The Dark Witch by Nora Roberts

The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy - Book 1
This book starts out scary with plenty of witchcraft and spells from days long ago then moves forward to present time where we meet Iona who doesn't yet know she is a witch with some very strong talents.   I love these Nora Roberts trilogies and look forward to reading the next two.

Synopsis:

With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends.
Ireland.
County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits.
Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives.
When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.
Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society #1
This is also a YA book that I enjoyed so much I will definitely read the rest of the series.  It's full of curious children with odd talents.  Odd balls in normal groups they find a kindred friendship amonst themselves in order to fight against some very mean people.

Synopsis:
As the book begins:  "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" ad attracts dozens for mind-bending tests readers may try. Only two boys and two girls succeed for a secret mission, undercover and underground into hidden tunnels. At the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, the only rule is - there are no rules.

4 children succeed in some peculiar tests, and are to go on a secret mission. They have to defeat this evil machine, owned by Mr. Curtain, called the Whisperer. The Whisperer has the power to erase your memory and send messages. The kids, Reynie, Kate, Sticky and Constance spend a few days at the Institute, where Mr. Curtain and the Whisperer are.

The Golden Valkyrie by Iris Johansen

This is a good beach read.  Nothing heavy, nothing too serious and not so enticing that I don't want to be disturbed until I finish the book.  I enjoyed the story for the fluff it was, but there were times that I found Honey to be a little too sweet, a bit too understanding, but the man in her sights did have a lot of money!

When P.I. Honey Winston is hired to steal incriminating letters from visiting dignitary Prince Rubinoff, she’s prepared for a dangerous mission that could end her career. But when she blows her cover, she finds that the amused prince is everything the media have made him out to be: part Adonis, part playboy—and irresistibly charismatic. The problem is, the feeling is mutual. Intrigued, the prince is determined to keep his gorgeous young trespasser by his side as long as possible.
For he’s never met anyone quite as daring, or breathtaking, as Honey. With the tables turned, Prince Rubinoff has Honey appointed his personal bodyguard. The official reason is an assassination plot. The truth is far more dangerous

Ruby Red by Kirsten Gier

Precious Stone Trilogy - Book 1
This is a YA book, but so much fun I look forward to reading the whole series.
I love time travel books and this one did not disappoint me.  Some story lines are bit unfinished and some characters a bit too watery, but the fun of time travel makes up for the little flaws.

Synopsis:
Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era! Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates

A Magical Bakery Mystery #1
This is a great beginning for a fun series.  I'm looking forward to readiing #2 in the series.  Finding bakery full of good hearted witches would be such a fun surprise.  That would be a group I would love to spend an hour over coffee and chatting.
Then add mystery and mayhem and it turns into a great adventure.

Katie Lightfoot's tired of loafing around as the assistant manager of an Ohio bakery. So when her aunt Lucy and uncle Ben open a bakery in Savannah's quaint downtown district and ask Katie to join them, she enthusiastically agrees.

While working at the Honeybee Bakery—named after Lucy's cat—Katie notices that her aunt is adding mysterious herbs to her recipes. Turns out these herbal enhancements aren't just tasty—Aunt Lucy is a witch and her recipes are actually spells!

When a curmudgeonly customer is murdered outside the Honeybee Bakery, Uncle Ben becomes the prime suspect. With the help of handsome journalist Steve Dawes, charming firefighter Declan McCarthy, and a few spells, Katie and Aunt Lucy stir up some toil and trouble to clear Ben's name and find the real killer

The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society by Darien Gee

I was hesitant to read this book based on the title, but I'm glad I didn't judge this book on a title or cover.  I enjoyed reading the friendships built, understood the insecurities found and became good friends with the wonderful characters.

Synopsis:
At Madeline’s Tea Salon, the cozy hub of the Avalon community, local residents scrapbook their memories and make new ones. But across town, other Avalonians are struggling to free themselves of the past: Isabel Kidd is fixing up her ramshackle house while sorting through the complications of her late husband’s affair. Ava Catalina is mourning the love of her life and helping her young son grow up without his father. Local plumber Yvonne Tate is smart, beautiful, and new to Avalon, but finds that despite a decade of living life on her own terms, the past has a way of catching up—no matter where she goes. And Frances Latham, mother to a boisterous brood of boys, eagerly anticipates the arrival of a little girl from China—unprepared for the emotional roller coaster of foreign adoption.

Enter Bettie Shelton, the irascible founder of the Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society. Under Bettie’s guidance, even the most reluctant of Avalon’s residents come to terms with their past and make bold decisions about their future. But when the group receives unexpected news about their steadfast leader, they must pull together to create something truly memorable.