Review: Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

Hardcover, 231 pages

Released: January 1st 2011

Publisher: Point

ISBN: 9780545240772

After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn’t interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be — especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.

Lizzie is happy about her friend’s burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles’s friend, Will Darcy, who’s snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn’t seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it’s because her family doesn’t have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk — so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?

Will Lizzie’s pride and Will’s prejudice keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? Whatever the result, Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Lonely Hearts Club, has concocted a very funny, completely stylish delight for any season — prom or otherwise.

My Rating: 4 / 5

My Thoughts:
I really enjoy the contemporary re-telling of Austen books. When done right, the young adult versions have the opportunity to open up a whole new world to readers that have yet to discover classics and I love them for that.

Prom and Prejudice is Elizabeth Eulberg's ode to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. What I think is most important in a re-telling, and Elizabeth tackles perfectly, is keeping the essence of the characters: Lizzie is quick to judge, Darcy appears uptight & arrogant while Wickham is a snake. Although some characters are missing or changed (for instance Jane is her best friend, Lydia is Jane's sister), the gist of the story remains: Lizzie is initially turned off by Darcy's withdrawn and snobbish appearance, while Lizzie learns the hard way of Wickham's true nature. I loved how the author altered the story a bit by incorporating the piano in a different way, creating an opportunity later in the book… such a Happily Ever After feeling when you get to the end.

We all know how it ends, but it sure if fun to see how Lizzie and Darcy get there! Prom and Prejudice is a great, cute read that leaves you smiling and feeling satisfied and wanting to (re)read Pride and Prejudice…or at least watch the movie...again!

(and if you haven't already, check our her debut, The Lonely Hearts Club, this should be required reading for young girls! The book is so much fun & contans such an important message of friends & loving oneself. You can find my rave review here)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!!!! Hoping your day is filled with love...or at least some chocolate :) Here's some ideas for those that want to do a little something more then the stereotypical flowers or chocolates to the ones they love...a little blurb from Terry L. Orbuch, Ph.D., author of 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great

TEN WAYS TO SAY “I LOVE YOU”

1. Send an email or text message out of the blue: “Here’s just one reason I love you...”

2. Put a greeting card in the mail. Mail from a spouse is always a surprise.

3. Slip a handmade coupon on his or her pillow—for a foot massage from you, performing a hated chore, washing the car, etc.

4. Make a reservation at the restaurant where you had your first date.

5. Make your spouse a CD collection of the music you first listened to and loved together.

6. Make your partner his or her favorite dinner or dessert.(anything chocolate please & thank you)

7. Read a morning love poem to your partner while he or she is still in bed.

8. Have your favorite photo of you two framed or transferred onto a coffee mug.

9. Send his or her parents a thank-you note for bringing your beloved into the world. (this one sounds a little creepy!)

10. Buy a DVD on massage and tell your spouse to schedule an appointment. (my fav..hoping hubby reads the blog today of all days, LOL!!)

Excerpted from 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great by Terri L. Orbuch, Ph. D. Copyright © 2009 by Terri L. Orbuch, Ph. D. Excerpted by permission Delacorte , a division of Random House of Canada Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

What are your plans for today? We cheated & ate all our chocolates on the weekend. Hopefully we'll have a nice dinner at home tonight...hmm, maybe I'll make homemade pizza in the shape of a heart?!!!

Guest Post & Giveaway Time with Michelle Moran

I am so honored to have Michelle Moran on the blog today. Not only a fantastic author, she is one of the friendliest authors out there...plus I really really enjoy her blog updates about ancient findings!

Michelle's newest book, Madame Tussaud is set for release this coming Tuesday (February 15th), my review will be out shortly. In the meantime, I have great news for my readers too! Thanks to Michelle, I have a chance to giveaway a signed copy of the book along with and adorable pair of Marie Antoinette cupcake earrings ! After reading Michelle's interesting guest post below, leave a comment telling me if you've ever been to a wax museum & if so where, then fill out the form to enter..easy, peasy.

Please give a warm welcome to Michelle....

MADAME TUSSAUD: The Woman

When most people hear the name Madame Tussaud, the first thing that comes to mind are the eerily lifelike waxworks which crowd her museums throughout the world. But who was the woman behind the name, and what was she like in the flesh?

Madame Tussaud’s story actually began in 18th century Paris. While most people know her from her famous museum in London, it was in France, on the humble Boulevard du Temple, where Marie first got her start as an apprentice in her uncle’s wax museum, the Salon de Cire. At the time, the Boulevard du Temple was crowded with exhibits of every kind. For just a few sous a passerby might attend the opera, watch a puppet show, or visit Henri Charles’ mystifying exhibition The Invisible Girl. The Boulevard was a difficult place to distinguish yourself as an artist, but as Marie’s talent grew for both sculpting and public relations, the Salon de Cire became one of the most popular attractions around. Suddenly, no one could compete with Marie or her uncle for ingenious publicity stunts, and when the royal family supposedly visited their museum, this only solidified what most showmen in Paris already knew — the Salon was an exhibition to watch out for.

But as the Salon’s popularity grew, so did the unusual requests. Noblemen came asking for wax sculptures of their mistresses, women wanted models of their newborn infants, and – most importantly – the king’s sister herself wanted Marie to come to Versailles to be her wax tutor. While this was, in many ways, a dream come true for Marie, it was also a dangerous time to be associated with the royal family. Men like Robespierre, Marat, and Desmoulins were meeting at Marie’s house to discuss the future of the monarchy, and when the Revolution began, Marie found herself in a precarious position. Ultimately, she was given a choice by France’s new leaders: to preserve the famous victims of Madame Guillotine in wax, or be guillotined herself.

Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution is the story of Marie’s life during one of the most tumultuous times in human history. Her survival was nothing less than astonishing, and how she survived makes for what I hope is a compelling read.

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Check out Michelle's blog at michellemoran.blogspot.com

Win an advanced copy of Sins of the House of Borgia!

Like historical fiction? Here's your chance to win an advanced copy of Sins of the House of Borgia by Sarah Bower, which is set for release on March 8th. Entry is easy, peasey, just leave a comment then fill in the form below.

Book blurb from Goodreads.com:

In 1492, when Ferdinand and Isabella expel the Jews from Spain, six year old Esther Sarfati finds herself travelling to Rome to join her father, a successful banker who has helped his fellow Spaniard, Rodrigo Borgia, finance his bid for the Papacy. Nine years later, as Pope Alexander VI, he repays the favour by offering Esther a place in the household of his daughter, Lucrezia, who is about to marry Alfonso d'Este, heir to the Duchy of Ferrara. Against her own better judgement, but in accordance with her father's wishes for her future, Esther converts to Christianity and enters Lucrezia's service as lady-in-waiting. Flattered by Lucrezia's favour, seduced by the friendship of her cousin, Angela Borgia and swept off her feet by Lucrezia's glamorous and dangerous brother, Cesare, she is drawn into a web of intrigue and deceit which will test her heart to its utmost and burden her with secrets she must carry to her grave. Set against the glittering background of the court of Ferrara in the early sixteenth century, this is the heart-breaking story of what happens to an innocent abroad in the world of the Borgias.

Waiting on Wednesday - February 9, 2011

This weekly event is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I can't wait to read Elizabeth I by Margaret George. I've somewhat recently been sucked into historical fiction & find Queen Elizabeth quite fascinating. I have yet to read a book focusing soley on her life, but loved watching the Elizabeth I (TV miniseries).

New York Times bestselling author Margaret George captures history's most enthralling queen-as she confronts rivals to her throne and to her heart.

One of today's premier historical novelists, Margaret George dazzles here as she tackles her most difficult subject yet: the legendary Elizabeth Tudor, queen of enigma-the Virgin Queen who had many suitors, the victor of the Armada who hated war; the gorgeously attired, jewel- bedecked woman who pinched pennies. England's greatest monarch has baffled and intrigued the world for centuries. But what was she really like?

In this novel, her flame-haired, lookalike cousin, Lettice Knollys, thinks she knows all too well. Elizabeth's rival for the love of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and mother to the Earl of Essex, the mercurial nobleman who challenged Elizabeth's throne, Lettice had been intertwined with Elizabeth since childhood. This is a story of two women of fierce intellect and desire, one trying to protect her country, and throne, the other trying to regain power and position for her family and each vying to convince the reader of her own private vision of the truth about Elizabeth's character. Their gripping drama is acted out at the height of the flowering of the Elizabethan age. Shakespeare, Marlowe, Dudley, Raleigh, Drake-all of them swirl through these pages as they swirled through the court and on the high seas.

This is a magnificent, stay-up-all-night page-turner that is George's finest and most compelling novel and one that is sure to please readers of Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory, and Hilary Mantel.

Hardcover, 688 pages

Expected publication: April 5th 2011 by Viking Adult