Sylvain Reynard's Blog, page 27
January 22, 2014
"Stelle su Firenze" - A Special Outtake from "Gabriel's Redemption"
Dear Everyone,
In November, I penned a special outtake from Gabriel's Redemption for BarnesandNoble.com.
I want to thank Barnes & Noble for hosting the outtake. It was a pleasure writing it.
Now I'm pleased to post the outtake here for the first time.
“Stelle su Firenze” By Sylvain Reynard
“I think if we sat here long enough, the whole world would walk by.” Julia’s voice was wistful as she rested her head on Gabriel’s shoulder.
It was their last night in Florence. They’d spent the evening dining at a romantic restaurant overlooking the Arno River. Then they’d wandered the narrow streets before arriving at the Loggia dei Lanzi. From this vantage point, they could watch the Piazza della Signoria come to life after dark.
Tourists and locals milled about the Piazza or enjoyed a drink at one of the cafés. Nearby, a string quartet played Verdi, filling the square with a beautiful melancholy.
Julia watched in fascination as street vendors launched glowing cylinders into the air, the toys sparkling like firecrackers against the ink black sky. But always, the objects would fall to the ground, their brief foray into the heavens ended by gravity.
A strange sadness crept over her. “We try to touch the stars, but we always fall back to earth.”
Gabriel drew her closer, wrapping his arm around her waist. “That’s true, but it isn’t like you to despair.”
“I’m not in despair. I just don’t want to go back. Not after …” Her voice trailed off.
“I don’t want to go back either, but summer has to end eventually.”
He brushed a light kiss against her dark hair before pulling her to her feet. As the music continued, he walked her to the center of the Piazza. Then he took her in his arms and began to sway to the music.
She closed her eyes, floating over the stone beneath their feet as he expertly moved them.
He tightened his grip on her waist. “I’m sorry we’ve been fighting.”
Julia opened her eyes. “Me too.”
“I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
“You brought me here.”
“I’m the reason you’re constantly falling back to earth.” Gabriel’s blue eyes were earnest and searching. “I drag you from the stars – from where you belong.”
She gave him a sad smile. “It’s the human condition. We’re bound to fall.”
He stopped dancing, his eyes boring into hers. “You should never have to fall, Julianne.”
He kissed her gently and they continued dancing, stopping only when the last strains of Verdi no longer echoed through the night.
They returned to the Loggia, sitting side by side on the stone bench. His fingers traced the folds of her silk dress in what he hoped would be a comforting manner.
“I wish I could sit in this piazza forever.” She gazed at the elaborate fountain nearby, and the elderly couple who were standing next to it, holding hands. “We could grow old here.”
Gabriel followed her gaze, the edges of his lips turning up.
“If you remained in this piazza, you’d be cold when winter comes.”
“Not if I had you to warm me.”
A smile pulled at his mouth. “I’m glad you find me useful, if only as a warming device.”
“You’re also an excellent tour guide.”
“Another way in which I’m useful.”
“And since your Italian is better than mine, you’re an effective translator.”
He brought his mouth to within inches of hers. “Shall I translate my favorite words? Labbra? Lingua? Seno?”
She traced the fullness of his lower lip with her middle finger. “Lips. Tongue. Breast. You’re very provocative this evening.”
“You’ve forgotten the most important way in which I’m useful.”
“And that is?”
His gaze grew heated and he lowered his voice. “As your lover.”
He nipped at her finger slightly, before drawing it into his mouth. He toyed with her for a moment, laving her skin with his tongue, before releasing her.
“I’m afraid that if you persist in staying in this piazza, my capacity as a lover will be sorely diminished.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “Diminished?”
“For example, I couldn’t possibly do this in a piazza.” He brought their lips together.
Julia hummed her appreciation and Gabriel deepened their connection, his tongue stroking hers.
His hands moved to her face as Julia’s slid to his shoulders, pressing him closer.
“And I couldn’t possibly do this.” Gabriel spoke against her mouth as his thumb glided down the side of her breast.
She shivered.
“Or this.” His hand slid over the curve of her waist and around to her lower back. He ran a single finger just above the waistband of her panties, almost as if he were contemplating their removal.
“Or this.” His eyes suddenly alight, he covered her bare knee with his palm before coaxing her legs to part.
Julia’s skin grew warm at his touch.
“Move your hand any higher and we’re going to get arrested,” she whispered.
His eyes appeared to darken. “It will be worth it.”
She placed her hand over his, stopping the slow, teasing ascent.
“I think we’ve been the subject of enough scandals, Professor.”
“Then you’re going to have to leave this piazza before I slip my hand under your dress and show you what comes next.”
“Where would we go?”
“I know a much quieter piazza nearby.”
She stifled a laugh. “Is that the best you can do?”
“There’s always the hotel. I have a view.”
She cocked her head to one side. “A view?”
He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.
“The only sight worth seeing in this city is you. But the view from my hotel room isn’t entirely unfortunate.”
She lowered her eyes and blushed.
He squeezed her hand. “Florence has exceptional architecture and art. But Brunelleschi’s dome lacks your compassion. And no painting in the Uffizi could ever capture the beauty and warmth of your love.”
She lifted her gaze to meet his.
“Are you flirting with me, Professor?”
Gabriel brought his mouth to her ear. “This isn’t flirtation, Julianne. This is seduction. And I won’t rest until I enjoy the wonder that is your body, lying underneath me again.”
He kissed the shell of her ear, before moving down to the side of her neck. He pressed unhurried kisses against her skin, brushing against her collarbone.
“This is just the beginning,” he whispered, his hand caressing her side. “Think of the delights that await you.”
She hummed softly. “I’d like to hear more about that.”
He stood, holding out his hand.
“I’ll do more than tell you. But I’m afraid you’ll have to leave this piazza.”
Julia glanced over his shoulder at the fountain. She sighed.
“It’s hard for me to leave, knowing what awaits us at home.”
“But we’ll be together.” He tugged her into his arms. “Tonight I’ll help you touch the stars. And when you fall back to earth, I promise to catch you.”
She looked up him, at his tender, intense expression, and lightly cupped his angular jaw.
“What about you, Gabriel? Don’t you want to touch the stars?”
He smiled his slow, sweet smile.
“You’re the only star in my sky.”
She kissed him fiercely, before taking his hand and walking hurriedly toward their hotel.
Fin.
I'm pleased to announce that a Romanian translation of Gabriel's Inferno is being published by Editura Trei. I'll post more information as it becomes available.
Thank you everyone who nominated me for a Shorty Award. There is still time to nominate your favourites here.
Thanks for reading, everyone.SRwww.sylvainreynard.com
In November, I penned a special outtake from Gabriel's Redemption for BarnesandNoble.com.
I want to thank Barnes & Noble for hosting the outtake. It was a pleasure writing it.
Now I'm pleased to post the outtake here for the first time.
“Stelle su Firenze” By Sylvain Reynard
“I think if we sat here long enough, the whole world would walk by.” Julia’s voice was wistful as she rested her head on Gabriel’s shoulder.
It was their last night in Florence. They’d spent the evening dining at a romantic restaurant overlooking the Arno River. Then they’d wandered the narrow streets before arriving at the Loggia dei Lanzi. From this vantage point, they could watch the Piazza della Signoria come to life after dark.
Tourists and locals milled about the Piazza or enjoyed a drink at one of the cafés. Nearby, a string quartet played Verdi, filling the square with a beautiful melancholy.
Julia watched in fascination as street vendors launched glowing cylinders into the air, the toys sparkling like firecrackers against the ink black sky. But always, the objects would fall to the ground, their brief foray into the heavens ended by gravity.
A strange sadness crept over her. “We try to touch the stars, but we always fall back to earth.”
Gabriel drew her closer, wrapping his arm around her waist. “That’s true, but it isn’t like you to despair.”
“I’m not in despair. I just don’t want to go back. Not after …” Her voice trailed off.
“I don’t want to go back either, but summer has to end eventually.”
He brushed a light kiss against her dark hair before pulling her to her feet. As the music continued, he walked her to the center of the Piazza. Then he took her in his arms and began to sway to the music.
She closed her eyes, floating over the stone beneath their feet as he expertly moved them.
He tightened his grip on her waist. “I’m sorry we’ve been fighting.”
Julia opened her eyes. “Me too.”
“I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
“You brought me here.”
“I’m the reason you’re constantly falling back to earth.” Gabriel’s blue eyes were earnest and searching. “I drag you from the stars – from where you belong.”
