Shine (Shade #3) by Jeri Smith Ready

Shine is the third and final book in the Shade trilogy by Jeri Smith-Ready.  I was lucky enough to win one of the few Shine ARCs that Jeri personally printed for her fans, so that is what I am reviewing for you.  Jeri's a certifiable genius as far as I'm concerned.  This series has been magnificent and I'm SO sad to see it end.  It has great characters, a hot Scot, a kilt and an Irish-Punk band.  Really.  It has all of that.  Also, a hot and nerdy younger brother that you can't help but love.  There's no detractor with this series and Shine is the perfect ending to it all.  Here's the Goodreads blurb:

In this dramatic conclusion to the Shade trilogy, Aura and Zachary’s relationship sizzles as the secrets of the Shift are revealed. Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past. As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart

First off, let's talk covers.  The cover for Shine is this beauty you see on the left.  When you go buy your book on May first, it will look like that.  The publisher is also RE-RELEASING the previous two books so you can get a matched set of covers.  How nice is that?  I loved the old covers but these new ones are pretty nice too.  If you haven't read the Shade series yet, why haven't you?!  Get on it!! I can not stress enough how much I love these books.  Now on to Shine!  Shine is an epic journey with Aura and Zach across 3 countries and 2 continents.  We learn more than we ever expected to about the Shift.  We see Aura and Zach go through some big events and we even get some great scenes from Dylan and Aura's other friends.  You will not be able to put this one down once you start.  It's a heart racing, non-stop conclusion to the series and I can not wait until everyone has read it!  I'm going to leave it there with that simple and vague review because I really don't want to spoil it for anyone.  You can also check out the teaser trailer from Jeri below!



You can find out more about Jeri and her work on her website and you can follow her on Facebook and Twitter.  You can also find the Shade series on Goodreads by clicking here.  Shine earns 5 Fairies from me for being a lovely conclusion to an awesome series!

Kilt and Keeley

Today is an awesome day for all Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready fans everywhere!! Today is the big kick off for Kilt and Keeley, the new fansite for the Shade Series! Here is the official schedule found on Kilt & Keeley!

Schedule of Events

January 5, 10:30am EST/9:30am CST - “Zach and Logan in the Morning!” A twitter chat “Community” style. Debuts with Special Guests Amy and Jen from Fictitious Delicious. Follow with #ZOGANam hashtag.

January 5: 9:00pm EST/8:00pm CST -“A Chat with the Woman Upstairs”

Have a question for Jeri? Here’s your chance!

This will be a live chat event that can be accessed at this link: http://kiltandkeeley.coverpage.coveritlive.com

OR you can join the chat on our Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kilt-Keeley/261335317262403?sk=app_146881278755515

It doesn’t matter how you get to us…just BE THERE! Giveaways abound!

January 9 – 15: Salvatore Week! Show your love for all things Aura & Co.

Events:

01/09/12: A special “We love Aura” blog post

01/10–13/12: Aura Love..Team Kilt style!! We want YOU to show some love to Aura, too. Creatively. We’ll award prizes for best picture, best poem/song and best video, and maybe a wild card or two! Go find your muse and get to work!

January 16–22: It’s Keeley time! Come celebrate the Irish Punk Rock side of Team Kilt!

Events:

01/16/12: A blog post dedicated to the Keeley’s. Comment to show your love!

01/17–20/12: It’s Trivia Time! Do you have what it takes to be an honorary Keeley? You better start studying now.

01/21/12: Trivia winners announced

January 23–29: It’s Kilt time! Come celebrate all things Scottish with us!

Events:

01/23/12: A blog post dedicated to the Kilt. Comment to show your love!

01/25/12: Burns Night. One of Scotland’s biggest cultural holidays, Burns Day/Night celebrates the poet Robert Burns and all things Scottish. It will run throughout the day, but there’ll also be special events, including an “Ask a Real Scotsman” Q&A on Twitter at 4pm EST, featuring Fraser McFarlane (@StreetSpiritPic).

January 30–31: We’re ending the month with a whole lotta love for The Woman Upstairs.

Events:

01/30/12: A very special message for Jeri. Write your own and be ready to post!

01/31/12: We’re FINALLY announcing the biggest, coolest giveaway of the century to show Jeri just how much we love ALL love her. You do NOT want to miss out on this one, guys. We’re talking HUGE. It’s so huge it has taken FIVE of us to pull it off properly. (Holla to Jen Duffey!) 

#BIR2011 Feature: Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready

Today as part of Best I've read 2011, I'm featuring another author from my personal Top Seven of Eleven: Jeri Smith-Ready, her book Shift totally rocked my 2011.  Shift is the second book in the Shade series. a YA story about a world where everyone younger than 18 can see ghosts and no one over 18 can.  In it we follow Aura as she comes to terms with losing her boyfriend and her new relationship with Zachary.

Let's start from the beginning.  In Shade, we meet Aura who can see ghosts and who has big plans for her boyfriend, Logan.  Their plans don't exactly go as they, well, planned.  Aura never expected to see Logan- as a ghost.  This is just the first in a series of things that Aura has to deal with in Shift.  She also meets the new foreign exchange student from Scotland.  YUM!  She's chased by government agents.  And yes, it's as awesome as it sounds.

In Shift, Aura and Zach try to figure out where they stand and what the government wants with them.  Aura also tries to figure out the truth behind the Shift, the event that gave her and everyone born after her the ability to see ghosts.  She also delves into her own history to find out more about her parents.  There are government agents, Logan's adorkable younger brother Dylan, the prom from hell and a hot Scot in a KILT.  You can't beat that!

The final book in the Shade series will be out in spring of 2012.  Shine will be the culmination of the series and I could not be more excited.  In preparation for Shine, there is tons to do for Shade Series fans!  First, you can follow Zach and Logan on Twitter, those two are pretty chatty and usually good for a laugh.  Aura will be competing in the YA Heroine Tournament on YA Sisterhood.  Be sure to check that out on Wednesday the 14th.  You can find the books on Goodreads and you can find Jeri on Twitter.  Be sure to check these books out before Shine arrives!!

I have a giveaway for one copy of Shift.  You must have a US address- NO PO BOXES and be 13 or over.  The winner will have 48 hours after being contacted to claim their prize. IF THE RAFFLECOPTER LOOKS WRONG, CLICK THE TITLE OF THIS POST AND IT SHOULD SHOW THE FORM CORRECTLY! Thanks so much!

Remember that today the BIR Blog is featuring: Divergent by Veronica Roth!

Zompacolypse Trick or Treat!

Hi everyone and welcome to my stop on this giveaway hop!  I'm going to be giving away a book of the winner's choice from Jeri Smith-Ready's WVMP Series.  This is an adult series- violence, vampires, and some sexual shenanigans- so the winner must be at least 18 years old.  I first read this series as part of the Read Along hosted by Fictitious Delicious this month and this book series is made of AWESOME, like everything Jeri Smith-Ready does!  There are three books in this series so far (and one internet novella).  The winner will get to pick which book they want.  I'm also throwing in some candy because we all know that you can't have Halloween without candy.  I'm including some of Jeri's favorites!  Please note that the option of choosing a book is so that people who may have the first book or two can have their choice.  The books will not make sense read out of order.  To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below (email me if you have problems with it!) and leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite Supernatural Being is!  Let's take a look at the books!

Here's the Goodreads Blurb for Wicked Game- WVMP Radio Book 1: 

LATE NIGHT RADIO YOU CAN SINK YOUR TEETH INTO

Recovering con artist Ciara Griffin is trying to live the straight life, even if it means finding a (shudder!) real job. She takes an internship at a local radio station, whose late-night time-warp format features 1940s blues, '60s psychedelia, '80s goth, and more, all with an uncannily authentic flair. Ciara soon discovers just how the DJs maintain their cred: they're vampires, stuck forever in the eras in which they were turned.

Ciara's first instinct, as always, is to cut and run. But communications giant Skywave wants to buy WVMP and turn it into just another hit-playing clone. Without the station — and the link it provides to their original Life Times — the vampires would "fade," becoming little more than mindless ghosts of the past. Suddenly a routine corporate takeover is a matter of life and undeath.

To boost ratings and save the lives of her strange new friends, Ciara rebrands the station as "WVMP, the Lifeblood of Rock 'n' Roll." In the ultimate con, she hides the DJs' vampire nature in plain sight, disguising the bloody truth as a marketing gimmick. WVMP becomes the hottest thing around — next to Ciara's complicated affair with grunge vamp Shane McAllister. But the "gimmick" enrages a posse of ancient and powerful vampires who aren't so eager to be brought into the light. Soon the stakes are higher — and the perils graver — than any con game Ciara's ever played..

The rest of the books can be found by clicking on the WVMP Icon below!

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop- Win a WVMP Series book!

Hi everyone and welcome to my stop on this giveaway hop!  I'm going to be giving away a book of the winner's choice from Jeri Smith-Ready's WVMP Series.  This is an adult series- violence, vampires, and some sexual shenanigans- so the winner must be at least 18 years old.  I first read this series as part of the Read Along hosted by Fictitious Delicious this month and this book series is made of AWESOME, like everything Jeri Smith-Ready does!  There are three books in this series so far (and one internet novella).  The winner will get to pick which book they want.  I'm also throwing in some candy because we all know that you can't have Halloween without candy.  I'm including some of Jeri's favorites!  Please note that the option of choosing a book is so that people who may have the first book or two can have their choice.  The books will not make sense read out of order.  To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below (email me if you have problems with it!) and leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite Supernatural Being is!  Let's take a look at the books!

Here's the Goodreads Blurb for Wicked Game- WVMP Radio Book 1: 

LATE NIGHT RADIO YOU CAN SINK YOUR TEETH INTO

Recovering con artist Ciara Griffin is trying to live the straight life, even if it means finding a (shudder!) real job. She takes an internship at a local radio station, whose late-night time-warp format features 1940s blues, '60s psychedelia, '80s goth, and more, all with an uncannily authentic flair. Ciara soon discovers just how the DJs maintain their cred: they're vampires, stuck forever in the eras in which they were turned.

Ciara's first instinct, as always, is to cut and run. But communications giant Skywave wants to buy WVMP and turn it into just another hit-playing clone. Without the station — and the link it provides to their original Life Times — the vampires would "fade," becoming little more than mindless ghosts of the past. Suddenly a routine corporate takeover is a matter of life and undeath.

To boost ratings and save the lives of her strange new friends, Ciara rebrands the station as "WVMP, the Lifeblood of Rock 'n' Roll." In the ultimate con, she hides the DJs' vampire nature in plain sight, disguising the bloody truth as a marketing gimmick. WVMP becomes the hottest thing around — next to Ciara's complicated affair with grunge vamp Shane McAllister. But the "gimmick" enrages a posse of ancient and powerful vampires who aren't so eager to be brought into the light. Soon the stakes are higher — and the perils graver — than any con game Ciara's ever played..

The rest of the books can be found by clicking on the WVMP Icon below!

Bad to the Bone (WVMP #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready

Bad to the Bone is the second WVMP book from Jeri Smith-Ready.  I'm reading these as part of the Read Along that is being hosted all month long by those super hip chicks over at Fictitious Delicious.  The whole premise of the series is genius- but honestly, I expect nothing less than genius from Jeri.  Basically, in her world vampires don't really live forever.  They just can't handle what they feel is the fast forward motion of time.  They do the best when they are allowed to live as if they are still in their "Life Time."  This means that a vampire who was changed in the fifties still wears dark wash jeans, a white t-shirt and slicks his hair.  In the case of Shane, super hot vampire DJ, he looks a lot like Kurt Corbain.  Shane wears lots of flannel, loves grunge rock circa 1990 and owns a pair of wicked old school Converse.  I love this about him because I REMEMBER that time.  I really hope you all will check out this super series.  Here's the Goodreads blurb for Bad to the Bone:

TURN ON. TUNE IN. DROP DEAD.

If you're just joining us, welcome to radio station WVMP, "The Lifeblood of Rock'n'Roll." Con-artist-turned-station-owner Ciara Griffin manages an on-air staff of off-the-wall DJs — including her new boyfriend Shane McAllister — who really sink their teeth into the music of their "Life Time" (the era in which they became vampires). It's Ciara's job to keep the undead rocking, the ratings rolling, and the fan base alive — without missing a beat.

For Halloween, WVMP is throwing a bash sure to raise the dead. They've got cool tunes, hot costumes, killer cocktails — what could go wrong? Well, for starters, a religious firebrand ranting against the evils of the occult preempts the station's midnight broadcast. Then, when Ciara tracks down the illegal transmission, the broadcast tower is guarded by what appears to be...a canine vampire? And behind it all is a group of self-righteous radicals who think vampires suck (and are willing to stake their lives on it).

Now Ciara must protect the station while struggling with her own murky relationship issues, her best friend's unlikely romance with a fledgling vampire, and the nature of her mysterious anti-holy powers. To make it to New Year's in one piece, she'll need to learn a few new tricks....

This was another great book by Jeri Smith-Ready.  Lots of good Shane interaction in it.  A super dog- I'm not kidding.  I think I even liked Ciara more in this one.  I didn't really like her much in the first book but I think she's growing on me.  We get to see more from the DJs and that is super interesting.  I really wonder about Jim and the others because we don't see as much from them as we do Shane so it was nice to see more about them in this book.  Overall this is a great series and I really encourage you to try it!  These are adult books with a decent amount of violence and some sex.  Jeri is real with her Shade series and this series is much the same- anytime you have vampires, there will be violence.  I am really excited to start the third book, Bring on the Night.  It is supposed to have zombies.  I am SUPER creeped out by zombies but I kinda love them at the same time.  I'm saving reading it for this weekend when my husband will be home at night with me!

You can find Jeri on her website and you can follow her on Facebook and Twitter, where she routinely tweets as at least two of her characters.  She's hard at work on the revisions to her third Shade novel, the end of the trilogy.  I love Jeri to bits, she's an awesome chick and you should really check her out!

Bad to the Bone earns 4 Fairies from me for the epicness that is Shane and the general awesomeness.

Wicked Game (WVMP #1) by Jeri Smith-Ready

I love Jeri Smith-Ready's YA series: Shade, Shift and Shine.  Well, Shine comes out in the spring but I can already say that I will love it.  After meeting Jeri (and totally getting to go out to dinner with her) at BEA this spring, I was really excited to read her adult series about a vampire radio station.  It's a pretty genius idea really.  So when the girls over at Fictitious Delicious announced their WVMP Read Along- I jumped on it!  Today I'm reviewing the first book, Wicked Game.  Let's take a look at the Goodreads blurb:

LATE NIGHT RADIO YOU CAN SINK YOUR TEETH INTO

Recovering con artist Ciara Griffin is trying to live the straight life, even if it means finding a (shudder!) real job. She takes an internship at a local radio station, whose late-night time-warp format features 1940s blues, '60s psychedelia, '80s goth, and more, all with an uncannily authentic flair. Ciara soon discovers just how the DJs maintain their cred: they're vampires, stuck forever in the eras in which they were turned.

Ciara's first instinct, as always, is to cut and run. But communications giant Skywave wants to buy WVMP and turn it into just another hit-playing clone. Without the station — and the link it provides to their original Life Times — the vampires would "fade," becoming little more than mindless ghosts of the past. Suddenly a routine corporate takeover is a matter of life and undeath.

To boost ratings and save the lives of her strange new friends, Ciara rebrands the station as "WVMP, the Lifeblood of Rock 'n' Roll." In the ultimate con, she hides the DJs' vampire nature in plain sight, disguising the bloody truth as a marketing gimmick. WVMP becomes the hottest thing around — next to Ciara's complicated affair with grunge vamp Shane McAllister. But the "gimmick" enrages a posse of ancient and powerful vampires who aren't so eager to be brought into the light. Soon the stakes are higher — and the perils graver — than any con game Ciara's ever played..

I love this book!!! Shane is EPIC!  He's stuck in his Life Time of the early 1990's which is great!  Some great music came out during that time and I love that he still dresses like a grunge rock god.  Ciara is a pretty fun narrator.  She is always dropping little one liners and even though I can't get inside her head as I read, I still like her character.  The whole treatment of vampires in this world is interesting.  I like the premise of them not really being able to last forever because of their inability to adapt to the ever changing world around them.  It's also interesting that they are each stuck in their Life Time and that the opportunity to immerse themselves in that time is what keeps them from losing it.  I can't think of one thing about this book that I didn't like! This is an ADULT series with topics and scenes not meant for teen readers.

You can find out more about the WVMP Series and Jeri's other works by visiting her website and you can follow her on Twitter where she is, regularly, at least 3 people at any given time.  Be sure to check Jeri out, she's SO nice and fun!  Click here to add this book to your Goodreads! 

Wicked Game earns 5 Fairies for the hotness that is Shane and for time warped vampires!

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly feature at Should Be Reading. To play along you just have to answer three simple questions:
What Are You Currently Reading?
What Did You Recently Finish?
What Do You Think You'll Read Next?

What Am I Currently Reading?  Mine Until Dawn by Ednah Walters

What Did I Recently Finish?  Bad to the Bone by Jeri Smith-Ready

What Do I Think I'll Read Next?  The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

What are you reading!?

MidSummer's Eve Giveaway Hop!

Happy longest day of the year everyone!  I love summer but hate the heat so the hop graphic is perfect for me- nice and cool looking.  Thanks to Kathy from I'm a Reader, Not a Writer for hosting the hop!!  This time around I think I have a couple of great items for ya'll!  Please note that the Linky listing is correct this time.  I guess last time there was some kind of glitch with the Linky but this time my listing is right.  I bet you want to know what you can win, right??  How about a book that is REALLY close to my heart.  A book that feels like it was written just for me by an author that I met at BEA and who just blew me away with her awesomeness??  That's right, I have a signed copy of Shift by Jeri Smith Ready to giveaway AND I have 3 Jeri Smith-Ready swag packs for three runners up!  Tell me that isn't awesome!  I know I am excited for whoever wins this book because it is that good! Here is the cover and the Goodreads blurb although I like Jeri's description in the BEA schedule too: "Shade's Sequel.  Ghosts.  Secret Agents.  Most Awkward Prom Night Ever!"  Tell me that doesn't make you want to read it?  

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.

From Goodreads.

How do you win this awesome prize?  Fill out the form below.  One entry per person, must be over 13 yrs of age and must have a US or Canadian address.  It's that simple!  If you want to follow me, I super appreciate it but it isn't required.  Also, you should check out Jeri's website and hit her up on Twitter.  She's such a fun and interesting lady so check her out! 

Thanks for stopping by and entering- the giveaway is now closed!! Feel free to hop on down the list to check out the rest of the great giveaways!!

Shift (Shade #2) by Jeri Smith- Ready

Let's talk about Shift, the second book in the Shade series by Jeri Smith-Ready.  This book drops on May 3rd and it is so many kinds of epic that I don't quite know where to start.  Hm.  How about first I talk up Jeri's blog tour because I believe that if a book has a profound affect on you that you need to share the experience with others.  For What It's Worth is hosting the blog tour and it starts Tuesday April 26th.  The tour will run through May 11th with Pre-Shift posts and Post Shift posts.  (Just like in the books, isn't that fun!)  There will be interviews, reviews, prizes and even a Grand Prize.  The tentative schedule is up on For What It's Worth so you can go check it out.  Word on the street is that both book boys from the Shade series will be interviewed during the tour!! Yes!  Zachary, the best (and maybe only) Scottish love interest in a YA book and Logan, one of the few teen musician ghosts out there, will be interviewed during the event and who doesn't want to know more about them?!  Just remember ladies, in the event that dibs are called on book boys, Zach is MINE- no matter what Kendra @ Books Complete Me tells you!!!  Eh hem.  Right then.  Moving on!

Here is the Shift blurb from Jeri's homepage (because I am afraid that I will let spoilers slip if I try to blurb it in my own words) :

Aura's life is anything but easy.  Her boyfriend Logan died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling.  Aura knows that he needs her now more than ever.  She loves Logan, but she can't deny her connection to the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she's not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura's search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets...and her heart.

Now, let's discuss the many reasons that Shift is epic.  One, the story is still so original.  Yes, there are other YA books with ghosts but none, that I have read, are so real and different as Shift/Shade.  Ghosts are mostly seen as something in our world, paranormal but not really anything special or different.  In Shade/Shift, however, ghosts don't just haunt their old schools or homes.  Everyone under the age of 18 (pretty much) can see them, hear them, and speak to them.  EVERYONE.  Not just a couple thousand psychics, mediums and other people with gifts.  Everyone born after The Shift can.  That means every child, infant, teen and tween has ghosts in their face all day, every day unless they are in some place that uses black box technology (like all bathrooms, you REALLY don't want surprise visits from ghosts in there).  Just thinking about life in that world is overwhelming and incredible.  How many of us wish we knew what ghosts are up to and where they haunt and why?  A lot.  In the world of Shift/Shade, the TAPS team would have a different standard operating procedure, for sure.  

Reason for epicness number two: the two love interests for Aura are, kid you not, an Irish-Punk rocker and a Scottsman.  Really.  Name one other book with that book boy combo?  Yeah.  Didn't think so.  I LOVE the references to Flogging Molly and their style of music in Shade!  I kinda wonder how many under eighteen year olds know who they are.  I remember when they were on the Warped tour back in the day.  Ah, memories!  Logan is a great character because he has different facets that only Aura sees or only his brother, Dylan, sees.  It is almost as if Logan is a different person with everyone in his life.  Logan can be a total douche but he can also be a sweet guy who only wants his best friend to be happy.  What a well rounded and cool guy!  Zach is great too because he sticks with Aura through some pretty crazy things and even when you think he has given up on her, he comes back for more.  I like that in a guy.  Every girl needs a guy who'll be there for her no matter what and I think Zach is that guy for Aura.  He also has a sexy accent, owns a KILT (one of the greatest types of male clothing!) and he has excellent manners.  Zach is lovely, all around great.  Both are real feeling characters who are yummy beyond belief.  Love it! 

Reason 3: I love the twists and turns and mystic connections that unravel in Shift.  There is SO much that Aura is learning and uncovering that could really challenge what people believe to be true about shades, The Shift and ghosts in general.  The whole book will leave your head spinning.  I could barely sleep after finishing my galley of Shift.  It literally blew my mind.  I couldn't think about anything but the ending for weeks afterward.  I even spent about 45 minutes in the car with Kendra @ Books Complete Me on the way home from an author signing discussing the intricacies of Shift and where the plot will go from here and how it will all play out.  I am dying for the next book when Shift isn't even technically out yet.  There was also a plot line that had me looking at Dylan in a completely different light.  I hadn't expected it to happen and when it did I was shocked but kinda rooting for him.  Then all the clues and insight from Eowyn in Shift was cool.  One scene reminded me of reading mysteries like the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew as a kid, when they had clues come in the form of a puzzle.  Very cool.  I can not wait for the continuation of the story when we see more about the place where everything started.  I have a feeling that we're all in for a wild ride.  

Now for the recommendation and disclaimer.  This book is not for younger teens as there are references to drugs, scenes of sexual shenanigans and nudity.  But for older teens and everyone else?  Read it NOW!  This book is now my go to "push" book.  I have had my friends "push" the Black Dagger Brotherhood, the Hunger Games and other books on me and loved them, so now when I have a book that grabs me, it is my push book.  Right now my sister in law has my signed copy of Shade and I will be on her about reading Shift then my husband is reading them after her.  I think the Shade series will really reach out to and grab not only the teens/young adults it is aimed at but those of us in my generation of late twenty and early thirty somethings.

Shift earns 5 Fairies for general awesomeness and for hot book boys!

Now for some information on Jeri.  You can follow her on Twitter and you can check out her website to learn more about her books. If you haven't read Shade, run out and buy it now.  The cover is AMAZING and you'll love every minute of the story.  Be sure you check out the blog tour for Shift and pre-order your copy today so you don't miss out on the 3rd! 

W... W... W... Wednesday!

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly feature at Should Be Reading. To play along you just have to answer three simple questions:

1. What Are You Currently Reading?
2. What Did You Recently Finish?
3. What Do You Think You'll Read Next?

1.  What Am I Currently Reading?   In the Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane 

2.  What Did I Recently Finish?   Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready 

3.  What Do I Think I'll Read Next?  Bumped by Megan McCafferty 

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

How many ways can I say that I loved Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready?  Hopefully, alot or this will be a short and lame review!  I won a copy of this book back around Halloween and had no idea what it was.  Basically, for those who haven't heard about this amazing book, it is about a teenage girl who was born in a world where everyone born after a certain date can see and talk to ghosts.  The ghosts look like they did at their favorite time in life except that they are made of PURPLE SMOKE!!! Love the idea of purple smoke!!  You can see Aura on the cover jacket (and yes, that is the whole book jacket because you need to see the whole thing to really appreciate it).  She is surrounded by purple spirit wisps and she holds a red ribbon.  Red is the only color that the dead can not stand.  It's a beautiful cover jacket.  Seriously.

Aura is the main character who narrates the story.  I love Aura because she is so interesting.  She works for her aunt during the day at her aunt's law office helping ghosts get their closure legally so they can pass on.  Then she runs off to her Irish Punk Rock boyfriend.  It's an interesting dual life.  Logan, said boyfriend, wants the band he formed with his brother, sister and some friends to be the next Flogging Molly or Dropkick Murphys.  (If you don't know who they are feel free to Google but I warn you the songs are PG-13 at best.)  Aura feels like the performance is what Logan is really in love with and that he love the crowd more than he loves her.  She decides, however, that it is time that they sleep together because she thinks she is ready this time.  But their night goes horribly wrong and before she knows what is happening, Logan is standing before her as wispy and purple as can be.  Losing Logan sends Aura into a spiral of grief until she realizes that his ghost has not crossed over so they can still be together.  They just can't touch or kiss or... well anything that involves touching.  But they can talk and listen to music and she can pretend that he isn't really gone.  Don't forget that Zachary, the Scottish exchange student who is her research partner for her thesis, is definitely into her and she kinda likes him.  What a crazy time for poor Aura!!

I can't say that I love Logan.  He is kinda selfish and I definitely question whether or not he'll become a Shade (wicked crazy evil ghost).  Logan isn't evil or even a terrible choice but Aura does need to put aside her selfish desire to keep him with her and let him go on to where he belongs before it is too late.  I really agree with her aunt there.  I do LOVE Zachary though!! I wish we'd had hot Scottish exchange students when I was in high school!! Yummy!  And Zach is so patient and kind with Aura even when she is evasive and selfish.  I love that.  I highly recommend Shift and Shade for teens 14 and up due to drug use, underage drinking and sexual content.

Shade earns 5 Fairies for a great book with ghosts, Irish Punk, and a dude in a kilt.

The next book in the series, Shift, comes out on May 3rd.  I have the ARC to read and I think I'll start tonight because I just NEED to know what happens next!  You can see the cover on the left there.  You can learn more about Shift on Goodreads and you can always find out more about Jeri Smith-Ready on her website.  You can also follow her on Twitter!

W... W... W... Wednesday!!

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly feature at Should Be Reading. To play along you just have to answer three simple questions:

1. What Are You Currently Reading?
2. What Did You Recently Finish?
3. What Do You Think You'll Read Next?

Here are my Answers:

1.  What Am I Currently Reading?   Dark Flame by Alyson Noel 

*I am not in love with these books but am hoping to read to the end before the last one comes out. YA Paranormal about Immortals, oddly enough good but not amazing.*

  

2.  What Did I Recently Finish?   Shade by Jeri Smith Ready

*EXCELLENT!! A great story with ghosts AND hot Scotsmen!*

3.  What Do I Think I'll Read Next?  Night Star by Alyson Noel 

*I am not in love with these books but am hoping to read to the end before the last one comes out. YA Paranormal about Immortals, oddly enough good but not amazing*

So, I'm dying to know, WHAT ARE YOU READING?!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teasers are from Shade By Jeri Smith Ready:

"I can't get up on that stand and tell them everything.  I don't care about my own reputation-I am dead, after all- but you have to deal with the people who'll talk shit about you."

Logan to Aura



So, What are YOU reading???