Sylvain Reynard's Blog, page 29
October 14, 2013
Deleted scene from "Gabriel's Redemption"
Dear Everyone,
To help Bookish Temptations celebrate their Blogiversary, I've posted a deleted scene from "Gabriel's Redemption" on their site. You can read it here.
More deleted scenes and outtakes are coming your way as we gear up for the release of "Gabriel's Redemption" December 3rd.
And I'm pleased to announce that Editora Arqueiro will be releasing the Portuguese translation of "Gabriel's Redemption" in Brasil in January 2014.
Happy Thanksgiving to Canadians at home and abroad.
All the best and thank you for reading,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
To help Bookish Temptations celebrate their Blogiversary, I've posted a deleted scene from "Gabriel's Redemption" on their site. You can read it here.
More deleted scenes and outtakes are coming your way as we gear up for the release of "Gabriel's Redemption" December 3rd.
And I'm pleased to announce that Editora Arqueiro will be releasing the Portuguese translation of "Gabriel's Redemption" in Brasil in January 2014.
Happy Thanksgiving to Canadians at home and abroad.
All the best and thank you for reading,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
September 12, 2013
Forthcoming Translations of "Gabriel's Redemption"
Dear Everyone,
I've been asked about the translation of "Gabriel's Redemption" into various languages. Although I don't have a release date for the non-English versions of the novel, I can tell you the names of the publishers who will translating it.
Editora Arqueiro - Portuguese (Brasil)
Planeta Espana - Spanish (Worldwide)
Hayakawa - Japanese
Albatross Media A.S. - Czech
Muza - Polish
In addition to these international versions, Penguin UK will be releasing UK editions of "Gabriel's Redemption" and Penguin Australia/NZ will be releasing Australian/Kiwi editions.
And I'm pleased to announce that there will be an Audiobook that you can preorder through Audible.com.
If your language isn't listed, don't despair. I'm hopeful other languages will be added shortly.
As I mentioned in a previous post, Berkley/Penguin will be including an excerpt from my next novel at the end of "Gabriel's Redemption" in the American and Canadian editions. I am hopeful that international editions will include the excerpt as well, but that decision will be made by the respective publishers. I will keep you posted as information becomes available.
All the best and thank you for your continued support,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
I've been asked about the translation of "Gabriel's Redemption" into various languages. Although I don't have a release date for the non-English versions of the novel, I can tell you the names of the publishers who will translating it.
Editora Arqueiro - Portuguese (Brasil)
Planeta Espana - Spanish (Worldwide)
Hayakawa - Japanese
Albatross Media A.S. - Czech
Muza - Polish
In addition to these international versions, Penguin UK will be releasing UK editions of "Gabriel's Redemption" and Penguin Australia/NZ will be releasing Australian/Kiwi editions.
And I'm pleased to announce that there will be an Audiobook that you can preorder through Audible.com.
If your language isn't listed, don't despair. I'm hopeful other languages will be added shortly.
As I mentioned in a previous post, Berkley/Penguin will be including an excerpt from my next novel at the end of "Gabriel's Redemption" in the American and Canadian editions. I am hopeful that international editions will include the excerpt as well, but that decision will be made by the respective publishers. I will keep you posted as information becomes available.
All the best and thank you for your continued support,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
September 4, 2013
A Sneak Peek at My Next Novel
Dear Everyone,
As many of you know, last year I signed a contract with Berkley/Penguin for three books: Gabriel's Redemption and two other novels.
When I finished Gabriel's Redemption, I began writing my next book. I'm pleased to say that it's coming along nicely and I look forward to sharing it with you. In fact, I hope that you enjoy it as much as the Gabriel series.
Because I'd already begun working on the next book by the time Redemption was being sent to the typesetter, I was able to approach my publisher and ask if an excerpt from the new book could be included at the end of Redemption. I'm pleased to announce that my publisher said yes.
