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Heartsight Book 1
On a secluded beach in North Carolina, three lonely people find hope in each other.
Trish Evers is an artist and single mother, who has inherited her grandmother's Bed and Breakfast in a North Carolina coastal town. Though she must sell the house, she decides to bring her daughter to the beach for one last summer vacation in her childhood town.
Bella is a six-year-old girl who has Down syndrome. Rejected by her father, Trish, is the only parent she's ever known. Bella likes to explore the beach and has a tendency to wander off. One day, Bella goes exploring on her own, and Trish finds her in the company of an intriguing stranger.
Dan Conway is a U.S. Marine, who had been born into a family of Marines. Now blind as a result of combat injuries and unable to "suit up," he feels he no longer has a purpose in life. He's come home to the beach, where he spends his days in solitude. Dan must learn to believe in himself and to love life again, which he begins to do through his interactions with Bella and Trish. When a hurricane strikes, and Bella wanders off again, her only hope for rescue is Dan.
Working within the confines of his blindness, he must overcome his fear of failure and recall his training in order to search for the little girl and bring her to safety.
Trish Evers is an artist and single mother, who has inherited her grandmother's Bed and Breakfast in a North Carolina coastal town. Though she must sell the house, she decides to bring her daughter to the beach for one last summer vacation in her childhood town.
Bella is a six-year-old girl who has Down syndrome. Rejected by her father, Trish, is the only parent she's ever known. Bella likes to explore the beach and has a tendency to wander off. One day, Bella goes exploring on her own, and Trish finds her in the company of an intriguing stranger.
Dan Conway is a U.S. Marine, who had been born into a family of Marines. Now blind as a result of combat injuries and unable to "suit up," he feels he no longer has a purpose in life. He's come home to the beach, where he spends his days in solitude. Dan must learn to believe in himself and to love life again, which he begins to do through his interactions with Bella and Trish. When a hurricane strikes, and Bella wanders off again, her only hope for rescue is Dan.
Working within the confines of his blindness, he must overcome his fear of failure and recall his training in order to search for the little girl and bring her to safety.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2011
36 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 5, 2011
"Heartsight" is an amazing read. This book is not only well written, but well planned and tugs at your heart just the right amount. I completely fell in love with the three main character's in the story and equally hated the villain.
This story touches on a little something for everyone. If you don't have some experience with the topics, you will at least have knowledge of them. This is a heartwarming, light read that you will love. You will be wishing to have love like this, if you don't already have it.
Kay Springsteen has a bright future as a novelist with work to this caliber under her belt. A delightful debut novel!
This story touches on a little something for everyone. If you don't have some experience with the topics, you will at least have knowledge of them. This is a heartwarming, light read that you will love. You will be wishing to have love like this, if you don't already have it.
Kay Springsteen has a bright future as a novelist with work to this caliber under her belt. A delightful debut novel!
August 27, 2011
My review:
I absolutely loved this book. It was heartwarming, sweet and touched several important issues like prejudice, parenting and understanding your path in life. It was well-written, characters were plausible and believable and the plot was well above average.
Regarding the plot:
Trish is a divorced mom of Bella who has Down syndrome and she has escaped to a beach in North Carolina to paint and give her daughter a possibility to spend her last summer in her childhood town. Trish needs to empty her grandmother’s house for selling it and there she and Bella meet with ex Marine Dan Conway. Dan is blind as a result of war injury and has lost his hope and purpose of life. Bella whose father has abandoned her and her mom because of Down syndrome creates a wonderful friendship with Dan. Through Bella, Dan and Trish are carefully taking their first steps to allow hope and love again into their hearts.
The story itself is beautifully waved to bring these three key persons together. When Bella is disappearing during the hurricane, Dan is her only hope for rescue and Dan needs to put all his internal fears away and to overcome himself and his blindness.
Regarding the characters:
Kay Springsteen did a wonderful job with her characters!
I adored Bella! She was full of life and happiness. The way she reached out for Dan was so sincere and sweet, just like kids do usually. Trish was like a broken bird that needed to learn how to fly again. She was a strong heroine, struggling with the prejudice from other people, surviving the abusive ex husband, trying to stay strong for her child. I really liked her taking the first steps towards trusting another persons, experiencing falling in love again. Dan’s character was my favorite in Heartsight. He found his pride and strength when most needed to stand up for both Trish and Bella – it was simply a guy whom you’d admire!
Generally:
Heartsight by Kay Springsteen is definitely a must for people for like romance books! It’s real, it’s well-written, it’s warming and the best part of it – it gives you an unforgettable feeling of hope that no matter what happens in your life you can learn how to walk again, to stand up and live your life with a new perspective and new dreams!
Loved it!
5 stars.
I absolutely loved this book. It was heartwarming, sweet and touched several important issues like prejudice, parenting and understanding your path in life. It was well-written, characters were plausible and believable and the plot was well above average.
Regarding the plot:
Trish is a divorced mom of Bella who has Down syndrome and she has escaped to a beach in North Carolina to paint and give her daughter a possibility to spend her last summer in her childhood town. Trish needs to empty her grandmother’s house for selling it and there she and Bella meet with ex Marine Dan Conway. Dan is blind as a result of war injury and has lost his hope and purpose of life. Bella whose father has abandoned her and her mom because of Down syndrome creates a wonderful friendship with Dan. Through Bella, Dan and Trish are carefully taking their first steps to allow hope and love again into their hearts.
The story itself is beautifully waved to bring these three key persons together. When Bella is disappearing during the hurricane, Dan is her only hope for rescue and Dan needs to put all his internal fears away and to overcome himself and his blindness.
