Old Love, New Light

by Anne Skalitza from the July 13, 2026 issue 

Tagline

When Sarah agreed to meet a former flame for a walk, she never expected it might open the door to healing--and perhaps a second chance at love.

Observations

Anne does a few things in this story that I'd like to highlight. It's been a while since I saw some good teaching moments in a story, so bear with me. 

First, she states that Sarah is reconnecting with an old boyfriend and a little later we see "his dark brown hair now sported lots of silver at the temples," which gives us a rough idea of their ages. 

It's vital in fiction to provide readers with details with which they can create a mental picture of the characters. For instance, once I know they're old enough for gray hair, I can assume they might have married and had kids or even grandkids. They've probably had one or more relationships since high school. They likely have an established career. These assumptions are nebulous, but they're there in my mind, waiting to be true or false.

On the other hand, if we found out they were younger--say just out of college--I'd have made a different sent of assumptions. Their break-up is much fresher. They may not have had other relationships because one or both of them had been carrying torches for each other. They might be realizing that they'd made a big mistake and might be seeking reconciliation. They will have most of their lives ahead of them, meaning they could marry and create a family together.

The timing of when you reveal these details is just as vital. If you go too far into the story, the reader might erroneously create a picture that's inaccurate. For example, if they thought the character was an x-ray tech but find out later he's the head of surgery--that requires a complete mental revision which can cause annoyance and confusion. 

That being said, some character details are nice, but not vital. For instance, eye or hair color, or the fact that he has broad shoulders. Like I said, it's nice to know that. It helps me picture him in my head. But if I'm picturing a man with brown hair and later find out it's blond, it doesn't create nearly as much confusion. 

The second teaching moment I wanted to highlight is the plot twist, which is the point when a story unexpectedly changes direction. I mentioned that readers make assumptions. With this story I came to all the nebulous conclusions I listed above, which is why the fact that she's a widow comes out of left field. When you're writing plot twists, you subtly lead the reader in a certain direction so that you can surprise them later. Now, suddenly, I'm feeling a completely different way about Sarah and I love seeing how Ethan responds. 

And then, we get another smaller plot twist: he's a widower. Again, the story angles in a slightly different direction and changes the way we're looking at this couple. I find myself rooting for them more because they're both adrift, and experiencing love and loss means they will have another, deep and meaningful, layer of connection.

Photo by kowarski via Flickr CC license

A Lucky Stall

by Mina Beckett from the July 20, 2026 issue

Tagline

When Diane's car malfunctions at her daughter's high school fundraiser, the last thing she expects is a jump-start for her love life.

Off the Cuff Observations

a car full of dry cleaning -- Huh. I only dry clean my formal wear these days. But I was a stay at home mom for quite a while, so my wardrobe wasn't exactly full of office clothes. Even before that when I was an elementary school teacher, I didn't buy stuff that had to be dry cleaning. But maybe she's a lawyer or corporate exec.

She was a woman with a full calendar, a standing dentist appointment--and exactly one ex-husband. She wasn't the kind of woman who got randomly flustered when a handsome guy spoke to her. -- I'm puzzled by this. I understand the full calendar thing. But what does having a standing dentist appointment have to do with her not getting flustered? It shows she's...organized? And why describe the ex with "exactly one?" Meaning she might have had more than one? That's an odd thing to call attention to.

[His expression] was soft and warm, like a lamp coming on in a window. -- Love that!

"I'll call you," he said. Not a question. Not a performance. Just a fact he intended to make true.-- While I like how this helps to describe him as someone who behaves with honesty, this is the second time Mina mentioned that he wasn't "performing." Is this a thing now in the dating world? Someone enlighten me.

Man, this guy seems perfect. Why hasn't he been snapped up? LOL

This story is another reason I am LOVING the new heftier word count. The pace of this story was...normal. It didn't feel condensed or rushed. Do you know what I mean? It took its sweet time and it was refreshing and soothing to read.

Photo by Bradley Griffin via  Flickr CC License

A Treasure Uncovered

by Carrie Langevin from the June 29, 2026 issue

Tagline

When Christina heads to Cape Cod for the summer, a handsome seafood shack owner--and his lovable dog--turn her getaway into something more.

Off the Cuff Observations

She's vacationing for three months. Is she a teacher?

Yes, she's a teacher. LOL

I love the idea of a vintage cottage, but I doubt a refrigerator from the 60s would still be working. Maybe it was meant to be 60s style.

Thank you again to the publishers for extending the word count of the romance stories! I'm often noticing richer descriptions like in this story. 

I love the golden french fry scarfing Lab. Woman's World does love dogs in stories. I noticed that back in 2005!

And the coincidences rack up. First, she happens to run into Randy on the beach. Then his aunt just happens to own the cottage she's renting. Actually, this type of thing is to be expected in these stories. Yes, it's a little goofy, but that's what makes Woman's World stories so fun. You have to enjoy the tongue-in-cheekiness of this very specific genre.

OMG. See what I mean? He lives in Florida during the winter in her neighborhood! Well, of course he does. And his niece is a former student.

I liked how Carrie wove the sea glass throughout the story at the beginning, middle and end as a sort of motif. 

Photo by Kathleen Dagostino via Flickr CC License

Sweet New Chapters

by Anne Olivier from the June 22, 2026 issue

Tagline

When Lucy helps her father settle into a new senior liing community, she bumps into an old flame. Could it be a second chance at love?

