Made it through and PAYA

Well, I made it through the hurricane. We lost power, but only for a short time. I did get a chance to attend PAYA right before the storm hit. What fun. An awesome festival celebrating Young adult books. Author signings, raffles, lots of fun. It's held in West Chester, Pa. Some authors couldn't make it due to the storm. I was bummed because Jeri Smith-Ready was one of them. :( I will meet her one day. I'd rather them be safe, though.
I also have to become more camera happy at these things. I feel like such a stalker. I did take a few of pics.

Kelly and Frankie

Kelly and Kate (K.M. Walton--Cracked due out 1/3/12)

Amy Holder (Lipstick Laws)

I also got to visit with Dianne Salerni (We Hear the Dead), Jessica Corra, April Lindner (Jane), Shannon Delany (13 to Life), and Sara Kankowski DeSabato (Blog--First Novels Club)

We had lots of laughs and writing talk. Frankie took video. I'm not sure when that's going to be posted. *cringes* I will keep you posted.

How was your weekend?

Any goals?

I'm just glad I'm starting to get a schedule in place. I hope to revise a lot this week.

Have a great day!

That vs. Which--The info.

Which and that. Do you know how to use them? I will admit, I'm pretty sure I have misused. In fact, I guarantee it. I see my CPs smirking. :)

Let's start off with which--This word is usually surrounded by commas and you use it if a group of words adds information. If you took it out of the sentence, the sentence would still mean the same thing.

Example: The cat, which is black and white, jumped off the ledge.
I'm adding information to which cat it is. Simple right?

Now let's head over to that--This word is used when you are limiting the things you are talking about. If you got rid of it, the sentence would mean something different.

Example: Cars that are black retain heat.
 I'm specifying a specific type of car vs. all cars. If I took out that information the sentence would not have the same meaning.

Now, is this easy to see when you are writing? Not all the time. I could read a sentence over a million times and still miss it ( mainly because my eyes are crossed and my brain is fried). That's why we have crit partners, right?
 I think I made that lesson easy.

Here are some links for more information.
Better writing skills.com 

Grammar Girl

So, how is your usage of which and that? Any other tips?

Oh and if you are following the YA Crush Tourney --Zachary Moore won the next round. Go #TeamKilt. You know I love Jeri Smith Ready's books so I'm voting for Zach all the way. Next match up is on August 10th.

Yeah, I know this says August 5th, but it was the only button I could find at the moment. Next vote August 10th.

Have a great day!!

Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready

Thanks for all of your feedback on the whole e-reader and my character craziness. I finally got through the bump, and I'm happy to say, I see the end in sight. So sorry for my panic post.

On with the review.

I won a signed copy of Shade last year from the lovely Dianne Salerni. I didn't read right away, but when I finally did. I was in love. When I heard that this was a trilogy, I did a happy dance. Why? First, here is my review of Shade. Second, I loved Shade. I guess if you read my review you could get that impression. Anyway, I was excited to hear of the second book's release, but a little scared. What if I didn't like it? Sometimes the next book falls short. Well, my friends, no disappointment here. None at all. Let me give you the blurb. 

Title: Shift

Author: Jeri Smith-Ready

Pages: 384

Publisher: Simon Pulse

The blurb:

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.


The review:
I will make this short because there is not much to say other than I loved this. Yes, I'm gushing. You know how I get with books that I've read in two days, yes two days, because I couldn't put it down. I have to say this  has become one of my favorite trilogies, and making Jeri Smith-Ready, one of my favorite authors. I'm not going to comment on how I missed the local book signing. Let's just say, my family owes me big.

Anyway, the pace, characterization, voice, dialogue, plot, all of it, in my mind, was wonderful. Now of course, the formula was right for me: ghosts, romance, love triangle, action, drama, mystery, yeah it's all in there, and let's not not forget, the kind of punky musician, Logan, and, Zachary, the Scottish boy. Hey, don't judge. The characters were so real to me, it reminded me of my high school years, my friends people, I was a good girl. No, I didn't see ghosts so I guess that makes me a Pre-shifter.
 
The love triangle between Zachary, Aura, and Logan kept my heart pounding, and bouncing back and forth on which one should win. I really couldn't decide.
 
The whole idea of pre-shifters and post-shifters is fantastic mixed with the mystery of Aura and Zachary's past, couldn't have been planned any better. The whole story plays out beautifully.
 
Another thing that I really loved is the location where all of this takes place. The main locations--Baltimore and Philadelphia. The author is from these parts and I know every place she describes, so it's fun to see something local written into something paranormal with great detail. Also, some other locations are Ireland and Scotland, places I wish to visit one day.
 
The end: I'm not going there. You must read it for yourself because, Shine, the final book in the series will be out Summer of 2012. I will definitely be buying a copy of that one.
 
So, have you read Shift? Let me know what you think?
 
Have a great day!

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Don't forget my contest closes tomorrow. Go here for details.

I know I gush about books, loving them. I do I really do, but this book has made me fall hard and in love. In fact, I'm putting it on my list of favorite books. What is this book?

Title: Shade

Author: Jeri Smith-Ready

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages: 320

The blurb:

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.

My take:

Yeah, the cover had me at hello, I will admit, but this book is so much more. I love ghost stories and this one had me turning the pages so fast I wanted to read it again when I was done. Aura is a great character, very realistic and likable. She's not perfect and neither is Logan, her boyfriend. I think that is what made them so real. They were not angels. Of course, Logan is a hottie, but that's just me. So is Zachary (he had a Scottish accent, I'm just sayin'.) 

Anywho, The whole plot to me was intricate, yet, seemed simple. I think the way the author wrote it made it easy to understand.

It took place in Baltimore, Maryland. A place I've been several times so I could perfectly imagine where they went. Philly was also mentioned (yeah). There was also a lot of references to Ireland and Scotland (places I would love to visit.)  

The end had me with my mouth open, wanting more. My wish is about to come true because on May 3rd, The Shift will be released. **lets out big breath** Not sure I can wait that long.

Do I recommend this: Absolutely

Contains: great characters, intriguing/thought provoking plot, hot boys, great setting, and ghosts-- who doesn't love that.

 Has anyone read this?
Let me know you thoughts.
Have a great day!

Fun Facts Friday

This week was one of those weeks. I'm not even going to recap the horrible of it. Just the fun parts.

1. I have the best blogging friends in the world. You guys are the best cheerleaders and you know how to kick me in the butt. Thanks guys. I really can't thank you enough.

2. After a CP session with the incredible, Crystal, I sat down and revised a chapter and re-wrote 1000 words. She rocks. Thanks dear lady.

3. Can't wait to meet more blogging buddies in person this weekend in Philly. Should be fun!

4. I'm reading the book Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready and love it. Oh yeah, isn't the cover oh so pretty. The insides are just as delicious. Can't wait till the sequel.

5. Don't forget Writing the Next Line Blogfest....Monday. I can't wait to read the entries. Let's just say, I may develop my entry into a story. Yeah, I know, finish those revisions first!

6. In the news-- I saw this lady walking in the mall texting and she fell in a fountain. Now, she wants to sue the mall. Really? Like you don't have better things to do. Don't get me goin' on this one.

Keepin' it short today.

Any weekend plans?

Any books you want to share?

Let me know how your writing is coming along.

Have a great weekend!