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With Pen In Hand
A Pride and Prejudice What If story. What if Elizabeth Bennet was a writer, known under a man's name, and had made a very profitable career for herself? She has made her family's future secure and now faces a new facet in her life, learning how to survive a relationship.
- GenresHistorical Romance
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2012
30 people are currently reading
49 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 - 18 of 18 reviews
gave-up
August 13, 2016In lieu of a review I am writing an open letter to the author
Dear Melanie,
I want to like your books, I really do. I've bought a good number. You have some really good ideas for plots. But when it comes to presentation you let me down.
Please accept some constructive criticism. Please re-read Pride and Prejudice, not for characterization, yours is quite good. You really have a handle on your characters and their behavior. It is the dialogue where your books become unreadable. The language is stilted and silly. People repeat the same sentence back and forth to one another.
Editing isn't the same as spell check. Loose and Lose are not the same word. Proof reading is making sure that the plot flows. When Mrs. Gardiner tells Lizzy about a visitor and then the next paragraph she interrupts Lizzy anew and tells her about lunch and the visitor arrives after lunch you need to proof read.
You do have talent but it is buried under mistakes and dreary dialogue.
Dear Melanie,
I want to like your books, I really do. I've bought a good number. You have some really good ideas for plots. But when it comes to presentation you let me down.
Please accept some constructive criticism. Please re-read Pride and Prejudice, not for characterization, yours is quite good. You really have a handle on your characters and their behavior. It is the dialogue where your books become unreadable. The language is stilted and silly. People repeat the same sentence back and forth to one another.
Editing isn't the same as spell check. Loose and Lose are not the same word. Proof reading is making sure that the plot flows. When Mrs. Gardiner tells Lizzy about a visitor and then the next paragraph she interrupts Lizzy anew and tells her about lunch and the visitor arrives after lunch you need to proof read.
You do have talent but it is buried under mistakes and dreary dialogue.
September 19, 2023
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***
>>Rating: Mature: violence, death, revenge, abduction, insanity, you know, the usual Schertz plot. The sex scenes were fairly graphic and not for a young reader. I’m thinking it may have been too much for someone my age. There certainly was a blush factor.
>>Angst Level: medium during the time of violence: I held my breath on several occasions. No character is safe in a Schertz story. Even friends are frenemies. Just saying.
>>Source: borrowed from KU [9-18-23]. I volunteered to leave a review of my thoughts and opinions.
Lizzy is an author and has saved the family with her writing and helped rebuild Longbourn after a devastating fire. She invested with her Uncle Gardiner, paid part of the purchase of a house in town, assisted her younger sisters in going to school, helped the tenants, and improved the productivity of the estate by modernizing and using new methods. Apparently, she was an extremely popular author and quite wealthy. This was the part that didn’t quite ring true. So, you have to just roll on as that is a Schertz trait, and go with it.
It was a strange feeling having all the family looking up to Elizabeth. Even Mrs. Bennet was not averse to singing the praises of her second daughter. That was almost too much to read. Everyone loved Elizabeth. Well, there were a few who didn’t but they were dealt with in quick order. This was a mild read compared to previous books by this author. I almost miss having the mayhem and destruction. I know. I must be in a vengeful mood.
>>Rating: Mature: violence, death, revenge, abduction, insanity, you know, the usual Schertz plot. The sex scenes were fairly graphic and not for a young reader. I’m thinking it may have been too much for someone my age. There certainly was a blush factor.
>>Angst Level: medium during the time of violence: I held my breath on several occasions. No character is safe in a Schertz story. Even friends are frenemies. Just saying.
>>Source: borrowed from KU [9-18-23]. I volunteered to leave a review of my thoughts and opinions.
Lizzy is an author and has saved the family with her writing and helped rebuild Longbourn after a devastating fire. She invested with her Uncle Gardiner, paid part of the purchase of a house in town, assisted her younger sisters in going to school, helped the tenants, and improved the productivity of the estate by modernizing and using new methods. Apparently, she was an extremely popular author and quite wealthy. This was the part that didn’t quite ring true. So, you have to just roll on as that is a Schertz trait, and go with it.
It was a strange feeling having all the family looking up to Elizabeth. Even Mrs. Bennet was not averse to singing the praises of her second daughter. That was almost too much to read. Everyone loved Elizabeth. Well, there were a few who didn’t but they were dealt with in quick order. This was a mild read compared to previous books by this author. I almost miss having the mayhem and destruction. I know. I must be in a vengeful mood.
July 29, 2015
I borrowed this book from Joy.
There were parts of this tale that had me teary-eyed but others which put me to sleep. I did like reading about "feminism" in Lizzie becoming a successful author and learning from her father as "the son he never had". But as others have questioned: the idea that she would earn enough money to rebuilt Longbourn, invest money, put money aside for dowries, etc. seemed farfetched. So if you can swallow that then we move on to Lizzie's reaction to Darcy's condescending attitude about her opinions concerning Netherfield and its condition and value. She is portrayed as a very intelligent woman so why would she expect any male in that day and age to look on a woman's knowledge and opinions any differently.
The story up to about 60% had a lot of action with some angst. Wickham makes the scene and is dealt with. Then we become mired down in more or less every day events. Darcy is in love; he desires Elizabeth. Yes, it is sweet to read of so many of our beloved individuals learning the value of marrying for love and even finding their future financial states not as dire as they imagined. We do lose one actor and another meets a fate, which some will cheer about. But I was hoping for a little more angst in the latter part of this book.
I did like, very much, the changes not only brought about in the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and the culmination of that closeness but also Mrs. Bennet's change of attitude towards Elizabeth. Most stories never change the character of Mrs. B as she rants and raves about Elizabeth's having no pity for her nerves and how the family will be thrown into the hedgerows upon Mr. Bennet's death. The younger Bennet sisters get only a small amount of page time but Jane lives on as in canon, Elizabeth’s dear sister destined to marry well, also.
One review mentioned how we never get to read of Darcy receiving the long letter to her "soon-to-be husband". I, too, noted that missing event. I half expected that was what he was going to read when he found the bound papers in his satchel.
All in all this was a pleasant read. As I have recently read many of this author’s stories I was relieved that this one did not have death, destruction and general mayhem. There were tense moments but all ended well.
There were parts of this tale that had me teary-eyed but others which put me to sleep. I did like reading about "feminism" in Lizzie becoming a successful author and learning from her father as "the son he never had". But as others have questioned: the idea that she would earn enough money to rebuilt Longbourn, invest money, put money aside for dowries, etc. seemed farfetched. So if you can swallow that then we move on to Lizzie's reaction to Darcy's condescending attitude about her opinions concerning Netherfield and its condition and value. She is portrayed as a very intelligent woman so why would she expect any male in that day and age to look on a woman's knowledge and opinions any differently.
The story up to about 60% had a lot of action with some angst. Wickham makes the scene and is dealt with. Then we become mired down in more or less every day events. Darcy is in love; he desires Elizabeth. Yes, it is sweet to read of so many of our beloved individuals learning the value of marrying for love and even finding their future financial states not as dire as they imagined. We do lose one actor and another meets a fate, which some will cheer about. But I was hoping for a little more angst in the latter part of this book.
I did like, very much, the changes not only brought about in the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and the culmination of that closeness but also Mrs. Bennet's change of attitude towards Elizabeth. Most stories never change the character of Mrs. B as she rants and raves about Elizabeth's having no pity for her nerves and how the family will be thrown into the hedgerows upon Mr. Bennet's death. The younger Bennet sisters get only a small amount of page time but Jane lives on as in canon, Elizabeth’s dear sister destined to marry well, also.
One review mentioned how we never get to read of Darcy receiving the long letter to her "soon-to-be husband". I, too, noted that missing event. I half expected that was what he was going to read when he found the bound papers in his satchel.
All in all this was a pleasant read. As I have recently read many of this author’s stories I was relieved that this one did not have death, destruction and general mayhem. There were tense moments but all ended well.
May 15, 2016
I think this will appeal to most JAFF readers. It started sweet and was endearing. Mrs Bennet complimented and came to Elizabeth's defense. There was some mayhem but more on the lines of most JAFF books. Nothing overdramatic. I liked it very much.
March 14, 2024
This is one of this author's earlier books and it shows unfortunately. Melanie Schertz is the queen of dramatic variations and generally I take them in good part but this one is just too error strewn with words and phrasing used incorrectly or the use of language which is not period appropriate.
The author falls headlong into the hole which is the use of first names indiscriminately. This is not only period inappropriate for the early 19th century but was not at all common until the later half of the 20th century. As an example Austen clearly refers to "Aunt Gardiner" with no hint of a first name but in this book everyone uses first names including the Earl referring to Mr Gardiner by his first name only.
This author tends to make Elizabeth very young, unrealistically young, in her writing which she also does here.
The above might have merited 3* but I find I have zero patience any longer for the repeated use of the threat of sexual violence in books and therefore another star is dropped. It is a lazy plot option and very distasteful.
The author falls headlong into the hole which is the use of first names indiscriminately. This is not only period inappropriate for the early 19th century but was not at all common until the later half of the 20th century. As an example Austen clearly refers to "Aunt Gardiner" with no hint of a first name but in this book everyone uses first names including the Earl referring to Mr Gardiner by his first name only.
This author tends to make Elizabeth very young, unrealistically young, in her writing which she also does here.
The above might have merited 3* but I find I have zero patience any longer for the repeated use of the threat of sexual violence in books and therefore another star is dropped. It is a lazy plot option and very distasteful.
January 14, 2014
I enjoyed this tremendously. I liked the whole premise. Elizabeth Bennett a writer is believable. I did feel that the characters were not quite in tune with the originals. It did not detract me however from enjoying the book. I enjoyed mr and mrs Bennett in this novel. The change was a welcome one. Lady Catherine was beyond despicable. Let me just say "poor Anne".
August 26, 2016
3.5 out of 5 stars
So far I have only read two of Melanie Schertz‘s books, although I have a few more waiting on my kindle waiting for me to read but I would need days of 40 hours! Apart from With Pen in Hand, I have read Darcy’s Continental Escape and I really liked it. I have liked With Pen in Hand, however, it is too sugary for me. Spoiler below
So far I have only read two of Melanie Schertz‘s books, although I have a few more waiting on my kindle waiting for me to read but I would need days of 40 hours! Apart from With Pen in Hand, I have read Darcy’s Continental Escape and I really liked it. I have liked With Pen in Hand, however, it is too sugary for me. Spoiler below
January 10, 2015
A Pride and Prejudice variation where Elizabeth becomes a writer and saves her family from financial ruin. Also she and Darcy met and fall in love fairly early.
September 18, 2024
3.5*
drama! Perhaps if Lizzy were older this would be more convincing. I also got whiplash from her changed opinion of Darcy. For goodness sake she's a Regency period nineteen year old gentlewoman who, on first (second but still) acquaintance, just tells D that Netherfield is too rundown to be worth letting. He's not rude about it, but says that he'll still go to inspect it with Bingley as he had promised and she throws a epic snit and storms out like a 5YO. Expecting him to apologize (of course he does) but seriously, she is n.i.n.e.t.e.e.n. Without having proved that she knows what she's about. Why in the world would anyone just accept her opinion as gospel? On second meeting. Brief, brief meeting at that. Then a week (less?) later they're basically mooning over each other. Whiplash – where did that come from? Anyway... that's just the beginning. Little angst between ODC afterwards, angst from outside but quickly resolved. I generally like her books, even those where the writing is clunky but this one just ... irked
drama! Perhaps if Lizzy were older this would be more convincing. I also got whiplash from her changed opinion of Darcy. For goodness sake she's a Regency period nineteen year old gentlewoman who, on first (second but still) acquaintance, just tells D that Netherfield is too rundown to be worth letting. He's not rude about it, but says that he'll still go to inspect it with Bingley as he had promised and she throws a epic snit and storms out like a 5YO. Expecting him to apologize (of course he does) but seriously, she is n.i.n.e.t.e.e.n. Without having proved that she knows what she's about. Why in the world would anyone just accept her opinion as gospel? On second meeting. Brief, brief meeting at that. Then a week (less?) later they're basically mooning over each other. Whiplash – where did that come from? Anyway... that's just the beginning. Little angst between ODC afterwards, angst from outside but quickly resolved. I generally like her books, even those where the writing is clunky but this one just ... irked
February 21, 2024
3.0 Stars
I like that the author gave me tidbits about Darcy and Elizabeth's courtship. Unfortunately, that's all this book was about: the day-to-day life, which involves meeting family, outings, shopping, dinners, etc.
There is a little drama with Wickham and Lady Catherine but that doesn't last long.
I like that the author gave me tidbits about Darcy and Elizabeth's courtship. Unfortunately, that's all this book was about: the day-to-day life, which involves meeting family, outings, shopping, dinners, etc.
There is a little drama with Wickham and Lady Catherine but that doesn't last long.
July 21, 2022
Charming, from first to last.
Yes, there are a few scenes that “charming” is not in the same neighborhood, or even the planet, but everything else in the story is utterly charming. Low angst, no fights, no misunderstandings… just love developing as it should.
Yes, there are a few scenes that “charming” is not in the same neighborhood, or even the planet, but everything else in the story is utterly charming. Low angst, no fights, no misunderstandings… just love developing as it should.
July 27, 2022
Interminable
February 25, 2024
This story would have been a 5 but for the unexpected explicit porn.
January 7, 2025
4.5 rounded up because it's fiction and I don't have to care if it's hard to believe that Elizabeth could have made so much money to repair Longbourn and save the family, starting at such a young age. I liked the story, and cracked up at her pseudonyms, Ben Long and E. B. Gardens, haha.
This author always has plots with some wild twists and people who are completely evil lunatics. Never a dull moment!
One of the things I really liked was how Mrs. Bennet came to realize that it was Elizabeth's education that allowed her to make money from her books, so she encouraged the other daughters to get educated.
I recommend this book!
This author always has plots with some wild twists and people who are completely evil lunatics. Never a dull moment!
One of the things I really liked was how Mrs. Bennet came to realize that it was Elizabeth's education that allowed her to make money from her books, so she encouraged the other daughters to get educated.
I recommend this book!
March 20, 2013
It had promise but just felt flat. Actually mostly felt like an ode to how wonderful and amazing Lizzy was a how much everyone related to her adored her. The one bit of tension (ie Wickham) was dealt with by the half way point and from there on it just seemed like push to make their lives as idyllic as possible by removing not only Darcy and Elizabeth's concerns but the concerns of all those surrounding them.
April 15, 2020
Great story
A delightful story from beginning to the end. I welcomed a new side to some of the characters. Evil Wickham and Lady Catherine worse than in original. Found that this would have truly made life easier if truer. Great storyline, fantastic plot, and highly recommended to read.
A delightful story from beginning to the end. I welcomed a new side to some of the characters. Evil Wickham and Lady Catherine worse than in original. Found that this would have truly made life easier if truer. Great storyline, fantastic plot, and highly recommended to read.
February 12, 2019
Fantastic as always
August 2, 2016
My comments
Very enjoyable if a little romanticized about peerage marriages and women writers at the time but I did like it.
Very enjoyable if a little romanticized about peerage marriages and women writers at the time but I did like it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews