Luck 13?

This spring has been a marathon of book releases!

Last fall, my original spring book-related plans involved releasing Intangible (Aerling Series #2) and Soul Stone (Escaping Fate #2).

Two books, that's not to bad, so how did it turn into releasing FIVE books within four months? 

It started with the fact that the publisher I was signed with at the time was not holding up their end of the bargain and I was very unhappy with them. I ended up breaking contract and taking Wicked Hunger back. I wasn't looking for another publisher (I was pretty done with that by then), but my friend Leah recommended Clean Teen Publishing to me. Now, Leah always has the best ideas, so naturally, I listened.

At the same time, another friend and fellow author, the talented Apryl Baker, recommended her publisher, Limitless Publishing, to me for Invisible, which was doing really well on Wattpad then and now.

So, I decided to test them both out. I sent a query for Wicked Hunger to CTP and one for Invisible to Limitless. CTP got back right away and absolutely loved Wicked Hunger and wanted the whole series. They were so put together and excited, I decided to risk what could possibly be another bad publishing experience, and signed the series with them. I am absolutely thrilled that I did because they have been amazing, and that added two more books to my spring release schedule, since Wicked Power was nearly finished at the time.

Limitless had been inundated with queries at the time I submitted, since the only rarely open up for
submissions, and by the time they got to Invisible they had already closed YA submissions. But... they still read the book, liked my writing, and asked if I had a contemporary romance. As it so happened, I did! I sent them Date Shark, which was scary because NO ONE else had read it (I don't recommend this), but they loved it and offered me a contract for a three book series. I was thrilled, and it added one more book to the spring schedule, topping it off at 5.



This spring has been incredibly hectic having released two indie books and three traditionally published books, but I wouldn't trade the craziness for anything. I now have 13 published books, all of which I am so thrilled to share with my readers. Wicked Hunger and Wicked Power are doing awesome thanks to the tireless hard work of the CTP team, and Date Shark just hit the digital and regular shelves. I consider myself so amazing blessed to have found two publishers willing to get behind me and my books, even when I'm up late at night finishing edits or writing blog tour posts or sharing links on every Facebook group known to man. I also have some of the most amazing fans who share my books with anyone who will listen and never lose their enthusiasm.

If you want to see what all the craziness has been about, you can find my new releases here: 

Date Shark

Wicked Hunger (FREEBIE)

Wicked Power

Soul Stone
Intangible

So, what's coming up this summer? 

Lots and lots of writing. My Wattpad fans are waiting for Invincible (Aerling Series #3) as patiently as the possibly can. CTP is eager for Wicked Glory (Someone Wicked #3). Limitless has Date Shark #2 on the schedule. I also have Oracle Lost outlined and waiting patiently for its turn. It'll be a busy summer, but I'm looking forward to it!

What do your summer reading plans include? 

Meet Sebastian Wallace...

I've been so wrapped up in Wicked Hunger the last month and prepping for the release of Wicked Power on May 1st, that I fear I've neglected some of my other characters. Ketchup has been stealing the spotlight lately, but I wanted to make sure Bas got an equal chance. 

So, meet Sebastian Wallace from Soul Stone (Escaping Fate #2) and make your own decision on whether he's arrogant, annoying, and out to make Arra's life miserable... or something else entirely. 

Please join me in welcoming Bas. He's ready to tell us more about his role in Soul Stone and why Arrabella, the girl with the dreams, apparently can’t stand him.

Bas: How did I know questions about Arra were coming? Silly me to think you wanted to hear about the curse.

By all means, tell us about the curse first. We’ll save the details about you and Arra for the end.

Bas: (shakes his head) Okay, fine with me. I missed the whole Aztec curse, as I was overseas visiting relatives during the summer. I really didn’t know what was going on with Arra even after I got back until she asked me for a favor. Even then, I wasn’t really sure what was going on, but I knew it was only the first step in a long, weird journey. One that’s probably not ending any time soon.

If you knew that, why did you decide to help Arra?

Bas: Why wouldn’t I help her?

Well… because you two don’t get along.

Bas: I get along with Arra just fine. She just doesn’t get along with me.

So, Arra’s the problem? Not you?

Bas: Of course not.

So, you didn’t give her a goose egg on her head and not apologize? Or get her phone confiscated? Or spill her chemistry experiment? Or…

Bas: Those were all accidents. Every single one of them.

And you wonder why Arra doesn’t believe you. Anyway, tell us about Sibeal Ahearn, the girl who has suddenly become the center of some very strange dreams.

Bas: Sibeal, yes, there’s definitely something weird going on with her. Aside from her creepy reflection. Really, she’s a nice girl. She’s pretty and smart, sweet. Under normal circumstances, the guys probably would have been all over her.

Including you?

Bas: Well, no …

Why not?

Bas: I’m just not interested in her like that. I mean, I want to help Arra figure out what’s going on and make sure she doesn’t die, but not for any romantic reasons.

