Camp Wedding

by Kay Springsteen

Camp Wedding, the Heartsight nuptials, features a blind Marine, a nervous bride, and an adorable child with Down syndrome. Is Trish ready for life as a military wife? Is Dan ready for the challenges of being a father to a precocious six-year-old? How will Bella add her special brand of magic to the day?

96 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 2012

Reviews

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year when Alabama was hit by those horrible tornadoes, six authors from Astraea Press, including Kay Springsteen and yours truly, pulled together an anthology of short stories to sell as a fundraiser to help those hurt by the storms. That anthology, Matrimonial Mayhem, has recently been retired as having completed its assignment, and several of the authors are self-publishing their stories individually. This is Kay's offering. (And this is Kim Bowman's The Ballad of Brenda and Willard.)

I loved this story when Kay first asked me to read it and I love it still, a year later. Most romances end before the wedding, or they include a final chapter or epilogue covering the happy day. But if there's a lot to be said about the wedding, then it deserves its own story, right? This is the story of the wedding for Heartsight. There's a lot here. It's fun and it's sweet. I hope you love it as much as I do.

[Krys · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heart-warming return to Lookout Island, as we were cordially invited to the wedding of Daniel and Trish (the couple we were first introduced to in Heartsight). Typically I find with novella novels that there isn't enough time to get to know the characters before the story ends, however because this is more or less a continuation of a previous story there was none of that "rushed" feeling. In fact, I felt the entire story moved just fast enough that it kept the reader's interest without feeling like anything was being dragged out. I also adored meeting Dan's family for the first time - the author did a great job of capturing the moment they are reunited.

The wedding itself wasn't without its troubles, but I feel like the author played them out in a way that was fitting for this couple. And the alterations done to certain articles of clothing was a charming addition to the story as well.

Overall, I highly recommend this story to those who enjoy a sweet and well written romance novella. I would also recommend reading at least the first book in this series as well so that you get to know Dan and Trish on a deeper level. I will read more from this author!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[Deana Dick · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is so nice to visit old friends. I really enjoyed this book and was happy to get reaqainted with people I fell in love with. Trish and Dan are finally getting married. Trish sure has the jitters about the wedding. Will her future in-laws like her? Can her wedding dress get fixed in time? And there is the little problem of where to have the reception.
All this makes for a sweet and funny story with great characters. I think Bella is my favorite character. The author does an amazing job of writing about a child with Down's syndrome with grace . She is a lovely child full of life and is so excited about the wedding.

Dan is such a nice man and doesn't let his blindness stop him from living a normal life. I loved how the author has brought different medical conditions to a story with such compassion. Dan sees with his heart and I thought how beautiful that would be if we all did that. Instead of looking at outward appearances, we see them through their actions, words and compassion for others. The story flows well and I couldn't wait to find out how the wedding goes. Get ready for mishaps, funny moments and an ending that will make you cheer and perhaps cry a bit.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Librarything. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the follow up story to Heartsight that covers the time between the end of the last chapter and the epilogue. I enjoyed the characters and their story so much that I was eager to continue reading about them and this novella about the time leading up to their wedding did not disappoint.

Trish is having serious wedding jitters and seems to major on the minors because she wants everything to be perfect and she's very much worried about she and Bella's reception with Dan's family. Dan is her pillar of strength and his family's arrival shows Trish she worried for naught. But then true disaster strikes the day of the wedding.

It was great getting more of Dan, Trish and Bella along with Ashley and Jill. Meeting Dan's family was an added bonus. The plot was slightly amusing because of the typical little disasters that make up most weddings. I thought it was cute how Bella was so determined about her Daddy being able to 'see' her momma's pretty dress.

So, it was a sweet story that made for a good sequel and will definitely appeal to fans of Heartsight.

[Jo Notary]

122p A blind Marine, a nervous bride, and an adorable child with Down syndrome who loves them both is an equation for another tug on the heartstrings in the story behind the Heartsight nuptials. Is Trish ready for life as a military wife? Is Dan ready for the challenges of being a father to a precocious 6-year-old? How will Bella add her special brand of magic to the day? Formerly published in the Matrimonial Mayhem anthology by Astraea Press

[Patricia Kiyono · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kay Springsteen's Heart series continues with the wedding of Trish and Dan, the couple we met in Book One. Since the hurricane has damaged Trish's bed and breakfast as well as the nearby beach, the wedding is arranged at Camp LeJeune, and Dan's family eagerly joins in the preparations. Bella, Trish's daughter, adds her special touch to the story. This is a short, sweet read - perfect for the start of wedding season!

[Bethany Swafford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trish and Dan's wedding is coming up fast. Can everything go off without a hitch?

These characters are as enjoyable as before, although I really liked how the first book ended. It didn't seem necessary to have a novella follow-up. Bella is a charmer as in the first book, and she wants so much for her mother's wedding to go well.

Clean and enjoyable for an hour's read.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Quite a lot of drama over a wedding, a missing child and a happy ending.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet! Kay always makes me smile with tears running down my face, what could be better?

[Aparna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet followup to Heartsight... This follows the story of Trish, Bella and Dan.. This short sequel focuses on the moments leading up to their wedding. Another sweet story of family and bonds.