WAITING ON WEDNESDAY ~ THIS SIDE OF SALVATION by JERI SMITH-READY

 Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

This week's WoW selection is...

 

Series: Stand alone

Category/Genre: Young Adult Realistic Fiction

Publisher: 4/1/14

Publication Date: Simon Pulse

 

 

Everyone mourns differently. When his older brother was killed, David got angry. As in, fist-meets-someone-else’s-face furious. But his parents? They got religious. David’s still figuring out his relationship with a higher power, but there’s one thing he does know for sure: The closer he gets to new-girl Bailey, the better, brighter, happier, more he feels.

Then his parents start cutting all their worldly ties in to prepare for the Rush, the divine moment when the faithful will be whisked off to Heaven…and they want David to do the same. David’s torn. There’s a big difference between living in the moment and giving up his best friend, varsity baseball, and Bailey—especially Bailey—in hope of salvation.

But when he comes home late from prom, and late for the Rush, to find that his parents have vanished, David is in more trouble than he ever could have imagined...

 

Why I'm Waiting ~ I am a HUGE fan of Jeri Smith-Ready. I've read almost all of her books, and have loved every single one. I'm sure this will be another great addition to her works.  

What are you waiting on this week?

 

 

 

{DOUBLE REVIEW} LET IT BLEED and LUST FOR LIFE (WVMP RADIO SERIES) by JERI SMITH-READY

Today I have a double review of Let It Bleed and Lust for Life, books 3.5 and 4 in the WVMP Radio Series by Jeri Smith-Ready. The reviews will be spoiler-free for the two books I'm reviewing, but there are spoilers for books 1-3, Wicked Game, Bad to the Bone, Bring on the Night.

Series: WVMP Radio #3.5
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Jeri Smith-Ready
Publication Date: 6/26/12
Format: ebook
Source: Free download, via Jeri Smith-Ready.com

BLOOD IS THICKER THAN SLAUGHTER

Con artist-turned-radio-station-manager Ciara Griffin hopes to settle into a normal un-life as a fledgling vampire, with the help of her immortally hot fiancé, grunge DJ Shane McAllister. But she has bigger problems than finding a sane blood donor and a new home for those boxes of mac ‘n’ cheese. Ciara’s best friend mourns her like she’s dead instead of undead, and her own maker clearly wishes she’d never been born (again). Worst of all, the WVMP crew calls a Code Black: hippie vampire DJ Jim has murdered a pair of humans—humans who share Ciara’s true last name.

That’s when trouble rolls out the red carpet, straight into Ciara’s life. At Shane’s first live concert, Ciara finds herself face to face with her Irish Traveller cousins, a not-so-welcome family reunion that might hold the key to Ciara’s anti-holy blood. Jim’s spiral into madness makes Ciara an unwilling prize in his deadly feud with Shane. As Ciara clings to what’s left of her humanity, she’ll need her new vampire strength—and old con artist cunning—now more than ever.

Ugh. There is honestly not much I can say about Let It Bleed without spoiling the story. I'll just say...things happen. BIG, BIG THINGS. There's death (!), blood (duh), sexy times (YES!), and most of all, Shane and Ciara. These two -- they're my favorite. The risks they take for one another, the team they have formed into, the pure love they share. I just can't... I love them. Oh, and just when I think I can't possibly love Shane more, he goes and plays an acoustic version of "Everlong". Only fans of the series understand what a big deal this is.

The story on how Let It Bleed came to be is very cool, and goes to show that Jeri Smith-Ready is honestly one of the best authors to her readers. You can find it on her website, linked above. What makes Let It Bleed so cool is that, even though it is novella, it is actually a part of the series story line. You can not skip this one, or you will be lost when you start Lust For Life.

Let It Bleed made me laugh, cringe, swoon, and cry. I loved every moment.


