Gayle Callen
Author of The Viscount in Her Bedroom
About the Author
Series
Works by Gayle Callen
Hot and Bothered (Luring Lucy / Truth or Dare / Compromised / Treading Dangerous Waters) (2001) — Contributor — 139 copies, 3 reviews
Compromised (Hot and Bothered anth) 2 copies
Een vrouw met passie 1 copy
Nu jij mijn vrouw bent 1 copy
Envoûtante innocence: Intrépides et séductrices, les héroïnes Victoria vont conquérir l'Histoire ! (2022) 1 copy
Schandaal gezocht 1 copy
L'époux inconnu : Intrépides et séductrices, les héroïnes Victoria vont conquérir l'Histoire ! 1 copy
Echtgenoot op bezoek 1 copy
Ongezien verliefd 1 copy
Met jou aan mijn zij 1 copy
Liefde op papier 1 copy
De mysterieuze hertog 1 copy
Voel mijn verlangen 1 copy
Liefde als inzet 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Kloecker Callen, Gayle
- Other names
- Callen, Gayle
Latham, Julia
Cane, Emma - Gender
- female
- Short biography
- Gayle Kloecker grew up in Erie, Pensylvaina, daughter of Renee and Francis Kloecker. In the college, she started to study engineering, but she left it. She married James Callen, and they had three children: Jim, Michelle, and Laura. The family resides in a suburb of Central New York.
She needed 13 years to sell her first novel in 1999. Named the "Notable New Author of 1999," Gayle has also won the Holt Medallion and the Laurel Wreath Award, and finaled in the National Readers Choice Awards. A past President of the Central New York Romance Writers, she is also a member of Romance Writers of America, the Authors Guild, and Novelists Inc. She wrote also under the pseudoyms of Julia Latham and Emma Cane. Besides writing, she loves to read, sing, crochet, and delve too deeply into historical research. - Nationality
- USA
- Places of residence
- Erie, Pensylvaina, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Pensylvaina, USA
Members
Reviews
Every Scandalous Secret was such an interersting read and I think I had higher hopes going into this one. I also think I just wasn't in the best of moods to read this one so I do think this was a "me" issue in some respects. I did find the set up to be so fascinating. I loved the whole set up of the hero on a bet with his friends thinking the heroine is the model of an infamous nude painting. It definitely screams secrets and scandals. I found the chemistry and bantering to be so intriguing show more and I became so intrigued by their interactions. There is a bit of marriage of convenience when they get caught in a scandalous embrace. Its been a while since I have read this set up in a historical, authors tend to not write this like they used to and I really loved seeing it. I do want to read the last of the trilogy though as I was charmed by this book even though it felt like a super slow read! show less
Such a fun book. Monica is the local florist who has spent her whole life in Valentine Valley. Travis is the Secret Service agent who has come to town to get ready for a presidential visit. The president's son is marrying a local girl and it's Travis's job to make sure everything goes smoothly. As he goes around town checking out the local businesses, he meets Monica. There is an instant attraction between them, but he has to maintain his focus so he can do his job. Monica feels the show more attraction too and would like to get to know him better.
Monica is a fun character. She's independent, loves her business, and active in her community, especially environmental issues. She's the kind of person who puts others' needs ahead of her own, but she's starting to wonder when it will be her turn to find love. Monica is intrigued by Travis and his stoic demeanor. She'd like a chance to get him to loosen up a little. I really loved seeing her interactions with him at the beginning as she tried hard to get reactions from him. It was fun to see them teasing each other.
Travis is former military and it's easy to see the influence it has had on his life. It has also contributed to his tendency to keep his emotions locked up. There's a great scene at the beginning where Travis is talking to a local veteran and Monica overhears something that gives her a little more insight into who he is. Because she knows almost everyone, Travis finds himself going to Monica frequently for information and introductions. They start to build a friendship, but their attraction is always simmering just below the surface. Though they try to stick to business as usual they aren't very successful at staying away from each other. The more time they spend together the deeper they fall for each other, though neither wants to admit it. Neither really sees a way to have a true relationship.
Adding to the complications of Monica and Travis trying to be together are the antics of the ladies of the Widow's Boarding House. These women are also very active in the community. Their current cause is that of trying to prevent the shutting down of a local archaeological dig. They feel that having the president coming to town is the perfect opportunity to get their message out and have planned a protest. As a participant Monica is torn about what to do. Travis has heard rumors of the protest, but nobody is talking to him about it, including Monica. She wants to tell him, but she has a loyalty to her friends also and doesn't want to chance that the protest will be shut down. This creates some tension between Travis and Monica because both want trust from the other, but are wary of doing the trusting themselves. By the time the protest comes around Travis has made some interesting discoveries about himself. The changes he has gone through have made him a person who is much more open to the idea of a happy future. I loved how this all becomes obvious during the protest. The event itself was fantastic and fit the town and the widows perfectly. I loved everyone's reactions to it. show less
Monica is a fun character. She's independent, loves her business, and active in her community, especially environmental issues. She's the kind of person who puts others' needs ahead of her own, but she's starting to wonder when it will be her turn to find love. Monica is intrigued by Travis and his stoic demeanor. She'd like a chance to get him to loosen up a little. I really loved seeing her interactions with him at the beginning as she tried hard to get reactions from him. It was fun to see them teasing each other.
