The Wicked and the Wondrous by Christine Feehan

Genre: Paranormal Romance; Witches, Magic, Ghosts
Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Two romantic tales of dark forces and Christmas miracles… The Twilight Before Christmas. Bestselling novelist Kate Drake, one of seven sisters with amazing powers of witchcraft, wants to open a bookstore in a charming but run-down mill in her California hometown. Decorated former U.S. Army Ranger Matt Granite, now a contractor, doesn’’t mind helping – and getting closer to Kate. But when an earthquake exposes a crypt in the mill’s foundation, a centuries-old evil threatens to destroy both Christmas and the gift of soul-searing passion Kate’’s hometown hero wants her to keep forever… After the Music. Terrified by mysterious threats, Jessica Fitzpatrick takes her twin wards to the island mansion of their estranged father, Dillon Wentworth, a famous musician who shut out the world after a fire claimed his wife’’s life and left him disfigured. With Christmas approaching, the spark between Dillon and Jessica might light the future, but the evil machinations of those who share his wife’s love of the occult may plunge the family into darkness – unless a Christmas miracle occurs…

We celebrate the a small tradition at Moonlight Reads called Christmas in July and this year we thought we would do a Christmas Post on our day of celebrations. This is two great Christmas tales. Twilight Before Christmas is a story of Kate from the Drake sisters. The writer come home to start her own bookstore. But after an earthquake something comes out that she has and her sisters have to take care. All the while Matt who has held a candle for her finally begins to let her know it. Then in After the Music Jessica goes home to Dillon’s solitude island. Not telling anyone that she was coming with Dillon’s twin children in tow. Both stories have their own amount of danger, suspense, magic, and yes even Christmas. I really like it and think it is the perfect book for Christmas Holiday.

Publisher: Pocket Star Books
ISBN: 1416503897
Pages: 528
Series:
Volume:

Things To Do In Denver When You’re Un-Dead by Mark Everett Stone

Genre: Urban Fantasy; Vampires, Ghouls, Zombies, Demons, Mythical Creatures, Magic, Magicians, Ghosts
Sub Genre: Fantasy; Paranormal, Horror
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: For ten years Kal Hakala has been the Bureau of Supernatural Investigation’s top man, the longest surviving agent in its blood-soaked history. The World At Large has no idea that The World Under exists. And its vampires, demons, zombies, and mythic monsters are growing increasingly restless. In all Kal’s time with the Bureau, there has been no case he couldn’t crack, no monster he couldn’t kill. Then a plague of zombies comes to Denver, along with a vicious serial killer dubbed The Organ Donor. A childhood encounter with a legendary monster has left Kal with an endless supply of rage and hatred for all things Supernatural. But now the target is on his forehead, and the Un-Dead don’t die easy. The Bureau has a few aces of its own—a few magicians, a cyber-ghost. Unfortunately Kal is a perennial loner ... And the World Under is wise to His tricks.

This is the first book from the Files of the BSI. It follows Kal while he is on a mission in Denver with flashbacks from when he started with the Bureau and other parts of his past. When I started to read this book it had me from page one. The way that it is written sucks you right in almost as if you are standing there. The story is engaging and though it jumps from present to past it flows so well. That to me is great storytelling. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the next in the series, What Happens in Vegas Dies in Vegas.

Publisher: Camel Press
ISBN: 978-1603818599
Pages: 318
Series: From the Files of the BSI
Volume: 1

No Humans Involved by Kelley Armsrtong

Genre: Urban Fantasy; Ghosts, Witches, Demons, Angels, Magic, Werewolves, Necromancers, Vampires, Women of the Otherworld
Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: A beautiful necromancer must come to terms with her power – and an evil she never thought possible. It’s the most anticipated reality television event of the season: three spiritualists gathered together in one house to raise the ghost of Marilyn Monroe. For celebrity medium Jaime Vegas, it’s her best shot at the celebrity holy grail: a TV show of her own. Because, unlike her colleagues, who are more style than substance, Jaime is the real thing. Yet reluctant to upstage her fellow spiritualists, Jaime suppresses her talents, as she has always done. But something is lurking in the gardens behind the house: trapped spirits without a voice. And for the first time, Jaime understands what it means to be haunted. When events culminate in a psychic showdown, she must use her darkest power to defeat a shocking enemy – one whose force comes from the last realm she expected…

