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The Rushing Waters of Pemberley

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Fitzwilliam Darcy must marry before his next birthday or lose his inheritance. He has never met a young lady who caught his attention, until the swollen river during a storm brings Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Pemberley. Not knowing if her father is dead, and needing protection, will she agree to marrying the man who risked his life to save her from drowning? What will happen when their family and friends begin to arrive at Pemberley? Chapter 20 has a sexual scene at the end of the chapter. It is the only sexual scene in the book. Also, This author is grateful for the services of Kay Tanner, who has aided in making sense of her stories and taking the Americanism out.

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2020

92 people are currently reading
40 people want to read

About the author

Melanie Schertz

47 books59 followers
I 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.

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5 stars
127 (33%)
4 stars
106 (28%)
3 stars
102 (27%)
2 stars
33 (8%)
1 star
9 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Sheila Majczan.
2,698 reviews206 followers
April 13, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

I have read a number of this author's stories and find that she has a very creative imagination. She does also make a number of writing errors but I know that going in.

The blurb sets the premise up well. Elizabeth and her father are traveling to Lambton to visit Mrs. Gardiner's parents when their carriage is swept off a bridge and into a river during a violent rain storm. Escaping the carriage and swept downstream Elizabeth manages to finally grab a branch where she is found as Darcy has heard the panicked horses and come to rescue them. Seeing she is injured and practically turning blue with cold he carries her (on his horse) back to Pemberley where, ironically, it is the man the Bennets were to visit who is the doctor who comes to see to her injuries.

Elizabeth has been compromised plus she also knows that since her father was swept away by the river and seemingly lost Mr. Collins will soon claim Longbourn which means she and her sister and mother will be "thrown into the hedgerows". She also learns that Darcy will lose his estate if he does not marry within the next month. Thus when Darcy offers his hand in marriage they both have good reasons to go with that option.

However there is also a villain...of course. Darcy's cousin, the Viscount, Richard's older brother, who has earned a reputation due to his gambling and cavorting with women has finally reached a point where not only does he find himself unable to "pay the piper" but also finds that both his father and his cousin refuse to help him out. His father has advised him to sell the estate he owns but also has now disowned him.

The plot deepens as the Viscount finds a cohort to help him in his plan to exhort money from Darcy. I will not give you any more clues although some readers may guess who that associate is.

We also have a Mrs. Bennet who is "off her rocker". We know going in that Elizabeth has always been her least favorite daughter but this woman finds even more reasons to accuse Elizabeth of doing everything she can against what her mother deems best. When she learns that Elizabeth has married a man worth ten thousand a year...well, you will find this Mrs. Bennet's behavior even more incredible!

This was an interesting story with an epilogue which kept my attention. There is some MA material.
Profile Image for J. W. Garrett.
1,736 reviews139 followers
February 26, 2021
“What batters you becomes your strength.” –Rainer Maria Rilke

Rating: MA: mature-reader advised due to violence, violence against women, physical abuse, sexual content in one chapter [between a married couple], kidnapping, insanity… yeah, the usual Schertz plotline including the ratio of errors… although that is improving: Source: borrowed from KU 2-24-21: this review may contain spoilers.

What a wild ride, indeed. Schertz never disappoints as she has the most creative plot-lines. I love reading her books in order to see what she has come up with next. Her villains are cruel and sadistic. Someone is always insane to the point of being… well, insane. There will also be a character that is so outrageous they are ridiculous. I wonder who that could be? Bet you figure it out in one guess. I’m not saying. As far as redemption… if a character can be redeemed… Schertz will. If not, they will either die a horrible death or will be shipped off to never return to English soil. Those are only a few of the various and hideous options Schertz reserves for her characters. She usually gives them a chance; however, they will ultimately decide their own fate.

Our Darcy and Elizabeth were adorable right from the start. Lord and Lady Matlock were a strong influence that pushed the story forward. Having L/L Matlock at Pemberley gave strong support to a young couple and the many changes they needed to make to secure the manor house. They certainly had their hands full with their offspring.

It was so enjoyable not having Lady Catherine in this story. That card played in-every-single-JAFF gets old after a time. Schertz took a different route completely. Instead of her august presence, Schertz gave her readers another villain that could trump even Lady Catherine. Without her in the picture, that left Mr. Collins stuck at home serving his patroness. Whew! I didn’t miss him either. Just saying.

“Life is like the river, sometimes it sweeps you gently along and sometimes the rapids come out of nowhere.” –Emma Smith

The book blurb described the situation completely. Lizzy and her father were traveling when they were caught in a violent storm. Their carriage slid off a bridge into a raging river. They were separated as the waters washed them downstream. Elizabeth was rescued by Darcy and the rest, as they say… well, you know. I read this in one sitting, ICNPID [I-could-not-put-it-down]. I had to see how this played out. I recommend this to those who like something wild and different.
Profile Image for James S.
1,437 reviews
March 5, 2020
Down by the river, water of life so cold...

Lizzy almost drowns in a river near Pemberley but Darcy saves her. Darcy needs to marry in the next month or lose Pemberley. If Mr. Bennet is dead the Bennets are in the hedgerows. So there is only one thing to. Darcy and Lizzy are complete strangers but she agrees to marry Darcy. Well that makes sense. ;)

Then things get weird. Another far out story by the author. It’s like eating donuts. You know they are bad for you but they taste so good.

I recommend this donut.
Profile Image for Gail Frisby.
471 reviews13 followers
July 13, 2023
Great Book

Good love story, enjoyed the villains get their due. Loved me Darcy and lizzies love story. Mrs Bennett was off the hook crazy. Miss bingley nuts. The best depiction of Lord Matlock!!!!
Profile Image for Madenna U.
2,149 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2020
A wealthy land owner who must marry before his 30th birthday rescues a beautiful girl from the rushing waters of a river running through his estate. Luckily she is known to the doctor in town who was expecting her and her father for a visit. As her father can not be found, to help his birthday problem, and to save her reputation, there is a quick wedding even as she is still recovering.

In the meantime, the landowners' cousin is over his head in debt and his father will no longer help. He adds a bit of uncertainty to the story, but in the end everyone is recovered and lives happily ever after.
762 reviews8 followers
March 16, 2020
Avid Reader

This was a delightful love at first sight for Elizabeth and Darcy! I enjoy stories of different beginnings other than assemblies. Darcy 's rescue of Elizabeth was priceless. Wickham and Mrs.Bennet were worse than ever. The Viscount finally saw how bad his behavior was when Wickham wanted defile and kill Elizabeth. Mr. Bennet survived the crash and made sure that Mrs.Bennet stayed in the insane asylum because of her hatred and mistreatment of Elizabeth her entire life. Even Mary was treated with kindness! The Viscount was sent to Australia and Miss Bingley to the Americas.
213 reviews2 followers
June 9, 2023
The Rushing Waters of Pemberley

Delightful story. Filled with highly delusional people. Mr. Bennet and Lizzy had traveled to Liverpool to check on one of his investments that was coming from the Americas. Upon leaving Liverpool, heading to Ashbourne then on to Lambton, a severe storm hits. The carriage was crossing the Dove River when the high winds and rains toppled it over the bridge’s edge. Lizzy managed to open the door and escape the carriage. The rushing waters had carried her, as well as the carriage horses, onto Pemberley lands. Hearing the horses struggling, Darcy and his tenant rescues them and then see Lizzy clinging to a tree branch. Darcy rescues her and carries her to Pemberley. Dr. Watson from Lambton arrives to care for the patient. Sets and splints her broken arm, stitches her laceration, and brings his wife who acts as his nurse to care for her. When she awakens, the Watsons realize this is their daughter’s favorite niece, Elizabeth Bennet. These are the parents for her beloved Aunt Gardiner. Letters sent requesting them to make haste to Pemberley. In the meantime, Darcy, sure of Elizabeth’s kindness and generosity, marries her to fulfill his father’s dictate that if not married by his twenty-eight birthday, his inheritance will go to Richard Fitzwilliam. Feeling as he has compromised her, and that his heart is engaged, the Watsons and Lord Matlock witness the nuptials. The Gardiners and their children along with
Mr. Phillips, Mrs. Bennet, and Jane head to Pemberley. Mrs. Bennet (delusional person # 1) makes a complete fool of herself and the brothers have her committed to an asylum. Anthony Fitzwilliam, Matlock’s heir, is worthless (delusional person # 2) comes to try to convince Darcy to give him money for his debts. Darcy refuses his cousin and when his cousin gloats that he’s going to lose his wealth anyway, Darcy tells him that he has married. Anthony conspires with Wickham (delusional person # 3) to abduct Lizzy for ransom. Bingley arrives with Caroline (delusional person # 4) and the Hursts. Kidnapping foiled, Wickham has no intention of letting Darcy’s wife live, and when he turns to shoot, he’s attacked by someone. That someone turns out to be the missing Mr. Bennet. Reunited with his favorite daughter, Mr. Bennet turns Longbourn over to Mary and her husband so that he can travel north to visit his favorite daughters, grandchildren, and his favorite library. Liked that Bingley and Louisa finally grew a backbone and team up against Caroline and sent her on her way.
1,204 reviews31 followers
February 29, 2020
Enjoyable

This is an idealistic and dramatic tale which takes many huge liberties with the basic characters of some of our main players. As the book summary states, Darcy must marry before he turns 28, according to his father's will, or else he loses Pemberly and his inheritance. Elizabeth and her father are traveling near Pemberly when their carriage is swept into a river during a bad storm. Elizabeth is rescued by Darcy and taken to Pemberly to recover, and this is where Darcy acts completely out of character.

Before Darcy has even been properly introduced to Elizabeth, as she is unconscious and ill from her ordeal, he makes the decision to marry her on the strength of what the physician knows about her. Wow. Talk about hasty decisions! Then, Elizabeth agrees to this, as her father is not yet found and her family may need Darcy's protection because of the entail. Then Darcy pushes for an immediate marriage to avoid the mourning period in case Mr. Bennett is found dead. Kind of makes your head spin, all of these quickie, rash decisions.

Luckily, ODC are made for each other. But then, the villains arrive on the scene. The eldest Fitzwilliam son is such a reprobate he has to resort to criminal activity to get the money he needs to cover his debts. Wickham is his sidekick, but is even nastier and is itching to murder someone just to anger Darcy. Caroline Bingley is blatantly hostile to Elizabeth, since Elizabeth is now married to the man she wanted. Mrs. Bennett, in a bid for worst mother ever, verbally abuses Elizabeth openly in front of Darcy, with some surprising consequences.

The writing is fine, but the storyline is somewhat simplistic, even a little juvenile. The book is well written and well edited. I recommend it.
Profile Image for Boosmummy.
380 reviews5 followers
June 28, 2020
The premise of the story sounded good and I love P&P variations but it didn't live up to the blurb. There was hardly any romance in it at all, in fact very little was set with Darcy and Elizabeth to build up a relationship. And as to how Mrs Bennett was portrayed was so way out from the original that it seriously annoyed me as was Miss Bingley. With no conflict really and characters brought in just to be villains such as the Earl of Matlock's eldest son. Also noticed that apart from at the beginning when Elizabeth asked them to look for her father the search or he isn't mentioned much again...I'm sure Lizzy would've been constantly asking for the latest news no matter how ill she felt! Shame as it could've been a really good story if it was based more on Darcy and Elizabeth and less on what other characters were up to.
Profile Image for Sarah.
26 reviews
July 16, 2020
Sorry to say this...

I've been reading Variations of pride and prejudice for over 1 year now.This was probably the worst.The only similarities to the original pride and prejudice were the names. Nearly all the personalities of each character from the original story line were so far off the mark it you hardly recognised them. The only exception being Caroline. The way Mrs.Bennett was Written and then dealt with was awful. I read this in 1 day but only because it was like a horrific car wreck , I wanted to stop reading but I just couldn't look away. I'm hardly a Jane Austin purest but this was just....not good.
Profile Image for Mustang.
325 reviews
August 14, 2024
Darcy and Elizabeth come together quickly

3 1/2 stars
This is a quick and enjoyable read. Elizabeth and Mr Bennet are in a carriage accident that leaves Elizabeth hanging on for her life. The fate of the others in the accident is unknown. Darcy to the rescue, and he falls for her fast. I liked that Elizabeth's relations came out in force to support her. Mrs Bennet is worse than canon and will not listen to anything being said. Yes, there's a few things that could be edited better or even expanded on, but I can overlook those to enjoy the story.
228 reviews3 followers
January 7, 2024
Last line is the best of the book.

