More Than Magic: Semester Abroad By Elizabeth Kirke

What if you went out to stargaze while on a cruise and saw someone get pushed over the side of the boat?  This is exactly what happens to Jennifer one night on her Semester Abroad Program.  Needing some air, she decides to come up to the deck to watch the stars and sees a group in other students talking and horsing around.  Suddenly, one gets pushed off the side as a joke.  Jennifer rushes foward when nobody acts to help the student.  They try to convince her she didn't see anything and when Dani, the student suddenly vaults back onto the deck, Jennifer is stunned.  The next day, she is followed from class to class by different members of the group all day long.  They won't tell her what is going on until they met with Jon, their boss.  After Jon determines that Jennifer is a witch and all of the students in the group are magics of different types.  As Jen is introduced to a world that she didn't dream exsisted, there is suddenly a danger on the ship: a vampire.
Jennifer is immediately submerged into a wonderous world learning about magic and magical creatures.  She is able to bond with the others and becomes one of the tight group of friends.  Jennifer and her new friends are tested by having to face the horror of a vampire roaming the ship creating dhampirs and killing students.  Jennifer faces grave danger because her blood is changing as she gets in touch with her magic.  Witch blood is 3x as potent as a humans and makes Jen a target. 
Semester Abroad immediately engaged me and drew me into a world of magics.  At first, I was a little frustrated with Jen as her questions went unanswered.  But soon answers are revealed in a manner that slowly builds a believable fantasy.  I loved Jen who is somewhat niave but believable to me because I was just like her.  Dani, Charlie, Thomas, TS and Mariana became my friends as I read about them and learned their stories.  The adventures they have both fighting the vampire and going on trips at the ports was well told and a roller coaster ride of emotion.  The only thing that would have made this more perfect was more romance.  I can't wait to see where this goes in the next book.  This story would be a good read for even younger teens who enjoy paranormal but I highly recommed this for fans of Harry Potter and the Paranormal.  This was an excellent read and so worth the price. 

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Demonglass is the second book in the Hex Hall series.  This book takes place about 6 months after the first book ends at the end of the school year.  After killing her great-grandmother who was a crazed demon, Sophie finds out that she is a quarter demon and that her powers actually come from being a demon and not a dark witch.  Because demons can be fine for years but then lose it one day and kill everyone, Sophie has decided she wants to ask the council for removal of her powers.  The removal could kill her and her father wants her to come to London and get to know her demon heritage before making a decision.  Sophie agrees as long as BFF Jenna can come along.  Her father also insists on bringing Cal who happens to be Sophie's betrothed. 
In London, Sophie meets the council and is suprised by a couple of other demon teenagers, Daisy and Nick.  Daisy and Nick can't remember who made them or where they came from.  They have been living at council headquarters under protection from the EYE.  Sophie's escaped demon hunter love, Archer Cross has also been seen in London.  Fate puts Sophie in Archer's path where Archer actually saves her life again.  Archer reveals all of his secrets and boy are they good ones.  Archer shows Sophie that someone is raising demons at Hex Hall and trying to use them as weapons.  Before Sophie can really tell her Dad, Archer is captured with Sophie and Daisy and Nick completely Demon out.  Because the council has captured Archer, the Eye attacks Thorne Abbey where the council is staying.  The second half of this book is action packed that leads up to a huge cliff hanger making me eagerly awaiting the next book.
Sophie and Archer have hot chemistry and I was glad to see her stay loyal to him.  However, I found myself waiting for Cal to reveal more of his feelings for Sophie which I felt are there.  It was frustrating that nothing big really happened between them.  I really love Cal's character and want him to fight for her.  Don't get me wrong I love Archer but something about the quiet reserved Cal makes me think their is a loyal tiger under there.  I really enjoy the world that Ms. Hawkins has created and both books are easy to identify with and get into.  I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!!!

Almost Final Curtain by Tate Halloway (Vampire Princess 2)

Almost the Final Curtain is the second book in the St. Paul Vampire Princess series.  I enjoyed the first book which introduced Ana as a half witch/half vampire who walks between two warring factions of paranormal society.  In this story, Ana is identifying with her vampire side more.  In this particular story, Vampires were brought over across the veil between worlds by witches who enslaved them with a talisman of sorts.  This special artifact was stolen and the spell was undone thus freeing the vampires.  However, vampires can only live on witch blood so the witches want to enslave them because they are blood suckers and sometime killers and the vampires want to be free but must drink witches blood to live. 
At the beginning, Ana has a hot true witch rocker boyfriend, Nik who happens to be from a long line of Vampire hunters.  But Nik is love with Ana and doesn't see her as a vampire.  Ana is afraid of what will happen if Nik passes his last rite to being a full fledged hunter and what will happen if the talisman resurfaces and the enslavement of the vampires will do to her.  Ana is also accidently engaged to Elias her father's vampire knight who regularly visits her to court.  Ana's father is trying to keep his kingdom free and his power.  Ana's Mom is revealed to have more power than first thought and the power struggle between her and Ana's father is causing Ana to be torn apart.
This story is very complex in the struggle presented for Ana.  At times, my heart really was torn but I really love Nik and was frustrated with the story between the two young lovers but like the way it ends.  The end of this book feels a little like a wrap up so I am wondering where or if it will continue.

Crave by Melissa Darnell

Crave drew me in and made me hungry for more.  Set in the small town of Jacksonville in East Texas, Crave is a paranormal romance for teens that takes a new twist.  Most of the area is controlled by the Clann.  The Clann are descendants of Witches and Warlocks.  They have powers and are in control both politcally and socially.  The kids of the descendants rule the school especially Golden Boy, Tristan Coleman who is the son of the Clann's leader.  Tristan is a football star and Savannh's secret crush who is totally off limits.
Savannah Colbert is a normal teenager with a close group of friends.  She and the Clann kids have grown up together and used to be friends until 4th grade.  At recess, Savannah and Tristan pretended to be getting married but the next day Savannah was shunned as a freak.  Since then, Savannah has gotten used to the teasing and bullying that happens by the Clann but never really understood what happened.  She becomes ill and finds she is part Vampire and part Witch or a Dhampir.  She is the only known child of a vampire.  Vampires and the Witches have an age old hostility and her parents violated rules to be together.  Both societies are afraid of Savannah's powers or that she will tip the scale for the other side.  Savannah begins to have strange symptoms that she cannot control.  She afraid to ask her Dad about anything because he reports to the Vampire Council who practically want her dead.  She is afraid someone will attack her Mom and Nanna if she exhibits too many powers and is strictly forbidden to do magic or consort with the Clann.
Tristen is also drawn to Savannah but knows his parents strictly forbid him to be around Savannah.  Tristen is sweet, romantic, and protective of Savannah.  Savannah tries to stay away from him but Tristen is everywhere and decides he wants to see her.  He even starts showing up in her dreams.  There romance will make your heart swoon with the flutters of first love.  At times, their relationship seems so starcrossed and hopeless but just meant to be.  Crave will leave you wanting more and I can't wait to continue Savannah and Tristen's romance in Covet.