BEA'S BOOK NOOK "I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once." C. S. Lewis “If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” ― Oscar Wilde

Friday, January 3, 2014

Review of Lust for Life by Jeri Smith-Ready

Publisher: Pocket Books
Series: WVMP Radio #4
Format Read: paperback
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: November 27, 2012
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble

Blurb from goodreads:

Former con artist Ciara Griffin hopes to settle into a normal un-life as a fledgling vampire, with the help of her fiance, grunge DJ/guitarist Shane McAllister. But when the WVMP station crew reports that hippie vampire DJ Jim has murdered a pair of humans - humans who happen to share Ciara's last name - that's when trouble rolls out the red carpet. To redeem her past and pay back her most wounded victim, Ciara plans one final triple-crossing con game - with her own "miracle blood" as the bait. And as Ciara clings to what's left of her humanity, she'll need her new vampire strength - and old con artist cunning - now more than ever.


Bea's Thoughts:

WOW! This was a fantastic end to the series. I'm sorry it's done but I'm glad Smith-Ready didn't drag it out. She had a story to tell and she did it. There was a lot going on in this book with so many twists I stopped counting. The humor has been something I've enjoyed since the first book and this had me laughing out loud at points, even wheezing, I was laughing so hard. In addition to the humor, we get lots of action and some philosophizing, all wrapped up in a nonstop story that doesn't stint on characterization.

You can enjoy this book as an exciting story about modern-day vampires and a romance or you can go a little deeper and use it as a springboard for discussions about faith, belief, the afterlife, family, relationships, and responsibilities. Smith-Ready never gets preachy, she skillfully weaves everything together into a fascinating story that'll keep you up late reading to see what happens, who lives, who dies, which couples stay together, what do heaven and hell look like, etc.

One important note about this story: although there are 4 books in the series, there's a novella, "Let It Bleed", that occurs between books 3 and 4. You MUST read that novella before starting this book. It's available for free at her site. The events in this book derive from events in the novella; if you go from book 3 to this book without reading the novella, you will be very confused. That said, I hope that we might get a short story or novella some time, updating us on the characters and their lives.
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9 comments:

  1. Sounds exciting and fun, glad you enjoyed!

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  2. This is the second review I've seen this week for this series and that one gave it a glowing review too. Why haven't I heard of this before? Plus I love short series and the fact that this ended well means that it will be a satisfying read.

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  3. Already done ? I've been wanting to read the first for some time... Well, it's better than if we had to read 20 instalments, huh ? I like an author that has the courage to end his/her series before it drags along ;) Thanks for the review !

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    1. Yep, just 4 books and the last one came out in 2012. I agree, I hate when a series drags on, this is better.

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  4. Oh you have me curious about this series, eep I am adding it to my list and will start it after a few I am currently reading end..hehe

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    1. Hee hee, so, in about 5 years you'll get to it? :D

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  5. Hmm okay sounds really good and yeah I like that it's not a huge series. Sometimes those are just too overwhelming to actually start. Glad to hear you enjoyed it :)

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  6. I'm really curious about this series now, I think I've seen it around before but I'm not sure. It figures that I'd only discover it as it ends lol :) I hope my library has the first book.
    -Kimberly @ Turning the Pages

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