Regarding the characters:
Kay Springsteen did a wonderful job with her characters!
I adored Bella! She was full of life and happiness. The way she reached out for Dan was so sincere and sweet, just like kids do usually. Trish was like a broken bird that needed to learn how to fly again. She was a strong heroine, struggling with the prejudice from other people, surviving the abusive ex husband, trying to stay strong for her child. I really liked her taking the first steps towards trusting another persons, experiencing falling in love again. Dan’s character was my favorite in Heartsight. He found his pride and strength when most needed to stand up for both Trish and Bella – it was simply a guy whom you’d admire!
Generally:
Heartsight by Kay Springsteen is definitely a must for people for like romance books! It’s real, it’s well-written, it’s warming and the best part of it – it gives you an unforgettable feeling of hope that no matter what happens in your life you can learn how to walk again, to stand up and live your life with a new perspective and new dreams!
Loved it!
5 stars.
June 14, 2021
sigh...
It's sweet but too simple. Things have to happen and they do quite simply as if the author just wanted to go from situation A to situation B.
I feel there wasn't enough development or characterization. I suppose the point might be more about what the characters have to learn or accept - depending on the reader's perspective - but this wasn't complex or executed well enough for me, especially in a story without many pages.
I had read another book by the author (which she co-authored, in fact) and although there is something of this style there, perhaps the other author's part is what made it more appealing to me.
I can see how it works for many readers who like this style of story telling but for me it wasn't enough.
It's sweet but too simple. Things have to happen and they do quite simply as if the author just wanted to go from situation A to situation B.
I feel there wasn't enough development or characterization. I suppose the point might be more about what the characters have to learn or accept - depending on the reader's perspective - but this wasn't complex or executed well enough for me, especially in a story without many pages.
I had read another book by the author (which she co-authored, in fact) and although there is something of this style there, perhaps the other author's part is what made it more appealing to me.
I can see how it works for many readers who like this style of story telling but for me it wasn't enough.
January 14, 2012
It's not often you are treated to the perfect love story, beautifully written. Here it is, Heartsight. It has everything, drama, love, conflict, humor and above all warmth. No, it doesn't have steamy sex but the sexual tension in this story could start three fires simultaneously! I fell in love with the hero, Dan, a blind Marine, right from the start. Bella as the charming, challenged child and Trish, her over-protective mother, won me over immediately. If you don't read any other love story, be sure to read this one. Absolutely the best.
February 13, 2012
A sweet heart warming love story. As the mother of a special needs child I have great affection for well written stories about people with special needs. This story showcases a Marine blinded in an IED explosion and a 6 year old child with Down's Syndrome and her mother. Throw in a hurricane and a creepy ex with ulterior motives and you have an amazing read!
November 12, 2011
A lovely read, full of emotion.
April 17, 2011
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but if the beholder cannot see then they must alone rely upon their heart to tell them.
Heartsight is a truly inspiring story of hope and love that overcomes many challenges.
Trish Evers is an artist, teacher and a mother to six year old Bella. Bella has Down syndrome, and has been outcast by her father and left to live her life alone with her mother Trish. Trish has returned home to North Carolina, to pack up her grandmothers possessions, and sell the house that she has inherited from her- a Bed and breakfast. She has decided to bring Bella one last summer, to enjoy a holiday and the beach, whilst she paints and gets everything in order.
Bella is a delightfully happy young girl who loves to collect shells and wander off to the beach in her own little world. When she comes across Dan Conway. Dan is a U S Marine who has been blinded during combat and is now living his day one day at a time with no real meaning. In time Bella and Dan grow a close friendship, he teaches her little things and she enjoys his company. Trish also finds herself drawn to this handsome stranger, he has a way with Bella that not only touches Trish's heart but makes her wish for more than she ever bargained for.
Dan feels he is no longer of use and has secluded himself from the world, until he meets Bella and Trish and his world has become not so empty. Trish and Bella have brought upon a feeling that Dan has not felt in a long time - Hope.
A hurricane strikes, Bella has gone missing, and Dan must fight his fears, use his past training to save and bring Bella back home to safely. Will the fears get the better of him - or will he find his true meaning in life?
My Review!!
Heartsight is a truly warm and inspiring story of challenges in life and how they can be overcome. Living a life with a child with disabilities, being judged by those who don’t understand and just trying to live one day at a time, and love to your heart’s desire.
The dialogue was easily flowing and the plot well outlined and present. I really enjoyed the characters, easily to fall in love with, their emotions well portrayed and as you can say *HEARTFELT*. I really felt like it tugged at the heart strings. Moments where you just shake your head at some peoples outlook on people and also make you wander how life can be so cruel and the people in it. This is so very true in real life, people can be so cruel and judgemental at the things they just dont understand. !!
The main characters meshed well together, I enjoyed the passion they shared, it was lustful, sensual and loving but without the over the top physical attributes. Kay showed that love can be present even without the sex involved to form a close love and friendship first. Don’t get me wrong the sexy scenes are ** swoony** and give your heart a little start ..
Trish found it hard to be
lieve that someone like Dan could like her, she considered herself to be ** fatty patty **. ** X husbands words. Dan asks Trish to describe herself, this part I thought was so sweet, even though he cannot see, he says all the right things to give Trish that boosts she needs. Trish was a loving and caring character, the love for her child beautifully crafted and admiring. Dan was a mysterious man, in his own ways, drawn within himself not feeling his worth in life; Trish showed him that his blindness was something love conquered over.
Bella was a delightful, happy, bubbly child, full of life and just living every moment to her heart’s desire. I like how Kate involved parts of Down syndrome enlightening the reader as to what’s involved in caring for a child with this disability. Because honestly I learnt a few things from this read... I do realize there is more involved but this insight was interesting and accompanied the storyline well.
The villain was well portrayed to be the monster he was, I’m glad that Kate delivered to him, his just deserts. For someone to be so callous is beyond me, but there are people out in the world who think that a child with disabilities and a man who is blind is a mark on the cross. A burden if you may call it. This story showed the absolute opposite. Loves defies everything!!
Overall, a loving romance, filled with suspense, courage and possibilities for a happy life even if god has cast upon you a few challenges to get through.
I thoroughly enjoyed Heartsight and look forward to reading more of Kates stories.
Heartsight is a truly inspiring story of hope and love that overcomes many challenges.
Trish Evers is an artist, teacher and a mother to six year old Bella. Bella has Down syndrome, and has been outcast by her father and left to live her life alone with her mother Trish. Trish has returned home to North Carolina, to pack up her grandmothers possessions, and sell the house that she has inherited from her- a Bed and breakfast. She has decided to bring Bella one last summer, to enjoy a holiday and the beach, whilst she paints and gets everything in order.
Bella is a delightfully happy young girl who loves to collect shells and wander off to the beach in her own little world. When she comes across Dan Conway. Dan is a U S Marine who has been blinded during combat and is now living his day one day at a time with no real meaning. In time Bella and Dan grow a close friendship, he teaches her little things and she enjoys his company. Trish also finds herself drawn to this handsome stranger, he has a way with Bella that not only touches Trish's heart but makes her wish for more than she ever bargained for.
Dan feels he is no longer of use and has secluded himself from the world, until he meets Bella and Trish and his world has become not so empty. Trish and Bella have brought upon a feeling that Dan has not felt in a long time - Hope.
A hurricane strikes, Bella has gone missing, and Dan must fight his fears, use his past training to save and bring Bella back home to safely. Will the fears get the better of him - or will he find his true meaning in life?
My Review!!
Heartsight is a truly warm and inspiring story of challenges in life and how they can be overcome. Living a life with a child with disabilities, being judged by those who don’t understand and just trying to live one day at a time, and love to your heart’s desire.
The dialogue was easily flowing and the plot well outlined and present. I really enjoyed the characters, easily to fall in love with, their emotions well portrayed and as you can say *HEARTFELT*. I really felt like it tugged at the heart strings. Moments where you just shake your head at some peoples outlook on people and also make you wander how life can be so cruel and the people in it. This is so very true in real life, people can be so cruel and judgemental at the things they just dont understand. !!
The main characters meshed well together, I enjoyed the passion they shared, it was lustful, sensual and loving but without the over the top physical attributes. Kay showed that love can be present even without the sex involved to form a close love and friendship first. Don’t get me wrong the sexy scenes are ** swoony** and give your heart a little start ..
Trish found it hard to be
lieve that someone like Dan could like her, she considered herself to be ** fatty patty **. ** X husbands words. Dan asks Trish to describe herself, this part I thought was so sweet, even though he cannot see, he says all the right things to give Trish that boosts she needs. Trish was a loving and caring character, the love for her child beautifully crafted and admiring. Dan was a mysterious man, in his own ways, drawn within himself not feeling his worth in life; Trish showed him that his blindness was something love conquered over.
Bella was a delightful, happy, bubbly child, full of life and just living every moment to her heart’s desire. I like how Kate involved parts of Down syndrome enlightening the reader as to what’s involved in caring for a child with this disability. Because honestly I learnt a few things from this read... I do realize there is more involved but this insight was interesting and accompanied the storyline well.
The villain was well portrayed to be the monster he was, I’m glad that Kate delivered to him, his just deserts. For someone to be so callous is beyond me, but there are people out in the world who think that a child with disabilities and a man who is blind is a mark on the cross. A burden if you may call it. This story showed the absolute opposite. Loves defies everything!!
Overall, a loving romance, filled with suspense, courage and possibilities for a happy life even if god has cast upon you a few challenges to get through.
I thoroughly enjoyed Heartsight and look forward to reading more of Kates stories.
February 24, 2013
I was lucky to receive a book from the author of this book for review a little while back because it put me onto a good author that I might not have found on my own. In the meantime, I've picked up a couple more of her books including this one because the blurbs sounded so good. I couldn't resist the idea of a story about a marine who lost his sight in the line of duty falling in love with a single mom and her daughter who happens to have Down's Syndrome. It was such a special heartwarming story that just reaffirmed what I love about reading romances.
It has been four years and several procedures later with the latest one coming up empty. Dan is done and chooses to end all the attempts to restore his sight. He'll just have to cope with what is left of his life. In this embittered state, he overhears a strung out mother trying to jockey a payment plan for the heart procedure her daughter just had to go through. The conversation leaves him sympathetic to the woman's plight, but it is what his working senses like sound when it came to her voice and smell when it came to her scent that grab his attention and attract him. It was just a passing moment- or so he thinks until little Bella finds her way down onto his beach property where he is sitting strumming his guitar. The little girl winds her fingers around his hand and in the process she winds herself around his heart.
Trish is at wits end. She's broke and wonders how she'll pay for Bella's last procedure, her Gran has just died and left her with an old B&B that requires some work, her Gran's things need to be packed up and Trish can't seem to get enough time to work on her paintings that she hopes to sell. And where did Bella wonder off to she wonders when she suddenly realizes she is missing.
