Rebecca M. Meluch is an American science-fiction writer. She claims to be 30-years-old, and has claimed that for decades.[1]
R. M. Meluch has been publishing science fiction for thirty years. She holds degrees in communications and classical civilization, and dabbles in speaking in various languages, including Greek and Latin. At one point she traveled through Greece, Israel, and Egypt on the track of Alexander the Great. Meluch also holds a second-degree black belt in taekwondo and "plays" with electricity. She resides in Medina, Ohio, with her husband, Jim Witkowski, and their ferrets, fish, alpacas, and a Doberman.[2] R.M. Meluch's husband Jim died in 2011. She has dedicated the entire Merrimack series to him, including the November, 2011 release, The Ninth Circle. Which was released after his death.
While writing Jerusalem Fire, Ms. Meluch has stated she wore out the grooves on her soundtrack to the Masada LP. She is a fan of Jerry Goldsmith's scores in part because of the inspiration provided. She is noted online by the community of GLBT media lists for books that feature characters with these orientations. This is not a defining aspect of her writing, but is also not entirely common in science fiction.
She has a few short stories published and some non science-fiction novels under pseudonyms. Ms. Meluch has deep and abiding interests in Roman history, airplanes, flying, and World War II. She has stated that she is interested in good characters on the wrong side in wars or conflicts.
Meluch is a graduate of Westlake High School in Westlake, Ohio.
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The novels that comprise the Tour of the Merrimack series are a mix of classic science fiction and modern science fiction. The timeline of the books is in the future, a future where humans have settled onto many planets. The United States, still the foremost of nations of Earth, is at war with the other superpower in the galaxy, the Palatine Empire, a former breakaway colony that is trying to recreate the Roman Empire.
Rome surrenders to the U.S. when they ask for help in fighting the Hive, who are an alien race that devour anything biological. The Hive are an almost unstoppable force with their ability to stop anything technological.
The main characters are the people who serve on the U.S.S. Merrimack. The action revolves around two main characters: a likeable John Farragut captaining the biggest ship in the fleet and Kerry Blue, a Marine who pilots a Swift.
There are many secondary characters, the foremost are as follow. Augustus, a Roman Patterner, a cyborg on loan from Rome. T.R. Steele who is in charge of the Marines. Swordmaster, Jose Maria de Cordillera, a civilian of considerable wealth and intelligence is also on the Merrimack. Calli Carmel trained by Rome serves on the Merrimack as its XO who becomes a captain of her own ship.
The Barnes and Nobles Review says, "The Myriad begins a series that is an amalgam of subgenres: military science fiction, space opera, time paradox, and alternate history." And they also say, "The Myriad is lighthearted, fast-paced fun. This novel will prove thoroughly enjoyable to fans of military science fiction authors like David Weber and David Drake."
Booklist says, "Those who make military SF a religious observance may find it amusingly difficult to take; the more sensible will quite enjoy."
Publishers Weekly says, "Meluch shows particular skill in creating memorable characters while exhibiting a refreshing ruthlessness in subordinating them to the logical ramifications of the plot." Publishers Weekly also says, "The true joy of this outstanding effort lies in its inspired use of current speculation on the origins of the universe, quantum singularities and even the old chestnut of time travel." But is executed in a way that is easily understandable. Publishers Weekly also says, "This is a grand old-fashioned space opera, so toss out your disbelief out of the nearest airlock and dive in."