This is the seventh book in the Women of the Otherworld series, it is yet another great Kelley Armstong book. This time we are following Jaime as she tries to make a name for herself as a TV star. There is a lot more going on in this story than just the show. And we get to see some of our favorite characters in this book. I don’t want to say too much as I feel it will give away some of the plot. But I really loved this book. You finally really get to see Jaime Vegas come into her own and see a whole new side to her. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series, Personal Demon.

Publisher: Bantam
ISBN: 0553588370
Pages: 544
Series: Women of the Otherworld
Volume: 7

Broken by Kelley Armstrong

Genre: Urban Fantasy; Ghosts, Witches, Demons, Angels, Magic, Werewolves, Vampires, Women of the Otherworld
Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Ever since she discovered she’s pregnant, Elena Michaels has been on edge. After all, she’s never heard of another living female werewolf, let alone one who’s given birth. But, thankfully, her expertise is needed to retrieve a stolen letter allegedly written by Jack the Ripper. As a distraction, the job seems simple enough – only the letter contains a portal to Victorian London’s underworld, which Elena inadvertently triggers –– unleashing a vicious killer and a pair of zombie thugs. Now Elena must find a way to seal the portal before the unwelcome visitors get what they’re looking for – which, for some unknown reason, is Elena……

This is the sixth book in the Women of the Otherworld. In this story we are back with Elena as the main focus, and this time she is pregnant. This is a great rendition of Jack the Ripper. Again Kelly Armstrong makes an amazing addition to her Women of the Otherworld. This builds on the other books and has its own twist and turns. It shows a new side to the werewolves, it just makes me love them so much more. I don’t think that you do wrong by reading any of these books. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, No Humans Involved.

Publisher: Bantam
ISBN: 0553588184
Pages: 480
Series: Women of the Otherworld
Volume: 6

Haunted by Kelley Armstrong

Genre: Urban Fantasy; Ghosts, Witches, Demons, Angels, Werewolves, Vampires, Magic, Women of the Otherworld
Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Eve Levine — half-demon, black witch and devoted mother — has been dead for three years. She has a great house, an interesting love life and can’t be killed again — which comes in handy when you’ve made as many enemies as Eve. Yes, the afterlife isn’t too bad —— all she needs to do is find a way to communicate with her daughter, Savannah, and she’ll be happy. But fate — or more exactly, the Fates — have other plans. Eve owes them a favor, and they’ve just called it in. An evil spirit called the Nix has escaped from hell. She feeds on chaos and death, and is very good at persuading people to kill for her. The Fates want Eve to hunt her down before she does any more damage, but the Nix is a dangerous enemy — previous hunters have been driven insane in the process. As if that’s not problem enough, the only way to stop her is with an angel’s sword. And Eve is no angel. . . .

This is the fifth book of the Women of the Otherworld series. We finally get to meet Savannah’s mother, Eve. The bonus is we get to see the afterlife from her perspective as well. That there is a lot more going on even after you die. Eve is one of those spitfire characters that you aren’t sure if she’s a good guy or a bad guy. She is very entertaining to say the least. The outcome of this story makes you have a double take, but it just makes the story that much more enjoyable. I found this book to be a great story and hope to see more of Eve in the future. I love how the this just adds to the series and can’t wait to read the next book in this series, Broken.

Publisher: Bantam
ISBN: 0553587080
Pages: 528
Series: Women of the Otherworld
Volume: 5

Revealers by Amanda Marrone

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy; Witches, Magic, Werewolves, Vampires, Ghosts, Demons

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Witchin’ ain’t easy. Jules has a rebellious streak, a massive crush on Connor, and the abilities of a Revealer witch. By day, she and her coven friends seem like typical high school seniors. By night, they have the power to make werewolves, vampires, and ghosts reveal themselves, so they can destroy them. It’s not exactly cheerleading, but at least the girls know they’re doing the world some good. One by one, Jules’s friends turn eighteen and are initiated into the coven’s inner circle. And one by one, they are getting completely freaked out. Jules is the youngest, and though her friends are to scared to tell her what’s going on, something’s clearly not right. As her birthday approaches, Jules realizes she’s got to find out what’s behind the shadows of her coven before it’s too late to save her friends…and herself. But what she discovers may be too powerful for even the toughest witches to defeat.

