Daring to Start Anew

by Tracy Savage Wilson from the June 24, 2019 issue

Tagline: When a lost dog shows up at Lisa's coffee stand, she goes on a mission to return the pup to his handsome owner...and finds love along the way.

Stream of Consciousness Observations: Right off the bat we get a backstory paragraph, which I've said before is just fine in a Woman's World story. You have such a limited number of words that you must convey information as efficiently as possible. Immediately, we learn she's divorced, going back to school, taking night classes and working.

As a thirteen year barista, I know about regular customers, so this part rings very true. I, too, have people switching it up occasionally.

Oh, she's interested in this particular regular. Heh heh. Once in a while we get some eye candy and the cougar in me growls. LOL

I like how the author used the morning rush as a way to stop the main characters from connecting longer. Putting obstacles in the way of your protagonists is a good way to keep reader interest.

Okay, she just found the dog hanging around the coffee stand after her shift and I'm finding it a little hard to believe. I hope the author convinces me this is plausible later in the story.

"We were at the park when he escaped..." Hm. Yeah, I'm still not buying it. In my experience, dogs who are bonded with their owners don't escape, especially at a park where I'm assuming he was leashed. If the author had said the dog chased a cat and had yanked the leash out of Dave's hand...that would have been a little different.

Ah, coming back to the coffee stand for a biscuit makes a little more sense.

"Of course. It's my favorite part of the day, seeing your beautiful smile every morning," Dave said huskily, taking her hand in his softly.

I am so accustomed to the tone of Woman's World stories that the word "huskily" actually made me rear back and think "ew." I think his statement would appear normal, coming from a regular customer, but if he said it huskily, that goes into creeper territory for me. Then, add the taking of the hand... Yeah, I think he's moving a tad fast.

Photo by Alper Cugun via Flickr cc license

Picture Bliss

by Mary Ellen Main

Tagline: When art teacher Sue Becker assigns her students a special Father's Day project, she never imagines it will color her life with new love.

Observations: I thought this was an adorable story. When the call went out recently for Father's Day stories, I was like, "What? How does anyone write a story based on Father's Day?" Well, Main did. :)

I liked the humor about Simon's stick figure drawing in the middle of the story. It's always great to add humor and to show your characters having a sense of humor. That's one of the most popular traits people look for in mates, isn't it? But I was puzzled about this part:

"Would you consider going out to dinner with me tomorrow evening, Sue...to get to know each other a little better?"

"I'd like that," she said, her heart swelling. "On one condition."

"What's that?"

"That Simon doesn't draw any pictures of what we look like together."

Carson grinned. "Well, I"m sorry but I can't promise that," he laughed, squeezing her hand in his. "He loves to draw what makes him happy."

Why didn't she want him to draw a picture of them? She's his kindergarten teacher and hopefully appreciates children's artwork. Maybe someone can explain it to me in the comments. :)

Photo credit: Ruth Hartnup via Flickr CC license

The Secret Recipe for Love

by Julie Brookman

Tagline: When Chelsea Edwards is pitted against her handsome nemesis, Joel, in the annual barbecue competition, the grill isn't the only thing heating up!

Observations: Chelsea was a sassy heroine, one I admired. She stepped up to grill by herself when her dad couldn't compete. She was able to hold her own when Joel was teasing her. She was pretty canny when she realized Joel was "trying to throw her off her game."

Usually when there are stories that revolve around cooking, I find something to gripe about. I've watched a lot of cooking shows and I am a good cook myself, but I saw nothing to ping my radar. Yay!

The bad news: I totally have a craving for ribs now.

Tropes: second chance, enemies to lovers

Photo credit: David McSpadden via Flickr CC license

Love on Page One

by Alyssa Symon from the June 3, 2019 issue

Tagline: When Bonnie boards her flight to a literary conference, she's given up on love--until a handsome stranger rewrites her story.

Stream of Consciousness Observations: The man is wearing a suit on the plane? He must be a business man going on a business trip. Gone are the days when people dressed up to travel.

Hm. Her heart throbbed? Odd word choice.

I like the stubble paragraph. I'm fascinated with facial hair. Wait, that sounds weird. I mean I just find stubble attractive. LOL

Even though I never saw the movie, I immediately think of "Weekend at Bernie's" when I see his name is Bernie.

Connecting over books? OMG. I'm jealous of Bonnie. My husband is not a Reader.

Black moment arrives. Of course, they have to part at the baggage claim. But being a savvy WW story reader, I know he's going to show up at the conference.

OMG. I LOVE how he reveals his presence at the conference! Although I totally expected him to be there, when he taps her on the shoulder and says she's in his seat...it's perfect.

I loved this story.

Photo credit: Stevep2008 via Flickr CC license

A Love Remembered

by Lisa Weaver from the May 27, 2019 issue

Tagline: When Kate takes on the role of emcee at a Memorial Day bachelor auction, memories of lost love haunt her...until a former beau takes the stage.

Observations: I thought this was a fantastic Memorial Day story. It had:

• a little sadness about her father's passing, which was appropriate
• some humor with the triplets putting gum in the heroine's hair
• a second chance
• a misunderstanding with the winning bidder being in cahoots with the hero
• a great ending that tied in with the hot air balloon date the hero planned

Handy tip: Woman's World is always looking for stories that tie into holidays, and not just the major ones, like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Find some obscure "national" holidays and build a story around them.

Photo by Billy Bob Bain (Flickr cc license)