Sylvain Reynard

NY Times Best-Selling Author

“Gabriel’s Redemption” makes the New York Times Bestseller List

Dear Everyone,

I’ve just learned that Gabriel’s Redemption has made the December 22, 2013 edition of the New York Times Bestseller List, debuting at #6 on the Fiction Trade Paperback list. It is #6 on the e-book bestseller list and #8 on the combined ebook/trade paperback list.

I’m also pleased to report that Gabriel’s Redemption debuted at #22 on the USAToday Bestseller list.

It’s currently #3 on the Amazon.com Bestseller list.

Thank you for your support.

I’m a relatively new novelist. Gabriel’s Inferno was my first novel and it was published in the spring of 2011. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough for my books to find their audience. Finding an audience led to all three of my novels appearing on the New York Times Bestseller list, and to a contract with Berkley, my publisher. These accomplishments can be called “an embarrassment of riches” – things too good to be true, and far greater than any of my loftiest hopes.

Thank you.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for contacting me with notes and kind words. Thank you for telling your friends about my writing. Thank you for your support of “The Raven,” as I finish writing it.

And thank you for your support of the various charities and organizations I try to highlight through social media. Many of them, especially those that work with the poor, the sick, and the homeless, need extra help over the holiday season. I’ve been so impressed by the readers who’ve contacted me to share how they, their family, and their community are seeking to meet these needs through the gift of time, goods, and donations. Thank you.

I wish you all the best and thank you for reading,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com

Interview with Sylvain Reynard – Part V

Dear Everyone,

Since “Gabriel’s Inferno” and “Gabriel’s Rapture” entered USA Today’s Bestseller list last week, they’ve each been afforded a page on the USA Today website.

Here’s the link for a description and reviews of “Inferno:”  http://books.usatoday.com/book/sylvain-reynard-gabriels-inferno/l47145

Here’s the link for a description and reviews of “Rapture:”  http://books.usatoday.com/book/sylvain-reynard-gabriels-rapture/l47258

What follows is the fifth and final instalment of my interview with Serendipitous, a long time reader. Her words are in bold below:

You’ve posted teasers for “Gabriel’s Rapture” on several blogs, including your own.  Is there any other information you can give us about it?
 “Gabriel’s Rapture” was released 22 May 2012. Here is the summary: 
Professor Gabriel Emerson has embarked on a passionate, yet clandestine affair with his former student, Julia Mitchell.
Sequestered on a romantic holiday in Italy, he tutors her in the sensual delights of the body and the rapture of sex. But when they return, their happiness is threatened by conspiring students, academic politics, and a jealous ex-lover.
When Gabriel is confronted by the university administration, will he be forced to share Dante’s fate? Or will he fight to keep Julia, his Beatrice, forever?
Since the publication of “Gabriel’s Inferno,” you’ve been actively advocating on behalf of charitable work.  You promote different charities on Twitter every day, and you encourage your readers to volunteer or otherwise donate.  What inspired you to promote these good causes?
Several causes are charities I’ve supported for years. Some of them are newer charities that I was introduced to through my readers. In all cases, my goal is simply to encourage charitable giving and volunteerism and to encourage my readers to do the same through their social media accounts. Working together we can make a difference.
And now for something completely different: a short list of your favorites…
Season?  Fall
Holiday?  Christmas
Pair of shoes?  Black, made by Florentines
Movie?  I think today it’s “Casablanca.”
Quote/saying?  Angelfucker.
Time of day?  Morning.
Snack?  Pain au chocolat
Sport/recreational pastime?  Hockey.

I’d like to thank Serendipitous once again for conducting the interview. It was a pleasure.

For my Canadian readers, I should mention that “Gabriel’s Rapture” is now available on Amazon.ca and Chapters.ca.

Also, a group of readers have put together a Twitter account for readers to share information, photos, music, art, etc., related to the books. You can find them here.

Thank you for your continued support and for telling your friends and family about the novels. I truly appreciate it.  All the best,

SR

Interview with Sylvain Reynard – Part IV

Dear Everyone,

I’m pleased to announce that both of my novels have been included in the USA Today’s Best-selling Books list of 7 June 2012 (representing combined print and e-book formats).  “Gabriel’s Inferno” is ranked #108 and “Gabriel’s Rapture” is ranked #113.  This week, “Gabriel’s Rapture” earned the #2 spot on the Brisbane Courier Mail’s Best-selling list of e-books, up from #4 last week. Thank you, everyone, for reading and recommending my stories.  Thanks to you, I’m receiving messages from people all around the world and I’m very grateful to you all.

I have a favour to ask you, however. If you are on social media, will you join with me in trying to raise awareness about the many charities, causes and organizations around the world that are working tirelessly to make the world a better place? I have a few that I support and I’m sure you do as well. Together, we can spread the news of their good works and their needs to a wider audience. Thank you.

What follows is the next instalment of my interview with Serendipitous, a long time reader.  Her remarks are in bold.

Julia is a woman of some contradiction.  She has insecurities and low self-esteem, though her innate charity never wavers.  And there are times when she stands up to Gabriel, for her own sake as well as his.  What are they key qualities you thought were necessary for the woman who would pierce Gabriel’s hard exterior?
I envisioned Julia as having the character qualities that would inspire someone to love her. I pictured her as being gentle and kind, giving and loyal, and having the intestinal fortitude to protect herself.
Gabriel and Julia spend a lot of time in bed together before they become fully intimate.  It seems easier for them to speak from the heart when they share a bed innocently, and allows them to have some very necessary conversations as their story progresses.  Do you think sex would have ruined their early, fragile relationship – or at least, got in the way?
Gabriel needed to woo Julia, especially after he’d treated her so badly.  She didn’t trust him, although she certainly cared for him.  If they’d had sex immediately, it would have short-circuited the strides he needed to make in order to repair his relationship with her and she would have assumed he wanted from her what he wanted with all the other women he’d slept with.
He won her love, but winning her trust was a whole different matter. Gabriel seemed to understand that once they grew closer. And he had to work hard at it. I think it was part of his journey.
It must be difficult to maintain a consistent tone when you’re writing a book.  Your mood and inspiration can be different each time you resume your work (unless you’re able to write it all in one sitting…).  Do you find it challenging to slip back into a particular frame of mind when you write?
It can be challenging, but since the character of the Professor is so strong I find it easy to write him. I can hear his reactions and my head (which is slightly disturbing).
Quite a few readers would gladly take your place if it means having the Professor around all the time!
Can I quote you on that? He’s quite the annoying neighbour and is constantly borrowing milk.
The final chapter, set in Florence, is exquisite.  You’ve often said you love the city, and you showed your readers its extraordinary beauty through the couple’s eyes.  Are there other reasons you chose this location?  It seems significant that Gabriel and Julia became intimate in a place that’s far removed from the highly charged atmosphere of the university.
To me, Florence is the epitome of a beautiful city. There are fantastic restaurants, magnificent vistas and a large treasure trove of Renaissance art. 
What would you like your readers to take away from reading “Gabriel’s Inferno?”
The central idea is that redemption is possible even for two broken people.
I’d like to thank Serendipitous once again for interviewing me and agreeing to share our questions and answers with you. I’ll be posting the final instalment of our conversation on Tuesday.

All the best and enjoy your weekend,

SR

Connect with Sylvain

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}