Hope's Embrace & Other Poems (Book) - 6/6/2021 11:48:30 AM
Unless you are a famous person or a poet laureate, it is unlikely that a poetry book will sell. However, if you've written this book for your family and friends, they will cherish it for very long time for your versatility in writing, including poetry.
Based on what I've read, a book of your stories might catch hold because they are so realistic as part of the way we live today.
Ron
It Might Have Been and Other Short Stories (Book) - 10/24/2020 10:14:21 AM
I enjoyed this book of short stories by Ann Frailey. I listened to a narrator, rather than reading it myself. This collection, "It Might Have Been" has expertly crafted characters of diverse ages and backgrounds that the reader can relate to. The dilemmas they face are everyday one with sports injury, intellectual disability, loneliness and death. The description of the environment, whether outdoors or indoors, is vivid. It includes nature and sets the tales at specific times of the year. The characters become unexpected new friends, meet with old friends, and help neighbors, strangers and family members through difficult dilemmas. The stories are spell binding. The author says much in few words. I would like to follow the characters through more time and see their lives develop.
It Might Have Been and Other Short Stories (Book) - 10/11/2020 12:58:07 PM
"It Might Have Been and Other Stories" is an easy afternoon read of a great group of diverse topic short stories that I finished in one setting. "Live and Learn," "Romantic Soul, and "One Aisle at a Time" were a few of my favorites, but I am glad I don't have to select just one because they all offer something to the reader. I especially like the line 'It isn't artificial intelligence that'll take over the world - it's a lack of common sense that'll lose it' from the story titled "Take Over the World" and 'Death is a doorway from this world to the next' in "James Milford Parker III." If I had to suggest just one, which I completely suggest you read them all, but I loved "High" about a school-age bully and the karma that she faces in adulthood that is revealed when she comes face-to-face during a job interview with one of the kids she used to bully. A wonderfully interesting story reflecting how life can turn us around. The writing style of A,k, Frailey is intriguing and the variety of stories keeps the reader entertained throughout. I highly recommend this book of short stories.
Encounter: Science Fiction Short Stories & Novella (Book) - 6/26/2020 8:20:16 AM
Thanks, Ron:)
Yeah, it's a background story about a Creator Race that has a lot to learn about humanity—a race they find fascinating. Fun to explore what we might look like from new eyes...
Have a wonderful weekend.
Encounter: Science Fiction Short Stories & Novella (Book) - 6/26/2020 8:12:29 AM
Congratulations on this new entry to your extensive list of books. The excerpt is quite intriguing, but leaves me wondering what the book is about. Perhaps a description of what is in the book would be in order.
Burning logs would strip an area of forest around the castle (?) quickly. Acquiring the Mona Lisa, currently in a museum, if it hasn't been stolen again, would require some kind of magic that I'm sure you have shown us in the book.
Ron
It Might Have Been and Other Short Stories (Book) - 6/19/2020 12:07:28 PM
Thanks, Ron. Marketer I am not. But then I don't have to worry since I write for my own pleasure. I'm just glad that someone else likes what I write. Makes it more fun that way:)
Blessings.
My Road Goes Ever On—Spiritual Being, Human Journey (Book) - 6/19/2020 11:57:11 AM
I really enjoy reading about your mom, Ron. She was quite a woman by all standards!
Life has so many surprises in store for us that we tend to think something is wrong—but perhaps that is one of the best aspects of this human journey. We are not in control most of time yet we still have free will and 24 hours to decide how to live each hour.
Enjoying the best of our parents and forgiving the worst makes us better people in a world of challenged souls.
Glad you have such positive memories.
Have a blessed weekend:)
My Road Goes Ever On—Spiritual Being, Human Journey (Book) - 6/19/2020 8:57:41 AM
I'm sure this is your nonfiction personal journey. The professional review by an unknown reviewer tells me more about the book and the description. It tells me that you are a philosopher of the highest order as you view life with such great perception. And by documenting travels through it, encourage many others.
What is the best way to mother? I don't know, I never was one and as a male, will never be one. Although I like children and never had any trouble with them, even when they acted badly. I would say that the best way to be a mother would be to be like mine.
