Fun Friday...and the winner!

In Shade, Aura's boyfriend Logan is the frontman in the band The Keeley Brothers so I thought it would only be fitting to end off the week with some music!

Additional music links to share:

iTunes iMix (WARNING: clicking on link opens iTunes on your computer)

SHADE music page on Jeri's website, which includes a bonus playlist (Logan's St. Patrick's day mix!)

If you are curious, here's the playlist:
"Time to Pretend," MGMT
"Streams of Whiskey," (written by the Pogues, but performed by The Dead Rabbits on the iTunes mix and the Bloody Irish Boys on my website playlist)
"Dammit," Blink-182,
"Devil's Dance Floor," Flogging Molly
"Lust," The Raveonettes
"The Rip," Portishead
"Sleeping with Ghosts," Placebo
"Houses," Great Northern
"If I Ever Leave This World Alive," Flogging Molly
"Chasing Cars," Snow Patrol
"I Lost Lenore," The Nevermores
"St. Valentine's Day Massacre," Cocktail Slippers
"Love Song," The Cure
"Infinity," The XX
"I Will Possess Your Heart," Death Cab for Cutie
"The Bells Of Dublin/Christmas Eve," The Chieftains
"The Parting Glass," (traditional, performed by The Pogues on the iTunes mix and Ozark Four on my website playlist)
"This Is How I Disappear," My Chemical Romance
"Til Kingdom Come," Coldplay


I hope you enjoyed the week of Shade! A big thanks to Jeri for her time & support in making this happen. *throw confetti*

And the winner is.....

SANDY!!!!!!

Please check you email Sandy, you have until Sunday to claim your prize :)

My Interview with Jeri Smith-Ready & your chance to ask too!

For those that don't know yet (gasp!), can you tell us what Shade is about?

Okay, here’s my amateur short version (not the extended magical marketing remix):
16-year-old Aura can see ghosts. Then again, so can everyone around the world who was born after her. In fact, they have a word for the moment of her birth: the Shift. Aura suspects that the Shift might be connected to her missing mystery dad and an event that happened at Newgrange tomb in Ireland a year before her birth.

Ghosts can be annoying at their best. At their worst, as dark, powerful "shades," they can be deadly. So Aura's major goal in life is to undo the Shift and make the ghosts go away.

And then, her boyfriend dies and becomes a ghost.

You have written many amazing adult fiction books with Shade being your first foray into YA. Was Shade started as YA or did it evolve that way?

It originally started as an idea for a world where the existence of ghosts had been proven, and a law firm that specialized in wrongful death suits. As tickled as I was by my cheesy tagline, “I sue dead people,” the idea went nowhere without a main character or a compelling story to give it life. (Besides, I know zilch about law, so it wouldn’t have gotten far. It wasn’t until the main character of 16-year-old Aura Salvatore came into the picture that the story took off. I thought hey, what if all people her age and younger could see ghosts? And then the biggest part of the story of all: what if her boyfriend died and become a ghost?

SHADE wasn’t my first attempt at writing YA, though. I wrote another YA (about the daughters of fallen angels Lucifer and Beelzebub as high school seniors) in between my other books, in bits and pieces from 2003 to 2006. But when it came time to revise it for submission in 2008, I realized it pretty much sucked (well, the first half of it, anyway). By that point, I already had the idea for SHADE and was really excited about it, so I decided to do that instead. Sometimes you just have to know when to drop a project and move on.

Having written for both adult & YA audiences, what was the hardest/easiest about writing YA?

In some ways, writing YA is easier. I get to focus on the elements of storytelling I enjoy most and that I think I’m best at: character development and voice, especially dialogue. Writing for teens usually requires a faster pace, and I’m all for that. Whether I’m writing for adults or teens, I believe in following Elmore Leonard’s #1 rule of writing: leave out the boring parts.

The hardest part of writing YA for me is cutting down on the plot digressions. Especially with a book like SHADE where the whole society has changed because of ghosts, it’s so tempting to geek out and explore all the different world-building aspects. My editor does a great job of telling me when I’m losing focus from the main characters and their conflicts. Also when I’m getting too James Bond-ish.

