Dear Everyone,
Recently, I was interviewed by Yel of the Itzel Library. The interview is available in English and Spanish and you can read it here.
Yel asked me about deleted scenes and outtakes from the novel, reminding me of a scene involving Richard and Grace that was cut from Gabriel’s Inferno.
(Spoiler ahead)
The scene takes place after Julia separates from her boyfriend while studying at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Grace is upset that Julia won’t answer her telephone calls:
Grace sat at her dressing table in her bathrobe, brushing her long hair and thinking. She was upset. She was worried. But she didn’t know what to do.
“Come to bed, love.”
She took her husband’s outstretched hand and followed him to the bed, divesting herself of her robe in the semi-darkness and joining him naked between the sheets. She positioned herself on her side, running her fingers through the light dusting of chest hair that decorated his upper body.
“My love.” Richard grabbed her hand and kissed it softly. “Tell me what’s bothering you before I make you forget your troubles. You’re driving me crazy.”
Grace laughed. He knew her so well. She would absentmindedly glide gentle hands over his still muscular body in order to help her think better, but it had the opposite effect on him.
“Sorry, dear. I was thinking about Julia.”
Richard sighed and waited for her to elaborate, but he knew what was coming.
“She won’t return my calls. She won’t return Rachel’s calls. Tom says she’s holed up in a tiny apartment near campus and she’ll barely speak to him. I was thinking about driving up there to see her tomorrow and taking a care package.”
Richard was a thoughtful man, a quiet man. He gave his wife’s words his full consideration as she waited to hear his opinion. They were that attuned to one another. They were that much in love.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. If she’s retreating, it’s because she’s afraid. If you go to her home, you’ll be upsetting her in the one place in which she feels safe.”
Grace rested her hand on his heart. “You aren’t a psychiatrist.”
“That’s right. But we both know Julia is withdrawn and timid. If you threaten her security, you will be threatening her coping strategy. And then she’s going to have to find something else.”
“So what should I do?”
“Why don’t you write her a letter, expressing your concern. Give her some time to process things and respond. And then wait and see what happens.”
Grace rested her head on her husband’s shoulder. “I can do that, but I wish she’d talk to me – let me know what happened that made her want to hide from all of us. And then I could help her.”
“Rachel mentioned something about her boyfriend.”
Grace flinched. “I never liked the way he looked at her. He was proud of how she looked on his arm, but there was something in his eyes.” She reached over and planted a light kiss on her husband’s lips. “He never looked at her the way you look at me.”
Richard smiled at her and caressed the naked curve of her hip with his fingers. “No one looks at anyone the way I look at you because no one loves anyone the way I love you.”
Grace’s worries were momentarily interrupted by a passionate kiss and a pair of strong hands stroking her lower back.
“Julia would have been vulnerable when she started seeing him. Her mother had died, she was away from Selinsgrove. She likely tolerated whatever he was willing to give to her. And gladly.” Richard sighed deeply. “She’s a dreamy romantic, I think, not unlike her mother.”
“Don’t mention that woman to me. She nearly ruined that little girl. When I think of what she exposed her to and —”
He leaned over and kissed her again. “I know, my love. But there’s nothing we can do about it now.”
“I feel helpless,” Grace whispered. “She’s suffering and she won’t let me comfort her. I promised Julia I would be her mother. But she won’t let me.”
“She’ll come back to you when she’s ready.”
“You said that about Gabriel. He never comes home.”
Richard shifted uncomfortably. “He hascome back to us. He’s clean, he has a good job, and if we’re lucky, he’ll meet a nice girl and she’ll straighten him out. You lit a candle for him. Why don’t you light a candle for Julia?”
Grace kissed her husband, but her sadness over her eldest son radiated through her touch.
“Things will work out, my love. I promise. We’ll find a way.” Richard softly kissed her.
And when their contact grew more heated, he looked down at her and traced the soft line of her earlobe, pausing to touch the sparkling diamond in her ear, a gift from long ago.
“You’re upset. You’re sad tonight. I don’t think that we should —”
“Making love with you comforts me, darling. Please.”
He had never denied her any good thing. He could not deny her this. He hovered over her, staring deeply into her eyes. There was no need for words; their gazes said it all.
It was a slow, easy rhythm, the effortless, intimate coupling of a man and a woman who knew each other. The kind of love making that could last for hours or even a lifetime.
“I worship you,” he whispered against her neck, as she arched her back, her hands urging him deeper.
“I love you,” she whispered. “Always.”
The wave crashed over both of them, leaving them breathless and contented.
Grace’s last thought was a silent prayer that one day Julia and Gabriel would each find love.
And then she fell asleep wrapped up in the arms of her beloved husband…
Thank you to Yel for reminding me about this scene, which I’d forgotten. And to the moderators of the international SR accounts, who are providing the translations.
