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GABRIEL 3: Heroes and Villains
One man lost in a dark world. Will a hero arise to bring back the light?
His heart and life shattered when Cole learns of his “betrayal”, Gabe is thrust deeper into Quinton’s twisted world of sex and perversion with no lifeline to cling to. Having cut himself loose from his ‘club’ family, Gabe sinks into a dark abyss, believing it will swallow him up.
But the boys of the Phoenix refuse to let go of one of their best without a fight, determined to pull Gabe back from the brink. Without Cole’s love to grab onto, though – Gabe has minimal strength of will to care what happens to him, knowing that it will hurt more to go home to the Phoenix when the man he loves no longer loves him back.
His heart and life shattered when Cole learns of his “betrayal”, Gabe is thrust deeper into Quinton’s twisted world of sex and perversion with no lifeline to cling to. Having cut himself loose from his ‘club’ family, Gabe sinks into a dark abyss, believing it will swallow him up.
But the boys of the Phoenix refuse to let go of one of their best without a fight, determined to pull Gabe back from the brink. Without Cole’s love to grab onto, though – Gabe has minimal strength of will to care what happens to him, knowing that it will hurt more to go home to the Phoenix when the man he loves no longer loves him back.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2014
4 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Bishop
136 books524 followersPen name of author A.M. Snead.
Born and raised in scenic Coos County, Oregon, CJ enjoys the small town atmosphere and down-to-earth country folk who populate the area. She is a single mother and lives with her 18-year-old daughter, 1 horse, 4 dogs and 6 cats deep in the country woodlands which gives her plenty of time to write.
She is a Christian and a strong supporter of the LGBT community and favors gay erotic romance when it comes to writing. She hopes that her stories of love and acceptance will help further compassion and understanding for LGBT people who she feels is greatly misunderstood and persecuted - in a large party by the Christian community.
Most of all, she is hopeful that her stories will bring comfort to those who have been told that God hates them because they are different. It is her strong belief that God loves everyone and His love covers all.
Born and raised in scenic Coos County, Oregon, CJ enjoys the small town atmosphere and down-to-earth country folk who populate the area. She is a single mother and lives with her 18-year-old daughter, 1 horse, 4 dogs and 6 cats deep in the country woodlands which gives her plenty of time to write.
She is a Christian and a strong supporter of the LGBT community and favors gay erotic romance when it comes to writing. She hopes that her stories of love and acceptance will help further compassion and understanding for LGBT people who she feels is greatly misunderstood and persecuted - in a large party by the Christian community.
Most of all, she is hopeful that her stories will bring comfort to those who have been told that God hates them because they are different. It is her strong belief that God loves everyone and His love covers all.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 29, 2014
I'm not sure I'm ready for Gabe's final story within his trilogy. The two previous books have ripped out my insides, and, to be honest, I'm not so sure of how much more I can take. I need Cole and Gabe to find each other and their love again. I need Gabe to let his friends and his lover in, and let them help him, much like he's helped so many of them. I need Cole and Gabe to learn to trust each other again, and to have a stronger, impenetrable relationship. And the mean part of me needs Quint to get every nasty thing he so deserves, for all the pain he's caused.
It was devastating, in the previous book, to watch Cole see Gabe and Quint having sex, and to, literally, see Cole's heart break and shatter into a million pieces. How can they survive this? Especially since Gabe is honor bound to Quint, for an age old debt, and the mafia doesn't forgive those kind of debts. Interspersed with this horrific drama, is Max and Horatio trying to get over each other by finally starting something new with Carl and Seth, respectively. I understand the heavy focus on their story line since Max's trilogy is up next, however, I would've liked more with Gabe and Cole, exclusively.
I honestly believed that I'd seen the worst that could happen to these young men of the Phoenix Club. I was so wrong. Quint sells Gabe to the most violent sexual sadists, for a forty-eight hour period, and they can do what they want to him. I couldn't believe it when Gabe even survived the first "client". I liked seeing Gabe get rescued, but Quint didn't suffer nearly enough, in my mind. I enjoyed this story, but I would've liked more of Cole and Gabe, as I mentioned previously. All in all, though, it was done well.
It was devastating, in the previous book, to watch Cole see Gabe and Quint having sex, and to, literally, see Cole's heart break and shatter into a million pieces. How can they survive this? Especially since Gabe is honor bound to Quint, for an age old debt, and the mafia doesn't forgive those kind of debts. Interspersed with this horrific drama, is Max and Horatio trying to get over each other by finally starting something new with Carl and Seth, respectively. I understand the heavy focus on their story line since Max's trilogy is up next, however, I would've liked more with Gabe and Cole, exclusively.
