We Win!!!!

Look! Sam and Cole won the Steamiest couple contest!!!

http://delshereegladden.blogspot.com/2013/10/and-winners-are.html

Also check the link to see if you won. There are lots of winners.

Thank you all for voting. It was fun for me...I hope it was fun for you!

Epiphany - Free

Go grab a copy of this book!  It's great!  You can read my review of it here: Book Review

Get your copy here: Epiphany

Steamy....

The contests just keep coming over at the Meet the Characters Blog fest!

Sam and Cole have been entered into the Steamiest couple contest. They have to win...they are a steampunk couple!!!

Go vote here:

http://delshereegladden.blogspot.com/2013/10/steamiest-couple-contest.html#.UmwGZXCTj9w

You can still vote for my other characters in the contests too as well as enter the 40 book giveaway. You cam make entries every day until the end of the month!!!

Meet Prince Cole and Princess Samantha

The Meet the Characters Blog Fest is still going on over at DelSheree Gladden's blog. Today, you can see Princess Samantha and Prince Cole featured.

http://delshereegladden.blogspot.com/2013/10/character-bios-prince-cole-mage-corey.html#.Umk0JXCTj9w

Don't forget!  You can still vote for my characters every day this month in the Hottest Guy Contest and the Feistiest Girl Contest.

You can still enter the 40 book giveaway as well!  Go check it out! Lot's of fun stuff happening over there.

NaNoWriMo

or, National Novel Writing Month.

This is a contest held every November. The challenge is to write 50,000 words of a novel between November 1st through November 30.
The prize?  Pride.

I think I'm going to give it a shot.  Guess what I'm going to write. Go ahead....guess.

Yup! Fate War 2! I knew there was a reason I had been procrastinating. Because you can't start mid novel.

So starting Nov. 1 . You will see a new gadget on the side bar. It will show my word count. I'm going to need lots of encouragement. I'll basically be in a cave for a month. We even had a family meeting to discuss if this is something feasible. The kids are going to have to do without a mom for a month.

So check back during the month to see how I'm doing. If I win, FW2 will be halfway done and one step closer to your Kindle.

Wish me luck!

Cover Reveal - Corrvids:Winter by Lisa Ann Brown

About the Book

Francesca de Lorimar, the beautiful Gypsy necromancer from Ravenswood Glen, is called to investigate a murder at Talus Hall and exorcise the unruly poltergeists which nightly ravage the mansion. During her quest to unravel the truth, Francesca discovers scorching secrets about herself, her parentage, and of power, as she stumbles headlong into first love and battles the ancient evil which stalks The Corvids.

About the Author

Lisa Ann has been involved with storytelling and entertainment, in one form or another, her entire life. Beginning her creative journey as both a writer and an actor, Lisa Ann spent many years immersing herself in innumerable books, countless theatre productions and earning a degree in Musical Theatre. Shortly after college, she attended the Vancouver Film School to learn the finer points of screenwriting. This study culminated in the writing of a few feature length scripts and an overwhelmingly potent desire to move from Canada to Hollywood. Once ensconced in East Hollywood however, creative inspiration lured Lisa Ann away from screenwriting and returned her to her original writing intentions: to be a novelist. In three months, Lisa Ann had completed her first novel, I Raid, and there has been no cessation of her novel writing ever since. Moving back to Canada, she spent many years working as a talent agent in Vancouver before retiring from the film industry to focus on writing full-time. Lisa Ann derives great personal satisfaction by delivering her characters through the twisting arcs and unexpected tribulations of their imaginary lives. She strives to keep her readers on edge while enjoying the suspense and surprise of their literary journey. She resides in picturesque Vancouver, BC, Canada where she is happily nestled in between the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountain range.

Blog – Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads – Amazon

Cover Reveal: Don't Let Go by Skye Warren

About the Book

Don’t Let Go

(Dark Erotica #4)

FBI’s Most Wanted. Psychopath. Secret admirer.

He’s all these things…and I’m going to bring him down. I’m just a junior agent with the FBI, but my past runs deeper and darker than anyone knows. I turned in my own father for heinous, violent crimes. This is what I live for. Except he seems to anticipate my every move. He’s always one step ahead, circling, taunting, and when we finally meet, I’m the one who gets caught.

Coming November 2013

Sign up for Skye Warren’s newsletter to get notified when it’s out.

About the Author

Skye Warren writes unapologetic erotica, where pain and sex and love collide. The Forbidden Bookshelf called her “a true mistress of dark and twisted erotica.” Her dark erotica books have reached the erotica bestseller lists on Amazon and have been Top Picks at such sites as Night Owl Reviews and The Romance Reviews.

“Dark, disturbing, haunting, and beautiful, Skye Warren will take you into the depths of depravity but bring you home, safe in the end.” – Kitty Thomas, author of Comfort Food

Website –  Twitter – Facebook

EM Reviews - Taken by surprise by Jessica Francess

About the Book

 

 

  

 

New Adult Paranormal Romance

Date Published: 9/5/2013

 

 

Five strangers scattered across America have three things in common with each other.

 

One: They each have special abilities that shouldn’t be possible.

 

Two: They’ve all just had people try to kill them.

 

Three: They’ve all just been kidnapped and taken away from their home, families and friends.

 

Their lives will never be the same as they’re taken to a government facility and told that their abilities mean that they must train to become soldiers and fight. But are they being told the truth? Or is something more sinister going on? They must learn to trust each other and decide if they should stay on this path or run away from it. Either way there is no going back.

 

 

Excerpt

 

“How can you know that?”

“I just do. You will, too, if you dream of the future. You’ll see us on a beach, drinking something with a little umbrella in it.”

“I doubt that.”

“Prove me wrong and dream of our actual future then.”

I sigh. “I can’t control it like that.”

“Then we’ll just have to go with my vision.”

I roll my eyes at him. He moves to sit up properly and I feel the quilt move with him.

“Hey, didn’t I win a bet that meant I controlled this quilt for a whole night?”

“Yes, and you graciously allowed me to have some last night, thank you for that.”

“Actually, I was unconscious for most of the night, so I don’t think that should count.”

“You should have read the fine print. Last night was the only night included in the bet.”

I lean forward, resting on my knees and look at his jaw in the light. There is a bruise forming and it looks quite dark and sore.

“Does it hurt?” I reach out to touch the spot, but stop myself before I can reach it. I’ve never hit a person before and I hate that Charlie wears a bruise from the impact.

“It’s fine.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal.

“I really didn’t mean to hurt you yesterday, it was a complete fluke.”

“I know. Next time I won’t make it so easy for you to get me.” He smiles at me.

“I caught you off guard which is the reason I was able to hit you,” I reason.

“I made you think that. In reality, I saw your punch coming and felt bad for you.” He winks at me and I know he’s trying to stir me up.

“Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to give you a matching bruise on the other side of your chin tomorrow.” I smile back at him cockily.

“You mean, if I allow you the chance to get near enough to me to do it.” He smirks at me.

“Tough talk for someone who has now lost to two women so far. Maybe Martha can beat you next time?”

Instead of replying to that like I expect, he reaches out with both hands and grabs my shoulders. Moments later, I’m flat on my back and he is looming over me.

“Think you can beat me now?”

“Depends.” I can’t stop smiling and I know I should probably feel awkward, having our bodies so close, however after everything that has happened between us, I feel safe around him.

“Depends on what?” He, too, smiles and my heart rate increases just seeing it.

“On whether you’re ticklish.”

Since his hands are still on my shoulders, his sides are completely open to attack, so I reach out and take my advantage. I don’t expect the reaction I get.

 

 

About the Author

 

Jessica Frances

Born and raised in South Australia, Jessica spends her days working in a bakery, afternoons catching up on lost sleep, and nights reading and writing. Writing has always been a passion of hers, however it wasn’t until Zoe appeared into her head and wouldn’t leave that she finally was able to put a story down and finish it. After writing three books, she is wondering if she should start charging Zoe and her friends rent.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Frances-Author/156139237914619

 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18375303-taken-by-surprise

 

 

 

 

BUY LINKS

 

 

Amazon

 

 

My Review

 

It's very rare when a book can make me cry. Jessica Frances manages to do just that in the first couple of chapters of Taken By Surprise. Her ability to draw a character and make you feel a situation is astounding. But don't think this is some heart wrenching melodrama. Taken By Surprise is a heart pumping action-adventure, science-fiction, thrill ride. Not to mention a little romance.

