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Pajaro Bay Short Story #3
Home Improvement: A Pajaro Bay Short Story
Second Now with a new cover and a sneak preview of The Honeymoon Cottage.
From the bestselling Pajaro Bay series comes a little stand-alone mini romance meant to brighten your day.
Kimberly Bishop married her soul mate. Then he died. Now she's a 27-year-old widow with a broken-down cottage, a bunch of crazy friends--and a big hole in her heart. But maybe a second chance at love is right under her nose....
The Pajaro Bay novels have won dozens of awards, including the Romance Writers of America's prestigious Golden Heart® Award for Romantic Suspense. Readers praise the series for its "sweetness," its "excellent characterization," and say the books are "adorable, lively and like a warm hug."
Read an excerpt from Home
Kim was drowning in pink. Fuchsia mohair vests. Mauve fisherman's sweaters with faux-fur collars. Blush-colored pajamas with matching bathrobes. She continued to pull more clothes out of the delivery boxes, fold them, and place them on the store shelves.
"Rain boots?" she finally said in exasperation as she found a layer of tiny shoes at the bottom of the box. "You've gotta be kidding me."
Jasmine looked up at her from her position behind the counter and laughed. "You'd be surprised."
Her friend Jazz matched her name. Round and bubbly, with ever-changing hair (Clairol Malaysian Cherry this week), rose tattoos winding up from each wrist, and a wild wardrobe to match, Jazz seemed to dance through life with a perpetual grin.
Kim knew her own ash-brown hair, conservative clothes, and minimal makeup helped her blend into the shadow of her flamboyant friend, but she was fine with that. Kim had never been the most eye-catching person in any room, especially one filled with Jazz's overwhelming presence.
Kim picked up one of the tiny pairs of shoes. "Ladybug boots, Jazz? I mean, really. This is too much."
Jazz just laughed at her again. "Oh, Arrow," she called in a sing-song voice. "Booties!"
A brown miniature poodle in a puppy cut came running from the back. "Boots!" Jazz repeated, and Arrow rolled over obediently and presented her paws. In a minute, she was strutting around the store in the tiny red rubber boots with ladybugs printed all over them.
"Walk the runway, Arrow!"
The pup pranced down the main aisle of the shop, lifting her paws in a happy dance as she came....
From the bestselling Pajaro Bay series comes a little stand-alone mini romance meant to brighten your day.
Kimberly Bishop married her soul mate. Then he died. Now she's a 27-year-old widow with a broken-down cottage, a bunch of crazy friends--and a big hole in her heart. But maybe a second chance at love is right under her nose....
The Pajaro Bay novels have won dozens of awards, including the Romance Writers of America's prestigious Golden Heart® Award for Romantic Suspense. Readers praise the series for its "sweetness," its "excellent characterization," and say the books are "adorable, lively and like a warm hug."
Read an excerpt from Home
Kim was drowning in pink. Fuchsia mohair vests. Mauve fisherman's sweaters with faux-fur collars. Blush-colored pajamas with matching bathrobes. She continued to pull more clothes out of the delivery boxes, fold them, and place them on the store shelves.
"Rain boots?" she finally said in exasperation as she found a layer of tiny shoes at the bottom of the box. "You've gotta be kidding me."
Jasmine looked up at her from her position behind the counter and laughed. "You'd be surprised."
Her friend Jazz matched her name. Round and bubbly, with ever-changing hair (Clairol Malaysian Cherry this week), rose tattoos winding up from each wrist, and a wild wardrobe to match, Jazz seemed to dance through life with a perpetual grin.
Kim knew her own ash-brown hair, conservative clothes, and minimal makeup helped her blend into the shadow of her flamboyant friend, but she was fine with that. Kim had never been the most eye-catching person in any room, especially one filled with Jazz's overwhelming presence.
Kim picked up one of the tiny pairs of shoes. "Ladybug boots, Jazz? I mean, really. This is too much."
Jazz just laughed at her again. "Oh, Arrow," she called in a sing-song voice. "Booties!"
A brown miniature poodle in a puppy cut came running from the back. "Boots!" Jazz repeated, and Arrow rolled over obediently and presented her paws. In a minute, she was strutting around the store in the tiny red rubber boots with ladybugs printed all over them.
"Walk the runway, Arrow!"
The pup pranced down the main aisle of the shop, lifting her paws in a happy dance as she came....
64 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2013
107 people are currently reading
365 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 5, 2020
Sweet stories
A very short sweet clean story. Good message of starting over. There was also a preview for a second book that was very interesting.
A very short sweet clean story. Good message of starting over. There was also a preview for a second book that was very interesting.
March 4, 2014
Kim Bishop is a new widow, her husband, Bryce, having been killed in an auto accident. After the funeral, she returns alone to the historic island cottage that they had been renovating. Noticing Bryce’s toolbox on the floor, she picks up his hammer and proceeds to decimate the plaster wall in front of her, screaming out her anguish with every blow of the hammer against the wall.
With this magnificent scene, Barbara Cool Lee begins a 24-page short story to accompany her Pajaro Bay series. And then the author skips the action forward six months.
With a tale this short, the reader cannot expect any significant level of background story or any in-depth character development. A story this short is simply a few snapshots, not the whole photo album. But those snapshots need to be clearly focused. In that regard, the second scene of the story was a staid, formulaic studio pose and the last scene was clearly blurred.
The studio pose has nothing to do with the “widow” scenario per se. It is the premise of the young, childless widow with a large insurance settlement who has no driving necessity to put food on the table, put clothes on anyone’s back, pay a mortgage or move on. Other young widows should be so lucky. So this set-up that allowed her to wallow in her grief and self-pity for 6 months soured my sympathy for her.
The blurred scenario was the last of the story where Kim and Gage Kelly get together and pledge forever to each other. Even though he was Bryce’s best friend, and Bryce has been dead for over six months, Kim has no clue Gage loves her. We do; the author lays the clues nicely. But what she doesn’t lay out is any indication whatsoever that Kim feels any spark in his presence. One minute he is a constant reminder of the loss of her husband and the next he is the man she will live with forever. The story doesn’t need any additional scenes to un-blur the lines; it only needs a few sentences interspersed within previous scenes to make the ending believable.
With this magnificent scene, Barbara Cool Lee begins a 24-page short story to accompany her Pajaro Bay series. And then the author skips the action forward six months.
With a tale this short, the reader cannot expect any significant level of background story or any in-depth character development. A story this short is simply a few snapshots, not the whole photo album. But those snapshots need to be clearly focused. In that regard, the second scene of the story was a staid, formulaic studio pose and the last scene was clearly blurred.
The studio pose has nothing to do with the “widow” scenario per se. It is the premise of the young, childless widow with a large insurance settlement who has no driving necessity to put food on the table, put clothes on anyone’s back, pay a mortgage or move on. Other young widows should be so lucky. So this set-up that allowed her to wallow in her grief and self-pity for 6 months soured my sympathy for her.
The blurred scenario was the last of the story where Kim and Gage Kelly get together and pledge forever to each other. Even though he was Bryce’s best friend, and Bryce has been dead for over six months, Kim has no clue Gage loves her. We do; the author lays the clues nicely. But what she doesn’t lay out is any indication whatsoever that Kim feels any spark in his presence. One minute he is a constant reminder of the loss of her husband and the next he is the man she will live with forever. The story doesn’t need any additional scenes to un-blur the lines; it only needs a few sentences interspersed within previous scenes to make the ending believable.
February 17, 2018
This was listed as a Christian story, but it certainly was not. I am glad it was a short story or I would not have bothered to finish reading it. Nothing new here--too obvious what was going to happen.
August 31, 2018
Throughly enjoyable short read. The characters were genuine and the settings totally believable. Who would think up a Fashion store for Dogs? Who would plot that into a story about love and second chances? Ten stars.
October 25, 2018
Received a free e-book copy from the author. I loved the characters and the story line. A cute romance that leaves you with a smile.
March 14, 2019
Predictable, sweet short story. As BCL says about her short stories, they all have happy endings.
June 28, 2019
Good
Like it to short but that's okay. I read all of them and would recommend the book to anyone who likes short stories.
