Book Blog Tour Stop: Gabriel's Redemption

Title: Gabriel’s Redemption
Author: Sylvain Reynard

Summary:
From the author of the New York Times bestsellers Gabriel’s Rapture and Gabriel’s Inferno comes the epic conclusion to the captivating romantic trilogy.

Professor Gabriel Emerson has left his position at the University of Toronto to embark on a new life with his beloved Julianne. Together, he’s confident that they can face any challenge. And he’s eager to become a father.

But Julianne’s graduate program threatens Gabriel’s plans, as the pressures of being a student become all consuming. When she is given the honor of presenting an academic lecture at Oxford, Gabriel is forced to confront Julianne about the subject of her presentation—research that conflicts with his own. And in Oxford, several individuals from their past appear, including an old nemesis intent on humiliating Julia and exposing one of Gabriel’s darkest secrets.

In an effort to confront his remaining demons, Gabriel begins a quest to discover more about his biological parents, beginning a chain of events that has startling repercussions for himself, Julianne, and his hope of having a family.

My Review:
This is the only book to receive 5 out of 5 stars from me. I like a lot of books and love a lot of series, but to say I love one book in particular…that’s harder for me to define. Until now. Gabriel’s Redemption is the 3rd in a trilogy, with Gabriel’s Inferno and Gabriel’s Rapture being the 1st two. Sylvain Reynard, wrote this final installment in the series because his fans clamored for it and I’m so glad we did!

Reynard did an exceptional job of wrapping up all loose ends; reminding us just how far the characters have come. And bringing real life scenarios to the forefront that we can all identify with.

Julianne is in the midst of her PhD program, Gabriel wants to have a child, Crista Peterson continues to be a conniving [insert expletive], good-hearted Paul is still pining for Julia, and that’s only the start. We see characters we love–Katherine Picton–and those we are less than enamored of–think Simon and Natalie. Reynard has us travel to Italy, Oxford, New York, Boston, and of course, Selinsgrove, PA.

Pregnancy struggles, addiction relapses, family medical histories, trying to balance graduate studies with marriage… There was so much to sink your teeth into and Reynard didn’t gip us in the least by rushing through any of it or omitting any necessary details. The book was the perfect length and did superb justice to all of the characters and story lines. And his parenthetical commentary throughout was thoroughly entertaining.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how well-written this book is. Beautifully written actually. I, myself, have decided to purchase the books in print, even though I already have all of them on my Nook. I can’t imagine the amount of research Reynard had to do on Dante just to write these 3 books. I have found that I want to re-read Dante’s Inferno myself–something I haven’t done since high school/college–one of those.

If it can be considered such–the only downside I see is that this is the last in the series. I understand why but I will miss Julianne and Gabriel. Though I hear The Professor makes an appearance is Reynard’s next book, Raven…

Reynard’s Bio:
I’m interested in the way literature can help us explore aspects of the human condition – particularly suffering, sex, love, faith, and redemption. My favourite stories are those in which a character takes a journey, either a physical journey to a new and exciting place, or a personal journey in which he or she learns something about himself/herself.

I’m also interested in how aesthetic elements such as art, architecture, and music can be used to tell a story or to illuminate the traits of a particular character. In my writing, I combine all of these elements with the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the transformative power of goodness.

I try to use my platform as an author to raise awareness about the following charities: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation, WorldVision, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and Covenant House. For more information, see my Twitter account.

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(Gabriel’s Favorite)