Who would you like to save… for romantic reasons?

Bas:  Are you trying to get me to admit something about Arra? It’s not going to happen. I don’t know why, but I seem to bring out the worst in her. We’re barely managing friends as it is. I just got sucked up in all of this because she’s Tanner’s girlfriend. I’m trying to help save Sibeal. It isn’t any more complicated than that.

Hmm, if you say so. What if Arra has more strange dreams? Will you help her with whatever they bring as well, or are you done after this one?

Bas: Well, just because we aren’t that great of friends doesn’t mean I want to see her die. If she needs my help again, she knows I’ll be there.

I’m sure she’ll be glad to hear that. Tanner, maybe not so much.

Bas: What’s that supposed to mean?

It looks like we’re about out of time, Bas, so sorry. I guess it will just have to remain an enigma, just like why the whole town of Grainer thinks you can do no wrong. So many mysteries, and only enough room for one more question. What will the dreams bring next? 

Bas: I suppose it would be too much to ask for it to be something good. I’m not really sure, but Arra said something about Oracle Lost the other day. You’ll have to ask her for more details, I was only half paying attention because I was trying to get all of her pencils out of her backpack without her noticing at the time.

Bas, Bas, Bas. I do hope you know what you’re doing. Until we see you again, good luck with the curses, and with Arra. 

See what Bas is up to in Soul Stone in Paperback or Kindle

You can also check out the book trailer for Soul Stone!

The Tour Begins...Soul Stone is Here!!!

Spotlight

Soul Stone (Escaping Fate #2)

By DelSheree Gladden

Release Date: February 26th, 2014

Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy

Length: 230 pages

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Soul Stone

by DelSheree Gladden

Giveaway ends March 31, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Arrabella thought she was done with dreams, done with curses and the threat of death.

After surviving the ancient Aztec curse that had plagued her family for centuries, Arra was more than ready for her new life in the boring little town of Grainer, Maine. Boring and small sounded perfect...but she should have known better than to think it would last. 

The dream was odd, but Arra passed it off as nerves about starting school in Grainer. Her boyfriend, Tanner, was there to distract her…and get her into a little trouble as well. He pushes the dream out of her mind until they walk onto the school campus and see her. The lonely girl from Arra’s dream. 

Tanner’s reaction is fierce. He won’t risk losing Arra again and demands she stay away from Sibeal, but Arra can’t stop thinking about her haunted expression. What if she can help her? Arra can’t just walk away and let whatever curse has a hold of Sibeal claim her without trying to stop it. But what if Sibeal deserves the punishment? 

Arra’s battle to make the right choice about Sibeal only gets harder when she is forced to turn to the person in town she likes least for help. Sebastian Wallace is arrogant and irritating, but he’s seems to be the only one who can help her. As Arra tries to determine what the right choice is, she finds out saving Sibeal may be the least of her problems.

Get your copy now on Amazon!

Meet the Cast of Soul Stone!

Sebastian Wallace * Arrabella Malo * Tanner Donovan * Sibeal Ahearn

Watch the book trailer for a sneak peek of what these four will face...

Get the first book in the series "Escaping Fate" FREE on Amazon February 26th-21th! 

Get Escaping Fate FREE on Amazon!

About DelSheree Gladden

DelSheree Gladden lives in New Mexico with her husband and two children. The Southwest is a big influence in her writing because of its culture, beauty, and mythology. Local folk lore is strongly rooted in her writing, particularly ideas of prophecy, destiny, and talents born from natural abilities. When she is not writing, DelSheree is usually reading, painting, sewing, or working as a Dental Hygienist. Her works include Escaping Fate, Twin Souls Saga, The Destroyer Trilogy, and Invisible. Look for, Wicked Power, the next book in the Someone Wicked This Way Comes Series, and Soul Stone, book two in the Escaping Fate Series, coming 2014.

Connect with DelSheree Online

Goodreads : DelSheree’s Blog : DelSheree’s Website : Facebook : Twitter : Wattpad : Amazon : Pintrest

Cover Reveal: Soul Stone (Escaping Fate #2)

Official Cover Reveal

Soul Stone (Escaping Fate #2)

By DelSheree Gladden

Release Date: February 26th, 2014

Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy

Length: 230 pages

Arrabella thought she was done with dreams, done with curses and the threat of death.

After surviving the ancient Aztec curse that had plagued her family for centuries, Arra was more than ready for her new life in the boring little town of Grainer, Maine. Boring and small sounded perfect...but she should have known better than to think it would last. 

The dream was odd, but Arra passed it off as nerves about starting school in Grainer. Her boyfriend, Tanner, was there to distract her…and get her into a little trouble as well. He pushes the dream out of her mind until they walk onto the school campus and see her. The lonely girl from Arra’s dream. 

Tanner’s reaction is fierce. He won’t risk losing Arra again and demands she stay away from Sibeal, but Arra can’t stop thinking about her haunted expression. What if she can help her? Arra can’t just walk away and let whatever curse has a hold of Sibeal claim her without trying to stop it. But what if Sibeal deserves the punishment? 

Arra’s battle to make the right choice about Sibeal only gets harder when she is forced to turn to the person in town she likes least for help. Sebastian Wallace is arrogant and irritating, but he’s seems to be the only one who can help her. As Arra tries to determine what the right choice is, she finds out saving Sibeal may be the least of her problems.

Get the first book in the series "Escaping Fate" FREE on Amazon February 19th-20th! 

Turning sixteen should mean driving, dating, and breaking curfew. It should never mean certain death. Arrabella's excitement for her upcoming birthday is swallowed up by not only her dismay at being moved to a tiny little town in the middle of nowhere, but by the terror of the dreams that assault her every night. 

Stalking her dreams, the raven haired beauty warns her, taunts her, as she is paraded toward her death. Desperate for answers, Arrabella turns to her grandfather, the only one willing to delve into her family's dark past. Warning her that once she takes the first step, there is no going back, Arrabella's grandfather begins to unwind their awful heritage. The only joy she finds in the week leading up to her death is meeting Tanner Wheeler, a young man she barely knows but is immediately drawn to. A story of selfish betrayal reaching back to an age of merciless gods and blood sacrifice, Arrabella's world is sent into a deadly spiral.

Get Escaping Fate FREE on Amazon!

About DelSheree Gladden

DelSheree Gladden lives in New Mexico with her husband and two children. The Southwest is a big influence in her writing because of its culture, beauty, and mythology. Local folk lore is strongly rooted in her writing, particularly ideas of prophecy, destiny, and talents born from natural abilities. When she is not writing, DelSheree is usually reading, painting, sewing, or working as a Dental Hygienist. Her works include Escaping Fate, Twin Souls Saga, The Destroyer Trilogy, and Invisible. Look for, Wicked Power, the next book in the Someone Wicked This Way Comes Series, and Soul Stone, book two in the Escaping Fate Series, coming 2014.

Connect with DelSheree Online

Goodreads : DelSheree’s Blog : DelSheree’s Website : Facebook : Twitter : Wattpad : Amazon : Pintrest

Soul Stone Cover Reveal and Blog Tour Signups are Now Open!

Guess what's coming up? 

Early 2014 is going to be an exciting time for me, and for my readers! Between now and April, I'll be releasing 4 new books!

First up on the list in the second book in the Escaping Fate Series. 

Soul Stone will be releasing Feb 26th. 2014. 

If you'd like to participate in the Cover Reveal on Feb 19th, or the Blog Tour starting Feb 26th, head over to Signup Genius and sign up now! Bloggers, reviewers, and readers are welcome to participate!

Next up is "Intangible" the next book in The Aerling Series!

If you've been patiently waiting to find out if Mason and Olivia will find their way back together after being separated in order to save Mason's life, mark your calendars! 

Intangible will be released March 12, 2014

Cover Reveal and Blog Tour signups will be coming soon!

You won't want to miss the cover reveal. Invisible and Intangible will be getting brand new covers in the cover reveal, featuring Mason and Olivia!

Last, but not least, is Wicked Hunger and Wicked Power, the first two books in the Someone Wicked This Way Comes Series!

Wicked Hunger will be released by Clean Teen Publishing April 1, 2014. Wicked Power doesn't have a set release date yet, but we're hoping to release it either the same day, or shortly after, so check back for updates often! 

Clean Teen Publishing will be hosting a Facebook Release Party on April 1st for Wicked Hunger and KC Finn's new ya novel "Mind's Eye. I'll post the link and invite as we get closer to the release date. 

Escaping Fate...the evolution of the cover art

Designing cover art for a book can often be a challenge, even more so when you're painting the images yourself! 

I did the original painting for Escaping Fate several years ago when Escaping Fate was first published. I ended up not liking the full image as the cover and instead went with a very abstract portion of the painting. 

This is the old cover on the right --->

At this time, Escaping Fate was a standalone novel and I planned to keep it that way. That recently changed (yeah!) and I am now working on a sequel titled "Soul Stone." 

Soul Stone is currently out being beta read and will soon go into rewrites, but at the same time I had to rethink the cover art so I could find something that could be incorporated into a series. 

So...back to the original painting. 

This is the original painting. I based the painting off a pottery design for the Aztec god Tlaloc. But still...I didn't like the full image for the cover. So, I tried using a portion of the image, but not so abstract as the original cover design. 

This seemed to fit much better, leaving some to the imagination and creating intrigue. But the coloring wasn't quite right. It was clearly time to break out Photoshop! It took some layering, some effects, and some color alterations, this is what I came up with! 

And here's the full cover!

Escaping Fate is now available exclusively on Amazon as a paperback and Kindle Ebook. 

You can also get a sneak peek of book two, Soul Stone, at the end of the book. 

And keep an eye out for FREE days on Kindle for Escaping Fate coming up on 

November 24th-25th