In case you missed it, you can view the cover design for the UK edition of Gabriel’s Redemption here. You can also preorder it through Waterstones or Amazon.co.uk.
All the best everyone and thank you for reading,
SR
Disclaimer: These translations have been made non-profit and with the sole purpose of allowing non-English speaking readers to read the presentation, worldwide. All rights belong to Sylvain Reynard, his publisher Penguin Berkley and additional publishers.
Croatian Translation
Italian Translation
Portuguese Translation
Romanian Translation
Russian Translation
Spanish Translation
I 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. {
Beautiful, SR as always. The communication between Grace and Richard, spoken and unspoken, mental and physical is tangible. No wonder Richard was bereft at her passing.
I like to think that Gabriel assimilated their love, respect and passion enough to replicate their relationship vis a vis himself and Julianne.
Thank you
Sheila x
This is lovely, SR. So many books today present characters that are barely out of puberty, and reflect the mistaken perception that only 20-somethings can and do enjoy lovemaking. I like to think that had Grace lived, their passion would have lived on, as this scene described. It’s not about age, it’s about love. Thanks for sharing this very touching outtake.
Terry
SR….you’re simply amazing 🙂
Simply beautiful. Thank you SR.
Not many times do you get to read of a mature love. These are the precious ones that have stood the test of time. Where weathered bodies still cause a storm due to what is in the heart not only in the eye. Thank you, SR. The wisdom and parental love in this passage was also beautiful.
Beautiful, SR, as always. I can not imagine why this was such a beautiful scene cut from GI, but I’m glad it happened, so she can present us with this waiting period we live in, until December 3.
Love of Grace and Richard is so deep and mature always touches me. The books usually extol and always describe the early stages of relationships, almost always when the lovers are young, and frankly, I think this is a sign that we, as a society of consumption, very attached to this phase of love and give less value to the more mature love. The attention you give to the love of Grace and Richard is one of the special things of your book, a love forged and raised time and virtue, and the cultivation of fellowship. It is something that gives a lot of hope in the existence of a love like this these days. Your words are always so beautiful and striking that I see you as a goldsmith of words, where the pen does the work of the chisel. Thank you for outtake and God bless you, always! 😉
So beautiful. Thanks SR. Xoxo.
Dear SR, I love the way you handled this sensitive and very beautiful outtake, and why Richard will never lose his deep love for Grace. It certainly bespeaks the amazing relationship they had. I now see some of the same similarities with how Gabriel treats Julianne…a beautiful example set by Richard. It’s no wonder why we fell in love with Gabriel, and held Richard with much esteem. Thank you for sharing this.
Impressive communication and complicity between Richard and Grace. Totally wonderful! SR… you are AMAZING !!! God bless you. All my love from México.
Beautiful, SR. This is a wonderful scene. Grace and Richard’s love is true and powerful. Grace’s prayers definitely brought Gabriel and Julia together. I’ve always seen Grace as Gabriel’s guide in Heaven and Richard, besides Julia, as his guide on Earth.
Looking forward to more and to December 3.
Elena
That is awesome, totally wish that woulda made it in the book! Can’t wait for book 3!
LOVE!
so sweet. you should publish a book that has all the outtakes and deleted scenes of all 3 books!!!!!!
Thank you so much for this touching outtake, SR.
This one is special because Grace is a character that is always spoken about in the 3rd person, which insinuates her angelic qualities. What we know about her comes from others’ dialogues, yet here, we see her act and speak, which makes her all the more powerful.
I can see why this was taken out of GI, just for the reason above, but I’m happy that SR has chosen to publish this outtake later on, to give us that additional character dimension.
In addition, the passion and love that Richard and Grace share for each other at a later age in life is wonderfully depicted. In this visual day and age we sometimes forget that lovemaking is not limited to the young, but can actually be better (yet different) for couples that mature together, and share mutual respect and adoration.
Thank you again SR. You never cease to amaze me.. 🙂
Cheers!
Efrat
Oh my, how deeply touching this scene is! You are a genius at conveying the devotion existing between Richard and Grace! It is so refreshing to experience a scene like this between mature lovers, and Richard and Grace are forever lovers! There is no doubt that Grace was responsible for making sure Gabriel and Julia were reunited! Thank you for this gift, SR!!
Now you have a new book ready and waiting!! The prologue: the story of Grace & Richard, the first meeting in the orchard, the drug abuse, Julia being hurt. These could go on and on….
Just Beautiful!!!!!!! Its a shame that this wasn’t in the book because it show us how deeply connected Grace and Richard are, but also tells us why Gabriel wanted what they had. Thanks for this beautiful deleted scene and keep up the wonderful writing SR! 🙂
SR thank you for this beautiful and powerful outtake. Gabriel became part of the family there love was the most important thing. Love can be expressed in different ways, and that we experience during you beautiful novel.