She gave him a sad smile. “It’s the human condition. We’re bound to fall.”
He stopped dancing, his eyes boring into hers. “You should never have to fall, Julianne.”
He kissed her gently and they continued dancing, stopping only when the last strains of Verdi no longer echoed through the night.
They returned to the Loggia, sitting side by side on the stone bench. His fingers traced the folds of her silk dress in what he hoped would be a comforting manner.
“I wish I could sit in this piazza forever.” She gazed at the elaborate fountain nearby, and the elderly couple who were standing next to it, holding hands. “We could grow old here.”
Gabriel followed her gaze, the edges of his lips turning up.
“If you remained in this piazza, you’d be cold when winter comes.”
“Not if I had you to warm me.”
A smile pulled at his mouth. “I’m glad you find me useful, if only as a warming device.”
“You’re also an excellent tour guide.”
“Another way in which I’m useful.”
“And since your Italian is better than mine, you’re an effective translator.”
He brought his mouth to within inches of hers. “Shall I translate my favorite words? Labbra? Lingua? Seno?”
She traced the fullness of his lower lip with her middle finger. “Lips. Tongue. Breast. You’re very provocative this evening.”
“You’ve forgotten the most important way in which I’m useful.”
“And that is?”
His gaze grew heated and he lowered his voice. “As your lover.”
He nipped at her finger slightly, before drawing it into his mouth. He toyed with her for a moment, laving her skin with his tongue, before releasing her.
“I’m afraid that if you persist in staying in this piazza, my capacity as a lover will be sorely diminished.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “Diminished?”
“For example, I couldn’t possibly do this in a piazza.” He brought their lips together.
Julia hummed her appreciation and Gabriel deepened their connection, his tongue stroking hers.
His hands moved to her face as Julia’s slid to his shoulders, pressing him closer.
“And I couldn’t possibly do this.” Gabriel spoke against her mouth as his thumb glided down the side of her breast.
She shivered.
“Or this.” His hand slid over the curve of her waist and around to her lower back. He ran a single finger just above the waistband of her panties, almost as if he were contemplating their removal.
“Or this.” His eyes suddenly alight, he covered her bare knee with his palm before coaxing her legs to part.
Julia’s skin grew warm at his touch.
“Move your hand any higher and we’re going to get arrested,” she whispered.
His eyes appeared to darken. “It will be worth it.”
She placed her hand over his, stopping the slow, teasing ascent.
“I think we’ve been the subject of enough scandals, Professor.”
“Then you’re going to have to leave this piazza before I slip my hand under your dress and show you what comes next.”
“Where would we go?”
“I know a much quieter piazza nearby.”
She stifled a laugh. “Is that the best you can do?”
“There’s always the hotel. I have a view.”
She cocked her head to one side. “A view?”
He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.
“The only sight worth seeing in this city is you. But the view from my hotel room isn’t entirely unfortunate.”
She lowered her eyes and blushed.
He squeezed her hand. “Florence has exceptional architecture and art. But Brunelleschi’s dome lacks your compassion. And no painting in the Uffizi could ever capture the beauty and warmth of your love.”
She lifted her gaze to meet his.
“Are you flirting with me, Professor?”
Gabriel brought his mouth to her ear. “This isn’t flirtation, Julianne. This is seduction. And I won’t rest until I enjoy the wonder that is your body, lying underneath me again.”
He kissed the shell of her ear, before moving down to the side of her neck. He pressed unhurried kisses against her skin, brushing against her collarbone.
“This is just the beginning,” he whispered, his hand caressing her side. “Think of the delights that await you.”
She hummed softly. “I’d like to hear more about that.”
He stood, holding out his hand.
“I’ll do more than tell you. But I’m afraid you’ll have to leave this piazza.”
Julia glanced over his shoulder at the fountain. She sighed.
“It’s hard for me to leave, knowing what awaits us at home.”
“But we’ll be together.” He tugged her into his arms. “Tonight I’ll help you touch the stars. And when you fall back to earth, I promise to catch you.”
She looked up him, at his tender, intense expression, and lightly cupped his angular jaw.
“What about you, Gabriel? Don’t you want to touch the stars?”
He smiled his slow, sweet smile.
“You’re the only star in my sky.”
She kissed him fiercely, before taking his hand and walking hurriedly toward their hotel.