Like it to short but that's okay. I read all of them and would recommend the book to anyone who likes short stories.
December 23, 2023
A story in the Pajaro Bay series
March 4, 2025
A heartwarming story of a young widow getting on with her life after her husband’s sudden death.
December 18, 2013
I like the continuation of characters through the series, but you can read each book on it's own. This was a short story that was still able to have good character development.
This is only my 2nd Barbara Cool Lee book and they are definitely "Harlequin Romance" type books.
I really enjoy the Northern California small town coastal setting, where everyone knows your name...and business. Sweet books.
This is only my 2nd Barbara Cool Lee book and they are definitely "Harlequin Romance" type books.
I really enjoy the Northern California small town coastal setting, where everyone knows your name...and business. Sweet books.
November 8, 2014
I know this is a short story, but I love the world so much, that I always want more! It was fun to revisit Pajaro Bay and catch up with some old friends. This is a cute little romance and does not have the suspense and mystery of the other books in the series, but a joy, never the less. Great fun...
August 26, 2016
Short story that is a prequel to the Honeymoon Cottage by the same author. This was enjoyable; it was about a widow who is fixing up a house, and her late husband's friend who is helping her. Because it's so short, it's a bit difficult to see the progression out of her grief and into feelings for the friend.
October 15, 2013
This is a charming story--how "the right one" can be under your nose all along. I enjoy Barbara Cool Lee's Pajaro books, and it whetted my appetite for the next one. Love the old house they're fixing up.
November 23, 2016
Pavarotti Bay
I really like ms Lee's stories!! She has a witty way with words! This was a short, but sweet tale, with referrals of past characters from the series.... feels like you are friends..........ty.....
I really like ms Lee's stories!! She has a witty way with words! This was a short, but sweet tale, with referrals of past characters from the series.... feels like you are friends..........ty.....
August 30, 2013
Very enjoyable
November 28, 2015
This was an enjoyable short and nice intro to the Pajaro Bay series.
January 26, 2014
Too short. This was not enough description of what is happening with The hero.
February 22, 2014
Final feeling: interesting/boring mix
Didn't know any of the secondary characters and there's a lot of time spent with them. Kinda boring. Liked the sections spent with the H and h though.
Didn't know any of the secondary characters and there's a lot of time spent with them. Kinda boring. Liked the sections spent with the H and h though.
December 25, 2015
Such a sweet little story!
Now, I'm tempted to check out the rest of the series.
Now, I'm tempted to check out the rest of the series.
January 22, 2016
Home improvement
A very good fast reading book . Thanks so much friend of a short story that is great to read . I hope to read more in this series thank you .
A very good fast reading book . Thanks so much friend of a short story that is great to read . I hope to read more in this series thank you .
Read
February 2, 2016Just too brief
I liked the characters so much that I wanted more of them. The story was much too brief to be satisfying.
I liked the characters so much that I wanted more of them. The story was much too brief to be satisfying.
February 9, 2016
A sweet--and very short--story of second chances and secret love
February 14, 2016
Cute short story
Sweet story about loss and finding love where you least expect it. This story introduced more residents of Pajaro Bay while bringing some back.
Sweet story about loss and finding love where you least expect it. This story introduced more residents of Pajaro Bay while bringing some back.
January 3, 2017
This book was just so boring.
April 3, 2023
Another great story
Well its obvious pushy friends are everywhere! Pajaro Bay is filled with people just like our friends and family. I want to live there. Great series.
Well its obvious pushy friends are everywhere! Pajaro Bay is filled with people just like our friends and family. I want to live there. Great series.
January 12, 2024
A sweet rather uncomplicated short romance in the Pajaro Bay series. There isn’t a lot of depth to this story, but it’s well worth a read for a quick sweet romance fix.
Read
January 2, 20141 -part of the Pajaro Bay series
April 8, 2017
Very bland and predictable. The usual charismatic cast of Pajaro Bay didn't even add flavor.
Enjoyed Hector's cameo appearance though.
Enjoyed Hector's cameo appearance though.