 

At first glance, a first person, multi-point-of-view book didn't appeal to me, and when we changed POV the first time, I was sad to leave the protagonist. However, I was soon drawn into the next character's world, and when it changed again, I got kind of mad! Each new switch had me longing for the previous characters world because I fell in love with all of them. I must say…Well done Ms. Frances!

 

The plot is fantastic. I love me some time travel and trying to wrap my mind around it. I enjoyed delving into this particular theory and the outcomes. I won't spoil it. Add into that super powers, an origin story, secret rogue government agencies, and "make you want to punch the author" cliff hanger ending, and you have one exciting first installment of a series.

 

I have two nitpicks. First, about halfway through the book I started noticing the American characters saying things like, "straight away" and "proper". I looked up the author and verified that she was from Australia. (Love Australians! Go Cats!) From then on the language difference was a hilarious distraction. Especially when the Texan did it. I'm Texas born…we don't talk like that. But that is minor.

 

My biggest beef is my disappointment in the protagonist. I don't mind when the main female character starts out frail, afraid, and needing saving. But by the end of the story, I need to see her come into her own. I understand this is a series and she has plenty of time to become the heroine, but the ending fell flat for me when she remained the victim and never had one moment of self discovery or act of valor. 

 

Even with that, I immediately looked up the author to see when the next book will be out. I can't wait to see what happens next!

 

While there is no bow-chicka-wow-wow in this book, there are some steamy (well done) scenes that are probably best left for older teens and up to read. (If the protagonist had become strong by the end, I might have even let my 12 year old read it. I’m always looking for a book with female heroes for her). There is very little cursing, but lots of violence and blood, but not gore.

 

All in all a fantastic read that will keep me watching this author.

 

 



Feisty!!!!!!

Okay guys! I entered another character contest. today's contest is for feistiest female.  I entered Jayden from Dark Night of the Soul.

Go vote!!!!!

http://delshereegladden.blogspot.com/2013/10/feistiest-girl-contest.html#.UlgZjtKTj9w

Remember, you can vote every day for the rest of the month. Each time you vote you also enter the contest to win books!

You can also vote for Prince Cole, Captain Jensen, and Marshal Britton every day too.

http://delshereegladden.blogspot.com/2013/10/meet-characters-hottest-guy-contest.html#.Ulgc-tKTj9x

Book Blitz - If I Stay by Evan Reeves

About the Book

Release date: August 26th 2013
Purchase: Amazon

Breakups suck. Gemma Davies, at twenty-two, has just learned this. It was also not what she had expected from her long-time and only boyfriend - ever. So when her best friend and roommate drags her out in hopes to help Gemma come alive again, the last thing she expects is to meet someone who manages to do just that. In a passionate night (on so many levels) that leaves her rattled long after she sneaks out of his hotel room.

But because nothing in Gemma's whirl-wind life can ever go seamlessly, she soon runs into the man that she'd left naked and in bed just the evening before...in the most unexpected of places. The classroom. As her Professor.

...if only the surprises stopped there.


About the Author

Evan Reeves, unrelated to Keanu although sometimes she likes to think they're married, is a debut New Adult Romance author of If I Stay and the upcoming Fall Into Me. Evan considers herself  to be living in the shire, while writing books just for fun.

evanreeves.tumblr.com | twitter.com/EvanWritesStuff

Goodreads

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HOT! HOT! HOT!!!!!

Seriouly!!!!  Go check out this post. Ladies....you will not be disapointed. I've entered Prince Cole and Captain Jenseon from Fate War: Alliance and Marshal Britton from Dark Night of the Soul in a Hottest Character Contest.

GO VOTE HERE!!!!!

http://delshereegladden.blogspot.com/2013/10/meet-characters-hottest-guy-contest.html

Cover Reveal - Dawning Appocalypse by Jill Cooper

About the Book

Title: Dawning Apocalypse

Series: Dream Slayer #3

Release date: October 29th 2013

goodreads.com/book/show/18517023-dawning-apocolypse

Protection, murder, deception....

No one can know Natalie works for a supernatural protection agency and is charged with protecting Meadow’s Creek from vampires. But as their numbers swell, their presence doesn't go unnoticed throwing her town under the microscope from the local government and the FBI.

Natalie’s job is pushed even further into the shadows where she must dodge the police, concerned citizens and even her own parents.

Meanwhile a deadly plague grips the town and Natalie suspects it’s more than just a hacking cough. While the stress of working overtime erodes her relationships she will race against time, illness, to face a familiar enemy, save an old friend, and stop an undead seize that wants nothing more than to suck Meadow’s Creek dry.



                                                                     

About the Author 

By now, you should know Jill Cooper's name. She's the writer behind the best selling time travelling phenomenon 15 Minutes, as well as Glistening Haven and Dream Slayer. Jill loves to blend horror, comedy, the supernatural, and love, through her novels. A fan of genre blending, her work strives to cross boundries, but most of all strives to entertain. She loves soft cuddly cats, warm blankets, and paranormal romances.

Jill resides in Massachusetts, is constantly renovating her home that she shares with her husband, young daughter, and two skittish cats.

Official links:
www.jillacooper.com | twitter.com/jillybug

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Meet the Characters Blog Fest!!!

http://www.delshereegladden.blogspot.com

Welcome to the Meet the Characters Blogfest!

Readers, get ready for a whole month of some of the most interesting, hottest, attention grabbing characters in today's YA, NA, Romance, Horror, and Paranormal fiction! 

All month long I'll be introducing readers to amazing characters through character bios, artwork, interviews, and contests. Check out the schedule below from what you'll find each day this month. 

That's Not All...

We'll be having some fabulous contests, each of which has it's own giveaway. Readers will get to vote on the characters, and one lucky voter in each contest will win a copy of the book the Winning Character comes from. The character giveaways will include: 

Hottest Guy Contest (10/4)

Feistiest Girl Contest (10/11)

Cutest Couple Contest (10/18)

Steamiest Couple Contest (10/25)

There will also be one MAIN GIVEAWAY starting today where 1 LUCKY WINNER will win a prize pack of 40 books from some of today's hottest new authors. Additional winners will be chosen to receive runner-up prize packs as well. Scroll down and enter below! 

SO, WHAT CAN YOU FIND EACH DAY?

10/2 -- Character interviews with Zadie Stonebrook (My Sister's Reaper - Dorothy Dreyer), Tizzy Donovan (Laid out and Candle Lit - Ann Everett), Kristi Becker (A Plain Wish - Cyndi Lord), Zander Roth (Wicked Hunger - DelSheree Gladden)

10/3 -- Character Bios from Kristi Becker (A Plain Wish - Cyndi Lord), Bryan Sullivan (Arcadia's Gift - Jesi Lea Ryan), Brandon James (Love and Other Games - Aria Kane

10/4 -- Hottest Guy Contest (Stop by and vote for your favorite!)

10/7 -- Character Surprise Posts from authors RH Ramsey and DelSheree Gladden

10/8 -- Character Artwork from The Other F Word (Susan Stec) and Wicked Hunger (DelSheree Gladden) 

10/9 -- Character interviews with Kate Everett (A Slight Change of Plan - Dee Ernst), Jean (In Polester Pajamas - Catherine Dougherty), Ben (Twenty-Five - Rachel Hamm), Vanessa Roth (Wicked Hunger - DelSheree Gladden)

10/10 -- Character Bios from Kassia (Ice Magic), Maze (The Ballerina and the Fighter Ursula Sinclair), Lucien (Smoke, Wings, and Stone - Marijon Bradley)

10/11 -- Feistiest Girl Contest (Stop by and vote for your favorite!)

10/14 -- Character Surprise Posts from authors Kara Leigh Miller, Sharon Kleve, Linda Budzinski 

10/15 -- Character Artwork from On a Wing and a Dare (Linda Ulleseit), Invisible (DelSheree Gladden)

10/16 -- Character interviews with David Corbin and Jon Reyes (Sign of the Throne Melissa Eskue Ousley), Rosie (In Polyester Pajamas - Catherine Dougherty), Ketchup (Wicked Hunger - DelSheree Gladden)

10/17 -- Character Bios from Nadia (love and Other Games - Melinda Dozier), (Karin  Rita Gastreich), (HL Carpenter)

10/18 -- Cutest Couple Contest (Stop by and vote for your favorite!)

