This is a collection of four stories set in Lee and Miller's Liaden Universe--space opera, values that make my heart sing, an appropriate appreciation of the excellence of tea and of cats, together with helpings of romance.

These aren't Korval stories, but rather stories centered around The Bakery. In "Degrees of Separation," Don Eyr is a young, unvalued member of one small and poorly run clan. His love of baking born in his delm's kitchen, where the servants, at least, have time for him. His cousin the nadelm persuades the delm to send him off to be educated--and young Don Eyr decides to attend a prestigious culinary school. When he returns to Liad, he's a different young man, with a partner, Serana, formerly a member of the City Guard where the school is located. On Liad, they find not all is well, and decide to fix their little piece of it.

In "Fortune's Favors," Mar Tyn, a Luck, acquires a client for his talents that turns into a disaster for him--apparently. Fleeing murder and the theft of his contracted share of his client's winnings, he winds up at The Bakery, in Low Port, and Don Eyr and Serana take him in. That's not the end of his troubles, or theirs, though.

"Block Party" is set not on Liad, but on Surebleak, where Clan Korval has abruptly relocated, with various other Liaden folk finding it necessary or desirable to follow them. Among the latter are Don Eyr and much of the team of The Bakery, as well as a few new recruits. Serana, unfortunately, had a duty to carry out, and hasn't yet caught up with them. And while many of their new neighbors are friendly, especially once Don Eyr starts baking again, some are not.

"Our Lady of Benevolence" is the one new story in this collection, the others being reprints. This one is about what happens at the Low Port home of what was The Bakery, after those who had occupied it and made it a refuge for those in need have departed. The new "owner" was previously "the protector of the six blocks"; having been ousted from that position in the course of the chaos caused by the departure of Clan Korval. The Bakery is a highly defensible location, and it seems like a promising place to reestablish herself. In the process, though, she learns that the people Don Eyr and Serana didn't manage to get out are still there, still have expectations--and may have more to offer than just well-baked bread.

Bringing together these stories brings together some wonderful characters, and the full story (so far) of the growth of a beloved institution within the Liaden Universe. I find it thoroughly satisfying.

Recommended.

I bought this book. ( )

This is a collection of four stories all set around the Bakery - an outpost of civility, kindness, and hope - plunked down in Low Port on Liad.

The first story is Degrees of Separation which tells how Don Eyr finds himself at culinary school on Lutetia where he meets Captain of the Watch Serana Benoit and how the two fall in love, fall into trouble, and find themselves on Liad.

The second story is Fortune's Favors which tells about Lucks in the person of Mar Tyn who stumbles into the Bakery while being chased by bad guys. It also tells of a young healer that Mar Tyn rescues and brings to Mid Port for her education.

The third story is Block Party which has the crew of the Bakery transported to Surebleak by the Mercs after Korval's attack on Liad. Only they are separated leaving Don Eyr and some of the children on Surebleak and most of the other adults, including his love Serana, in some unknown elsewhere. This story tells about how they integrate in Surebleakan society.

The final story is Lady of Benevolence which returns to Low Port on Liad and tells what happens after Don Eyr, Serana, and the children leave. The young healer, now fully trained and all of 15 standards, is determined to bring a healer hall to Low Port since Serana promised she could come home after her training. And Beyavi voz'Laathi, Lady Benevolence, has been routed from her streets and takes refuge in the Bakery where she learns that the concept of change and growth and healing didn't all leave Liad with Don Eyr and Serana.

Great stories about a part of the world and a set of characters out of the main story line of the Liaden Universe. ( )