April 25, 2017
http://openbooksociety.com/article/ho...
Home Improvement
Pajaro Bay, Book #1.5
By Barbara Cool Lee
ASIN: B00EKZFVJ6
Author’s Website: http://www.BarbaraCoolLee.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Summary:
Kimberly Bishop married her best friend. Then he died. Now she’s a 27-year-old widow whose friends keep fixing her up with one disastrous blind date after another. But maybe a second chance at love has been right under her nose all along….
Welcome to Pajaro Bay, a charming little village with a cast of quirky characters and funky cottages overlooking the sun-drenched coast.
Review:
Another fine short story by Barbara Cool Lee. I found myself really engaged, with emotions abounding throughout.
The story begins with Kim Bishop coming home from the funeral of her husband. This certainly pulled at my heartstrings:
“She was a 27-year-old widow with a broken-down house (Bluebird Cottage), a big insurance settlement, and everything she needed to live a wonderful life. Except the man who had been her best friend, her confidant, her one true love.”
During this scene, Kim throws a hammer and then continues on until there is a gaping hole.
Fast forward about seven months and Kim is now working for her friend Jasmine (Jazz) in her Pet clothing shop. I found the scene where Jazz’s dog Arrow models the booties definitely chuckle worthy. As frequently happens, girls get to chatting and Jazz has decided it is about time that Kim get back in the dating pool. They discuss this particular endeavor over coffee with two other friends.
So Kim finally agrees to go on dates….and then the fun ensues. After a few dates, Kim realizes that no real sparks fly with any of the men.
Meanwhile, Kim has hired a contractor, Gage, to fix her bathroom and the hole Kim created after Bishop’s funeral. There is a history there; Gage was Bishop’s best friend. You can see that sparks could fly, but how does one go from friend to more?
The journey called Home Improvement resulted in a pleasant read which has definitely peaked my interest to the level that I now have the first full length read in the Pajaro Bay series, so I am off to read more. ☺
Home Improvement
Pajaro Bay, Book #1.5
By Barbara Cool Lee
ASIN: B00EKZFVJ6
Author’s Website: http://www.BarbaraCoolLee.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Summary:
Kimberly Bishop married her best friend. Then he died. Now she’s a 27-year-old widow whose friends keep fixing her up with one disastrous blind date after another. But maybe a second chance at love has been right under her nose all along….
Welcome to Pajaro Bay, a charming little village with a cast of quirky characters and funky cottages overlooking the sun-drenched coast.
Review:
Another fine short story by Barbara Cool Lee. I found myself really engaged, with emotions abounding throughout.
The story begins with Kim Bishop coming home from the funeral of her husband. This certainly pulled at my heartstrings:
“She was a 27-year-old widow with a broken-down house (Bluebird Cottage), a big insurance settlement, and everything she needed to live a wonderful life. Except the man who had been her best friend, her confidant, her one true love.”
During this scene, Kim throws a hammer and then continues on until there is a gaping hole.
Fast forward about seven months and Kim is now working for her friend Jasmine (Jazz) in her Pet clothing shop. I found the scene where Jazz’s dog Arrow models the booties definitely chuckle worthy. As frequently happens, girls get to chatting and Jazz has decided it is about time that Kim get back in the dating pool. They discuss this particular endeavor over coffee with two other friends.
So Kim finally agrees to go on dates….and then the fun ensues. After a few dates, Kim realizes that no real sparks fly with any of the men.
Meanwhile, Kim has hired a contractor, Gage, to fix her bathroom and the hole Kim created after Bishop’s funeral. There is a history there; Gage was Bishop’s best friend. You can see that sparks could fly, but how does one go from friend to more?
The journey called Home Improvement resulted in a pleasant read which has definitely peaked my interest to the level that I now have the first full length read in the Pajaro Bay series, so I am off to read more. ☺
March 13, 2018
Great short, short story It was a light, ( no deep sadness even though we found out right away, 27 year old Kim Bishop was a widow) and breezy, fast read. In the end she found love again. If you want a 20 or 30 minute break, this is a fun time filler. Read and enjoy. 😀😀😀😀😀😀
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews