Deviation, Conviction, and Hooked Cover Reveals!

It's been a busy week for me . . . THREE COVER REVEALS!!!

In August, I asked VLC Productions to redesign the covers for the first two books of my Sophisticates Series, Deviation and Conviction. Vania Stoyanova did a photo shoot to capture the personalities of my main characters and she came up with a new design that really showed off the dystopian feel of the story. She will also be designing the last book in the series. The cover reveal for those two books occurred last week and it was so exciting to finally be able to share them after having them finished for so many months. I'm really happy with the way that they turned out.

DEVIATION
Cover Design: VLC Productions
Cover Photo: Vania Stoyanova
Cover Model: Krista Gibson

CONVICTION

Cover Design: VLC Productions

Cover Photo: Vania Stoyanova

Cover Model: Hart Morse

And tonight I revealed the cover for my NEW ADULT romance that will be published February 3, 2015!!! I love this cover so much and I hope you do too!

HOOKED

Cover Design: VLC Productions

Cover Photo: Vania Stoyanova

Cover Models: Chandler Steele and Damien Michael Chase

HOOKED SYNOPSIS:

If you ask the confident and snarky skater girl, and she’s in the mood to share, she’ll tell you her name is Cat. She might even tell you that she’s hooked on graffiti, 80s movies, and having fun—the riskier the better. Cat will share a good time with you, but she won’t ever trust you enough to share her heart. It’s protected by secrets and she’d like to keep it that way. 

Cat knows one thing for certain: Love isn’t really her thing.

If you ask the confident and rich pretty boy, he might tell you his name is Huck. He might even tell you he loves a challenge and is used to getting his way. He won’t tell you that his life is a mess because he risked his heart by trusting the wrong girl. Huck is ready for a change, he just wasn’t ready to get hooked on someone like Cat.

Huck knows one thing for certain: Love hasn’t done him any favors, but Cat just might be worth the risk.

Cat and Huck think a one-night stand seems harmless, but when all the little secrets they didn’t share turn out to be toxic truths, they realize how easily a one-night stand (or a few) could ruin everything. 

The thing is, you can be ruined in more than one way. Once you’re HOOKED, what wouldn’t you risk for the chance at more?


Put Hooked on your TO READ list on Goodreads!

Visit me on Goodreads to see all of my reviews. 
Check out my website for information on my books, giveaways, and other fun stuff.

www.christinemanzari.com

Book Review – Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Series: Anna and the French Kiss #3


SYNOPSIS:
Love ignites in the City That Never Sleeps, but can it last? 
Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart. 

Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love—set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona—is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.


MY REVIEW:
What I love about the characters in these books is that they are so realistic with their insecurities and passions and dreams and quirks. There was a fantastic, unexpected twist toward the end....which wasn't even Isla's or Josh's twist...but it was sweet and satisfying all the same. Perkins creates female characters who are different, and weird, and lovable. And her male characters aren't the alpha male bad boys...they're sweet, romantic, and delicious. I will read anything that Stephanie Perkins writes. Love, love, love this series.


SUM IT UP:

Visit me on Goodreads to see all of my reviews.
Check out my website for information on my books, giveaways, and other fun stuff.

www.christinemanzari.com

Book Review – Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Series: Anna and the French Kiss #2


SYNOPSIS:
Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit—more sparkly, more fun, more wild—the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket—a gifted inventor—steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. 


MY REVIEW:
This book was like a big bag of cotton candy. So sweet, and pure, and addictive. How could I not fall in love with Lola and Cricket too? I couldn't stop reading or smiling. Each character had wonderful quirks that made me jealous I wasn't that clever and strangely cool too. Usually I'm a huge fan of snarky bad boy characters, but I'd have to say that Cricket Bell is a forever favorite love interest. And Lola....I feel like I can relate to her. I was just as insecure and strange growing up, although without the fashion skills. Loved this book and I just want to hug this entire series.


SUM IT UP:

Visit me on Goodreads to see all of my reviews.

Check out my website for information on my books, giveaways, and other fun stuff.

www.christinemanzari.com

Book Review – Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Anna and the French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Series: Anna and the French Kiss #1


SYNOPSIS:
Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?


MY REVIEW:
This was so ah-mazing! The characters were diverse and interesting, the story was easy to fall in love with, and the witty banter between the friends was my favorite part. What a sweet, easy, fun read. Oh, and I'd like to add that I never wanted to go to Paris until I read this book....it makes me want to go!


SUM IT UP:

Visit me on Goodreads to see all of my reviews.
Check out my website for information on my books, giveaways, and other fun stuff.

www.christinemanzari.com

Book Review – Prodigy by Marie Lu

Title: Prodigy
Author: Marie Lu
Series: The Legend Series, Book 2


SYNOPSIS:
Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?


MY REVIEW:
Five. Massively. Heartbroken. Stars.

Haven't Day and June suffered enough? 

Seriously. Just when I think they've made it past the worst the world has to offer, tragedy strikes again. And again. And again. But June and Day aren't prodigies for nothing...they still keep fighting and surviving through each and every horrible torture they face. They trust their instincts and follow their hearts no matter how scared they are. They make sacrifices to do what's right for their families and for others who are suffering. Their story is complex and addictive and I love that they are helplessly drawn to each other no matter what else goes on in their world. And their world is disaster. It seems the only safe place for Day and June in all of the Republic or Colonies is when they're together, but that safety is stolen from them time and time again whether by scheming officials, injuries, heartless soldiers, or strange illnesses. 

Even though the entire story was gut-wrenching and the ending completely tore my heart to shreds, I loved every minute of reading this book.

p.s. Day = Sacrifice


SUM IT UP:

Visit me on Goodreads to see all of my reviews.
Check out my website for information on my books, giveaways, and other fun stuff.

www.christinemanzari.com

Book Review – Legend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend Series, book 1


SYNOPSIS:
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.


MY REVIEW:
Legend is everything a dystopian story should be. The world building was gritty and believable, the characters were both flawed and heroic, and the events were described in such vivid detail that I could believe this scenario happening in the future. 

I admired June for her quick thinking and ability to stay calm when faced with danger, but I loved Day for his triumph over tragedy. He defied death to become the common man's hero. He is like the Robin Hood of the future. 

Loved the story, loved the characters, loved the mystery and I'm so glad I have the rest of the books already in my greedy little hands because I can't seem to put them down.


SUM IT UP:

Visit me on Goodreads to see all of my reviews.
Check out my website for information on my books, giveaways, and other fun stuff.

www.christinemanzari.com

Book Review – Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Heir of Fire
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass book 3
Published: September 2, 2014


SYNOPSIS:
Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?


MY REVIEW:
This book is huge...over 500 pages, but there is so much action and drama between the covers that it could fill three books. We get to see the point of view from Celaena, Dorian, Chaol, Aedion, Manon, Rowan....such a rich story that I didn't want to put the book down. It's epic like Game of Thrones, but the plot and characters have so much depth that you feel the fear, love, and passion that they each feel as they survive the evil that the King of Ardalan has unleashed on the world. 

The relationship that Celaena forged with Rowan was amazing starting from a mutual dislike and disrespect into full-fledged trust and dedication to one another. I feel like the theme of this book was sacrifice because all of the characters seemed to have to make a sacrifice for those they loved—a companion, a friend, a lover, a fellow warrior, or even their "people." It could even be said that Rowan sacrificed his beauty for the memory of those he loved when he tattooed their stories on his skin.

I love this series and can't wait to read more.


SUM IT UP:

Visit me on Goodreads to see all of my reviews.
Check out my website for information on my books, giveaways, and other fun news.

www.christinemanzari.com