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

wish I had love like this.

I loved this part of their story, I made me sad when they were apart.

Gabriels inferno- rapture

Elegant, sensual and captivating by content and emotional display of relationships of life in general and sexuality. Tasteful presentation of sexual encounters are examples of celebration of body, erotic expression of attraction and sexual acts. Recommend to all young men and women as one of the lessons in sexuality and emotional development.

Brilliant

I don't want this story to ever end. I am so captivated by the writing. I have learned so much.

A Story That Will Remain With You Forever

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

Sylvain Reynard is a brilliant writer, a master with words who draws you into his story on the first page. I never wanted it to end. The saga is a journey about two compelling people, Julianne and Gabriel whose love survives through years of uncertainty and times of sorrow and loss. I fell in love with Gabriel. It also made me want to brush up on my Italian and remember my many trips to my favorite country to vacation, Italy. The reader will also be educated in the story about Dante and Beatrice during the Italian Renaissance. SR is currently writing book 3 in this unforgetable love story. I anxiously await its release.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character has to be Gabriel. His troubled journey shows his strength to dispel his addictions and achieve something better in life. It results in his finding his one true love. Gabriel is a man who loves like no other. He's willing to make great sacrifices because of his deep love for Julianne.

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

I loved John Morgan's narration. He's a gifted actor. His deep voice made one visualize the male characters more distinctly, especially Gabriel. I could sense his powerful image. As far as the female characters, a little less. It took a while to get used to it.

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

I had a box of tissues next to me because I did cry quite often. There were times I laughed as well. SR is such a master with his words that one minute I had tears running down my cheeks, the next I was laughing. And, quite often I was swooning because of Gabriel's expertise in lovemaking. OH MY!

Any additional comments?

I have listened to this story three times and will listen to it again. I cannot get enough of Professor Gabriel Owen Emerson and Julianne in this enduring love story.

Great #2 ...ready for #3

Where does Gabriel's Rapture rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Pretty high.. maybe a 8 out of 10

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

Different elements remind me of other books like Reflected In You.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Same as the first book... just did not go with the book. The voice just didn't feel right for this one.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Still Under the Spell of Gabriel's Rapture

I just finished reading this second entry in the Gabriel Emerson series, and I am so sorry it is over! I haven't even deleted it yet, because I do not want to come out from the spell it has me in. Fascinating yet flawed characters you care about, want-to-be-there locations, and all given depth and sensual appeal with the beautiful language of poetry , mouthwatering descriptions of food, and a background of music that can be quickly downloaded from Amazon (I doubt I am the only one out there with a Gabriel Emerson play list!!!); all adding up to a listening experience that can virtually surround you.

If you loved the first book, you will love this one even more and will probably wind up, like me, eagerly awaiting the next installment...it can't come soon enough for me!The narrator of Gabriel's Rapture, John Michael Morgan, is the perfect voice to tell the story; his American English is perfect, without any suggestion of regionalismHis readings of scripture and poetry, as well as romantic declarations and sexual descriptions sound natural and moving and are delivered with complete believability. His narration is just....well.....elegant! He really was the perfect choice.

Readers will find so many aspects of both of the Emerson books to be familiar ones:tensions, fears, worries, desires and longings. If you are like me, you will want to be in the places that the characters visit and inhabit. I really appreciate the spiritual life that the characters have and that they grow in, particularly Gabriel, as Juliann becomes an anchor to him, drawing him into the light. How great is it to read about characters who do not feel that their growing in their relationship with God precludes them from the delights of the senses; but increases the wonder and beauty of what they share, be it food or music or sex. I also thank the author for including the main characters coming to terms with who they are through therapy, since some of the advice given to Juliann, regarding the fact that partners bring different things to a relationship, and even if one person does not bring an equal amount of financial support to the relationship, that one thing alone is not the measure of their worth or importance. I am not expressing it as well as the therapist, but the advice is some thing that really helped me with feelings I have been dealing with for years. It may sound silly, but those few paragraphs were like wings to me, and very literally took a weight off of me.

Well, enough, I know...I will just say that for so many reasons, I love this series, and this book even more than the first. I will be waiting for the third!!!!! Recommended, to say the very least!!

Great Story

I thought the 1st book was good BUT wow...this 2nd one is even better...I did not realize there was so much more that Gabriel needed to go through and he is and does and the narrator has an EXCELLENT voice for this reading - LOVE this story!!!

The first one was great

The second is a bit less
it is a must if you want to know ehat is happening but somtimes its seems that the author write less and it will be much more

I loved the romance but didnt like the dragging

Awesome Book

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

Fantastic, Awesome, Amazing.

What did you like best about this story?

The love he showed Julia.

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

His voice. I love listening vs reading. It was magnificent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Too saccharin

I read these books a long time ago and decided to re-read (re-listen) to them because I saw that they made a movie of these books and wanted to reacquaint myself with the story. I enjoy the story and all the historical Dante and Italian art references, and the musical choices the characters listen too. But, I had forgotten how totally overdone and saccharin the dialogue is. It’s way over the top and really, does anyone really speak as old as this 33 y/o professor does? I do like the books but find myself skipping parts to get past some of the dialogue.