How Words Kindle Love a Short Story Collection

In How Words Kindle Love, a Collection of Short Stories, words spoken from heartfelt emotion initiate formidable personal change and draw couples together. Attraction may begin with a look or a gesture, but in these stories, love—an energy that forms a small universe—takes shape out of spoken words.
If romantic realism is a portrayal of life as it could be and should be, these stories are an attempt to do just that, with a hint of magical realism thrown in. Strong women find good men, and a power greater than human will helps guide lovers toward one another.
Poco a Poco
Single Tucson mom Elena takes a leap of faith when she buys a TLC-needy house in an unfamiliar neighborhood, Poco Court. Rafi the contractor-turned-handyman has the wherewithal to help her set the house right, and he has roots in the community, too. Elena is a woman who may come around little by little—poco a poco. Bennie, Elena’s six year old young son, warms to Rafi, but it takes visiting wildlife to bring the two together.
Old Flame
Two lovers, outdoorsy Wesley and easy-going artist Patrice, are in a fast-advancing relationship when Wesley springs his surprise plan on Patrice. He will spend a chaste weekend with his ex, his old flame. Patrice acquiesces, masking her uneasiness with an air of indifference. Wesley sets boundaries for their time apart. Compliant Patrice plays hardball and unknowingly kindles an enduring flame.
Rewards
Shy Leticia straddles borders: the U.S. and Mexico, traditional mores and non-traditional self-determination. She is most at ease with animals, not people, yet she longs for love. Concern for a creature at risk pushes her out of her comfort zone and straight into the welcoming sphere of a man with whom she would never have connected any other way. She is not looking for a reward, but a reward finds her nevertheless.
Golden Hour
Recently single again and self-determined photographer Maggie is trying new things, including a solo mountain lake tent camping trip to break in her new gear and her new self. Enter rigid-appearing ranger Dave, whose rules Maggie resists. An alpine thunderstorm forces her to face the comedy of her rookie backwoods camper status. By seeking shelter, Maggie unwittingly reveals the ranger’s secret. Like Maggie, he too breaks rules. In the photo-friendly golden hour before sunset, they discover a shared appreciation neither one expects, and an unexpected opening for new love.
Timing
Allison wears the diamond ring of and is convinced she wants the love of the always-almost-available Colin. Called away, she leaves Los Angeles and comes to Montana to help out a beloved family—Ross, the widower, and the young daughters—of her late friend. She and Ross grew close in the preceding months of her friend’s fast decline. Now, Ross reveals what he wants, and why. Of course it’s too soon. But Ross sniffs Colin on the Southwestern Montana wind, and Ross knows timing is everything.
Four Poems
The four poems examine aspects of love: the gentleness of love, the pain of lost love, the turmoil of unbalanced love, and the steadfast joy of love that lasts.