The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan

The Engagements is a lovely novel, that deals with the love and love failures amongst couples, while giving background history pertaining to,  De Beers diamonds, their advertisements and slogans.

The book covers 100 years of marriage, focuses on four couples and covers the life of the woman who coined "A Diamond are forever" slogan.

Sullivan manages to connect all the characters in a seamless manner. It has multiple plots and if you can push through the less interesting aspects of the book, you will find that this book is worth the read.

If you enjoy vivid characterization and historical fiction novels, this one would be a good fit for you.

Grade: B

Horns: A Novel by Joe Hill

Horns is full of suspense --- it is dark and thrilling. Be prepared for a wild ride.

Ig wakes up with a hellish headache only to discover that he has horns growing out of this head! As, he stumbles across others in his daily life, he quickly finds out the power these seemingly invisible horns weave.

People, being to share their worse thoughts and secrets with him. Each reveal seems more disturbing then the one before it.  Not only is Ig, dealing with this new and interesting ailment he is also trying to recover from the horrendous murder of his girlfriend. A crime, that the town blames him for, despite never being officially charged in her death.

Ig, determined to find out the truth behind, his girlfriends death and  uses his new "lie" detector and all truth telling horns to lead him in the person responsible for her death, so that he can seek revenge.

This book is full of heart pounding horror --- and will keep you on edge. You, most definitely feel his father's (Stephen King) influence in his writing. His characters are memorable and the book is clever.

Grade: A

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

Joe Hill ---is a pen name for, Joseph Hillstrom King. He is --- Stephen King's son ( if you don't know who, Stephen King is, you've been hiding under a rock) and this is his third novel.

NOS4A2 is about an evil man, who kidnaps children and takes them to Christmas land, where everyday is Christmas and not quite as lovely as one would imagine.  He enlists the help of Bing Partridge and together they make a horrific duo.

Vic has the ability to "travel" to anyplace and retrieve a lost item. She crosses paths with, Manx and has him incarcerated. Vic grows up and attempts to forget about her ability to "travel" and attributes it to being "crazy" that is until, Manx makes it his mission to kill her and steal her son.

Their worlds converge and the story unfolds in a quick and entertaining horror story.

This book is well written and intense. It is comprised of vivid characters and excellent storytelling that keeps you turning the pages ---- each chapter, begs to be read. Hill, takes after his father and at times you doubt whether on not Joe Hill is just another pen name for Stephen King.

Be prepared to enjoy the past and future works of his talented author.

Grade: A

Someday, Someday, Maybe: A Novel by Lauren Graham

"Someday, Someday, Maybe" is Lauren Graham's debut novel. You, might know her as, Gilmore Girls, Lorelai.

The novel takes place in 1995, in New York city. It follows the life of an aspiring actress, named Franny Banks. Franny's self imposed time limit is running out. She has six months left to "make" it as an actress. If she fails she will be leaving New York and returning home to marry her longtime boyfriend.

This books chronicles that time frame --- The book is funny and the character's are witty and entertaining. The book is a bit predictable but the quirky sarcasm and well developed character will keep you interested.

I expect and look forward to more great reads for, Graham.

Grade: A

Gated by Amy Christine Parker

The Gated will be released, August 6, 2013.

Lyla and her parents came to live in, Mandrodage Meadows following the aftermath of 9/11 and the abduction of her little sister. Lyla, her family and other members of the community are under the watchful eye of, Pioneer, their charismatic leader.

The community must follow, Pioneer's words and question nothing. Lyla's life is seemingly perfect. She has good friends and an intended. They are all awaiting the impending apocalypse and have little to  no contact with the outside world.

Lyla questions very little until she meets a young man, who visits her community. She finds herself falling for him and once visit outside of her community results in major changes for her and her community.

The storyline of this book is something that would be ripped out of the headlines. Think of radical cult leaders and incidents that occurred in Waco and Jonestown.

You will easily be sucked in by these characters and boggled by how easily manipulated the characters are by, Pioneer. This is a chillingly realistic story, that will keep you interested.

This book absolutely delivers!

Grade: B+

The Program by Suzanne Young

1 out of ever 3 teens commit suicide. James and Sloane have already lost friends and family to suicide and they have to be careful to not show any emotion. Showing strong emotions or feelings can result in one being sent to, The Program.

Those who return from, The Program are very different from the person who went in, the have no memories of certain events or people. No, one know what goes on in the program but they all fear it.

Sloane is sent to the program and through her you are able experience what it is like --- what happens. Young develops an intriguing storyline, full of twists that keeps you turning the pages.

Grade: B

Between You and Me: A Novel by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

I absolutely loved, Between You and Me! It is like being in the inner circle of a celebrities life.

The book is narrated by Logan Wade, who reconnects with her famous cousin on her 27th birthday. Logan and Kelsey haven't seen one another or talked to each other since childhood, when an accident caused a family drift and Kelsey's upward mobility into the world of the rich and famous furthered the gap.

Logan leaves her job in New York to become, Kelsey's personal assistant and she has to tread the lines between her personal and professional relationship with Kelsey. Kelsey slowly begins to make choices that cause a domino effect and her life slowly starts to fall apart.

All of it is caught by the paparazzi  and the train wreck that her life becomes --- could have easily been inspired by Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan,  Jessica Simpon, ect ....

The book shows how easily the media can manipulate things, making them look worse then they are and how being famous can be more of a burden than a hindrance. The family dynamics are interesting and the story line is entertaining.

The book is very enjoyable but the ending is abrupt --- there really isn't much of a resolution, which makes the book fill unfinished. Overall it is worth the time and energy put into reading it.

Grade: B