Spice of Life: And Other Stories
A.K. FraileyA. K. Frailey Books
ISBN 9798994596555
eISBN 9798994596531
ASIN B0GXSVMB3N
Every time I read something new from Frailey’s masterful pen I am amazing at her skill and talent as an author. I believe I have read he works a total of 18 times and have the one series I have not read on my ‘to be read’ pile. This is an incredible collection of 49 stories. But I am getting ahead of myself.
I have read much of Ann’s work; her fiction and non-fiction. I always look forward to when a new title is available from Frailey and this one I handled a little different. Normally I devour her books, but I took my time with a handful of stories a day. Many of the stories tie to her series, and they are like a visit with old friends, or in some cases newer acquaintances.
The beginning of the description of this volume states:
“A diverse collection of short stories, ranging from humorous ordinary day situations to moments of poignant reevaluation of self and others in a world of changing perspectives. Contemporary family fiction, a touch of fantastic fantasy, a new dramatic moment from the Newearth universe, and a novella where humanity's sanity hangs in the balance offer a menu with enough spice to satisfy any literary longings. It is the hazards of daily life that test the soul. Nobility, bravery, decency, kindness, and mercy are the shafts of light that pierce the darkness of the human experience. Drama and personal crisis amid the realities of family life make for relatable stories. Find hope through the struggle. All the excitement of a novel experience in compact short stories, contemporary lives moving through dark trials to light and hope. Take a seat and dig in, a feast awaits!.”
About the author we are informed:
“A. K. Frailey has written the historical sci-fi OldEarth Encounter series, a contemporary first contact novel, Last of Her Kind, the Newearth sci-fi series, an OldTown series, short story collections, a modern parent’s reflection on J. R. R. Tolkien’s works in The Road Goes Ever On: A Christian Journey Through The Lord of the Rings, personal and introspective My Road books, children’s books, and a poetry collection.
She taught elementary education in Milwaukee, WI; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; and Wood River, IL.
She also trained teachers in the Philippines for the Peace Corps and later earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing for Entertainment from Full Sail University.
Ann homeschooled all her children and currently manages her rural homestead with her family and their numerous critters. In her spare time, she serves as an election judge and secretary/treasurer of her small town’s cemetery.”
I am always intrigued by how the About the Author second can change or not from book to book, or even series to series. This is a longer more detailed bio and it fits well with the diversity in the stories. The stories in this collection are:
Off the Ground
Seek High Ground
How Do You Stand It?
An Antidote
Find Anything Good
Is This Necessary?
A Gentleman’s Agreement
Unbroken
On a Sandy Shore
Reflection in Glass
An Auspicious Moment
Of Our Own Making
To Keep the Old Ways
The Only Thing Keeping Me Alive
What an Odd Day
Something New Might Grow
Then He Saw
Orientation
Nourishing His Spirit
I Must Be Mad
Willful Intention
Honest Perspective
How Derm Got Involuntarily Volunteered
How Andy’s Secret Changed His Life Forever
How Elspeth Gillis Discovered the Truth about Her Reflection
Kinship with Owls
Spice of Life
Wiley Could Not Believe His Eyes
What Does It Mean?
What Should Be
Grandma Hazel’s Chevy
Mystery to Herself
She Would Fly
Learn Anything Useful?
The Veil
Thought Reader
Witty & Sly
Live to Regret It
The Power of Small
Some Need the Shade
Sunrises Assure Us
Power Source
Outside His Element
Matters Even More
The Human Race
House of My Dreams
Unforgettable
Bruno’s Newearth
Omega’s Paradox
It is still surprising to me how Frailey’s stories can touch such a deep cord across so many genres. I have said it before and I say it again she reminds me so much of Madeleine L'Engle and crossing over from real time or Chronos to Kairos, from homey small town, to intergalactic save the galaxy. And everything in between.
A few of the stories really struck me. First the final piece Omega’s Paradox in continues one of my favourite series from Frailey’s pen and is cathartic on a number of levels. The offering House of My Dreams was deeply moving. Outside His Element really made me pause and think. The title story Spice of Life connecting to a newer series and is an excellent offering. But as mentioned every story is well worth the read.
I could not read when I was younger because of dual form of dyslexia. When I did learn to read I found all these worlds I never knew existed. And I have been addicted to reading since. Frailey has created many worlds and each is worth visiting. In this volume we meet new friends, visit with old friends, and encounter some for the first time. It is an excellent collection and I could see myself returning to it from time to time and randomly read a story or 2.
This is an excellent collection of stories. I can easily recommend it and guarantee there is something for everyone! Pick it up and give it a try I am certain you will not regret it!
Books by A.K. Frailey:
…
Old Earth Series:
OldEarth ARAM Encounter
OldEarth Ishtar Encounter
OldEarth Neb Encounter
OldEarth Georgios Encounter
OldEarth Melchior Encounter
…
New Earth Series:
NewEarth: Justine Awakens
NewEarth A Hero's Crime
Oldtown Series:
Brothers Born
…
Non-Fiction:
My Road Goes Ever On A Timeless Journey
…
Note: Old series that got reworked into other series:
Deliverance Series:
ARAM
Ishtar's Redemption: Trial by Fire
NEB the Great: Shadows of the Past
…
Hidden Heritage Series:
Georgios
Georgios II - A Chosen People
…
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