Wicked Game – Jeri Smith-Ready
Recovering con artist Ciara Griffin is trying to live the straight life, even if it means finding a (shudder!) real job. She takes an internship at a local radio station, whose late-night time-warp format features 1940s blues, 60s psychedelia, 80s Goth, and more, all with an uncannily authentic flair. Ciara soon discovers how the DJs maintain their cred: they’re vampires, stuck forever in the eras in which they were turned.
Ciara’s first instinct, as always, is to cut and run. But communications giant Skywave wants to buy WMMP and turn it into just another hit-playing clone. Without the station—and the link it provides to their original Life Times—the vampires would “fade,” becoming little more than mindless ghosts of the past. Suddenly a routine corporate takeover becomes a matter of life and un-death.
To boost ratings and save the lives of her strange new friends, Ciara re-brands the station as “WVMP, the Lifeblood of Rock ’n’ Roll.” In the ultimate con, she hides the DJs’ vampire nature in plain sight, disguising the bloody truth as a marketing gimmick. WVMP becomes the hottest thing around—next to Ciara’s complicated affair with grunge vamp Shane McAllister. But the “gimmick” enrages a posse of ancient and powerful vampires who aren’t so eager to be brought into the light. Soon the stakes are higher-and the perils graver-than any con game Ciara’s ever played…
Want a chance to win this book? Comment and answer the question below. I’ll draw a winner tomorrow morning. One entry per person, please.
Are you prepared for a zombie outbreak, or are you just going to wing it?
My answer: We are partially ready. We have a membership to Costco and are usually pretty stocked up on the essentials. We even own a few guns. We’d need to quick run to Lowe’s to stock up on wooden planks to cover the windows and doors, though. Hmmm…. Would wooden planks keep the ravening zombies from our succulent brains? Maybe I should rethink that part.
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
LOL, well the problem with being in the UK is…no guns. At least for normal people, criminals seem to get hold of them easy enough…which says to me gun legislation is a crock. So I figure in the event of a zombie outbreak the UK’s screwed unless you live near enough an army base to break in.
by DawnM September 15th, 2008 at 2:06 amA zombie outbreak? Well, I don’t have any guns on hand or practice with them but I still think I would hold my own if there was an outbreak. Because you see I collect knifes, daggers and swords. I just have to run into my collection room and pull a sword or two from the nearest scabbard. I am pretty good with a blade and could easily slice and dice some zombies.
by LadyVampire2u September 15th, 2008 at 2:23 amas a matter of fact–i am well prepared, i’ve been getting ready for a long time, and my lil zombie fortress is all set.
by JACKIE YOUNG September 15th, 2008 at 2:45 amI am so not prepared. I have nothing in the way of protection except for my silly 100 lb Labrador Retriever. Of course, he doesn’t have a brain so he would be safe from the zombies!
by Cheryl McInnis September 15th, 2008 at 4:11 amWe are kind of ready, we have enough groceries in the house. Don’t own any guns, but I could get some from my neighbor. Honestly really thinking about it, I am not sure. What kills zombies?
by Heidi September 15th, 2008 at 4:54 amI am working at getting ready. The car’s gas tank is full and I am packing for a vacation so could be out of here real fast if necessary. I have a gun, but can’t hit the broad side of a barn if I was inside, so will leave that part up to the spouse.
by Shari C September 15th, 2008 at 4:56 amBring ’em on! I think a few zaps from a flamethrower (aka propane torch) would reduce them to ashes, but yew – would have to get a little close. We have 6 tanks on hand and ready! 😈
by Shirley September 15th, 2008 at 5:17 amNope, can’t say that I am. I guess I need to run out to the store this morning and buy everything I need to begin building my zombie fortress! 🙄
by Melissa Conatser September 15th, 2008 at 5:34 amI am so not ready for a zombie outbreak, guess I will just have to wing it when it happens. Hopefully I will be in a location that is easily securable.
by Dianna Fryer September 15th, 2008 at 6:00 amNot prepared at all, going to have to wing it and pray that I can fly out to a safe place with my family.
by Preye September 15th, 2008 at 6:20 amGood morning Anya,
I would say pretty ready. We are outdoors type people & hubby was a Boy Scout so we have all sorts of stuff laying around such as: wood, shovels, basement, generator, ammo, & camping stuff. We are usually pretty prepared for most things.
Thank you,
by Susan Bussey September 15th, 2008 at 6:39 amSusan B.
sbussey AT windstream.net
I am well prepared… I have metal helmets ( so they can’t eat my brains.) I have nice big machete’s to whack off arms and legs. My dogs are zombie attack trained and I believe that living in NYC has prepared me for Zombie warfare… I am set – might have to add another lock to my door and stock up on my water but I am good.
by MarnieColette September 15th, 2008 at 7:12 amMy only chance would be to throw my family in the minivan and drive like hell to my parents house. My dad is an avid hunter and has an arsenal.
by Sara Hurt September 15th, 2008 at 7:22 amNot sure I’m ready – maybe I need to brush up on Zombie fight tactics and then start the preparation. Off to Hollywood Video —
by Cindy September 15th, 2008 at 7:56 amHave a shot gun but probably like to have more guns. And I would dig out my grandmas old butcher knife and sharpen along purchases a few more knives. Other than that the plywood sounds good to keep them out I hope lol.
by Pamk September 15th, 2008 at 8:08 amThanks for the contest. This one is on my tbb list and has been for a while.
Living in the big sand bar in the Atlantic that is FL, I have enough supplies on hand at most times to last anywhere from three to six weeks–so I’ll say I’m pretty well prepared, yes.
Plus, lemme see… chain saw, yup; machete, yup; big dogs, yup. 😀
by azteclady September 15th, 2008 at 8:09 amI’ll probably just wing it! I’ll probably send the hubby out first! LOL
by Lynn September 15th, 2008 at 8:13 amWell, I guess I’ll have to have my Daughter move back in; she’s good with a gun and very inventive when it comes to avoiding disasters and housework. She can protect the homestead, and her Dad can do her wash. 😀 I’m going to re-think that, maybe I’ll fair better with the zombies…hmm? 😆
by Gail Siuba September 15th, 2008 at 8:45 amI guess we are prepared. My husband is an outdoorsman .
by CrystalGB September 15th, 2008 at 9:19 amGee… I believe we are well equipped for a Zombie outbreak! We are stocked with everything we might need… But to tell you the truth, I do not want to meet up with them!!! I will let my sister have first go!!! 😀
by Colleen September 15th, 2008 at 9:21 amSince they hate bright lights, maybe a few MagLites would come in handy, and some flame throwers, and a machine gun…
Nope, I’m not prepared at all.
by DonnaB September 15th, 2008 at 9:48 amI am not prepare for a zombie attack. We have no guns. The only thing we have is a freezer full of food but that doesn’t help when the zombie has already eaten your brains.
by Rebekah E. September 15th, 2008 at 10:18 amHmmm, would becoming a zombie be such a bad thing? Sure, you may not be all that intelligent, but you have a whole pack of friends with you, all with the same hobby (eating brains), and you would no longer have to pay any bills, or clean the house or do laundry…..
by Jen September 15th, 2008 at 10:34 amAbout as prepared as I’m likely to get. Living close to two military bases has some advantages I suppose. If the end of the world happens I can get my hands on either a tank or a jet! Plus weapons and ammunition. And my brother practically has a PhD in Zombie Survival what with all the movies he watches (and the Zombie Survival Guide).
by Alexandra September 15th, 2008 at 10:41 amI have a question – what supplies do I need to stock up on to prepare for a Zombie outbreak? Since I’m have to ask that question, you can tell I’m in no way prepared.
Wicked Games looks like a great read.
by Greta September 15th, 2008 at 11:04 amAll we would have to do is to have Obama
by Patricia September 15th, 2008 at 11:32 amand McCain start talking and they would leave. And if they come back send them Florida and let the ASnthony’s and the press start talking and they would just pass
out
I’m not prepared. Oh no! I need to stop typing and go get supplies. I guess we are just going to wing it if the Zombies break out of area 51 and come looking for our brains.
by Mary Kirkland September 15th, 2008 at 11:51 amI don’t think I’m physically ready. I am prepared to hide in my house. I have water, canned goods and batteries.
by Jane September 15th, 2008 at 12:32 pmBRING IT ON!!! No need to prepare, let’s just wing it.
by Lyda September 15th, 2008 at 12:46 pmAre you prepared for a zombie outbreak, or are you just going to wing it?
I am positive that a zombie outbreak is what will destroy our society, forget about war, famine, disease and Wal-Mart – it’s those crazy scientists doing classified experiments that will unleash the undead onto the unsuspecting world and turn our lives into a chaotic disaster.
Over the years I have acquired much information from movies and books and I’m confident that my super-secret plan is fool-proof (fool being my hubby who scoffs at my zombie prophesy)
Perhaps the most important info can be gleamed from the gut-busting hilarity of Shaun Of The Dead. Guns run out of ammo but a cricket bat has a powerful swing
Shaun: If you get cornered…bash ’em in the head, that seems to work.
by Joanne September 15th, 2008 at 12:46 pmWe have an arsonal at our house. My husban loves guns and he owns probley 200 by him self, then add in how many his brother and stepdad own, plus my stash of guns, and we’re as ready as we can get. I guess if we run out of bullets we’ll just start throwing the damn things at em. Everyone in our family goes target shooting once a week so we all know how to handle a gun.
by Kelley September 15th, 2008 at 1:04 pmwell I am some what prepared.
have some guns but I like the idea of the planks. 😀 but the food could use more of a stock pile. never know how long the invasion might last. 
by Larena Wirum September 15th, 2008 at 1:24 pmI’m as ready as I’ll ever be. There are quire a few guns at my house—my husband is av avid hunter.
by Estella September 15th, 2008 at 1:38 pmThere is always at least a months worth of food, and there are ample batteries, drinking water, and propane cannisters for lanterns.
I am definitely not prepared. I have no weapons of any kind, so I would have to use whatever is at hand. I guess I’m stuck with pots, pans, and whatever else is in the kitchen. I do have a chipper in the garage, but that would require extremely close contact.
by Melissa K September 15th, 2008 at 2:28 pmNot ready at all!! I’ll be winging it and using whatever comes to hand.
by Lilly K September 15th, 2008 at 2:51 pmA zombie attack? Uh. No. Aside from the chain saw in the garage, we have no weapons. I don’t imagine one could sweet talk a zombie, huh? Didn’t think so. We’d pretty much have to flee. 😆
by Christine September 15th, 2008 at 3:06 pmI am completely unprepared for a zombie attack. Should I be prepared? Do you know something I don’t know?
by Elizabeth M. September 15th, 2008 at 3:30 pmOh, shot! I’m totally NOT prepared! GAH!!!
by bunny September 15th, 2008 at 4:12 pmI’ll just have to send all my cats (6 inside and 5 ferals outside) out to hunt for me 🙂
by catslady September 15th, 2008 at 4:37 pmWith as many zombie movies that I have watched you’d think I would be prepared but nooooooooooooooo. I guess I have to hope the ones that are after me have been in the ground for a while and won’t be able to run as fast as me.
by Jeanette Jackson September 15th, 2008 at 5:04 pmI’ll probably wing it, most likely run away :mrgreen:!
by Yan September 15th, 2008 at 5:07 pmUnless zombies are repelled by cats then I’m gonna have to wing it.
by Stacie Mc September 15th, 2008 at 5:36 pmI always just wing it. I’m not prepared for the next earthquake let alone a zombie attack.
by Sue A. September 15th, 2008 at 6:13 pmI wouldn’t know what to do, so I’ll have to wing it. Maybe I’d better start googling and see if I can find some battle tactics.
by Pam P September 15th, 2008 at 10:58 pmI’m… sort of ready. If the zombie are the Evil Dead type, I’m pretty sure I could survive. As soon as the outbreak hits, I’d stock up on any anti-crowd weapons (in case they attack in groups) and anything devastating for close combat (if it got that far.
I’d find the nearest fall out shelter and hole up in there :D! Bust through THAT, zombies!
by Chi September 15th, 2008 at 11:10 pmI’m sooo not prepared for an outbreak – but I have watched Shaun of the Dead -so does that count? 😉
by limecello September 16th, 2008 at 2:16 pm