Off the Cuff Observations

Lucy's dad needs to socialize more. Boy, I identify that loud and clear as a daughter with an 89-year-old mother. People think they want to live a long time, but when you outlive your friends, it can be tough. Dementia just makes it harder. She has trouble finding the right words which subsequently makes her reluctant to talk to people on the phone. She hasn't been allowed to drive for years, so she also is stuck at home. Aging is no picnic in the park, that's for sure. Anyway, back to the story.

OMG. I'm so far behind I'm analyzing a Father's Day story. <smh>

The dads are getting along. They're laughing and connecting. It has me really wishing my mom's visit to an assisted living place went as well as this.

And who doesn't love a good old-fashioned bookstore owner story? I was in Seattle for a bit after our cruise was over and I happened upon a romance bookstore! I had such a good time going in there. Beguiled Books, if you're interested.

I don't know why Bingo gets a bad rap. I think it's fun. The only problem I have is the slow speed at which they usually call the numbers. 

This is a cute story and a clever twist on the Father's Day theme. Two thumbs up for me!

Photo by Anne Varak via Flickr CC License

A View Worth Sharing

by Chris Maday Schmidt from the June 15, 2026 issue

Tagline

Patti's furniture delivery mistakenly ends up at her neighbor Nick's place. What follows is an evening on the patio--and the promise of second chances!

Observations

I am so far behind on the blog, it's not even funny. Like I mentioned, Life has been challenging. My mother is being released from the skilled nursing facility she as been at for the past two weeks. She can no longer be left alone, so we're talking major changes for us all.  I am behind on copy editing someone's novel and was also on a week-long 35th anniversary cruise to Alaska during which I refused to work. :) Anyway, I am going to do my best to catch up. 

In my class on how to write and sell romances stories to Woman's World, I talk about many different categories of Woman's World stories. There are first meet stories, matchmaker stories, person-to-the-rescue stories and more. This is a lovely moving-on story. 

Moving-on stories feature a main character who is typically trying to get past a divorce or the loss of a spouse. What you want to do when writing one of these stories, besides identifying what the person is moving on from, is show they're emotionally ready. You want the reader to feel confident that the character is making the right decision, that he/she has a great chance of being happy. 

Chris shows this in many ways. First, she establishes that it's been 2 years since Patti's husband passed away. She mentions that "morning had always been their time, but that the silence didn't feel as heavy as it once had. And then there's this passage:

...she admitted how much she'd like to share that view with a special someone again. Maybe. Just maybe.

Lastly, Patti acknowledges that "it was time to tackle things she'd been putting off on her bucket list."

After this, from the butterflies to her giggling, Chris shows how Patti's shift in her personal perspective changes how she looks at her neighbor. 

Then there are two moments that I loved. First, there's the appearance of the bird that Patti interprets as a signal from her late husband. Right after that, Patti decides to find out if Nick has been waiting for a sign from her that she was ready. It's that decision that I love. She is not waiting passively for things to happen--she takes action. She's definitely done waiting.

I also loved the ending--especially this line:

Hope stirred again, soft but certain.

That line gives me all the feelz, and then there's the wonderful call back to enjoying coffee on the balcony, except now, she wants Nick to enjoy it with her. So if you're looking for a good example of how to execute a moving-on story, this is it.

Photo by El Gran Sueno via Flickr CC License

Revving Up New Love

by Lisa Sideris from the June 8, 2026 issue

Tagline

As Charlotte heads to a car show, she can't help feeling a little lonely--until a handsome man named Russ sparks something unexpected.

Off the Cuff Observations

I have to start by apologizing for my absence from the blog. I've been dealing with some health issues--mine and my 89 year old mother. She's still in the hospital and I would appreciate prayers and good thoughts. 

Charlotte slowed to admire patches of colorful wildflowers on the surrounding hills... --  I live in Southern California and when the poppies are blooming, it's spectacular. 

It's a car show! My husband is a member of the Sons of the American Legion and they have an annual car show that he volunteers to help with. Unfortunately, it's in July and it's always super hot but there are a lot of cool cars to see and admire and vote on.

Oh, dear. Is Gramps just sick or has he recently passed on?

"I'm hoping someone from the car show will stop, but it's still so early." -- Um. She's driving a '65 red Mustang, Russ... LOL Maybe he's just so dazzled by her that he's not putting two and two together. 

Okay, Gramps is still alive. She talked about him in the present tense.

A small current zipped between them that could have shaken up a chemistry lab. -- I like how the author took the cliche of electricity and added a little personality to it, but are currents common in chem labs? I never took chemistry.

I love how persistent Russ was. It shows Charlotte just how interested he is in her.

Nice story!

Photo by Roberto via Flickr CC License

Something Borrowed

by Debra McNally from the June 1, 2026 issue

Tagline

When Maddie is stranded before her best friend's wedding, the best man comes to her rescue--and they discover a connection that can't be ignored.

Off the Cuff Observations

So far, I like the modern feel to the story. The heroine is texting and the excitement of being involved in a wedding is palpable.

Maddie then realized she wouldn't recognize Mason when he arrived. She had only heard a few stories..." -- I like how Debra included the backstory about Mason.

He's really not an Old MacDonald type at all. -- LOL

I'm not sure why he had to sneak the bracelet to her. Doesn't Luke's grandmother know they're borrowing it? Maybe I'm missing something.

I get it...the Chicken Dance, because he's a farmer. LOL

I love how they ended up with cute nicknames. I can totally see them fifty years later still calling each other City Girl and Country Boy.

Photo by Naomi King via Flickr CC License