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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I’m left feeling speechless, I’m in awe of the writers ability to place you in the book. This book picks up from the aftermath of Forged which left me feeling an emptiness from the shock. This book was delivered in such a cleverly written concept to have a mentor and an apprentice. Russell willingly takes on Ryan as his apprentice to introduce him to the world of kink and BDSM. It felt like I also was an apprentice, misconceptions were explained, a reverence was built to the mentoring process. It would appear “trust and communication” are the key to success. As an abuse victim he’d had it drummed into his young mind that he was only useful for being beaten and used. Through Russell’s tutelage Ryan began to learn how to find his worth. This is just the beginning I can see Ryan will exceed all of my expectations as he rises from the ashes.
ALL of the feelings! Bravo!
Steel, book 2 in the Trial by Fire series, picks up where Forged left off, with a now 35 year old Ryan wanting more, wanting to be “something to someone” and seeking it through the BDSM lifestyle, and a mentor named Russell. The story takes the reader on an emotional journey as Russell uses his BDSM and psychology backgrounds to help Ryan heal, trust, and release the agony he’s carried with him his whole life. For Ryan, it’s a journey wrought with uncertainty, insecurity, shame, and fear. As Russell’s and Ryan’s friendship develops, Cole Denton’s words made me feel ALL the feelings of these amazing men. The final scene had my shoulders sagging in relief and my eyes full of hopeful tears that Ryan realizes that what he’s looking for, may not be what he exactly what he needs.
This is the second book I’m the series and what I love about this authors writing is that he is so painstakingly detail oriented. Where he left off in the last book, you didn’t feel as if you where left on a cliffhanger. Our hero Ryan was simply closing one door and entering a new one that lead you into this world….a world with Russell, his mentor, his teacher, his friend, his protector. Ryan is introduced to a whole new way of life and a whole new way of valuing himself. This was beautifully written and it was at times hard to read the pain that the characters had endured but at the same time to watch the barriers break down between the both of them to reach the point at the end of the story where now they are at that next door….close that one and walk through the next together.
This series just keeps getting better! I have never felt so much for characters before! Can’t wait for the next one!
Books number 2 did not disappoint. Ryan meets Russell and Russell agrees to teach/mentor him. Russell really helps Ryan so much. These books are SOOO good and really make you want to hug Ryan (and I’m not a hugger). Cole really has a way to make you feel so much in every book. I don’t even know what to write because everything about this book is amazing.
This is another book that will stay with you, i fell in love with Russel from the first Page to the last. He knew exactly what Ryan needed from the minute he saw him and was very patient with Ryan. I have never tead a book where two people are more perfect for one another then Ryan and Russel. You wont regret reading this Phenomenal story.
Ryan Hudson’s broken soul awakens in book two of The Trial by Fire Series.
Mr. Denton continues to spin my emotions but, the light starts to shine through the heavy darkness I was left with in book one.
Russel! Oh, how I love Russel! He sees every piece of Ryan. He embraces his shattered soul and guides Ryan away from the disgust and shame he tortures himself with. He gives Ryan a sense of peace and understanding that his needs are not wrong or anything to be ashamed of. Russel shows Ryan what his heart and soul craves, things Ryan never allowed himself to feel… comfort in one’s touch, the warmth of an embrace, the kindness and caring of another, and most importantly genuine love!
There’s so much more to Ryan’s story and I can’t wait to continue with Phoenix.
Bravo Mr. Denton! 5 Solid Steel Stars!
After devouring “Forged” (first in the series) there was absolutely no way I wasn’t going to bury myself in the sequel! This is another impeccably crafted story of emotionally intense subject matter. The author comprehends the subject matter and makes sure that he explains it to his readers through his well-written characters, Ryan and Russell. I’m invested!
I am completely blown away with this story. Russell is absolutely the best man ever. He will steal your heart. Ryan stole most of it in book one, and just holds on to it in this one. I can’t wait to dive into the next one. The writing and flow of this book is perfect. I absolutely recommend this book and series.
Where book one in the series was dark and left the reader with a sense of hopelessness, book two brings out the chance to find Ryan’s happiness – however – the path to this deals with coming to grips with the hurt and anger he has for the family that abused him. The character of Russell was brilliantly portrayed and it it’s simplest sense – out of the darkness comes light.
Great read; really enjoyed this second book in the Trial by Fire series. Ryan, scarred by years of abuse, has decided to learn about the BDSM lifestyle and Russell commits to mentor him. Will Ryan be able to trust Russell to give him the help he desperately needs? Find out in Steel. Trail by Fire is a binge worthy series.
Russell was a man you were drawn to and he and Ryan were on an adventure you definitely wanted to follow and get to know. Ryan was a broken sole and you wanted to hug and care for him, you rooted for him in every way and broke when he broke. Ryan pulled my heartstrings and when he fell into Russell’s path my heart started to mend for Ryan and felt this was a good path for him. This story was full of powerful emotions, love and compassion, things that Ryan never felt and had a hard time believing what Russell had to offer. I truly loved the continuation of this series and the Author’s way of telling the story, while capturing all the feels and moving you into a space to continue an open mind and believe, while feeling the words and watching the connection unfold.
Steel is the second installment of The Trials by Fire Series. The beginning of Ryan’s journey into the BDSM lifestyle. Russell takes on Ryan as his apprentice and agrees to mentor him and help navigate Ryan into this community for all tense and purposes. Russell learning little by little how complex Ryan’s case really is. It’s not just helping Ryan with his BDSM journey but needing to change Ryan’s perception of himself, everything that was taught to him, and also what he thinks to be true about certain behaviors.
Ryan my heart goes out to him. He is a complex character, in so many ways he is mature, but in other ways he is a little boy trapped in a man’s body. Russell is a strong character that is an emotional wall buster. He is meticulous in the way he lives and by the way he deals with Ryan. The plot thickens and this story just get better and better. Once again Denton has over worked my brain, and gave me profound thoughts. Sure this book has BDSM, but by far is not the focus of this story. This tale is about a young boy who went through horrific events. About a man trying to help him deal with this, trying to recondition his thought process, also to help the young man get rid of his self hatred, learn how to trust people again without seeming like his control is being taken away again by another and making Ryan realize he is gaining back what was stolen from him. It just so happens the lifestyle helps bring its out of Ryan. He has been so traumatized that he needs to feel pain to get his emotional release. I love the fact that Denton uses this as an implement and just don’t put a kink factor into the story to make the story hot and steamy. There is reasoning behind all of this, and that shows you what an incredibly talent author Denton is.
**This book has dark intense content so please be advised***
There are no words…a wonderful love story in the making.
Ryan is still lost but slowly finding his way with the help of Russell. But Russell is also losing his heart to Ryan while in the process of mentoring him.
Will Ryan be able to accept this? Is Russell right for Ryan?
I am loving this series! May be a debut series for Cole Denton, but he is doing an outstanding job!
Still little grammatical things caught my eye, but none that distracts from this wonderful story. And they’ll disappear the more he writes.
Cole Denton has done it again. This book just tugged at my heart and at times left me speechless. It was beautiful to see the progression of Russell and Ryan’s relationship. There was so much trust and after everything Ryan had experienced, Russell was exactly who Ryan needed. Loved this book!
Book Hangover, a term I saw the other night. Book Hangover is defined as the inability to start a new book because you’re still living in the last book’s world. Oh yeah, I need some time to slip out of Ryan’s world. The raw emotions and feelings Ryan has are truly heartbreaking. The first book, Forged dove into Ryan’s past and I was left completely wanting to hug Ryan and tell him I feel for him. This book just grabbed my emotions and continuously tugged at them. Ryan’s journey with Russell is so emotional and powerful. Once you start this book, you will not put it down till you finish it! Cole, You truly truly are amazing writer!
A MUST READ DARK ROMANCE!!
Steel is a Dark Romance and an extraordinary continuance of this author’s Trial by Fire series. After reading Forged, Book 1 of this series which was also this author’s debut release, I couldn’t wait to see where he would take us next. The writing and storyline are phenomenal and the characters are amazing, I can not to read Phoenix, Book 3.
Highly recommended!
NOTE: This is Book 2 in a series and Forged (Book1) should be read first.
Wow!
Talk about a cliff hanger ending!! Brilliant. I loved Forged, and Steel obviously wouldn’t be here without it, but I have to say I think Steel has just topped it! I absolutely love the two points of view writing style, showing Ryan and Russell’s internal dialogues and perspectives. It is beautiful seeing their relationship develop and witnessing Ryan flourish in the presence of love and compassion.
This is the second book by this author and is written much better then the first book. The first book was good and had a touching story, but had a lot of gaps in the story. In this book the story flows. The characters are intriguing and are trying to help Ryan overcome his demons. Ryan’s story is heartbreaking and watching him come out of his shell in this book is amazing. This book does end with a cliffhanger and you need to read Forged before you read this one.
I really didn’t think it could get better…..boy was I wrong!! Book 2 in this series is just as good as book 1!! Ryan still holds his spot in my heart….but enter Russell. These tow have an amazing chemistry……Russell is so in tune with Ryan. Absolutely blows the mind.
There was one part in particular that got me…Ryan asked “will you be able to fix me?”
I’ll be honest, I put my ereader down and cried! Definitely need to read this one from Cole Denton!!