Possessed by Kate Cann

Rayne lives with her mom and younger brother in London. Their apartment is oppressive, as is their neighborhood. So oppressive all Rayne can think of is escape. She wants to get away from people, from all the noise.

She can't believe her luck when she finds a job posting for a tea room in a remote country estate far from London. A chance to get away.

Morton's Keep isn't exactly what she was expecting when she arrived for the interview or to start her job. The house itself is full of history, anger, rage, and malice. That history is not at all pleasant, as Rayne learns some of the murders, executions, and torture that happened within the manor's walls. Her new group of friends are fascinated with the place, especially Sir John. Rayne is more than a little disturbed by their interest and with other things she sees around the grounds and surrounding forest. She's determined to figure out what's happening before anything else happens.

The story itself reminds me of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Witchlight and The Inheritor, although not quite as creepy or dark. The setting is vivid and characters believable. There were a few moments where I had to suspend disbelief, but other than that, I enjoyed the story.

Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

Lucy's best friend Solange Drake is going to become a vampire. And soon. She'll turn on her sixteenth birthday, or die. Vampires are coming out of the woodwork, wanting to be close to her, kill her, or just kidnap her.

Solange knows there's a prophecy saying she'll be a vampire queen. She's the first female vampire to be born--the rest have been created. But everything is happening too fast.

Before they know it, they're hunted by other vampires and vampire hunters, all with varying motives. The only people Solange can rely on are Lucy and her family, and strangely, one of the vampire hunters Kiernan. But she'd rather save them than the other way around.

Told from Lucy and Solange's points of view. Both have love interests (of course) and both fight for their existence. Lucy and Nicholas (one of Solange's brothers) take the stage towards the end as they race to save Solange before it's too late. Romance, action, and more vampire lore. Good thing I can't get enough of it!