Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press 2017

Genre: Romance

Pages: 225

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Christmas Spirit Readathon;

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe from New York Times bestselling author, Melissa de la Cruz, is a sweet, sexy and hilarious gender-swapping, genre-satisfying re-telling, set in contemporary America and featuring one snooty Miss Darcy.

Darcy Fitzwilliam is 29, beautiful, successful, and brilliant. She dates hedge funders and basketball stars and is never without her three cellphones―one for work, one for play, and one to throw at her assistant (just kidding). Darcy’s never fallen in love, never has time for anyone else’s drama, and never goes home for Christmas if she can help it. But when her mother falls ill, she comes home to Pemberley, Ohio, to spend the season with her family.

Her parents throw their annual Christmas bash, where she meets one Luke Bennet, the smart, sardonic slacker son of their neighbor. Luke is 32-years-old and has never left home. He’s a carpenter and makes beautiful furniture, and is content with his simple life. He comes from a family of five brothers, each one less ambitious than the other. When Darcy and Luke fall into bed after too many eggnogs, Darcy thinks it’s just another one night stand. But why can’t she stop thinking of Luke? What is it about him? And can she fall in love, or will her pride and his prejudice against big-city girls stand in their way?

A cute little gender swapped contemporary version of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. I immediately loved connecting the the contemporary characters with the ones from the original text. Overall, it was a cute little romance that I sped through in only two days. My only quibble with this book is how horrible Darcy acted at times. I understand her insecurities and misunderstandings, but at times it might have gone a bit too far. She was made out to be far more of a royal bitch than she was. I’m excited that everything turned out in the end (of course it was going to!), but slightly annoyed at a few pages.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Witches 101: A Witches of East End Primer

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher: Hyperion 2011

Genre: Paranormal; Witches

Pages: 63

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Witches and Witchcraft; Monthly Key Word - October; ebook; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: iPad read

Almost three million copies of The Blue Bloods series in print, Melissa de la Cruz has now written her first paranormal romance for adults, on sale June 21st. The first in the Beauchamp Series, the book features a brand-new cast of characters, a fascinating and fresh world to discover, and a few surprise appearances from some of the Blue Blood fan favorites. It’s a page-turning, heart-stopping, magical summer read, fraught with love affairs, witchcraft, and an unforgettable battle between good and evil.
But before you read the book, meet the Witches! In this primer, you’ll meet the three Beauchamp women – Joanna, Ingrid, and Freya – learn a little bit about their special powers, and even get some tips so you can cast a few spells of your own.

Hmm... This was a free teaser ebook for the new Witches of East End series. I was intrigued by the series concept and the appearance of the Beauchamps in the Blue Bloods series. The ebook itself gives the reader a chapter about each of the Beauchamps. We are teased with a larger mystery and storyline. it definitely doesn't stand on its own, but I am fairly interested in reading the series now. I just kinda wish this was a full story to get us into the series, instead of the opening chapters.

Bloody Valentine by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Bloody Valentine

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher: Hyperion 2010

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 147

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; Vampires; 2011 - Slim Pickings

Vampires have powers beyond human comprehension: strength that defies logic, speed that cannot be captured on film, the ability to shapeshift and more. But in matters of the heart, no one, not even the strikingly beautiful and outrageously wealthy Blue Bloods, has total control. In Bloody Valentine, bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz offers readers a new story about the love lives of their favorite vamps - the passion and heartache, the hope and devastation, the lust and longing. Combined with all the glitz, glamour, and mystery fans have come to expect, this is sure to be another huge hit in the Blue Bloods series.

Another companion novel to the Blue Blood saga. This time we get three love stories: Oliver and a mysterious stranger, Freya, Allegra (Gabrielle) and Bendix Chase, and Schuyler and Jack. The stories were a little more grown-up with sex scenes, albeit pretty PG-13 ones. I was concerned about Oliver being left when Schuyler went to Florence with Jack. Thankfully his heart has been healed. And we get the introduction of a new character; one that will probably figure into Cruz's new series, The Witches of East End. Then we get Allegra's story set in 1985. We see her a real person, not just a sleeping angel. I liked seeing the story of her and Bendix, but also the relationship between her and Charles. Interesting take on the eternal bond. Finally we get to see Schuyler and Jack. I won't give away the details, but it's a nice classic love story. Very enjoyable companion novel.

Blue Bloods (DNFed series)

Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Misguided Angel (Blue Bloods #5)

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher: Hyperion 2010

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 265

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; Young Adult; Vampires; A to Z Titles: M

After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler fled to Florence--with her forbidden love, Jack. Now the two of them must embark on the mission Schuyler was destined to complete: to find and protect the seven gates that guard earth from Lucifer, lord of the Silverbloods. As the Blue Blood enclave weakens yet further, fate leads Schuyler closer to a terrifying crossroads--and a choice that will determine the destiny of all vampires.

The mythology and story line took a very interesting turn in this installment of the Blue Bloods saga. And a turn that I enjoyed. I definitely didn't see the big twist coming until it was revealed. I won't reveal any spoilers, but it's a good one. Sets up the next book quite nicely.

I especially loved the inclusion of a relatively new character (she was mentioned briefly in a previous book) Deming Chen otherwise known as Kuan Yin, the Angel of Mercy. I once did a paper on Kuan Yin in college, so it was nice to see an interpretation of her in vampire form. I liked seeing the New York Blue Blood society through her eyes. A definite change of pace.

Plus we got see more of Schuyler and Jack's adventure to find the Gates and Mimi's time as Regent. My only problem with the book is that it made me want to read the next one faster. Too bad. I have to wait until October. Boo hoo!

Blue Bloods

#1 Blue Bloods
#2 Masquerade
#3 Revelations
#4 The Van Alen Legacy
#4.5 Keys to the Repository
#5 Misguided Angel
#5.5 Bloody Valentine
#6 Lost in Time
#7 The Gates of Paradise

Keys to the Repository by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Keys to the Repository (Blue Bloods novel)

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher: Hyperion 2010

Genre: Vampire; Young Adult

Pages: 227

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; YA; Vampires; A to Z Titles: K

More of a companion to the Blue Blood series than an actual novel. De la Cruz states in her introduction that she always loved that Stephen King wrote a letter to his readers in the beginnings of books, so she wanted to write a letter to her "constant readers" giving them a glimpse of the world of the Blue Bloods.

I like the little tidbits of information. Mostly I remembered as I have read the first four books back-to-back. Still it was nice to see all the information in one place. I skimmed through the story recap to get to the family profiles. I still have trouble remembering all the past names of each of the characters. Thankfully the family profiles highlighted all the names, past lives. It was also nice to skim the glossary and list of characters (Blue and Red Bloods). Writing the Repository reports in the voice of various conduits and historians was a great touch. It was funny to notice their limited (obviously as they're characters also) knowledge. I especially loved the little side comments, especially in Kingsley Martin's profile.

Overall, a cute little companion book to the series. A nice afternoon reading. The library didn't have the next book, Misguided Angels, to check out, so I had to put it on hold. Hopefully I get it in the next few days. I'm dying to find out what happens to everybody...

Blue Bloods

#1 Blue Bloods
#2 Masquerade
#3 Revelations
#4 The Van Alen Legacy
#4.5 Keys to the Repository
#5 Misguided Angel
#5.5 Bloody Valentine
#6 Lost in Time
#7 The Gates of Paradise

The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods novel)

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher: Hyperion 2009

Genre: Vampire; Young Adult

Pages: 369

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; YA; Vampires

And the series takes a dark turn. You had to know it was coming. I mean, this is a series about vampires with references to them fighting Lucifer (their former master). Vampires and human have died in past books, even some central characters. This one has turned dark, and I must say, I like the change. Don't get me wrong, I liked the previous books. They held back, understandably so. We got to know the main characters. We connected to the main characters. And now we are really moving with the larger story. I love it.

I started the book yesterday. Read a bit at the coffeehouse, then put it away to do my errands and volunteer hour. I picked it up after the boys went to bed and couldn't put it down. I read, and read some more, and read a bit more. I kept telling myself, I will stop and finish the book tomorrow. But the chapter endings were so suspenseful, I just kept reading. And before i knew it, the book was over. I sat there and only one word came to mind "Wow!" That was a great book. And then "Do I have the next book?" I actually have the next two. Alas they are more background stories and side information. Interesting, but not finishing up the big storyline for me. For that I have to wait until the next book comes out, sometime this year.

Side note: I wonder why the cover art depicts Mimi. (Read the book, you'll get the connection). I can't stand Mimi, but have grown to understand her character. But putting her character on the cover is a little strange for the storyline. I would have preferred a sword (a much more important part of the story) or maybe a gate...

Blue Bloods

#1 Blue Bloods
#2 Masquerade
#3 Revelations
#4 The Van Alen Legacy
#4.5 Keys to the Repository
#5 Misguided Angel
#5.5 Bloody Valentine
#6 Lost in Time
#7 The Gates of Paradise

Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Revelations (Blue Bloods novel)

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher: Hyperion 2008

Genre: Vampire; Young Adult

Pages: 264

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; YA; Vampires

Wow!! I am so in love with this series. I love the characters, the twists and turns, the mythology. I can't say enough about this series. And the third book has blown me away. I am so invested in these characters. I am shocked by the revelations (hee hee) in this book. I am wondering where de la Cruz is going with this. What's going to happen? Who's going to die next? Who's going to be revealed as a traitor? I don't know but I want to find out.

This morning I was about halfway through the book. I went to the coffeehouse, checked my mail, checked Facebook, and wrote my Music Monday post. Since no one was here, I thought "I'll read a bit." A bit turned into finished the book all in one shot. Now that's what I call getting sucked into a book. Everything else fell away. I wasn't even listening to any music. I just sat and read, finished the book, and really wanting to dive into the fourth book in the series. But I should take a bit of a break. Finish checking my mail. Apply for a few more jobs. The usual. But I promise I will get to the fourth book today. Possibly within the hour.

Blue Bloods

#1 Blue Bloods
#2 Masquerade
#3 Revelations
#4 The Van Alen Legacy
#4.5 Keys to the Repository
#5 Misguided Angel
#5.5 Bloody Valentine
#6 Lost in Time
#7 The Gates of Paradise

Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Masquerade

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher: Hyperion

Genre: Vampire; Young Adult

Pages: 307

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; YA; Vampires

Very excited about this book. I thought the first in the series, Blue Bloods, was an interesting take on vampire mythology. And then I read the second one and absolutely loved it. All the twists and turns of the larger mythology. All the interesting characters. The moody scenes. The descriptions of the ball. The book was amazing. I loved every page of it.

The second book took an interesting turn. I still love Schuyler and Oliver and I think I love them more. I still hate Mimi, but now I understand her more. And I'm pretty sure Bliss is now my favorite character in the series. I won't give away any of the spoilers, but I will say that the inclusion of a new character, Kingsley Martin, really throws the entire series. We now have another force to deal with. One that we don't have resolved at the end of the book, but one that I am sure will be back soon.

I definitely will be reading the third book, Revelations, next...

Blue Bloods

#1 Blue Bloods
#2 Masquerade
#3 Revelations
#4 The Van Alen Legacy
#4.5 Keys to the Repository
#5 Misguided Angel
#5.5 Bloody Valentine
#6 Lost in Time
#7 The Gates of Paradise

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Blue Blods

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher: Hyperion 2006

Genre: Vampire; Young Adult

Pages: 302

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Support Your Local Library; YA; Vampires

This series appeared on so many book blogs, I had to pick it up. When I start a series, I want to be able to read the entire thing back to back. Thankfully, the library had five books in this series, so I got them all. And read the first one in 4 hours.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Loved the characters (loved Oliver and Bliss and Schuyler and hated Mimi). Loved the different vampire mythology. Loved the setting (upper class vampires in NYC, obvious now that I think about it). Loved the cliffhanger (great set up for the rest of the series). The inclusion of dog familiars was a great addition.

I definitely want to start on the next book in the series. Thank goodness I got it from the library.

Blue Bloods

#1 Blue Bloods
#2 Masquerade
#3 Revelations
#4 The Van Alen Legacy
#4.5 Keys to the Repository
#5 Misguided Angel
#5.5 Bloody Valentine
#6 Lost in Time
#7 The Gates of Paradise