Favorite Quotes:

  "If I were a poet, I would say you outshine the sun, moon, and stars put together." He steps forward, pressing the length of his body against mine. "But I'm not a poet, so I'll say that no matter what you wear, I always picture you naked."
  "Pornographic poetry--my favorite kind." I lift my chin for a kiss.   (5%)


  No one wears jeans like Shane, like each pair was his secret soulmate, pining away on a department store shelf, waiting for him to fill them, fade them, fray them to perfection.
  He unbuckles, unbuttons, unzips.
  No one unwears jeans like him, either.   (30%)


  The master of control loses it. He muffles his own scream and moves faster. All at once, his blood changes, surging electric, completing the arc that shoots up and down my entire body. If he weren't holding me so tight, I'd be in a million fiery pieces spread across the universe. But I'd rather be here, in one piece, in his arms.   (32%)


  "Everlong" was never this full of ache on the radio, in electric or acoustic version. The words take me back to the happy moments we shared when I was alive, when it seemed like we could steal a life of bliss with the force of our shared breath alone.   (44%)



Series: WVMP Radio #4
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Pocket Books
Publication Date: 11/27/12
Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Source: Received from publisher for review.

EVERYONE’S OUT FOR BLOOD—HERS Ciara’s con-artist parents taught her three keys to survival: keep low, keep quiet, and most of all, keep moving. But managing WVMP, the Lifeblood of Rock ’n’ Roll—not to mention becoming a vampire herself—has kept her in one place long enough to fall madly in love, adopt an undead dog . . .

. . . and make more enemies than she can shake a stake at.

A psychotic DJ, a wanna-be necromancer, and a posse of vengeful hippies would all love to see Ciara get her day in the sun—literally. To protect Ciara, her fiancé, Shane, has traded his flannel shirt and guitar for a flak jacket and crossbow. If she survives to walk down the aisle, will she recognize the man waiting at the altar?

In this final chapter of the award-winning WVMP RADIO series, Ciara must decide who to trust, whom to love—and whom to kill.

  

Oh. My. God. Lust for Life. I'm at a complete loss for words. There is almost nothing I can say about this book that won't deal in spoilers. What I can say is: Prepare to be shocked. I can most assuredly say that I never, in a million daydreams (yes, I daydream about these books), ever considered the WVMP series going out in such an unexpected manner. I mean...wow. I just do not know what to say. But, I loved it.

Since I can't really say much about Lust for Life, other than it's shocking and brilliant, I want to just emphasize how much I have loved the WVMP Radio series. This vampire-centric Urban Fantasy is truly one of a kind. I know that seems impossible anymore, but it's absolutely true. Smith-Ready created her own brand of the beloved creatures, particularly that each is stuck in the era he/she was turned in. Spencer, Monroe, Jim, Noah and Regina each lent the series character. Shane and Ciara was the heart and soul. I've said to anyone who will listen to me, and I will say it again -- Shane and Ciara are probably my favorite book couple ever.  The amount of respect, love, and sacrifice they share is inspiring. Shane and Ciara are two individuals who were equally awesome in their own right. Together, they are magic.

I honestly thought this would be a super quick and easy review to write, but I'm stuck. I have so much I want to say about how much I loved Lust for Life, how happy I am with the way the series ended and how lucky I feel to have experienced the ride. This series has given me some of my favorite characters, favorite couple and reminded me how much I love good music. Thank you Jeri Smith-Ready. You never let your readers down.


Favorite Quote:

  "I'm not fighting vampires."
  "No, you're fighting something much bigger. You're fighting time, and for that you need all the strength in the world." Shane leans over and kisses my cheek, right in front of my ear. "Let me give you that strength."   (pg. 118)


"For a moment, this is enough. For a moment, this is everything."  (pg. 177)


  I shiver at the thought of him lurking outside our home, and am ecstatically happy that we brought Dexter with us to the station. "You must've also missed our sign that says Absolutely No Solicitors or Assassins."   (pg.214)


  I'd rather spend an eternity in darkness with him than in the light with the rest of the universe. I won't let him be alone.   (pg. 236)



You can purchase Lust for Life at:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

The WVMP Radio Series

 

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection is...

Former con artist Ciara Griffin hopes to settle into a normal un-life as a fledgling vampire, with the help of her fiancé, grunge DJ/guitarist Shane McAllister. But when the WVMP station crew reports that hippie vampire DJ Jim has murdered a pair of humans—humans who happen to share Ciara’s last name—that’s when trouble rolls out the red carpet. To redeem her past and pay back her most wounded victim, Ciara plans one final triple-crossing con game—with her own “miracle blood” as the bait. And as Ciara clings to what’s left of her humanity, she’ll need her new vampire strength—and old con artist cunning—now more than ever.

Why I'm Waiting ~ Shane McAllister. Oh my peas, how I love that vamp. I can't...I just can't even begin to list all the many reasons I love him so. Oh yeah, Ciara too! The WVMP Radio Series is one of my very favorite series and I can't wait to find out how author Jeri Smith-Ready wraps up the story.

Expected publication: November 27th 2012 by Pocket

You can preorder Lust for Life at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository (only $5.99!!)

SHOWERS OF BOOKS GIVEAWAY HOP

Yay! It's time for another blog hop! Kathy at I Am a Reader Not a Writer and One a Day Y.A.  have teamed up to host this fabulous giveaway hop. You can find the participating blogs and enter their giveaways here.


My Giveaway:

No other love has burned so bright

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 that 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. ~From GoodReads

I lucked out and received a finished copy of SHINE from Simon Pulse. It was amazing. Since I had already pre-ordered a signed copy, I am going to give this to one lucky winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TEASER TUESDAY

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as 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 any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others.

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles.

No other love has burned so bright

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 that 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. ~From GoodReads

 My Teaser ~

"I clutched her back and wept for Logan, too. My grief for him and my fear for Zachary formed a double-stranded rope of misery that would surely throttle me." (pg. 17)

You can read my full review of SHINE here.


Expected publication: May 1st 2012 by Simon Pulse                     


You can pre-order Shine at:
Constellation Books (where you can get a SIGNED copy!) | Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |              Book Depository

Review ~ SHINE (Shade, #3) by Jeri Smith-Ready

No other love has burned so bright

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 that 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. ~From GoodReads

** I think this review is spoiler-free. If there are any spoilers, they are purely unintentional. **


So...I know what you're expecting. Those of you who know me, at least. You know how much I love this series, and author Jeri Smith-Ready. And I'll bet you're expecting me to "Squee!" and flail and freak out about how much I loved SHINE. But I'm going to attempt to remain coherent, because, truly, my flailing and shrieking wouldn't do this book justice.

For starters, I could hardly look at SHINE without tears welling in my eyes. I just knew I was going to feel everything. I can't think of another auther who has captured my emotions like Jeri Smith-Ready. From the very beginning of the series, with SHADE, I have felt the utter heartbreak, cried all the tears, laughed through some of them, swooned more than a little, and ultimately have fallen in love with Aura, Zach, Logan, Dylan (that kid deserves his own book!) and the supporting characters.

We all love the Shade Boys, Zach and Logan. I've seen many intense debates over who is the best guy for Aura. I've even participated in a few. Only in fun, though, because honestly, I love them both. Well, I have to admit, I was slightly more Team Logan. He was just so stinking endearing. And I miss him. A lot. But, I always wanted Aura to be happy, and no guy could fit that bill better than Zach. And I've always adored him. Except for the Prom. But honestly, how much can a guy take? So I got over that. Here's what I have to say about Zach: I am in awe of him. I learned so much about him in SHINE. He is willing to put himself through unimaginable torment to protect Aura. He is endlessly patient, thoughtful, kind, and always honest. I admire the way he graciously accepts and acknowledges that Logan will always be a part of Aura. He has peace with it. That was perhaps the most bittersweet part of this book, seeing Aura move on. Embracing the fact that Logan will always be a part of her, but moving strongly and surely towards her future with Zach. It was powerful stuff, guys. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it.