Trish finds Bella down on the beach with a stranger who seems to have become fast friends with her daughter. The first few encounters for Dan and Trish are awkward because Trish is less than friendly and it takes all Dan's patience and friendship to win over the hurting woman. He can't blame her when he learns her story of her ex abandoning her and Bella because Bella has Down's Syndrome. It is when Bella's dad sends his lawyer after Trish making noises about getting custody that Trish and Dan both learn to rely on each other and to realize their own individual strengths instead of pushing each other away because they both know Trish doesn't plan to stick around.
The plot was a gentle romantic tale about two lost and hurting souls who are brought together by a little girl. I really found the slow building pace that had its moments of intensity particularly near the end something enjoyable. There are mild religious overtones. The romance is definitely on the sweet side with nothing beyond sexual tension present in the story.
The characters were well drawn even down to the sympathetic way a child with disabilities like Bella or a man with blindness like Dan were so much more than the things that held them back. Trish is actually the one who has just as much to work through as Dan because of the emotional abuse her ex piled on her and she had never dealt with. Oh, and the ex-husband was definitely a guy I loathed with a passion by the time all was said and done.
In the end, I sighed happily and gladly reached for the sequel wanting to enjoy more of this storyline. Those who enjoy sweet contemporary romance that has a military vet hero and an emotionally-scarred heroine should definitely give this one a try.
It has been four years and several procedures later with the latest one coming up empty. Dan is done and chooses to end all the attempts to restore his sight. He'll just have to cope with what is left of his life. In this embittered state, he overhears a strung out mother trying to jockey a payment plan for the heart procedure her daughter just had to go through. The conversation leaves him sympathetic to the woman's plight, but it is what his working senses like sound when it came to her voice and smell when it came to her scent that grab his attention and attract him. It was just a passing moment- or so he thinks until little Bella finds her way down onto his beach property where he is sitting strumming his guitar. The little girl winds her fingers around his hand and in the process she winds herself around his heart.
Trish is at wits end. She's broke and wonders how she'll pay for Bella's last procedure, her Gran has just died and left her with an old B&B that requires some work, her Gran's things need to be packed up and Trish can't seem to get enough time to work on her paintings that she hopes to sell. And where did Bella wonder off to she wonders when she suddenly realizes she is missing.
Trish finds Bella down on the beach with a stranger who seems to have become fast friends with her daughter. The first few encounters for Dan and Trish are awkward because Trish is less than friendly and it takes all Dan's patience and friendship to win over the hurting woman. He can't blame her when he learns her story of her ex abandoning her and Bella because Bella has Down's Syndrome. It is when Bella's dad sends his lawyer after Trish making noises about getting custody that Trish and Dan both learn to rely on each other and to realize their own individual strengths instead of pushing each other away because they both know Trish doesn't plan to stick around.
The plot was a gentle romantic tale about two lost and hurting souls who are brought together by a little girl. I really found the slow building pace that had its moments of intensity particularly near the end something enjoyable. There are mild religious overtones. The romance is definitely on the sweet side with nothing beyond sexual tension present in the story.
The characters were well drawn even down to the sympathetic way a child with disabilities like Bella or a man with blindness like Dan were so much more than the things that held them back. Trish is actually the one who has just as much to work through as Dan because of the emotional abuse her ex piled on her and she had never dealt with. Oh, and the ex-husband was definitely a guy I loathed with a passion by the time all was said and done.
In the end, I sighed happily and gladly reached for the sequel wanting to enjoy more of this storyline. Those who enjoy sweet contemporary romance that has a military vet hero and an emotionally-scarred heroine should definitely give this one a try.
July 8, 2011
The hallmark of a "keeper" book for me is that when I am done, I can't stop thinking about the characters. Dan, Trish and most especially, Bella have taken up residence in my mind since I closed the last page of this book. (Okay that's figuratively speaking since I read it on my ereader.)
The story of a man who has isolated himself from the world since a war injury took his sight four years ago, and his budding relationship with a charming six year who happens to have Downs Syndrome is heartwarming to watch. Dan's burgeoning relationship with little Bella's mother, Trish, is a case of two wounded hearts tentatively reaching out to one another, and is, for the most part, very satisfactorily portrayed.
My only quibble with this book,and certainly not enough of a quibble to detract from my five star rating, is that the villain - Trish's ex-husband, Gary was a little over the top. After all, why would two great women fall for a man who was such a total jerk?
Other than that small quibble, I felt the book did an excellent job letting us understand and watch the characters develop. Heartsight gives us a wonderful story with characters I won't soon forget.
The story of a man who has isolated himself from the world since a war injury took his sight four years ago, and his budding relationship with a charming six year who happens to have Downs Syndrome is heartwarming to watch. Dan's burgeoning relationship with little Bella's mother, Trish, is a case of two wounded hearts tentatively reaching out to one another, and is, for the most part, very satisfactorily portrayed.
My only quibble with this book,and certainly not enough of a quibble to detract from my five star rating, is that the villain - Trish's ex-husband, Gary was a little over the top. After all, why would two great women fall for a man who was such a total jerk?
Other than that small quibble, I felt the book did an excellent job letting us understand and watch the characters develop. Heartsight gives us a wonderful story with characters I won't soon forget.
March 6, 2013
Dan Conway is quite simply the man of every woman's dreams in a perfectly believable and beautifully wounded way. Trish is a single mom just trying to make it with a daughter who has Down syndrome and can't afford to let her daughter become attached to a stranger they'll have to say goodbye to at the end of the summer. For a classically put together romance, I was surprised at how very much the character of Bella the daughter controlled the story. I will never look at another child with Down syndrome in the same light, or the difficulty of being a single parent to a special needs child.
This author had an amazing talent for delivering such a high degree of sexual tension in so tasteful a way, I was also surprised to learn this is a general market publisher and not a Christian publisher. The novel has got to be the tamest (a/k/a clean) general market romance I've ever read but delivered a depth of passion and honest vulnerability in both the hero and heroine that I'm hard pressed to find in the sweet romances of the CBA. I wish there were more books like this available and will be watching for more from this author.
This author had an amazing talent for delivering such a high degree of sexual tension in so tasteful a way, I was also surprised to learn this is a general market publisher and not a Christian publisher. The novel has got to be the tamest (a/k/a clean) general market romance I've ever read but delivered a depth of passion and honest vulnerability in both the hero and heroine that I'm hard pressed to find in the sweet romances of the CBA. I wish there were more books like this available and will be watching for more from this author.
January 17, 2015
This was an absolutely wonderful book! I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it in one sitting because I simply couldn't put it down. This book touched me, it was very special and I quickly fell in love with Dan, Trish and Bella. Gary, Tricia's ex-husband gave me the creeps, I dislike people like that! I was ready to dislike Jill his new fiancé and I was pleasantly surprised by my reaction to her. I love reading romance books that have children as main characters and I thought Bella was very well written into the storyline. I highly recommend this book and plan to read more by Ms Springsteen.
February 27, 2012
On the short side, sweet without being over the top, Heartside was a surprisingly good read. The footsie/20 questions scene really shone through and the rescue scene at the end kept me on the edge of my seat
September 25, 2025
FREE today (September 25, 2025) on Amazon.
April 14, 2013
This was a very sweet and nice romance. There was a certain depth I felt the story lacked and this is the reason I gave it 3 stars.
January 5, 2017
A chance meeting on a North Carolina beach brings an unexpected bond between three people who need each other more than they realize.
I love it when authors give their characters time to develop a relationship. I was also pleased that Trish and Dan are upfront with their attraction to each other, even if they both think nothing will come of it. Bella is a sweetheart and steals the show every time she is on the page.
While the story remains clean, it does get a little "hot and heavy" at times, in my opinion.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy contemporary romance stories.
I love it when authors give their characters time to develop a relationship. I was also pleased that Trish and Dan are upfront with their attraction to each other, even if they both think nothing will come of it. Bella is a sweetheart and steals the show every time she is on the page.
While the story remains clean, it does get a little "hot and heavy" at times, in my opinion.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy contemporary romance stories.
June 21, 2023
Bella is an escape artist, while Trish is cleaning out her deceased Grans beachfront B&B Bella escaped to the beach running into their blind neighbor Dan.
Dan isn’t looking for an instant family, still trying to find a way forward after his injury. Dan and Trish both fight their attraction, not wanting to ruin their friendship, until Trish’s ex-husband shows up and threatens to destroy their little family, without regard for Bella.
Dan isn’t looking for an instant family, still trying to find a way forward after his injury. Dan and Trish both fight their attraction, not wanting to ruin their friendship, until Trish’s ex-husband shows up and threatens to destroy their little family, without regard for Bella.
March 9, 2022
Pure, heart tugging schmaltz. Nothing wrong with that.
October 8, 2025
Lovely story
This was a very good story with a mostly good character cast I loved Bella such a precious child. So glad she got a happy ending.
This was a very good story with a mostly good character cast I loved Bella such a precious child. So glad she got a happy ending.
April 17, 2011
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but if the beholder cannot see then they must alone rely upon their heart to tell them.
Heartsight is a truly inspiring story of hope and love that overcomes many challenges.
Trish Evers is an artist, teacher and a mother to six year old Bella. Bella has Down syndrome, and has been outcast by her father and left to live her life alone with her mother Trish. Trish has returned home to North Carolina, to pack up her grandmothers possessions, and sell the house that she has inherited from her- a Bed and breakfast. She has decided to bring Bella one last summer, to enjoy a holiday and the beach, whilst she paints and gets everything in order.
Bella is a delightfully happy young girl who loves to collect shells and wander off to the beach in her own little world. When she comes across Dan Conway. Dan is a U S Marine who has been blinded during combat and is now living his day one day at a time with no real meaning. In time Bella and Dan grow a close friendship, he teaches her little things and she enjoys his company. Trish also finds herself drawn to this handsome stranger, he has a way with Bella that not only touches Trish's heart but makes her wish for more than she ever bargained for.
Dan feels he is no longer of use and has secluded himself from the world, until he meets Bella and Trish and his world has become not so empty. Trish and Bella have brought upon a feeling that Dan has not felt in a long time - Hope.
A hurricane strikes, Bella has gone missing, and Dan must fight his fears, use his past training to save and bring Bella back home to safely. Will the fears get the better of him - or will he find his true meaning in life?
My Review!!
Heartsight is a truly warm and inspiring story of challenges in life and how they can be overcome. Living a life with a child with disabilities, being judged by those who don’t understand and just trying to live one day at a time, and love to your heart’s desire.
The dialogue was easily flowing and the plot well outlined and present. I really enjoyed the characters, easily to fall in love with, their emotions well portrayed and as you can say *HEARTFELT*. I really felt like it tugged at the heart strings. Moments where you just shake your head at some peoples outlook on people and also make you wander how life can be so cruel and the people in it. This is so very true in real life, people can be so cruel and judgemental at the things they just dont understand. !!
The main characters meshed well together, I enjoyed the passion they shared, it was lustful, sensual and loving but without the over the top physical attributes. Kay showed that love can be present even without the sex involved to form a close love and friendship first. Don’t get me wrong the sexy scenes are ** swoony** and give your heart a little start ..
Trish found it hard to be
lieve that someone like Dan could like her, she considered herself to be ** fatty patty **. ** X husbands words. Dan asks Trish to describe herself, this part I thought was so sweet, even though he cannot see, he says all the right things to give Trish that boosts she needs. Trish was a loving and caring character, the love for her child beautifully crafted and admiring. Dan was a mysterious man, in his own ways, drawn within himself not feeling his worth in life; Trish showed him that his blindness was something love conquered over.
Bella was a delightful, happy, bubbly child, full of life and just living every moment to her heart’s desire. I like how Kate involved parts of Down syndrome enlightening the reader as to what’s involved in caring for a child with this disability. Because honestly I learnt a few things from this read... I do realize there is more involved but this insight was interesting and accompanied the storyline well.
The villain was well portrayed to be the monster he was, I’m glad that Kate delivered to him, his just deserts. For someone to be so callous is beyond me, but there are people out in the world who think that a child with disabilities and a man who is blind is a mark on the cross. A burden if you may call it. This story showed the absolute opposite. Loves defies everything!!
Overall, a loving romance, filled with suspense, courage and possibilities for a happy life even if god has cast upon you a few challenges to get through.
I thoroughly enjoyed Heartsight and look forward to reading more of Kates stories.
August 23, 2014
I was uncertain about this book when I started it. Although I had agreed to review it when the author asked, a part of me worried that I would find it too sweet or mushy. I didn't realize, until after I read it, that the publisher (who also put out another book I reviewed, "The Perfect Rose") specializes in non-erotic, wholesome romances. Still, I tried to go into it with an open mind. I'm glad that I took the chance.
"Heartsight" is sweet, and definitely plays to your emotions but it's also nicely written and enjoyable. I quickly got into it and was caught up in the story. I did get frustrated at the continual will we/won't we have sex. The back and forth, and constant pushing away of each other got old really fast. I am perfectly ok with a sex-free romance but there are ways to write it that aren't so annoying, in my opinion.
That said, Springsteen did a nice job of fleshing out most of the characters and making them real. Bella's biological father, Gary, felt cliched to me - rich, controlling, emotionally and verbally abusive, etc., too much the bad guy with no redeeming qualities. He perfectly fits the role of the bad guy in the story and is easy to dislike. I wish Springsteen had fleshed him out more, made him less stereotypical. One thing that rang very true though was his rejection of Bella and that he and her mother got divorced, in part, due to her condition. Sadly, both of those scenarios are all too common in real life. A child with serious health issues or who is not "normal" (and I seem to be reading a ton of book lately with characters who make you question what is "normal") often leads to one parent rejecting the child, or to stress which leads to divorce, or both.
Bella, her mother Trish, and Dan are all pleasant people who feel like they could be your next door neighbor or a co-worker. The romance was sweet, and the story doesn't downplay the difficulties in becoming blind, being a single parent, or having Down's Syndrome but neither does it romanticize them.
If you are in the mood for a sweet, contemporary romance, give this a try.
The author provided a PDF for review.
"Heartsight" is sweet, and definitely plays to your emotions but it's also nicely written and enjoyable. I quickly got into it and was caught up in the story. I did get frustrated at the continual will we/won't we have sex. The back and forth, and constant pushing away of each other got old really fast. I am perfectly ok with a sex-free romance but there are ways to write it that aren't so annoying, in my opinion.
That said, Springsteen did a nice job of fleshing out most of the characters and making them real. Bella's biological father, Gary, felt cliched to me - rich, controlling, emotionally and verbally abusive, etc., too much the bad guy with no redeeming qualities. He perfectly fits the role of the bad guy in the story and is easy to dislike. I wish Springsteen had fleshed him out more, made him less stereotypical. One thing that rang very true though was his rejection of Bella and that he and her mother got divorced, in part, due to her condition. Sadly, both of those scenarios are all too common in real life. A child with serious health issues or who is not "normal" (and I seem to be reading a ton of book lately with characters who make you question what is "normal") often leads to one parent rejecting the child, or to stress which leads to divorce, or both.
Bella, her mother Trish, and Dan are all pleasant people who feel like they could be your next door neighbor or a co-worker. The romance was sweet, and the story doesn't downplay the difficulties in becoming blind, being a single parent, or having Down's Syndrome but neither does it romanticize them.
If you are in the mood for a sweet, contemporary romance, give this a try.
The author provided a PDF for review.
March 17, 2011
I got the honor of proofing the last galleys of this book. Normally, I don't pick up romance novels, so I'm glad I got this opportunity to step outside of my normal reading. Kay Springsteen delivers a stirring love story full of well-crafted language, vivid imagery, and hope in Heartsight.
Heartsight is the story of Trish, the now single mother of Bella, a delightfully drawn girl with Down Syndrome. Although Bella's father couldn't handle her different needs, she is the center of her mother's life. She quickly captures the heart of Dan, a veteran Marine who was blinded in Afghanistan and has come to the remote Carolina beach to escape. The tension builds nicely as Dan and Trish try to understand the meaning of their feelings for each other, and Bella's father is reintroduced as an uncaring villain who could tear their world apart. But Mother Nature herself provides the culmination of the story in the form of a hurricane the characters must walk directly through in a truly life-and-death chapter. Masterfully switching between the perspectives of the two lovers, Kay Springsteen shows herself to be an experienced writer who cares as much about language as she does about her characters and her happy ending. Using Dan's "handicap" as a new way of experiencing the world, Springsteen creates sensory-intense scenes filled with perfumes, sounds, and textures the reader will not soon forget.
