Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, by Lish McBride.

Samhain LaCroix, better known as Sam by his friends, is an easy going college dropout trying to make a living working as a fry cook at Plumpys, a local restaurant. That is until the day a stranger dress in expensive suit and an ice cold stare confronts him because Sam hadn't asked permission of the "Council" to move. Sam doesn't know what the heck he's talking about! Shortly after that Sam is confronted by a big muscular guy in Plumpy's parking lot who starts tosses Sam around and beating the hell out of him. Only quick action by his friends manages to save him. Bruised, with his back torn up, Sam makes his way home and collapses. When he wakes in the morning he discovers a big brown bag on his front doorstep containing his friend Brooke's severed head! For a moment there was silence in the room, then she says "Ow, cut it out, you guys!"

And thus begins the magical adventure of Sam as he races to figure out why the mysterious man is out to get him, why one of his best friends was killed (yet somehow is still alive!), and why his mother (who turns out to be a sort of modern-day witch!) has been hiding a secret about his true powers! You see Sam, as it turns out, is a bit of a necromancer, powerful magical people who can raise the dead. Problem is, he can't seem to get his powers to work!

I liked Hold Me Closer, Necromancer from the very first page. Sam's a likable guy, his friends are true & real, and the female werewolf he gets caged with is both appealing AND scary. This is a good quirky romp that collides the modern world with one of magic. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! ~ Robbie