Darcy's Voyage: A tale of uncharted love on the open seas

"While the characters are true to those created by Jane Austen, they have a fresh feel to them... the prefect book for those who loved Pride & Prejudice yet yearn for more. " ― The Royal Reviews "A great re-telling of the classic characters. It was original and cute and creative." ― The Life and Lies of a Flying Inanimate Object "Nothing short of a virtual love letter to not only Jane Austen but Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. I absolutely loved each and every page and was enthralled with the story. " ― Psychotic State "Janeites: Rejoice! Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy come alive again in this imaginative retelling of Pride and Prejudice... a very creative and witty read for those who can’t get enough Elizabeth and Darcy." ― Historical Novels Review "Louise has captured the essence of these characters and added her own flare to the story. Darcy’s Voyage is well worth the read." ― Savvy Verse and Wit "Surprising, refreshing and filled my heart with joy. Kara Louise has given us a wonderful gift." ― The Calico Critic "The ideas of class and love are easily transformed from the original into this selection and it transported me back to remembering my first time reading Pride and Prejudice. " ― The Book Tree "Darcy’s Voyage makes for an extremely delightful day of reading." ― Rundpinne "Darcy’s Voyage takes you beyond the continent and back, and with [Kara Louise’s] responsible portrayal, you still feel the depth of their passion, their desire and their need for one another. Loved it!" ― Bookworms Dinner "An ingenious and original retelling of Pride and Prejudice. " ― Linda Banche Romance Author "A phenomenal Pride and Prejudice variation... [a] beautiful, poignant, and wonderfully well-written love story between my two favorite characters of all time! " ― Austenesque Reviews "Darcy’s Voyage was a delight to read and imagine a "what if" scenario where Darcy and Elizabeth have a wonderful romance on the sea." ― Laura’s Reviews "The author has done a remarkable job of staying true to Jane Austen's vision for Darcy and Elizabeth but she has infused it with new life and adventure in this variation." ― Debbie’s Book Bag "Written with imagination, orginiality, and skill, author, Kara Louise, proves she knows her "Austen." ― Everything Victorian and More " Bravo Kara Louise for your entertaining story!" ― The Book Faery "A romantic novel that made me sigh in all the right places and laugh out loud at the most surprising moments." ― Austenprose "Jane would be proud!" ― Libby’s Library News "A pleasure to read. Louise honors the characters and the story of Pride and Prejudice and yet makes it new, exciting, and just as endearing." ― A Curious Statistical Anomaly "Darcy’s Voyage is among the most creative Austen re-tellings I’ve read in awhile." ― Diary of an Eccentric Kara Louise began writing Austen inspired stories in 2001 and has currently written 8 novels, including "Darcy's Voyage," which was released in Sept. 2010, and "Only Mr. Darcy Will Do" which was released in March, 2011, both published by Sourcebooks. Her other 6 novels are self-published, including the newly released "Pirates and Prejudice."Kara Louise grew up in the San Fernando Valley, just north of Los Angeles. She is married and has one grown, married son. Kara and her family moved to Kansas from Los Angeles in 1991. In 2004, she and her husband moved out to the country on 10 acres, and over time accumulated 1 dog, 6 cats, 3 horses, and 4 goats. They lived there nine years, and in September, 2013, moved to 5 acres in the St. Louis area to be near their son and his wife. Four days after moving, they received the exciting news that they would be grandparents in May, 2014.xa0They live just 3 miles from their son and wife, with their dog, Reggie, and 5 cats. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. From Chapter One Elizabeth Bennet walked into the parlour at her Aunt Madlyn and Uncle Edmund Gardiner's empty home in London. She and her father had spent the day travelling from their home in Hertfordshire and were now spending the night at the Gardiners' home in Cheapside, where they would both depart early the next morning for the harbour on the River Thames. Elizabeth would board a sailing ship, which would take her from her England homeland to America. Her aunt and uncle were already in America, where they had been these past three months, so this evening they had the house to themselves. Mr. Gardiner's business had taken on additional work that spanned the two countries separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Elizabeth understood only that it involved some importing and exporting details that needed to be worked out on the American side. The Gardiners had expected to remain there between six to nine months. Elizabeth planned to visit them for the remainder of their stay. The Gardiners and their four children had all made the crossing together, taking advantage of this opportunity to see some of the sights in the New World. With her uncle's work taking him to New York, Elizabeth understood that she and her aunt would have sufficient time to tour the area together. When her uncle's work was completed, they would all travel back together to England. Elizabeth's only regret was that her sister, Jane, was not able to join her. She had also been invited, but due to Jane's tendency for severe motion sickness, she declined. She knew from a past experience on a boat in the English Channel that four to five weeks on a ship out on the ocean would be exceedingly difficult for her. Consequently, Elizabeth was setting off by herself, much to her father's consternation. When the letter from her aunt had arrived, the discussion between herself, her mother, and father had been typical of the conversations that took place in the Bennet home. Elizabeth tried to remain calm as she gave her reasons for desiring to go. Her father was adamant against it and her mother wavered back and forth, giving her nerves full rein as one moment she saw no reason why her daughter could not go, and the next, changed her mind. It was Elizabeth's steady, calm, and rational argument that finally persuaded her mother. She knew it would take more to convince her father to allow her to travel unaccompanied, but she knew she could appeal to their mutual love of history, geography, and books. To pass up an opportunity such as this to see America would be something she would always regret if she did not do it now. She appealed to his trust in her character, her wisdom, and her maturity, and in due course, he gave in. Elizabeth sat down on one of the chairs that occupied the Gardiners' sitting room. She thought nostalgically of all of the times she had come here to visit her aunt and uncle over the years. She was extremely fond of them and considered them practically a second mother and father. She closely identified with her aunt, and as a young girl scrutinized her closely and tried to imitate her ways. She had never understood her own mother's ways and knew at a very young age that she did not wish to grow up to be like her. The Gardiners' home in London, although neither exceptionally fashionable nor elegant, was very warm. Elizabeth always found it to be a respite from her own home. The Bennet home in the village Longbourn was, by society's standards, neither modest nor extravagant. Situated in the country on a good parcel of land, it did give Elizabeth a chance to enjoy her favourite pastime, which was to walk. Their own home was a good distance from their nearest neighbour, while her aunt and uncle's was located on a busy street in Cheapside. Yet she felt the Gardiners' home was more tranquil because of their easy nature and that of their children. It was far too often that the Bennet household resonated with the nervous ranting of her mother and the uncontrolled outbursts from her youngest sisters. She enjoyed every visit she ever made here. Now, she was looking forward to seeing them again, this time in America. She pulled out the letter that her aunt had written to her and her sister and read it again. From the moment she first read the missive, she knew she had to go. "Well, my Lizzy, are you still determined to do this?" Elizabeth looked up. "Yes, Papa. I am so looking forward to it." She stood up and walked over to him, taking his hand in hers. "Do not worry. All shall be well with me." _____ _____ _____ The next morning, Elizabeth pulled her wrap tightly around her as the carriage carrying her and her father drew them closer to the harbour in London. She shivered, not so much because of the cool, foggy mist enveloping them, but because of her realization that the day had finally come. She could admit to herself, but not to her father, that she was indeed nervous about all that was in store for her. The only way Mr. Bennet had agreed to allow Elizabeth to travel alone was for him to take her onto the ship himself and put her under the protection of the ship's captain until she reached the foreign shore. But even then, he felt very troubled. The journey would take from four to five weeks, depending on the weather, the winds, and a multitude of conditions. He had heard too many tales of ships that never made it across, sickness spreading throughout the passengers and crew, and other adversities that could befall them. But he also feared for his daughter arriving in this new world and the type of people she might encounter there. He absently shook his head. "What is it, Papa?" asked Elizabeth. He turned to her with a sad look in his eyes. "You know what it is, my dearest Lizzy. I would give anything to talk you out of this right now and turn this carriage back around to the safety and security of Longbourn." "But Papa, this is an opportunity that I may never get again! Think of it! All of those places I have only read about. Aunt and Uncle Gardiner certainly would not have asked us to come if they did not think it was safe. Do not worry about me. I shall be well." Elizabeth smiled to reassure him. The only betrayal to her words and her smiling face was her rapidly beating heart. They soon saw the tall masts of the ships docked along the harbour on the River Thames. One of these very ships would transport Elizabeth out to the eastern coast of England and down around the English Channel. From there it would sail out into the open seas of the Atlantic Ocean, farther from any source of land than either dared comprehend. "Elizabeth, if anything were to happen to you..." Elizabeth quickly put her hand over her father's. "Nothing will happen to me, Papa. Please try not to worry." The smile he returned to her was weak. Elizabeth noticed, but did not comment on, the tears that welled up in his eyes. He quickly turned his head to look out the window of the carriage. She knew this was difficult for him, and she wanted to do all she could to set his mind at rest. She could think of nothing else to say. She knew he would not rest easy until she was back here in his sight, in a few months. In a very soft, sad voice he suddenly said, "We are almost to the port. Are you sure, Lizzy, that I cannot talk you out of this?" "This is something I have to do." Elizabeth looked out the window. She saw the masts of the ships, some with sails completely unfurled and already sailing, and others with the sails still furled tightly about their masts. Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat as she suddenly felt a wave of excitement pour through her. Yes, this will be a life-changing adventure. I will not be the same when I come back! Read more