Partners in Romance

Introduction Kari: Writing short romance stories, like romance itself, is often a tricky dance. As in all romance, we meet the two potential partners and get a good strong hint of how they react to each other. Those sparks and tingles and awareness that something is happening are vital parts of why we read romance in the first place. Stories that tend toward the longer side can get into all the satisfying conflicts we love to read about rather than experience for ourselves. Tension when characters try to resist what readers and often their friends already know—they’re meant for each other. And of course, joy when they finally recognize how great they are together. Short stories often don’t get into those conflicts as much by definition. Only one of the stories in Partners in Romance breaks six thousand words, and barely at that. So here you’ll find stories with a variety of characters who focus on the possibility. The delicious sensation that this time feels different. Each person smooths the rough edges for the other, calms the worries and fears. And both believe whatever comes up in the years ahead, they’ll work through it all together. One or two of the tales from both me and Jason (my partner in romance since 1990) might just bring touches of our own romantic reality into fiction. I truly hope you enjoy reading these short, sweet treats as much as we do. Jason: And they lived happily ever after. When I was a young lad, these words ended many of my favorite stories. Now that I’m a much older lad, my favorite stories still end with the sentiment, if not the same exact words. Romance is one of the basic human desires. Kari and I both enjoy reading and writing these sweet tales—stories that remind us that love happens. Often when you least expect it. Sometimes surprising, often overwhelming, the spark of new attraction and new love is always a thrill. Especially when that new attraction and new love promises a long and loving relationship that just might last a lifetime.