Interview with Gayle Callen author of The Wrong Bride (Highland Weddings #1)

October 26, 2015 Interview 20

by Gayle Callen
The Wrong Bride (Highland Weddings #1) by Gayle Callen

The Wrong Bride (Highland Weddings #1) by Gayle Callen

Happy monday everyone. I hope you all have enjoyed your weekend. Now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get back to work. While you are having your coffee, I have an interview for you today with the author of The Wrong Bride (Highland Weddings #1), Gayle Callen. The book is being released October 27th 2015 by Avon, please look for my review on it later this week. Welcome to NightOwl Book Cafe, Gayle Callen and thank you so much for joining us and answering a few questions for us readers.

I’m happy to be here, thanks!

For those new to your writing, tell us a bit about your new series Highland Weddings, especially the first book in the series, The Wrong Bride

THE WRONG BRIDE is part of my first trilogy set in Scotland. Two warring clans decide to make peace with an arranged marriage. When the bride’s side tries to back out, the groom feels justified in a kidnapping. Problem is—he kidnaps the wrong bride!

What are the three things you love about Hugh McCallum ?

Hugh is a man intent on proving to his clan that they can respect and trust him, even though they’ve spent little time with him.

He may have kidnapped Riona, but he still intends to woo her and be patient.

He sometimes thinks his way is the right way… (or maybe that’s common to men in general?)

What about your favorite moment in The Wrong Bride?

I really like the first kiss scene. They’ve arrived at the clan castle, and Riona has now realized she has some power over Hugh, her kidnapper. She’ll keep quiet about the kidnapping (since she knows no one will believe her anyway), while she’s trying to find a way to escape, but in exchange, she wants answers and explanations from him. He admires her daring, and to show her he’s still in control, he kisses her. And the fun part is that this whole scene takes place while Riona is in the bathtub. Her refusal to back down in such a vulnerable situation made me smile.

Did you find any part of this book difficult to write?

Coming up with the ending was difficult, because I needed it to tie into the next book, THE GROOM WORE PLAID (March 2016). But I can’t tell you details without giving it away!

If The Wrong Bride got cast as a movie, who would you imagine would play the role of Hugh McCallum and Riona?

I love Hugh Jackman. He could play MY Hugh any day. As for Riona, I think Scarlet Johansen could pull it off.

How will the rest of the books in the series differ from this one?

The first two books are connected because of a marriage contract signed when all were children. In the first book, Hugh is determined to claim his rightful bride, and when her family balks, he kidnaps her. In the second book, THE GROOM WORE PLAID, I can’t give details without revealing too much, but let’s just say that the heroine is haunted by a vision of her groom dying on her wedding day, so naturally, she resists getting married! As for the third book, I haven’t written it yet, so who knows…

What inspired you to write a Highlander romance, or historical romance in general?

896621I fell in love with historical romance the first time I read Kathleen Woodiwiss’s SHANNA. Before that, I was a sci fi and fantasy girl, but AFTER that, I dove into historicals. They’re still my favorite type of book to read, so naturally, it’s the first thing I wanted to write. I was first published in medievals for six books, then I moved to the Victorian era for many books. I decided it was time for a new challenge, and Scotland seemed the most exciting to me!

Do you have a favorite trope in romance?

I love marriage of convenience stories.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you visit?

Scotland! After all the research I’ve done these last few months, I’m ready to see some Highlands and lochs.

Your favorite Highlander in books or movies?

Jamie Frazer from OUTLANDER. He’s the reason I set this trilogy right around the same time period.

If you are celebrating Halloween, do you have any traditions with your family?

We do all love to dress up—including dressing up the dog! She’s been the wolf that ate grandmother and Sven the reindeer from FROZEN.

Outside of writing your next book, do you have any other small project you are working on in life?

I love to crochet. Every time a new baby is on its way, I start a new baby blanket or sweater.

Thanks for the great interview!

About Gayle Callen

USA Today Bestselling author Gayle Callen writes historical romances for Avon Books. Her twenty-first novel, Redemption of the Duke, was published in May 2014.

Gayle’s novels have won the Holt Medallion, the Laurel Wreath Award, the Booksellers’ Best Award, and finaled in the National Readers Choice Awards. She was a nominee for RT Book Reviews Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She also writes the “Valentine Valley” contemporary series as Emma Cane.

Gayle resides in central New York with her husband. Now that her three children are grown, she has time to read, sing, and delve too deeply into historical research. A past President of the Central New York Romance Writers, she is also a member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists Inc.

20 Responses to “Interview with Gayle Callen author of The Wrong Bride (Highland Weddings #1)”

  4. Renee (Lover of Romance)

    LOVED this book, so fun and love the set up of the story. What a fun interview. Scotland is gorgeous and the people are so open and friendly. Although it does get pretty chilly there, no matter what time of the year you go.

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  9. Lola

    lol, now I am curious how he manages to kidnap the wrong bride, sounds like a great start of the book! And that’s sweet Hugh still plans on wooing her even though he kidnapped her, although I guess kidnapping her doesn’t set the right mood. I am still pretty new to the historical romance genre, but I am trying to read more books in the genre.

    I am lucky enough to be able to say that I’ve visited Scotland and it’s amazing, I would love to return there one day. It’s such a beautifull country! Great Interview!
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