Fin.
I'm pleased to announce that a Romanian translation of Gabriel's Inferno is being published by Editura Trei. I'll post more information as it becomes available.
Thank you everyone who nominated me for a Shorty Award. There is still time to nominate your favourites here.
Thanks for reading, everyone.SRwww.sylvainreynard.com
January 11, 2014
Body Painting Outtake
Here is the link to the Body Painting Outtake from "Gabriel's Redemption": http://t.co/3rzMOg7ndv
All the best and thanks for reading,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
All the best and thanks for reading,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
January 10, 2014
The Body Painting Outtake from "Gabriel's Redemption"
Dear Everyone,
Here is the Body Painting Outtake from "Gabriel's Redemption," that was originally posted on the Heroes and Heartbreakers website October 17.
“Body Painting” by Sylvain Reynard
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
“I think you missed a spot.” Gabriel’s blue eyes twinkled as he gestured to a patch of wall near the doorframe.
He’d just entered the bedroom and was staring at Julianne, who had splotches of white paint on her faded, old jeans and black t-shirt. Her dark hair was tucked under one of his University of Toronto baseball caps. She looked adorable.
“Where?” Julianne scanned the freshly painted wall, brush in hand.
“Here.” Gabriel pointed to a narrow strip, approximately the size of a (pregnant) gnat.
“Very funny.” She bent to dip the brush into a can of white paint.
“And you missed another spot here.” He tapped the end of her nose with his finger as she straightened. “Did you get any paint on the wall? You’re covered in it.”
Julia glared. “I don’t see you helping. What have you been doing? Contemplating all the ways you can make your graduate students cry?”
“I don’t need to do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I already know all the ways to make a graduate student cry.”
Julia rolled her eyes, much to Gabriel’s amusement.
“I told you this morning I had an appointment to see the people who are working on the orchard.” His eyes narrowed. “I also told you to let me hire someone to paint the walls. But as usual, you didn’t listen, and decided to do it yourself.”
“It’s a waste of money to hire a painter when I can do it.”
“It’s a waste of time for you to do it, when we can afford to hire a painter. I’d prefer you spend your time doing – ah – other things.” He winked.
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re gorgeous, but paint covered.”
Julia extended the paintbrush toward him. “Now that you’re here, you can help.”
“No.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “No?”
“No.” He jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I’ll make a phone call and hire someone. Then I’ll carry you to the shower and take my time soaping every inch of your body. After that, we can see what other fun activities come to mind.”
He grinned at her suggestively before heading to the door.
Impulsively, she flicked her paintbrush at him and an arc of white paint flew through the air, landing on his back.
(Had the Professor been dressed in black, he would have looked like a skunk.)
Gabriel turned around slowly, removing his hands from his pockets.
“Scheisse,” thought Julia.
“What was that?”
“Um, I didn’t say anything.” She hid the paintbrush behind her back, hazarding an innocent smile.
“Did you just cover me in paint?”
She shook her head. “Absolutely not. Why would I do that?”
He stalked toward her and she backed up, still clutching the offending paintbrush.
He paused, twisting his neck so he could see his back. “These were my favourite jeans.”
Her gaze flickered down to the jeans that were her favourite as well; not least because of the way the material clung to his very attractive backside. “It was an accident.”
“And this was one of my favourite shirts.”
“Sorry.”
He lifted a hand and ran it across the back of his head. His fingers came away streaked with white paint.
“It’s even in my hair.”
She leaned her head to one side, examining him. “It gives me an idea of how you’ll look when you turn grey.”
“And the verdict?”
“You’ll look good.”
“How good?” He backed her up against a painted wall and grasped the hand that held the paintbrush, holding her in place.
“Really good. For an old man.”
Their eyes met briefly, before he captured her mouth.
“You’re entirely too artistic for your own good,” he murmured against her lips. “One day with a brush and you’re Jackson Pollack.”
“I just wanted to make Richard and Grace’s old room ours.”
Gabriel gave her a small smile before taking her lips again, this time pulling the paintbrush from her grasp. He pressed her firmly against the wall, and surprisingly, she did not resist.
“I think I’d like to join you.” He hummed against her skin as his mouth moved down to her neck.
“In the shower?” Julia reached up to sift through his hair, resisting the urge to laugh at the paint streaked strands.