BUT...SHINE is Aura's book. In the previous books, Aura has largely been overshadowed by Logan and Zach. No more. In SHINE, Aura reveals an amazing inner strength that I always felt was there, but never got to see fully unleashed. Yes, she's always been strong and amazing. In this book, though, she's taken to a new level. She's willing to fight government, corporations, spirits...anything and anyone to protect her loved ones. Or actually, to protect anyone. There's one moment in the book in which Aura makes me so freaking proud I did a double fist pump in the car.

I could go on and on about my love for this book. Instead, I want to thank Jeri Smith-Ready for creating these characters, their world. Her words have inspired a community of book lovers. We have cried. We've spent a ridiculous amount of time ogling men in kilts. I have participated in more chats about the series than I can count. I consider each and every moment immersed in any part of this world as time well spent. SHADE, SHIFT, and SHINE have been a wonderful part of my life and I am truly thankful to her for sharing the series with the world.

Afterthought:
 My review seems weak, in my eyes. I tried to sincerely convey my thoughts, but I fell short. I think it's partly because I'm so overwhelmed with emotions that my brain in mush. Just please trust me when I say, SHINE is a brilliant, perfect ending to a brilliant, perfect series.

Favorite Quote:

" 'You can't fight memories. They come whether you look for them or not.' " (pg. 275)

"Before being an American, or a Baltimorean, or a Salvatore, I was a human being. There was no greater loyalty than that." (pg. 360)


Expected publication: May 1st 2012 by Simon Pulse


You can pre-order Shine at:
Constellation Books (where you can get a SIGNED copy!) | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository


Source: Received a finished copy from the publisher.

Review ~ Requiem for the Devil, by Jeri Smith-Ready

Set in modern-day Washington, D.C., Requiem for the Devil depicts the end of the Devil's ten-billion-year career. For the first time in his existence, Lucifer falls in love, and this event threatens to transform his identity and perhaps even his destiny. Gianna O'Keefe is the woman who drags him out of his ancient despair and points him toward possible salvation. Yet Lucifer's path from evil is neither straight nor smooth.

Pursuing love means betraying his fellow fallen angels, the loyal friends who once followed him to damnation. Divine and infernal forces seem to conspire against his and Gianna's union. Lucifer's empire crumbles around him as he dares to defy the natural order and question his fate.

I've been turning this one over in my mind for over a day now. This is a tough, tough review to write. Not because I didn't like it, I loved Requiem for the Devil. I think this is so hard because I don't think I can adequately explain this book. But I feel this book deserves a review, however inadequate I may be.

Quite simply, Requiem is a story of the transformative power of love, and redemption. There has never been a "bigger baddie" than the devil. To take the ultimate scary, bad guy and turn him into an actual character with layer upon layer of issues, took a massive amount of skill and to me, courage. I was not prepared to face the way "Louis"/aka Lucifer was portrayed. Basically, it's the ultimate study in Daddy Issues. Jeri Smith-Ready was able to take Louis and make him into a son who made horrible mistakes, was forsaken by his Father, and though he acts and claims to hate his Father, deep down wants that love. I feel like my brain was scrambled just getting that thought out coherently because it is the antithesis to everything I've been taught about the devil.

I had a friend who said her friend wouldn't read Requiem for the Devil for religious reasons. But this book is SO not anti-religion. Gianna, with whom Louis falls in love, is deeply religious. I just feel, as in so many situations in real life, that if you can first of all, Calm Down and go into the book with an Open Mind, you'll be surprised. Requiem is not anti-religion, it simply questions, which I love because I happen to question everything, and ultimately, it's actually a religious affirmation.
I have, until now, left out the woman responsible for Louis' transformation, Gianna. Once again, Jeri Smith-Ready has done a brilliant job with her female lead. This is my third series (this isn't a series, but you get what I'm saying) of her's and each one has smart, tough, take-no-crap women. Gianna is a political player in Washington, D.C., fighting for the poor. She goes toe-to-toe with the most evil being in existence. She is passionate, funny, and imperfect. She will definitely go down as one of the most memorable characters I've read.
It should go without saying that I cried. Duh, right? It just wouldn't be a Jeri Smith-Ready book if there wasn't sobbing and blubbering going on. She know how to bring it every time. Requiem for the Devil came out in 2001, years before Shane and Ciara; Logan, Aura and Zach. But it is as worthy of your time as any of her other books.
Favorite Quote:

"I can only beg the muse of history to include this among my legacies - that I loved Gianna as well as I
 could."
"If Heaven is the sun, then Gianna was the moon for me - a pale, brilliant reflection of God's love in
 the midnight of my long, dark existence."


