Tales of Twenty Women: Reflections on Love

This book showcases the unique voices of twenty women (actually twenty-two as the author explains in her note to the reader) and reveals their many diverse perspectives on love. These women exhibit deep commitment, jealousy, uncertainty, loss, and revenge at different stages of their lives. Their words and actions ripple outwards, affecting the lives of those around them and often reflecting back onto them. Each story’s theme begins with an insightful quote. ＂Trail’s End＂ starts with Emily Brontë’s words ＂He’s more myself than I am,＂ as a woman remembers her husband by hiking a mountain trail they had enjoyed together. ＂It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do＂ by Jane Austen illustrates the meaning of ＂The Porch Swing.＂ When an old friend visits the main character, unhappy memories surface, but she realizes how their previous actions were what mattered and not the insincere words she’s hearing now.The focus of these stories is on the women and the choices they make about love, which may surprise, amaze and delight the reader.

Alicia Stankay has capitalized on her many years as a short fiction writer by publishing this second collection of short stories. This time she chose to honor the many women who appear on the page before her as she allows her creative juices to flow. Sometimes she begins writing with just a name, other times it’s an idea, or maybe an interesting or unusual setting. As an amateur photographer and nature lover, she often finds the perfect setting on one of her many day hikes around local state parks. The walls of her home are covered with photos of butterflies, insects, mushrooms, scenic landscapes, and most importantly, her four grandchildren. Alicia has published stories in Writers’ Journal, Loyalhanna Review, and Taproot Literary Review. Her first book, Between Two Bears: Short Stories on the Journey of Life, co-authored with Bruce Midkiff, was published in 2012. She belongs to Pennwriters, Ligonier Valley Writers, and Taproot Writers Workshop.