In Shade, the colors purple & red are significant, why were these colours chosen?

The color concept is based on the visible light spectrum—though I don't specifically mention it in the book—where violet and red lie at opposite ends. Red corresponds with the first “chakra” (or energy center, in traditional Indian medicine), located at the base of the spine, where it represents life and the physical world. Violet is associated with the seventh chakra, at the top of the head, representing pure thought. Though I’d chosen obsidian because of its use by ghost hunters, I later discovered that the rock corresponds to the color red and the first chakra. Score one happy world-building accident!

How many books are planned for this series?

There will be at least two (SHIFT is coming out next May). I hope there’ll be three or four ultimately, but of course that depends on my publisher wanting more, which of course depends on readers supporting the series. This doesn’t just apply to my books—if you love an author, buy their books and tell all your friends! Otherwise the publishers won’t know how loved they are, and next thing you know, no more books. :-(

Can you give us a sneak peak at what to expect in book #2, Shift?

SHIFT picks up right after SHADE finishes, and you won’t believe how Chapter One ends! Aura faces a whole new unimaginable dilemma in her choice between Logan and Zachary. As Zachary puts it, “We need to redefine the word ‘impossible.’”

But Aura does find out all about her mom and dad and the mystery of the Shift. The question is, what does she do with that information? And that leads us into a possible third and fourth book.

Ahhh, as if I wasn't already dying to read Shift!

Thanks so much for having me on your blogs! I love to hear from readers, so come visit me at www.jerismithready.com, or better yet on twitter @jsmithready or http://www.facebook.com/jerismithready, where I spend way too much time.

And thanks for writing amazing books & sharing them with us!
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I hope you have enjoyed the week so far. Today is the last day to enter the contest for a SIGNED copy of Shade courtesy of Jeri! (Click here to enter)

Now for the fun interactive part...Jeri will be checking in with us today so if you have any questions for her, just type it up in a comment below!

Learning More About Logan

When I had the chance to interview Aura, wouldn't you know it Logan was there too...I just couldn't see or hear him! Aura acted as a mediator for me, I had so many questions for him (but as you can see we had to cut it short). In case you haven't read Shade yet, there are two guys in Aura's life: Logan & Zachary. I must admit I was leaning more towards team Zachary when reading the book, but Logan just may have have won me over, I'm not so sure anymore!


If you could go back in time and change one thing (besides your death) what would it be?

I wish I’d played that song for Aura, the one I wrote for her. I thought there’d be another chance. I thought there’d be lots more chances for lots more things.

God, sorry, that sounds pathetic. I’m not really like that. Mostly I don’t bother with regrets. Life’s too short, y’know? Especially mine. Jeez, I’m getting worse, aren’t I? Next question?

Now that you are a spirit, what do you miss most?

Well, obviously the big loss is not being able to touch Aura. Sometimes I sit and close my eyes, try to relive what that was like. It’s like if I could just concentrate hard enough, I could conjure up the feel of her skin and hair and put that feeling back into my fingertips. I can almost get there, but not quite.

I also miss holding a guitar—in my head I still know all the chords and how to play, but so much of that is muscle memory. And I miss being able to reach everyone with my voice instead of just a few people.

And this is going to sound weird, but I miss sleep. It’s driving me crazy, never being able to turn off my brain. Well, not my brain, since that’s dead. My mind, I guess. Anyway, it’s exhausting. And boring.

What is the coolest thing you've discovered?

Once when I was a kid, my family went to Ireland on vacation. Since ghosts can go anywhere they went during their lives, I can be back in Dublin in less than a second. Watch.

*disappears, then reappears*

Freaking awesome, right? I was way too starry-eyed when I went as a kid to really notice much—a place that incredible, you just can’t take it all in, not in one measly week. So now when I go back, I check out all the little things, like the ducks in the ponds at St. Stephen’s Green. When you’re a ghost, you can sit right next to them and they don’t care. It’s pretty cool.

