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Lost to the Ocean
A Pride and Prejudice variation. Elizabeth Bennet and Georgiana Darcy were friends of long standing when they ventured a trip together to Ramsgate. While there, they are kidnapped by George Wickham, taken on a waiting ship which was to take them to Portugal. But these plans are waylaid by a storm which destroys the ship, leaving the young ladies on the shores of war torn France. While Georgiana's brother rushes to find them, could there be someone still in England who was mysteriously behind Wickham's behavior?
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2013
29 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Schertz
47 books59 followersI am a retired crime lab/crime scene technician, having worked for a local police department for 15 years. Since then, I have become disabled. Forgot to get the extended warranty on the body. In my spare time, I make jewelry, am a photographer, and a full time mom and grandma.
My daughter by birth is Catie, and she is the dearest part of my life. Through her, I have 2 daughters by heart, Heather and Kristina. Through Heather and her awesome man, Stan, I have 4 amazing grandchildren, Purgi, Penne, Myles, and Persephene.
Besides my human family, I have a canine son, who is my service dog, Darcy. I also have 4 feline daughters (Salem, Lizzy, Dagonet, and Freya ). I now have 5 grandpuppies, 2 grandkitties.
Two days after I received my first ever royalty check, I adopted Darcy and Lizzy. Fitting names, I thought. And they resemble the characters. Lizzy is mischievous, yet loving, climbing up high as if she were in a tree. Darcy is extremely protective and loving. He has his shy side, which is clear when around some people, until he comes to know he can trust them.
My daughter by birth is Catie, and she is the dearest part of my life. Through her, I have 2 daughters by heart, Heather and Kristina. Through Heather and her awesome man, Stan, I have 4 amazing grandchildren, Purgi, Penne, Myles, and Persephene.
Besides my human family, I have a canine son, who is my service dog, Darcy. I also have 4 feline daughters (Salem, Lizzy, Dagonet, and Freya ). I now have 5 grandpuppies, 2 grandkitties.
Two days after I received my first ever royalty check, I adopted Darcy and Lizzy. Fitting names, I thought. And they resemble the characters. Lizzy is mischievous, yet loving, climbing up high as if she were in a tree. Darcy is extremely protective and loving. He has his shy side, which is clear when around some people, until he comes to know he can trust them.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 8, 2016
You know you are in for a ride with Melanie – lots of action, devious plans by sometimes surprising perpetrators or the men/women who hire them, mayhem, murder, kidnapping, rescues, and consequences. And the characters from P&P canon take on somewhat different personalities and behaviors.
I have to relate that contrary to other of her stories, this story of Melanie’s had me teary-eyed several times. And Lady Catherine, having loss her daughter years ago, bounds onto the scene with all the imperious behavior as we are familiar with in canon but this time it is with much more insight and concern. Additionally she is not lax in giving out praise or even in defending new members of her extended family in the face of society’s judgments.
And after an early pinnacle of action and then another just as you think “it’s safe to go in the water”…
Elizabeth has become friends with Georgiana after seeing her run down by a careless rider in Hyde Park. Richard has met G.’s new friend and approved of the relationship so when Georgiana and her new companion take a trip to Ramsgate, E. is invited along…but insists on paying her way so as not to be thought of taking advantage of a new and wealthy friend. The stage is set, Wickham and Mrs. Younge attempt their villainy but when Richard shows up, Elizabeth interferes, he is shot and the rest of the party departs or is dragged to a ship waiting to take them to Lisbon from where ransom will be demanded. Plans go awry. And with the 2 nations at war a very undercover rescue is planned from two locations.
But this is just the beginning of this story. Darcy has never met this person who has befriended his sister and is even leery of her part in the story. Can he trust her? Did she aid in the plans by Wickham to gain funds from Darcy? Did Wickham plan this elaborate scheme alone? Only reading will reveal just how twisted a plot can be and in its failure how those touched by evil, by failure do not give up.
There is even romance for “Mr. Nowhere Man” who has lost his wife in an act of insanity within the family as well as love stories for other Bennet sisters and (gasp!) an old married couple. This novel does have fewer errata than other Schertz books but the ending was rather anticlimactic and dragged on with details of house hunting and wedding plans. I like to read this author’s books as they stretch the limits of imagination as to how outlandish their troubles can be written. But in the end all is well.
I have to relate that contrary to other of her stories, this story of Melanie’s had me teary-eyed several times. And Lady Catherine, having loss her daughter years ago, bounds onto the scene with all the imperious behavior as we are familiar with in canon but this time it is with much more insight and concern. Additionally she is not lax in giving out praise or even in defending new members of her extended family in the face of society’s judgments.
And after an early pinnacle of action and then another just as you think “it’s safe to go in the water”…
Elizabeth has become friends with Georgiana after seeing her run down by a careless rider in Hyde Park. Richard has met G.’s new friend and approved of the relationship so when Georgiana and her new companion take a trip to Ramsgate, E. is invited along…but insists on paying her way so as not to be thought of taking advantage of a new and wealthy friend. The stage is set, Wickham and Mrs. Younge attempt their villainy but when Richard shows up, Elizabeth interferes, he is shot and the rest of the party departs or is dragged to a ship waiting to take them to Lisbon from where ransom will be demanded. Plans go awry. And with the 2 nations at war a very undercover rescue is planned from two locations.
But this is just the beginning of this story. Darcy has never met this person who has befriended his sister and is even leery of her part in the story. Can he trust her? Did she aid in the plans by Wickham to gain funds from Darcy? Did Wickham plan this elaborate scheme alone? Only reading will reveal just how twisted a plot can be and in its failure how those touched by evil, by failure do not give up.
There is even romance for “Mr. Nowhere Man” who has lost his wife in an act of insanity within the family as well as love stories for other Bennet sisters and (gasp!) an old married couple. This novel does have fewer errata than other Schertz books but the ending was rather anticlimactic and dragged on with details of house hunting and wedding plans. I like to read this author’s books as they stretch the limits of imagination as to how outlandish their troubles can be written. But in the end all is well.
April 13, 2024
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***
>>Rating: Mature: It’s a Schertz book and not to be ignored. Violence, murder, insanity, mayhem, descriptions of a death scene, murder attempt, shots fired, knives, guns, and sharp implements used to inflict wounds. Good grief, there was more blood in this story than the ER on a Saturday night with a full moon. The death of major and minor characters.
>>Angst Level: Yeah, it was a nail-biter
>>Source: Borrowed from KU [4-5-24] I volunteered to leave a review of my thoughts and opinions.
>>Trope: there were many changes in this story. We have a nice Lady Catherine. Oh, I adored her. Mrs. Bennet calmed her nerves and was a pleasant person. Wait, did I just say that? Yep, she was. Lydia and Kitty were present but were in the background and quiet for the most part.
Villains: OMG! Those that were bad, were very bad and those that were insane, were outright crazy, and their lies lasted far longer than I thought they should. Surprise pairing for one of the Bennet daughters. I liked it.
It all started in Ramsgate [of course] with the traitorous companion and the SBRB. From there the story exploded. This is a Schertz story, after all. It included all the violence, mayhem, insanity, destruction, and murder she is known for. I can’t even mention who died, which was a surprise as well as who the mastermind was behind the abductions. It was exciting, that’s for sure. I could hardly put it down. I finally went to bed in the wee hours of the morning.
>>Rating: Mature: It’s a Schertz book and not to be ignored. Violence, murder, insanity, mayhem, descriptions of a death scene, murder attempt, shots fired, knives, guns, and sharp implements used to inflict wounds. Good grief, there was more blood in this story than the ER on a Saturday night with a full moon. The death of major and minor characters.
>>Angst Level: Yeah, it was a nail-biter
>>Source: Borrowed from KU [4-5-24] I volunteered to leave a review of my thoughts and opinions.
>>Trope: there were many changes in this story. We have a nice Lady Catherine. Oh, I adored her. Mrs. Bennet calmed her nerves and was a pleasant person. Wait, did I just say that? Yep, she was. Lydia and Kitty were present but were in the background and quiet for the most part.
Villains: OMG! Those that were bad, were very bad and those that were insane, were outright crazy, and their lies lasted far longer than I thought they should. Surprise pairing for one of the Bennet daughters. I liked it.
It all started in Ramsgate [of course] with the traitorous companion and the SBRB. From there the story exploded. This is a Schertz story, after all. It included all the violence, mayhem, insanity, destruction, and murder she is known for. I can’t even mention who died, which was a surprise as well as who the mastermind was behind the abductions. It was exciting, that’s for sure. I could hardly put it down. I finally went to bed in the wee hours of the morning.
December 28, 2015
It's a good story, but not such good writing. I always find that the P&P books Ms. Schertz creates are worth reading. She is creative and imaginative and obviously loves "playing" with the characters in different situations.
However, I ALWAYS end up wishing she would work with another collaborator or editor because the writing itself is wooden; the dialogue between characters (and there's a lot of it) is particularly stiff and unnatural-sounding.
And there is SO much over-explanation: An event is described as it happens, then 2 or 3 different characters describe the same events in dialogue or a letter without anything new being revealed.
I will say that this book had far fewer glaring format, grammar and spelling errors than I have read in some of her other books, but the writing is still poor compared to many other P&P variations.
However, I ALWAYS end up wishing she would work with another collaborator or editor because the writing itself is wooden; the dialogue between characters (and there's a lot of it) is particularly stiff and unnatural-sounding.
And there is SO much over-explanation: An event is described as it happens, then 2 or 3 different characters describe the same events in dialogue or a letter without anything new being revealed.
I will say that this book had far fewer glaring format, grammar and spelling errors than I have read in some of her other books, but the writing is still poor compared to many other P&P variations.
July 20, 2016
One major tragedy after the other with fluff in the middle.
April 2, 2024
This is not this author's typical fare. There are horrible villains and murders and mayhem but unusually it's only a small portion of the story, the remaining part is a normal fanfiction material with lots of mush and family which is usually nice but was unexpected by me going in.
July 19, 2013
I read the Kindle sample of this book and decided it was worth buying. The first 1/4 of the book covering the plot of Wickham kidnapping Georgiana & Elizabeth was great. It strained credibility as to how Elizabeth and Georgian were friends but that was a minor concern.
Once the action moved to Merryton I was disappointed by the plot and the writing. Too often dialogue was painfully stilted, so much that it was hard to read. And the plot twists were absurd to an extreme.
I would not recommend this book.
Once the action moved to Merryton I was disappointed by the plot and the writing. Too often dialogue was painfully stilted, so much that it was hard to read. And the plot twists were absurd to an extreme.
I would not recommend this book.
July 7, 2019
The best!
May 5, 2022
Great Book
Wow loved it, good story love it when the villans are punished. Loved lady Catherine,and Mrs Bennett too. Great love story.!!
Wow loved it, good story love it when the villans are punished. Loved lady Catherine,and Mrs Bennett too. Great love story.!!
June 12, 2023
Lost to the Ocean
I loved this story, because while Georgiana is friends with Lizzy for three plus years, Darcy has never met her. When George Wickham and Mrs. Younge kidnap them for ransom, Darcy wonders whether she was in cahoots with them. Even though Richard Fitzwilliam was wounded, he sets Darcy straight about this wondering. A storm wreaks the ship they were traveling on and the two find help from two English ladies living in France where they drifted from the wreckage. Now knowing that the ship they were on was the wreckage they saw on their way to Lisbon, Darcy’s ship must back track up the coast. Luckily, men he sent over land locate the two, and the girls and their saviors escape France. Darcy falls in love with Lizzy on the way back. Caroline Bingley is deranged more than normal and in her delusional state, causes the death of her maid, herself, her sister, and wounds Darcy. Lizzy takes charge of the fiasco that ensues. Darcy’s family arrives. Loved Lady Catherine in this story. Still a force to be reckoned with, but she loves Lizzy from the start. Still some heart wrenching moments before there are many HEAs.
I loved this story, because while Georgiana is friends with Lizzy for three plus years, Darcy has never met her. When George Wickham and Mrs. Younge kidnap them for ransom, Darcy wonders whether she was in cahoots with them. Even though Richard Fitzwilliam was wounded, he sets Darcy straight about this wondering. A storm wreaks the ship they were traveling on and the two find help from two English ladies living in France where they drifted from the wreckage. Now knowing that the ship they were on was the wreckage they saw on their way to Lisbon, Darcy’s ship must back track up the coast. Luckily, men he sent over land locate the two, and the girls and their saviors escape France. Darcy falls in love with Lizzy on the way back. Caroline Bingley is deranged more than normal and in her delusional state, causes the death of her maid, herself, her sister, and wounds Darcy. Lizzy takes charge of the fiasco that ensues. Darcy’s family arrives. Loved Lady Catherine in this story. Still a force to be reckoned with, but she loves Lizzy from the start. Still some heart wrenching moments before there are many HEAs.
January 13, 2024
Wonderfully written
Okay there were some places of confusion, carnage, and well
It began with a kidnapping and kept moving to a rescue next are several romances but in between more deaths and destruction.
Okay so I’m not making sense but it’s 5 in the morning - Darcy begins rather harsh but soon changes to be his Darcy in love character. Elizabeth is strong, smart, and stubborn. Colonel Fitzwilliam solves the stubborn concerns. Jane transforms to someone we can admire. Thomas Bennett has his own truly amazing transformation. There are more details but I would be ruining it.
I highly recommend this variation.
Okay there were some places of confusion, carnage, and well
It began with a kidnapping and kept moving to a rescue next are several romances but in between more deaths and destruction.
Okay so I’m not making sense but it’s 5 in the morning - Darcy begins rather harsh but soon changes to be his Darcy in love character. Elizabeth is strong, smart, and stubborn. Colonel Fitzwilliam solves the stubborn concerns. Jane transforms to someone we can admire. Thomas Bennett has his own truly amazing transformation. There are more details but I would be ruining it.
I highly recommend this variation.
April 10, 2024
A lot going on
For a book titled lost to the sea, there is minimal lost or sea in the book. That being said there was a lot going on. Elizabeth and Georgiana are friends from the beginning but somehow Elizabeth hadn't ever met Darcy before. The are quick to court after meeting. That being said the secondary characters get up to a lot of shenanigans in this story, particularly Caroline Bingley. It was also one of those books where I wanted to shake the characters for being oblivious at times. Overall though the book was well done and kept your attention. The emotions and reactions were fairly believable and the characters closer to canon. Darcy seemed a little more distracted over Elizabeth than you'd expect but not enough to be annoying. I did end up liking Mr. Hurst which was surprising and Jane grew a backbone somewhat.
For a book titled lost to the sea, there is minimal lost or sea in the book. That being said there was a lot going on. Elizabeth and Georgiana are friends from the beginning but somehow Elizabeth hadn't ever met Darcy before. The are quick to court after meeting. That being said the secondary characters get up to a lot of shenanigans in this story, particularly Caroline Bingley. It was also one of those books where I wanted to shake the characters for being oblivious at times. Overall though the book was well done and kept your attention. The emotions and reactions were fairly believable and the characters closer to canon. Darcy seemed a little more distracted over Elizabeth than you'd expect but not enough to be annoying. I did end up liking Mr. Hurst which was surprising and Jane grew a backbone somewhat.
April 23, 2024
very heartwarming
Melanie has a way of pulling on your heartstrings as she tells her stories. It’s hard sometimes to deal with the villains as they can be truly evil. But given that these are variations she does justice to the ideas and gives are beloved characters a chance at love. And it’s nice that sometimes Lady Catherine is lovable.
Melanie has a way of pulling on your heartstrings as she tells her stories. It’s hard sometimes to deal with the villains as they can be truly evil. But given that these are variations she does justice to the ideas and gives are beloved characters a chance at love. And it’s nice that sometimes Lady Catherine is lovable.
August 3, 2020
Great but a little odd?
Most of this p p. treatment reads well,until it seems to struggle with stilted verbose dialogue, poor grammar and spelling, seems the edit was abandoned,overall I enjoyed it
Most of this p p. treatment reads well,until it seems to struggle with stilted verbose dialogue, poor grammar and spelling, seems the edit was abandoned,overall I enjoyed it
June 14, 2019
Wonderful
Yet another wonderful variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice by Melanie Schertz. Thoroughly enjoyable as usual
Yet another wonderful variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice by Melanie Schertz. Thoroughly enjoyable as usual
September 20, 2019
This one is mild for Melanie. Only one broken bone 2 gun shots but I have to say I do like these stories.
May 23, 2015
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Georgiana Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet have been friends for a few years. On holiday in Ramsgate they are both kidnapped and to be held for ransom by Wickham and Mrs Younge, and taken aboard a ship destined for Portugal.....
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews