A Lucky Snow Day

by P.S. Murray from the December 15, 2025 issue

Tagline: When Eve stepped onto a snow-covered street, she never dreamed she'd bump into the handsome guy from work--or that it would lead to new love.

Observations: This was a darling story. I often think about the people who end up being alone on Christmas and I'm glad the two people in the story were able to spend it together. I did worry at first about the snowball to the face. Those can really hurt! The snowballs I've made are always compact and hard so that they fly more accurately. But I'll have to take her at her word, like Chuck did, that she was fine.

Photo by Kyle via Flickr CC License

A Recipe for Love

by Carol J. Douglas from the December 1, 2025 issue

Tagline: When her best friend's brother stops by to pick up the Thanksgiving rolls, Linda is surprised by their instant connection--and it just might change their holidays.

Off the Cuff Observations: I love the aroma of bread baking too! If I didn't work at Starbucks, a bakery would have been a wonderful-smelling place to work too.

Every year, Linda made a beautiful basket filled with Thanksgiving items -- I paused to think about what would go in a Thanksgiving raffle basket those would be. A turkey? That's not going to add to the beauty of a basket. Maybe place settings, a table runner? Okay. This is plausible.

I've read stories in which someone wonders about the path not taken, but it's usually not as serious as a marriage proposal. My heart really goes out to Linda. 

This year, Carla's family bid the highest on Linda's basket again. -- Prediction...the person picking up the rolls is going to be an eligible bachelor!

And I was right. Paul is single!

Linda's heart did a little turkey trot. -- LOL!! Love it.

This story was longer than normal. I love that! I also loved the reason that they're getting together again is to make the perfect leftover turkey sandwich. Nice, fresh idea for a Thanksgiving story, but I am wondering why a Thanksgiving story is appearing in the December 1 issue. Do they need more seasonal stories that aren't connected to a holiday? Just wondering.

Photo by Mark Levisay via Flickr CC License

A Very Happy Thanksgiving

by Tina Radcliffe from the November 24, 2025 issue

Tagline: When Lindsay dashes to the store for a missing ingredient, she doesn't expect to bump into her neighbor...or to spark something new.

Observations: A perfect story. I have no notes on it except good ones.

First, we have great characterization in the form of list-making Lindsay. This trait is threaded throughout the story. We see it really established at the beginning. It's mentioned again in the middle of the story...

Lindsay laughed. "It's right here on my checklist."

Then, it's mentioned at the end for a third time... 

"You're a list person too?"

I think mentioning things three times originates with fairy tales, but it's kind of a time-honored thing that I think readers have come to subconsciously expect. It also feels right, for some reason. What's great in this story is that this third mention also shows that they have something in common.

The second thing I wanted to highlight was that we are shown that Lindsay is ready to move on with her life after a break-up. This is a small but crucial detail when writing a Moving On story, whether it's a break-up or a divorce. The character must be ready or else, in the backs of our minds, we readers will not be sure the romance will ever go anywhere. This readiness can already be established or it can be shown in the story, as in:

Over a year? Already?

...maybe Paige was right after all. Maybe it was time to try.

Photo by DC Central Kitchen via Flickr CC license

Finding Love at the Right Door

by Mina Beckett from the November 17, 2025 issue

Tagline: When Daisy hears someone knocking, she doesn't expect a handsome chef to be at her door. Will her lonely afternoon turn into a holiday to remember?

Off the Cuff Observations: Daisy stood at her sink, staring at the turkey...totally paralized by the absolute certainty she'd bitten off more than she could roast. -- Been there, done that!

"And wait...you're the woman with the dedicated mail-checking schedule." -- LMAO

"Humans are trickier than poultry." -- Another witty line.

Oh my gosh. I'm getting tingles reading the part where she gathers guests for her Thanksgiving by knocking on her neighbors' doors.

Later as Tate and Daisy cleaned up, their hands brushed and neither pulled away. -- Hooray for no electricity!

Really nice, warm fuzzy ending. I really liked this one.

Photo by Renee Schwietzke via Flickr CC License