Two Tickets to Love, Please

by Vicki Cox from the March 10, 2025 issue

Tagline: Nora and Dale meet during a Star Wars screening, and while bonding over the film, a spark of romance soon begins to grow.

Observations: I loved the premise of this story, mostly because I think Star Wars is a perfect movie. I have very fond memories of seeing that in the theatre more than once the summer it came out and blasting the soundtrack over and over from my cassette player. 

I also appreciated the nostalgia introduced via the landmark theatre being refurbished and opening again in modern times. It's no secret that the demographic of Woman's World reads on the gray side the spectrum. There's nothing we boomers love more than a blast from the past.

Photo by Lynn Kelly Author via Flickr CC License

Dance of Second Chances

by Mina Beckett from the March 3, 2025 issue

Tagline: Liora gains confidence and sparks romance when she dances with a cclose friend at the Mardi Gras ball.

Observations: I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised to see this type of story appear in Woman's World. For years, I've been advising people to steer clear of heavy subject matter, but there is "a new sheriff" in town, and perhaps the editorial staff is more open to stories with a little more heft to them--like this one.

I mean, Liora has been battling back from what appears to be a career-ending injury. She was once a ballet dancer. Now, she seems to have finished her physical therapy and is dancing (non-professionally) for the first time since her accident. This story is all about her conquering her fear and realizing she can still enjoy dancing, if not at the level she once enjoyed, and finding romance along the way.

I really loved how encouraging Gavin was. The ending was fulfilling, but, for me, leaning more toward self-realization than romance. Which might be a good thing because I couldn't help but wonder at how ethical it is to start a relationship with a patient.

Even so, I very much enjoyed this story.

P.S. I know this photo is not of a masquerade or a ball but it is Mardi Gras and it was so cute, I couldn't resist.

Photo by Shreveport Bossier via Flickr CC License

Skiing Slopes Into Love

by Donna Clancy from the February 24, 2025 issue

Tagline: Carol rekindles more than just her love of snow sports on a weekend away at a ski resort when she runs into an old flame.

Observations: Ha! This was a matchmaker story that I didn't see coming. I LOVE being surprised. This was also an old flame story, so don't hesitate to combine two tropes together in one story. 

I liked that Ms. Clancy seemed very familiar with skiing. All the little details rang true. Even if you're not familiar with an aspect of your story, the internet is only a click away. I wrote my first hockey romance not being a hockey fan at all, but thanks to Google, I was able to learn a lot about the sport and some of the behind the scenes stuff that made it seem to reviewers like I'd been a fan for a long time. 

Shout out to Donna. Congratulations on your first published story! You're proof that persistence is so important. You nailed the tone, the tropes, the connection between the characters... Brava!