My mother, second in her class of nine seniors in a rural small town high school, was destined for college, and perhaps great things. But as she graduated at 17, learning that she was pregnant with twins, there was a rushed June 1 wedding. Fortunately, my father had been turned down entry into the military for physical reasons at the very start of World War II, so he stayed on as our family breadwinner. At first, she was a full-time mom to two very active boy twins. Probably the best thing that happened to me and my brother. Later, she birthed a girl and 16 years later, another set of twins. To make ends meet, she had to go to work, first as a cleaning lady and later as a factory worker, followed by lunch counter and school foodservice work. Always way below her abilities.
The best way she mothered was not mothering too much. Feeding our young bodies both with food and with travel, books, music and knowledge, but allowing us to run free and make mistakes early learning the right way to live by her example. As far as mothering goes, laissez faire is the fairest of all.
Ron
It Might Have Been and Other Short Stories (Book) - 6/19/2020 8:30:39 AM
I'm assuming that this is the fiction book. Knowing your short story writing ability, and the brief excerpt I just read, I'm surprised that you don't have more reviews on Amazon. But perhaps it may be because you just published this collection.
Anyway, good luck with this book and I hope you have many readers because of your wonderful way of portraying everyday life with such color and emotion. Someday, I may get to reading your books. In the meantime, I'm reading your stories as you post them here with great anticipation.
Ron
Newearth Justine Awakens (Book) - 3/21/2018 5:10:40 AM
Congrats on your new book. It looks like although time has progressed into a new Earth, old problems persist.
Ron
Grandma Hazel’s Chevy (Short Story) - 5/8/2025 12:56:21 PM
Oh how I love your writing your way with characters describing them in such a unique way like this:
“She was strong in the manner of a load-bearing beam hidden in the ceiling of a house, you understand?”
A story within a story shows your ability to write about real life. I can imagine you’re sitting at the kitchen table and telling stories to multiple generations from your kitchen table where they gathered.
Your Hazel character immediately reminded me of my grandmother’s sister, Ethel, who had gasoline in her blood. From the family genealogy I found she married brothers of the same name. Possibly, one died during the great war or from the Hispanic flu. She made her life in that hometown where my grandmother initially came from, Flora, Indiana, from Old Order Amish blood.
About 1949 our family went to Indiana and we visited grandma’s relatives. Ethel had two children older than me. But by the 1960s her husband had died and she occasionally drove to Central Wisconsin to visit in her speedy Oldsmobiles with spinners on the wheels, out running cops on the way. In her 90s she was still working all of the clubs in town cooking and serving food. And at 93 she was working as a waitress in a restaurant. I stopped to see her, alone in her house when she was about 95. She didn’t offer me anything to eat or drink and the house was rather dark and dreary. My mother went to her funeral. By that time, both of her children had died and mom recalled only three people were at the funeral with her. She was so fast, she over ran everyone else. Even an old age, it helps to have young friends or family.
Ron
Grandma Hazel’s Chevy (Short Story) - 4/26/2025 3:51:06 AM
A poignant story. Burdens aren't so heavy if there are people in your corner.
Human Connection Novels (Article) - 8/4/2024 2:30:40 PM
From reading some of your stories, I have found you to be a consummate relationship and family writer with all of the connections clearly described seamlessly as the story continues.
In writing your OldEarth series you have created character names that are very unique and yet, maintained, what you call, the DNA of family connection that is very similar to here on earth. With histories that match the Bible with its long list of the genealogy of the Jewish tradition.
In some of your articles you have a very good way to segue into your writing and promote your books and stories. It's a gift, continue to use it in this journey of human nature that you're on.
Ron
Seek High Ground (Poetry) - 9/10/2022 8:22:36 AM
Yes, a mind set of seeking high ground will serve all well. For, as you say, the flood always comes around... and usually when one least expects it. Here in Oregon and California, the flood is in the form of flames, those disastrous, unpredictable fires that continue to rage on.
Seek High Ground (Poetry) - 9/9/2022 2:56:16 AM
wow! this is an outpour of love. i loved this piece, it was a wonderful read. thank you.
Seek High Ground (Poetry) - 9/8/2022 10:24:45 AM
Wise advice from a mother more than twice--seven sons and one daughter? That is certainly a lot of tigers to tame. Maybe I'll reach the high ground when the floods come like they always do.
Ron
