**REFLECTIONS FROM THE PAST by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Missy_Good.shtm.htm">Melissa Good - [Alt]
Already responsible for six of the most popular, most loved XWP stories on the Net, Missy latest is a combination uber-Xena/clip show story which already looks like it will easily match the outstanding body of work bearing this writer's name. As the story begins Xena and her bard are still hibernating in Amphipolis, enjoying the peace of their home and the simple comfort of just being with one another. They decide to work on translating the ancient scrolls they found while visiting Jessan's people in BOUND. Before long they are uncovering an emotional tale, almost as passionate and poignant as their own, involving a village girl named Ardwyn and the enigmatic Viking warrior who captures her heart. All the while the story revealed in those scrolls is awakening memories in Xena and Gabrielle, memories of the times they've shared and the long road they've traveled to get to the happiness they're now blessed with. Missy's flashbacks continue to be among the best in the business, giving us insights into scenes from the TV show and filling in the time in between episodes like no other fan fiction has ever done. The uber sections in this story are also particularly well written - done in a style that is different from the rest of the novel and adds tremendously to the atmosphere of the more ancient story. In a rather angst-filled third season, this newest Missy offering is a godsend folks! What are you still doing reading this review???? GO READ THE STORY!!! It gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! [Do not miss THE LONGEST NIGHT which preceeds this story, part of the JOURNEY OF SOULMATES SERIES] [NOTE: The story within a story in this novel involving the characters of Ardwyn and Elevown is the uber-Xena story] - 1/31/98
RELATED STORIES BY OTHER AUTHORS: a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/altl_am.shtm.htm#Little_Things">LITTLE THINGS by Dave G
FANFIC ART: a href="http://barron.simplenet.com/Content-Xena/reflectionsfromthepast.html">Barron Story Cover
https://ausxip.com/bards.html#melissa
http://www.merwolf.com/ffiction.html
[Palm Pilot version available at a href="http://www2.50megs.com/xenadocs/merwolf.htm">XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

REMEMBER WHEN, GABRIELLE by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Verrath.shtm.htm">Verrath - [Alt]
The fourth entry in the TELL ME SERIES, this tale takes the series in a poignant and surprising direction. Set many years after the previous three stories, this one finds little Gabby all grown up - a well-known author now using the name Lana Bachman - on her way back to her hometown in hopes of finding there the treasured friend she left behind. Last she heard of Sina, the always adventurous and action- loving young woman had become an accomplished police officer, embracing the very force for order one mischievous little troublemaker had once so disdained. Years have passed, however, and times have changed - people too - something Lana is about to learn first hand. This is a poignant change in the series which could lead it in an intriguing direction. DO NOT MISS! - 6 pgs., 4/14/99
http://fan-fic.com/Verrath/tellme/remember.htm

**RENA THE RENEGADE by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Weekend_Warrior.shtm.htm">Weekend Warrior - [Alt]
In the best tradition of the Old Wild West comes this rousing uber western chronicling the story of the infamous renegade Rena Halston in the days just after a failed bank robbery. In need of much-needed rest for her and her gang, the beautiful desperado takes over a small town, making herself quite at home at the local inn and immediately intimidating the innkeeper there. Assisting her father with his unwelcomed customers, Holly Franks soon finds herself intrigued by the mysterious Renegade, drawn despite herself to the mixture of danger and beauty and power that is Rena Halston. For her part, Rena is amused by the young woman's proud de finance and attracted in turn to those sparkling green eyes but for a renegade any softening of the heart can be deadly - something Rena forces herself to keep in mind when the posse hunting them starts to draw near and it becomes apparent that in order to shake them they're gonna have to take a hostage with them... Weekend Warrior does a great job here of rewriting some Xena history in a western setting. The relationship is allowed to develop at a good pace while the characterizations are quite reminiscent of a certain warrior and bard. An engrossing read. DO NOT MISS! [See the sequel RENA THE RENEGADE - GOING HOME] - 29 pgs., 4/12/99
http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content5/renaweekend.html

