Customer Reviews

The Darkest Knight

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This story brought tears to my eyes at its very sweetness. I felt for Brother Reynolds struggle, with his vows and his guilt over the death of his brother. Reynold Welles is an unusual hero, so strong yet tender and compassionate. Devoting eight months of his life and fully willing to devote the rest of his life to the monastary to atone for the sins of his past. Katherine is a wonderful heroine. She distrust monks and at first in her mind, Brother Reynold is no better than the monks she has known. It does not take her long however to discover Reynolds true self behind his imense guilt. One of the best scenes in the story is the emotional scene as Reynold realizes what he has done in taking Katherines virginity. Tears were in my eyes as I read it! This is one of the best first novels I have ever read!!!!

This is the first book I've read by Gayle Callen and it won't be the last. I really enjoyed this book. The story starts off with the heroine being kidnapped and taken to a monastery. She has knowledge of a plot against King Richard. She is freed by a monk, the hero. He is actually a novice. He sees her being taken into the monastery and his knights training kicks in and he has to help her. Katherine is very leary of monks. She won't tell him her name and the real reason for her need to get to King Richard, but he helps her anyway. Along the way they discover they are attracted to each other and they end up making love. They know it is a sin but they can't help themselves. There are several twists and turns to this story. We soon find out that Katherine's monk is Reynold her betrothed's brother. I enjoyed this book and would like to see books about Reynold's brother and sister.

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

This author is new to me and I think she writes well. Reynold is a wonderful hero, strong but sensitive and very sexy. The plot was really interesting since I love anything medieval. But the heroine made me want to scream. She's weak, she cries, she takes stupid risks even after she's been abducted twice. In doing so, she's almost raped. And Reynold always rescues her. Can't understand why he finds her so appealing. She appears to do nothing intelligent and is always tearfully contrite when she realizes she's been dumb. I'm sorry, but I expect more of a heroine than a ditz with free-flowing tears. Reynold is such a great hero that he deserved a woman of equal strength.

I had the privilege of being one of the RWA judges on this wonderful romance. I knew in an instant it was a great find and gave it the highest rating possible. I was absolutely elated when it came out in print and I got to read the whole story. Wow! I loved every single page. Yes, this is a keeper and one of my all time favorites. I never loan out my copy for fear that I'll never get it back.

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

I've had Gayle Callen's A KNIGHT'S VOW for a while now and it's always been my favourite book.
So I finally found THE DARKEST KNIGHT which is the story before Knights Vow.
I have to admit it's fantastic! I truly loved it from start to finish.
If only there were guys like this around today!!

Such a sweet romantic couple! The books The Darkest Knight, A Knight's Vow and My Lady's Guardian are great stories about this family!

This book was exciting from start to finish. The heroine was a breath of fresh air in that she was not impossibly feisty, but not annoyingly timid either. She was a sheltered daughter of a lord with a slight physical impairment and some emotional issues who, during the course of her journey with the aide of a noble knight, blossomed into a courageous woman. The romance between her and the monk/knight seemed to grow gradually, as did their trust for one another, so it didn't seemed forced, but came so naturally between a man and a woman being in close proximity for long periods, and the many trials they faced drew them even closer. Reynold, the knight/monk, was also a character you couldn't help liking. He was a man who willed himself to make right choices, though sometimes they were wrong or not the best choice. His treatment of Katherine the heroine was so gallant and chivarous, not to mention gentle, he was through and through her loyal servant. He inspired Katherine by believing in her and her mission, and proving it by giving it due importance and help. Katherine's character was able to grow and develop and mature because of the support and devotion of her helping knight. The romance was also powerful in its development, but also frought with conflict as Katherine was already betrothed, and them both being religious, they inwardly had to grapple with sin and love. This book was difficult to put down. It's a great book to escape from the real world.

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 villain 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.