So when you purchase either an e-book or a paperback copy of Gabriel's Redemption, you'll be receiving an excerpt from my next book in the same volume.
And don't forget, that if you preorder Gabriel's Redemption, the Professor would like to give you a gift. You can read more about those gifts here.
If you're a Book Blogger, you can sign up to be part of the Book Blog Tour for Gabriel's Redemption here. There are going to be some tour wide giveaways, sponsored by the Professor, himself. More details forthcoming.
All the best, everyone, and thank you for your continued support,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
PS. You can find me on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSylvainReynard
As many of you know, last year I signed a contract with Berkley/Penguin for three books: Gabriel's Redemption and two other novels.
When I finished Gabriel's Redemption, I began writing my next book. I'm pleased to say that it's coming along nicely and I look forward to sharing it with you. In fact, I hope that you enjoy it as much as the Gabriel series.
Because I'd already begun working on the next book by the time Redemption was being sent to the typesetter, I was able to approach my publisher and ask if an excerpt from the new book could be included at the end of Redemption. I'm pleased to announce that my publisher said yes.
So when you purchase either an e-book or a paperback copy of Gabriel's Redemption, you'll be receiving an excerpt from my next book in the same volume.
And don't forget, that if you preorder Gabriel's Redemption, the Professor would like to give you a gift. You can read more about those gifts here.
If you're a Book Blogger, you can sign up to be part of the Book Blog Tour for Gabriel's Redemption here. There are going to be some tour wide giveaways, sponsored by the Professor, himself. More details forthcoming.
All the best, everyone, and thank you for your continued support,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
PS. You can find me on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSylvainReynard
August 27, 2013
"Gabriel's Redemption" Book Blog Tour
Dear Everyone,
The Book Blog Tour for "Gabriel's Redemption" is being organized by my publicist, Enn Bocci. If you're a book blogger and would like to sign up, you can find the link to the sign up sheet here: http://www.boccipr.blogspot.ca
There will be lots of giveaways, including a gift certificate for a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. (This was the Professor's contribution)
More details will be forthcoming.
Thanks for your support, everyone, and thank you for reading, SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
The Book Blog Tour for "Gabriel's Redemption" is being organized by my publicist, Enn Bocci. If you're a book blogger and would like to sign up, you can find the link to the sign up sheet here: http://www.boccipr.blogspot.ca
There will be lots of giveaways, including a gift certificate for a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. (This was the Professor's contribution)
More details will be forthcoming.
Thanks for your support, everyone, and thank you for reading, SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
August 23, 2013
"Gabriel's Redemption" Audiobook Available for Preorder
Dear Everyone,
Many thanks to Veraswriting, a reader, who alerted me to the fact that the audiobook of Gabriel's Redemption is now available for preorder from Audible.com. The narrator is John Michael Morgan.
If you've had the pleasure of listening to the audiobooks of Gabriel's Inferno or Gabriel's Rapture, then I'm sure you'll agree that John is the perfect voice of the novels. He doesn't simply read or narrate - he performs. And he's excellent with all the characters, especially the Professor.
If you wish to hear a simple, you can do so here. Click "sample."
If you wish to learn more about John Michael Morgan, you can do so in a post I wrote last year.
According to Audible, Gabriel's Redemption will be available on December 3rd, which is the same date as the print and ebook release.
Don't forget that if you preorder the audiobook, you can request a gift from the Professor. Here's how: http://www.sylvainreynard.com/2013/06/exclusive-extras-for-those-that-pre.html
All the best and thank you for listening,
SR
PS. I will be able to share more about my next writing project soon, including a sneak peek. Stay tuned.
www.sylvainreynard.com
Many thanks to Veraswriting, a reader, who alerted me to the fact that the audiobook of Gabriel's Redemption is now available for preorder from Audible.com. The narrator is John Michael Morgan.
If you've had the pleasure of listening to the audiobooks of Gabriel's Inferno or Gabriel's Rapture, then I'm sure you'll agree that John is the perfect voice of the novels. He doesn't simply read or narrate - he performs. And he's excellent with all the characters, especially the Professor.
If you wish to hear a simple, you can do so here. Click "sample."
If you wish to learn more about John Michael Morgan, you can do so in a post I wrote last year.
According to Audible, Gabriel's Redemption will be available on December 3rd, which is the same date as the print and ebook release.
Don't forget that if you preorder the audiobook, you can request a gift from the Professor. Here's how: http://www.sylvainreynard.com/2013/06/exclusive-extras-for-those-that-pre.html
All the best and thank you for listening,
SR
PS. I will be able to share more about my next writing project soon, including a sneak peek. Stay tuned.
www.sylvainreynard.com
July 25, 2013
Deleted scene from "Gabriel's Inferno"
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 has
come 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
www.sylvainreynard.com
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
Spanish Translation
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 has
come 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
www.sylvainreynard.com
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
Spanish Translation
July 17, 2013
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
www.sylvainreynard.com
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
www.sylvainreynard.com
July 12, 2013
Charity Spotlight: Heather Huffman's Fight Against Human Trafficking
Dear Everyone,
I've never had a guest post on my blog. Today, I'm pleased to introduce my first guest post, penned by author Heather Huffman.
Thank you, Heather, for joining us today. - SR
-
Before I wrote Throwaway, I thought slavery ended in the United States when the 13th Amendment was ratified. What I stumbled across while doing research opened my eyes to a world I didn’t know existed - to the human trafficking trade in the United States and abroad.
I had no clue what to do about my newfound knowledge, though. I tried getting involved with various anti-slavery groups, but none of them returned my emails. When the obvious failed, I began toying with the idea of using the books as a way to raise awareness, since some of them included human trafficking as plot points.
Then my sisters signed us all up for a human trafficking symposium in January 2011. On our way there, I told them that I wasn’t sure how or what it would look like, but I wanted to use my books as a voice for the voiceless. At the conference, as the main speaker was introducing the topics for the day, he said, “Maybe someone here is supposed to be a voice for the voiceless…” The entire row turned and looked at me.
Not long after that, I released four novels as free ebooks. Two of them had human trafficking as plot elements, two didn’t. They weren’t in-depth examinations of trafficking or anything, more like conversation starters. My books are first and foremost romance novels. Still, all four included an author’s note about trafficking along with ways for readers to get involved.
The books went kind of crazy. Tens of thousands were downloaded, and I began hearing from readers all over the world, including some who were former slaves. It was readers who put me in touch with groups like Project Liberty and The Covering House, two organizations on the front lines of the fight against slavery.
About six months after the books were released, I was contacted by a small publisher out of Seattle called Booktrope. After a couple months of discussion, they republished the first four novels and the fifth was in the publication process. I worried the decision to republish would be selling out, but I felt my reach would be greater with a publisher behind the books. Now that the books were being sold, I decided to donate a portion of my royalties to groups fighting trafficking.
Thankfully, Booktrope believes in offering free ebooks often, which means the books are still out there raising awareness. When Throwaway was re-released under their banner as a free ebook, it received 150,000 downloads in the first six weeks of its release. We recently made the ebook format of Throwaway free again (on iTunes In the United States) and plan to leave it that way for the foreseeable future.
When I set out on this venture, I have to admit I envisioned writing a big, impressive check to Project Liberty – something that would make a real difference in their daily operations – but I seem to be better at raising awareness than funds. Still, I’m not sure the amount matters as much as the act of doing something, anything to help. If I waited to donate until I could give an amount that I felt made a difference, that day might never come.
So I give what I can and offer encouragement to those doing the work the rest of us can’t. In addition to donating to a couple of groups I trust, I sponsor children through World Vision because fighting abject poverty in third world countries is another way to attack the evil of human trafficking. I also give talks in schools, churches and women’s groups about trafficking and how we can keep our children from being victimized. It’s an eclectic approach to joining the fight, but then my personality has always been a bit eclectic so I guess that’s fitting.
