I am so excited to be a part of the LOVE & WAR Blog Tour and to share 10 of my favorite things about this incredible sequel by Melissa de la Cruz. Though it wasn’t easy to choose just 10, I did manage to narrow the list. But if you really want to know why this book is amazing, you’ll have to read it and discover its magic for yourself.
LOVE & WAR released last week, so if you’d like to grab a copy from your favorite retailer and dive right in, there’s no wait.
And if you’d like to know the 10 reasons I adored ALEX & ELIZA, the first book in the series, I shared them for my tour stop last year.
History isn’t always fascinating or romantic or enjoyable to read about, but Melissa de la Cruz’s version is all of those things and more. To discover a bit more about ALEX & ELIZA and LOVE & WAR, check out the other tour stops – direct links to each of the stops follow at the end of the post.
And to find out my 10 favorite things about LOVE & WAR, they follow the book’s description below.
About LOVE & WAR
Title & Series: LOVE & WAR (Alex & Eliza #2)
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Release date: April 17, 2018
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Pages: 384
Formats: Hardcover, audio, eBook
Read an EXCERPT
Description…
The thrilling romance of young Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler continues in the sizzling sequel to the New York Times bestselling Alex & Eliza: A Love Story
1781. Albany, New York.
As the war for American independence rages on, Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler begin their new life as a married couple. Still, Alex is as determined as ever to prove his mettle and secure his legacy . . . even if that means leaving his beloved Eliza behind to join the front lines at the Battle of Yorktown. But when the war unexpectedly arrives on Eliza’s doorstep, she must fight for a better future–for their fledgling country and for her marriage.
Yet even after the Revolution comes to its historic close, Alex and Eliza’s happily-ever-after is threatened. Eliza struggles to build a home in the hustle and bustle of New York City just as Alex’s burgeoning law practice brings him up against his greatest rival–the ambitious young lawyer Aaron Burr. And with Alex’s star on the rise, Eliza can’t help but feel neglected by a husband who seems to have time for everyone but her. Torn apart by new trials and temptations, can Alex and Eliza’s epic love survive life in the big city?
The battles are just beginning in the sumptuous sequel to Melissa de la Cruz’s New York Times bestselling Alex & Eliza: A Love Story.
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My Top 10 Favorite Things About Love & War
#1 The Challenges
Things were not always easy for Eliza or Alex. The war kept them apart. Alex’s ambition kept him away from home much of the time. But their love for each other was strong enough to withstand the many challenges they faced as husband and wife.
“She knows of your ambitions then? General Schuyler asked pointedly.
Alex’s words caught in his throat. He could not lie to his father-in-law. “We have not discussed it yet, but I know she will understand. She has your own bravery as a prior example, after all.”
“Hamilton,” John said sharply. “She will be crushed.”
#2 The Humor
Much like the first book in the series, the humor makes this book special, and makes the characters more real-to-life. There is no shortage of moments or dialogue that will make you smile.
“May I suggest that for your next couple of visits you wear something more comfortable? Though that gown is beautiful, and you are a vision in it, I will not be ready for oils for at least a few days. I must first learn how your face paints.”
“My face paints?” Eliza laughed nervously. “Unless I were to take the brush between my teeth, I do not think it will paint at all.”
#3 Eliza
In this sequel, Eliza beats Alex, hands down, as my favorite character. Her strength, her bravery, her fortitude, her intelligence – and of course her wit – make her even more likable than when we first met her.
“You have a saucy mouth,” the apparent leader said. “Especially for a genteel, unarmed woman.”
“I am armed with my God-given womanhood, which is more than enough to protect me from the likes of you. And soon enough our father will be back with twenty men, and then I wonder what will protect you,” said Eliza angrily.
#4 The History
It is still an incredibly exciting time in our young nation’s history when this story takes place (1781-1784). We are still fighting. We are still trying to find our way, free from Britain’s rule. There is so much possibility, so much undecided. The need for independence for the colonies goes against the need for a united country. And it all makes for a very compelling read.
It was a heady time of chaos and change. Both young spouses contributed to the political and moral character of this new nation that had, against all odds, torn itself off from the most powerful empire on earth, and found itself in the unexpected position of having to decide what kind of nation it would be. Would it be a monarchy or a republic? A loose confederacy of thirteen competing states, or a unified polity whose far-flung and disparate regions each contributed their unique strengths to make up for the deficiencies and weaknesses of the others?
And above all, how would it conduct itself?
#5 Eliza’s fury
Eliza is not passive or quiet or accepting or docile. She does not fit into society’s expected role for her. And she does not let Alex forget who she is or what she expects from him.
“My darling, please,” Alex said, grabbing her hands. “There are some decisions a man has to do on his own.”
Eliza resisted the urge to pull her hands from Alex, lest she cause a scene. But her fury was so palpable that Alex dropped them of his own accord.
“A man maybe. But a husband–never,” she said coldly. She stormed away from him, her head held high.
#6 The Chapter Titles
I don’t always notice chapter titles. Especially with books I get caught up in. It’s easy to forget they’re there as you race through the story, desperate to uncover what happens next. The more captivating the story, the less likely I am to notice them – even in a print edition, with pretty fonts.
But the chapter titles really stand out in this second installment in the series. They make me that much more intrigued by what I am to discover in the chapter I’m embarking on. And so I make the extra effort to pause to notice them, knowing that they’ll pique my curiosity and make me read just a little bit faster.
And while I won’t reveal all my favorites, my most favorites are: The Man Who Ate New York, Hot Towels!, Don’t Forget to Take Out the Trash, and Salad Days.
#7 Alex
While he may have fallen a bit further down on my list of favorites in this second book in the series, he is still a big part of why I love this story. He is driven. He does love Eliza fiercely. And without Alex there would be no Alex & Eliza.
“My dearest, bravest girl,” he murmured, bending down to kiss her on the soft spot near her ear. “I am home now. You are my home.”
#8 The Writing
I love how Melissa de la Cruz tells a story. Especially one that has been written by history already. She makes it come alive. She makes it relatable and magical, all at once. She turns dry facts into interesting ones. She turns names into people. She turns historical happenings into moments and events.
She certainly made these two historical figures into people I wish I’d met and gotten to know. Especially Eliza Hamilton.
#9 The Marriage
I suppose I could have said the romance, but their marriage was much more than that. There was love. But there were also disagreements and obstacles and challenges. Some due to the time period, some due to expectations of the time, some due to distance, some due to Alex’s drive. It wasn’t a perfect marriage, there was no wedded bliss, but it felt very real and very strong – which is why it’s a top favorite.
And, of course, the fact that even with all of that…
…Alex literally swept her off her feet and carried her over the threshold. Eliza giggled in his arms, giddy to think that they were alone at least–with no servants, sisters, little brothers, or parents in sight…
#10 The Settings (Locations)
Coming in at number 10, once again, I just have to list setting – or in this case settings plural – as a favorite. I always love getting to “see” different places at different times throughout history through an author’s eyes. Even if the settings are sometimes completely or partially fictional.
But I am partial to New York. And I love that a portion of the story is set in the city of New York. It lets me imagine what life was like there at the end of the 18th century following the hard fought battles in the New York Campaign, and the retreat of the British (finally) in 1783.
And while the author didn’t have too much leeway in choosing the settings for her story, she very much made them a wonderful part of it.
About Melissa de la Cruz
Melissa de la Cruz is the #1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and Publishers Weekly internationally bestselling author of many critically acclaimed books for readers of all ages, including Alex & Eliza: A Love Story, Disney’s Descendants novels, the Blue Bloods series, and the Summer on East End series. Her books have sold over eight million copies, and the Witches of East End series became an hour-long television drama on the Lifetime network. Visit her at melissa-delacruz.com
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Other Books in the Series
Title & Series: ALEX & ELIZA (Alex & Eliza #1)
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Release date: April 11, 2017
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Pages: 368
Formats: Hardcover, paperback, audio, eBook
Read an EXCERPT
Description…
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Witches of East End and The Descendants comes the love story of young Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler.
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.
In the pages of Alex and Eliza, #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz brings to life the romance of young Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler.
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The Campaign Schedule
Alex & Eliza: A Love Story
Week One
- April 2nd – Quite the Novel Idea – Creative: Hand-lettering Piece
- April 3rd – Lo’s Lo-Down on Books – Spotlight
- April 4th – Bette’s Pages – Creative DIY – Alex & Eliza Inspired Soaps
- April 5th – The Gypsy Road – Review
Week Two
- April 9th – Booklovers For Life– Spotlight + Review
- April 10th = Just Reading It – Spotlight
- April 11th – The Heart of a Book Blogger – Book Aesthetics
Love & War: An Alex & Eliza Love Story
Week Three
- April 16th – The Blonde Bookworm – Review + Spotlight
- April 17th – The Clockwork Bibliophile – Review + Insta Post
- April 18th – Reading with Wrin – Review
- April 19th – A Page with a View – Favorite Historical Fiction Reads
- April 20th – Bookish_Nel – Creative Photos + Mini Review
Week Four
- April 23rd – Librariel Book Reviews – Review
- April 24th – Teachers Who Read – Review
- April 25th – The Plot Bunny – Creative (A Mini History Lesson on Love, Dating, and Marriage during the 18th Century)
- April 26th – Fiktshun – My Top 10 Favorite Things About Love & War