In this story we have teen witches who are killing off all other paranormals. They believe that they are doing what they can to help the world keep going. But as their some of them come of age they find out more about what it means to be a part of the coven. Jules is very head strong and notices things aren’t what they seem. As time goes on she learns that her mother is involved in this dark mysterious stuff that just doesn’t seem to be right. I have to say this is a very good story for teens who are realizing that their parents are the sun and stars they thought that they were. There is a lot sub-plots going on through out the story that much it a richer tale. I truly enjoyed this story.

Publisher: Simon Pulse

ISBN: 1416958746

Pages: 268

Series:

Volume:

The Devil’s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Angels, Demons, Ghosts, Magic, Vampires, Werewolves, Knights Templar

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Bilqis SanGreal always knew that being a Knight Templar required the complete sacrifice of normalcy. Instead of hanging out with friends or flirting with boys, she spends her time in the darkest corners of London’s underworld, battling the Unholy in a centuries-old war for mankind’s soul. Even though she’s been solitary for years, Billi’s lone-wolf attitude is challenged when her childhood friend and fellow knight, Kay, returns from Jerusalem with a new radiance and a dangerous chip on his shoulder. Kay is ready to reclaim his place by Billi’s side, but she’s skeptical. While Billi was risking her neck fighting werewolves and vampires, Kay was reading auras in the lap of luxury. Now he spends his time showing off his new powers, cultivating the admiration of the other knights, and teasing Billi. It’s all to much to bear…until Billi meets Michael, a disturbingly handsome guy who understands her like no one else, effortlessly staking a claim on her heart. Kay wastes no time in complicating Billi’s life just as it’s starting to improve. In a moment of bravado, Kay uses the last of the Templars’ treasures, King Solomon’s Cursed Mirror, to look into the Ethereal Realm, drawing the attention of the Angel of Death. Even though Kay is the most powerful psychic the Templars have seen in centuries, he’s no match for the dark angel responsible for the plague that killed every first born child in Egypt so long ago. The Knights know that the angel needs the mirror in order to unleash the Tenth Plague again, but keeping it from him will be nearly impossible. To win this battle and save the lives of millions of children, the Templars will have to find renewed strength, and Billi will have to make sacrifices greater than she’d ever imagined.

The story is actually taking place in present day. Billi is your strong willed girl who just wants to have a normal life. While everyone around her wants her to live up to her destiny of being a Knight Templar. She is conflicted by Kay’s reappearance after a year away. Since she feels like her life is falling down and she has no choice, and everyone praising Kay over and over again she’s had it. But when all the cards are played she must do what she has to. This is a great story responsibility, and Billi has a little too much. But she does deal with it fairly well. I found that I wanted to read more about this world that Billi is a part of, as much as she may not like it. I love the take that a girl can be a Knight Templar. I can't wait to read more about Billi and her world, in Dark Goddess.

Publisher: Hyperion Teens

ISBN: 1423120221

Pages: 352

Series: Devil’s Kiss

Volume: 1

Ruined A Ghost Story by Paula Morris

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy; Ghosts

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Welcome to New Orleans: City of Voodoo and Beauty. Of Hurricanes and Hauntings. Rebecca Brown couldn’t feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to live while her dad is away on business. She’s staying in a creepy house with her aunt Claudia, who reads tarot cards for a living. And at the snooty prep school, a pack of filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she’s invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he’s got hidden agenda. Then one night, among the oak trees in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to show Rebecca the nooks and crannies of New Orleans. There’s just one catch. Lisette is a ghost. A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle. As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend – and as she begins to trust Anton Grey – she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?

