Sometimes you want something so badly you are willing to abandon everything you've ever known--including yourself.
Eighteen years ago, Jaynee Monroe married the man of her dreams, became the mother of four, and fulfilled her career goals. About to turn forty, she senses something is missing from her idyllic life. While Googling her name in an attempt to find herself, she unearths something so impossible, she contemplates her own sanity. Seeking answers, she embarks on a journey to discover the truth, only to end up abducted by a deranged stranger who insists on calling her Caycee.
Caycee took the road less traveled. Rejecting a marriage proposal from the only decent man she ever knew, she ventures to California to become famous. Eighteen years later, success has left her alone and miserable. Attempting to locate her lost love on Facebook, she discovers his infatuation with her. Not only does his presumed-dead wife have Caycee's uncommon middle name, it appears he has photo-shopped her face over hers.
Never could Caycee and Jaynee have imagined decisions they made years earlier would threaten not only their lives but also their loved ones. Caycee must now reunite with the southern gent she dismissed eighteen years ago and convince him to accompany her to New York to locate his wife, the most important person in both their lives.
Reader Profile: First and foremost, I am a reader. From the moment I could hold a book, I've been fascinated with the written word. I enjoy almost everything, but lean toward romantic-suspense and magical realism. If you're looking for poor reviews, you won't find them here. The reason...life's too short to read bad books. If a book isn't at least three stars halfway through, I stop reading, and therefore, don't feel as though I have the right to review it. That's my policy! Please don't send me requests, though. If you are one of my cyber friends, I will eventually find you. :)
Author Profile: I write stories that overflow with romance, mystery, suspense, a hint of paranormal sometimes, and of course, tragedy. After all, what would a great story be without a tragic event setting the stage? All of my novels are sensual but not erotic, gripping but not graphic, and will hopefully make you cry, laugh, love, and hope.
New Series: Midnight Sons #1 Sam's Folly #2 Alex's Atonement #3 Vince's Chance
The Southern Collection:
#1 She Belongs to Me #2 Land of the Noonday Sun #3 Entangled Dreams #4 When Noonday Ends #5 Split Decisions
Creatus Series (Paranormal Romantic Suspense) #0 Creatus (They Exist) The Prequel #1 Creatus #2 Creatus Rogue #3 Creatus Eidolon #4 Creatus Animus #5 Creatus Talis
Split Decisions is the sequel to Carmen DeSousa’s best seller She Belongs to Me but can be read as a standalone novel–though I do suggest reading She Belongs to Me just because it’s a great book.
We’re reintroduced to the lovely main characters; Jaynee and Jordan. Quite a few years have passed since the events of She Belongs to Me and life has moved forward. There are kids, life has changed a bit, and Jaynee is now an author. I think there was a bit of maturing on both Jaynee and Jordan’s parts between books 1 and 2.
Now, if you’ve read DeSousa’s other work you may think you know what to expect from her romantic-suspense novels, but in Split Decisions she definitely breaks the rules.
I loved the beginning of the book, then things got a little…strange. But, bear with it. It isn’t a bad strange. And, although it wasn’t what I was expecting from a DeSousa book, it was still a fantastic read. It is well-paced, keeps the mystery under wraps until close to the end, and had me sitting on the edge of my seat at times. There were moments when I laughed, or when my heart ached for the characters. Sometimes I wanted to slap them or grab them by the shoulders and shake them, ask them ‘why can’t you see?’. All-in-all it has everything a good romantic suspense novel needs, with a twist.
So, kudos to you Carmen for breaking the rules, turning my expectations on their head and giving us a fantastic new read. Never let it be said that Carmen DeSousa follows a formula
Carmen's books get better and better. I have enjoyed all her books but I seem to enjoy each new release more than the last one. Split Decisions is the follow up book to She Belongs to Me and takes place over a decade later. I thought this was a great choice. Jordan and Jaynee are at a different stage in their lives and marriage and that helps it to read as a completely different book. Because I don't like to let characters go, I really enjoyed reading another book about Jordan and Jaynee.
With Carmen's books you get a lot of mystery. There is a lot of suspense in Split Decisions, but the mystery of "who did it" is strongly there and is what keeps the readers engaged. The romance in this story is unique and sweet. It was just enough for the story and the characters. I can't really tell you how unique, as that would include too many spoilers. You will just have to read it to find out.
In Split Decisions, there are several story lines going on. More characters, more plot, more bad luck for Jaynee. I adore Jordan. He is so awesome in this story. It is hard to believe, but I think I like him better in this book than I did in the first one. Some of it has to do with the different circumstances and that there isn't that doubt in their marriage. I also really like how both Jordan and Jaynee's Christianity comes out in Split Decisions. They both have a strong faith in God and it shows.
Carmen develops the characters very well, the plot is very tight and moves along at a good pace. Everything comes together at the end and you can sigh happily. If you are looking for a clean, romantic mystery that is well balanced between the romance and the mystery I recommend you try Split Decisions!
I loved this one! Jaynee and Jordan have been married for 18 years and Jaynee is about to turn 40. I loved Jordan in She Belongs to Me and it was nice to see their family and how they are together years later. There were also a couple of unanswered questions that are cleared up. But it's not all happily ever after. Jaynee has been feeling down lately and discovers something interesting while Googling herself and goes to investigate. That's all I'm going to say because I don't want to give anything away.
This is so different from your typical romance. I'd call it romantic suspense with a twist. Probably my favorite Carmen DeSousa book so far, this one is full of suspense and surprises and I couldn't put it down until I finished. You don't have to have read She Belongs to Me to follow this one, but you should check it out anyway.
Jaynee Monroe is living a wonderful life! She's been married to her loving, supportive and protective husband, Jordan, for eighteen. Her children are loving, respectful and happy. Jaynee wonder's, "Why am I miserable inside when everything in my life is perfect?" The resulting answer was pure magic, suspence, mayhem, and drama all cleverly connected! Could not stop reading until the last page. Thank you for this unique and pleasurable reading experience, Ms. Desousa!
An enjoyable well written riveting romantic suspense. This engaging addicting suspense had me addicted page after page. This amazing storyline has incredible twists and turns, unbearable suspense, mystery, danger, in an emotional satisfying plot that all wraps up with an excellent plot twist. The characters are well developed and interesting. The narration had me glued to this story with every chapter, amazing emotion and character differences, really adding suspense and emotion.
So suspenseful and entertaining! I couldn't put it down! I kept thinking the psyche is a fragile and precarious part of who we are and worried for Jaynee. Gripping til the end. Lots of adventure and romance!
I initially did not like this book. I didn't like the concept presented in the plot...the split. As I continued to read I liked it more & found this unusual twist interesting instead of off-putting.
Romantic Suspense with a twist! Nothing that you would have expected, or I would have expected! A good follow-up on She Belongs to me- nice to be reintroduced to characters that you grow to be attached to while reading a novel. All in all, a good vacation read!
As always, Carmen writes great stories! Here she takes a different twist where this is a mistaken identity and a kidnapping as a result! Who would have thought someone would write a book like this?
never would have believed or thought up story line. Could not put it down. highly recommend this read. I cannot wait to read the next in the series!!!!
Just started reading Carmen Desousa books and I have to say I love what I have read so far. I really liked this book an had a hard time putting it down. can't wait to read more!!