I honestly believed that I'd seen the worst that could happen to these young men of the Phoenix Club. I was so wrong. Quint sells Gabe to the most violent sexual sadists, for a forty-eight hour period, and they can do what they want to him. I couldn't believe it when Gabe even survived the first "client". I liked seeing Gabe get rescued, but Quint didn't suffer nearly enough, in my mind. I enjoyed this story, but I would've liked more of Cole and Gabe, as I mentioned previously. All in all, though, it was done well.
July 8, 2014
Whew! How many more of you are emotionally drained after reading the final book in the Gabriel trilogy? Just when you thought there was no way out for Gabe, in steps a knight in shining armour to save the day. I have really enjoyed this trilogy. I was reading my way through the torture scenes and there were parts I couldn't help myself from cringing.
CJ sure knows how to write highly charged and dramatically traumatic scenes. The details do leave you feeling drained once you read them. Remember ... What has been seen can't be unseen! I am hoping that there are a lot more books to come in The Phoenix Club series. I would like to read about the rest of the characters stories. CJ is definitely one of my favourite authors. Love her work!
CJ sure knows how to write highly charged and dramatically traumatic scenes. The details do leave you feeling drained once you read them. Remember ... What has been seen can't be unseen! I am hoping that there are a lot more books to come in The Phoenix Club series. I would like to read about the rest of the characters stories. CJ is definitely one of my favourite authors. Love her work!
April 9, 2022
Lex came in handy and I actually like him. He's not like he seemed and he saved Gabe with help from Clint by setting things up. Of course it all came down to them finding out that Quint was so cold blooded he had his dad murdered. He did it all to get Gabe which is horrible.
What went down in this book was so much. Gabe was tortured and then ended up shot almost died. Abel was missing then found which was so good because he was thought to be a victim of Quint's. Gabe was not only physical tortured but emotionally as well thinking that Abel was going to die.
I was so happy when it all worked out and Cole had Gabe back. It was kinda hot when Clint forced his way into Cole's place and made him listen to what was going on. I was happy with this ending and Quint's going pay for sure. Got to see Anthony and Angelo for the first time. Love those two to pieces. Cole and Gabe are back together thankfully and that proposal was awesome.
What went down in this book was so much. Gabe was tortured and then ended up shot almost died. Abel was missing then found which was so good because he was thought to be a victim of Quint's. Gabe was not only physical tortured but emotionally as well thinking that Abel was going to die.
I was so happy when it all worked out and Cole had Gabe back. It was kinda hot when Clint forced his way into Cole's place and made him listen to what was going on. I was happy with this ending and Quint's going pay for sure. Got to see Anthony and Angelo for the first time. Love those two to pieces. Cole and Gabe are back together thankfully and that proposal was awesome.
Read
January 27, 2023I got a couple of the stories from this series for free (via Smashwords) which started me on the series. Those that know me, also know that I have a bit of an obsession with finishing a series once I have started, so I read these pretty much back-to-back. I'm not going to write about each story individually, rather just leave some overall notes.
- the series is made up of a number of trilogies so there are 3 books to be read to bring each characters story to conclusion (you can buy them as separate stories or as the trilogy which I think is more cost effective)
- there are recurring characters through out each book, including Max and Horatio who don't get their stories until right at the end, although there are teasers right the way through
- there are very dark moments - rape, abuse, torture
- there is lots and lots of sex between all the couples, not just the main ones featuring in the current story. All couples seem versatile and all call each other 'baby'.
- condoms and lube seem entirely optional (mainly earlier in the series?) although there's an HIV theme
- these guys have lots of emotions and like to think about their feelings. They are also all prone to tears and heartache for each other
In summary, I think this series suits a reader looking for lots of drama, characters who agonise over emotions, are comfortable with abuse themes and like lots of sex in a book. I moved between 3 and 3.5 stars as I read through the series. In general I liked it, I did get invested in the stories.
- the series is made up of a number of trilogies so there are 3 books to be read to bring each characters story to conclusion (you can buy them as separate stories or as the trilogy which I think is more cost effective)
- there are recurring characters through out each book, including Max and Horatio who don't get their stories until right at the end, although there are teasers right the way through
- there are very dark moments - rape, abuse, torture
- there is lots and lots of sex between all the couples, not just the main ones featuring in the current story. All couples seem versatile and all call each other 'baby'.
- condoms and lube seem entirely optional (mainly earlier in the series?) although there's an HIV theme
- these guys have lots of emotions and like to think about their feelings. They are also all prone to tears and heartache for each other
In summary, I think this series suits a reader looking for lots of drama, characters who agonise over emotions, are comfortable with abuse themes and like lots of sex in a book. I moved between 3 and 3.5 stars as I read through the series. In general I liked it, I did get invested in the stories.
June 24, 2014
Wow, where to even begin on this. First off CJ Bishop could be hired to torture people, her writing is epic! I felt like a ping pong ball bouncing back and forth with my emotions reading this book. So many things where happening in this one, Ricky and Levi might actually figure shit out with each other, and I have to say they are a pretty funny couple. We got to read about Devlin and Abel, Caleb and Samuel, of course more Dane and Angel, Max and Carl, Horatio and Seth. And I've made it pretty clear in past reviews that I want Max and Horatio back together something fierce. And I want to know what this big secret is that is keeping them apart, its killing me. I also had to wonder if Cole would be able to forgive Gabe and if they would work things out. Gabe was seriously put through some rough shit at the hands of Quentin in this book, enough so I fought tears from the beginning of this book until the very end. We also get a brief glimpse of Lex riding in to save the day with another of Max's boys. I just hope the next book comes out REALLY soon, and it had better be Max and Horatio!!!!
February 18, 2015
this is so heartbreaking...
"He sniffed as tears crept down his face. His hand dragged across his cheek then he swallowed more beer. He didn’t want to be here alone, but neither was he in the mood to be around people. The lesser of the two evils, baby–take your pick.
His gaze drifted around the dim living room, lit only by one lamp. Everywhere he looked, he saw Gabe; his smiling face, mischievous baby blues sparkling with a special brand of cocky love that totally enraptured Cole and put him at the man’s mercy. His chin trembled, heart aching. His eyes flooded. “God dammit, Gabe,” he cried, “I miss you so fucking bad! Why did you do this to us? WHY?!” A strangled cry tore from him and he threw the beer bottle, smashing it against the wall.
“Why! How could you fucking do this? God!”
He leaned forward, elbows gouging his thighs as he clawed his hair, shaking with sobs. “What the fuck,” he gasped, voice rattling wetly in his throat, “Why would you do this to me? I thought…” He raised his head a little, face dripping as he stared blankly at the dark television screen. “I thought you loved me.”
"He sniffed as tears crept down his face. His hand dragged across his cheek then he swallowed more beer. He didn’t want to be here alone, but neither was he in the mood to be around people. The lesser of the two evils, baby–take your pick.
His gaze drifted around the dim living room, lit only by one lamp. Everywhere he looked, he saw Gabe; his smiling face, mischievous baby blues sparkling with a special brand of cocky love that totally enraptured Cole and put him at the man’s mercy. His chin trembled, heart aching. His eyes flooded. “God dammit, Gabe,” he cried, “I miss you so fucking bad! Why did you do this to us? WHY?!” A strangled cry tore from him and he threw the beer bottle, smashing it against the wall.
“Why! How could you fucking do this? God!”
He leaned forward, elbows gouging his thighs as he clawed his hair, shaking with sobs. “What the fuck,” he gasped, voice rattling wetly in his throat, “Why would you do this to me? I thought…” He raised his head a little, face dripping as he stared blankly at the dark television screen. “I thought you loved me.”
November 22, 2017
~5 stars!~
This series is cutting my heart deeper and deeper. I called it a slow murder.! And I'm addicted to it.
So much for a masochist in me, right?
I don't even know how to write a review and put words in it.
I was just like wanna kill that Quinton bitch! i hope he rotted in hell...after someone... anyone torturing him the way he did with Gabe.
And honestly, I'm a little chicken out to read Maxwell.
It's just like this while reading this book...
This series is cutting my heart deeper and deeper. I called it a slow murder.! And I'm addicted to it.
So much for a masochist in me, right?
I don't even know how to write a review and put words in it.
I was just like wanna kill that Quinton bitch! i hope he rotted in hell...after someone... anyone torturing him the way he did with Gabe.
And honestly, I'm a little chicken out to read Maxwell.
It's just like this while reading this book...
December 12, 2015
HOLY HELL !!! 5 stars do NOT give this one enough justice, AT ALL !!
Wow, where to start with this review... I can't even begin to review this !!
The amount of times i broke down reading this book is unreal. In places some of the things that Gabe goes through left me feeling not just physically sick at the atrocities he's subjected to and emotionally drained at how, no matter what Gabe's going through his first thoughts are for his family !! Not many books have the ability to break me in the ways this one did. My heart not only broke for Gabe but for his family ( The other Phoenix boys) at the amount of worry they were put through. I thought i hated Wade from Angel's book but i don't think there's a word strong enough to describe how i feel about Quinton as hate is seriously too mild !!
AMAZING book !!! loved it !!
Wow, where to start with this review... I can't even begin to review this !!
The amount of times i broke down reading this book is unreal. In places some of the things that Gabe goes through left me feeling not just physically sick at the atrocities he's subjected to and emotionally drained at how, no matter what Gabe's going through his first thoughts are for his family !! Not many books have the ability to break me in the ways this one did. My heart not only broke for Gabe but for his family ( The other Phoenix boys) at the amount of worry they were put through. I thought i hated Wade from Angel's book but i don't think there's a word strong enough to describe how i feel about Quinton as hate is seriously too mild !!
AMAZING book !!! loved it !!
August 15, 2016
I still say Cole should have know better but I guess what happened is why doctors are never allowed to doctor loved one... they can never think clear enough to see what the truth of the situation.
what I did like was that a lot of the other characters cane back in this book...and meet some newer interesting characters... I hope we get to read more about them.
now I'm off to read the next trilogy... Maxwell. though I figured out they're secret and I'm already feeling bad for all those involved... I cant wait to read it.
what I did like was that a lot of the other characters cane back in this book...and meet some newer interesting characters... I hope we get to read more about them.
now I'm off to read the next trilogy... Maxwell. though I figured out they're secret and I'm already feeling bad for all those involved... I cant wait to read it.
July 5, 2014
What the hell will I do when this series finishes?? 3 more books and that's it I think....5 bloodthirsty stars from me. As I hoped in my review of book 11, both of the psychos got their just desserts in this one yay!! But what is going on with Max and Horatio...What are these papers that have mysteriously turned up?? Who knows...Who cares!! Bring it on and congrats Gabe and Cole.
September 10, 2014
More Heartache!
Where do all the crazies keep coming from? That Quint was some piece of work, I can't believe the things he did to Gabe. What makes a person that way I'll never know. My poor Cole was in so much pain I hurt for him. But that dog got what was coming to him after all.
Where do all the crazies keep coming from? That Quint was some piece of work, I can't believe the things he did to Gabe. What makes a person that way I'll never know. My poor Cole was in so much pain I hurt for him. But that dog got what was coming to him after all.
December 23, 2014
This book was by far the best book of this series!! And boy did it do a number on my heart! All these boys have been through hell and back and at times it has been pure torture to read but I'm glad I have stuck with it. I have loved Cole and Gabe from day one and I am soo glad they found their way back!!!
July 6, 2014
My dynamic duo survived. It was not pretty, it wasn't easy, and it was ten kinds of fucked up, but they made it. I can finally breathe again.
(Ignore the editing issues because this is a worthy story )
(Ignore the editing issues because this is a worthy story )
August 31, 2014
I'm not exactly sure why, but I am addicted to this books (actually I know it is because of their realness and hotness). I love the characters. I love the interactions and I can't get enough of them. I have now caught up with the series and can't wait for the next one to be released.
February 12, 2016
Gabriel is lost within love and pain he has a debt to pay and just goes with the motions.
The Phoenix boys are a family and they won't let him just slip away when they find out what's really going on but is it to late.
Loved all the twists and wished these books just went on and on.
The Phoenix boys are a family and they won't let him just slip away when they find out what's really going on but is it to late.
Loved all the twists and wished these books just went on and on.
July 24, 2016
4.5 stars... Can't wait for the next one!
June 30, 2014
Wow
brilliant
speechless
heart rung out and hung up to dry for the next!!
cant wait for the next!!!!!
brilliant
speechless
heart rung out and hung up to dry for the next!!
cant wait for the next!!!!!
July 8, 2014
Oh god! Angel & Maddy will be the death of me!
July 23, 2014
Love this book and series.
August 28, 2014
These books got better and better the more I read. So in love with the Phoenix Club boys! I've been desperate for Max and Horatio to have their HEA since Abel!
September 18, 2014
How much do I love C J Bishop, let me count the ways... (keep 'em coming!)
October 9, 2016
So many tears but man, this is love
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews