Cover Reveal

Hola amigos!

I've been waiting to write this post for a very long time. If you couldn't tell from all my social media buzz, I've been googling over my cover the past little while, and today you get to see it here first!

But hold on, there are matters to discuss before I can show you. I know, buzz kill. But not really because it's about the release date. Eek! On my social media profiles they say that the release date of my book is February 2015. Well I'm here to tell you that it has changed. As in, moved on up to the big '14 year! The new date is perfect because it relates so well to the particular month it will be released. Because, duh, there's some spooky content in my book. So, with that said, the new release date for THE 52ND is October 27, 2014.

October 27th

October 27th

October 27th

OCTOBER 27TH

Did I say it enough?! I am so excited. No, scratch that. I'm so ecstatic that I'm sick. The nerves and anxiousness is killing me. So go and tell all your friends what I just said because you heard me right. THE 52ND will be released THIS YEAR on October 27, 2014. And of course it will be available in paper and ebook.

Now, the fun part. Want to see the cover?!! I've been dying to show you (pun intended). It's beautiful and dark and eerie. It's so perfect I want to sleep with this creepy face every night! Ew! Okay, you ready?? Drumroll please...

When I sat down and had a phone conference with my crew, I explained to my graphic artist what the book was about, and then of course all the visuals I imagined to go along with it. Initially we planned to do an abstract cover. We had picked out the perfect object to display and were all set. But after the phone call, I sent over my guy a bunch of other pictures as well. Ones that I've hand picked and had been sitting on since the early stages of the book. There were backgrounds, prints, vectors, fonts, and colors; each depicting a reason why I loved them--and why they went well with THE 52ND. Time went on and I waited and waited while guy was hard at work on the cover. It was daunting. I'm a passive person, but come on, not that passive. I wanted to see it like 3 years ago!

Anyways, when guy emailed me the first draft, my jaw dropped and my heart skipped. It was magic from the fist time I saw it. And you don't mess with magic. It had to be left just how it was. The only thing we worked with was my pen name since we didn't know what to put exactly. My nickname has been Dela for a long, long time. It was a derivative from my maiden name De La Paz. So naturally, as an author, I wanted to use Dela because it's been a part of me for many years.

Genuinely, as a person who reads books, there is no other cover (that I've seen) out there that looks like mine. It's crazy how well it was nailed down, and how appealing it looks next to other covers.


GIVEAWAY

So I want to do a giveaway. One, because I love you guys--my beloved fans. And two, who doesn't like to get free stuff?

All you have to do is... (yup, you guessed it)... SHARE. As a new, breakthrough author I need your help in reaching friends and family beyond my reach. This story is too cool to keep to ourselves. I am offering two raffles. So, TWO PRIZES. Yay!

PRIZE ONE: Signed copy of THE 52ND (and shipped in October when it is released)

PRIZE TWO: Signed copy of THE 52ND and 30 minute Skype session for you and your friends, or your blog, or whatever you fancy.

To be entered to win prize ONE, share this post once on either Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or even make a Vine. Next, @mention me so that I can see it! Then, leave a comment on this post and tell me you did.

To be entered to win prize TWO, share this post at least TWICE on either Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or Vine. Next @mention me so that I can see! Then, leave a comment and tell me you did.

Deadline: June 1st

Winners will be generated through Random Number Generator online and notified on June 1st, and unfortunately will have to wait for the book until October. BUT...

... if you don't win, don't fret. I have a crowdfunding campaign starting June 1st on Pubslush. You can go here to get rewards, watch my incredible BOOK TRAILER, see who I am, be a part of THE 52ND, and just fall in love with Lucas and Zara before THE 52ND even comes out!


As always, I'd love to hear from you. Besos (kisses),

~ Dela

I'm in the mood...

My heart is exploding. A few days ago my graphic designer showed me the first draft of THE 52ND cover, and I have to say, it's STELLAR. Like, mind-blowing, gets-you-in-the-mood sort of good. No, not that mood {perverts :-)}. I'm talkin' the scary mood. It's creepy and dark and I'm OBSESSED.

Very soon I'll have a cover reveal post, but in Mexican terms, that means PARTY!! Not sure what kind of good things can come from revealing this beautiful cover. I only know that it's going to be HUGE, and that you won't want to miss it. If you have any ideas for me on how I can make this reveal EPIC, please feel free to leave a comment. I heart fans. I heart amigos.

And for those of you who are crying because you fear you just can't wait, below is for you.

Keep Calm and Sing, Don't Cry

Besos,
Dela

We are Kings and Queens of the Eternities

Oxygen has stopped. Last breaths are inhaled. Prayers are like incense, layering the air with a merciful scent of love and peace. Today I am writing about my grandpa as he leaves us on this earth.

Can you see where I get my dimple from?

I walked away from grandpa last night knowing it would be the last time I would see him in this mortal life. He's in a fragile state, and I can see the veil that once clouded his eyes is now beginning to lift. He sleeps and doesn't eat, and when he opens his glazed eyes he's says "I'm talking to the spirit". Mortal death scares me more than it should because I have a firm conviction of what happens to our bodies and spirits after we die. But it doesn't mean that I'm not scared. Or that it stinks. I HATE it.

Yet here I am, author of a book that is inevitably centered on death's inescapable darkness. Not a day goes by that I don't think it's strange I wrote about death. I'll say it right now. IT'S STRANGE. But according to 'the plan of salvation' it must happen for purposes of our exaltation, and THAT makes me happy.

It can be a beautiful thing; joyous even. My grandpa's spirit will go to the spirit world where it will wait to be reunited with his body, and then will return to live with our Heavenly Father and other loved ones who previously passed. I believe they are here now, waiting for him to pass through the veil with open arms and very wide smiles.

With his mom and dad in Canada

For THE 52ND, I think I was pulled to the idea of 'life' after death and its reciprocality that plays with love and death. When I think of my main character, Lucas, I think of one phrase, You fear what you love, you love what you fear. And he says in the very first line "Fear gets you killed." Though we don't have to be quick minded and ready for out-of-control scenarios if we fall in love like Lucas does, our worlds are changed forever when we make ourselves vulnerable to love. But what is life without love?

Waterton, CA

It's not. Grandpa got it right. He married grandma and the rest is history. They traveled everywhere, had 5 children, found time to serve our church and others selflessly, took grandkids on countless park play dates to feed ducks, and devoted his life to making everyone around him happy.

60 Year Wedding Anniversary!!

According to my faith our lives don't end after death, which is why love can be so rewarding. We all are children of God. We all can be kings and queens of our eternity. Grandma is a gem; grandpa's queen to their eternity together. And I'm sure he will be waiting ever-so-eagerly for her to return to him.

Of course I will miss him. We all will. He taught us all so much about hard work and endurance and honesty. The things you have to work for the hardest are the things that mean the most.


I understand these words are of my own beliefs and faith and some may disagree, but if anything, I hope it brings peace in your heart. And with nothing but love and gratitude and respect for my grandpa I leave these words with you.

Families are Forever.

xoxo

DELA

I'm Publishing My Book!

Exciting news!!! A few weeks ago I've decided to self publish my YA paranormal, THE 52ND!

Let's face it. Everything is going digital, right? And as an indie author I can reach out to everybody via my cozy little computer from home. *pets computer. Don't worry, you will still be able to purchase my book on my website (coming soon) or Amazon when it comes out. In fact, nothing will be different from publishing traditionally except it won't be in Barnes & Noble right away. As much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE Barnes & Noble, I don't get to go there often with kids and my busy schedule. I'm a kindle freak right now. And I'm learning that this is a huge trend. *watch out big publishing houses.

The finished product is going to be amazing with the help of WiseInk Publishers. I sent my polished product in for editing a few days ago. Yes. I said editing. Nobody is perfect, not even after 10 gazillion edits!! That's why you hire the big boys. They know what they're doing and will make it MAGNIFICENT.

I want to thank all my followers and beta readers and family and friends and even the garbage man for making this dream come true. I mean, without all the piles of garbage we go through being taken out I don't think I could sit down and write because I'd be consumed with trash and worrying about a big mess. So thank you garbage man. You just made my dream come true!

What's next?

The book will be featured on Pubslush.com to hold a 30 day crowdfunding campaign. I get to raise money for my book, you get to take home rewards, and KEEP TAHOE BLUE, the non profit charity designed to keep Tahoe's water clean, will get to receive a percentage of my funds! It's a win-win-win!

When is the Pubslush campaign?

*crosses fingers. The campaign is tentatively scheduled to begin on Valentine's Day. I'll let you know. And I promise, you won't want to miss out. The rewards are off the charts!

xoxo
Dela

Chaac

Meet Valentina's father, Chaac. He's the god of rain, one of the most prestige gods in the Mayan world.

I'm back from conference...

Hola amigos!

If you notice, I changed the information about my blog. I know I said I was changing my book to New Adult, which it very well may be, but for now I am going to advertise my book as an older Young Adult novel.

Anyways, I just got back from a writer's conference in LA.  My first. It was amazing. I learned so much, met a bunch of great people, and got asked for more material by 3 literary agents!! I highly recommend it. One key thing I learned was to have a blog (check) and to keep up with it (wait, what?). Yeah. What? I'm so busy, I have three kids, I have laundry, I have schedules... yadi-yadi-yadi.

I threw my complaint out the window and here I am. Well, plus I missed writing on here and honestly felt bad that I took down my chapters. What I'm now going to do for you guys is instead of posting chapters, I will post tidbits of each chapter. Much much better. You will learn the characters in my book, The 52nd, you will learn the setting, you will learn the deep, dark secrets of the Aztecs, and most importantly WHY THEY ARE STILL TAKING PEOPLE FOR SACRIFICE.

I will post almost daily. I will answers questions. And I will love you forever and ever and ever if you share my blog with all your friends and family.

Lastly, I wanted to give a shout out to Just Me, Myshelf, and I. They gave me my first review, and it was a really good one. I respect there patience and if they can wait to get a copy of my book, you can too! But it won't be possible without you guys. So if you like what you read, keep coming back.

SHARE. SHARE. SHARE.

I am an advocate of relationships. Your diligence and loyalty will not go unnoticed! And, well, I intend to have give-aways. But you probably don't care about that because you just want to read my book. Right? Okay, here it is...

xoxo,
Melissa

Fear gets you killed. It waxes over your instincts and paralyzes your decision-making abilities before leaving you inefficient, useless, and left for dead. In my earthly eternity I never feared anything, never needed to, except for now. I didn't know how I could love my only fear and I resented her for it. But something inside me changed and I humbly admit that my death was going to be for that one stubborn woman.

..................

I stepped outside into the humidity and hopped over the gap between balconies, my heart never pounding so hard. Yes, immortals felt impulses. I stopped between the swaying panels and looked at her nervously through the midnight blackness.

Then, as her heart plummeted to a sickly rate, I cracked a hungry smile and advanced towards her.

Follow me on twitter! @dela_52