Well, a more or less original take on P&P, characters and (certainly) plot. Much of the book strains credulity to the limit, but it is imaginative. Without the many, many proofreading errors as well as the simplistic prose, and with some very thorough editing, this would be a good addition to any library of Austen variations.
59 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2020
I am a fan

I am a fan . I have this book five stars because it is just that 👍 good. I read it in one setting. Each one Schwartz books are different. I couldn't guess the out come until the very end. More books please. D. Cooper
1,391 reviews4 followers
February 22, 2020
Cute and delightful

I enjoyed the story line in this variation. Elizabeth was portrayed as a strong female and Darcy portrayed as responsible gentle man. Together they made a strong team.
Profile Image for Terri Conley.
1,039 reviews7 followers
February 29, 2020
Another mostly no angst from Melanie did someone tell her to tone it down I say turn it up again. Not to everyone's taste but at least you knew you were in for a rollicking ride with stories This one was one of her tamer efforts still liked it.
83 reviews3 followers
March 17, 2020
Well, that was an awkward ending...

This is not a long read, but a lot of things are rushed through. No real romance here and neither Elizabeth nor Darcy are in character. The best part of the story is the beginning...the rest is rushed more than the "waters of Pemberly".
69 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2020
Moves at a good pace.

I enjoyed this book. The plot barely hung together, but it was entertaining. I will recommend it; it was that good, however, this book could have been much better. The grammar got sloppy in places. Why would she not try just a little harder?
3 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2020
Childish Romance

This story is nothing but a compilation of every other Pemberley book ever written. It is Childishly written And there are many mistakes they should have been picked up in a rewrite

10 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2020
Water can bring joy

ES has delivered a good story for D&E showing love at first dripping site. I love a story that dispenses with missunderstanfings. Loved a tender, Lizzy and William.
622 reviews
October 26, 2020
Needs polish

While it is a sweet story, the writing is immature. And it's not very Regency: far too informal. Lizzy is not the independent-minded character we expect. And we are told Darcy (William) is not good in society but sure seems at ease everywhere we see him.
659 reviews
May 22, 2023
Just Okay 3.0 Stars

- A pretty quick read.

- Nothing stood out.

- I don't believe Mrs. (insert first name) was a thing in regency times, unless you were a Miss. Mrs. always followed the husband's last name.

- Darcy calling Elizabeth, Lizzy is all wrong, imo.
199 reviews4 followers
April 13, 2020
A Real Page Turner

As usual from this author a brilliant book read it in one go. 😀😀😀 Could not put it down. 😀!
27 reviews
April 25, 2020
Light fluffy read

No real depth here, but an enjoyable what-if for a few hours reading. ODCs are out of character in decision-making.
53 reviews
June 6, 2020
Over look the typo s is a sweet story and I loved the way it ended!

This is a different p and p in that Darcy and Lizzy both need to join forces and is a sweet story!
Profile Image for Sandra Novales.
1 review
June 15, 2020
Kinda dull

With no hatred, there was no conflict, no anticipation that they would grow. It also seemed weird that after someone is missing, no one cares.
Profile Image for Patty.
1,173 reviews25 followers
August 4, 2020
Easy read . . . but way off of the Pride and Prejudice theme
29 reviews
August 10, 2020
Most action I have seen in these alt p p stories

Liked this for the daring so. Treatment why the word requirements it's a pain LIn pain and suffering and a pain
Profile Image for Louise O'rourke.
2 reviews1 follower
November 8, 2020
Delightful but lacking

This story comes from a great idea but lacks depth and grammatical and descriptive fortitude. Not equal to the standards of many of her other stories.
Profile Image for Anna Marie Ordonez.
121 reviews2 followers
November 25, 2020
Loved it!

A fast paced story, everything happening so quickly. An accident, a marriage, a kidnapping, but in the end a happily ever after!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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