Bunny Kisses by Ann M. Janis

from the March 26, 2018 issue

Tagline: Could Sean be sweet on more than just Kate's cookies?

Observations: This was a super cute story. Having been to many a fundraiser and festival in my time, this evoked a lot of the same optimism I remember as a teacher and as a parent.

I did think the milk chocolate treat for a tail on the cookies made for a weird image. I know bunnies can be brown, but these cookies were pastel, so the brown tail seemed like an odd choice.

I'd also like to issue a blanket commendation to all the uber-dedicated aunts and uncles of Woman's World stories! Again, in my experience as a teacher and parent, it was work to just get parents to attend these types of events, let alone uncles and aunts. LOL But we authors have artistic license and we often need to use it!

I adored the ending:

He smiled, and her heart did a little bunny hop.

An Irresistible Treasure by Marti Attoun

From the March 12, 2018 issue

Tagline: Shannon didn't expect to find romance in a thrift shop...but Gabe was a treasure she couldn't resist!

Observations: I haven't done a stream-of-consciousness critique in a while and I'm a bit behind with the stories, so here goes...

1. I love clownfish! I've loved them even before Finding Nemo came out. They're so adorable and the way they "make friends" with anemones to protect themselves is amazing.

2. I can totally picture Shannon's apartment. My MIL's house was much like this--a collection of oddball items and antique furniture that was so her.

3. LOL "unique second-hand hodgepodge"

4. "If the chicken Parm bombs, you can blame it on these guys." -- I am totally confused by this line.

5. Ah, the aunt is on vacation so the handsome nephew is filling it. This is a popular trope of Woman's World stories. However, I wonder why Shannon didn't know about this vacation. I'd think Evelyn would have notified her if she saw her every week for the aquarium upkeep. I'm thinking it was probably Evelyn playing matchmaker.

6. "I'm so thrilled that Evelyn finally got to see a real ocean again." -- Oh, that's a great loop back to the line in the beginning of the story.

7. Love this line:

"What she didn't tell me was she bought enough salt and pepper shakers at an estate sale to season the whole Midwest."

8. Cute ending, tying into the title. This is something I haven't mentioned in a while. If you're looking for a way to wrap up your story neatly, connect your title with your ending line. I'm not sure what's easier--writing the ending first and coming up with a title afterward, or vice-versa. Also, the setting of a secondhand or antique shop is a tried and true one too.

Baking Up Romance by Mary Davis

Tagline: Sara had no time for love...until she met Jim!

Observations: I can appreciate the cuteness in this story. Who doesn't love a baker? Or a male teacher? I thought the math angle was clever, but I don't have much else to say about this story. Sorry.

I wanted to mention that I see a lot of farmer's markets showing up in Woman's World. It almost seems as if the farmer's market is this year's yard sale.

P.S. I must be dumber than a fourth grader because there's no way I could do that math problem with out a pen and paper.

Photo credit: Crystal via Flickr CC License

Sunny with a Chance of Romance by Amy Michaels

Tagline: Peter offered Rachel an umbrella and a chocolate croissant...but was there a chance of romance?

Observations: First of all, this is my 500th post!!! I can't believe it. Not all 500 are story analyses, but most of them are, and I don't plan on stopping anytime in the near future.

I adored this story, maybe because I work with chocolate croissants every day! LOL

A few things I wanted to point out about this story...

There is a part in the middle that fast-forwards us through time. It's a "telling" passage, as opposed to "showing." This kind of device helps the reader feel as if the story is longer than it really is. I have to admit that when Rachel gets back in town and sees the canopy and tables, I was totally surprised. It's hard to surprise me in a Woman's World story!

Here's a line that I loved:

The girl smiled. "Oh, you must be the chocolate croissant."

LMAO. FYI, this is totally how we Starbucks baristas sometimes refer to our regular customers--by their drinks, not their names (which we sometimes don't know or can't remember).

In a Woman's World story, you can refer to physical attraction, but do it discreetly. This is how Michaels did it...

The broad smile on his face and the warmth in his eyes had her pulse racing.

That's all it takes. Just a sentence. :)

Photo credit: Joy via Flickr CC license

Missing issues

So the last issue I got was Feb 12.

I just got March 5.

I called them and they don't have any extras they can send.

Anyone able to send me the missing stories?