Another cool thing is that I can get into shows for free and listen to any band I want, as long as I’ve been to that club or whatever before, and if it’s not BlackBoxed to keep out ghosts. But any place worth going wouldn’t be able to afford BlackBoxing.

Who is your favorite band/song?

Definitely “Devil’s Dance Floor” by Flogging Molly. It’s got this insane energy—I was never so alive as when that song was playing. Our band practiced it for months before we got it right. Now when we do it onstage, I feel like a god.

I mean, I felt like a god. Sorry, I still slip up my past and present tenses sometimes. Not on purpose, swear.

What do you think of Zachary?

I thought these were all gonna be easy questions. I really have to answer this?

OK, fine. I try not to think of that guy. I can’t see him and he can’t see me, and even if we could see each other, I couldn’t pound his head into the wall like I want to. So what’s the point of thinking of him?

But I guess if Aura likes him, he can’t be a total waste. She’s a good judge of people. And if I really loved her, I should want her to move on, right? We obviously have no future. Maybe it would even help me pass on if I knew she’d be okay, if I knew she’d find happiness with a good guy, like he probably is. Right?

No. Screw that. I want to kill him.

Oops, sorry Logan! Calm down, don't go Shade on us... think of Aura!
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Along with my interview tomorrow, you will also have a chance to ask Jeri some questions!

Also, just a reminder there's a few days left to enter to win a SIGNED copy of Shade (click here)!

A Chat with Aura from SHADE

Aura is the main character in Shade. Her life right now has gotten a bit weird, even for her! Not only does she lose her boyfriend to an accidental overdose & continue seeing him, she meets Zachary who has his own secrets & possibly answers about the Shift that she is eager to uncover. I had the opportunity to ask Aura a few questions, so sit back, grab your coffe & enjoy!

How long have you know you were 'special'?

It’s funny, when I was really young I didn’t know I was special. My whole life, the world has had two kinds of people: the living—who are solid and come in all colors—and ghosts, who glow in violet and are completely untouchable. In nursery school, most of my friends could see ghosts, too. I thought it was something kids could do and grownups couldn’t, like ride a tricycle or do a somersault without hurting themselves.

It wasn’t until I started playing with some of the older kids in the neighborhood (like Logan, who’s two months older) that I realized it wasn’t just grownups who couldn’t see ghosts. I think I was in kindergarten when I found out that my birthday was the same day as the Shift. Eventually I found out that it happened the minute I was born. Which was pretty freaky.

Do you believe in fate?

No. That’s depressing.

Do you appreciate being born post-Shift since it means you are able to spend more time with Logan?

Definitely. I think Logan’s death has been even harder on his older brother and sister who can’t see him—and of course on his parents. Pre-Shifters have a totally different view of ghosthood than we do. To them it’s a curse. They think it means the person’s soul is suffering, or that they’re in purgatory or something. But not all ghosts are miserable. Just ask Logan.

Now the flip side of the coin, is it harder to accept Logan is gone as he is still able to visit you in spirit?

Yes! Because he’s still him. It’s not like ghosts in books or movies where they just float around moaning (not that real ghosts don’t moan—they do, A LOT). Logan is really here, every way but physically. We still have normal conversations. In some ways we’re closer than when he was alive.

So it’s like, am I still his girlfriend? How long can we make this work? Am I the weirdest girl ever? I mean, I know he’s not coming back to life. But he still feels so real. No—he IS real, because who he is, is much more than just a body.

What's up with you and Zachary?

Good question, and honestly, I don’t know. In a lot of ways, he’s the perfect guy for me, but right now is so not the perfect time. I don’t know how long I can expect him to wait around, though, before he gives up. Because Becca’s always lurking, and even though she’s a monster, she’s a really hot, rich monster. Most guys would kill to be with her.

Thanks Aura!
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Don't forget there's a chance to win a SIGNED copy of Shade courtesy of Jeri Smith-Ready! (click here)

Also, just a heads up as Thursday's post will be an interview I had with Jeri. She also offered to pop in during the day giving you, the readers, an opportunity to ask her some questions. I'm going to make this easy-peasy: when the Thursday post is up, all you need to do is ask your questions in the comments :)

It's SHADE week on the blog! (and a contest)

I am very honored to run a week of Shade by Jeri Smith-ready! If you haven't already read my rave review, click here. This is an amazing paranormal story that really stuck with me long after reading it.

About the book (from Jeri's blog):

Love ties them together.
Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart…and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Look for the sequel, SHIFT, coming May 2011!

Book Trailer:


About the author:
Award-winning author Jeri Smith-Ready lives in Maryland with her husband, two cats, and the world’s goofiest greyhound.

Jeri's plans to save the earth were ruined when she realized she was more of a “problem maker” than a problem solver. To stay out of trouble, she keeps her Drama Drive strictly fictional. Her friends and family appreciate that.

When not writing, Jeri she can usually be found—well, thinking about writing, or on Twitter. Like her characters, she loves music, movies, and staying up very, very late.


...and thanks to Jeri, you have a chance to win a SIGNED copy of Shade, please fill out the form below!

Review: Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Released: May 4, 2010




My Rating: 5 / 5

My Thoughts:

People born after the Shift have the ability to see spirits, those left wandering the earth as their deaths were sudden & they had no time to prepare...Aura happens to be the first one born. When her (almost) rockstar boyfriend, Logan, suddenly dies, Aura has the unique opporunity to keep seeing him, but at a cost. They can't really be boyfriend & girlfriend since he is a ghost...or can they? The new kid in school, Zachary is great support for Aura, being there when she needs someone, and he has a secret of his own...he was the last one born before the Shift occurs.

Shade is one of those books that stick with you long after you read it & reads like two stories in one. You've got Aura & Logan, then you have Aura & Zacahry. With Aura & Logan you have the love story and the what happens next now that he is a spirit. Then Zachary comes along & not only is he also interested in uncovering the mystery of the Shift, Aura starts to feel things for him! OK, I must admit to liking Zachary a tad more & can't wait to see where this relationship goes. He had me at the Scottish accent & fun slang ;)

I love the concept of the Shift, people needing closure before moving on, yet if anger takes over, the spirit turns to a shade. As I was reading, I found myself questioning the good that came come from this. If you could continue seeing a loved one after they had passed, is it fair/healthy for the living person? The spirit may need closure, but it stops the grieving process, the living person is not realy living their life anymore but an altered reality.

After writing award winning adult fiction, this is Jeri's debut YA. The sequel, Shift, is set for release May 2011 which can't come soon enough. If you love reading paranormal, you must check this out!

I will be hosting a week of Shade all next week! Stop by for some interviews & a chance to win a copy of Shade :)

"Waiting on" Wednesday - March 24, 2010

This weekly event is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I can't wait to read Shade by Jeri Smith- Ready

Release Date: May 4, 2010

Publisher: Simon Pulse

When her boyfriend dies a most untimely death, Aura--who can see ghosts--is forced to reconsider her relationship with the living and dead in SHADE.


Shade is a paranormal love story featuring a world of spirits only the young can see. How cool is that! And Shift, the sequel, will follow in 2011 :)

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What are you waiting on?

In My Mailbox - February 28, 2010

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren

My goodies this week:

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

First in a young adult urban fantasy series about a world of ghosts only the young can see.

When Aura’s boyfriend meets a most untimely end, she is forced to reconsider her relationship with the living and the dead.

(I'm so super excited to have gotten this! I've had it on my YA Debut Author Challenge list since day one...squeeee)

The Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Ultimate Guide by Mary-Jane Knight

It's the handbook no half-blood should be without: a fully illustrated, in-depth guide to gods, monsters, and all things Percy. This novelty companion to the best-selling series comes complete with trading cards, full-color diagrams, and maps, all packaged in a handy, "manual-size" POB with a crisp, magnetic flap enclosure.

(My son & I saw the movie last weekend & we loved it :) I know my son is going to love this series soon - he's on chapter books now - and I am a huge mythology fan.)

What goodies did you get?