MrsTMae Review and Giveaway: Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Paranormal Element: Ghosts
Series: Shade #2
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Book's Page: Shade Series
Stalk the Author:  Web | Twitter | Facebook
Review copy received from publisher.

Giveaway details posted after review.


MTM's QUICKIE POV:
I am so glad I was lucky enough to be chosen to review this book.  I absolutely loved Shade and didn't think I was going to love Shift that much more, but I did.  While Shade fills you in on the characters and the story, Shift takes you to a whole new level.  I have never felt so many emotions in a YA paranormal read before this one.  I mean sure other books have made me cry, laugh and all that good stuff.  Yet there is something with the way that Smith-Ready writes that engulfs you with the characters on every level possible.  Like I said with my review on Shade, reading this story takes me to a different world and I feel like I am reading about me and my friends.  She bring the reality to the fantasy world and make the whole story 100% believable.  That is what I love most about this series. You forget that it's a story.  You become so sucked in and while reading you fell like you are there with the characters and have become a part of their world.

REVIEW:
Shift picks up exactly where Shade left off.  Aura going through the motions of trying to live a normal life while caught between the ghost of her boyfriend and the feelings she has towards Zach.  With Logan not ready to move on and wanting to be with Aura, he begins to turn Shade.  This happens when the ghost don't get what they want and lose their temper.  Something takes over them and gets to the point to where it can mentally and emotionally hurt the living that can see them.  When Logan turns Shade, he ends up disappearing for months.  Leaving Aura alone not knowing what has happened with her boyfriend or if he will ever come back. The months that pass Aura finds herself getting closer to Zachary.  But one night Aura finds herself helpless and missing Logan.  She calls for him and after months of him being gone, he returns and some how Aura calms him down and he becomes a violet ghost again, no longer a Shade.  And then for just 15 minutes not only is he back to his ghostly self, he becomes flesh and bone.  For just 15 minutes Arua is able to touch, feel and hold her boyfriend again.  After that "miracle" Aura sets off on a mission to find out how this happened and if it is possible for it to happen again.

With Zach being the First born before the Shift and Aura being the Last born after, the mystery of why they exist starts to become clear.  Aura and every one post-Shift aren't the only ones that have special "gifts".  Zach has a gift as well, which starts to interfere with Logan wanting to move on or to even be around Aura.  The closer Zach and Aura become the more of Aura's past comes to surface.  Aura finds out more about her mother.  She also learns a lot more about her father, more than she wanted to know.  It also puts a wedge in between Aura and Zach.  The two of them together has made the DMP very interested in why they were the ONLY two born in the minutes before and after the Shift.  To keep them both safe Zach decides to distance himself from Aura which some how makes everything that much more difficult.

Like all great stories, it's difficult to write a full review without giving the entire story away.  While you get a clue of what's to come from a review you really have no idea what is in store for you.  I was so into this story, so anxious to see what comes of Aura, Logan, Zach and all of the people around them.  This is definitely a series that you MUST read.  I know that the third and final (I hate saying FINAL for this series) installment of the Shade trilogy isn't coming out until 2012.  And if you're like me, I get so afraid that waiting too long for the next I'll forget what happened.  You won't.  This story will forever stay in your mind.  Not only that, but your heart.  I can't say enough good things about this book.  Smith-Ready is one of my favorite authors now.  She has definitely brought the paranormal romance to a whole new playing field.  I think the authors that are writing the paranormal ghost stories have a competitor for sure.  The ghost stories are coming back people, and in a big way!

RECOMMENDATIONS:
I recommend this book to EVERY ONE!  Especially those whole love a good ghost story.  While there is a love triangle, I don't feel that this has as much angst.  Not so much to where it gets annoying.  The paranormal, romance, mystery and strength of this series will have you on the edge of your seat.  This is a nonstop action packed emotion read.  So really, I think anyone who loves YA, pick it up!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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.

About the Author:
Jeri Smith-Ready's previous adult novels include Wicked Game, Requiem for the Devil and Eyes of Crow. This is her first teen series. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two cats, and a retired racing greyhound. Learn more at www.jerismithready.com.

Ward off evil spirits with this Shift prize pack!

Contest Deets ONE WINNER:

A Ghost Bead Bracelet and a copy of Shift!

Giveaway open to addresses in the U.S. 

Sponsored by Simon Pulse.

Requirements:

Following is not required but is appreciated!

 

Fill out the form at end of post.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. Tweet: Win a copy of SHIFT by Jeri Smith-Ready + Ghost Bracelet via @parajunkee #giveaway @SimonTeen #Shift---> http://bit.ly/m22cZ2 Plz RT
   YOU CAN TWEET DAILY - fill out the form each time you tweet
2. Comment on this post
3. Follow Jeri: Twitter | Facebook
4. GFC Follower of PJV