MEL/JANICE FAN FICTION REVIEWS
J-L
Reviewer can be reached at lunacy@dc.seflin.org
Last updated: 12/10/00

Please make sure to read the EXPLANATORY NOTES before reading these reviews.

This is a combined file of both general and alternative fan fiction reviews. The alternative stories are designated as such with an [Alt] at the end of the title line.

Note: Mel/Janice fan fiction stories are about the characters of Melinda Pappas and Janice Covington introduced in the Xena: Warrior Princess TV series. These stories sometimes feature also the characters of Xena and Gabrielle. Reviews of stories which revolved primarily around Xena and Gabrielle but include Mel and Janice are listed both in this index and in either the general or alternative indexes for Xena fan fiction reviews. Stories which feature Mel and Janice in addition to other uber incarnations of Xena and Gabrielle are listed both here and in the reviews of Uber-Xena fiction.

**LION OF AMPHIPOLIS (THE) by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Yellowjacket.shtm.htm">Yellowjacket
A WONDERFUL new treat from one of my favorite bards - this one featuring Mel and Janice in a grand adventure guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and believe in the power of a legendary friendship. The story traces the lives of Mel and Janice, in parts through flashbacks, from the moment they first meet to the years immediately following the war when they settle in Greece to resume Janice's search for the one thing she yearns to find more than any other - the final resting place of Xena, the Warrior Princess of Amphipolis. To aid in this search, the spunky archeologist and her partner set out to recover stolen ancient tablets containing a description of the mysterious ceremony used long ago to invoke the prophetic power at the Oracle of Delphi. Hoping the Oracle can point the way to their ancestors, Mel and Janice will risk it all to recover those tablets culminating in a deeply emotional ending which can only be described as unforgettable. This is exceptionally well-written with a terrific take on the Mel/Janice friendship. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! - 10/1/97
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/7045/lionofa.html

LITTLE MOMENTS: A DAY IN THE DESERT by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/CN_Winters.shtm.htm">CN Winters - [Alt]
The first in a series of short tales about a certain archeologist and her Southern belle of a partner, this new entry is told from Janice's point of view as she observes the love of her life and remembers some happy times from the past. Nicely written. - 3 pgs., 4/26/00
https://ausxip.com/fanfiction/l/little_moments.html

**LONG WAY HOME (THE) by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Scout.shtm.htm">Scout
With stories like JUST AN ORDINARY DAY and THE CYPRESS GROVE Scout has delivered some of the most moving and beautifully written tales in XWP fan fiction. It is a reputation she more than lives up to with this newest effort - a novel which is her longest story to date and arguably her finest. This is a tale about two friendships separated by eons, but forged by the same fierce love, loyalty and trust. It is a story about slavery and courage, cruelty and hope. It is a story that will touch the deepest recesses of your heart and leave you believing in the ability of the human spirit to pass on the best parts of itself to the generations yet to come. This begins as a Mel/Janice story with Mel's niece Carrie going to visit her aunt. The young girl is delighted when the two women decide to take her along on a trip to the Mediterranean where they are going to investigate a new archeological find - a find which could give them more clues about the lives of their legendary ancestors. Most Mel/Janice stories to date have featured Xena and Gabrielle as well but mostly in secondary roles where they are seen briefly through flashbacks or in dreams. In THE LONG WAY HOME, by contrast, they are EVERY bit as important as their descendants with a story of their own which is truly at the heart of this novel. As we read about Mel and Janice uncovering the past - we also SEE that past - one of Xena and Gabrielle's most trying and emotionally draining adventures as they join the crew of Xena's old ship, now run by slavers, intent on making sure they don't continue using it for that purpose. On board they find a young boy who is regularly subjected to the worse of cruelties - a boy who Gabrielle becomes determined to save at any cost. The struggle of these two women to give back freedom and hope to those from whom it has been stripped parallels the dogged determination of an archeologist and her partner millenniums later to uncover that story and reaffirm the legend of a warrior and her bard. Similar also is the impact the friends will have on the young lives they come in contact with - with Xena and Gabrielle giving a child hope in the ancient past and Janice and Mel inspiring the soul of another in the present. Scout uses a different perspective for the present-day and ancient parts of the novel with Carrie telling the story about her trip with Mel and Janice while the tale involving Xena and Gabrielle unfolds on its own. It is an effective technique which gives a distinctive flavor to the two separate plots. This is a poignant, marvelously crafted story guaranteed to put a tear in your eye one moment and a smile on your face the next. A wonderful read which receives my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! - 11/24/97
https://ausxip.com/fanfic/longwayhome.html
[Palm Pilot version available at a href="http://members.xoom.com/xenadocs/scout.htm">XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

LOST AND FOUND by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Lela_Kaunitz.shtm.htm">Lela Kaunitz - [Alt]
A wild action-adventure tale very much in keeping with the spirit of the XENA SCROLLS which has Janice Covington and Melinda Pappas trying to save those precious scrolls, running from Nazis while running toward each other :) Nicely written with some very cute moments. - 13 pgs., 9/23/98
https://ausxip.com/fanfic4/lostandfound.html