Rising Orchids is a collection of short stories that compels the reader to draw from their experiences with relationships. The style of each story varies for the purpose of promoting the meaning of the story. If the story seems straightforward, then it might warrant a second read. There is a darkness that will intrigue an adventurous reader and satire to intrigue the close reader. At the end of the book, the reader has found a commonality, pursuit and a dream of real love, which for many characters in the book is not found. Zombies and angels are used to discover what love is...what it may mean. How does one define love? A great question always asked, and the answer is elusive, in this book we see some tragic approaches to finding the answer.