Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready

Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready
Release: 3 May, 2011
Pages: 384 (hardcover)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Bought & Publicist
Summary:

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.

Sexy, mysterious, exciting and filled with surprises - Shift has it all. The story begins with Aura being a bit (okay, extremely) bummed out regarding what happened to Logan previously. It isn't until a few chapters later where the Aura that I adore comes back - her sarcastic humor never ceased to amuse me. But, there are still of troubles, whether it's with boys or even with the DMP. Smith-Ready excels at creating genuine and honest chemistry (both friendship-wise and romantic) between characters, but only one of the lovely guys who adores Aura truly fits with her the best, and I loved seeing this relationship grow. 

In between typical (and not so typical) teenage drama lies a mystery that will captivate readers entirely. The significance of Aura and Zachary's births, Aura's mother, The Shift, Stonehenge, one downright shocking secret, and so much more....the closer Aura came to discovering everything, the more hooked on the story I became.

Shade delivered compelling and realistic characters, Shift came through with plenty of seductive secrets, and I have no doubt that Jeri Smith-Ready is going to give readers something spectacular with the next novel,  Shine.

Highlights: Many of the characters grew in this installment. And Smith-Ready made a kilt sexy...which I didn't think was possible. Smith-Ready ends the story nicely, but leaves quite a few tantalizing hooks to keep readers curious for the third novel¹. All in all, these books are must-reads, so go check out the first novel if you haven't already!

Lowlights: Despite the incredible chemistry², the boy drama got to be a bit much every now and then. I wanted to shake some sense into quite a few characters! 

Rating: 4 out of 5

Other reviews in this series:
Shade (Shade #1)


1 No joke. I'm dying to know what happens next. I would consider trading my sibling for a copy of Shine, and I'm fairly sure that wouldn't be entirely legal.
2 And yes, there are plenty of super-sexy moments. And a couple might be for more mature teens.

Cover Contests End Dates Extended

If you've been checking out the blog for the past week, you might have noticed that a lot of SHIFT/SHADE giveaways have been happening in honor of SHIFT's release last week. Two of those contests are Cover Recreation Contests -- and so far, I've got one entry for each (JL, you seriously rock).

But, in the spirit of giving this entrant a bit more competition, I'm extending the cover contests for another week or so. 

It's open to US and Canada (if you live elsewhere and have someone I can send the prize to - and then they'll send it your way - feel free to enter)

For info about the prizes and rules, check out the official posts:

• SHADE Cover Contest
• SHIFT Cover Contest

So if you're feeling artsy, make a cover and enter for your chance to win prizes! Seriously, your odds of winning are pretty good considering you only have one person as competition (so far). 

Shift Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway

Lea: Today's my stop for the official SHIFT Blog Tour, hosted by For What It's Worth. I'm a huge fan of SHADE (the first book), and SHIFT did not disappoint. For my stop, I got the chance to interview Jeri once again....So welcome, Jeri!

Jeri: Thanks to Lea for hosting me today on the SHIFT blog tour! After the post, check out your chance to win books and a special prize.

***

Quick! Describe SHIFT in 7 words or less!

Ghosts, secret agents, most awkward prom ever.

In comparison to the first novel, was it an easier or more difficult experience writing SHIFT?

Much harder. Second books in a series, in my experience, are the hardest to write. It's enough to make me want to write stand-alone novels for the rest of my life! Third books, for some reason, are a little easier.

The first chapters of sequels are particularly difficult, because you have to get the story moving while reminding readers of (or introducing new readers to) your world and the characters, AND what happened in the first book. I rewrote SHIFT's chapter one several times before I got it right. But once I found its true form, I was really happy with it.

But because SHIFT was harder to write, it makes it even happier that most readers (who've contacted me, at least) feel that it's an even better book than SHADE. I very much want my latest book to be the best one I've ever written.

What was your favorite part to write in SHIFT? Can you share a little excerpt of it?

My favorite sequence was probably the prom, because it was fun to write the characters just as regular teens, apart from The Big Mystery and all the paranormal stuff. I've already shared the Zachary-in-a-kilt bit in an earlier tour stop, so I'll give you this (hopefully non-spoilery) teaser. It takes place toward the end of the night, a few minutes after the Prom King and Queen (not Zachary and Aura, obviously) have been announced. They are no each other's dates.

Zachary angled his body toward the center of the floor. "Will you dance with me?"