Heartsight doesn't hit you over the head with prescriptive morals and the characters have their doubts about the existence of God. Their lives have given them a realistic degree of uncertainty that makes it all the more rewarding when they make the final decisions of the book. While never crossing the bounds of propriety, the sensual scenes evoke the mixture of heartfelt longing and hesitation in the characters.
Heartsight is the story of Trish, the now single mother of Bella, a delightfully drawn girl with Down Syndrome. Although Bella's father couldn't handle her different needs, she is the center of her mother's life. She quickly captures the heart of Dan, a veteran Marine who was blinded in Afghanistan and has come to the remote Carolina beach to escape. The tension builds nicely as Dan and Trish try to understand the meaning of their feelings for each other, and Bella's father is reintroduced as an uncaring villain who could tear their world apart. But Mother Nature herself provides the culmination of the story in the form of a hurricane the characters must walk directly through in a truly life-and-death chapter. Masterfully switching between the perspectives of the two lovers, Kay Springsteen shows herself to be an experienced writer who cares as much about language as she does about her characters and her happy ending. Using Dan's "handicap" as a new way of experiencing the world, Springsteen creates sensory-intense scenes filled with perfumes, sounds, and textures the reader will not soon forget.
Heartsight doesn't hit you over the head with prescriptive morals and the characters have their doubts about the existence of God. Their lives have given them a realistic degree of uncertainty that makes it all the more rewarding when they make the final decisions of the book. While never crossing the bounds of propriety, the sensual scenes evoke the mixture of heartfelt longing and hesitation in the characters.
October 20, 2016
This is one of those rare instances of story-telling where the author manages to bring to life some very unique characters and explore the passion that exists between two people without resorting to scenes of a sexual nature. That's right. There is nothing in this story hotter than a few steamy kisses. And it was so refreshing! Seriously - while I enjoy a good sex scene as much as the next person, all too often they overshadow the book and the actual romance of the characters so to watch these two struggle against (and then finally admit to) their feelings for one another while the romance bloomed in a natural way made the entire thing that much more enjoyable.
I loved the characters in this story (except Trish's ex - he was a jerk). From their struggles to overcoming some pretty intense odds, the author managed to keep these characters feeling REAL. I loved the fact that the author included a blind Hero and wasn't afraid to tackle his struggles head on. Not only was he blinded doing a job he had enjoyed, but he then had to deal with the aftermath of his injury and learning how to find himself and his purpose in life again. Bella was another pleasant surprise for me. I felt that the author didn't shy away from discussing some of the less pleasing aspects of having a child considered disabled (the looks and comments from others, etc), nor did she allow Bella's disability to overshadow her personality. She wasn't her disability as so many other characters are so often portrayed.
Overall, I highly recommend this story to those who enjoy a sweet and well written romance novel with interesting characters. I would 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.
I loved the characters in this story (except Trish's ex - he was a jerk). From their struggles to overcoming some pretty intense odds, the author managed to keep these characters feeling REAL. I loved the fact that the author included a blind Hero and wasn't afraid to tackle his struggles head on. Not only was he blinded doing a job he had enjoyed, but he then had to deal with the aftermath of his injury and learning how to find himself and his purpose in life again. Bella was another pleasant surprise for me. I felt that the author didn't shy away from discussing some of the less pleasing aspects of having a child considered disabled (the looks and comments from others, etc), nor did she allow Bella's disability to overshadow her personality. She wasn't her disability as so many other characters are so often portrayed.
Overall, I highly recommend this story to those who enjoy a sweet and well written romance novel with interesting characters. I would 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.
September 12, 2016
This was an enjoyable read for the most part. However,
However, the story was fun, with enough tension to keep me reading and I will it recommend to anyone looking for a light summer read.
The cover of the copy I downloaded as a sample was different to the cover of the copy I purchased. This cover is somewhat 'untidy'.
However, the story was fun, with enough tension to keep me reading and I will it recommend to anyone looking for a light summer read.
The cover of the copy I downloaded as a sample was different to the cover of the copy I purchased. This cover is somewhat 'untidy'.
April 7, 2016
Trish Evers is a single mom who has her hands full as she comes back to the little town where her gradmother's B&B is. She needs to get the place cleaned up and ready to sell while keeping an eye on her daughter. I loved how the author handled Bella's disability. It was written with grace and gave an insight into a disability that many couples face with their children. I loved Bella and her independent nature. She was the highlight to me in this book.
We also get to meet Dan. He has come back to his beach house after suffering severe wounds while stationed with the Marines. His character has so much compassion for others and his disability only enhanced his charm. I wonder how we would handle it if we suddenly became disabled? I appreciate the way Dan did not use it as a crutch and accepted it without complaining. It made his character very endearing.
I loved the story and the many obstacles Trish endures during the story. The author wrote lovely scenes between Bella and Dan as they walked along the beach gathering shells. They seemed to build a bond fast and I think it made the story so touching. Dan accepted Bella as a loving, energetic child and his compassion for her was incrediblely written. I would have liked to see the relationship between Trish and Dan develop a bit more slowly but overall the book was amazing.
I received a copy of this book from Librarything for an honest review.
We also get to meet Dan. He has come back to his beach house after suffering severe wounds while stationed with the Marines. His character has so much compassion for others and his disability only enhanced his charm. I wonder how we would handle it if we suddenly became disabled? I appreciate the way Dan did not use it as a crutch and accepted it without complaining. It made his character very endearing.
