The Curse Keepers by Denise Grover Swank

I really, really, really enjoyed this book (like really) I can not stress how much I was into it. I bought the next one before I'd even finished reading it. Ellie Dare Lancaster works in a diner. A hottie comes in who she instantly knows is trouble. He is going to touch her and she knows by her breathing she shouldn't let him.
In short there is a curse. Not on Ellie. Each member of her family will know the curse. Her father passed it down to her. They are the curse keepers. There is another family who are the second. There are only two curse keepers. One from each family. When the two meet and touch the curse is lifted, the gates to hell open and with it and well work that out for yourself.....

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Nine Years Earlier........ It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.
Maggie is a killer for these lines to start off books. Tell me that have not got your interest, go on, I dare you!
Sean is on the beach with his father, today is race day. The beach is never safe, today it is dangerous. This is where you learn of the capiall uisce. The water horses. Deadly (meat eaters, including their riders). The men of the village race them, on race day. Sean takes to them naturally. Not that he will ride. His father rides a red stallion. Then dies by the teeth of a grey. Sean watches from the cliff.
I don't think often of my father's strung out body through the reddening surf. Instead I remember him as he was before the race: afraid. I won't make the same mistake.