(Recommended for Adult Readers.)

Paperback, 387 pages

Published April 15th 2001 by Warner Books

You can purchase Requiem for the Devil at:

Constellation Books (where you can order a signed copy) | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

~From GoodReads

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as 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 any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others.

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles.

This week's Teaser is from

Set in modern-day Washington, D.C., Requiem for the Devil depicts the end of the Devil's ten-billion-year career. For the first time in his existence, Lucifer falls in love, and this event threatens to transform his identity and perhaps even his destiny. Gianna O'Keefe is the woman who drags him out of his ancient despair and points him toward possible salvation. Yet Lucifer's path from evil is neither straight nor smooth.

Pursuing love means betraying his fellow fallen angels, the loyal friends who once followed him to damnation. Divine and infernal forces seem to conspire against his and Gianna's union. Lucifer's empire crumbles around him as he dares to defy the natural order and question his fate.
~From GoodReads

My Teaser ~

"There was no question as to what I would play. Bach's Violin Sonata in E Major was the most
  breathtaking solo piece I had ever encountered, and I knew that if I could pull it off, Gianna would
  never leave me. For a moment I pondered whether that was a good thing or not, then closed my eyes."
  ~pg 95-96

Paperback, 387 pages

Published April 15th 2001 by Warner Books

You can purchase Requiem for the Devil at:

Constellation Books (where you can order a signed copy)  |  Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository

In My Mailbox, #20

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme created by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is a great way to put a spotlight on books received during the past week.

Won:

Savor (Warm Delicacy #1) by Megan Duncan (Thanks to Supagurl Heather)

For Review:
Destiny's Fire by Tricia Wolfe (Thanks to Omnific Publishing)

Received for Trade:

Shift (Shifters #5) by Rachel Vincent

Rogue (Shifters #2) by Rachel Vincent
Radiant Shadows (Wicked Lovely #4)
Once a Witch (Witch #1) by Carolyn MacCullough

Unearthly (Unearthly #1) by Cynthia Hand
Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

Bought:
Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare

Voice of Crow (Aspect of Crow #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready
Requiem for the Devil by Jeri Smith-Ready

Hope you have a great week! I won't be doing an IMM next Sunday (Christmas!). See you next year!!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection is...



No other love has burned so bright

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 that 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.

~From GoodReads

Why I'm waiting... Um, if you know me at all, this is the most obvious choice. Shine is my most-anticipated book of 2012, with the exception of Lust for Life, also by Jeri Smith-Ready. I'm sure I will be blubbering, and tweeting, about Shine as I read it. Bring on the tissues.

You can pre-order Shine at:
Constellation Books (where you can get a SIGNED copy!)  |  Amazon

In My Mailbox - #19

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme created by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is a great way to put a spotlight on books received during the past week.

Received in Trade:

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

13 Little Blue Envelopes  by Maureen Johnson

Bought:

Angelfire (Angelfire #1) by Courtney Allison Moulton

Personal Demons (Personal Demons #1) by Lisa Desrochers

Hushed by Kelley York

The Wild's Call (Aspect of Crow) by Jeri Smith-Ready

For Review:

Conquest by Vik Rubenfeld - Thanks to the author

The Fallen Queen (The House of Arkhangel'sk #1) by Jane Kindred -Thanks to Entangled Pub

Angelina's Secret by Lisa Rogers -Thanks to Spencer Hill Press

Pure (Covenant, #2) by Jennifer L Armentrout - Thanks to Spencer Hill Press

Leave a link so I can check out your mailbox.

Have a great week!