’t get a pretty young woman to have dinner with me.” “I’m sure you get turned down all the time. Not!” He chuckled softly. “Actually, you’re the first woman I’ve asked out in a year.” She released a non-believing puff of air. “I’m flattered. But honestly, I really don’t have time to date. And ...” She paused, reaching into her backpack and pulling out her wallet too. She flipped it open and held it out for his inspection. “I have an eight-year-old daughter.” He stole a peek into the rearview mirror, then glanced at the picture of Janelle and her daughter. It appeared to be one of those shots taken at a cheap photo box booth in the mall. Her daughter had the same color hair, identical features, same smile. Even with the seventeen-year difference, they looked more like sisters than mother and daughter. “Nice try, but you failed to deter me. How about we study together at a coffee shop.” She released a long sigh. “You’re sweet —” “Oh, no ...” He laughed harder than before. He felt so natural with her. “Not sweet, anything but sweet.” She”
― Carmen DeSousa, Creatus

“Need some help?” He reached for the books in her arms before she could object. “Hey ...” She looked like a viper ready to strike, but then her pupils dilated as she stared up at him. “I’m sorry ... do I know you?” “No.” He offered her a smile, hoping to settle her nerves. He didn’t speak to many women, but when he did, he always got that same staggered expression. “But you looked as though you needed a third hand.” “I don’t think I could manage if I were an octopus.” He laughed. Beautiful and a sense of humor. Most of the women he knew were too serious. “Funny. Are you off to another lecture?” “No ... I’m late for work. I keep telling my boss not to schedule me on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but he doesn’t listen, and then — sorry. TMI. I tend to ramble on, something the professors keep fussing at me about. Thanks. I sent the message, so I can carry my books now. I’m not up on all these new gadgets.” She waved her phone. “This is my first cell phone. I can’t afford it, but I really needed it. ” She smacked her hand over her mouth and reached for her books. “See ... I never shut up.” Derrick couldn’t help but smile. She was so cute. “I’ll walk you to your car. That way if your boss replies, you can respond quickly.” Her eyes narrowed this time, a look he wasn’t accustomed to; the few women he talked to trusted him completely. Even the female professors said he had a wonderful bedside manner. “Umm ... it’s okay. I take the T.” “Would you like a lift, then, so you aren’t late?” She shook her head. “No. Thank you. I appreciate it ... but I don’t even know you.” “Derrick Ashton.” He offered her his hand. The young woman hesitantly extended her slender, creamy-skinned hand. Her hand looked so small and delicate in his larger, olive-skinned hand. “Nice to meet you, Derrick. I’m Janelle Heskin. But still ... ” Derrick released her after a second and lifted his hands in front of him. “I’m harmless, I swear. They wouldn’t have accepted me into medical school if I had a record, and I’m here because I want to help people, and you looked like you needed help.” She”
― Carmen DeSousa, Creatus

“fine, just do it and get it over with so he”
― Carmen DeSousa, She Belongs To Me

“So why exactly are you here? I told you, I’m flattered, but you still look as though you’re barely out of high school, and as handsome as you are, I simply don’t have time to add one more thing to my schedule.” “Ouch. Another compliment and slap in one sentence. You’re good at those. Are you sure you’re not a law student? You’d be good at cross-examining.” She closed her eyes and shook her head again. “I’m serious. You’re such a handsome man ... women must throw themselves at you.” He laughed. “No ... but again, thank you. I don’t want anything from you, Janelle. I swear. I just want to be your friend.” “Oh, so you’re a sucker for a damsel in distress, is that it? I assure you, my hands may be full, but I’m no damsel.” “Wow ... you’re tough.” He lifted his hands in surrender. “Okay ... no rescuing. No dating ...” he paused, “but who couldn’t use a friend? It’s actually better that you aren’t interested in me. We can really be friends, then.” She bit her lip, but a chuckle still escaped. “You’re incorrigible.” “Heard that one too. So, how about it? Can we be friends?”
― Carmen DeSousa, Creatus

“Edenbury, Pennsylvania,”
― Carmen DeSousa, The Library: Where Life Checks Out

“Derrick sat too, angling his body so he could look into her eyes. She had beautiful hazel eyes, the color of peridot with golden flecks that seemed to dance in the sunlight.”
― Carmen DeSousa, Creatus

“In the last couple of years, I really hadn’t found the time to read more than a handful of books, usually the most popular books that had been made into movies, and I was sure those books had a plethora of reviews. As I entered the aisle for mystery fiction, I skidded to a stop. A man stood in front of the shelves”
― Carmen DeSousa, Unlucky In Love: Jana's Story Part 1

“He’s as useless as teats on a boar hog, if you know what I mean.”
― Carmen DeSousa, When Noonday Ends

“animals”
― Carmen DeSousa, Down on Her Luck: Alaina's Story

“He would wait now, as he had for years. He had plenty of practice with waiting. She would survive, of course she would. She belonged to him, forever.”
― Carmen DeSousa, She Belongs to Me