Sylvain Reynard

NY Times Best-Selling Author

Happy Birthday, “Gabriel’s Redemption”

Dear Everyone,

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the publication of “Gabriel’s Redemption.” I am so grateful to my publisher, Berkley/Penguin Random House, and to my editor, Cindy Hwang, who worked with me on the book. I’m also very grateful to Nina Bocci, my publicist and friend, who read and commented on an early draft, along with Kris Babe and Jennifer D. Thank you all.

Thank you, readers, for embarking on this journey with me. I’m so pleased with the Passionflix adaptations of The Gabriel Series. The third and final instalment of “Gabriel’s Redemption” debuts only on Passionflix tomorrow, December 14th. In fact, Redd Carter has written a new song for the film, “New Kind of Love,” which is available on iTunes.

In celebration of the ten year anniversary, I am hosting a giveaway of two signed paperbacks of “Gabriel’s Redemption.” The giveaway is posted to my Instagram and my Facebook author page. You can comment on those posts in order to enter. Open internationally. Good Luck!

Thank you for reading and for watching, and cheers to the next ten years and beyond,

SR

www.sylvainreynard.com

My Next Novel Revealed

Dear Everyone,

Back in September, I wrote a post in which I mentioned my next novel. I’m pleased to be able to give you more information now.

My next novel is the first in a new series, and it will be entitled The Raven.  With this novel, I’m asking you to pack your bags and travel with me to the city of Florence. The Gabriel Series showed you the city during the day.  This time, I’ll show you Florence’s underworld, which is ruled by creatures of the night …

Here’s the formal announcement:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Gabriel Series comes a dark, sensual tale of romance in a city shrouded in mystery…
Raven Wood spends her days at Florence’s Uffizi Gallery restoring fine works of Renaissance art.  But an innocent walk home after an evening with friends changes her life forever. When she intervenes in the senseless beating of a homeless man, his attackers turn on her, dragging her into an alley.  Raven is only semi-conscious when their assault is interrupted by a cacophony of growls followed by her attacker’s screams.  Mercifully, she blacks out, but not before catching a glimpse of a shadowy figure who whispers to her …
Cassita vulneratus.

When Raven awakes, she is inexplicably changed.  She returns to the Uffizi, but no one recognizes her and more disturbingly, she discovers that she’s been absent an entire week.  With no recollection of the events leading up to her disappearance, Raven also learns that her absence coincides with one of the largest robberies in Uffizi history – the theft of a set of priceless Botticelli illustrations. When the baffled police force identifies her as its prime suspect, Raven is desperate to clear her name. She seeks out one of Florence’s wealthiest and elusive men in an attempt to uncover the truth about her disappearance.   Their encounter leads Raven to a dark underworld whose inhabitants kill to keep their secrets …

As I mentioned in my September post, readers of Gabriel’s Redemption will be able to read an excerpt from The Raven at the end of both the paperback and e-book editions.
But what I didn’t mention was that one of the characters of The Raven appears in Gabriel’s Redemption.  Can you identify him or her? I welcome your guesses in the comments below and on social media.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that there’s a connection between The Gabriel Series and my new series – a connection that is more than simply me, or the city of Florence, or the Uffizi Gallery. If you’ve read the cover copy above carefully, probably you’re beginning to guess the answer. But I’ll be explicit and state that we won’t be saying goodbye to the Professor at the end of Gabriel’s Redemption. Look for him to have a cameo appearance in The Raven as well …
While I don’t have a release date for The Raven yet, I hope to have one soon. This novel marks my transition from a contemporary love story to a paranormal one. I hope you’ll join me on this journey and that if you have friends and family who enjoy paranormal novels, you’ll help me share the news with them.
As we approach the December 3rd release date of Gabriel’s Redemption in North America, my American publisher has listed a giveaway of the novel on Goodreads.  US entrants can enter the contest  here.

And if you’d like to read a new excerpt from Gabriel’s Redemption and enter another contest, you can do so here at Romance Times.

Finally, I want to wish everyone who is celebrating Thanksgiving this week a very happy holiday. I have much to be thankful for and in particular, I’m thankful for you, my readers.