10/21 -- Character Surprise Posts from authors Stephanie Wardrop, Lucy Crowe, Ana Blaze

10/22 -- Character Artwork from Haunting Joy (Lena Goldfinch) and The Destroyer Trilogy (DelSheree Gladden)

10/23 -- Character interviews with Rachel Blackstone (The Relcutant Medium - GG Collins), Nell (The King Series - Tawdra Kandle), Arcadia ( Arcadia's Gift - Jesi Lea Ryan), Olivia & Mason (Invisible - DelSheree Gladden)

10/24 -- Character Bios from (Karin Rita Gastreich), Sam and Cole (Fate War: Alliance - EM Havens)

10/25 -- Steamiest Couple Contest (Stop by and vote for your favorite!)

10/28 -- Character Surprise Posts from authors Susan Stec, Shauna Roberts, Lisa Cresswell

10/29 -- Character Artwork from My Sister's Reaper (Dorothy Dreyer), Twin Souls (DelSheree Gladden)

10/30 -- Character interviews with Nathan Shaw (Reflection - Kim Cresswell), Nia (In the Winds of Danger - Linda Ulleseit), Jayden or Merch (dark Night of the Soul - EM Havens)

10/31 -- Winner's Announcements!!!

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EM's Review - Sanctuary by Pauline Creeden

About the Book

Release date: September 30th 2013

Publisher: AltWit Press

Purchase: Amazon

In a heart-racing thriller described as Falling Skies meets The Walking Dead, Jennie struggles to find a safe place for what’s left of her family. But it seems as though there is no place sacred, no place secure. First the aliens attacked the sun, making it dimmer, weaker, and half what it used to be.

Then they attacked the water supply, killing one-third of Earth’s population with a bitter contaminate. And when they unleash a new terror on humankind, the victims will wish for death, but will not find it…When the world shatters to pieces around her, will Jennie find the strength she needs to keep going?

Book Trailer

About the Author

In simple language, Pauline Creeden breaks down Biblical stories and applies them to real life in new ways. Her methods of teaching have brought new light to old scriptures. Pauline is a horse trainer from Virginia, but writing is her therapy.In her fiction, she creates worlds that are both familiar and strange, often pulling the veil between dimensions. She becomes the main character in each of her stories, and because she has ADD, she will get bored if she pretends to be one person for too long.

PaulineCreeden.com | twitter.com/P_Creeden

EM's Review

Sanctuary is not your ordinary end of the world novel. Ms. Creeden realistically combines Biblical end times prophecy, with other popular apocalyptic themes including zombies AND aliens.  You might think all that is a little too much, but it does work! I loved the Biblical quotes from Revelations at the beginning of many of the chapters. It's an imaginative take on old tired theories. 

This book is an action packed emotional ride. Ms. Creeden doesn't hold any punches when it comes to danger, loss, faith, and gore. (The gore isn't over the top though.) The book jumps right in on the plot with little lead up and you barely stop to catch a breath. This really adds to the immediacy of what the main characters are facing and I found my self holding my breath and tapping my foot in the most intense scenes. You do get to know the characters along the way though, and they are well drawn out.

While I thoroughly enjoyed this read, I need to mention a couple of things. While the writing, plot, characterization were all good, there were places I felt I was being told how to feel a about a character instead of being able to make up my own mind. The characters are well written so this was unnecessary and distracting. I also found the decay of society unrealistic, like the utilities continuing to work even after two thirds of the population had disappeared. I was also unsatisfied with the ending. It's obvious this book is meant to be the first in a series. I didn't feel that there was significant resolution or forward motion in the plot to consider it a well rounded novel.

I consider the first two points minor distractions. The last, though frustrating, would not deter me from standing in line to get the next book. The creativity and ease of reading more than make up for it!

While the main characters are all in their early to late 20's, and there is a love triangle, the interactions are tame. A younger child that is sensitive to themes of loss and death may need some parental guidance, but it's far less intense than the Hunger Games.

This is an overall great, clean, YA read. You might even say it's inspirational. 

Buy Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

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