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!

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Sophie is a witch who recently came into her powers. Her father is a powerful warlock who she's never met. She and her human mother have been on the move ever since Sophie discovered her magic because her spells have a tendency to go wrong. Eventually, this leads to her being placed at Hecate Hall, a reform school for Prodigium, where she lives with other witches, shifters, and fae. One of the first things Sophie learns at her school is that there was a terrible murder there last year and all indications point to the only vampire in the school who just happens to be Sophie's roommate. As more students are attacked, Sophie tries to prove that her roommate is innocent, all the while struggling with three dark witches as enemies, a crush on the hottest warlock in school, and learning that her family history is very disturbing.

This was an excellent book. Not only is Sophie a strong character, but she's also witty and very funny. The mysteries in the story unravel in unexpected ways. I can't wait for the next book in the series! Unfortunately, there's no release date yet.

A Witch in Time by Madelyn Alt

Stony Mill's newest witch, Maggie O'Neill, has been attached at the hip to the smoking hot Marcus Quinn. Things couldn't get any better until her sister Mel gives birth to not one, but two babies. Maggie’s visiting Mel in the hospital when death visits the hospital...twice. Nobody bats an eye, but Maggie knows something sinister is haunting the hospital. Now she’ll need help if she’s going to tie two murders to one killer.

Another great mystery from Madelyn Alt! Her characters are fun and endearing, you'll love it!

No Rest for the Wiccan by Madelyn Alt

Maggie loves her job at Enchantments as much as she loves being Indiana's newest witch. But when her family needs her, she's still willing to lend a hand. She reluctantly volunteers to care for her bedridden, oh-so-perfect sister, and her beautiful nieces. But there are some strange spirits hanging about the area,and it looks like a job for Maggie and the N.I.G.H.T.S. ghost hunting team.

Need a good book poolside? Check out Maggie and the N.I.G.H.T.S!

Where There's a Witch by Madelyn Alt

Taking a break from her job at Enchantments, Stony Mill's finest mystical antique shop, Maggie O'Neill visits a carnival where she senses some bad spirits. And when a construction worker is suspected of killing a young woman, it's up to Maggie and the N.I.G.H.T.S. ghosthunting team to uncover the dark spiritual energy leaking into their town before it spoils everyone's fun.

This is a great series. Totally fun beach read!