All the best and thank you for your continued support,
SR

Dialogue with the Professor

Dear Everyone,

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a dialogue with the Professor, on Facebook and Twitter. In case you missed it, here it is in its entirety:

So the Professor stopped by my flat and without introduction strode into my living room. He sat in a chair, crossed his legs, and glared at me.
(This was not uncommon.)
“SR.”  He nodded.
“Gabriel.”
I glanced in the direction of the kitchen.  “Would you like a drink?”
The Professor’s lips visibly thinned.
“This isn’t really a social call.”
“So you aren’t here to borrow milk, then?”
“No, I am not.”
“Can I offer you a towel?”
“I’ll get to that in a minute. First, I want to talk to you.”
“No need to wait. I have plenty in a variety of colours.”  I gestured to the hallway. “I’ll just run and get one.”
“As I said, I want to talk to you.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but realized that in his current mood, such protestations were futile.
Averting my eyes from the spectacle that was the naked professor seated on my very nice leather chair, I sat far away from him, feeling very uncomfortable.
Clearly he was agitated and sadly for me, Julia had not accompanied him.
(I pondered the possibility of fetching the Snarky Narrator in order to deal with him, but alas, he was out shopping for a new set of parentheticals.)
“This isn’t an art gallery,” I grumbled.  “Or a photo shoot. I’m going to have to have that chair cleaned now.”
“Have you forgotten something?”  The Professor’s eyes flared in my direction.
I looked away from him pointedly.  “I might have asked you the same question.
“No, I don’t think I’ve forgotten anything, apart from a plastic cover for my leather furniture.”
He leaned forward. “Perhaps my appearance might jog your memory?”
I continued inspecting the fascinating sight that was the bare wall of my condominium.
“I can hardly see what your appearance has to do with me, although you might want to rethink your wardrobe choices.  The police aren’t likely to look favourably on a naked professor sauntering down Bloor Street.”
“Allow me to refresh your memory.  On June third, you released Chapter One of Gabriel’s Redemption. Then the story stopped. Does this ring any bells?”
“Well, you and Julianne were in the orchard at the end of the chapter, and …”
The proverbial light went on in my head. “Oh.”
“Exactly.  Oh. Although in this case, it would be better to say ouch.
“Do you have any idea what it’s like to lie naked in an orchard day and night for weeks on end?”
I blinked as I scanned my memory banks.
There was that one time in Barcelona …
I shook my head.
“Sadly, no.”
The Professor sniffed primly.  “Well, it’s damned cold. We only have one blanket.  I’m afraid Julianne is going to catch pneumonia.”
“And die,” I muttered.
“Excuse me?” The Professor gave me a look that was so scathing, it could have peeled the paint from my walls.
“Uh, nothing.”  I scratched my head thoughtfully. “I could rewrite the scene and add a few more blankets.”
“You’re obfuscating.”
I straightened in my chair.  “I most certainly am not. And may I remind you, you stole my thesaurus the last time you were over. I want it back.”
The Professor waved a dismissive hand in the air, as if he were swatting a gnat.
“Forget about the thesaurus.  What’s this about Gabriel’s Redemption being released in December?”
Oh, here we go, I thought. 
“Et tu, Brute?”
The Professor merely scowled.
I cleared my throat.
“As you know, I hadn’t planned to write a sequel to Gabriel’s Rapture.  Readers changed my mind.  So the gap between the release of books two and three is wider than between books one and two.”  I pushed my glasses up, as they’d begun slipping down my nose. 
“Regrettably,” I added.
The Professor gazed at me coldly.
“I’ll say this slowly so that I’m sure you can keep up.
“We’re in limbo, naked, in the orchard until you release Chapter Two or publish the entire book.  How do you think that feels?”
I pondered this idea for a moment, since his wife was very beautiful.
“SR?” he prompted.
“What’s that?” I had momentarily forgotten he was there.
His eyes narrowed, as if he were reading my mind.
I looked away.
“I’m sure it’s extremely uncomfortable.  Somewhat like having one of your characters show up during lunch unannounced, naked, and truculent.
“And don’t even think about borrowing my Oxford English Dictionary in order to look up ‘truculent.’”
“I don’t need your damned dictionary. I know what it means,” he spat.
Muttering to myself, I wandered down the hall to fetch him a towel, which I dumped unceremoniously in his lap.
“Please give my apologies to Julianne. I’m sorry for the inconvenience and I will go back and write in a few more blankets and maybe a cashmere robe.”
“Thank you. 
“Being stuck in limbo until December third is damned inconvenient for both of us.  And I’ll have you know that Professor Picton is not pleased about your delay, either.”
At this, I closed my eyes.
Not Katherine, too.
I opened my eyes.
“As I recall, Professor Picton appears in the novel fully clothed.”
The Professor glared at me once again.
I shifted my weight awkwardly. “Not that she isn’t attractive. Um, should I expect a visit from her as well?”
“No, she’s in Oxford, where you left her.”
“Oxford is a bit like limbo. Although perhaps the food is better. I’m not sure.”
Gabriel snapped his fingers.  “Try to stay focused, will you?  You have the attention span of a fruit fly.”
I straightened myself to my full height.
“I beg your pardon. I am completely focused. And you might want to rethink your attitude given the fact that your destiny rests in these hands.”
I crackled my knuckles in what I hoped would be a menacing fashion.
The Professor snorted like a horse.
“I think my destiny rests more in the hands of readers, but carry on, oh God-like third-person author.”
I narrowed my eyes at his sarcasm.
“Allow me to explain how this works.  Readers can pre-order our novel, which means they’ll receive it immediately on its release. In some cases, it’s delivered to their Kindle at the stroke of midnight.  So pre-orders will certainly hasten your freedom.
“And because Julianne is – ah – cold, I’ll release Chapter Two. But after I’ve given her a bathrobe.”
I gazed into the distance, as I began thinking aloud.
“And maybe one of those things … you know… with lace and straps.  And some …”
“Watch it,” he growled.
My attention immediately returned to the Professor.
I gulped.
“Right. Just a robe. But a nice one. Cashmere.  Very warm.”
The Professor checked his watch.  “I should leave so you can get on with it. We’ve waited long enough.”
He stood to his feet, affixing the very large black bath sheet around his waist.
“I don’t like to be kept waiting, especially with this book. You know what’s at stake.”  He gave me a significant look.
I nodded, keeping a safe, respectful distance.  “I promise to do my best.”
“Is this to be the last book?”
I scratched my head.  “I think so.”
“You think so?”  he repeated.  “You don‘t know?”
“Well, you know what happened the last time I said ‘this is the final book in the series’…” 
He shook his head.
“For an omniscient author, you know precious little.”
I sighed deeply.  “I get that a lot.”
“I’ll see myself out.  Enjoy your lunch. And SR…”
“Yes?”
“Put on some clothes, for God’s sake.”
He grimaced at the sight of my Superman pyjamas (of dubious origin) and quickly withdrew, leaving me to my solitude and my writing.
I’m going to have to burn that chair, I thought.
Or perhaps I can sell it on Ebay…
Fin.

