(Thanks to Sarai who let me “steal” her review format!)
TITLE: Wicked Game
AUTHOR: Jeri Smith-Ready
COPYRIGHT: 2008
SERIES: Nope
REASON FOR READING: I had read a review on Anna’s myspace blog and was pretty interested. Then I entered a contest and won the book so why not??
SUMMARY: [from Amazon]
Newbie marketing intern Ciara Griffin lands a job at WVMP, a station threatened with being sold to Skywave, a giant communications conglomerate, unless ad revenue picks up. A former con artist with a canny way with people, Ciara soon learns that the DJs are undead and specialists in the musical eras in which they were turned into vampires. One of them, Shane McAllister (turned in 1995), is really hot and dangerously tempting. In order to attract more listeners, Ciara promotes a new marketing strategy and the Sherwood, Md., station becomes 94.3 WVMP, the Lifeblood of Rock and Roll, exploiting the fang factor (which no listener takes seriously) for profit. It works, until an ancient vampire cult wants to pull the plug. Also playing in is The Control, an equally ancient paramilitary group created to protect good vampires and kill bad ones. You can read an excerpt here.
THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I really enjoyed this book. I thought that the originality of the author to make vampires that stay in their “Life Time” and yet try to deal with the ever changing, fast paced world was wonderful. Ciara (
keer-ah) was a great character. She had come from a family of grifters and was trying to make a new life for herself, but the grifting was just part of who she was so it was an on-going battle for her. She had a great sense of humor and I really liked how down to earth she was. She wasn’t the type who found out about vampires and was ok, no problem. She definitely had to get used to the idea and of course the blood gave her constant “squeege” moments. She had to do for herself for years and then she’s smack dab in this campaign to try to help others which is definitely something new a different for her.
Shane was a hottie who was stuck in the grunge 90’s. He gets very close to Ciara very quickly but it doesn’t seem wrong to me – it just kind of works.
Also, the vamps are stuck in their musical eras but the author didn’t do what most people would think. The 60’s vamp was hippie, but had a dark side rather than the “I love you man!” peace thing going on. The 70’s vamp was Reggae rather than disco, the 80’s vamp was goth & punk rather than the Cindy Lauper/Madonna stereotype and so on.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again?
She’s new to me. She has a romantic fantasy trilogy that I’m interested in reading.
Are you keeping it or passing it on?
Keeping it. I liked the book and it’s signed by the author so of course I will!
Did you enjoy the book? Yes
Would you recommend this book to others? Yes
SCORE: 4 out of 5
Anything else? I’m wondering if the author will make this into a series. There are 4 more male vampires and 1 female vampire that are DJ’s at WVMP so I’ll be curious if she if she’ll give them their own love interests.
Email from Jeri Smith-Ready (slightly edited)
Hi Tracy,
I just wanted to say thanks for reviewing WICKED GAME on your blog–I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Also, I wanted to let you know that it is in fact the first in a series. The sequel, BAD TO THE BONE, will be out next May, and between now and then I’ll be posting free short stories on my website approx. one every other month) about each vampire DJ’s ‘turning,’ in their own words. Since it’s urban fantasy, the series will continue to follow Ciara and Shane and the development of their relationship, rather than give each of the vampire DJs their own romance book.
However, I’m always open to spinoffs. 😉
You can also let people know that my newsletter subscribers will get a week’s sneak peek at the stories before the rest of the world (people can go to my home page to sign up for the newsletter).
Thanks again, and have a great day!
Take care, Jeri
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(Thanks to Sarai who let me “steal” her review format!)
Thanks for the review, Tracy! This book is on my TBB list. Have you checked out Jeri’s website? She has a website for the radio station, too. I had fun poking around there one night. Very creative.
I haven’t had a chance to poke around the site too much yet. When she sent the book she sent business cards for WVMP – very cute.
*grumble* another mo fo book to add to my monster pile.
I blame you Tracy if my books fall on me and no one can find me under them.
Just getting you back for all those reviews you and Kristie do and then I have to go buy the freakin books! Besides I’m the one who lives in earthquake country – they’re more likely to fall on me! Ok that’s a scary thought – if you don’t hear from me for a few days…
Alright, between Anna and you I am going to go flat broke and have to eat Mac and Cheese 4EVER which sucks…
Glad you like the format it really helps keep things straight!!!!
So I think Jeri should so visit our blog. Just sayin
I was thinking the same thing!!!
Down to earth with a great sense of humor? Hmmmmm….I think I’m down to earth, but I’ve got the sense of humor of a rock. 😉 I always thought Ciara would make a good vampire name, since it means dark or black. I’m so glad it’s a good book!!! I have to hunt down the author and get my own autographed copy. I’m completely thrilled to have my name in a book and PRONOUNCED CORRECTLY!!!!
She did have a great sense of humor (and yours is probably better than a rock!). She’s very sarcastic and of course that’s my kind of humor so…!
Thanks for the review! I’ve been wondering about this book, so I was glad to see your thoughts. And an author visit. Cool.
Having met Ciara I can attest to the fact fact that her sense of humor is, in fact, better than a rock 😉
Damn, another book to add to the list. Too many books, not enough time!