Professor Gabriel Emerson, a specialist in Dante and the art of seduction, believes he has already earned his exile to the lower circles of hell. Since redemption is impossible, there is no reason to refrain from indulging in a life of pleasurable sin, using his notorious good looks and sophisticated charm as a means to gratify his every whim. But when he meets Julia Mitchell, a brilliant, lovely, and innocent grad student with the achingly familiar eyes of an angel, all of his cynical convictions are challenged. Her mysterious allure and the havoc she wreaks on his self-satisfied existence cause him to lash out at her, while her quiet beauty and innate goodness consistently undermine his control, tempting him beyond measure.
Despite surviving a traumatic childhood, nothing has shaken Julia’s faith that redemption is possible for everyone—everyone but her. Her unworthiness torments her, since the only man she will ever love has managed to forget her very existence, failing to even recognize her when they reconnect. Too naive to see that Gabriel’s hostility is a mask for his increasing obsession with her, Julia forces him to come to grips with his past while she continues to unwittingly torment his senses. His fascination grows into a dangerous preoccupation, for Julia is forbidden fruit . . .
Will Gabriel survive the inferno, or will he succumb to the flames?
--04/15/12-- Loved it even more the second time around =)
--My review from October, 2011--
LOVED it. Review to follow, but for now, sleep so I can work in the morning to pay for my book addiction. lol.
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I really don't know how I can review this book properly. I was so absorbed in the story, I just could not put it down. It had so many emotional elements to it. The story between Gabriel and Julia is a beautiful tale of second chances, fate and finding that certain person that makes you feel whole and happy.
Gabriel was very hard for me like at first. He's bold, brash, rude, egotistical, and basically is an ass. Julia is everything that Gabriel considers good and beautiful. She is his angel. She is innocent, shy and sometimes naive. Though he doesn't remember it, yet, they have met in the past. She seems familiar to him, but just couldn't place her. She, however, has never forgotten Gabriel and their night together in the orchard. Fate has once again place these two together. He is her Professor. After almost kicking her out of the program, and being a total "ass", she still shows him kindness. After various encounters, especially when Gabriel's sister, and Julia's best friend, Rachel comes for a visit and after an embarrassing night of drunkenness, Gabriel finally starts to realize who Julia really is. After this part, sparks really fly between the two. From the voicemail messages he leaves her, to their face-off in the classroom, it draws you further into their story. However, as with all great love stories, their past lives play a huge part in the story. Will their pasts come back to bite them back? Actually, the bite does happen in Julia's case, but that's all I'll say about it.
Anyhow, I HIGHLY recommend this book if you like to be absorbed into a deep, emotional love story. Thank you Mr. Reynard, and I cannot wait for your sequel. :)
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