No wander that Grace and Richard deep love to each other left trace in Gabriel’s life even if he was lost for a while. Love has the same effect on you independent of age, and that have you described so beautifully in this outtake. There is so much care, warmth and love between the two characters, that it almost hurts.
Thank you for emphasizing mature love thru Grace and Richard passionate and eternal love.
You are the most passionate person in the whole world! Thank you for sharing this beautiful part with us
Judith
Hermoso <3
This comment has been removed by the author.
Esa escena no debió ser eliminada del libro, con esto sabemos que Grace unió a Julianne y Gabriel, que heredó y transmitió a ellos el amor que ella sentía, para que ellos en el algún momento también supieran y sintieran lo que era tener un amor tan sublime…perfecto simplemente perfecto…
I still often wonder who you base your characters off of. I have yet to meet men like Richard or the eventually Gabriel (once the drugs and pedestal standing wear off). But I swear that these are men and behaviours that fiction create. Then I remember that you are male, A MALE! There are very few other male erotic, romance, sensual writers out there so maybe, just maybe there are more and real honest to god worthy men. Until I find more of you, please keep writing SR. I might just follow you to the hell and back (I like the idea of hell, but don’t want to hang out there more then I have to, being here with you and a few of my other author friends would be decadent).
Thank you!! *Waves and squishy hugs*
That was so incredible and beautiful. I’ve always wanted a better look into the love of Richard and Grace. Thank you for that.
I love it!!!!! It was so beautiful…. so perfect!!!! Thanks SR!!!!
Dear SR! The great Brazilian poet named Olavo Bilac said that “books do not kill hunger, not suppress misery, do not end with the inequalities and injustices of the world, but comfort souls and make us dream.” Thank you for the beautiful story of love, compassion and redemption of Gabriel and Julia, both thrill me, captive, console my soul and makes me dream. God bless you always.
Please people are saying that julia will die…Please dont do that. I´m from Portugal and i buy all the serie and it´s my favorite.
I really hope thats a happy end because if is not i will stay very sad
Ola, Marta.
No one knows the end of “Gabriel’s Redemption” (except for me) because it hasn’t been released yet. So please don’t listen to speculation.
Obrigado, SR.
then let’s stay hopefull …..
I just found this … how did I miss it!!
Thanks for sharing SR, I read this with a smile and a tear in my eye. I think Grace would have been so pleased that Gabriele and Julia found love within each other. 🙂
As always I love your writing. Thank you for sharing such a lovely scene with Richard and Grace. I would love to read more about this couple and their story…Hint Hint…
Like always, this reading is: Sublime. Thank to this way to write, Sylvain is one my favorite writers … The cadence of the words, the power of the situation … the strong of amazing future and the love that enclose the characters, those are the lines that shape, to the one true book.
Thank you, SR, for this wonderful visualization. I cannot get enough of your writing with the messages of faith, hope, and charity. Reading your books, most especially the Gabriel series, has made me want to be a better person. As Gabriel once said to Julianne, after an especially satisfying love making session, that the experience encapsulated “transcendence” for him. Your writing is transcendent for me and I thank you for that.
Marilyn xoxo
Voy a llorar, TTnTT nunca me imaginé cuan profunda era la unión de Grace y Richard, es hermoso, nunca la conocimos, pero con ese único pedazo de ella, siento un hueco 🙁
Thank you SR.
your writing is still for my it more close to reality.
Really really beautiful! I admire Richard and Grace and I wish she could have seen and participated in what happened with Gabriel and Julia! And I hope Richard have found comfort in his heart after her goodbye :’)
So wonderful …I love your books..You are an amazing writer !!
That was wonderful thank i love these books have read them many times it was nice to get more about richard and grace.xx
This is a beautiful scene and I do not know why they would take it out but I am glad we got to read it! Thank you so much Sylvain Reynard!
Absolutely beautiful. Wish it was included somehow.We knew Grace was caring and loving, but this was so revealing into her heart and soul.Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful scene. I love that we get to see from Grace’s point of view. I imagine the cancer must have taken her very quick after this.
A couple unlike any other couples. Thank you, SR for making my day!
I am often moved to share my thoughts on what I have read in this series. This scene was incredible because it made me see Richard in a new way. I knew that he is a deep and kind man but did not know that he was muscular. We heard about Gabriel’s magnificent body but I don’t remember any mention of Richard’s. The image of their sweet, as you say “coupling”, was wonderful to read. I wish that I had more of Grace to ponder. Thank you for this wonderful image. (Oops, I see that I already had commented on this segment but I failed to recall it, which is strange because so much of the book is imprinted in my mind).
I have read this deleted scene quite a few times. And again today when in showed up in my Facebook Memories.
So beautifully written, and it’s truly a gift. Richard has always held a special place for me, knowing the love between he and Grace was so profound. Such a tender loving moment. Thank you!