Rating: 
Summary: Well designed fifteenth century romance
Review: In 1485 England, Brother Reynold Wells, trained as a knight, rescues Lady Katherine Berkeley, who had been abducted to keep her quiet. To insure her silence, her kidnappers had arranged for Katherine to marry someone she did not wish to wed. Katherine finds her quiet rescuer odd and somewhat daunting. However, she knows that he is her only hope to reach King Richard and warn him of a treasonous plot, which is why her former kidnappers went to all this trouble to keep her mute. As Reynold, who has not yet taken his priestly vows, escorts the beautiful Katherine, he begins to fall in love with her. Though she intended to wed someone else, Katherine returns Reynold's feelings. However, duty calls for him to safely escort her home even if doing this is more likely to kill the monk than the foes who chase after them. In her debut novel, Gayle Callen provides readers of Medieval romance with a tender tale of love and honor. The story line provides a tasty picture of the fifteenth century. The characters, especially the tortured Reynold, will enchant fans of the era. Ms. Callen opens her writing career with a fine entry that is sure to gain her a fan following. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Well done!
Review: A great debut by a new author --- charming and delightful. I look forward to future books by Gayle Callen.
Rating:
Summary: Delicious Reading & the Cover Art was Wonderful too!
Review: Envisioning the cover stud as Reynold in the story made me cheer that he chose not to make the church his vocation in the end. It would have been such a waste! Reynold's honor, and struggle to do what was right really touched a chord in me. There was one too many gratuitous "almost-rape" scenes but the clever way Reynold had of saving Katherine from the first villian was inspired writing. The mystery, betrayal, distrust and struggle to maintain vows to church and to her betrothed all wove together to make a compelling novel. The historical elements were good too. I have re-read this many times and highly recommend it to others.
Rating:
Summary: Delicious Reading & the Cover Art was Wonderful too!
Review: I did enjoy reading this book and will read more by this author, but this book was not that great. Reynold sees lady Katherine being stored away in his monestary by two men, so he decides to rescue her and take her to safety. When they get out Katherine is adament that she must be taken to the king and not to her home, but the will not tell Reynald why. Through the rest of the book they face many trials and eventually end up happily ever after, of course, since this is a romance novel. This book was ok, but there are some complaints that I have. First is it got too repetitive. Yes, we know that Reynald belongs to the monastary and should not feel desire for Katherine. It didn't have to be said so often. Also, I know many other people found Katherine to be very ditzy. I agree to a point. I do think that her clumsiness did come from having a bad arm. Having one limb out of use could completely throw off her balance, so that didn't really bother me. However, it did bother me that she could not tell Reynold why she had to see the king after he had saved her life, when she completely trusted her betrothed who she had only met once and who was sort of an a**hole. Certian aspects of her personality made her seem not good enough for Reynald who was noble, caring, and an all around great hero. Other than these things, the book was pretty good and I plan on reading the sequels.
Rating: 
Summary: Ok, But not Great
Review: I did enjoy reading this book and will read more by this author, but this book was not that great. Reynold sees lady Katherine being stored away in his monestary by two men, so he decides to rescue her and take her to safety. When they get out Katherine is adament that she must be taken to the king and not to her home, but the will not tell Reynald why. Through the rest of the book they face many trials and eventually end up happily ever after, of course, since this is a romance novel. This book was ok, but there are some complaints that I have. First is it got too repetitive. Yes, we know that Reynald belongs to the monastary and should not feel desire for Katherine. It didn't have to be said so often. Also, I know many other people found Katherine to be very ditzy. I agree to a point. I do think that her clumsiness did come from having a bad arm. Having one limb out of use could completely throw off her balance, so that didn't really bother me. However, it did bother me that she could not tell Reynold why she had to see the king after he had saved her life, when she completely trusted her betrothed who she had only met once and who was sort of an a**hole. Certian aspects of her personality made her seem not good enough for Reynald who was noble, caring, and an all around great hero. Other than these things, the book was pretty good and I plan on reading the sequels.