“No.” His fingers drifted down her front, passing over her breast, before tracing the sliver of exposed flesh just above the waistband of her jeans. “I’d like to join you in painting.”
“Now that would be sexy.”
Julia wrapped her arms around him, kissing him back. A slick sound emanated from her t-shirt as it peeled away from the wet paint on the wall.
“I’ve backed into it, haven’t I?” She looked over her shoulder, groaning in dismay at the sight of paint on her back.
“Yes, you have.” Gabriel tried to hide his amusement. And failed.
She frowned. “You backed me into the wall on purpose.”
“Absolutely not. Why would I do that?” He smirked.
She peered down at her jeans. “It’s even on my ass.”
“Let me see.”
She presented her backside to him and he made an appreciative sound, low in his throat.
“That’s incredible.” He reached out and squeezed her backside. “I’d like to paint it.”
Julia quickly grabbed the brush from his hand, and flicked it at him again, causing paint to spatter down the front of him. Now his front matched his back.
The smirk slid off his face. “That was uncalled for.”
“I’m sorry.” She clasped a hand over her mouth, giggling uncontrollably at the speckled (and pissed off) Professor.
“I’ll bet you are.”
His eyes glinted before he smiled sweetly, drawing her into his arms. He kissed her deeply, pressing their bodies together from shoulder to thigh. Spots of paint transferred from his front to hers as they moved against one another.
She was so focused on the way his tongue teased hers she didn’t notice that he’d pulled her shirt up. With the barest hint of movement, he began running the paintbrush across the skin of her naked back. Up and down and back and forth.
She shivered. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing.” He continued his tantalizing pattern, whispering the strands of the brush over the surface of her flesh.
“You’re painting me, aren’t you?”
“This is my only chance to paint a masterpiece.”
“Gabriel,” she murmured reproachfully.
“I’m only speaking the truth. You’re a masterpiece to me.” He kissed her again, slipping his tongue inside her mouth.
The movement of the brush against her flesh matched the stroking of his tongue against hers. Julia gently explored his mouth, moving her arms up to wrap around his neck.
After a moment she sighed and brushed a kiss against his stubbled chin. “We should move this to the shower.”
“Wait.” He pulled her baseball cap off, tossing it aside. He ran his fingers gently through her hair as it spilled down to her shoulders.
Then in one movement, he tugged her shirt over her head.
“Beautiful.” His eyes drifted lazily from her face down to her chest.
She watched as he moved the tip of the brush up and down her ribs, and down to circle her navel, the strands gliding sensuously over and around.
He traced the tops of her breasts, above her black lace bra, as her eyes latched on his.
She grabbed his hand, stilling it. “Let’s take a shower.”
“The shower can wait,” he rasped. “Prepare to get wet.”
Then he pulled her to the floor, still clutching the paintbrush…
Thanks for reading, everyone.SRwww.sylvainreynard.com
Here is the Body Painting Outtake from "Gabriel's Redemption," that was originally posted on the Heroes and Heartbreakers website October 17.
“Body Painting” by Sylvain Reynard
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
“I think you missed a spot.” Gabriel’s blue eyes twinkled as he gestured to a patch of wall near the doorframe.
He’d just entered the bedroom and was staring at Julianne, who had splotches of white paint on her faded, old jeans and black t-shirt. Her dark hair was tucked under one of his University of Toronto baseball caps. She looked adorable.
“Where?” Julianne scanned the freshly painted wall, brush in hand.
“Here.” Gabriel pointed to a narrow strip, approximately the size of a (pregnant) gnat.
“Very funny.” She bent to dip the brush into a can of white paint.
“And you missed another spot here.” He tapped the end of her nose with his finger as she straightened. “Did you get any paint on the wall? You’re covered in it.”
Julia glared. “I don’t see you helping. What have you been doing? Contemplating all the ways you can make your graduate students cry?”
“I don’t need to do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I already know all the ways to make a graduate student cry.”
Julia rolled her eyes, much to Gabriel’s amusement.
“I told you this morning I had an appointment to see the people who are working on the orchard.” His eyes narrowed. “I also told you to let me hire someone to paint the walls. But as usual, you didn’t listen, and decided to do it yourself.”
“It’s a waste of money to hire a painter when I can do it.”