This is the first book in the Ruined series. Rebecca is sent to New Orleans and she doesn't understand why. Then her world is turned upside down when she starts to see a ghost. In all honesty I don’t read a lot of stories about ghosts. And for the stories that I have read there are usually more paranormal beings or creatures. But that being said I really liked this one. There is a great build up to the whole thing. Rebecca being in this new place and yet finding she has true ruts here. Yeah there are the snobby rich kids but every school has them. I love Rebecca’s cousin Aurelia and her whole description of the school, comparing everyone to the old Roman Society. This is a one of the best ghost stories I’ve ever read and have to say I can't wait to read the next book in the series, Unbroken.

Publisher: Point

ISBN: 0545042143

Pages: 320

Series: Ruined

Volume: 1

Charmed by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle, Lori Forster, Eileen Wilks, Julie Beard

Genre: Paranormal Romance; Magic, Time Travel, Future, Ghosts, Witches, Genies

Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: When the darkness holds the most tantalizing of possibilities, what goes bump in the night may be the man of your dreams…Everything is possible and nothing is as it seems in four enchanting tales brimming with romance, passion, and a touch of wonder. From a marriage of convenience between a psychic archeologist and her bodyguard in a galaxy far, far away to ancient Britain and a dashing knight wounded in the service of King Arthur, from a house haunted by two mischievous ghosts to a woman torn between her fiance and a seductive djinn, you'll be bewitched, beguiled, and bedazzled as four of today's most popular authors cast their most potent love spells…

Now I did write about the first story in this anthology Bridal Jitters, the others in this book are just as good. Man in the Mirror takes us to the time of King Arthur’s court and back. While Tangled Dreams mixes in ghosts and two new lovers. Pandora’s Bottle is about a brides choice. Even though they are short stories they are so well written and capture your attention right away. I found each one endearing. I really loved this book, as each story was so different.

Publisher: Berkley

ISBN: 0425171299

Pages: 352

Series:

Volume: 

Insatiable Desire by Rita Herron

Genre: Paranormal Romance; Demons, Angeles, The Demonborn, Ghosts

Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Can she Dare to Trust her heart… Plagued by graphic visions and the desperate cries of murder victims, psychic Clarissa King will do anything to stop the brutal killer targeting her hometown--even work alongside the dangerously sexy FBI agent who thinks she's a fraud. He's the one man who sparks a hunger she never imagined possible--and the one man she should fear... When his soul belongs to the dark? Vincent Valtrez knows how to get inside a serial killer's mind. But with a dangerous past and a secret to keep, he wants nothing to do with this gorgeous psychic--especially since just the thought of her luscious body ignites a dark, irrepressible desire he's determined to keep at bay. When the killer they seek turns out to be demonic and otherworldly, Vincent learns his connection to the murderer is more than just hunter and prey. Will the darkness inside Vincent claim him...or will he save Clarissa--and himself--from the evil that threatens them both?

This is the first book in the Demonborn series. Clarissa is psychic and can commune with ghosts. She can’t sit back and ignore that there is a serial killer in her town. Vincent never wanted to go back to his home town or have to deal with Clarissa again. But now he is back and a true skeptic. The story has many twists to it. Taking them into each of their fears and making them actually deal with them. I found the story to be entertaining. I am curious to read the next book in the series, Dark Hunger.

Publisher: Forever

ISBN: 0446199478

Pages: 320

Series: Demonborn

Volume: 1

Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy; Ghosts

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts over “breathers.” Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable. They know the dirt on everybody… and Cass loves dirt. She’s on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school. But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass’s whole scheme hangs in the balance. Time wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees. As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim’s life, she’s surprised to realize he’s not so bad – and he needs help more desperately then anyone else suspects. Maybe it’s time to five the living another chance…

Cass can see and speak to dead people, and they help her get dirt on everyone in her school. When Tim confronts her to get some help to speak to his dead mother, she chooses to help him. Which I think surprises her a little. This story is about a girl who doesn’t fit in and is a loner more for self preservation. But then she starts to realize she does need human interaction. I found that Cass is one of those characters who doesn’t really give her all to the living. But as time goes on you see her grow and develop into a stronger character and someone who truly wants to help Tim. I found it to be a good story and one that really touches on some darker subjects. It is well written and one that brings to light what some teens are dealing with on a daily basis. Well not the talking to ghosts but the side story within it. It’s a very nice read.

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

ISBN: 0805089306

Pages: 256

Series:

Volume:

Deception by Lee Nichols

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Ghosts, Ghostkeepers, Haunting Emma, People With Special Abilities

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: The intrigue of prep school meets the paranormal as this ghostly series begins. When Emma Vaile’s parents disappear on a mysterious business trip, her life begins to unravel. The eerie visions she had as a child return, her best friend abandons her, and a new friend notifies social services that she is living alone. Enter Bennett Stern, her older brother’s best friend and Emma’s knight in J. Crew armor. Bennett whisks Emma away to New England to live in his family’s museum-like mansion and attend Thatcher, an old-fashioned private school. Emma makes friends with the popular legacy crowd quickly and spends her free time crushing on Bennett. But the haunting visions are only getting worse. Emma has memories of Thatcher she can’t explain – it’s as if she’s returning home to a place she’s never been. Bennett finally confides that he and Emma are ghostkeepers, people who can communicate with ghosts. He’s been keeping Emma close to protect her, but now Bennett Needs her help tracking an other-worldly murderer. Mystery, tradition, and forbidden romance make Deception the perfect read for fans of series like Kate Brian’s Private and paranormal fans.

This is the first book to the Haunting Emma series. Emma wishes her parents goodbye only not knowing that they were going to disappear. Then her life changes as she is whisked away across the country to a new school. Now she is seeing things and thinks that she is going crazy. Bennett is there and then not there. There is much that is revealed as the story goes on. Emma is one of those characters that you connect with right away. Bennett keeps you on your toes with how secretive he is. This is one of those books that once you start you won’t be able to stop. I really loved this book and can’t wait to see where the series is going to go in the next book, Betrayal.

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

ISBN: 1599903083

Pages: 336

Series: Haunting Emma

Volume: 1

Radiance by Alyson Noel

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal; The Immortals, Ghosts, Afterlife

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Immortals comes a new middle-grade series featuring Ever’s younger sister, Riley. Riley Bloom has left her sister and crossed the bridge into the afterlife – a place called Here, where time is always Now. She has picked up where she left off when she was alive, living with her parents and dog in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. When she’s summoned before The Council, she learns that the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a possibly cute, seemingly nerdy boy who’s definitely hiding something. They return to earth together for Riley’s first assignment, a Radiant Boy who’s been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But all of that was before he met Riley…

This book is a spin off of Alyson Noel’s Immortals series. It fallows Riley after she has left Ever. She is now with her parents and her dog Buttercup. Riley learns that there is more to Here and Now. She actually has a job. Now she is connected to Bodhi who she feels is a dork by the way he dresses. The story is written for middle-grade. I like that we get to see what happens to Riley and how things are a bit different from her perspective. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the next adventure in the series, Shimmer.

Publisher: Square Fish

ISBN: 0312629176

Pages: 192

Series: Riley Bloom

Volume: 1

Hourglass by Claudia Gray

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Ghosts, Wraiths, Vampire Hunters

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school where they met, Bianca and Lucas seek refuge with Black Cross, an elite group of vampire hunters. Bianca must hide her supernatural heritage or risk certain death at their hands. But when Black Cross captures her friend--the vampire Balthazar--all her secrets threaten to come out. Soon, Bianca and Lucas have orchestrated Balthazar's escape and are on the run, pursued not only by Black Cross, but by the powerful leaders of Evernight. Yet no matter how far they run, Bianca can't escape her destiny. Bianca has always believed their love could survive anything--but can it survive what's to come?

This is the third book in the Evernight Academy. In this Bianca and Lucas are trying to keep everything about what Bianca is from the Black Cross. But there are many twist and turns are thrown at them. I have to say that it was great to see my favorite characters again, but I didn’t like where the story is going. I don’t see how things are going to turn out. I look forward to seeing what’s to happen in the next book of Afterlife.

Publisher: Harper Teen

ISBN: 0061284416

Pages: 352

Series: Evernight

Volume: 3

The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney by Suzanne Harper

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Ghosts, Psychics

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: In high school, the last thing you want is for people to think you talk to ghosts. When Sparrow begins tenth grade at a huge new school full of strangers, she thinks her dreams of anonymity and a fresh start are finally coming true. No more following in her six older sisters' footsteps. No more going to class with kids who've seen her grandma doing jujitsu in the front yard next to the headstones of her four dead husbands. And no more worrying about keeping her deep, dark secret hidden. Sparrow makes a new best friend and has her eye on an irritatingly appealing guy in her history class. She feels like she's well on her way to a normal life. But it's another boy—a dead one—who wants Sparrow's attention, and he won't let her be till she's helped him Move On. You see, Sparrow Delaney's secret is that she's a psychic. And there's one very persistent ghost who won't let her forget it.

Sparrow is just trying to be a normal girl, even though she talks to ghost. She even keeps it from her very psychic family. Now she gets to go to a new school where no one knows about her family or what they can do. But on her first day she sees a ghost in her history class. As she makes friends things start to go her way until she finally decides to help one of the ghosts. The story is actually really sweet. It shows that even people who are talented don’t always want to be. I found the story to be entertaining and I really liked the dynamic between her and Jake. I hope that there will be more stories about Sparrow, but even if there aren’t this is a good read.

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

ISBN: 0061131601

Pages: 368

Series:

Volume:

Walk of the Spirits by Richie Tankersley Cusick

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Ghosts

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: No rest for the weary. When Miranda Barnes first sees sleepy St. Yvett, Louisiana, with its moss-draped trees and aboveground cemeteries, she realizes that life as she knew it is officially over. Almost immediately, there seems to be something cloying at her. Even at school and in the group project she’s been thrown into, she can’t escape it. There are shadows when no one is there to make them, the haunting smell of roses, and a distant pleading voice that wakes her from sleep. The other members in Miranda’s group, especially handsome Etienne, can see that Miranda is in distress. She is beginning to understand that, like her grandfather, she has a special gift of communicating with spirits who still walk the town of St. Yvette. But this “gift” feels more like a curse, and Miranda has no one to confide in. Etienne is willing, but is he really as trustworthy as he is sultry? Now, no matter where Miranda turns, she feels bound by the whispered pleas of the spirits around her…unless she can somehow find a way to bring them peace.

A ghost story that is intriguing and full of mystery. Miranda is the new girl in town that doesn’t know anything about her own family history. When she is finally forced into being social with some of her classmates she begins to hear things about her grandfather. Her life seems to change overnight, with her meeting her grandfather and hearing voices that aren’t there. The whole thing is something that she doesn’t k now how to explain. When Etienne offers to help she begins to confide in him, only to feel betrayed by him when he tells her friends. This is a very well written story that I could read over and over again. I love how all the characters interact with one another. They all help to mold the story to its climax. I hope that there is a second book that has them all working together again. I really loved reading this book and can't wait to read the next book in this series, Shadow Mirror.

Publisher: Speak

ISBN: 0142410500

Pages: 336

Series: Walk

Volume: 1

Stargazer by Claudia Gray

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Vampires, Ghosts, Wraiths, Vampire Hunters

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: The vampire in me was closer to the surface…Evernight Academy: an exclusive boarding school for the most beautiful, dangerous students of all – vampires, Bianca, born to two vampires, has always been told her destiny is to become one of them. But Bianca fell in love with Lucas – a vampire hunter sworn to destroy her kind. They were torn apart when his true identity was revealed, forcing him to flee the school. Although they may be separated, Bianca and Lucas will not give each other up. She will risk anything for the chance to see him again, even if it means coming face-to-face with the vampire hunters of Black Cross – or deceiving the powerful vampires of Evernight. Bianca’s secrets will force her to live a life of lies. Yet Bianca isn’t the only one keeping secrets. When Evernight is attacked by an evil force that seems to target her, she discovers the truth she thought she knew is only the beginning…

This is the second book in the Evernight series. As another year starts at Evernight there is more mystery as again there are things the characters are hiding from one another. Bianca is still seeing Lucas although infrequently. While everyone else believes that she and Balthazar are a couple. Which I found to be a little weird as Balthazar seemed to be in love with Bianca, but that whole side of the story was a little weird. Claudia again through in a little spin with adding the wraiths. I thought that this was a great twist on the vampire legend. I couldn’t put this down from the moment I started reading it. I love new and innovative takes on stories. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, Hourglass.