Rating:
Summary: BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN !! WONDERFUL READ!!
Review: I got this book because it was a highly reviewed medieval romance by a new author. Unfortunately, it's a dud. I just couldn't get into it & found myself skimming a lot just to finish it. The author kept harping about Katherine's 'weak arm' but didn't provide enough different 'views' of how badly crippled she really was. I first thought the previous reviewer used too strong a word to describe our heroine. Admittedly I found her klutziness VERY TIRESOME as she ALWAYS tripped over her own gown & stumbled on EVERY rock on the road to freedom. But when added to her thoughtless, hypocritical actions & watering-pot personality, I'd have to agree--SHE'S A COMPLETE DITZ! I also can't understand how she could cower away from Reynold 'in revulsion' (perhaps in remorse but definitely not in revulsion!) when he'd just shown her what joy/beauty there is in lovemaking. PUH-LLLEASE! I want to read about heroines who have some spine, who find their inner strength instead of just crying about every little thing wrong in their life, & waiting for the man-in-her-life to solve things for 'em!
Rating: 
Summary: HIGHLY OVER-RATED. GREAT HERO RUINED BY LOUSY HEROINE.
Review: I got this book because it was a highly reviewed medieval romance by a new author. Unfortunately, it's a dud. I just couldn't get into it & found myself skimming a lot just to finish it. The author kept harping about Katherine's 'weak arm' but didn't provide enough different 'views' of how badly crippled she really was. I first thought the previous reviewer used too strong a word to describe our heroine. Admittedly I found her klutziness VERY TIRESOME as she ALWAYS tripped over her own gown & stumbled on EVERY rock on the road to freedom. But when added to her thoughtless, hypocritical actions & watering-pot personality, I'd have to agree--SHE'S A COMPLETE DITZ! I also can't understand how she could cower away from Reynold 'in revulsion' (perhaps in remorse but definitely not in revulsion!) when he'd just shown her what joy/beauty there is in lovemaking. PUH-LLLEASE! I want to read about heroines who have some spine, who find their inner strength instead of just crying about every little thing wrong in their life, & waiting for the man-in-her-life to solve things for 'em!
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful historical romance from a talented new author!
Review: I was thrilled to be able to work with Gayle Callen on her first published historical romance--it won't be her last! This is a sensuous, utterly romantic page-turner with a unique twist. What's the twist? I'm not giving it away...you'll have to read for yourself. But I know you'll agree with me that Gayle is a terrific author with a bright future.
Rating:
Summary: A grand debut
Review: Recommended In 1485 England, Brother Reynold Wells, trained as a knight, rescues Lady Katherine Berkeley, who had been abducted to keep her quiet. To insure her silence, her kidnappers had arranged for Katherine to marry someone she did not wish to wed. Katherine finds her quiet rescuer odd and somewhat daunting. However, she knows that he is her only hope to reach King Richard and warn him of a treasonous plot, which is why her former kidnappers went to all this trouble to keep her mute. As Reynold, who has not yet taken his priestly vows, escorts the beautiful Katherine, he begins to fall in love with her. Though she intended to wed someone else, Katherine returns Reynold's feelings. However, duty calls for him to safely escort her home even if doing this is more likely to kill the monk than the foes who chase after them. In her debut novel, Gayle Callen provides readers of Medieval romance with a tender tale of love and honor. The story line provides a tasty picture of the fifteenth century. The characters, especially the tortured Reynold, will enchant fans of the era. Ms. Callen opens her writing career with a fine entry that is sure to gain her a fan following. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN !! WONDERFUL READ!!
Review: The DARKEST KNIGHT is a great read with a heroine who overcomes a lousy childhood and learns to trust herself and her man. In the end, there's nothing she won't do to save Reynold. The thing I liked best was that she WAS A WOMAN OF HER TIME, who learned to be strong. Gayle Callen is a rising star in the romance genre. Her style is lyrical and flowing and she truly captured the Medieval period. I can't wait for more!
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