“It’s a waste of time for you to do it, when we can afford to hire a painter. I’d prefer you spend your time doing – ah – other things.” He winked.
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re gorgeous, but paint covered.”
Julia extended the paintbrush toward him. “Now that you’re here, you can help.”
“No.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “No?”
“No.” He jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I’ll make a phone call and hire someone. Then I’ll carry you to the shower and take my time soaping every inch of your body. After that, we can see what other fun activities come to mind.”
He grinned at her suggestively before heading to the door.
Impulsively, she flicked her paintbrush at him and an arc of white paint flew through the air, landing on his back.
(Had the Professor been dressed in black, he would have looked like a skunk.)
Gabriel turned around slowly, removing his hands from his pockets.
“Scheisse,” thought Julia.
“What was that?”
“Um, I didn’t say anything.” She hid the paintbrush behind her back, hazarding an innocent smile.
“Did you just cover me in paint?”
She shook her head. “Absolutely not. Why would I do that?”
He stalked toward her and she backed up, still clutching the offending paintbrush.
He paused, twisting his neck so he could see his back. “These were my favourite jeans.”
Her gaze flickered down to the jeans that were her favourite as well; not least because of the way the material clung to his very attractive backside. “It was an accident.”
“And this was one of my favourite shirts.”
“Sorry.”
He lifted a hand and ran it across the back of his head. His fingers came away streaked with white paint.
“It’s even in my hair.”
She leaned her head to one side, examining him. “It gives me an idea of how you’ll look when you turn grey.”
“And the verdict?”
“You’ll look good.”
“How good?” He backed her up against a painted wall and grasped the hand that held the paintbrush, holding her in place.
“Really good. For an old man.”
Their eyes met briefly, before he captured her mouth.
“You’re entirely too artistic for your own good,” he murmured against her lips. “One day with a brush and you’re Jackson Pollack.”
“I just wanted to make Richard and Grace’s old room ours.”
Gabriel gave her a small smile before taking her lips again, this time pulling the paintbrush from her grasp. He pressed her firmly against the wall, and surprisingly, she did not resist.
“I think I’d like to join you.” He hummed against her skin as his mouth moved down to her neck.
“In the shower?” Julia reached up to sift through his hair, resisting the urge to laugh at the paint streaked strands.
“No.” His fingers drifted down her front, passing over her breast, before tracing the sliver of exposed flesh just above the waistband of her jeans. “I’d like to join you in painting.”
“Now that would be sexy.”
Julia wrapped her arms around him, kissing him back. A slick sound emanated from her t-shirt as it peeled away from the wet paint on the wall.
“I’ve backed into it, haven’t I?” She looked over her shoulder, groaning in dismay at the sight of paint on her back.
“Yes, you have.” Gabriel tried to hide his amusement. And failed.
She frowned. “You backed me into the wall on purpose.”
“Absolutely not. Why would I do that?” He smirked.
She peered down at her jeans. “It’s even on my ass.”
“Let me see.”
She presented her backside to him and he made an appreciative sound, low in his throat.
“That’s incredible.” He reached out and squeezed her backside. “I’d like to paint it.”
Julia quickly grabbed the brush from his hand, and flicked it at him again, causing paint to spatter down the front of him. Now his front matched his back.
The smirk slid off his face. “That was uncalled for.”
“I’m sorry.” She clasped a hand over her mouth, giggling uncontrollably at the speckled (and pissed off) Professor.
“I’ll bet you are.”
His eyes glinted before he smiled sweetly, drawing her into his arms. He kissed her deeply, pressing their bodies together from shoulder to thigh. Spots of paint transferred from his front to hers as they moved against one another.
She was so focused on the way his tongue teased hers she didn’t notice that he’d pulled her shirt up. With the barest hint of movement, he began running the paintbrush across the skin of her naked back. Up and down and back and forth.
She shivered. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing.” He continued his tantalizing pattern, whispering the strands of the brush over the surface of her flesh.
“You’re painting me, aren’t you?”
“This is my only chance to paint a masterpiece.”
“Gabriel,” she murmured reproachfully.
“I’m only speaking the truth. You’re a masterpiece to me.” He kissed her again, slipping his tongue inside her mouth.
The movement of the brush against her flesh matched the stroking of his tongue against hers. Julia gently explored his mouth, moving her arms up to wrap around his neck.