Travis is former military and it's easy to see the influence it has had on his life. It has also contributed to his tendency to keep his emotions locked up. There's a great scene at the beginning where Travis is talking to a local veteran and Monica overhears something that gives her a little more insight into who he is. Because she knows almost everyone, Travis finds himself going to Monica frequently for information and introductions. They start to build a friendship, but their attraction is always simmering just below the surface. Though they try to stick to business as usual they aren't very successful at staying away from each other. The more time they spend together the deeper they fall for each other, though neither wants to admit it. Neither really sees a way to have a true relationship.
Adding to the complications of Monica and Travis trying to be together are the antics of the ladies of the Widow's Boarding House. These women are also very active in the community. Their current cause is that of trying to prevent the shutting down of a local archaeological dig. They feel that having the president coming to town is the perfect opportunity to get their message out and have planned a protest. As a participant Monica is torn about what to do. Travis has heard rumors of the protest, but nobody is talking to him about it, including Monica. She wants to tell him, but she has a loyalty to her friends also and doesn't want to chance that the protest will be shut down. This creates some tension between Travis and Monica because both want trust from the other, but are wary of doing the trusting themselves. By the time the protest comes around Travis has made some interesting discoveries about himself. The changes he has gone through have made him a person who is much more open to the idea of a happy future. I loved how this all becomes obvious during the protest. The event itself was fantastic and fit the town and the widows perfectly. I loved everyone's reactions to it. show less
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Introduction
The Groom Wore Plaid is the second book in the "Highland Weddings" and I was intrigued to pick this author up as its been a long while since I have read this author but I have to say I ADORED this one so completely. It has been so long since I had read this author that I had forgotten how charming and delightful her writing is. There was such top notch banter between our main protagonists and it was just show more plain good fun to see them interact. We have some interesting tropes that come together in this one as well as a unique time era that we normally don't see in recently published historical romance as this is mid 1700's Scotland. I just loved the way that discussed Jacobite rebellion and the fight for Scotland's independence from England.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Owen Duff
-Highland Laird
-Alphamellow
-Strong
-Capable Leader
The Heroine: Maggie McCallum
-Has dreams/visions of events in the future
-betrothed to Owen
-Family is enemy to the Duff's
Summary
Maggie and Owen were once friends when they were younger and there was a young love that was building between them, but Owen was engaged to marry, but when Maggie has a vision of his fiancee dying, he didn't believe her and she ended up dead. Now its been more than a decade later, and to bring peace to their families and clan, they honor the agreement that was originally made between their families. Owen is determined to make this work, but when Maggie has a dream of Owen being mortally injured on their wedding day, she is determined to make sure that this doesn't come true. But as Maggie and Owen's wills clash, so does the love they feel for each other, but who will win in the end?
My Outlook
The Groom Wore Plaid was such a delightful story and I honestly had such love for this one. It was such a delight to read and I absolutely enjoyed every single moment of this one here. It was so enjoyable to read. And seeing the way that the author implemented the humor was such so much fun to read. There is something in the writing style of Gayle Callen that is just so endearing and addictive. From the first chapter, you are immediately swept up in the story and in the romance. The way that these two banter was so fun. Seeing the way that Owen and Maggie compete with each other was intriguing, you can see as the story builds, how much they are attracted to each other and how their feelings for each other are growing.
Gayle Callen really implemented some unique elements to the story line that added some edge to it. We do have a villain here, which might be predictable. I saw it coming a bit, but I don't think its obvious so it might surprise you in the end. I did feel like the ending was a bit anticlimatic though. But I enjoyed seeing how the dream of Maggie get resolved in the end and the turnout of the ending really satisfied the story overall. There is some angst between the families and I felt like that was well played out. I do think fans of highlander romances, will become endeared to this one.
Overall View
I found The Groom Wore Plaid to be such a talented and tasteful romance that implements elements of danger, intrigue and passion well balanced all the way throughout and leaves the reader fully satisfied!
Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4.5
World Building: 4
Cover: 5
Hero: 4
Heroine: 4
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels: 4
Ending:3.5
Overall View: 4 show less
Introduction
The Groom Wore Plaid is the second book in the "Highland Weddings" and I was intrigued to pick this author up as its been a long while since I have read this author but I have to say I ADORED this one so completely. It has been so long since I had read this author that I had forgotten how charming and delightful her writing is. There was such top notch banter between our main protagonists and it was just show more plain good fun to see them interact. We have some interesting tropes that come together in this one as well as a unique time era that we normally don't see in recently published historical romance as this is mid 1700's Scotland. I just loved the way that discussed Jacobite rebellion and the fight for Scotland's independence from England.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Owen Duff
-Highland Laird
-Alphamellow
-Strong
-Capable Leader
The Heroine: Maggie McCallum
-Has dreams/visions of events in the future
-betrothed to Owen
-Family is enemy to the Duff's
Summary
Maggie and Owen were once friends when they were younger and there was a young love that was building between them, but Owen was engaged to marry, but when Maggie has a vision of his fiancee dying, he didn't believe her and she ended up dead. Now its been more than a decade later, and to bring peace to their families and clan, they honor the agreement that was originally made between their families. Owen is determined to make this work, but when Maggie has a dream of Owen being mortally injured on their wedding day, she is determined to make sure that this doesn't come true. But as Maggie and Owen's wills clash, so does the love they feel for each other, but who will win in the end?
My Outlook
The Groom Wore Plaid was such a delightful story and I honestly had such love for this one. It was such a delight to read and I absolutely enjoyed every single moment of this one here. It was so enjoyable to read. And seeing the way that the author implemented the humor was such so much fun to read. There is something in the writing style of Gayle Callen that is just so endearing and addictive. From the first chapter, you are immediately swept up in the story and in the romance. The way that these two banter was so fun. Seeing the way that Owen and Maggie compete with each other was intriguing, you can see as the story builds, how much they are attracted to each other and how their feelings for each other are growing.
Gayle Callen really implemented some unique elements to the story line that added some edge to it. We do have a villain here, which might be predictable. I saw it coming a bit, but I don't think its obvious so it might surprise you in the end. I did feel like the ending was a bit anticlimatic though. But I enjoyed seeing how the dream of Maggie get resolved in the end and the turnout of the ending really satisfied the story overall. There is some angst between the families and I felt like that was well played out. I do think fans of highlander romances, will become endeared to this one.
Overall View
I found The Groom Wore Plaid to be such a talented and tasteful romance that implements elements of danger, intrigue and passion well balanced all the way throughout and leaves the reader fully satisfied!
Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4.5
World Building: 4
Cover: 5
Hero: 4
Heroine: 4
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels: 4
Ending:3.5
Overall View: 4 show less
This was a short and sweet second chance story. Steph is a young widow who lost her husband in a terrible skiing accident. Her recovery from the loss has been slow, as she believes the accident was her fault. She stays busy by working at the bakery she co-owns with her sister and helping the local widows' group raise the funds to save an historic schoolhouse. She's not looking for a new relationship; she believes she's had her one shot at love.
Jeremy grew up in Valentine Valley and returned show more after he finished medical school to replace the retiring town doctor. He remembers Steph - first as his best friend's bratty little sister, then as the widow of the man he was too late to save during an avalanche.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Steph and Jeremy. He's noticed her more as a woman in the last few months, to the point where he refuses to accept her as a patient. He'd rather date her than doctor her but his own guilty feelings keep him from pushing the issue. Fortunately for them, the local widows' group also has matchmaking tendencies. They push Steph and Jeremy into working together to solve a mystery involving the town's historic schoolhouse. As they spend time together, each shares their memories of that terrible day, clearing the way for healing to begin.
I loved following their search for the schoolhouse's past. Along the way they discover that Jeremy's family has a connection to the schoolhouse. They uncover a secret that piques their interest. If it is true, it could mean a big change for the town. I loved what they found, what they did with it, and the stunning surprise that awaited them. The ending was sweet and I look forward to seeing more of them in future books.
#netgalley show less
Jeremy grew up in Valentine Valley and returned show more after he finished medical school to replace the retiring town doctor. He remembers Steph - first as his best friend's bratty little sister, then as the widow of the man he was too late to save during an avalanche.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Steph and Jeremy. He's noticed her more as a woman in the last few months, to the point where he refuses to accept her as a patient. He'd rather date her than doctor her but his own guilty feelings keep him from pushing the issue. Fortunately for them, the local widows' group also has matchmaking tendencies. They push Steph and Jeremy into working together to solve a mystery involving the town's historic schoolhouse. As they spend time together, each shares their memories of that terrible day, clearing the way for healing to begin.
I loved following their search for the schoolhouse's past. Along the way they discover that Jeremy's family has a connection to the schoolhouse. They uncover a secret that piques their interest. If it is true, it could mean a big change for the town. I loved what they found, what they did with it, and the stunning surprise that awaited them. The ending was sweet and I look forward to seeing more of them in future books.
#netgalley show less
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- Works
- 80
- Also by
- 1
- Members
- 3,154
- Popularity
- #8,101
- Rating
- 3.5
- Reviews
- 59
- ISBNs
- 204
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