Bad to the Bone

I enjoyed "Bad to the Bone" a little bit more than the first book "Wicked Game". The main reason is because I liked Ciera Griffin much more this time around. She was really thinking of other people and she's cleaned up her con artist act quite a bit. In this story, the radio station's shows got interrupted by a Christian talk radio show signal each time Vampire DJ Regina was on or a song by a female artist was played. This fanatical group, on its surface, is against women as well as the vampires or `vampire gimmick' the station employs. Of course there is more going on under the surface...much more. I really liked getting to know Shane's character better and there was a fun side story with his family that I enjoyed. We learn more about show more Ciera's back story and we watch the relationship between her and Shane change. All our favorite vampire DJ's are back though only Jim and Regina's characters get fleshed out more. The introduction of Dexter the vampire dog was a true highlight. Smith-Ready has proven to me that she can write a good story. She also has a way with writing realistic relationships and doesn't shy away from the bad sides of those. There was a very funny scene where Ciera meets up with an acquaintance in a store which had me laughing aloud. I have only two complaints. The first is that the other vampires don't seem to have much personality yet. We really only know what era they are from. I hope this can be remedied in future installments. The second is that I'm not sure that I like that Ciera's blood is special. I tend to like heroines more when they are average human women stuck in paranormal situations much more than those that are kick-butt and discover they have more and more special abilities. I found "Bad to the Bone" to be a real page turner and I can't wait for the next book to be released. show less

Con-artist-turned-radio-station-publicist Ciara Griffin broke the boundaries when she came up with the theme to disguise the station’s vampire DJs as vampire DJs—out in the public. The audience loves their vampire personas, but Ciara works hard to make sure no one knows that they’re really vampires.

With the holiday season looming, WVMP is attacked by a religious fanatic group illegally tapping into their frequency and broadcasting anti-vampire diatribes. With the aid of Shane, her beloved though definitely OCD vampire DJ boyfriend; David, her brooding but undeniably sexy coworker; and some old and new friends, including a lovable vampire dog, Ciara delves into the workings of a radical group determined to rid the world of show more vampires.

Author extraordinaire Jeri Smith-Ready set the urban fantasy bar high with the first book in her WVMP Radio series, Wicked Game. BAD TO THE BONE, however, continues right where Wicked Game’s excellence left off, propelling me once more into a engrossing world of vampires, mystery, memorable characters and relationship troubles.

In my review of Wicked Game I talked about the appreciatively multidimensional protagonist and vampires. Now, I wish to talk about other characters and the plot. BAD TO THE BONE contains an enviably colorful cast of characters that stand out due to their eccentricities and wonderfully unique quirks. In this installment we also get to see a deeper and necessarily darker side to Shane and Ciara’s relationship. A relationship between two such fundamentally different people—one a vampire, one a human; one neurotically methodical though determinedly devoted, the other more of a “think now do later” girl—is bound to have its problems. What will become of Shane and Ciara? I like that BAD TO THE BONE strews some doubts and insecurities into their relationship: this makes it much more realistic and beloved to me than a perfect relationship.

Jeri Smith-Ready has a way of constructing a world that’s so expansive, yet so complete, that you can either miss it all from being completely absorbed in it, or be in awe of her writing talents. (Or you can be both. Just, you know, not at the same time.) It seems to me that the books in this series usually take a while before finally getting into the action and the meat; that is because the beginning of the book is usually setting up the unusual circumstances that will be the grounds of conflict. While the main plot arc may be oftentimes buried in other, more interesting, albeit side-plots, I never felt confused or frustrated. I always just wanted more, more, more!

WVMP Radio is, in my opinion, one of the best urban fantasy series out there. Endearingly complex characters, a fully realized world, and the potential for future stories make sure that I’ll be glued to this series for hopefully years to come. Don’t miss out if you think this might be your type of book! show less

In this installment someone starts taking over the WVMP broadcast. The radio station is being targeted by a group that want to destroy the station in more ways than one. Is it a religions group? Someone from Control? A cult? There are suspects a plenty, but if you read the first book you know that Ciara and the vampires won't stand for it.