After a moment she sighed and brushed a kiss against his stubbled chin. “We should move this to the shower.”
“Wait.” He pulled her baseball cap off, tossing it aside. He ran his fingers gently through her hair as it spilled down to her shoulders.
Then in one movement, he tugged her shirt over her head.
“Beautiful.” His eyes drifted lazily from her face down to her chest.
She watched as he moved the tip of the brush up and down her ribs, and down to circle her navel, the strands gliding sensuously over and around.
He traced the tops of her breasts, above her black lace bra, as her eyes latched on his.
She grabbed his hand, stilling it. “Let’s take a shower.”
“The shower can wait,” he rasped. “Prepare to get wet.”
Then he pulled her to the floor, still clutching the paintbrush…
Thanks for reading, everyone.SRwww.sylvainreynard.com
January 1, 2014
Happy New Year
Happy New Year, Everyone.
Thank you for your continued support. I wish you all the best for 2014 and beyond.
In case you missed it, the Professor penned an outtake of a New Year's Eve from the past, which you can read here.
Czech readers can read a translation of the outtake here. (Thank you Krystyna for translating it)
All the best and thank you for reading,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
Thank you for your continued support. I wish you all the best for 2014 and beyond.
In case you missed it, the Professor penned an outtake of a New Year's Eve from the past, which you can read here.
Czech readers can read a translation of the outtake here. (Thank you Krystyna for translating it)
All the best and thank you for reading,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
December 26, 2013
Season's Greetings
Dear Everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a very happy and healthy holiday season. If you celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas.
And I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Let's work together to make 2014 a kinder, more generous, more just, and more compassionate year.
All the best and thank you for your continued support,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a very happy and healthy holiday season. If you celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas.
And I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Let's work together to make 2014 a kinder, more generous, more just, and more compassionate year.
All the best and thank you for your continued support,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
December 18, 2013
New Release Date for "La Redencion de Gabriel"
Hola a todos.
Tengo buenas noticias para los lectores de habla hispana.
El libro electrónico de "La Redención de Gabriel" lanzará el 20 de Diciembre.
La versión de bolsillo lanzará 09 de Enero.
El libro electrónico incluirá un autógrafo y un saludo a los lectores.
Aquí está el anuncio en Inglés:
Dear Everyone,
I have good news.
Planeta de Libros, the Spanish publisher of my novels, has informed me that they are releasing "La Redencion de Gabriel" earlier than expected. So many of you expressed interest in the novel, they wanted to be sure to have it in your hands as soon as possible.
The Ebook will go on sale December 20th.
The paperback will go on sale January 9th.
More details will be forthcoming, including some interviews I'll be doing with Spanish speaking media, as well as an online chat in February.
I should mention that the Ebooks will include my autograph and a special greeting to Spanish speaking readers. A special outtake will be released when the paperback edition is released.
All the best and thanks for reading,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
Tengo buenas noticias para los lectores de habla hispana.
El libro electrónico de "La Redención de Gabriel" lanzará el 20 de Diciembre.
La versión de bolsillo lanzará 09 de Enero.
El libro electrónico incluirá un autógrafo y un saludo a los lectores.
Aquí está el anuncio en Inglés:
Dear Everyone,
I have good news.
Planeta de Libros, the Spanish publisher of my novels, has informed me that they are releasing "La Redencion de Gabriel" earlier than expected. So many of you expressed interest in the novel, they wanted to be sure to have it in your hands as soon as possible.
The Ebook will go on sale December 20th.
The paperback will go on sale January 9th.
More details will be forthcoming, including some interviews I'll be doing with Spanish speaking media, as well as an online chat in February.
I should mention that the Ebooks will include my autograph and a special greeting to Spanish speaking readers. A special outtake will be released when the paperback edition is released.
All the best and thanks for reading,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
December 12, 2013
"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
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
December 10, 2013
La Redencion de Gabriel
La Redencion de GabrielGood morning, Everyone
It gives me great pleasure to show you the Spanish translation of Gabriel's Redemtption's cover.
La Redencion de Gabriel will be released on February 6th, 2014 by Planeta.
This release is exciting becuase the Spanish speaking readers have been so supportive and I am glad to be able share this novel with yiou all in your native language.
All the best, and thank you for reading.
