Poughkeepsie Begins (The Poughkeepsie Brotherhood 0.5) By Debra Anastasia @Debra_Anastasia

4.5 Stars Once upon a time, I fell in love with a man that lived in the shadows and counted the smiles of the girl he adored from afar. And thus began my journey to a small town in Upstate New York and into the lives of three brothers, bound not of blood, but by destiny. Poughkeepsie Begins brought me full circle, as Debra Anastasia beautifully recounts the heartbreaking events, trials and tribulations that forged the everlasting bonds between three memorable characters. Seeing into the horrors they endured during their teenage foster care years, and the flashbacks into the wretchedness of their early childhood, Blake, Beckett and Cole’s stories made my heart bleed with sadness. The abuse, as difficult as it was to witness, allowed me to truly understand their mindset as well as set the stage for the men they were forced to become. The common factor between was the brutality suffered at the hands of the monsters that confined them. However, the experiences set them down separate paths, taking on particular roles, while vowing to remain a constant in each  others lives.   Cole, the quietest of the three, underwent the most physical and mental abuse. Somber emotions overwhelmed me when seeing his breaking point – the pivotal moment that brought him to his knees while turning to his faith in order cope with the depravity that engulfed his life. It was devastating, yet hopeful knowing his faith brought him peace. Cole is the dark horse in this series. On the surface he is soft spoken, understanding, pious and gentle. But buried beneath, lays a boy so lethal, it rivals the likes of Beckett’s deadly ways. Polar opposite forces rule his soul and I love the dynamics of his multifaceted persona. Beckett is one slick son-of-a-bitch with a twisted sense of humor. I freaking love his witty and sarcastic ways. In a blink of an eye, he could bring down any unfortunate bastard who dares to get in his way, with either his cutting tongue or fists. Beck’s loyalty to his brothers is unrivaled. He is cast in the role as protector, and with it comes the responsibility to guard his brother’s well being.  Beck’s rise to power within the crime underworld is not driven by selfish greed or lust for power. It’s for the chance to obtain stability for his brothers. Their world is cruel, and by selflessly selling his soul, Beck tries to secure their future. And in doing so, he foregoes his chance at love by letting go of the one girl who was determined to save him. There’s honorable intentions buried beneath his immoral demeanor, and his self-sacrifice earned my respect. My favorite hero within this series is definitely Blake. Don’t get me wrong, I have great love for all, but there is something special about the gentle aurora that surrounds Blake’s persona that touches me deeply. The boy, so shattered and riddled with fears, captured my heart from the very beginning. His dedication, compassion and calmness he unfailingly gives his brothers reminded me of all the reasons why I adored this sexy green-eyed hunk. The symphonic beauty radiating from his character’s soul pulled on my heartstrings and I will miss him greatly. In Poughkeepsie Begins, Debra Anastasia brings to life some of the most outrageous, yet lovable characters. Her unique writing style harmonizes angst, heartache and dark humor with a touch of romance. The Poughkeepsie Brotherhood is one of my all time favorite series and although this novel is considered a standalone, I highly recommend reading all installments to fully appreciate her heroes’ experiences. Bravo, Debra, and thank you for bringing me back to the beginning. ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review