Posts Categorized: melissa de la cruz

DNF ~ Alex and Eliza: A Love Story

16 May, 2017 by in melissa de la cruz Leave a comment

DNF ~ Alex and Eliza: A Love Story

Alex and Eliza: A Love Story

by Melissa De La Cruz
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on April 11, 2017
Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 368
Format: Hardcover
DNF
Source: Bought
Buy the BookGoodreads
1777. Albany, New York.

As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival those of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.

Still, Eliza can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.

I really tried to finish this book but just could not make it through. When I saw it on the shelves at Barnes and Noble, was excited because I’ve long been a fan of Melissa DeLa Cruz’s writing. The cover and subject were dreamy. Colonial historical fiction? Yes, please. It took 11 chapters in for things to pick up between main hero Alex Hamilton and Eliza. I thought, here we go! But, no. Way too much emphasis on describing vaccinations and the process the soldiers went through to get shots. Not enough emphasis on the developing love story or the side characters. Everyone felt wooden. I put it down twice before finally giving up. Hopefully other readers will have more positive experiences with Alex and Eliza.

About the Author 21911

Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.

Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.

She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.

Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).

She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.

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Key To The Repository Necklace Giveaway

27 Jul, 2010 by in etsy, melissa de la cruz 41 comments


Today’s Etsy shop giveaway is a silver key necklace for the book “Keys to the Repository” by Melissa De la Cruz, donated by Emilina Ballerina! My name is Susan and I am the proud mother of two teenagers. I have always enjoyed working with my hands and the creative process. I am inspired by quotes, feelings, memories, beautiful scenery, friendship, and motherhood… I hope something you see here will touch you or strike a chord within you. Namaste

~Featuring unique handmade original jewelry including custom personalized hand stamped jewelry, mommy jewelry, bridal and bridesmaid designs, glass bubble charms, yoga inspired designs, and charm bracelets~

All jewelry comes in a complimentary gift box with a raffia bow and lucky Chinese coin.

Necklace Description: My heart had been closed until I met you. I never thought I could love again but now I am ready to give you all that I am. Please accept this key to my heart and know that you are the only one that holds it from now until forever. The tiniest key ~ simple and delicate on a silver chain , 18″L

To Enter To Win: leave your name and email address below.
+1 for hearting her shop on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/EmilinaBallerina
+1 for becoming a Fire and Ice fan on facebook
+5 for posting this contest on your blog, leave the link
+2 for blog followers
+1 for each retweet @FireIcePhotos
+3 for each dollar donated to Chile relief efforts via PayPal
+1 for telling us your favorite scene in the Blue Bloods series
Contest ends August 27, 2010 and is open internationally

Keys to the Repository by Melissa De La Cruz

26 Jul, 2010 by in book review, melissa de la cruz 5 comments

published June 29th 2010 by Hyperion Book
details Hardcover, 192 pages
isbn 1423134541
3 stars

Lavish parties. Passionate meetings in the night. Bone-chilling murders. Midterms. The day-to-day life of Schuyler Van Alen and her Blue Bloods friends (and enemies) is never boring. But there’s oh-so-much more to know about these beautiful and powerful teens. Below the streets of Manhattan, within the walls of the Repository, exists a wealth of revealing information about the vampire elite that dates back before the Mayflower. In a series of short stories, journal entries, and never-before-seen letters, New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz gives her hungry fans the keys to the Repository and an even more in-depth look into the secret world of the Blue Bloods. Won’t you come inside?

I enjoy reading Melissa’s blue blood series and am a fan of Shulyer and Jack, however this book is a side step off the pure story telling we are used to. Keys to the repository is an anthology of family history, maps and secret files compiled in the Blue Bloods library. Many of the files are dry reading and much of is is a repeat from the previous novels. It is a great book of reference if you are just reading the series for the first time and wan tot know who is who. Melissa is obviously a history buff who has thought through her characters carefully and charts their lines through time. I give her kudos for being so intelligent and thorough. Beyond the library file chapters there are however, are some secret treasures that made it a worthwhile read.

Schulyer and Jack’s chapters on their meetings in the apartment in New York are a neat look into what they were thinking and feeling. There is also a chapter called wolf pact which introduces continuing story of Bliss Llewellyn and an excerpt from the first book in new a series about wolves. It is more graphic that anything Melissa has written with violence, but interesting for those wolf girls and guys out there.

My favorite chapter was Shelter Island which is Dylan’s story between the books Blue Bloods and Masquerade. In my mind this chapter could merit a whole book of its own. Set in a secluded island setting it was mysterious and gripping. And save the best for last…the final two chapters are the First in the book “Misguided Angel”
which will be released in October. THIS is what I am waiting for. A little sneak peek into the new life of Shulyer and Jack. The final chapters are a taste of the future and a wonderful teaser for faithful readers of the BB series. All in all I give it three stars and can’t wait until Fall! Read more about Melissa and her Blue Blood series at http://bluebloodsbooks.com/