When I read a good book, I want to let people know so
they can rush out, grab a copy, and enjoy it as well.
But Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready (the first in a new
series) is more than a good book – it’s a great book, a
fun and moving read, one full of very real characters
with flaws and talents and breakable hearts.
Here’s the back cover copy:
Recovering con artist Ciara Griffin is trying to find a
(shudder!) real job. She takes an internship at a local
radio station, whose late-night time-warp format
features 1940s blues, ‘60s psychedelia, and ‘80s goth
with an uncannily authentic flair. It turns out the DJs
are vampires, stuck forever in the eras in which they
were turned. Unfortunately, a communications giant
wants to buy out WVMP and turn it into another hit-
playing clone. Without the link that the station provides
to their original Life Time, the vampires would “fade,”
becoming little more than mindless ghosts.
To boost ratings and save 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 vampires who aren’t so eager to be
brought into the light. Soon the stakes are higher – and
the perils even graver – than any con game Ciara’s ever
played....
I loved this book. I adored Ciara. She was real, funny,
flawed, compassionate and searching for her place in
the world. She was someone I’d love to have a late-
night coffee with or share a bottle of bourbon and
wicked plans with.
Ciara’s story and that of WVMP and its vampires crackled
with energy and humor and heart. And the vamps
themselves? Sexy and vibrant, original. Shane’s good
looks, yummy bod, and quiet angst hooked me (in a very
good way).
Jeri offers a very original and fascinating take on
vampires – including what happens to them when they
die (shudder). What spins into place when the angry
posse of ancient vampires enters the scene ramps up
the tension and white-knuckles your fingers. And you
soon realize, Ciara has everything to lose.
As always, Jeri’s writing is top-notch and draws you in
from word one. You’ll fall in love with Ciara and Shane
and the rest of the vamps, with Ciara’s world. I’m
looking forward (while impatiently crossing off the days
on my calendar) to the next book, tentatively titled Bad
to the Bone.
I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by Jeri. I am also
looking forward to the release of her The Reawakened,
the third (and I believe, final) book in her Crow series –
Eyes of Crow and Voice of Crow. I also have her
Requiem for the Devil in my TBR pile. She is a talented
storyteller and I’ve ached, grieved and celebrated with
her characters – each one a fully realized human being.
Jeri Smith-Ready is a writer whose books I’ll buy
without hesitation, no matter the genre, because I know
I’m in trustworthy hands. I’ll open the book and step
happily into another world, one I’ll return from
reluctantly with the final word on the book’s last page.
Wicked Game is her best...so far...and a helluva read. If
you haven’t already picked it up, do so. You won’t
regret it. You can find it on Jeri’s site HERE and in any
bookstore.
Also, check out her WVMP site and learn about the sexy
vamp DJs and their stories at HERE
Watch for a fun forthcoming interview – Dante Baptiste
from A Rush of Wings will quiz Ciara Griffin (thanks to a
brief window appearing between their worlds) over
drinks (a lot of drinks) and laughter. It promises to be a
silly and sloppy interview.
they can rush out, grab a copy, and enjoy it as well.
But Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready (the first in a new
series) is more than a good book – it’s a great book, a
fun and moving read, one full of very real characters
with flaws and talents and breakable hearts.
Here’s the back cover copy:
Recovering con artist Ciara Griffin is trying to find a
(shudder!) real job. She takes an internship at a local
radio station, whose late-night time-warp format
features 1940s blues, ‘60s psychedelia, and ‘80s goth
with an uncannily authentic flair. It turns out the DJs
are vampires, stuck forever in the eras in which they
were turned. Unfortunately, a communications giant
wants to buy out WVMP and turn it into another hit-
playing clone. Without the link that the station provides
to their original Life Time, the vampires would “fade,”
becoming little more than mindless ghosts.
To boost ratings and save 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 vampires who aren’t so eager to be
brought into the light. Soon the stakes are higher – and
the perils even graver – than any con game Ciara’s ever
played....
I loved this book. I adored Ciara. She was real, funny,
flawed, compassionate and searching for her place in
the world. She was someone I’d love to have a late-
night coffee with or share a bottle of bourbon and
wicked plans with.
Ciara’s story and that of WVMP and its vampires crackled
with energy and humor and heart. And the vamps
themselves? Sexy and vibrant, original. Shane’s good
looks, yummy bod, and quiet angst hooked me (in a very
good way).
Jeri offers a very original and fascinating take on
vampires – including what happens to them when they
die (shudder). What spins into place when the angry
posse of ancient vampires enters the scene ramps up
the tension and white-knuckles your fingers. And you
soon realize, Ciara has everything to lose.
As always, Jeri’s writing is top-notch and draws you in
from word one. You’ll fall in love with Ciara and Shane
and the rest of the vamps, with Ciara’s world. I’m
looking forward (while impatiently crossing off the days
on my calendar) to the next book, tentatively titled Bad
to the Bone.
I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by Jeri. I am also
looking forward to the release of her The Reawakened,
the third (and I believe, final) book in her Crow series –
Eyes of Crow and Voice of Crow. I also have her
Requiem for the Devil in my TBR pile. She is a talented
storyteller and I’ve ached, grieved and celebrated with
her characters – each one a fully realized human being.
Jeri Smith-Ready is a writer whose books I’ll buy
without hesitation, no matter the genre, because I know
I’m in trustworthy hands. I’ll open the book and step
happily into another world, one I’ll return from
reluctantly with the final word on the book’s last page.
Wicked Game is her best...so far...and a helluva read. If
you haven’t already picked it up, do so. You won’t
regret it. You can find it on Jeri’s site HERE and in any
bookstore.
Also, check out her WVMP site and learn about the sexy
vamp DJs and their stories at HERE
Watch for a fun forthcoming interview – Dante Baptiste
from A Rush of Wings will quiz Ciara Griffin (thanks to a
brief window appearing between their worlds) over
drinks (a lot of drinks) and laughter. It promises to be a
silly and sloppy interview.
| RECOMMENDED READING, LISTENING, VIEWING, EXPERIENCING.... |