The Rose & Other Stories

In The Rose & Other Stories, Linda Aksomitis invites readers onto the back roads of the prairies in the 1980s—where highways stretch for miles and chance encounters can quietly change a life. Part short story collection, part memoir, threaded with lyrical poetry, this unforgettable book follows a traveling saleslady covering 16,000 miles of prairie territory. In seven powerful stories—two previously featured on CBC national radio—ordinary people find themselves at a crossroads. A gas station owner facing financial difficulty. A recently divorced woman starting over. An accountant pushed out of the industry by computers. Each meets the saleslady by accident. Each must decide which way to turn next. But these aren't just stories. After every tale, The Story Behind the Story reveals the real-life moments that inspired the fiction—honest, heartfelt glimpses into the author's own years on the road. Reflective poems add depth and resonance, capturing the humor, hardship, and quiet courage of prairie life. Warm, wise, and deeply human, The Rose & Other Stories is a tribute to resilience, connection, and the unexpected ways we help one another move forward.