The Wedding Kimono

by Camy Tang

Prequel novella in the Warubozu Spa Chronicles

Raised by a single father with two older brothers, tomboy Lila has often been mistaken for a young man because of her androgynous looks. However, she's very popular with the women at the massage therapy spa where she works, who love her older-sister vibe. She feels this is where God wants her to be, helping women feel beautiful and good about themselves. Secretly she's attracted to her boss at work, spa manager Fred, but she holds no hope since there's nothing feminine about her, and she's four inches taller than he is.

Then, when cleaning out the attic for her father, she finds her maternal grandmother's gorgeous antique wedding kimono. Being half-Japanese and half-Chinese, she recognizes some Chinese character calligraphy hidden amongst the hand-sewn embroidery that she can't quite read.

A chance mention of the kimono and calligraphy results in Fred offering his help, since he knows a Japanese history professor at the University of Hawaii. But then Lila notices some strangers following her, and their interest in her appears to be connected to the kimono.

Lila and Fred must work together to uncover the mystery of the wedding kimono. Can her grandmother's legacy help her see her inner beauty and open herself up to love?

NOTE: The Wedding Kimono released in the Save the Date anthology in September 2021. The expanded version is only available as a free ebook for the author's email newsletter subscribers.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Suspense

ebook

About the author

Camy writes Christian romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and cozy mystery as Camy Tang and Regency romance under her pen name, Camille Elliot. She grew up in Hawaii but now lives in northern California with her engineer husband and rambunctious dog. She graduated from Stanford University in psychology with a focus on biology, but for nine years she worked as a biologist researcher. Then God guided her path in a completely different direction and now she’s writing full time, using her original psychology degree as she creates the characters in her novels. In her free time, she’s a staff worker for her church youth group and leads one of her church’s Sunday worship teams. She also loves to knit, spin wool into yarn, and is training to (very slowly) run a marathon.

Reviews

[Debbie Wentworth Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because of her height and tomboyish looks, Lila Wong has never felt attractive. A masseuse at her cousin's spa, she has also protected the other women from the occasional rough customer. She has always found the spa's manager, Fred, attractive despite his being twelve years older than her.

Because of a painful first marriage that ended in divorce, Fred has always kept women at an arm's distance, especially Lila. He found her so cute. He knew, however, that she deserved someone better.

As Lila cleans out a closet at her father's home, she finds her mother's wedding kimono. Her great-grandmother had made the beautiful gown in 1930 from red silk. She had embroidered gold flowers on it and some shapes that looked like Chinese writing. When Lila mentions it to Fred, he immediately thinks of a friend who is a professor of Japanese history nearby. Neither of them expects the intense interest that Fred's friend and two of his graduate students show in her.

The next day two men show up at the spa at different times. The first is so aggressive and rude about seeing the kimono that Fred throws him out physically. The second Lila is able to handle. They face the questions about who these men are, how they found out about the kimono, and what they want with it.

I am not usually a fan of romances, but I enjoyed The Wedding Kimono and look forward to reading more by Camy Tang. She includes fascinating information about wedding kimonos and a little of the history of the Japanese in Hawaii. The perspective was unique. The relationships of the workers at the spa seems unusually close, though sometimes a little juvenile (though that may be a generational quirk on my part). Sometimes they slug one another on the arm. Tang works the suspense into the story naturally. It was a fun read.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prequel to Camy's Warubozu Spa Chronicles, written with a touch of humor and a dash of romance, it is an enoyable set up to the series.

[Marylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sincerely enjoy reading any Camy Tang book. They are rich in Asian flair and traditions, but she also mixes in humor and fun cultural differences.
It was packed with moments of giggles and laughter.
I could understand many of the customs associated with this culture because I've lived in Japan.
This author makes it easy to imagine these individuals' relationships and struggles. The story flowed seamlessly, with drama, a bit of suspense, finding worth, and moments of romance.
The main character experiences profound life lessons. I loved how Lila learned to rely on God for her self-worth, which is something we all need to know. As well as seeing her own beauty.
Camy Tang brings lots of life to each of her characters. Even the secondary characters will make you laugh and shake your head, and some will make you scream and get mad.
If you want a book full of humor, drama, awkwardness, cultural quirks, and a sweet romance, then this is the book for you.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to others.

I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to others.

[Kathryn E Hagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Wedding Kimono” is a novella serving as a prequel to the Warubozu Spa Chronicles. Lila, the main character, is a massage therapist who is frequently told she appears masculine. It gets old, yet Lila always responds respectfully.

The story centers on a kimono that Lila and her father found in their garage. Beautifully embroidered by Lila’s great-grandmother, it has served as a wedding kimono for three generations thus far. Some disreputable people learn of its existence.

Lila’s relationship with her boss also forms a significant part of “The Wedding Kimono.” Other coworkers play a role in finding out what the characters on the dress mean.

Camy Tang has written a sweet story that also has some very exciting parts. Will Lila find love? She wants to, and her coworkers are certainly rooting for her.

I recommend “The Wedding Kimono” if you enjoy sweet love stories with a bit of complication muddying the waters. I’m looking forward to reading other books in the series.

Thank you to Camy Tang for a copy of “The Wedding Kimono.” This is my honest review.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This clean, Christian fiction read is based at a spa in Hawaii about massage therapist, Lila and her boss and spa manager, Fred.
Lila is androgynous looking and is often mistaken for a male as she is tall, slender and athletic. Fred is twelve years older than her, a divorcé and slightly shorter than her. But he has secretly really liked Lila and has never seen her as anything other than a beautiful young lady.
He volunteers to introduce her to a friend of his, a Japanese professor, Kiefer to find out more about an embroidered wedding kimono made by her great-grandmother. But she is suddenly being stalked and attacked as collectors seem to be after this kimono.
The story was well written and I enjoyed the storyline. Both main characters were endearing and believable. This was a charming read.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect when I started reading The Wedding Kimono but am impressed with the book. The characters are exceptional and real. The issues they deal with are the kind of issues many of us have faced. It is nice to read a novel where people deal with life's challenges and seek God's guidance. In real life, my experience is that when people face difficult life experiences they do seek God's presence and wisdom. I highly recommend The Wedding Kimono.

[Bonny Rambarran · Rating 5 out of 5]

She feels ugly - not like a woman at all
They work together — and get along well, But people look at her and often mistake her for a man. But he NEVER thinks that — but she feels like he does. This is a superb book. 1000% loved it!!! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book you will read about two people hiding their feelings for each other and the danger of protecting a beautiful wedding kimono. Fred and Lila’s story will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens with these two special people.

[aem · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet

[Marilyn Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing. A different kind of story. It was situated in Hawaii but not a beach romance. The story was refreshing and even historical. The HEA was unexpected and worth waiting for. Cheers to the author!

[Rachelle Bachiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book. The characters are real and when faced by difficulties they seek God for His help. Recommend this book to everyone. I was not disappointed spending time with this author.

[Ranee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing style; fun story.

[Esther Shingler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled understanding the culture in this book and didn't appreciate or relate to her identity crisis.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My love of Jane Austen and the regency era has brought me to read some genres I never expected to read, much less enjoy.

I started with Camille Elliott's Lady Wynwood's Spies regency series. Enjoying it, I discovered that the name is a pseudonym for Camy Tang, who also writes Christian romance and romantic suspense. She had some free novellas, so I decided to try them out.

The Wedding Kimono serves as a prequel to a planned series, the Warubozu Spa Chronicles. I loved this story. The romance was secondary to the fascinating mystery of the kimono while the Christian element guided Lila to learn to love herself and her own body.