As mentioned above, I posted Chapters One and Two of Gabriel’s Redemption on my website. If you preorder the book, the Professor has a gift for you. You can learn more here.
The Professor, Paul, and the Snarky Narrator were recently interviewed by the Sub Club Books site. You can read the interview here.  They’ll also be posting a transcript of July 13th’s Twitter chat with the Professor, #Lust102.
Finally, UK readers can see the cover design for Gabriel’s Redemption and preorder it here.

In order to pass the time between now and December 3rd, (when Gabriel’s Redemption releases), I have a number of extras and surprises for you. Please stay tuned and thank you for reading, SR

Valentine’s Day Giveaway

Enter for a chance to win the following gifts hand-selected by 
Professor Gabriel Emerson for Valentine’s Day 


Afghanistan Orange Blossom

https://sylvainreynard.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/7-virtues-orange-blossom-201x300.jpg

Afghanistan Orange Blossom

afghanistan orange blossom

Baci by Perugina

Perugina Baci 10-pc Vista Box, 5oz

Perugina Baci 28-pc Box, 14.1oz

Also, donated by the wonderful Barbara Stegemann, 8 copies of her book:

This book brings the stoic wisdom of classical antiquity to modern women who wish to advance their lives and those around them. Author and CEO of The 7 Virtues Fragrance Line Barbara Stegemann wrote this best selling book, now in its third edition, to empower women in North America to exercise their power in new ways. Her fragrance line, which empowers farmers in nations in war or strife, brings the thesis of her book to life.

Also, a set of signed books, your choice: US, UK, or AU editions. (US editions shown)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About The Author

fluer-de-lisI am honoured to have had all three of my novels appear on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. I was a Semifinalist for Best Author in the 2011 and 2012 Goodreads Choice Awards. {More About Sylvain}