From the shelf: Gabriel's Inferno

Title: Gabriel's Inferno
Author: Sylvain Reynard
Genre: Romance, Adult fiction
Type of book: e-book
Date read: December 02-05, 2012

Summary (cr: goodreads)

Enigmatic and sexy, Professor Gabriel Emerson is a well respected Dante specialist by day, but by night he devotes himself to an uninhibited life of pleasure. He uses his notorious good looks and sophisticated charm to gratify his every whim, but is secretly tortured by his dark past and consumed by the profound belief that he is beyond all hope of redemption. When the sweet and innocent Julia Mitchell enrolls as his graduate student, his attraction and mysterious connection to her not only jeopardizes his career, but sends him on a journey in which his past and his present collide. An intriguing and sinful exploration of seduction, forbidden love and redemption, "Gabriel's Inferno" is a captivating and wildly passionate tale of one man's escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible...forgiveness and love.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

An author's attempts on introductions to familiarize one with the book can sometimes make or break a reader's interest and what gained mine? The first Dante class and THE question: "What's his problem?"

I see notable similarities to a well-loved trilogy of almost the same genre but of course this book has its own delightful taste.

One lovely similarity: First an Audi R8, now a Jaguar...these interesting male protagonists have fancy cars. ^^

One heartbreaking moment is when someone you care for secretly doesn't even remember anything when you kept the memory very dear. That is what I describe Gabriel and Julia's first encounter. But of course I find your jealousy endearing and somewhat amusing Mr. Gabriel Emerson. ^^

Though they obviously were in already in a relationship, the sexual tension is still there. I understand that they needed time to sort their personal problems and be truly honest with each other and their present circumstances won't allow them to be together (sort of) but I guess the cat and mouse chase in the relationship was dragging. I liked it better when they were busy hating each other in the first part. That is where the juicy 'uh-oh' and 'woah' moments are. But I also liked them together. And as secrets of a dark past start to unravel themselves, the protagonists get entangled into a more complicated but a justifiable relationship. See? I have a love/hate relationship with that part of the story.

Some say the wait leads to a satisfying reward. And as I dreaded and got frustrated with the cat and mouse chase, I honestly could say that the buildup that led to the fateful night was perfection. WOW~ I. CANT. EXPLAIN. Magical.

This book amused me to no end and I truly enjoyed every moment of it and because of you Mr. Gabriel Emerson, purple hyacinths and purple irises will never be the same again. I would definitely read the second book of the series.

"Gabriel's Inferno" gets: ★★★★ (4/5)

“Being without you, Julianne, is like enduring an endless night without stars.” 

- Gabriel

Till the next read...