I loved the story and the many obstacles Trish endures during the story. The author wrote lovely scenes between Bella and Dan as they walked along the beach gathering shells. They seemed to build a bond fast and I think it made the story so touching. Dan accepted Bella as a loving, energetic child and his compassion for her was incrediblely written. I would have liked to see the relationship between Trish and Dan develop a bit more slowly but overall the book was amazing.
I received a copy of this book from Librarything for an honest review.
February 10, 2013
In "Heartsight", Kay Springsteen tells a tender, emotionally satisfying love story between Trish, the single mother of Bella, a young child afflicted with Down's Syndrome, and Dan, a Marine who was blinded in combat four years earlier. Trish and Dan meet on a coastal beach in NC, where they both grew up. They resist their growing attraction for one another, each believing the other deserves someone better. When Trish's ex-husband shows up, suddenly demanding custody of six-yr-old Bella, circumstances and Mother Nature combine to reveal their true character and ultimately, their love for Bella and one another.
Ms. Springsteen uses Dan's blindness in an interesting way in the story. Trish is an artist, and she must learn to describe her landscape paintings, town sites and even herself so that Dan can 'see' them. In doing so, the reader can visualize the scene quite clearly, making the story come alive. Also, Ms. Springsteen is able to demonstrate the sometimes exhausting issues of raising a mentally challenged child, while still making Bella's character quite loveable. I also enjoyed the fact that Dan didn't receive a miraculous cure, but was instead, able to find value in his life without sight. I enjoyed this story from start to finish.
Ms. Springsteen uses Dan's blindness in an interesting way in the story. Trish is an artist, and she must learn to describe her landscape paintings, town sites and even herself so that Dan can 'see' them. In doing so, the reader can visualize the scene quite clearly, making the story come alive. Also, Ms. Springsteen is able to demonstrate the sometimes exhausting issues of raising a mentally challenged child, while still making Bella's character quite loveable. I also enjoyed the fact that Dan didn't receive a miraculous cure, but was instead, able to find value in his life without sight. I enjoyed this story from start to finish.
September 13, 2011
This was a fun Romance. It was what I was in the mood for. Not too much drama romance. The main love interest was very good. I really like him. The Ex husband was a Jerk, but was supposed to be. I am quite sure no one would like him, but that was the point, it might have been a little two over the top on making him the bad guy, but it worked, I really didn't like him at all. I loved the little girl, she was very sweet, and made the love story have a really down to earth element that I liked.
I was kind of surprised, I won this in a clean romances competition, and it was clean as far as I am concerned, but I know people that would have thought it had a few elements. There was a little cussing in the book, as well as the mention of the main love interest's anatomy. There were quite a few at least 3 or 4 very close calls, that were pretty descriptive that almost ended up in the bedroom.
I really did like this book, and would read something by Kay Springsteen again.
I was kind of surprised, I won this in a clean romances competition, and it was clean as far as I am concerned, but I know people that would have thought it had a few elements. There was a little cussing in the book, as well as the mention of the main love interest's anatomy. There were quite a few at least 3 or 4 very close calls, that were pretty descriptive that almost ended up in the bedroom.
I really did like this book, and would read something by Kay Springsteen again.
May 15, 2011
Dan Conyers is blind. He carries phyicsal and emotional scars, but he's anything but helpless. This ex-military man was of the hottest heros I've met in a long time. Kudos to the author for taking her leading man in a brand new direction.
I normally review Christian fiction, and probably wouldn't have read this if I had known it didn't really fit that category, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. Heartsight is a sweet/contemporary romance and a quick read. Springsteen crafted characters that wormed their way into my heart almost immediately.
She did a particularly great job writing the slime ball ex-husband. He made a fantastic antagonist, someone I loved hating.
If you're a fan of sweet romance, sets your sights on Heartsight.
I normally review Christian fiction, and probably wouldn't have read this if I had known it didn't really fit that category, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. Heartsight is a sweet/contemporary romance and a quick read. Springsteen crafted characters that wormed their way into my heart almost immediately.
She did a particularly great job writing the slime ball ex-husband. He made a fantastic antagonist, someone I loved hating.
If you're a fan of sweet romance, sets your sights on Heartsight.
March 25, 2011
I truly enjoyed this book. I must say when I first picked it up I thought the author was biting off more than she could chew with so many dynamics to the story, but she did a wonderful job with it. The main characters are strong and plausible in their actions and emotions. It was not a book that I had to pretend that it worked - it was compelling and realistic. Though there are not many characters in the story, I fell in love with all of them. The plot kept up a steady pace and kept me intrigued from beginning to end. I would definitely recommend this book.
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September 13, 2011
Reviewed by Karen
Ebook provided by author for review
Heartsight is a fabulous story. It is very well written with nicely developed and believable characters. There’s a good storyline, with an even pace that encourages you to keep turning the pages. I fell in love with Dan, Trisha and Bella; each one of them was very special. I didn’t like Trish’s ex-husband, though. But you can decide that for yourself when you read the book.
Heartsight is an easy and fun read – I absolutely loved it! I read it in one sitting because I just didn’t want to put it down. I believe all readers who love romance will want to add this book to their library.
Ebook provided by author for review
Heartsight is a fabulous story. It is very well written with nicely developed and believable characters. There’s a good storyline, with an even pace that encourages you to keep turning the pages. I fell in love with Dan, Trisha and Bella; each one of them was very special. I didn’t like Trish’s ex-husband, though. But you can decide that for yourself when you read the book.
Heartsight is an easy and fun read – I absolutely loved it! I read it in one sitting because I just didn’t want to put it down. I believe all readers who love romance will want to add this book to their library.
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