Ryan: Who is she? What does she want? As if I don’t already know…she wants him. Will I be able to be enough now that she is back? I guess I will have to learn to be enough because I can’t lose him. Russell: Why is she back? What does she want from me? Whatever it is, she won’t get it. Ryan is running scared. But, what my boy doesn’t realize is that I’m still holding his leash. I will only allow … only allow him to run so far. I refuse to lose him.
Claire: I can see that he’s trying to figure out why I’m back. He damn well knows what I want from him. I want perfection back, and I will happily stomp on anyone who gets in the way of that. Including his new ‘boy’. Who, an old friend tells me, “can’t even bow properly.” Getting Russell back is going to be a walk in the park. I won’t be so stupid as to lose him…again.
When it comes to what I want, I have a will of iron…and I want him.
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I cannot put into words eloquently enough how much Iron and infact the whole Trial by Fire series has impacted on my life. I have felt ripped open and very vulnerable reading about Ryan’s life. I have cried with heartache, beat my pillow in anger and yelled in disbelief. This series speaks to a part of me that had always lived in the dark but little by little because of these amazing books it is emerging into the light. Cole Denton has surpassed every expectation and hope that I had for Ryan and Russell’s continuing love story. That is essentially what Iron is. It’s a love story of two souls, one person waiting for the other half of their soul to realise that although he thinks he is broken, he can be loved unconditionally and that he deserves to be loved just the way he is. It is also Ryan’s journey of healing and facing his past demons. As always there are many gut wrenching moments that deal with Ryan’s tormented past and provide even more insight into his feelings and fears. Russell is Ryan’s anchor. While he has room to move freely he is tethered to the love and support that Russell never fails to give him. BDSM is very prevalent in Ryan and Russell’s life, Russell gives Ryan what he craves in a consensual, safe and oh so sexy way. Iron deals with a threat to Ryan’s security in the form of a woman from Russell’s past. Can Russell keep getting through to Ryan that she is just that – the past – or has Claire ( oh how I loathe her!) brought a whole new world of pain into Ryan’s life?
I will shout this from the rooftops until my last breathe – if you haven’t read these books you must read them! This is the ultimate underdog series. Read them for the Ryan’s of the world…they need you to listen to their stories. Cole Denton brought us Forged and with it he brought his A game…never faltering with Steel, then Phoenix and now leaving this series with Iron, sealing his place as a one click author. Cole Denton is an amazing wordsmith of the highest calibre. Highly recommended.
Cole is a new to me author. I fell in love with this story
So hard I had to share it with all of you.
This was the perfect end to this series! I just love these two so much! I wish I could wrap my arms around Ryan and hug him. So glad for his happy ending. You got me in the feels Cole! If you haven’t read this whole series, start at the beginning and read it now!
Love a woman with an iron will – this is your book with a bit of a twist.
In Iron, the 4th book of the Trial by Fire series, Ryan continues to have insecurities about his future with Russell, made worse by the reappearance of a woman from Russell’s past. Knowing how these fears plague Ryan, Russell reassures him at every turn, and remains a pillar of strength and stability in Ryan’s life. Ryan’s raw emotions bleed onto the pages of this series and made me want to hug him, while Russell’s strength and devotion would have me kneeling at his feet. This is one of those rare series that you’ll never forget.
No matter how deeply Russell loves Ryan, Ryan still cannot rid himself of the terrible nightmares he has. And then April and Kim instil in him another worry, moving in with Russell. At the club, Ryan recalls a dream and cannot complete his session. As Russell is giving him aftercare, a woman appears and pities Ryan’s performance. Russell excuses them both and tells Ryan that her name is Claire. Claire was one a Bottom to Russell’s top and has come back to Las Vegas to convince Russell to get rid of Ryan and take her back. Ryan, still so unsure of himself and his ability to keep Russell’s love. Russell, never wavering, never losing patience with Ryan, runs throughout the story. Ryan is always questioning, insecure, almost timid, so opposite to Russell, who is so solid and honest, a confident communicator.
Kim and April are so funny in this book. They keep egging Ryan on to the point that he is able to figure out the answers to his own questions. Kim seems to be the one with no filters, and their conversations with Ryan are almost like the Bud Abbot and Lou Costello,” Who’s on first?” comedy routines.
Again, this author can pull the heart and soul from the reader, and he gives us his excellent interpretation of the soul and its relation to the heart and the brain. After reading this book, I felt like I had been through the wringer, both my soul and spirit flung from side to side and not stilling until every human emotion had erupted from my body. There is so much sadness in this story, but hope and promise, too.
Cole Denton is very good at developing character. Each action, each situation, shows us the persona of both Ryan and Russell, and we watch as their identities reveal themselves to us, just like layers of skin peeling away. Russell has the patience of Job. He constantly reassures Ryan and never gives up on him because it takes the love and understanding of a good man to heal a broken boy and make him whole again.
I was happy when the book ended because all fell into place with a happily ever after, knowing that Ryan was finally able to accept Russell’s love and trust, but sad too because I wanted the story of Ryan and Russell to continue, to take me through each day in their lives. A beautiful and touching love story showing us the strength of a love that rises from the ashes of doom.
Just when you think Cole Denton can’t top his last success, he proves you wrong. Iron was a beautiful, although at times heart wrenching, end to a series that will remain with me forever. Never before has a story captivated me as this one has. The heartache and struggles that Ryan faced throughout his entire youth would have crippled a lesser man, but this resilient young man found the strength to forge on, emerge from his cocoon of self doubt and find the love he so desperately deserved. Once again, Cole took you on a emotional roller coaster with his brilliant writing and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I was a little nervous about reading this because of Claire, I was afraid of the impact she would have Ryan having his HEA. But Cole is amazing at what he does and I trusted him. Ryan and Russell are in a great place. Claire decides she wants Russell after being gone from his life for years. Claire is such a C U Next Tuesday. Claire with the help of Leonard (who we know prior books is a total dipshit) really uses emotional warfare on Ryan. They know he has issues and low self esteem and prey on that. Russell protects Ryan as best as he can. This book did not disappoint and is a great end to the series. Ryan and Russell get their HEA which no one deserves more. I just wish someone threw Claire and Leonard a beating and not the kind they like.
Iron brings us to the conclusion of a beautiful love story that will stay with me for a very, very long time. Ryan and Russell’s deep connection and Russell’s devotion to “his boy” is how all relationships should be. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the entire series!
EPIC LOVE STORY!
To be honest there isn’t much I can say that I haven’t already said about my love for Ryan and Russel in my previous reviews from the first three books!
Heartbreak and tears. Love and joy. Trust and denial. Comfort and doubt. Every obstacle led to an EPIC love story that has stolen a piece of my heart.
The Trial by Fire Series is a must-read and is one of my top reads for 2020!
It’s amazing what you discover when you venture outside your “regular” reads. I don’t remember what made me decide to read Cole Denton’s book, Oxygen, but I did. And, I didn’t stop there. The subject matter Cole writes about isn’t for everyone. It’s dark. It’s also eye-opening, honest, and brilliantly written.
Iron is the last book in this series and it didn’t disappoint. It left me emotionally drained in the best possible way. I was furious, unhappy, and delighted. I want to befriend these two characters. Ryan and Russell are for keeps!
This series tugged my heart strings, made me fall in love with the characters and opened me up to things I don’t see. I felt every emotion that Ryan felt and how Russell was his comfort zone. These two were the ideal, fun, caring, fulfilling and sexy. The ending of this series was perfect, I miss it already. I don’t fall in love with characters the way I did these two but words can’t describe how I feel about them. Wonderful series, loved it!
Wow this story is absolutely beautiful. What a perfect ending to an emotional journey. Russell and Ryan are absolutely devine. That’s all I will say. No spoilers, not even to mention the evil person. The writing and flow of this book is perfect. I beyond recommend this book and series.
What a series…. Iron was just as emotionally charged to read as
All the other books in The Trial by Fire Series.
I absolutely loved Ryan, he’s a gentle sole with so many insecurities due to a cruel and abusive past, he self doubts that he’s good enough, without realising what a gorgeous person he actually is.
Russell is gentle,supportive,caring,loving and everything that Ryan needs to flourish. What a conclusion to this brilliant series, the ending made my heart soar….just beautiful.
This is a good continuation of Russell and Ryan and their story but I did have a problem with parts of the book, it’s like the same scenes happening over and over. Then Claire enters the story and nothing more is said about her for a little while, then she shows up at the club and nothing is done about the way she acted – which I thought was weird. Then it’s not until the last couple of chapters Claire is brought up again and taken care of, making it feel rushed. I felt it needed more details on the parts with Claire to make the story flow. The Epilogue was very cool.
Still a must read book.
With Russell’s love guiding him, Ryan continues to grow his confidence until he’s tested by Claire, a woman from Russell’s past. Will this be the end of Russell and Ryan?
This last installment in Cole Denton’s Trial by Fire Series made a nice and neat little package.
“When are you going to stop running and let me love you, Ryan?”
Once again this author has wowed me with more of Russell and Ryan’s story. This book has been written with such a high level of respect for the characters that I’m in awe. I had to wait for a short moment before writing this review as I was left feeling emotionally drained. It’s raw, believable and hurts so much but somehow we’re left with happy tears on our cheeks.
Russell is the epitome of a nurturer, his psychological degree aides him in not only understanding Ryan but knowing what he needs. His love for Ryan is not hidden and is out in the open for anyone to witness. It never ceases to amaze me the lengths he will go to ensure that Ryan always comes first.
Ryan still is in the habit of getting lost in his head, second guessing everything. Believing he doesn’t deserve anything as good as a Russell in his life, it’s as if he tries to sabotage himself. Ryan is a fun character beneath all of the PTSD and his deep thoughts.
Claire is a bottom from decades ago, who insists in trying anything to return to her rightful position as Russell’s bottom. She’s decided that Russell needs her to fulfil his needs. Unfortunately in her excitement, she’s forgotten to ask for permission.
Iron is another amazing book by Cole Denton . Of course,, it is not without its ups and downs for Ryan and Russell.
My heart broke for Ryan because of all his insecurities about Russell’s true feelings, but Russell remained steadfast in his feelings of patience and love. He knew just what Ryan needed.
The entire Trial by Fire series took us on an amazing journey of healing and acceptance.
Cole is a talented writer who brings so much emotion to his work.
Holy CRAP this book is hot!