Review: Simply Brilliant
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 15, 2014
This author never disappoints in creating beautiful families, friendship, faith, and heart.  Her stories touch on the darker things in life, and this is no exception, but that only serves to showcase that no matter what may befall us, we don't have to be alone, are not alone, and as long as we never give up, we will prevail.  Caleb's story wasn't as tragic as Abel's right off the bat, but in a desperate need to save his brother from prison he makes a deal with the devil, not knowing what that meant.  This author will take you to places you may not want to go, including rape and violence, but it is not without purpose.  It was hard for me to handle at first, but there is a balance, this is a journey, and there is enough levity, I think, to keep you going.  Our main men, the goodies, are vibrant and so individually defined that they feel, in a way, real.  Their actions make sense, their dialogue flows freely, and they are just really well developed.  The repartee between characters is so smooth and easy, really creating a strong presence.It broke my heart to feel what Caleb was enduring, and kept me on the edge of my seat hoping that it wouldn't happen again.  But then there's Samuel, and that boy's instantaneous love and devotion to Caleb shines such light on these dark times.  There are misunderstandings, hurts, and actions in the name of protection and saving those that you love that get things all sorts of twisted.  But there is love and ultimate bonds that are incredibly powerful as well.  What I really love about her writing is her ability to weave so many lives together, so that we move along with not only Caleb and Samuel, but others from the club as well, including Gabe and Cole, Dane, Max and Horatio- who I must say is still growing on me after his initial treatment of Abel.  Everything works together.  If you haven't read Abel yet, you won't be completely lost here, but knowing his story helps build relationships and understanding of actions and reactions that take place within this story.  All you really need to know is that the Phoenix Club is pretty much a safe haven for lost boys needing help, even if they think they will never get it.  It really is about rising from the ashes.  This review may not have said to much about the plot and action of the story, but I feel the synopsis tells you enough.  You want to be intrigued and left guessing, and needing to know exactly how it is all going to go down because that makes this story so much more powerful.  And don't worry!  If you're like me you hear dark, painful, emotional and think 'there is no way I want to handle that', but give it a try, and I think if you keep in your mind that life isn't about just surviving the bad, but knowing that it can never truly touch your soul without your permission, than you will see that this story is about hope, love, and the ultimate sacrifice for those that you love.  Even when we feel forsaken, an angel might just find its way to us.