My face flared hot. "I think this dance is supposed to be for them."

Principal Hirsch spoke into the microphone. "Everyone is now welcome to join the royal couples on the floor."

Zachary reached for my hand. "Please."

I struggled to breathe. "What's the point?"

He dropped his hand, but stepped close so his mouth was at my ear. "The point is that we want to."

Do you have something unique in common with any of your characters (an unusual quirk/habit/talent)? If so, what is it?

Early in SHADE, Aura's eyes are too puffy from crying over Logan's death for her to wear her contacts, so when she and Zachary go to visit their advisor, she wears her glasses. But it's sunny, so she puts on a pair of sunglasses in front of her regular glasses, so that she's wearing two pairs simultaneously. I do that, too (too cheap to buy prescription sunglasses), and feel like a "gold-medal dork" just like she does.

Who is your absolute favorite ghost (I'm personally partial to Casper - he's so darn cute!)?

I love Riley from Alyson Noel's IMMORTALS series. I was so excited when she got her own series, and I can't wait to read them!

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Giveaway: Leave a comment or a question for Jeri below to enter today's drawing. (She's away from home most of Monday—on a research expedition for SHINE—but will return this evening to answer questions if there are any). There will be two winners.

The Prizes:

• Winner #1 gets a signed copy of SHIFT, plus a Keeley Brothers button (autographed on the back by Jeri)
• Winner #2 gets an unsigned copy of SHIFT, courtesy of Jeri's publisher

Additionally, all commenters will be entered into a draw to win the Grand Prize - annotated copies of SHADE and SHIFT, an early copy of SHINE (book three of the series, of which there will be no other ARCS) and an iPod Shuffle!

Open to international entries! Winners will be drawn after 24 hours.

CONTEST IS NOW OVER

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Author Bio: Jeri Smith-Ready's latest release is SHIFT (May 3), the second in the YA ghost trilogy that began last year with SHADE (now out in paperback). She loves to hear from readers, so please visit her at www.jerismithready.com, or better yet, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/jerismithready) or Twitter (@jsmithready), where she spends far too much time.

Giveaway: Shift Release Day!

Today is the official release day for 

Shift (Shade #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready!! 

*cue confetti and balloons*

PRIZE

• One brand new hardcover of SHIFT by Jeri Smith-Ready
• A personalized bookplate, signed by Jeri
• (and some unrelated swag/bookmarks)

RULES

• US only*
• Please read my contest policy
• Ends May 10th, 2011 at Midnight
• To enter, please fill out the form HERE or below

*Sorry to my international readers - I promise, I'll have a wonderfully epic giveaway for you all this summer!

Shift Cover Contest

In honor of SHIFT's release this week, I'm hosting a few giveaways - and the first set are a pair of Cover Recreation Contests. Pick SHADE, SHIFT, or both, and make your own cover to win some prizes! 

Prizes:

• A brand new hardcover of SHIFT by Jeri Smith-Ready
• A personalized bookplate for the winner, signed by Jeri Smith-Ready.
• Bookmarks (related and unrelated to the Shade series, signed and unsigned)

Rules:

• US + Canada entrants only
• Recreate the cover for SHADE and/or SHIFT
• Link your cover recreations in the correct areas
• You may enter both SHADE and SHIFT cover contests, or only one
• Covers must be linked by May 16th, midnight
• Voting for winning covers will begin on May 17th, ends on May 19th

*Special thanks to Jeri Smith-Ready, for being kind enough to provide a signed and personalized bookplate for whoever wins! :)

Shade Cover Contest

In honor of SHIFT's release this week, I'm hosting a few giveaways - and the first set are a pair of Cover Recreation Contests. Pick SHADE, SHIFT, or both, and make your own cover to win some prizes! 

Prizes:

• A brand new paperback copy of SHADE by Jeri Smith-Ready
• A personalized bookplate for the winner, signed by Jeri Smith-Ready.
• Bookmarks (related and unrelated to the Shade series, signed and unsigned)

Rules:

• US + Canada entrants only
• Recreate the cover for SHADE and/or SHIFT
• Link your cover recreations in the correct area 
• You may enter both SHADE and SHIFT cover contests, or only one
• Covers must be linked by May 10th, midnight May 16th
• Voting for winning covers will begin on May 17th, ends on May 19th

*Special thanks to Jeri for providing signed + personalized bookplates to whoever wins! :)