On "All She Wanted" by Beth Newcomer (2930 words) ***

Newcomer's story revolves around the love life of one Maizie, who discovers, over the course of her life more and more about the man she really wants--which is not one who checks off every item on her list and who has, simply, one special quality. Read the story here at Diverse Voices.

On "Somebody’s Sweetheart" by Jennifer A. Powers (926 words) *****

I love the mix of menace and quiet in this piece. Powers places off the two perfectly, so that we're never sure of one of the character's intentions. One moment he's soft, the next possibly not so. Part of fear isn't knowing what's coming but not knowing what's coming. Never take a ride from strangers. Read the story here at Diverse Voices.