I hadn’t seen Ryan Hudson coming. He stumbled into my life and settled immediately into my soul. As I’ve watched him beginning to explore a new kind of freedom, my heart has swelled and shattered a million times. The trust he has placed in my hands is monumental. I will not let him down as others have. He thought the protective wall he built was strong enough, but I’m pulling it down. He will … He will bare his soul to me. If he thinks his demons will scare me away, he’s wrong. I’m not intimidated by them. We will fight them together.
Life hasn’t been fair to Ryan. But he hasn’t let it beat him, because only the brave find hope in a second chance. He doesn’t comprehend the strength that he possesses, but I’m going to show him. Even if I have to burn the world down so that he can rise from the ashes of his painful past to be the beautiful creature I know him to be, that’s what I’ll do.
What he will come to understand is that he no longer belongs to the past. I am his present and his future. Those that clipped his wings no longer own him. I do.
And it’s time for my Phoenix to soar free…
This is our happily ever after.
**Author’s note: Phoenix is a dark novel with intense scenes that may trigger some readers. Please read with caution.
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“Only the brave find hope in a second chance.”
The final chapter of Ryan and Russell’s story is a very bittersweet one for me. I have grown to love these characters dearly and have become very emotionally invested in them. Every story needs an ending though, and this is theirs. Cole Denton has smashed it out of the park with Phoenix. It has all of the devastating impact that Forged and Steel have while adding even more depth into the relationship dynamics between Ryan and Russell. Ryan’s struggle to feel worthy of everything will break your heart, while Russell’s steely determination to break through that wall of self doubt and shame will fill you with hope. The underlying subject material while hard hitting is a credit to the author who has never shied away from writing about the horrors of abuse.
Cole Denton has firmly sealed his place with me as a one-click author. The style in which he writes is superb and he easily captivates the reader with his believable characters and amazing storytelling. If you haven’t read The Trial by Fire series yet I simply say – be brave and read it.
I didn’t want this series to end but knowing it had to, I could not have asked for a better ending. Ryan and Russell are characters that you’ll never forget. The way Russell accepts Ryan for who he is no matter what and holds him up when he needs it is so beautiful. Ryan is so very damaged but the trust he has in Russell is nothing short of miraculous. The best part may be the vindication you feel when the outside sources, that could so easily have torn them apart, get what is coming to them. Ryan & Russell forever!
I couldn’t imagine the ending of this series written any other way…
Through Coles beautiful and heartfelt words, we are made feel a part of this journey that Ryan takes with Russell, as Russell gently teaches Ryan what love and trust is and how to feel worthy and confident in his own skin. It was devastating at times as Ryan struggled to find piece, drowning in past abuse making him feel unworthy.
Russell is Ryan’s Calm Seas, his pier at the Jetty, his oatmeal and raisin cookies and everything safe and nurturing that Ryan Craves…. brilliantly written
Loved this book!!
Cole has an amazing talent of writing a story that enhances the fact that love can be gender-less……it doesn’t matter!!! If it’s love it’s love!
I didn’t even feel like I was reading M/M……it was just about pure love. As with Forged and Steel, I felt many emotions reading Phoenix, some shattering my heart, others making me smile with joy. I love the ending to this book, bringing the series full circle.
“I’d waited my whole life for his soul; one that despite being tortured, still had the ability and hope to love… and be loved.”
Sheer brilliance! Phoenix exudes love, the everlasting kind that feels like home. What a superior ending to Ryan’s journey, from a scarred young man to a brave man who took control of his destiny. It was awe inspiring watching Russell’s dominant personality, he had a psychological understanding and recognition, was respectful, communicated and nurturing. His connection with Ryan ran so deep, he had an uncanny ability to not only talk Ryan through the roadblocks he had been building since he was a child but he demolished them. Whilst it was an awakening watching Ryan let go of his insecurities, placing all of his trust in Russell. His hesitance to believe he was worthy, lack of confidence and the pain he was reliving destroyed me. Such a raw, vulnerable, heartbreakingly beautiful and powerful story of resurrection. Which leads me to believe that there is hope for anyone who is shown patience and love.
Russel and Ryan, part 3
This book is so emotional, It is about Ryan getting comfortable with Russel, it is about Russel learning more about Ryan, it is about two people getting their lives together as one.
Ryan’s innocence , my heart aches for the insecurity about himself and the longing for the acknowledgement from his mother. And for Russel the need to teach Ryan that he is to be loved by him. This book is a real page turner. I cried “ for the one who have read this book, you know when”. I also want to kill a certain one. I almost threw my kindle at the wall. This is an amazing end of a debut series. I can not wait to read more from Cole Denton. Go.Read.This.Series.!!!!!
What a fantastic ending to an amazing series! I loved seeing the growing love and trust between Ryan and Russell. It tugged at my heart. I loved it. I laughed, I got angry, and at times felt like I was on a rollercoaster feeling my chest tighten up. This book had it all. This is absolutely one of the best series I have ever read!! Bravo Cole Denton for giving us this story!
This third book is HOT!!! Russell and Ryan are what soulmates are made of *sigh*. Cole Denton nailed their connection and I especially enjoyed Ryan opening up to affection, love and the sexy spark of D/s. Personally, I hope this is not the end of this heart gripping series!
Ryan’s story was absolutely heartbreaking.
Since meeting Russell his life has completely changed, and so has Russell’s.
Things in this last book in the series will both have you heartbroken and cheering at the same time.
In the end the Phoenix will rise from the ashes…
Bravo Cole!!!
Can hardly wait to see what you have in store for us next.
Love this series!
I always find it difficult to write reviews for books in a series without giving any spoilers. If you’ve read Forged and Steel, which you should before reading Phoenix, you already know of Ryan’s traumatic experiences. You already know Russell is a pillar of strength for Ryan and of his growing love for him. You know the journey this story has taken you on, so dive into Phoenix head first as Russell guides Ryan on the road to emotional recovery, erotic sexual discovery, and love.
Book three continues the beautiful but disturbing story of Ryan and Russell. Their relationship becomes a full-on sexual one as well as a loving one but Ryan still has trouble coming to terms with the fact that Russell loves him. Whenever they have a session, Russell always goes over their safe words–hairdryer to stop; yellow to slow down. But Ryan keeps remembering the implements that his father used to punish him when he was a child and Russell has to keep bringing him back and reminding him to focus. Ryan’s father’s hands harmed him whereas Russell’s hands discipline out of love. This book lets us see how Ryan learns the difference between the beatings his father gave him and the beatings that Russell gives him. He still feels dirty after his orgasms and finds it difficult to accept how Russell gives him aftercare. Ryan knows nothing of love and is still finding it difficult to accept the human touch from Russell.
Fortunately, he has his two texting friends, Kim and April, who try to explain away his doubts, and sometimes there is much humour in how the girls support him and make suggestions to him. And unfortunately, there is Leonard, showing up at all the parties, putting doubts into Ryan’s head about Russell’s feelings, telling him that he could give him tips on how to service Russell. And Ryan, always stumbling over his thoughts and words, with Russell so positive in the answers he gives to him.
Cole has a smooth, flowing style to his writing with his word choice and sentence structure blending to establish mood and image making the reader want more. It was almost as if someone reached in and gripped my heart almost tearing it from my body and tossing it aside whenever Ryan was doubting himself then reeling it back in when Russell would assure him that he loved him. I don’t like anxiety and yet I loved this book. I love the characters; Ryan, youthful and courageous; Russell, composed and confident.
This is a beautifully told love story. This author has a voice that implores us to look at another side of life that most of us know as “kinky”, a world that many of us are unfamiliar with and may look down upon. I was so reluctant to read this series and kept putting it off, and after reading it, was sorry that I had not grabbed that gauntlet earlier. I would have learned so much more quickly. But it is not only the unusual world that Ryan and Russell live in, it is the understanding of Ryan and his abusive childhood and why it is that he has such a difficult time accepting Russell’s love as reality and believing that someone could love him.
PHOENIX (Trial by Fire Book 3) by Cole Denton
Cole Denton sure knows how to write sensitive, emotional heart wrenching stories. I will be a life long fan of him and his work. Ryan and Russell are soul mates and this is their path to healing Ryan and finding each other. This is a 5 star story.
This series gave me all the fee!s! The characters tore at my heart and at times I didn’t know if they were tears of joy or sadness. Thank you so much Co!e for writing this series, I can’t wait to read more from you!
Ryan and Russell’s story continues and evolves. No one deserves a happy ending more than Ryan. Russell is amazing with Ryan and an all around good person. He teaches Ryan so much. This is such an emotional story. Everything about this book and series is AMAZING.
“I waited my whole life for his soul; one that despite being tortured, still had the ability and hope to love… And be loved. “ — Russell
I didn’t read this book; I lived it. From the pages, I was submerged into this raw, amorous, heart-tearing relationship. I was the broken and I was the healer; I was the Sub and I was the Dom; being gripped by the sense of fear, and pride from each character‘s perspective.
The rhythmic flow of Cole’s writing allowed me to feel Ryan’s insecurities coupled with Russells love and compassion. One lovers anxieties being slowly diminished by another’s masked tenderness.
This swan song brought me through the peaks and valleys of Ryan’s journey all over again, and reiterated the colossal impact one persons love can have on another. A magnum opus on an astronomical level.
Ryan finally found some he could trust and show him the life that he really was looking for. He has so many dark nightmares and needs to learn to confront those and to trust the one person who helps him.
Wonderful and amazing story.
If I could crawl inside Mr. Denton’s mind and wrap myself in Russel’s embrace, I would do just that!
It breaks my heart to watch Ryan crumble and yes I say “watch” because Cole Denton writes his words with such life. I can see each scene playing out. Every touch, every whisper, every embrace comes alive off the pages.
Every time Ryan allows himself to believe he is worthy of Russel’s love, doubt creeps its way into his head. His past haunts him and to add coals to the fire is Leonard! A punk-ass, jealous MF (sorry, anger appears at the sight of his name!) that gets into Ryan’s head planting an extreme amount of doubt.
Russel never doubts his boy Ryan… His love, his heart, his soul-mate. He fights to make Ryan see what he sees and he does it with patience and tender care.
Finely crafted writing! Book 3 in the series stole my heart. The title is ideal! Transformation, death, and rebirth. Ryan and Russell are “uniquely remarkable.” I am emotionally invested in these characters and their story.
BRILLIANT!
Phoenix is exactly that..a Phoenix! We see Ryan spreading his wings by becoming braver and more trusting and him starting to feel safe and confident. As Russell continues to make sure Ryan stays safe and feels loved at all times. This third book of the series is even hotter and seeing these two beautiful souls falling so deeply in love will have your heart melting.
This story will grab you and hold on tight. The emotional journey for Ryan and Russell is one to remember. There is something I was hoping for near the end, but maybe it happens in the next book. The writing and flow of this book is perfect. I absolutely recommend this book and series.