Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready

Aura is completely torn up about the last time she saw Logan. Instead of passing on as planned, his ghost form shaded out and became a violent spirit. Months later, she is still hung up on him and hoping that she can help him return to a ghost and pass on, fully knowing that once a ghost shades, they're lost forever. When Logan returns and not only becomes a ghost, but also temporarily gains a body back, Aura has some major decisions to make. Should she help Logan try to get his old life back? Or should she continue to encourage him to pass on? And how much longer can she deny the growing attraction she has with Zachary?

I have to say that this was very good by middle-trilogy-book standards. It answered many questions from the first book, but left lots open for the last and also brought up many other questions. My only real complaint is how easily she forgives a certain incident (you'll know what I'm talking about when you read it!) The final book in the series, Shine, is set for release on May 1, 2012 and I can not wait to see how this series ends!

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Like all people born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. They're more annoying than anything and she does everything she can, from visiting places that use BlackBoxes to wearing red, to keep them at bay. On her boyfriend Logan's birthday, his band has agents from a record company coming out to see them play. At the afterparty celebrating his birthday and the offer from the company, things get out of control and Logan dies. Aura is devastated until she realizes that Logan has not passed on. She spends time with him when she can, but is forced to spend a lot of time with the gorgeous Scottish exchange student, Zachary, working on a research project. It turns out that Zachary was the last person born before the Shift, Aura was the first person born after the Shift, and there are a LOT of agencies very interested in the two of them.

This was a fantastic story. The growing relationship between Aura and Zachary as well as her resulting guilt over Logan are very believable (and at times heart-wrenching.) There are many storylines left open, though, so I'm REALLY excited for the sequel, Shift, coming out in May 2011!