It gives me great pleasure to show you the Spanish translation of Gabriel's Redemtption's cover.
La Redencion de Gabriel will be released on February 6th, 2014 by Planeta.
This release is exciting becuase the Spanish speaking readers have been so supportive and I am glad to be able share this novel with yiou all in your native language.
All the best, and thank you for reading.
December 5, 2013
Information on Spanish translation of Gabriel's Redemption
Wonderful news from Esencia, the Spanish Publisher of the novels.
Very soon they'll be releasing the cover and the release date for the third novel in Spanish!
Stay tuned on December 10th, to SR's social media accounts, Twitter and Facebook and to the official SR Fans Spain, Mexico, Columbia, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela and Central America accounts.
More translation information will be coming soon.
All the best,
December 3, 2013
Today is the release of "Gabriel's Redemption"
Dear Everyone,
Today is the release date of "Gabriel's Redemption" in many English language markets, including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I'm proud to report that the novel is already ranked a bestseller in the Amazon Kindle store. It's also doing well in the iBookstore and on KOBO and Barnes & Noble.
Many bookstores (Such as Chapters, Barnes & Noble, as well as Waterstone's in the UK) already have "Gabriel's Redemption" on their shelves. UK Readers who ordered e-books can probably expect those to be delivered electronically around midnight December 4 and into the early hours of December 5.
Thank you.
Without you, the readers, there would be no third book in the series. I changed my mind about writing another book about the Professor when you sent so many positive notes and emails, asking for another novel. "Gabriel's Redemption" was written for you. I hope you enjoy it.
Don't forget to join me tomorrow night, December 4, at 9PM EST as I twitter chat with Colleen Lindsay of Penguin USA. Use #PenguinRomance to join the conversation.
I will be having another chat on Sunday, December 8 at 5PM EST with the SMI Bookclub.
I know Spanish speaking readers have been waiting to hear news about the Spanish translation of "Gabriel's Redemption." I should be able to make an announcement in the next week about when you can expect the book to be released. Thank you for your patience.
Brazilian readers can expect "Gabriel's Redemption" to be published in January.
I don't have news for Francophone readers, but I hope Michel Lafon will publish the third book in French.
Casa Editrice Nord should be making an announcement about the translation of the third book into Italian, soon.
Japanese, Portuguese, Polish, and Czech translation are all forthcoming. Details to be announced.
In this holiday season, I want to express my wish that you and your family will have peace, joy, and happiness for the rest of 2013 and in 2014, as well.
Thank you for your encouragement and support, and thank you for reading,
SR.
www.sylvainreynard.com
Today is the release date of "Gabriel's Redemption" in many English language markets, including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I'm proud to report that the novel is already ranked a bestseller in the Amazon Kindle store. It's also doing well in the iBookstore and on KOBO and Barnes & Noble.
Many bookstores (Such as Chapters, Barnes & Noble, as well as Waterstone's in the UK) already have "Gabriel's Redemption" on their shelves. UK Readers who ordered e-books can probably expect those to be delivered electronically around midnight December 4 and into the early hours of December 5.
Thank you.
Without you, the readers, there would be no third book in the series. I changed my mind about writing another book about the Professor when you sent so many positive notes and emails, asking for another novel. "Gabriel's Redemption" was written for you. I hope you enjoy it.
Don't forget to join me tomorrow night, December 4, at 9PM EST as I twitter chat with Colleen Lindsay of Penguin USA. Use #PenguinRomance to join the conversation.
I will be having another chat on Sunday, December 8 at 5PM EST with the SMI Bookclub.
I know Spanish speaking readers have been waiting to hear news about the Spanish translation of "Gabriel's Redemption." I should be able to make an announcement in the next week about when you can expect the book to be released. Thank you for your patience.
Brazilian readers can expect "Gabriel's Redemption" to be published in January.
I don't have news for Francophone readers, but I hope Michel Lafon will publish the third book in French.
Casa Editrice Nord should be making an announcement about the translation of the third book into Italian, soon.
Japanese, Portuguese, Polish, and Czech translation are all forthcoming. Details to be announced.
In this holiday season, I want to express my wish that you and your family will have peace, joy, and happiness for the rest of 2013 and in 2014, as well.
Thank you for your encouragement and support, and thank you for reading,
SR.
www.sylvainreynard.com
