A Cure for Writer's Block

by Barbara Barata from the April 20, 2026 issue

When Kelly settles into her usual cafe booth to write, she never expects her fictional romance to turn into real-life inspiration!

Off the Cuff Observations

Love the name of the cafe--The Postage Stamp Cafe. Sounds like a cozy spot.

...a physique a friend described as "hot teddy bear." -- LOL! Love.

He had a broken freezer. That brings back some fond memories of a novella I wrote in which a chef who had the same thing happen to her.

Ah...Tom converted an old post office into the cafe. I wondered if we'd find out why it was named that.

Their friendship had developed after January 1, when she became a regular customer. -- Odd that date was mentioned specifically... Was it because ...she had resolved that this was the year to pursue her dream? 

I'm almost halfway throught the story and have gotten to the part where we're in a flashback to her conversation with her sister and I'm really enjoying the pacing of these longer stories. The extra words are allowing us to more seamlessly add bits of backstory like this. It is so nice!!!

OMG. I love the lead-up to the kiss. The second the readers see that she's having trouble with the logisitics of the kiss, they know what's going to happen, even if Kelly doesn't--which is the whole point. The author knows this readers-know-but-the-character doesn't dynamic heightens the anticipation. In our minds, we're like, "Kelly! Just go with it. It's going to be fine!"

And do you see the small black moment? Let me know in the comments if you do. In my basics class on how to write and sell romance to Woman's World, I talk about including a black moment in your stories--that moment when you think it's not going to work out after all. It can be big and obvious or small and subtle (as it is in this story.) Either way, it's not mandatory, but in my opinion, better to include than not.

All right. Cute story, but if I had been called in as editor on this, I would have suggested that Ms. Barata beef up the emotion in this critical spot:

Kelly laughed too, her doubts flying away. "Yes."

This is the big payoff moment. Everything changes in Kelly's mind and heart because she knows that Tom is truly interested in her. I would like to have seen just a couple of sentences here showing what Kelly's going through. Let the reader in on all the feelz. Draw this out. Make the most out of it because this is why people read romance--vicariously living the feeling of falling in love. Don't skimp.

By the way, click here to find out more about my editing services.

Photo by Stephen Kelly via Flickr CC License

The Best Table in the House

by Kimberly Kirkland Absher from the April 13, 2026 issue

When Kyle's family invites him to brunch by the river, he has no idea that an old connection--and a little matchmaking--awaits!

Observations

Usually, a matchmaking story has a bit of humor and is lighthearted and fun. This story was a little different. This story was calm and quiet and had a sense of knowing things were meant to be this way, that the two people just had to be in the same place at the right time. I think the added words made it even more comforting.

I do have to say it feels like there were more connections between the grandmas than there were between Kyle and Chelsea.

Photo by Chic Bea via Flickr CC License

A Season for Second Chances

by Stacey Weeks from the March 30, 2026 issue

Eric thought his dating days were behind him--until an ordinary Wednesday night game turned into an extraordinary new start.

Observations

I'm not sure how long the extended word count has been in place, and I haven't counted the words in this story, but it felt longer and--dare I say it?--more complete. 

Now, that could be the story itself--how it's written and the pacing. But to me, it felt like we more fully experienced Eric and Emily's first meet and budding romance. I didn't feel like I just ate chicken nuggets instead of a plate of buttermilk fried chicken and all the fixins. Is it just me?

Photo by Rick Obst via Flickr CC license

A Stroke of St. Paddy's Luck

by Katie Fitzgerald from the March 16, 2026 issue

At Shamrock Hill's holiday parade, Grace epects an ordinary day--until a chance encounter makes her believe in lucky new beginnings.

Observations

I felt a little meh as I read, but the last part of the story brought me solidly into "I enjoyed it" territory. When Ian gets off the float to give her his last necklace and to ask her out, it's like a wee grand gesture. We're used to seeing grand gestures after someone messes up, so this is a nice little change from that expectation.

I also liked that last sentence:

Grace rubbed a shamrock charm between her fingers, realizing those four leaves on his cheek had been as much her good-luck charm as his.

I want to reiterate a point I make in my Basics class on how to write and sell romance fiction to Woman's World. Spend a little extra time crafting your ending. That is your last chance to impress the editor and make her feel all the feelz. It's like an event in gymnastics. If you don't nail the landing, you jeopardize everything that came before it. Conversely, a really great ending can give you extra points.

Photo by Mosman Library via Flickr CC License

A Cozy New Beginning

by P.S. Murray from the March 9, 2026 issue

When Roxie braves her first brutal cold snap in a new town, a cup of coffee and a stranger's kindness offer more warmth than she expected.

Observations

Sorry for the many weeks between critiques. I was laid up with a "fun" out-patient lithotripsy (kidney stone removal.) The lead up to that and the subsequent recovery added to my shoulder problems was a little overwhelming. But I'm back! Kidneys are in good shape. The shoulder...remains to be seen.

Anyway, let's get to the story. 

Well, I have lived in  Southern California all my life, but even I know that if I were to move somewhere with Real Winters, I would probably need new outerwear. I'd rather have seen the heroine have procrastinated on this rather than be ignorant of the problem. 

This bothers me when I watch movies or TV too--characters making poor choices. I gather this is a trope in horror movies, which may be part of the reason why I hate horror movies. But I see it in other types of movies too. It's especially annoying in situations where the characters create even more danger for themselves when they should know better. 

In this story, it's not a life or death situation but I would still prefer for the heroine to be a little more prepared when it comes to moving to a new town with an unfamiliar climate.

Photo by Geir Tonnessen via Flickr CC License

Skating into a Second Chance

by Donna Clancy from the March 2, 2026 issue

When Jamie opens her seasonal ice rink and beloved hot cocoa stand, she never expects someone from the past to melt her heart.

Off the Cuff Observations

Oh, what a fun side gig--an ice rink and cocoa stand! Having lived in Southern California all my life, I have never experienced watching a body of water freeze. 

I love how we get to know Jamie and her loved ones. We see her life is a full one. Cue the eligible man!

This story was a very solid old flame story. It plays out in a predictable, but satisfying way. People often dismiss "formulaic" writing, but in Woman's World, familiar tropes are loved and valued. 

We meet Jamie and see her "ordinary world." The old flame makes an appearance. Jamie "resists the call to adventure" by assuming he's married. (If you haven't read Vogler's The Writers Journey, you should.) We all discover that Andy is single and that he had a crush on her too, way back when. They make plans to see each other again. 

Photo by Jeremy Keith via Flickr CC License

An Always Kind of Love

by Mary Ann Joyce from the February 23, 2026 issue

When Laurie arrives home from her shift, she has no idea her sweet husband has transformed the night into something unforgettable!

Off the Cuff Observations

Ol' Betsy - I love when people name their cars. I should name mine. Maybe Penny, because she's a pretty bronze/copper color.

Reading about that old man visiting his wife everyday at the skilled nursing facility made my eyes well up. Real love does exist and romance stories and novels help us keep aiming for that ideal.

A friend told me that a mensch is a person of good character, a nice guy. I've got a mensch for a husband too. I was feeling overwhelmed the other day because of some medical issues and he surprised me with some flowers!

OMG. I just got to the part where he whips out the re-stoned engagement ring. THIS, my friends, is Romance. If I had been the editor, I would have clicked "Buy" right at that moment.

You know, first meet stories are all well and good, but seeing a couple still in love after 32 years is so heartwarming. Well done, Mary Ann! I bow to your mastery of the craft.

Photo by Sunshinecity via Flickr CC License