Gabriel's Rapture

Gabriel's Inferno, Book 2

By: Sylvain Reynard

Narrated by: John Morgan

Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

National best-selling author Sylvain Reynard continues the story of Gabriel and Julia, two lovers bound together by their darkest desires.

But those very desires may destroy them....

Professor Gabriel Emerson has embarked on a passionate, yet clandestine affair with his former student, Julia Mitchell. Sequestered on a romantic holiday in Italy, he tutors her in the sensual delights of the body and the raptures of sex.

But when they return, their happiness is threatened by conspiring students, academic politics, and a jealous ex-lover. When Gabriel is confronted by the university administration, will he succumb to Dante’s fate? Or will he fight to keep Julia, his Beatrice, forever?

In Gabriel’s Rapture, the brilliant sequel to the wildly successful debut novel Gabriel’s Inferno, Sylvain Reynard weaves an exquisite love story that will touch the listener’s mind, body, and soul, forever.

©2012 Sylvain Reynard (P)2012 Penguin Audio

hum this one seem more of infernal to me

What made the experience of listening to Gabriel's Rapture the most enjoyable?

the end and how he gave up a lot for what he wanted the most and became this good person.

Who was your favorite character and why?

gabriel

Awesome!

What made the experience of listening to Gabriel's Rapture the most enjoyable?

Great book! It was really hard to put the book down.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gabriel by far, sexy, smart and dangerous.

Which character – as performed by John Morgan – was your favorite?

Gabriel

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end

REQUIRED READING

If you could sum up Gabriel's Rapture in three words, what would they be?

Alluring, romantic and tingling

What other book might you compare Gabriel's Rapture to and why?

One of the reasons I choose this book because the reviews had said it was like Fifty Shades of Grey. Well, it's not. I have been reading romance novels for many, many, MANY years and I can honestly say that I have never read anything like this novel before.

What does John Morgan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mr Morgan's voice is velvet!!! He gives the ability, at least for me to envision and give life to the characters. Emotion to the words. A sense of reality.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Oh, Boy, did I have an extreme reaction to this book-An astounding YES!!! It made me wistful and regretful that my first romantic encounter did not happen this way. The range of emotion was great, laughing, crying, tingling, and a longing for the ability to travel through time (BIG HEAVY SIGHHH)

Any additional comments?

I could not put my kindle down!!! I have now added Sylvain Reynard to my favorite authors list!!! I eagerly await the next book!! This book should be required reading for all men for how to romance your way to a woman's heart!!!

Great! Narrator's male voice was Excellent!

I highly recommend this series. It would've been even better if a Female co-narrator was added.

I love this story.

its a bit cheesy but I love this story, professor/student is kind of a thing of mine....

Intellectual Passion for the Woman with a Mind

What did you love best about Gabriel's Rapture?

Rarely has a set of books (both this one and Gabriel’s Inferno) grabbed my gut, my heart, and my brain. Having both been a grad student and an instructor at the university level, let me assure you that everything about this book happens to real people. Intellectuals are incredibly turned on by the life of the mind and it stokes passions that frequently become both physical and emotional between grad student and professor – they are, after all mature adults. And yes, the university does struggle to balance the power by inflicting all kinds of hypocritical regulations regarding fraternization between the two. While I loved my time in the academy, I was not immune to its hypocrisy and power struggles. We see that hypocrisy so clearly in so many scenes with the Dean and the investigations. Gabriel’s Rapture was real to me. I’m starting to wonder if the author uses a pseudonym because he is also a professor in addition to his writing. His language, his knowledge of Dante and the Renaissance arts, his ability to provide the intellectual truths (in this case literature) as he lectures both in and out of the academy is a little too on point for a novelist who hasn't been there and lived it himself. So, maybe it’s the realism and the familiar sadness is what I loved the best. Gabriel’s seething sensuality is not born just of the physical and carnal. Living the life of the mind is indeed sensual for those that take that journey, and his pain of an anguished past is not unique to a fictional character. I saw myself and many I know in his character and in Julia. This book was perfection in every way. Each sentence, each description, each scene – is well thought out and amazingly heart-rending. The author has made us believe these characters and his art is a gift he gives freely to his readers. I am grateful he has decided to write a third book to this series because I'm not ready to let go -- not yet.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Gabriel's Rapture?

Everything is memorable about this book, but what stands out for me, aside from the steamy sensuality between Gabriel and Julia are the scenes following the Dean’s “inquisition,” when we as reader know that Gabriel and Julia will be (for a time) painfully separated. When he whispers to Julia to “read Abelard’s 6th letter” I cried like a baby. Julia’s heartbreak is palpable, and Gabriel’s sacrifice is agonizing.Again, this book is full of metaphors of the sacred. Starting with the name of his mother, look for them. They are there everywhere and made me catch my breath more than a few times.

Have you listened to any of John Morgan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not because he tends to narrate non-fiction, but his performance is award-worthy, He caught every nuance, every smile, every gasp, every humorous reference. A deep baritone of a voice that became Gabriel in my imagination, perfectly acted/spoken. He most definitely added to the sensual experience.

Any additional comments?

This is a book that is not to be missed. Be ready to let wash over you and change you forever.

My Sticky Little Leaf

What did you love best about Gabriel's Rapture?

"By doubting we come to inquiry ,by inquiry we come to truth " -Abelard Looking for a great and beautiful romance? Do yourself a favor and skip the front rack at the bookstore, and go directly to SR’s “Gabriel Inferno” series and prepare to lose your self in this labyrinth of a true love.

What about John Morgan’s performance did you like?

I must say that listening to this story was a very entertaining, SR's writing is poetic and John Morgan captured his poetry with unusual sensitivity. I liked his performance a great deal.I defenitly will listen more of him,

Beautiful

I find this book very poetic and romantic!

It's beautifully written in a way of seduction that makes you want more!

A story of discovery, physical and emotional.

I love Gabriel's commitment to change, to find forgiveness and to make Julia happy!

I love Julia's kindness, compassion and the will to fight for what she loves and wants.

One of my favorite books!

Can't wait for Gabriel's Redemption final story!

Excellent

I enjoyed listening to this series. I just want to say that the leading lady was too infantile for me at times, which is how Gabriel described her at one point in the first book. However, the series so far is better than FSG, none of that oh craps, teenager talk. She is shy but she has a voice. This series is worth the credits.

John Morgan very animated

John recited the book so well, he was very animated with the giggles and all. He needs to narrate ALL books I read lol