**RENA THE RENEGADE - GOING HOME by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Weekend_Warrior.shtm.htm">Weekend Warrior - [Alt]
In a terrific sequel to her uber western RENA THE RENEGADE, Weekend Warrior continues the story of Rena and Holly as they head for Rena's childhood home in Amarillo and an uncertain reunion with the former outlaw's mother. On the way there Rena must confront an old partner-in-crime to save a helpless town, all the while keeping a step ahead of the lawmen on her trail and trying to deal with the unexpected feelings awakened in her by one very innocent and very devoted friend. Weekend Warrior shows once again in this sequel great skill at transposing the Xena myth and characters into a Western setting. This is funny, sweet, suspenseful and wonderfully entertaining. A MUST READ! DO NOT MISS! - 28 pgs., 8/3/99
http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content5/wwarrior_home.html

**REQUIEM FOR A BITCH by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Vivian_Darkbloom.shtm.htm">Vivian Darkbloom - [Alt]
The WHITE TRASH SERIES becomes trashier and even more hysterical with this VERY unique uber tribute to seasons 3-4 as Gabrielle connects with the town's resident hippy, the poet's parents learn more about her love life with Zina than they ever wanted to know, and a new girl arrives in town with a familiar-looking face and a score to settle. Proving that soulmates can be trashy too, Vivian continues to give our funny bones a workout with some of the most original and clever writing in fanfic. Her characters are not only hilariously outlandish but at times, disturbingly familiar too ;-) This is a delightful new treat from one of the most gifted authors I've come across. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 23 pgs., 12/15/99
http://rampages.onramp.net/~ccgddos/txm/requiem.htm
[Palm Pilot version available at a href="http://members.aol.com/danybyrne/xena/darkbloom.htm">XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

RESA by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Journs.shtm.htm">Journs - [Alt]
When college student Jennifer Logan is approached by a priest about writing the life story of one of East L.A.'s deadliest former gang personalities, she doesn't expect the project to actually go through, particularly since Father Hector freely admits his intent is for Jennifer to help him keep this particular "lost sheep" on the right course. Uncertain as to how she could do this, Jennifer assumes a first meeting is all she'll get with the infamous Resa Gustavez but one look into those piercing blue eyes leaves her determined to give the one-time "gangera" the one thing she's never had - a trusted friend. It's a decision that will bring the young writer face to face with the danger and desperation, the cruelties and vicious codes of gang life, showing her just how difficult it can be to escape that life...and how easy to get swallowed up by the violence. Journs has done an excellent job integrating elements of the Xena canon into a modern-day story with uber characterizations that are appropriate for the setting and time period but still very much recall those that inspired them. The story is fast paced, suspenseful, entertaining, and ultimately very satisfying. A terrific read for one of these lazy Summer afternoons. DO NOT MISS! [See the sequel THE DAY AFTER] - 255 pgs., 8/10/00
FANFIC ART: a href="http://members.xoom.com/calliweb/resa.html">Ciegra Story Cover
https://ausxip.com/fanfiction/r/resa.html

**RESTITUTION by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Sword%27n%27Quil.shtm.htm">Susanne M. Beck (SwordnQuill) - [Alt]
Fans of SwordnQuill's uber yarns REDEMPTION and RETRIBUTION can rejoice at last while new readers will have three spectacular novels to look forward to with the release of this third installment in what is arguably one of the finest contemporary trilogies on the Net. Picking up the story shortly after the conclusion of the second novel, this third contribution opens with an anguished Angel awaiting the court verdict that could shatter her life even worse than it already has been. Separated from Ice for three months now, Angel knows that could become a much more permanent separation - but Morgan Steele knows the same thing and to prevent that she's willing to risk it all on one final, desperate bargain. In exchange for a promised pardon, Ice embarks on a hunt for the deadly criminal responsible for her years in the Bog. It's a quest that will separate the two lovers as a reluctant Angel seeks temporary refuge with their old friends from prison while Ice disappears into the Mexican underworld. For Angel especially it will be a time of change and growth as the young woman helps another fight all-too-familiar demons, as she gains a newer understanding of her friends and her partner, and as the steely resolve she has cultivated through the years asserts itself in her determination to be near the woman she loves. Morgan Steele has always been quite capable of managing the impossible on her own but for this last battle she's gonna have an angel on her shoulder whether she wants to or not. SwordnQuill's writing throughout this trilogy and especially in this third installment has been nothing but phenomenal. Told mostly from Angel's perspective with some HIGHLY effective exceptions, the story gives us tremendous insight not only into the character of this intuitive young woman but those around her as well. SwordnQuill supplements her main story with a wonderful cast of characters. A number of returning favorites and some memorable new additions, all work to enhance the story of the two leads, helping us to understand them better and drawing us into a saga that is at times heartbreaking, at times hysterical, often inspiring, ALWAYS passionate, and simply - beyond riveting. A worthy conclusion to a masterful trilogy, RESTITUTION earns my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! [note: review is based on a completed reading of the story though it is still unfinished on the Web] - 95 pgs., 3/19/01
http://www.ausxip.com/fanfic13/restitution1.html

**RESURRECTION AT REST by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Nene_Adams.shtm.htm">Nene Adams - [Alt]
In years to come, long after Xena the TV series is off the air, when Xenite fanfic readers think back upon their experiences in the Xenaverse, I have no doubt that it is stories like this latest one by Nene Adams that will mark fanfic as one of the most incredible parts of that experience. I could grab a thesaurus and probably not find enough words to describe just how extraordinary this story is. Suffice it to say that it is works like this that keep me in this fandom and that just continue to elevate XWP fanfic a notch above the rest. Based upon the urban legend of THE HITCHIKER, this story begins on a lonely stretch of road known as Coffin Alley as the hour approaches midnight and Xena Bonchance is driving home, anxious to relax after a business meeting. Alone on the deserted Louisiana country road, Xena is allowing her thoughts to wander when to her horror she spots a girl standing right on the path of her car. By some miracle Xena cannot quite comprehend her car does not hit the girl so she offers the young woman a ride home. Giving her name as Gabrielle St. Martin, Xena's strangely melancholy passenger explains how she was on a date and is now just trying to get home. Her story hints at something more but before Xena can learn anything else the young woman announces that she's home and gets out of the car leaving her purse behind. In the days to come, haunted by the sadness she saw in the girl's startling green eyes and sensing a connection with Gabrielle St. Martin she can't quite understand, Xena continues to seek out the young woman uncovering in the process a heartbreaking and sinister tale of evil, innocence lost, and a terrible wrong left unpunished. Determined to correct that wrong and return the destinies of two soulmates to their rightful path, Xena enters the surreal world of voodoo magic allying herself with some very dark and very powerful interests in her quest to see happiness returned to those green eyes she can't seem to forget. Nene gives us here a story that is beautiful and terrifying, haunting and reaffirming. Exquisitely written, it features solid, poignant characterizations that will leave you feeling for these characters, cheering and aching for them all at once. Break out the kleenex box, set aside some time and prepare yourself for one heck of a reading experience. They don't come better than this folks - a fanfic masterpiece that gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! [Part of the CHAMBER OF HORRORS SERIES] - 41 pgs., 2/14/99
http://www.corrieweb.com/resurrection.htm

RETIREMENT UNDONE by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Oowatie.shtm.htm">Oowatie - [M/J]
A "golden years" Mel/Janice tale that has the Southerner feeling miserable in her retirement while her spirited granddaughter and a certain archeologist put into play a plan to get her out of her spunk. Cute. - 3 pgs., 10/17/99
http://xenafiction.net/scrolls/oowatie_ru.hts

**RETRIBUTION by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Sword%27n%27Quill.shtm.htm">Susanne M. Beck (Sword'n'Quill)
At long last comes the much anticipated sequel to one of the finest ubers from 1999, Susanne's REDEMPTION, the hard-hitting, gritty story about two inmates finding solace, friendship, and love amidst the violence and desolation of a women's prison. As this sequel opens Ice and Angel are on their way out of the United States, intent on crossing the border into Canada in hopes of settling down in Angel's childhood home and avoiding the authorities still looking for Ice. It's a time of healing for the two of them as they put time and distance between themselves and the darkness they left behind, as their relationship deepens and as they start to make a new life, with old acquaintances and new ones bringing an unexpected sense of normality, acceptance and peace. For Angel in particular every day seems to bring one more reason to feel grateful as her beloved partner works to try to make all her dreams come true but beneath it all remains a troubling uncertainty, like the calm in the eye of the storm. It's an uncertainty Ice knows will continue to cast a shadow on their future for there are sins that will haunt them, dangers that will forever threaten unless old debts are settled and to do that they're gonna have to risk the happiness they've struggled so hard for...one last time. This is simply put - an EXQUISITELY written story folks. Like the first novel it is told from Angel's point of view and beautifully captures the charm, humor and optimism, the contrasting wisdom and innocence of this unforgettable young woman. As seen through her eyes, all the other characters come alive - none more so, of course, than the beautiful, enigmatic loner that is her soulmate. Striking at times, the differences in personality between Angel and Ice bring a very touching sense of poignancy to their relationship. These are two women who've learned to accept and treasure those differences, who recognize one another's vulnerabilities, value one another's strengths, and are fiercely protective of the connection that makes their lives together so much more than what those lives were once apart. Like the first novel, RETRIBUTION also features a wonderful cast of supporting players with some terrific new additions to the story and the return of some old favorites. This is one of those rare writing achievements that simply shows NO weaknesses - exceptional storytelling, well-developed, engaging characterizations, a masterful merging of the sentimental with an underlying sense of misgiving all woven together in a richly detailed tapestry that will have you marveling every other sentence at this author's brilliance with the written word. This one easily joins the creme-della-creme of Internet fiction gaining my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! [See the sequel RESTITUTION] - 270 pgs., 6/27/00
https://ausxip.com/fanfic9/retribution1.html

**RINGING IN THE YEAR by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Missy_Good.shtm.htm">Melissa Good - [Alt]
Missy takes a short break from her hit Xena/Gab fiction series to revisit uber darlings Dar and Kerry in a delightful little holiday tale set after A PRESENT UNDER THE TREE which has the two preparing for some New Year's fun and getting inspired in the process to plan for a future now looking a lot more promising. As usual, Merwolf gives us here a tale full of heart about two soulmates still in that giddy stage after having just discovered one another. This one will definitely help with the Dar/Kerry withdrawal until Missy turns her full attention back to them again. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [See the sequel HURRICANE WATCH, part of the DAR AND KERRY SERIES] - 9 pgs., 5/26/99
http://www.merwolf.com/ringing.html
[Palm Pilot version available at a href="http://www2.50megs.com/xenadocs/merwolf.htm">XENA FAN FICTION FOR THE PALM PILOT]

RISING by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Archaeobard.shtm.htm">Archaeobard - [Alt, M/J]
Entertaining bodice ripper featuring a rather intense confrontation between our favorite translator and archeologist after Mel inadvertently humiliates her proud partner at a social soiree and must find a way to convince Janice of her true feelings. Fun and rather...stimulating :) [Part 1 in the BODICE RIPPER SERIES] - 11 pgs., 8/30/99
https://ausxip.com/fanfiction/r/rising-archaeo.html

**ROMAN HOLIDAY by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Bel-wah.shtm.htm">Bel-wah - [Alt]
A sequel to Bel-Wah's action-adventure DARKNESS BEFORE THE DAWN, this new story finds Captain Catherine Phillips agreeing to spend a few days in Rome to watch over her recovering flight attendant, Rebecca Hanson. Feeling responsible for the young woman, Kate plans on an ordinary couple of days keeping Becky company but to their mutual surprise, the stay in the Eternal City soon becomes a magical holiday drawing two souls together and pulling down walls that have been in place for much too long. Featuring strong characterizations with two very likeable leads, Bel-Wah's latest also offers that air of excitement, magic and romance that was a part of the classic movie which shares its title. A delightful read to follow in the weeks ahead. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [See the sequel STORM FRONT] - 209 pgs., 5/11/99
https://ausxip.com/fanfiction/r/romanholiday.html

RUN, ALICE, RUN by a href="https://lunacyreviews.ausxip.com/Verrath.shtm.htm">Verrath
This latest entry in Verrath charming TELL ME SERIES finds Sina and Gabby braving the perilous "Walk of the Wight" - a spooky pathway filled with overgrown branches and strange sounding things. For the two friends, however, it presents the perfect opportunity to get a little...revenge ;-) Verrath continues to do a great job tracing the Xena story through the imagination of children. This particular entry even features the introduction of what promises to becomes one of Sina's greatest weapons! Very cute, fun read. - 6 pgs., 10/25/00
https://www.altfic.com//subtextfic/Xena/verrath/runalice.htm