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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Fantastic and intense, this journey with Ryan and Russell. Ryan has a heartbreaking past; Russell is determined to help him rise from the ashes, no matter what it takes. Loved seeing Ryan’s growth as he’s learning to love and trust, for the first time really, with Russell. Another great read in a great series.
Out of the fire and ashes, a phoenix will rise again. Ryan has dealt with overcoming the abuse from his past and has learned that the love of one individual can override the hate from all others. Russell has not only taken Ryan from his depraved past but has also found his true one. Both men learn to rely on each other for so much more than what was originally hoped for. I absolutely LOVED this series!!
This third install was full of strength, compassion and an overwhelming love that you can feel with each scene that is read. It heals your heart and gives you the smile, caring and love that is needs to want more from these characters and fulfill the holes that were raw and broken. I truly love Russell and Ryan and have a warmth that fills me and root for their story and the outcome that feels so real. Fantastic series Cole Denton has brought to life, giving the reader an insight to all that is broken and bringing it around full circle to feel the love.
Phoenix is the conclusion of Ryan and Russell’s story.
This series is holy crap on a cracker, I’m trying to keep it clean people. This series had everything in it. It truly was an iconic story about a human being learning how to overcome past emotional and physical devastation and having a partner to help him and guide him to overcome everything he was taught. A person so used to trauma that he didn’t even realize it was in fact trauma he endured. So when I finished this book, the first thing that came out of my mouth was sweet molasses. Cole Denton is a newer author, and let me tell you people, you can’t tell. I would have bet my love of everything sweet (and you all know don’t mess with my sweets when it comes to my food) that he has been writing books for years. His storytelling is phenomenal and pulls out so much raw emotions from you. With, this series there was a lot of emotions. It was heartbreaking, devastation, anger (grrrr..), and yet satisfying only Denton can bring with his words. I have a feeling there’s no limitations that Denton can’t reach. He has truly become one of my favorite authors. I know not everyone likes the same books, but if you want to try something new this is it. If you haven’t read his books yet, add them to your to be read list now. I promise you won’t regret it. I will tell you once again this story is not for the faint of heart, but it is one that you do not want to miss out on. Keep a lookout for Denton’s upcoming new book The Queen on November 4th!
***Dark Intense Content please be advised.***
This entire series from Forged to Phoenix has be a consistant example of skill meets heart. It is an epic tale that deserves a place among the literary greats. These books do more than just tell a “fun, hot” story. They teach lessons
They show you what to do, and sadly what not to do in order to be a more productive caring member of society. There could be classroom discussions in Universities based on the lessons these books teach. Do not be fooled by the sexy covers into thinking that these are just your everyday dark romances. They’re not. The author likes to call them “Dark Fiction”. And rightly so. Because they delve so much deeper into the human condition than a simple “romance”. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Cole Denton brings plenty of steam. This is a brilliant, slow burning romance that will have you glued to your kindle, in between fanning yourself with it. I guess what I’m trying to say is that, The Trial By Fire series is a life changing experience brought to fruition by a truly visionary author
Big strong men can be angels, too!
The final installment of this debut trilogy is amazing!
Ryan is still fighting his demons but slowly slaying them with Russell’s, his mentor, help. Russell has become so much more and Ryan’s eyes are somewhat open.
And then there’s Leonard. Green-eyed monster.
So sad this ended…but what an ending!
Cole Denton has done an outstanding job with his debut!
What a fantastic close to a great series. The connection between Ryan and Russell is so powerful and the love Russell has for Ryan and everything Russell will do to help Ryan heal. I was glad when Russell talked to Leonard and put a stop to him harassing Ryan. Your emotions will up and down but in the end all is well. Enjoy
Phoenix, the third book in the Trial by Fire series, is dark AF.
Just wanted to make that clear right from the start.
This series isn’t dark in the sense that there is a seriously fu***d up relationship between the two main characters – which is often the case for dark reads. It’s dark due to the sheer amount and level of sexual abuse described.
That being said, it’s an incredibly intriguing story. And in all honesty, Phoenix is probably the book in the series with the least amount of horrid descriptions of abuse, and when comparing with the first two, it’s definitely the most easy-going and hopeful. It’s also BDSM twentyfour-seven. So, this is definitely not a read for everyone.
Phoenix continues the story of Cole and Russel. With Russel helping Cole to slowly heal from the effects of the atrocious assaults committed against him throughout his childhood.
It’s agonizing to read about the broken person that is Cole. It’s heart-wrenching in the worst way. But with every fear he overcomes, the story gets lighter and lighter. And there are definitely a lot of warm fuzzies too.
I had a bit of trouble with the detached writing style. In the first installment, that style was a necessity. I wouldn’t have been able to handle all the vile stuff happening without puking otherwise. But in Phoenix, that detachment actually made it harder to feel connected to the main characters. Despite the dual POV writing, the feeling when reading was unquestionably a bit removed. Like an out of body experience-description might be.
I’m very, very conflicted about this series. It’s totally fascinating and sucked me in, no doubt. But I can’t really come to grips with the idea of Cole enjoying physical pain. I can absolutely understand the use of physical pain as an outlet for mental anguish. But in Phoenix, you get a sense that Cole doesn’t need the pain for that purpose anymore, but rather, it has become his lifestyle and is all about the sexytimes. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with that, consenting adults and all. But if the outlet isn’t needed anymore, the pain and all that it entails has become just another learned behaviour for him. In that scenario, Russel isn’t the nice guy, but just another kind of abuser. Or if not an abuser, at the very least someone taking advantage.
So, the question for me boils down to this: The comfort Cole finds in pain and submission with Russel, is that him finding himself, or is it the only way for him to cope now considering the ghastly trauma he lived through? It might seem like splitting hairs, but it absolutely effects the way to view Russel in all this. Is Russel a kinky knight in shining armour or just another person in Cole’s life using him? They love each other sure, but could Cole actually get past the need for pain entirely? And in that case, Russel is actually holding him back from purely selfish reasons.
So, you see. Conflicted indeed.
But no matter how you interpret the dynamics between Cole and Russel, Phoenix – and the Trial by Fire series – is soooo worth reading. If you can stomach appalling abuse, BDSM and M/M-shenanigans in all it’s glory that is.
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This book was absolutely amazing. Cole Denton put his heart abd soul into it. My emotions we’re in high gear through Ryan’s tragic life. What a strong and beautiful boy, who with Russell’s love became an amazing man. I cried for Ryan’s pain. My anger toward his family was beyond anything I’ve ever felt. Cole Denton you are amazing. Thank you for this exceptional book. Can’t wait to read more of your books.
This is a well written book with a phenomenal ending to a series. The story of Russell and Ryan will grab your attention from the very first page and keep you on the edge of your seat, while taking you on an emotional roller coaster ride. This is story has it all – love, trust, betrayal, passion, heartbreak and justice. This is a must read series.
***Note: This series does contain abuse and may not be suitable for all readers.***
“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. My fingers itched to touch him. My soul yearned to see and hear him. My heart burned to love him.”
This whole series was completely heart wrenching, and I LOVED IT! Ryan and Russell are an amazing couple, and this was an amazing trilogy to get my feet wet for this kind of relationship [m/m] story. You’ll really love Russell and his love for Ryan and his ability to heal all the hurt and pain caused by those who should have loved him unconditionally. I’m so glad that Ryan got his happily ever after and that Cole Denton knows how to write some amazing stories with characters that will make you laugh, cry and wish that you could step inside the story just to love someone who was never loved the way he deserved to be. I’m gonna go recover from this amazing book hangover Mr. Denton has given me…