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Surrounded By The Blue: A Novel Of Ocean Adventure And Survival
Can she defy the odds? Can she rise above her insecurities? Can she do what it takes to survive?
Michelle Stewart, Mickey to her friends and family, is young, attractive, and a successful New York ad executive. She loves her job, her comfortable life, and her boyfriend—who is also her boss. His latest infidelity drives Mickey to seek time apart, and she ends up joining her sister and brother-in-law on a Pacific voyage aboard their sailing yacht.
Lots of sun, warm breezes, and blue water on an ocean cruise proves just the ticket—until a freak accident plunges Mickey into life-or-death waters. Alone. Defenseless. She has to survive and she has to find a way back. It won’t be easy. She’ll encounter human nature at its best… and worst. And Mother Nature will certainly take its share of flesh. Ultimately, if she expects to survive, she’ll need to dig deep, learn to adapt, and find the strength to prevail over the perils of this harsh reality.
This is a full-length, fast-paced ocean survival adventure with plenty of turbulence in its wake.
Michelle Stewart, Mickey to her friends and family, is young, attractive, and a successful New York ad executive. She loves her job, her comfortable life, and her boyfriend—who is also her boss. His latest infidelity drives Mickey to seek time apart, and she ends up joining her sister and brother-in-law on a Pacific voyage aboard their sailing yacht.
Lots of sun, warm breezes, and blue water on an ocean cruise proves just the ticket—until a freak accident plunges Mickey into life-or-death waters. Alone. Defenseless. She has to survive and she has to find a way back. It won’t be easy. She’ll encounter human nature at its best… and worst. And Mother Nature will certainly take its share of flesh. Ultimately, if she expects to survive, she’ll need to dig deep, learn to adapt, and find the strength to prevail over the perils of this harsh reality.
This is a full-length, fast-paced ocean survival adventure with plenty of turbulence in its wake.
304 pages, Paperback
Published September 2, 2018
About the author
Victor Zugg
30 books72 followersVictor Zugg is a former US Air Force officer and OSI special agent who served and lived all over the world. Writing has always been a big part of his life, no matter what the job. While serving in the military most of his writing was job related. But he also found time to publish a number of nonfiction magazine articles, all historical in nature. He traveled great distances to research the material first hand. More recently he’s turned his writing skills to fiction, to the type he enjoys reading—largely dystopian and survival adventures. Given his extensive travels and opportunities to settle anywhere, it is ironic that he now resides in Florida, only a few miles from his hometown of Orlando. He credits the warm temperatures for that decision.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 22, 2022
Good story, too technical
I loved the story, but found the droning on and on about the technicality of sailing boring and taking away from the actual story. I understand that we had to see the main character leaning about the boat and sailing, but not with the repeated paragraph upon paragraph about boat operations and technical boat jargon. Great storyline overall though.
I loved the story, but found the droning on and on about the technicality of sailing boring and taking away from the actual story. I understand that we had to see the main character leaning about the boat and sailing, but not with the repeated paragraph upon paragraph about boat operations and technical boat jargon. Great storyline overall though.
September 23, 2021
Open water, one of my biggest fears!
Excellent descriptions of survival, despite the odds. Mr. Zugg's writing is excellent and gives real human emotion, I love his way of writing!
Excellent descriptions of survival, despite the odds. Mr. Zugg's writing is excellent and gives real human emotion, I love his way of writing!
December 8, 2019
A sailor’s review
I am an avid reader of sailing novels such as the
Patrick O’Brian series and other tales of the Napoleonic era sea war. In addition I have been an enthusiastic bare boat charterer but only in protected waters, never in blue water sailing. This is an amazing tale of all that (spoiler ahead) can go wrong in blue water sailing. The author held my attention in a firm grip and I had to finish the book in one day. No way could I put it down without finding out what happened next.
I am an avid reader of sailing novels such as the
Patrick O’Brian series and other tales of the Napoleonic era sea war. In addition I have been an enthusiastic bare boat charterer but only in protected waters, never in blue water sailing. This is an amazing tale of all that (spoiler ahead) can go wrong in blue water sailing. The author held my attention in a firm grip and I had to finish the book in one day. No way could I put it down without finding out what happened next.
October 27, 2020
Nice
An empowering story of a kick ass woman who learns to value herself, despite her father’s lack of care for her.
An empowering story of a kick ass woman who learns to value herself, despite her father’s lack of care for her.
July 1, 2022
Not a good endorsement for sailing
This was good enough that I read the book in one sitting. Poor girl had one bad thing after another happen to her but she was strong at the end. Found this after reading a time travel book by the same author, thought the time travel book was better but this was ok.
This was good enough that I read the book in one sitting. Poor girl had one bad thing after another happen to her but she was strong at the end. Found this after reading a time travel book by the same author, thought the time travel book was better but this was ok.
June 17, 2026
I enjoyed Michelle’s story of personal growth, even though the open ocean segment was more than frightening. I especially love her return to New York, and I would love to read more about her next adventure!
October 26, 2021
Blue water
It was a great sorry. A lot of action a lot of information about sail boats and how Nicky overcame her fear
It was a great sorry. A lot of action a lot of information about sail boats and how Nicky overcame her fear
May 28, 2023
fantastic stories of survival
Zi loved all the stories I have read. I was pulled into each story right away. I am now looking for more to read. .
Zi loved all the stories I have read. I was pulled into each story right away. I am now looking for more to read. .
November 23, 2023
Awesome story
I literally couldn't put it down. Finally at 4AM I had to sleep. I can't wait to read his other books
I literally couldn't put it down. Finally at 4AM I had to sleep. I can't wait to read his other books
December 10, 2023
Excellent read...very interesting and informative about sailing..Have enjoyed this
March 29, 2026
good read….
If you like sailing, you’ll very much enjoy this book.
A real page turner…. Nice the good guy wins.
Thanks,
If you like sailing, you’ll very much enjoy this book.
A real page turner…. Nice the good guy wins.
Thanks,
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews