The Best Reader:
Jeri Smith-Ready

1. Your YA debut book Shade was a huge hit (and one of my all-time favorite books!), what surprised you the most once you stepped into the YA world?
Thanks, Jessica! I was honestly surprised by the excitement people showed over SHADE. I mean, I loved it, of course, since it was my book, but I’d never experienced that kind of massive swell of enthusiasm for a novel before. I’ve been really touched by tales of how it made readers cry and how they could relate to Aura.
3. If you had the ability to see ghosts, like Aura and others born after the Shift, how do you think you would handle it?

I would probably try to block them out as much as possible, using any means necessary. I’d probably always have my earbuds in so I couldn’t hear them, and whenever I wasn’t in a BlackBoxed building to keep out ghosts, I’d wear as much red as possible to repel them.
Then again, that’s coming from the perspective of someone who would be tossed into that world as an adult. The “post-Shifters” in SHADE don’t know any other kind of life. They’ve seen ghosts ever since they were born. So I think they take a more blasé approach to them. They’ve learned ways to blot them out, but they also refuse to let ghosts run their lives. They’re not scared of them at all (except the really creepy ones, and shades, of course, who can hurt them).

4. Do you have any other YA projects in the works other than the Shade series?
I have a YA vampire short story coming out in November in an anthology called ETERNAL: MORE LOVE STORIES WITH BITE. “Thief” takes place in the same world (with the same vampire rules) as my adult vampire series, but with completely different characters and setting. The four young adult characters are Irish Travellers from South Carolina, who Since I always get attached to my characters, it might be fun to turn that into a series one day.
I also have one of those Super Sekrit projects in my head, for a big stand-alone YA. Hopefully I’ll have more details on that next year. It definitely needs a few months to percolate before I start writing. It’ll be that long before I find room in my crazy deadline schedule, anyway!
5. I, like many others, am really excited for the release of Shift next May. Can you tell us a little about the book, and what else to expect from this series?
In SHIFT, we’ll find out the answers to a lot of Aura’s questions about her parents and their connection to the Shift. But of course those answers will lead to more questions, as answers often do. On the personal side, the love triangle will be settled, but not until after it gets much more complicated (a love pentagon?).
After that, I’m not sure how many books there’ll be. Originally I thought there would be a total of four, but after writing SHIFT, the number 3 keeps coming up as significant. So think it would be better as a trilogy. But I need to start writing Book 3 before I can be sure. I know what the main event is, but I’m not sure how far-reaching its effects will be. Which is a fancy way of saying I don’t know how it all ends.; -) But seriously, I used to know how it ended but after writing SHIFT I’m getting some new ideas, so… we’ll see. I’m very excited to start writing Book 3 and to find out how it all unfolds.

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready Publisher: Simon Pulse (May 4th, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Series: Shade, book #1 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.

USE GOOGLE to read my review of SHADE
To find Jeri Smith-Ready:
Jeri Smith-Ready / Twitter / Facebook / Blog / Goodreads

Purchase Shade:
Amazon / The Book Depository / Barnes & Noble

Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready
Publisher: Simon Pulse (May 1st, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 399 pages
Source: Publisher
Series: Shade, #3
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
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.

Review:

If you've read the first few books, you know that Logan has been gone for a while, but not really.: ) I enjoyed when he would reappear. It was hard to finally let him go. Many, many tears were shed!

Aura has grown so much throughout this series. She seems much better prepared to deal with drama and the craziness of her existence. She seemed ready to face things head on and really figure out what created the shift that caused people to see ghosts. Her and Zachary visit Newrange in Ireland in order to see why it was significant that their parents happened to be there during such a critical point in time. The time that lead to their births and the shift.

I loved seeing where this plot ended up. I never felt like I knew what was coming. It was so well thought-out and explored. Shine really gave Aura her moment where she fought for what she knew was right, no matter who ended up by her side. Yes, we do get the romance but it doesn't interfere with the reason behind the plot. It was just a bonus to it all. It did take me a bit longer to get into the story, compared to the first book, but that's sort of typical for the end of a series.

I really hate seeing these characters go. It's hard to find a series where you really connect with everyone on some level. Jeri Smith-Ready is fabulous in every way and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. This series was build upon such a unique premise, I'm sure she has something else surprising up her sleeve.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Blog | Goodreads

Amazon | The Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready
Publisher: Simon Pulse (May 3rd, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 384 pages
Source: ARC from Publisher
Series: Shade #2
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
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.
Review: I will try not to have spoilers in this review.
I have to say that this series will always have a spot in my heart. Shade was the book that gave me inspiration to start my blog. I feel like I waited forever to see what happened next, in Shift, and it was absolutely worth the wait!

I mentioned this to Jeri, but this series makes me feel like I have multiple personalities. Yes, it's true. One minute I am all about Aura getting with Zach, and the next I want her with Logan. THEN, Jeri manages to bring in someone else that I think"ohhh, that might work". How does she do this, you might ask. By being freakin-fantabulous! Simply put, Jeri writes hot stuff. That hot stuff, and hot guys, leads to fireworks and chemistry that leaps off the page. I don't know how she does it. It's crazy-good stuff!

Aura is such a strong character and she seems so real. I never question any aspect of her personality. Although she lives in a world of daily paranormal phenomena, I still picture her enjoying shopping and hanging with her friends. She doesn't pout all the time like some characters do. She just does what she needs to do and goes on with life. It's refreshing to see that courage and strength from a young character.

Then we have Logan. Oh lovely Logan who will just steal your heart and sing sweet music to it. How can you not love a hot ghost? It's impossible. Logan continues with his outspoken personality that seems so different from Aura's in many ways, but at the same time, it fits perfectly. It brought tears to my eyes to see how much he cares for Aura throughout Shade and Shift. But we can't forget Zachary, who is nothing to sneeze at. I was glad to see his character explored more and his turbulent relationship with Aura made for some interesting twists in the plot. Fun times!

Shift answers many questions we have from Shade, but it all leads to more questions needing to be explored. The plot continues to amaze me and I'm not sure how I will ever wait for book 3. HOW?! Jeri is sneaky and has made me super curious as to what is in store for Aura.

I can't say enough good things about this series. If you haven't read Shade yet, DO IT! I promise you will not regret it. Jeri Smith-Ready has created a paranormal world beyond comparison. You will laugh, cry, blush, and beg for more once you're done. Guaranteed!

Find Jeri Smith-Ready
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Blog | Goodreads

Purchase Shift
Amazon | The Book Depository | Barnes & Noble