RyanDecades of personal demons, I thought I had successfully suppressed, were beginning to tear at me again. Wounds I never even realized I had, were opening. I ached for something more. Something deeper. And I had a feeling that Russell, the “Top of all Tops,” the so-called “Dom’s Dom” just might have the answers to helping me find what I so desperately needed. RussellCuriosity and the hope for …
Russell
Curiosity and the hope for something more put him on the doorstep of my home. Ryan Hudson. I said I was willing to mentor him as he began to explore his darker longings. I know I’m asking the impossible by asking him to let go. To trust me. But that is precisely what draws me to this beautifully scarred young man. The challenge. As for my darker longings where he’s concerned…well, I will just have to steel my heart against those…for now…
Russell said that I needed to trust him, but could I do that?
Ryan had nothing left to lose, but possibly everything to gain.
This is our story…
**Author’s note: Steel is a dark novel with intense scenes that may trigger some readers. Please read with caution.
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Cole Denton has out done himself on this series. This book will leave you speechless. As you are reading you feel the connection between Ryan and Russell. Now I need the next book to see what happens. Enjoy
WOW!!!!! this emotionally charged book had me right at the get go…..
With everything that Ryan has endured through his life by those who were meant to love and protect him, he’s left with scars deep down into his sole. He wants so desperately to mean something to someone and in turn be loved by someone, he want’s to be able to trust that that person won’t hurt him or make him feel ashamed of himself. Heartbroken and devastated are a few of the feelings I felt reading this story. I Loved Russell and his guidance with Ryan, introducing him to BDSM and teaching him how to love himself and his body. This is a Beautifully written story sure to pull at the heartstrings, I thoroughly recommend this 5 star read
After reading Forged I fell in love with Ryan. Now that I read Steel I fell even more in love with him if possible. I love the road the writer sets out for him to walk. And my heart aches for the terrible things that have been done to him.
I stalled my reading because I did not want to end this book.
I think the writer did a good job by letting him walk the road he needs to go slowly. I can not wait for the next story of Ryan. Wow what a great read.
“In order to take control, you must give up control.”
I didn’t think that anything could affect me as much as reading Forged did but I was so very wrong. Steel is just as impactive and emotionally driven. I actually find it more so in certain areas because while living life as a confused and emotionally damaged adult Ryan still has to deal with the horrors of his past. Ryan’s struggle to come to terms with his past and his need for certain sexual kinks is what led him down the path to wanting “something more”. Russell Moore is the man he hopes will help him find it.
This book is such a rainbow of emotions to read. It is full of hope, pain, yearning, fear, friendship, despair, love and of course – kink. It also offers a very authentic insight into the BDSM community which Russell plays an important part in.
Cole Denton slayed me with Forged and he’s managed to do it all over again with Steel. The tone of his writing while direct is honest. His words though a lot of them hard hitting resound with me in the darkest parts of my soul. This enthralling book series is a must read. I am so looking forward to the third book, Phoenix, so I can read more of Ryan’s story.
Ryan Hudson is a 35-year old man who has suffered great indignities through the physical and sexual abuse from his parents. He does not know what love and affection is. All he knows is that he wants to be something to someone. He wants something more. At a friend’s home he meets an older man, Russell who agrees to mentor Ryan, and teach him about the kinky world of BDSM.
Russell learns about Ryan’s young years by always asking the right questions and Ryan is very honest with his answers. A relationship develops between the two as Mentor and Apprentice in this world of kink, but Ryan is still so unsure of the friendship and hope that Russell offers. He begins to slowly respond to Russell’s words and touch. And Russell too finds that he is losing his heart to this young man who is so needy and unfulfilled.
This book is beautifully written. As the words jump out at the reader, we can see how this young man comes ‘of age’ under the tutelage of a man who wants to free him and care for him. This author made me feel that there was so much good in this world that we could not see. Here was a man that was giving of himself to make another one whole. Cole Denton is able to write in the voice of the character that is telling his story. Russell, so crisp and businesslike, always polite and careful with the words he uses; Ryan, polite and forthcoming with his answers but still showing his young and childlike ways with his use of words like ‘cool’. The author knows how to express himself when describing his characters. The pictures he writes, and that is what he does—his words are the camera—let us see how Russell starts his day as he prepares his breakfast or how Ryan get ready for his bed as he texts with his two female friends.
The reader is thrown into the bizarre and unusual world of BDSM and we learn that it is not as twisted and warped as many of us believe. There is compassion, empathy and understanding and finally love for someone who is broken; mind and body both. But will that love heal this broken soul who has so many demons inside him? I am hoping that “Phoenix” will answer all these questions. A heart-warming yet heart-wrenching story I suggest you read to better understand another world of love.
STEEL (The Trial by Fire Series Book 2) by Cole Denton
I am so caught up in this compelling yet heart wrenching story. Ryan has had curiosities about kink and BDSM since meeting some new friends involved in it in Vegas. Russell meets Ryan through these friends and he has suggested using it to mentor and help heal Ryan. Ryan is sensitive, honorable, with childlike naivety in some things and so very emotionally traumatized by the family that should have loved him most. Russell is so patient, so caring, so drawn to this damaged young man and determined to help him. Cole Denton has written a beautifully, poignant story that will stay with you long after you finish it. It has captured my heart! I have spent the whole day trying to decide how to review this story. I am also well into Phoenix. Congrats Cole, on such a very well written, addictive series! I will definitely be following everything you write. I wish I could give this more than 5 stars as it is certainly worthy of more!
“TO BE SOMETHING TO SOMEONE”
You will absolutely fall in love with Ryan and Russell and their deep connection as we continue to read about Ryan’s tormented life. Steel is just as brilliantly written as Forged with some extra swooning over these two beautiful souls finding and needing each other. We also get a thorough understanding of the BDSM world as Ryan explores the lifestyle, with Russell’s mentoring, to find his emotional release and become comfortable with his kinks and needs.
I think I loved Steel even more than Forged and cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
I truly loved this book. Cole Denton’s writing just pulls you in and you don’t want the story to end. I already loved Ryan after reading Forged but seeing him blossom in this book is incredible. Russell is the perfect mentor for Ryan. He is patient, kind, knowledgeable. They are great characters themselves but they bring out the best in each other. I cannot see where their story goes.
Cole Denton did not disappoint with the second book in the Trail by Fire series: Steel a very well written emotional read worth every one of the 5 stars given.
Ryan’s journey continues right where it left us at the end of book 1, Forged.
I felt like I was going through Ryan’s journey, felt his pain, his tears and the reassuring touch, patience and understanding given by Russell.
What I really loved about Steel, is the way labels are scrapped, a full understanding into the BDSM world is shown through trust, friendship and total understanding of each person’s needs, and then ultimately how the BDSM lifestyle can help repair and rebuild those lost, alone and feeling scared of their desires and history.
I cannot wait for the final book in this series, to see Ryan shine and show that you can knock down those walls, labels and decide how you want to live.