Before I wrote Throwaway, I had no clue about things like human trafficking. Now that I know, I feel like an itty-bitty ant trying to move a mountain. Luckily, I don’t have to move the mountain alone. I just have to keep chipping away at it along with everyone else who feels called to move that same mountain. Eventually, we’ll get there. - Heather Huffman
Heather & Goatsy
Heather Huffman calls the beautiful Missouri Ozarks home. When not
writing, this homesteading mother is either cheering one of her three
sons on at a sporting event or tending the family’s myriad of animals,
which includes alpacas, goats, chickens and ducks. Huffman’s optimistic
and somewhat quirky view of life often finds its way into her
novels.
Heather is the author of Throwaway, Ties that Bind, Jailbird, Suddenly a Spy, Ring of Fire, Tumbleweed, Devil in Disguise, Roses in Ecuador, and her latest book, Fool’s Game. You can find out more about her family’s adventures as they
strive to live off the land, as well as her writing and charitable work
on www.heatherhuffman.net
Jessie Jones is living the life--except
for the fact that she earns it by working the streets. She's been under
pimp Spence's thumb for fourteen years, and she isn't looking to change
it. That is, until undercover cop Gabe walks into her life and offers
her something she's never had before: a love, a future, a home. But even
if Jessie could walk away from Spence, there are darker forces of evil
who want her to stay put, or worse, dead.
In
this romantic suspense, author Heather Huffman delivers an adventure
from the vibrant streets of St. Louis to the caves of the Ozarks as
Jessie discovers whether she can love another, whether she can love
herself, and whether any of it is enough.
Don't miss Heather Huffman's other books: Suddenly a Spy, Jailbird, Ring of Fire, Ties That Bind, Tumbleweed, and the newly-released Devil in Disguise!
At the request of the U.S. Government, Caitlyn O’Rourke faked her death
years ago, only to be reborn as the Cat—a deadly black-ops agent tasked
with working for the shadowy organization Chameleon and doing the jobs
that can’t be done in the light of day. Now, on the verge of taking down
a notorious drug lord and rescuing a captured Chameleon agent, Cat is
targeted for assassination…from within. But who’s making the call, and
why?
As she attempts to uncover answers and stay alive, Cat finds
herself working alongside Cody Kingsley, the mysterious senator who
broke her heart and betrayed her long ago. Along with an inner circle of
fellow agents, Cat and Cody must untangle the web of lies that
surrounds them before it’s too late.
From the sultry streets of
New Orleans to a secluded plantation in Ecuador to Washington, DC, Cat
must elude an agent hell-bent on her destruction while figuring out how
high up the ladder the conspiracy reaches. At the same time, she must
work through her tumultuous and conflicting emotions where both Cody and
fellow agent Galloway—who may or may not have her best interests at
heart—are concerned.
A thrill ride of emotions, suspense, and
action, Fool’s Game intertwines matters of the heart and survival …and
the only thing certain is that Cat will never be the same.
Where to find Heather:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
I've never had a guest post on my blog. Today, I'm pleased to introduce my first guest post, penned by author Heather Huffman.
Thank you, Heather, for joining us today. - SR
-
Before I wrote Throwaway, I thought slavery ended in the United States when the 13th Amendment was ratified. What I stumbled across while doing research opened my eyes to a world I didn’t know existed - to the human trafficking trade in the United States and abroad.
I had no clue what to do about my newfound knowledge, though. I tried getting involved with various anti-slavery groups, but none of them returned my emails. When the obvious failed, I began toying with the idea of using the books as a way to raise awareness, since some of them included human trafficking as plot points.