Publisher: Harper Teen

ISBN: 0061284467

Pages: 352

Series: Evernight

Volume: 2

Shadow Mirror by Richie Tankersley Cusick

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Ghosts, Speaking to the Dead

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Unsettling. There's no better word to describe Miranda Barnes's ability to hear the cries of the dead, feel the wind move her hair when they run by, and - dare she look into a mirror - see the reflection of a ghostly woman behind her. There's only one person to turn to for support: Etienne. As sexy as he is mysterious, Miranda can't help but be drawn to him. He believes her; he wants to help her. But there's a secret in Etienne's past, something Miranda's on the verge of discovering. As paranormal activity escalates, passion grows, and soon Miranda is caught up in both love . . . and tragedy.

This is the second book in Richie Tankersley Cusick’s Ghost series. This takes place a few months after the first book. Miranda is working on getting healthy while trying to explore her feelings for Etienne. But with another ghost trying to get Miranda’s help she hasn’t quite let her friends know what it going on. This is a brilliant sequel. Now that you know the characters it leaves for more storytelling. I love how each characters grows and you get to know more about them. I really hope that there will be another book after this one.

Publisher: Speak

ISBN: 0142412279

Pages: 368

Series: Sprits

Volume: 2

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Genre: Young Adult

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Vampires, Ghosts, Wraiths, Vampire Hunters

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Bianca wants to escape. At the eerily Gothic Evernight Academy, the other students are sleek, smart, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn’t fit in. When she meets handsome, brooding Lucas, he warns her to be careful – even when it comes to caring about him. But the connection between them can’t be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart…and to make Bianca question everything she’s ever believed.

                                                

This is the first book in the Evernight series. Bianca is the new girl at Evernight Academy. All she just wants to run the other way. And Lucas seems to totally understand her. I have to hand it to Claudia Gray, this is the first story in a very long time that totally blew me away. I had no idea where the story was going and then you find out the truth. Bianca is one of those characters that wants to stay out of the light. I would almost say that she is mousy, as she feels so inferior to everyone around her. Then you have Lucas who runs hot and cold all the time and you are trying to understand what his deal is. I enjoyed their love story, very Romeo & Juliet. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, Stargazer.

Publisher: Harper Teen

ISBN: 0061284440

Pages: 352

Series: Evernight

Volume: 1

After Dark by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle

Genre: Paranormal Romance; Psychics, Ghosts, Ghost Hunters

Sub Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Life is tough enough these days for Lydia Smith, licensed Para-archaeologist. Seriously stressed-out from a nasty incident in an alien tomb, she is obliged to work part-time in Shrimpton’s House of Ancient Horrors, a very lowbudget museum. She has a plan to get her career back on track, but it isn’t going well. Stuff keeps happening. Take the dead body that she discovered in one of the sarcophagus exhibits. Who needed that? Finding out that her new client, Emmett London, is one of the most dangerous men in the city isn’t helping matters either. And that’s just today’s list of setbacks. Here in the shadows of the Dead City of old Cadence, things don’t really heat up until After Dark.

This is the first book in the Ghost Hunters series. I was interested in reading more about this world after reading a short story that took place here. But it did take me a little bit of time to find a copy of this book. Lydia has fallen on hard times after an unfortunate incident. She is trying to start her own consulting firm. Emmett is her first client who is looking for a family heirloom. While the two work together they are soon being chased and put in danger. I really liked reading this story. It is more of a good quick story. The two characters seem to want to be together and then keep getting in one another’s way. I can’t wait to read the next story in the series, After Glow.

Publisher: Jove

ISBN: 051512902X

Pages: 352

Series: Harmony World

Volume: 2