First in the People I Admire series
Let me give a little background here. I first came into contact with her indirectly… someone recommended one of her books with nothing less than a fangirl squee on Smart Bitches. That was Requiem for the Devil. So I bought it and read it. I was so blown away, I had no words. (I’ve since been by wowed by everything she writes. She’s an auto-buy for me.)
Then I began to see her comment, rarely, on SB. She was the best kind of author-poster. Ms. Smith-Ready only showed up when she had something substantial to say. So I was totally impressed with her by the time I sold my first book to NY, which was Grimspace. With great trepidation, I asked her for a blurb. To my delight, she agreed to read. That began an email friendship that delighted me. She’s even wittier and more fun than she seems on the internet (but I’m getting ahead of myself.)
Our internet acquaintance moved into the real world at Dallas RWA. I met her at the literacy signing, and found she was sweet and gorgeous in person. She’s so slim and smart and has the best hair ever. When I was growing up, I wanted a crop of curls like she has so badly that I endured numerous bad perms trying to get them before realizing my hair just won’t do that, no matter how I torture it. The best thing about her, though, is the way she cares about things. She’s passionate about causes, not just selling books, and I really admire that. She cares about animal rights. She cares about independent artists and bookstores.
We took things to the next level by rooming together at RT. I hadn’t expected I’d ever get to know her that well, but it was wonderful. She’s an ideal roommate, and it was so cool whispering to each other in the dark, just like a slumber party for grownups. I don’t make friends easily — I’m not sure why — so getting to know her was a big deal for me. I was never one of the cool kids. I was brainy and obnoxious and overly blessed with sarcasm at a young age. I don’t have the personal charisma of Lauren Dane or Megan Hart. This is a way I can show people I admire how much they mean to me.
To this day, even though my raw hero worship for Ms. Smith-Ready has matured into a healthy friendship, I still look forward to each email she sends me. Once she made me snort a Coke Zero with the cleverness of her repartee. So in conclusion, she’s a person I respect and admire greatly. I am honored to count her among my friends.
If you haven’t read her books yet, what’s WRONG with you? But here’s what I’m gonna do. I’ll give you a chance to rectify this situation. If you want to try a Jeri Smith-Ready, post in comments. You can pick any book from her backlist. Winner posted this time next week.
So which one do you want? (They’re all awesome) Do a little research and let me know! I’ll add that The Reawakened would be a pre-order and you’ll get in November when it releases.
OMG!
I have been drooling over ‘Wicked Game’ forever!
I love her covers. They’re just so pretty! (I am that shallow!)
BTW Ann, I recieved Wanderlust the other day. Opened it, inhaled it, loved it!
Thank YOU something fierce for writing it.
by Sayuri September 24th, 2008 at 3:17 pm*waving madly* pick me, pick me!!!
*ahem*
Okay, with that out of the way…
There are too many things wrong with me, no way to pick the one that would explain the dearth of Jeri Smith-Ready reading in my life.
Will it suffice if I hang my head in shame and admit I’m lacking on everything good and decent in humanity? (or something like that, only something that actually makes sense)
And I gotta say that I am very intrigued by Requiem for the Devil.
by azteclady September 24th, 2008 at 4:05 pmWicked Game interests me.
I’m currently reading Kat Richardson’s Greywalker, so this sounds right up my alley.
by Lisa Iriarte September 24th, 2008 at 4:30 pmwe took things to the next level
Bow-chicka-bow!
It’s common knowledge that I brainwash roommates while they sleep with a soothing, bewitching “you lurrrrrve me, you reeeeally lurrrve me” mantra.
*pumps fist* Yes! It worked again!
Srsly, you’re an angel for this. Made my day. Punk.
by Jeri September 24th, 2008 at 5:25 pmCount me in for Wicked Game
.
by Yan September 24th, 2008 at 6:17 pmThat is so awesome to have made such a great friendship!
I have read the two Aspect of Crow books and LOVED them. I cannot wait for the third. And I am very eagerly awaiting a copy of Wicked Game that I won the other day! Woot :).
by AmyC September 24th, 2008 at 6:33 pmI actually hadn’t heard of any of these. After doing my research on all of them, I think Requiem for the Devil definitely sounds like one I would like.
*crosses fingers*
by Kristen September 24th, 2008 at 7:10 pmSayuri, I agree. She has lovely covers! And thank you so much. I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed Wanderlust.
Az, you know the random number generator picks all my winners. *g*
Lisa, it’s a fantastic read. She does crazy original things with vampires.
Heh… took things to the next level. I swear it didn’t mean that like it sounded. I will state now formally that I have not had sexual congress with Jeri Smith-Ready (but we did sleep in a giant bed with Gennita Low. I got to be the creme in a Jen-n-Jeri sandwich. Does that make it an Ann-wich? I should stop now, right? I’m not helping.) And no problem. You know I luvs ya.
Wicked Game is amazing, Yan!
Amy, you’re going to love the Reawakened. I happen to have gotten a sneak peek. *g*
Kristen, Requiem is a gorgeous, layered, heart-breaking book. I had the most wondrous sense of awe when I finished it.
I would love to have Wicked Game
by Pamk September 24th, 2008 at 8:04 pmI would love to have Wicked Game I’ve not read any of her books but I’ve had this one on my tbb list for a while.
by Pamk September 24th, 2008 at 8:05 pmI loved Wicked Game! I can’t wait for Bad to the Bone to come out next year.
I’ve been hearing good things about her Crow series, so I would be interested in checking those out.
by Jackie September 24th, 2008 at 8:15 pmIsn’t charisma, like, a Dungeons and Dragons thing?! :)
Those books all sound awesome (but don’t enter me, author to author seems unfair. I will buy them! In fact I think I have Eyes of Crow in a pile on my floor! Sigh. That pile…it just keeps getting bigger.)
M
by mMm September 24th, 2008 at 8:18 pmI’ve never read any of her work, but I’ve just researched it and I’m most interested in Eyes of Crow.
by Brie September 24th, 2008 at 8:43 pm[...] Aguirre is having a contest for a Jeri Smith-Ready novel. I’ve already read Wicked Game and loved it, so the prize being readers choice of her novels [...]
by Some Random Title Since I Forgot One | Literary Escapism September 24th, 2008 at 9:05 pmI don’t make friends easily . . .
I don’t believe this.
I’ve actually thought of making a series of blog posts about authors who have been way cooler than I had any right to expect them to be. So far I’ve decided it might be better to wait until I’m slightly less of a nobody. ;) You’d definitely be on the list, though.
by Joe Iriarte September 24th, 2008 at 9:12 pmgeez think wicked game
by tasha t September 24th, 2008 at 9:27 pm*cursing the random number generator under her breath*
by azteclady September 24th, 2008 at 10:01 pmI loved Wicked Game and would like to read the Crow series, so I’d pick Eyes of Crow!
by Teresa W. September 24th, 2008 at 10:30 pmOoh, I’d like to try The Reawakened, please.
Thanks for holding the contest, and have a lovely day! :-)
by Tez Miller September 24th, 2008 at 11:15 pmI’d love to read Requiem for the Devil. Ok, I’d love to read any of these books, but Requiem for the Devil sounds so intriguing.
by Paula September 25th, 2008 at 3:37 amSo the idea of this is to win a book right?
Doh!
I just went and bought Requiem for the Devil!
It’s been lush so far!
by Sayuri September 25th, 2008 at 12:00 pmOkay, so YEAH — I want me one of those!
Any of them will do…
by Hilcia September 25th, 2008 at 2:14 pmHm… I looked at them all and had a hard time deciding! I think I will try the first one in the crow series, Eyes of Crow. Now I just have to wish to win. I’ll be by the well out back tossing pennies if anyone needs me… :)
by BoxingKing September 25th, 2008 at 7:01 pmI haven’t read any of these but they all sound great! I’d love to read Requiem for the Devil.
by Jaime September 25th, 2008 at 7:01 pmI would love to read Wicked Game. How cool! Thanks for having this contest.
by Anita Yancey September 25th, 2008 at 7:28 pmWicked Game looks reallllly cool. Thanks for the opportunity!
by Judy September 25th, 2008 at 9:19 pmI picked up Wicked Game at Conestoga this summer and loved it! Can’t wait for Bad To The Bone. In the meantime, I’d love to read some of her earlier books so I’d choose either Requiem For The Devil or Eyes Of Crow.
Thanks!
by Dawn M. September 26th, 2008 at 3:42 amI would love to read Wicked Game.
by CrystalGB September 26th, 2008 at 8:38 amI love Jeri’s work! Her writting style has such a wonderful flow!
Can’t wait for “The Reawakened” to be out in November!
by Katie September 26th, 2008 at 12:49 pm(did I mention that I want, and that random generators suck?)
by azteclady September 27th, 2008 at 2:22 pmplease enter me!!!!!!!im not picky
by tami blackroze September 27th, 2008 at 5:05 pmI absolutely loved Wicked Game and Jeri seems so sincerely nice when I have chatted with…I was practically stalker when Wicked Game first came out. I think she may have been a bit worried.
I would love to read Eyes of Crow!
Ann…I recently reread Wanderlust and loved it just as much as when I read the ARC. You are amazing and I feel very lucky to know you even a little!
by Lori T September 28th, 2008 at 12:38 pm