Wicked Game was on my list of Top 20 Favorite books on 2008 so, I've been looking forward to reading the second one and was overjoyed to find the ARC in my mailbox. Ciara and her obsessive-compulsive vampire DJ's are back for a new adventure and it doesn't disappoint.

This story was action packed, with wit and loads of drama. Excellent writing that had me turning the page to see what would happen next. show more And just when you think the story has come to an end... the author brings you more action and mayhem. This book was both light and dark, but a very enjoyable read. I thought it was a brilliant ending and can't wait reading more stories set in this world. show less

And were back, with Ciara and crew here at WVMP. This time the DJ’s are having trouble with a group of people who seem to hate both women and vampires. The evidence to support these claims comes every time Regina gets on the air or a female artist is played, because when that happens a “God-fearing” rant cuts in the air waves and takes over. It is putting quite a damper on the ratings and the image Ciara has worked to build for WVMP. Speaking of Ciara, she has seriously grown on me as I read these books. I love her con-artist nature and I think it does a lot to help keep her alive in the world she now finds herself living in.

Shane is also ever present in her life, pushing her just a little bit to try and take their relationship show more one step further. Which I love about him. He knows if he advocates too much for something, he might just push her out the door. That doesn’t stop him from trying though, and I love watching Ciara try to deal with it when he does. One thing I don’t love, is watching Shane slowly become more and more obsessive compulsive. I know he is still young, but because of the way vamps are in this world, they do not keep their wits about them forever and that worries me for his future, and for Ciara’s. I have grown attached to them and because of that I want to see them happy, how that is going to happen is still undecided.

Mystery shrouds the story and you are left in the dark for quite a while before everything starts to unravel. Just when you think the book has reached it’s climax and the story is coming to an end, you are wrong. Jeri always keeps a few little surprises until the end and I love that. At the end there is also an unexpected, sad, event that Jeri has somehow turned into an intriguing opportunity. I think I should have seen it coming, but I didn’t, so I will be interested to see what happens in the next book with that little scenario.

Overall, this is a great series and I have really enjoyed being along for the ride. If you have not picked them up I highly suggest that you do. Jeri Smith-Ready is a great author and her books will leave you thirsty for more :) (and yes, I went there!) show less

This a perfect follow up book to Wicked Game. Jeri Smith-Ready writes smart and witty characters who are hard not to love. This book takes place fits perfectly after the first book but it allows us to get to know the other players more. There is a delicious love triange but it doesn't drag out forever like a lot of other books do. There is also a lot of 'real' vampire stuff going on in this book. Which I think is god to see. Most vampire books try to take the bite (pun intended) out of vampires. But vampires are known for their love of blood and Jeri doesn't shy away from it. It isn't grotesque don't get me wrong nor is it senseless, it is dare I sar almost sexy? Ok try not to gag but it is. Wicked Game first explored the sexual nature show more of blod drinking and Bad to the Bone continues the journey where other boks refuse to go. Besides, there is a bad-ass dog and an almost snarky (if he could talk) cat, in this book. SWEET! show less

Another great book. If you read the first one and continued to this one then you are in for a good read. I am still surprised how much I love this series. I think her vampires are weird. Like being stuck in their era and eventually fading out. It doesn't sound like any vampire story I've ever read. But she just does something to these characters that makes you connect with them. I am so mad my library doesn't have the 3rd one, I am on the hunt for it!!

This book starts up right were Wicked Game left off-Shane and Ciara are dating and there is some serous doubt added to their relationship. Can a vampire and a human be in a long term relationship ? Ciara finds her feeling confused a bit when she dreams of a human man. Meanwhile the radio station Dj's are under attack from a religious anti-vampire group, one that seems to hate women. The local pub is fire bombed after a vamp party and it's just beginning to get "hot" for the vamps. Threats and danger are ever present some from within the tight group of friends. Dexter rocks as a vampire dog !
Action packed, romantic, frightening, and hopeful, this books covers all the bases, now I need the next book ...