The Cahill Witch Chronicles: Book 1: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

In an alternate 1800s New England, sixteen-year-old Cate Cahill is a witch. So are her younger sisters Maura and Tess. Unfortunately, witchery is considered devil-sent. “Women who can do magic – they’re either mad or wicked. Destined for an asylum at best, or a prison ship or an early grave.” So Cate and her sisters must hide their magic, practicing only where they cannot be discovered and learning more about control than ability.

When a nosy neighbor persuades Cate’s father to hire a governess, it increases Cate’s fear that their secret will be revealed. Not only that, but her intention ceremony is quickly approaching, and she must publicly and irrevocably declare her vow to join the Sisterhood or announce her engagement – to her choice or someone the Brothers choose for her.

Then there’s the diary, and the letter, and the prophecy…and there’s Finn.

This novel was absolutely riveting. The author has done an amazing job weaving all of the details and plot threads into a cohesive and fascinating read. I highly recommend this one to fans of romance, paranormal romance, historical fiction, and suspense.

Ghost Stories!

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake 

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong 

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder 

Dark Souls by Paula Morris

The Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham 

Deep & Dark & Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn 

The Dream Merchant by Isabel Hoving

Everlost by Neal Shusterman

The Ghost & the Goth by Stacey Kade

Ghost Dog Secrets by Peg Kehret

Ghost Hunt: Chilling Tales of the Unknown by Jason Hawes

Ghost Huntress: Awakening by Marley Gibson (pbk)

The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn

Ghost Soldier by Elaine Marie Alphin

Ghostgirlby Tonya Hurley

The Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison

Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman 

The Hanging Hill by Chris Grabenstein

Haunting Emma: Deception by Lee Nichols

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Hereafterby Tara Hudson

The Hollow by Jessica Verday

The Hunt for the Seventh by Christine Morton-Shaw

I So Don’t Do Mysteries by Summy Barrie

The Intruders by E. E. Richardson

Lily Dale: Awakening by Wendy Corsi Staub 

Manifest: A Mystyx Novel by Artist Arthur 

Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard 

Morpheus Road: The Light by D.J. MacHale

Nightspell by Leah Cypess

The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith

The Pickle King by Rebecca Promitzer

Picture the Dead by Adele Griffin

Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Ruined: A Ghost Story by Paula Morris

The Seer of Shadows by Avi

Shadeby Jeri Smith-Ready

Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell

Spellbinderby Helen Stringer

A Terrifying Taste of Short & Shivery by Robert San Souci

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Token of Darkness by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Tombstone Tea by Joanne Dahme

Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Katarina (Kat) Bishop is descended from a long line of thieves and con artists...and she wants out. So she cons her way into boarding school and tries to lead a normal life. Just a few months later her family sets her up, gets her kicked out and picks her up to give her the bad news: Someone stole five paintings from mobster Arturo Taccone, and Taccone believes that someone was Kat's father. He wants his paintings back within two weeks or he'll do unbelievably horrible things to Kat's father and her entire family. Against the advice of the family patriarch, Kat goes to work, swinging back into the lifestyle she tried so hard to leave. But how will she even find the painting, much less pull off the biggest heist of the century?

I'm familiar with Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series and I thought this title would be more of the same: an enjoyable light read with romance, humor and wit. While this was definitely an enjoyable read, it was more mature and serious than what I was expecting. Kat is a sympathetic character who reads like a typical teen - though admittedly a teen with more on her plate than most high school girls. There is a hint of romance, an intriguing plot and enough action to keep a reader turning the pages to find out what happens. And then the twist....perfect! I highly recommend this book to teen girls who want more than the typical chicklit book.

Need by Carrie Jones

Zara has felt hollow inside since the day her stepfather died. Worried about Zara's lack of emotion and passion for life, Zara's mother sends her from her home in Charleston to her grandmother's home in rural Maine. The day before she arrives, a boy disappears. A week or so after, another boy goes missing. And Zara starts hearing someone calling her name "Zara. Come to me." Always when she's alone, usually near the woods. As Zara makes new friends and finds a new romance, her hollow feelings subside and real emotion returns. But with the return of emotion comes fear, as the voice continues to call and strange things begin to invade her life.

Zara is a character for the 21st century. She's passionate about human rights and is involved with charities and helping others. She believes in peace and human kindness and crusades for her beliefs. But now that it's Zara in trouble, who will crusade for her?