Book Review of Bad to the Bone by Jeri-Smith Ready

Title: Bad to the Bone

Author: Jeri Smith-Ready

Release Date: May 12, 2009

*If you have not read Wicked Game this will contain spoilers*

If you’re just joining us, welcome to radio station WVMP, “The Lifeblood of Rock ’n’ Roll.” Con-artist-turned-station-owner Ciara Griffin manages an on-air staff of off-the-wall DJs—including her new boyfriend Shane McAllister—who really sink their teeth into the music of their ‘Life Time” (the era in which they became vampires). It’s Ciara’s job to keep the undead rocking, the ratings rolling, and the fan base alive—without missing a beat.

For Halloween, WVMP is throwing a bash sure to raise the dead. They’ve got cool tunes, hot costumes, killer cocktails—what could go wrong? Well, for starters, a religious firebrand ranting against the evils of the occult preempts the station’s midnight broadcast. Then, when Ciara tracks down the illegal transmission, the broadcast tower is guarded by what appears to be…a canine vampire? And behind it all is a group of self-righteous radicals who think vampires suck (and are willing to stake their lives on it).

Now Ciara must protect the station while struggling with her own murky relationship issues, her best friend’s unlikely romance with a fledgling vampire, and the nature of her mysterious anti-holy powers. To make it to New Year’s in one piece, she’ll need to learn a few new tricks.…

Summary from Goodreads.com

My Review: 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 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!)