Where to Start with Carmen DeSousa
Carmen DeSousa is known for blending emotional romance with high-stakes mystery, suspense, and occasionally, supernatural elements. Because her catalog spans several distinct universes, the best place to start depends on your favorite genre:
- For Romantic Suspense & Mystery Fans: Start with the Southern Suspense Series. Her debut novel, She Belongs to Me, offers the perfect introduction to her signature blend of small-town secrets, danger, and second chances.
- For Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Fans: Start with the Creatus Series. This USA Today bestselling series introduces a unique, hidden race of superhuman beings living secretly among humans, combining family drama, survival, and romance.
Southern Suspense Series
Set against atmospheric Southern backdrops, this series features standalone romantic mysteries that are subtly interconnected. While you can read most of them independently, some characters cross over, and one pair of books shares a direct continuity that you should read in order.
- She Belongs to Me (2011) - Follows Jaynee and Jordan as a whirlwind romance in Florida quickly spirals into a dark, suspenseful mystery following a shooting.
- Land of the Noonday Sun (2012) - Cassandra inherits a property in North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest, only to find herself untangling a tragic, haunted past.
- Entangled Dreams (2012) - A contemporary, suspenseful take on a Cinderella-like journey where trust and survival go hand-in-hand.
- When Noonday Ends (2012) - Important Reading Note: This is a direct sequel to Land of the Noonday Sun. You should read Cassandra's first story before starting this book to fully understand the resolution of the mystery.
- Split Decisions (2013) - A final gripping mystery in the collection featuring high emotional stakes and family secrets.
Creatus Series Reading Order
The Creatus saga centers on a hidden species of superhumans who must keep their existence secret from humanity to survive. Unlike her contemporary romances, the Creatus books follow a continuous, overarching storyline. For the best experience, you should follow the chronological order, beginning with the prequel novella.
- They Exist (Creatus Prequel) (2013) - Sets up the history, mythology, and laws of the Creatus species.
- Creatus (2013) - Introduces the main storyline, where a Creatus member risks exposing his entire race for the human woman he loves.
- Creatus Rogue (2014) - Follows the fallout of broken laws and rogue factions within the hidden society.
- Creatus Eidolon (2014) - Expands the conflict as the threat of exposure intensifies.
- Creatus Animus (2016) - Further explores the internal politics and emotional struggles of the superhuman families.
- Creatus Unyielding (2023) - The long-awaited continuation of the main saga.
- Creatus Sovereign (2024) - The latest installment focusing on leadership, survival, and ancient secrets.
Midnight Sons Series
Set in the rugged Alaskan wilderness, the Midnight Sons series follows the romantic journeys and personal struggles of the brothers in the family. While each book is designed to stand alone with its own romance, reading them in publication order lets you see the family dynamics evolve naturally.
- Sam's Folly (2020)
- Alex's Atonement (2020)
- Vince's Chance (2020)
- Erik’s Revelation (2021)
- Daire's Resolution (2022)
- Adam's Rising (2025) - Note: Though published last, this installment acts as a prequel to the brothers' stories. You can read it first if you prefer chronological order, or last to enjoy it as a flashback mystery.
American Haunts Series
If you enjoy police procedurals with a supernatural twist, this series is the perfect fit. It follows homicide detectives Gino Canale and Mark Waters as they investigate cold cases and fresh murders that have ties to restless, ghostly spirits.
- The Pit Stop (2012) - A novella introducing the detective duo as they investigate a decades-old double homicide at a remote location.
- The Depot (2013) - The detectives look into a historic 1934 murder that still echoes into the present day.
- The Library (2013) - A full-length novel that builds on the events and paranormal encounters of the previous novellas.
Other Contemporary Romance & Collaboration Series
DeSousa has written several shorter, character-focused romance series that focus on personal growth, second chances, and emotional healing.
What's Luck Got To Do With It
A two-book series focusing on independent women navigating unexpected romantic detours. Both are standalones but are best read in order:
- Some Lucky Woman (2016)
- Down on Her Luck (2017)
Crazy Love Books
A coming-of-age duology that explores young love, unexpected tragedy, and the difficult choices that follow:
- Love Like Crazy (2017)
- Love Until it Hurts (2018)
The Watermen
- Christmas with Jacky Waterman (2014) - A short fantasy romance novella centered on a royal prince trying to bring a runaway princess back to her kingdom.
Holiday Reading Selection (Multi-Author Series)
DeSousa contributed to this collaborative holiday collection alongside authors Jackie Weger and Melinda Colt. While they are marketed under a shared banner, the books are independent projects by different writers:
- Chicago Hope (2020) - Written by Carmen DeSousa.
- A Mother for Christmas (2020) - Written by Jackie Weger.
- Lost Girl (2021) - Written by Melinda Colt.