Party with Jeri Smith-Ready

Welcome party girl Jeri Smith-Ready to the blog!

I first met Jeri at the Teen Author Carnival in May, where we sat on a panel together. She's as beautiful in person as she looks online. She an award-winning author, and lives in Maryland with her husband, two cats, and the world’s goofiest greyhound. Jeri's plans to save the earth were ruined when she realized she was more of a “problem maker” than a problem solver. To stay out of trouble, she keeps her Drama Drive strictly fictional. Her friends and family appreciate that. When not writing, Jeri she can usually be found—well, thinking about writing, or on Twitter. Like her characters, she loves music, movies, and staying up very, very late.

Here's the lowdown on SHADE:

Love ties them together.

Death can't tear them apart.

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.

Jeri's number reading and response:

Your compound vibration numbers are 17, 13 and 21.

*Thirteen* is a number indicating change of plans, direction or place.
It is a warning of the unexpected or the unknown, although the changes
can very well be positive. Some ancient writings claim, "He who
understands the number 13 will be given power and dominion".
Individuals with this vibration should take care, however – wrongly
used, the power can cause destruction to oneself.

Thirteen! I love that number, because I'm anti-superstitious (I also love black cats). When I hear "unexpected change and unknown," I get very excited. Fingers crossed it means a trip to Europe. ;-)

*Seventeen* is known as the Star of the Magi. It is a highly spiritual

number and indicates that the person it represents will rise with
superior spirit to the challenge of trials and difficulties early in
life. Seventeen is also considered the number of immortality and
indicates that the persons name will live after her.

Hmm, I don't remember huge trials and difficulties early on (I had a very happy childhood, although I did have a serious illness when I was 3). As for immortality, I would love it if people were still reading my books long after I've left this world. Or, you know, next year.

*Twenty-one* can be a number of ad­vancement, honors, and general

success, but victory generally comes after long initiation and tests
of determination.

Haha! Well, I've had eight books published over the course of ten years, and had many rejections along the way, so I think that counts as a long initiation. What do I win?

The number *three* indicates someone who is artistic, social,

friendly, and in some cases, wasteful. Threes tend to be creative,
sensitive, ambitious and intuitive.

Artistic? Check. Social? Check (anyone who follows me on Twitter knows). Friendly? Check.

Wasteful? Umm, okay, who's been looking in the vegetable drawer of my fridge?

You can read more about Jeri at jerismithready.com

Today's daily giveaway is a signed copy of NEED by Carrie Jones.