Then my sisters signed us all up for a human trafficking symposium in January 2011. On our way there, I told them that I wasn’t sure how or what it would look like, but I wanted to use my books as a voice for the voiceless. At the conference, as the main speaker was introducing the topics for the day, he said, “Maybe someone here is supposed to be a voice for the voiceless…” The entire row turned and looked at me.
Not long after that, I released four novels as free ebooks. Two of them had human trafficking as plot elements, two didn’t. They weren’t in-depth examinations of trafficking or anything, more like conversation starters. My books are first and foremost romance novels. Still, all four included an author’s note about trafficking along with ways for readers to get involved.
The books went kind of crazy. Tens of thousands were downloaded, and I began hearing from readers all over the world, including some who were former slaves. It was readers who put me in touch with groups like Project Liberty and The Covering House, two organizations on the front lines of the fight against slavery.
About six months after the books were released, I was contacted by a small publisher out of Seattle called Booktrope. After a couple months of discussion, they republished the first four novels and the fifth was in the publication process. I worried the decision to republish would be selling out, but I felt my reach would be greater with a publisher behind the books. Now that the books were being sold, I decided to donate a portion of my royalties to groups fighting trafficking.
Thankfully, Booktrope believes in offering free ebooks often, which means the books are still out there raising awareness. When Throwaway was re-released under their banner as a free ebook, it received 150,000 downloads in the first six weeks of its release. We recently made the ebook format of Throwaway free again (on iTunes In the United States) and plan to leave it that way for the foreseeable future.
When I set out on this venture, I have to admit I envisioned writing a big, impressive check to Project Liberty – something that would make a real difference in their daily operations – but I seem to be better at raising awareness than funds. Still, I’m not sure the amount matters as much as the act of doing something, anything to help. If I waited to donate until I could give an amount that I felt made a difference, that day might never come.
So I give what I can and offer encouragement to those doing the work the rest of us can’t. In addition to donating to a couple of groups I trust, I sponsor children through World Vision because fighting abject poverty in third world countries is another way to attack the evil of human trafficking. I also give talks in schools, churches and women’s groups about trafficking and how we can keep our children from being victimized. It’s an eclectic approach to joining the fight, but then my personality has always been a bit eclectic so I guess that’s fitting.
Before I wrote Throwaway, I had no clue about things like human trafficking. Now that I know, I feel like an itty-bitty ant trying to move a mountain. Luckily, I don’t have to move the mountain alone. I just have to keep chipping away at it along with everyone else who feels called to move that same mountain. Eventually, we’ll get there. - Heather Huffman
Heather & Goatsy
Heather Huffman calls the beautiful Missouri Ozarks home. When not
writing, this homesteading mother is either cheering one of her three
sons on at a sporting event or tending the family’s myriad of animals,
which includes alpacas, goats, chickens and ducks. Huffman’s optimistic
and somewhat quirky view of life often finds its way into her
novels.
Heather is the author of Throwaway, Ties that Bind, Jailbird, Suddenly a Spy, Ring of Fire, Tumbleweed, Devil in Disguise, Roses in Ecuador, and her latest book, Fool’s Game. You can find out more about her family’s adventures as they
strive to live off the land, as well as her writing and charitable work
on www.heatherhuffman.net
Jessie Jones is living the life--except
for the fact that she earns it by working the streets. She's been under
pimp Spence's thumb for fourteen years, and she isn't looking to change
it. That is, until undercover cop Gabe walks into her life and offers
her something she's never had before: a love, a future, a home. But even
if Jessie could walk away from Spence, there are darker forces of evil
who want her to stay put, or worse, dead.
In
this romantic suspense, author Heather Huffman delivers an adventure
from the vibrant streets of St. Louis to the caves of the Ozarks as
Jessie discovers whether she can love another, whether she can love
herself, and whether any of it is enough.
Don't miss Heather Huffman's other books: Suddenly a Spy, Jailbird, Ring of Fire, Ties That Bind, Tumbleweed, and the newly-released Devil in Disguise!
At the request of the U.S. Government, Caitlyn O’Rourke faked her death
years ago, only to be reborn as the Cat—a deadly black-ops agent tasked
with working for the shadowy organization Chameleon and doing the jobs
that can’t be done in the light of day. Now, on the verge of taking down
a notorious drug lord and rescuing a captured Chameleon agent, Cat is
targeted for assassination…from within. But who’s making the call, and
why?
As she attempts to uncover answers and stay alive, Cat finds
herself working alongside Cody Kingsley, the mysterious senator who
broke her heart and betrayed her long ago. Along with an inner circle of
fellow agents, Cat and Cody must untangle the web of lies that
surrounds them before it’s too late.
From the sultry streets of
New Orleans to a secluded plantation in Ecuador to Washington, DC, Cat
must elude an agent hell-bent on her destruction while figuring out how
high up the ladder the conspiracy reaches. At the same time, she must
work through her tumultuous and conflicting emotions where both Cody and
fellow agent Galloway—who may or may not have her best interests at
heart—are concerned.
A thrill ride of emotions, suspense, and
action, Fool’s Game intertwines matters of the heart and survival …and
the only thing certain is that Cat will never be the same.
Where to find Heather:
Website
July 10, 2013
Thank you, David Gandy. You really are the perfect Gabriel Emerson.Read-a-long & Chat
From Enn:
Have you seen this?
No? Well take a moment to watch.
Now watch it again.
Are you still with me?
I have a treat if you are.
The lovely The SubClub Books is hosting a Gabriel Emerson chat on 7/13/13 at 5PM Est.
That's right, Gabriel takes over SR's Twitter.
On 7/12/13 (stretching into 7/13/13) in preparation, I'm hosting a Gabriel's Inferno Read-a-Long on Twitter. Your mission should you choose to accept it is...
1. Wear kick ass heels
2. Pour a drink
3. Open your book
4. Tweet your favorite lines with the #GabrielsInferno hashtag
5. Tweet a photo of you, your kick ass heels, and your ereader and/or novel to me @ennbocci
No start time, just jump on when you can and send the photos to me. End time can be just before the chat starts on Saturday.
What will your kick ass heels and awesomely perfect lines get you?
How about either...
a Gabriel's Inferno audio book or a set of foreign editions (with bookplates from SR)
Speaking of foreign editions, the Italian version of Gabriel's Rapture has just been released. If you haven't seen it, yet the cover is gorgeous!!
See you soon!
Enn
www.sylvainreynard.com
July 5, 2013
New Year's Eve Flashback Outtake - By Professor Gabriel Emerson
Dear Everyone,
As a way of saying thank you for your continued support, and also to bridge the time until "Gabriel's Redemption" releases on December 3, I've decided to go back into the archives and repost some previous outtakes and other materials.
Here is a flashback, first person account of New Year's Eve, written by the Professor. It first appeared on the Fresh Fiction Blog December 31, 2012.
“New Year’s Eve” by Professor Gabriel O.
Emerson
In the past, New Year’s Eve was always
bittersweet. I spent Christmas
with my adoptive family before returning to my lonely condominium in Toronto.
By the time New Year’s Eve arrived, I’d be itching
for human contact. So I’d do what I always did when I craved a connection. I’d walk to Lobby, my
favourite club.
On New Year’s Eve it was difficult to get
in. But on this particular evening, as on most nights since I became a club VIP,
I was welcomed by the bouncer, who directed me to skirt the long line and enter
the building.
I approached the bar and ordered my
favourite drink – a double shot of Laphroaig, neat, with a side of spring
water.
Within five minutes, I was sitting on a
banquette near the wall, sipping Scotch and scanning the room.
My criteria for female companionship were
simple. I preferred tall, leggy blondes but would occasional approach a red
head or a brunette. I liked women who were attractive, confident, and intelligent. I avoided those whose mannerisms hinted
at self-esteem issues or overt aggression. I also steered clear of women who
arrived at Lobby in packs, since I found it tiresome to have to disengage them
from their friends.
Halfway thru my Laphroaig, I saw her.
She had long hair the colour of corn silk
and was dressed in a backless black dress. Her legs were encased in sheer
stockings and she wore extravagantly high red-soled black heels.
I adjusted myself at the sight of her legs
alone.
She sat at the bar with another woman, who
was striking but not as attractive as her companion. They were involved in a
relaxed conversation, their eyes occasionally darting to the men nearby.
As time wore on, I watched a few men send
over drinks, or try to gain the women’s attention. Both the drinks and the men were rebuffed.
I found myself smiling. Few of the women at
Lobby presented a challenge for me. This would be a rare delight.
I tipped back the last of my drink and
approached the bar slowly, my eyes locked on hers. Her lovely red lips parted
as I approached and it seemed she was holding her breath.
At the last minute, however, I made eye
contact with the bartender and ordered another drink.
Then I waited.
I kept my posture straight, not bothering
to lean against the bar. When I pursued a woman I liked to be the aggressor and
I had no wish to appear as anything other than focused.
But first I had to get her attention.
I waited just long enough for her to wonder
if I was going to approach her.
Then I turned in her direction.
We made eye contact and I smiled at her
briefly, before turning away as the bartender served my drink. I took a sip,
then placed the glass on the bar.
“Hello.” Her throaty voice cut through the
music of the club like a sword slicing silk.
“Hello.”
I gazed at her face appraisingly. She was even
more beautiful up close - high cheekbones, large expressive eyes, and a mouth
made for the first of the seven deadly sins.
My trousers grew even more snug at the thought.
“Can I buy you a drink?” she asked.
I lifted her hand, kissing the back of
it. “No.”
Her green eyes grew wide.
She tried to withdraw her hand but I held it,
stroking her palm with my thumb.
“I’ll buy you a drink and one for your
friend. And then, I’ll ask you to dance.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “What makes you so
sure I’ll say yes?”
I leaned over to bring my lips to her ear,
dropping my voice to a whisper. “You’re the only woman I’ve spoken to this
evening because you’re the only one I’m interested in. And you deserve to be a
man’s first choice.”
I felt her shiver at my nearness and I
restrained a smile.
“I’m your first choice?” she whispered
back.
I traced the side of her neck with a single
finger. “Yes.”
When I heard her breathing pause, I knew
she was mine.
At least for New Year’s Eve.
-Professor Gabriel O. Emerson,
Associate Professor of Italian Studies
University of Toronto
I penned this flashback intentionally, since the two women mentioned are also mentioned in my novels. See if you can guess who they are in the comments below.
All the best everyone and thank you for reading, SR.
PS. Don't forget that if you've preordered "Gabriel's Redemption," or if you will do so in future, the Professor has gifts for you. Click here for details.
The Portuguese translation of "Gabriel's Rapture," which is entitled "O Julgamento de Gabriel," released this week from Editora Arqueiro. It's also available on Amazon.com.br.
The Greek translation of "Gabriel's Inferno" also released this week. It's available through Psichogios Books and the iTunes store. The Greek translation of "Gabriel's Rapture" will release December 5.
As a way of saying thank you for your continued support, and also to bridge the time until "Gabriel's Redemption" releases on December 3, I've decided to go back into the archives and repost some previous outtakes and other materials.
Here is a flashback, first person account of New Year's Eve, written by the Professor. It first appeared on the Fresh Fiction Blog December 31, 2012.
“New Year’s Eve” by Professor Gabriel O.
Emerson
In the past, New Year’s Eve was always
bittersweet. I spent Christmas
with my adoptive family before returning to my lonely condominium in Toronto.
By the time New Year’s Eve arrived, I’d be itching
for human contact. So I’d do what I always did when I craved a connection. I’d walk to Lobby, my
favourite club.
On New Year’s Eve it was difficult to get
in. But on this particular evening, as on most nights since I became a club VIP,
I was welcomed by the bouncer, who directed me to skirt the long line and enter
the building.
I approached the bar and ordered my
favourite drink – a double shot of Laphroaig, neat, with a side of spring
water.
Within five minutes, I was sitting on a
banquette near the wall, sipping Scotch and scanning the room.
My criteria for female companionship were
simple. I preferred tall, leggy blondes but would occasional approach a red
head or a brunette. I liked women who were attractive, confident, and intelligent. I avoided those whose mannerisms hinted
at self-esteem issues or overt aggression. I also steered clear of women who
arrived at Lobby in packs, since I found it tiresome to have to disengage them
from their friends.
Halfway thru my Laphroaig, I saw her.
She had long hair the colour of corn silk
and was dressed in a backless black dress. Her legs were encased in sheer
stockings and she wore extravagantly high red-soled black heels.
I adjusted myself at the sight of her legs
alone.
She sat at the bar with another woman, who
was striking but not as attractive as her companion. They were involved in a
relaxed conversation, their eyes occasionally darting to the men nearby.
As time wore on, I watched a few men send
over drinks, or try to gain the women’s attention. Both the drinks and the men were rebuffed.
I found myself smiling. Few of the women at
Lobby presented a challenge for me. This would be a rare delight.
I tipped back the last of my drink and
approached the bar slowly, my eyes locked on hers. Her lovely red lips parted
as I approached and it seemed she was holding her breath.
At the last minute, however, I made eye
contact with the bartender and ordered another drink.
Then I waited.
I kept my posture straight, not bothering
to lean against the bar. When I pursued a woman I liked to be the aggressor and
I had no wish to appear as anything other than focused.
But first I had to get her attention.
I waited just long enough for her to wonder
if I was going to approach her.
Then I turned in her direction.
We made eye contact and I smiled at her
briefly, before turning away as the bartender served my drink. I took a sip,
then placed the glass on the bar.
“Hello.” Her throaty voice cut through the
music of the club like a sword slicing silk.
“Hello.”
I gazed at her face appraisingly. She was even
more beautiful up close - high cheekbones, large expressive eyes, and a mouth
made for the first of the seven deadly sins.
My trousers grew even more snug at the thought.
“Can I buy you a drink?” she asked.
I lifted her hand, kissing the back of
it. “No.”
Her green eyes grew wide.
She tried to withdraw her hand but I held it,
stroking her palm with my thumb.
“I’ll buy you a drink and one for your
friend. And then, I’ll ask you to dance.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “What makes you so
sure I’ll say yes?”
I leaned over to bring my lips to her ear,
dropping my voice to a whisper. “You’re the only woman I’ve spoken to this
evening because you’re the only one I’m interested in. And you deserve to be a
man’s first choice.”
I felt her shiver at my nearness and I
restrained a smile.
“I’m your first choice?” she whispered
back.
I traced the side of her neck with a single
finger. “Yes.”
When I heard her breathing pause, I knew
she was mine.
At least for New Year’s Eve.
-Professor Gabriel O. Emerson,
Associate Professor of Italian Studies
University of Toronto
I penned this flashback intentionally, since the two women mentioned are also mentioned in my novels. See if you can guess who they are in the comments below.
All the best everyone and thank you for reading, SR.
PS. Don't forget that if you've preordered "Gabriel's Redemption," or if you will do so in future, the Professor has gifts for you. Click here for details.
The Portuguese translation of "Gabriel's Rapture," which is entitled "O Julgamento de Gabriel," released this week from Editora Arqueiro. It's also available on Amazon.com.br.
The Greek translation of "Gabriel's Inferno" also released this week. It's available through Psichogios Books and the iTunes store. The Greek translation of "Gabriel's Rapture" will release December 5.
