Review: Quick Yet Enjoyable Read
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 06 11, 2013
Rebecca Royce's latest story gets right to the action as Griffith shows up unexpectedly in the community Melanie has created in his efforts to capture her unethical ex-husband Victor.  While waiting for Victor to show up Griffith learns more about Melanie and her new way of living and instantly falls in love with her.  After a harrowing turn of events Griffith waits with bated breath to see if Melanie feels the same in this fast-paced read with a quickly resolved conclusion that never digs too deeply into either the character's backgrounds or their long-term motivations.  In essence this is a pleasant diversion, it's not profound or earth-shattering, just a nice way to spend an hour or two.This short story is from Decadent Publishing's Prepper series dealing with those who become self-sufficient to keep themselves safe in moments of crisis and Ms. Royce briefly touches on this way of life amongst these pages.  For Melanie it appears to be some sort of escapism (from the danger of Victor) and a way to calm her anxieties. She believes in the lifestyle but it seems to be for more personal reasons than geopolitical ones.  Melanie's always felt bullied by Victor, kept oppressed by him and therefore this is a community of her own making that allows her to finally feel free.  Through their mutual loneliness sparks immediately fly but her and Griffith's romance never gets too steamy.  It stays on a superficial level with their lone sexual interlude more or less ending in a fade to black.  Griffith is her hero in every sense of the word saving her time and again on just their first day of meeting.  It's no wonder she's drawn to him and their connection seems perfect in that he's always been a savior and she's often in need of saving.  Their HEA seems inevitable in this well-written, straight to the point short story that again proves Ms. Royce's ability to entertain.3.5 STARS