Dance of Second Chances

by Mina Beckett from the March 3, 2025 issue

Tagline: Liora gains confidence and sparks romance when she dances with a cclose friend at the Mardi Gras ball.

Observations: I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised to see this type of story appear in Woman's World. For years, I've been advising people to steer clear of heavy subject matter, but there is "a new sheriff" in town, and perhaps the editorial staff is more open to stories with a little more heft to them--like this one.

I mean, Liora has been battling back from what appears to be a career-ending injury. She was once a ballet dancer. Now, she seems to have finished her physical therapy and is dancing (non-professionally) for the first time since her accident. This story is all about her conquering her fear and realizing she can still enjoy dancing, if not at the level she once enjoyed, and finding romance along the way.

I really loved how encouraging Gavin was. The ending was fulfilling, but, for me, leaning more toward self-realization than romance. Which might be a good thing because I couldn't help but wonder at how ethical it is to start a relationship with a patient.

Even so, I very much enjoyed this story.

P.S. I know this photo is not of a masquerade or a ball but it is Mardi Gras and it was so cute, I couldn't resist.

Photo by Shreveport Bossier via Flickr CC License

Skiing Slopes Into Love

by Donna Clancy from the February 24, 2025 issue

Tagline: Carol rekindles more than just her love of snow sports on a weekend away at a ski resort when she runs into an old flame.

Observations: Ha! This was a matchmaker story that I didn't see coming. I LOVE being surprised. This was also an old flame story, so don't hesitate to combine two tropes together in one story. 

I liked that Ms. Clancy seemed very familiar with skiing. All the little details rang true. Even if you're not familiar with an aspect of your story, the internet is only a click away. I wrote my first hockey romance not being a hockey fan at all, but thanks to Google, I was able to learn a lot about the sport and some of the behind the scenes stuff that made it seem to reviewers like I'd been a fan for a long time. 

Shout out to Donna. Congratulations on your first published story! You're proof that persistence is so important. You nailed the tone, the tropes, the connection between the characters... Brava!

Warm Hearts on a Cold Night

by Kristen Walsh from the February 17, 2025 issue

Tagline: Cherie didn't expect that a crisp winter skate at the lake would have her falling into the arms of a Valentine's Day sweetheart. 

Observations: What's more romantic than meeting while ice skating and sipping cocoa? I really liked the setting of this story. I could just picture the twinkling lights, hear the scrape of the skates on the ice and smell the hot chocolate. 

My favorite line: "The pickup hockey team is my way to keep from turning into a cold and lonely winter hermit." That made me laugh!

On the flip side, there were three instances of blushing at the end of the story. Having a critique partner read your drafts would be a good way to avoid repetition like this. Or you could always hire me to edit your story for you! 😜 

Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr CC License

Touchdown for True Love

by Carrie Langevin from the February 10, 2025 issue

Tagline: When Sherri showed up at her friend's Super Bowl party, she was dreading the though tof having to watch football. Until she hit it off with a handsome stranger by the snack table.

Observations: I really identified with this story, being a non-football fan myself. When I go to Super Bowl parties, which is rarely, I'm only there for the food. LOL

I liked the nod to the national anthem. I am a proud American and I always sing it at live events. I wish more people would. It's exhilarating to sing with a big group of people. 

I laughed when she admitted she tried the guacamole when she made it and my mouth watered when I read about the smoked chicken wings. YUM. As much as I don't like football, I love chicken wings.

It was fun to belatedly realize that this was a matchmaker story, too! I didn't see that coming, but it was a welcome surprise. I really liked the last line too.

Paige looked over her shoulder, seeing this romance unfold, and congratulated herself on a successful strategic offensive play. 

And it's a funny coincidence that this is the second story in a row to feature Swedish meatballs!

So, as a bit of a teaching moment, when writing a matchmaker story, you don't have to identify that trope and/or the matchmaker him/herself right off the bat. You can keep that card close to your vest until later as a fun surprise. 

Photo by Jeremy Keith via Flickr CC License

Love in a Snow Globe

by Wendel James Potter from the February 3, 2025 issue

Tagline: Enjoying a peaceful winter morning, Marni accepts an invitation from her handsome neighbor, Jann, to try Swedish meatballs

Off the Cuff Observations: I hate to start out with a criticism, but not sure I'd use the word "tender" to describe eyes. However, I still like the opening paragraph. It really sets the scene.

Ooh, I really like the snow globe paragraph! I also like the little summary of Marni's life right how. It paints her as a woman who is grateful for where she is and continues to work hard to meet her personal goals.

Oh, Jann sounds like the kind of neighbor every young single woman wants. Dare I say he's a NILK (Neighbor I Want to Kiss)?

She watched him as he walked to the counter for more coffee, taking in each step of his sort of lumber-swagger. That's how her breaths were coming. -- I'm a tad confused. Exactly how were her breaths coming? Lumber-swaggering? 

Ice fishing. LOL

Oh, he cooks! Another point in his favor. 

She knew her answer to his question, of course she wanted to come over, but a part of her hesitated. -- Why did she hesitate? And then why was she so confident with her answer, once she finally gave it?

Marni can't recall the last time she felt this content. -- Oops, we slipped into present tense.

Nice story! Loved the snow globe imagery and the yummy Swedish hero!

Photo by Sharon Chen via Flickr CC License

Breaking the Ice

by Mina Beckett from the January 27, 2025 issue

Tagline: megan finds herself jumping into more than just freezing water at the local polar plunge. With Reid, she may just dive into love too.

Observations: This was a very cute story and I liked it for a lot of reasons.

First, the premise was unique. A polar plunge! I've never seen that in a Woman's World story before. 

I also liked the banter between the two of them and how he used humor to calm her fears. 

I felt optimistic and happy when I got to the end. Even though no date had been nailed down, the couple really seemed like they had some fun ahead of them. 

Oddly enough, I very much appreciated that he threw his arm around her shoulders but there was no electricity, no zings, no flutterings. I know that the editors have said they like physical reactions like these to be included, but for me, it's apparently gotten to the point where not seeing it is refreshing. LOL It just wasn't needed and that Ms. Beckett realized that demonstrates how much of an art writing is. This story was published despite not having any physical attraction/reactions. I encourage you not to write your stories with a checklist. I think that is only asking for stories that seem cookie-cutter and formulaic.

Photo by Eagle102.net via Flickr CC License

A Spark in a Power Outage

by Eileen Bloss Buffone from the January 2025 issue

Tagline: Amanda, a city girl new to Montana, struggles with snow and isolation until her handsome landlord, Jonathan, offers pizza and companionship during a snowstorm.

Stream of Consciousness Observations: Contrary to my usual comments, these observations will be off-the-cuff, as I read, no forethought or analyzing. I usually do this because I'm behind on the blog and I need to catch-up. 

Oh, I am a born and bred California girl and I, too, get antsy when driving in the snow. 

She's a brave woman, moving to a new state with a completely different climate. However, as much as I like saguaro cacti, Big Sky Country would be so beautiful. I admire her sense of adventure!

"I'll bring the kerosene heater up from the basement." -- Her basement or his? I'm a little confused.

Pet peeve warning...their hands brush as she's handing him his root beer. As a barista, I hand drinks to people all day long without making skin to skin contact, but somehow this happens all the time in Woman's World stories. People's hands are constantly brushing accidentally. Maybe the point is that these people are doing it subconsciously because they're attracted to the other person? I don't know. I just know that it's very easy not to touch someone else when handing them things and it bugs me everytime I see it in a story. 

"This is the first time I've actually seen snow." -- I find it a teensy bit strange that he doesn't react more to this. All he says is that it's been a mild winter. 

Oh, a ride on a snowmobile sounds like a ton of fun. I like how Jonathan is just going for it.

Okay, I've finished the story. There was no black/gray moment, and I do miss it a little, although, as I've said many times before, it's not necessary for publication. The couple have a love of cooking in common, so that's a plus as far as their future is concerned! We always want to leave the story with a reasonable expectation of happiness and love between the couple.

Photo by Michael Lucas via Flickr CC License

 

Love Burns Brightly

by Colleen LaQuay Urbaniuk from the January 13, 2025 issue

Tagline: Peter knows a thing or two about putting out fires, but a surprise visit from Angela reveals the one fire he never quite extinguished.

Observations: First of all, I loved the tagline. It was extra clever this week.

There was a lot I liked about this story. I loved all the banter amongst the firefighters. If you love that type of thing too, I highly recommend the book Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center. It really goes deep into the world of firefighting. Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors.

I noticed this story had an omniscient POV, which isn't seen as much but was worth noting, if you like writing that POV.

I also really liked how much time was spent with the main characters interacting and exploring their past feelings and setting the record straight. Everything that happened back then sounded very plausible. When the story ended, I felt confident these two had a real chance at love.

A Perfect Beginning

by Marcella Robinson from the January 6, 2025 issue

Tagline: Looking to evade her family's matchmaking scheme, Elaine enlists a friend as a faux date that leads to real feelings on New Year's Eve.

Observations: This was a cute fake boyfriend story and it just goes to show you/me that you can take romance novel tropes and apply them to a Woman's World story! Fake relationships are all the rage in full length romances, and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more of them in the pages of the magazine we all want to publish with.

Favorite line: Seriously, no man should ever look that good in flannel. 

A Christmas List for Love

by Rose Ross Zediker from the December 30, 2024 issue

Tagline: While volunteering at a charity, Sharee Walker meets a charming "Santa" with whom sparks fly as they bond over spreading holiday cheer. 

Observations: This story warmed my heart because it touched on the fact that not everyone's holidays are filled with people they love and a lot of people feel lonely when Christmas comes along. I liked seeing the heroine not just be a victim to her sadness and situation. It's a good lesson for life. If you don't like your situation, do something about it! 

This one way to come up with a story idea. Begin with a character who has a situation they are not happy with and show them taking action. Then, while they're preparing for that action or completing it, throw in a love interest. For example, maybe a woman is unhappy with the state of her front yard. 

She could meet someone at the nursery when she asks for advice. 

A neighbor could offer to help her pull out a particularly stubborn bush. 

She remembers a man she has a crush on at work has shared pictures of his garden before. 

As she works hard in her garden she comes upon a brightly painted stone. (It's from a secret admirer.)

She hires a teenager to weed the yard and meets his single uncle in the process.

She upsets a bee hive and meets a handsome EMT.

She finds an abandoned squirrel/bird/animal and meets a handsome vet or animal rescue person.

Try this yourself. Look at your own life and choose something that you'd like to change then imagine how love might blossom while in the midst of changing that thing.

Photo by Steve Bremer via Flickr CC License

A Hopeful Thanksgiving

by Delsora Lowe from the December 2, 2024 issue

Tagline: For Tina, volunteering at the community Thanksgiving dinner served up more than just good food...it gave her a chance at a new love.

Observations: Seems odd to have a Thanksgiving story in a December issue, but I guess that just goes to show you that you have multiple chances to sell a holiday story to Woman's World!!

I wanted to point out in this story how Ms. Lowe so gracefully inserted that backstory into the middle of the story. 

At first, all we know is that she has a crush on this guy. Later, we find out Tina and Stephen knew each other as kids and this delayed information gives the story more warmth. If we'd known Tina's carried this torch for 40ish years right from the get-go, we might form a less than favorable opinion of her. But Lowe introduced us to her first, painting her as an eager community volunteer, so we admire her first and find out about her long-time crush afterward.

Photo by Deb Nystrom via Flickr CC License

A Sweet Side of Mix-up

by Mina Beckett from the November 18, 2024 issue

Tagline: After walking into the wrong house on Thanksgiving, Ryan was welcomed at the Collins table...and Claire quickly opened her heart to him.

Observations: What a classic misunderstanding story! I want you all to notice that while Claire has no idea that the guy who shows up isn't her cousin's boyfriend, the reader almost assuredly does.

The guy blinked, looking slightly confused for a second, but he recovered quickly.

It's nice to know that you don't have to craft this as a complete surprise to the reader. In fact, sometimes you want the reader to be in on the joke, as it were, so there's that extra little bit of amusement.

Honestly the only thing that surprised me was that Claire, a single woman, was hosting this sizeable Thanksgiving for her family. I did wonder if there weren't other family members better able to host the event. Is it old-fashioned of me to expect that a married couple would have volunteered to host?

Photo by Kevin Dooley via Flickr CC License

True Love at First Down

by Veda Boyd Jones from the November 11, 2024 issue

Tagline: New to town and looking to treat her nephew to a fun birthday outing, Katie attends a local college football game and finds kind eyes in the stands.

Observations: There is so much to talk about with this wonderful story from veteran writer Ms. Jones. She did a phenomenal job of setting the scene at a college football game and keeping us there in the moment. 

At the very beginning, she shows Katie and her nephew struggling to get to their seats. Anyone who has attended any type of stadium/arena game knows how tightly the seats are packed. We also see the kid put the soda on the ground, which I'm sure many of us have done at places that don't have cup holders. 

Bill almost acts like an announcer for Katie, telling her about how the team comes out and informing her about the jets.

Jones also does an excellent job of interspersing the game action with dialogue, which incidentally, really does its job of connecting the two main characters and revealing information about them.

All through the story you feel like you're there.

I wanted to also point out how she slipped in some extremely concise physical information about Bill... 

The man next to Cody leaned in a forward position and she looked into dark blue eyes surrounded by laugh lines.

The only other info we get about him, physically, is that he's around her age, 30-something. I point this out because, in my class on how to write and sell romances to Woman's World, I talk about ways to keep your word count low. Skimping on physical description is one of them. While it's nice to dedicate an entire paragraph to really paint a picture of a character, it's not necessary, as you can see in this story.

Jones also does a good job of showing Katie and Bill connecting, but not completely ignoring Cody. If the story had only shown them talking to each other, the characters would have appeared selfish, especially since this is supposed to be a birthday present to Cody. 

I also loved the playful banter at the end. Notice how Jones withheld the dialogue tags to keep that conversation snappy. And that mention of the ballet? Excellent.

I also spotted two typos. Did you see them?

Photo by Breezy Baldwin via Flickr CC License

A Spook-tacular Matchmaking

by Lisa Weaver from the November 4, 2024 issue

Tagline: As a Halloween enthusiast down on her luck when it came to love, Cassie wasn't expecting to fall head over heels for her handsome client

Observations: I'm constantly surprised at how well the authors can deliver a story that's the same, but different. Maybe my senior brain is malfunctioning, but I can't remember seeing a pumpkin-carving/pet costume contest story before. So, well done, Ms. Weaver.

I also noticed many fall and Halloween turns-of-phrase in her story. Did you catch them all?

"...she was batty about Halloween."

"...the shiver that zizagged down Cassie's spine...had nothing to do with things that went bump in the night..."

"...his gaze as hot as a raging bonfire."

That sort of thing can really help set the scene/mood.

I always enjoy Ms. Weaver's stories.

Photo by William Warby via Flickr CC License

The Monster Match Dance

by Carol J. Douglas from the October 28, 2024 issue

Tagline: Halloween-obsessed Mandy had given up hope of finding her spooky soulmate until a chance run-in at a local store changes her haunting fate.

Observations: This story was adorable! First of all, the author does a great job of getting us in the halloween mood and giving us some real insight into the heroine and her love of Halloween. I don't know about you, but I really felt for Mandy and hoped she would find someone who shared her love for that holiday. It's hard enough finding someone compatible, let alone zeroing in on one particular passion.

I liked that the hero had a sense of humor...

He was dressed as a vampire and was just as swoon-worthy as one. His name tag said: JOSH.

"Thanks," Mandy said. "Great costume[,] Josh!"

"Oh, it's not a costume."

Seeing their surprised faces, he said conspiratorially, "It really is, but if I had my way, I'd wear a costume every day!"

The black moment was poignant to me. I felt the disappointment along with Mandy (even though I knew he'd be there at the end.) And I really liked the ending, forecasting the next Halloween which, if all went well, would include a wedding!

Photo by Shanna S. via Flickr CC License

Roadside Reunion

by Beth Pugh from the October 7, 2024 issue

Tagline: As she's about to lose hope for making the night perfect for her niece, Amanda finds help from an old "friend."

Observations: The thing that stood out in this story to me was the heroine. We all know the readership for the magazine skews toward older women, but let's not make the mistake of assuming this demographic expects or wants protagonists to behave as if they were from the 50s. 

Yet, it wouldn't be wise to swing the other way and make your heroine the type of woman who doesn't need a man for anything. 

So there's a balance you need to achieve. You want your heroine to be strong and capable and confident. But you still want to keep the hero, well, heroic. This story hit the nail on the head.

Amanda is understandably daunted when faced with changing the tire on her own, but she's also resourceful and turns to the internet for help. (However, if it had been my story, I might not have had Amanda pretending everything was fine for her niece. Better to set the example on how to problem solve.) So there's your strong, capable woman at work. And then Jake arrives. He is not pushy and there's no man-splaining, just an honest offer of help. 

On a side note, are there still drive-in theatres where you live?

Photo by Mike Mozart via Flickr CC License

After the Rain

by Rosemary Hayes from the September 30, 2024 issue.

Tagline: En route to make her final Home Meals delivery of the day, Rachel finds herself caught in the rain. It seems not only raindrops fall on her that afternoon, but also a chance at love when kind-eyed Callum offers her an umbrella and a hand. 

Observations: Rosemary Hayes is a veteran Woman's World romance writer and this story is an example of why. I mean, the hero is the embodiment of chivalry! Who doesn't like the idea of being swept up in a strong man's arms? (It really should happen to us more than just on our wedding day. Maybe we can propose having a National Sweep Your Wife Up in your Arms Day or something.)

I noticed two reliable tropes in this story. First, we have the matchmaking grandfather. Second, there's the problem of the hero and heroine living too far apart. Tropes are sometimes thought of as cliche, but in Woman's World stories, they're what the readers want. They want that familiarity. Tropes are like comfort food, but in story form, so don't be afraid to use them.

Did you see any tropes in here that I missed?

Photo by Colin Brown via Flickr CC License

Love Among the Pages

by Donna J. Collin from the September 23, 2024 issue

Tagline: When Jessica offered to help her dad at his antiques store, she wasn't looking for romance--until a customer and and old book changed that.

Observations: This story is oozing the kind of nostalgia for days gone by that Woman's World seems to love. Mostly, I think this is because of the reader demographics that skew older women. This man finds a mysterious old poetry book in his grandmother's house and wants to find out more about it for insurance purposes.  It doesn't get any more sentimental than that!

I also really liked Jessica, the heroine. The heroine should be someone likeable, someone you'd like to have as a friend and I'd like to have Jessica as a friend. She helps her dad out when he needs it. She's cautious...

He seemed a decent sort. But what kind of guy, she thought as a queasy feeling took hold, tries to sell his grandmother's book of love poems?

He touches her on the arm. This is physical contact that I approve of. LOL If you're a regular reader of my blog, you know I am not a fan of premature touching which is touching someone in a way that seems to intimate, considering the amount of time they've known each other or the circumstances.

Finally, I'd like to point out the subtle black moment. Woman's World stories don't always have black moments, but this one did and I thought it was clever. He leaves her a voicemail that gets her hopes up and then it just ends. But don't worry. There was another message, one that asked her if she wanted to go to dinner with him. 

The ending was perfect. The last paragraph gives us a moment to absorb the happy news, along with Jessica, and then she takes action and the story ends on that moment of optimistic happiness that all is going to go well. Chef's kiss!

Photo by Kate Ter Haar via Flickr CC License

Time for True Love To Shine

by Colleen LaQuay Urbaniuk from the September 9, 2024 issue

Tagline: Linda was rusty at flirting, but a chance meeting with a handsome car-show member gave her the confidence to get behind the wheel again.

Observations: This story is a good example of showing character arc. As I talk about in my book, Story Sparking, How to Generate Ideas for Woman's World 5-Minute Romances, one jumping off point is to choose a fear and show the character getting over it. 

Let's look at the progression in this story where Linda's fear is getting back into the dating world. By the end of the story, though, she literally says, "I'm ready." 

1. She starts out so closed to the idea dating that she doesn't even hear Larry call her pretty. 

2. Her friend points this out and suggests she take the man up on his offer. 

3. Linda reflects on what happened and admits/realizes her friend was right.

4. Linda gives one last feeble attempt to avoid taking action but her friend nixes that in the bud.

5. Linda does some more introspection and gives us readers a chance to connect with her. No one likes to feel lost and invisible. We want her to succeed with Larry.

6. She accepts Larry's invitation to go for a ride in his truck.

7. Her confidence blooms when she insists he let her drive. 

So, you can easily see how she starts out closed off but ends up self-assured. We all like to see hard work rewarded and showing character growth makes you feel like the heroine earned the happily ever after. 

If you'd like some more ways to generate story ideas, again, check out my Story Sparking book.

Photo by Rebecca Siegel via Flickr CC License

A Ruse that Leads to Love

by Veda Boyd Jones from the September 2, 2024 issue

Tagline: Paige was just looking for a quick getaway from a chatty picnic-goer when she approached Landon for assistance...but ended up finding much more.

Observations: OMG, I ADORED the hilarious plot twist! I can usually spot them easily, but this one really took me by surprise. 

Let me point out a few things you might (or might not!) have missed--hints that he is the mayor and hints that he's just some guy.

He's the mayor clues:

We get an idea that he knows the residents of his town because he thinks of Mrs. Reece as being able to "talk an ear off a stalk of corn." He also knows Polly Hamilton well enough to know her daily routine.

He has a "best carrying voice," which would come in handy when addressing crowds.

He has a "thousand-watt smile"--a handy thing for a politician.

He's just your regular, everyday guy:

He has work-roughened hands.

He runs the hardware store and helps out on his grandfather's ranch.

The ending is the best one I've read in a long time. It's so funny and we get a one-two punch of the reveal that he's the mayor and the joke about his speech. I want you to pay close attention to the comedic beat there that makes the joke even funnier. Here's the end without the beat. 

"Welcome to the annual Labor Day Celebration," he said as he glanced Paige's way. "I'm Mayor Landon Wentworth. I'll try to keep it short."

Now read it with the beat.

"Welcome to the annual Labor Day Celebration," he said as he glanced Paige's way. "I'm Mayor Landon Wentworth." He flashed her a teasing grin. "I'll try to keep it short."

Notice how that pause is crucial. Jones needed to let the reveal land before she hit you with the joke. It's funny, no doubt, without that teasing grin, but that beat in between makes it more funny. Comedy is all about the timing!

Photo by Sylvar via Flickr CC License