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Male of the Species #2
Transcending Darkness
The events in this book follow those in Male of the Species. While it is not necessary to read that book first, it will enhance your enjoyment and understanding of this one.Is it possible to start a new life with a bang…or rather, a spanking?For Owen Connors that’s just what it takes. He’s about to embark on a journey filled with change, including a new job, a new home and something he never thought he’d have…a man who offers him everything, including the opportunity to become a creature steeped in legend…a werewolf. All Owen has to do is accept Sam’s love. Too bad that’s an emotion he abandoned a long time ago.For werewolf Sam Sterling, change begins within himself. Vowing never to become like his father, who took pleasure in cruelty and brutality, Sam has learned to be calm, kind and passive. That works just fine for him until he meets the man he would take as his mate. When Owen ignores him in favor of a strong and charismatic alpha werewolf, Sam realizes it’s time for a change. For Owen, he’ll take charge and become the dominant, decisive lover Owen needs.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Kate Steele
74 books170 followersAs a kid, from the time I learned to read, I've treasured books. Fiction mostly, because I'm the type of person who likes to be taken on journeys of imagination. I guess it was only natural I'd try to orchestrate some of those journeys myself, and share them with others.
Writing can be fun, frustrating, and sometimes even frightening, but it sings a siren song that entices. And whether you end up in the arms of a gorgeous muse, or wreaked on the rocks of broken thought, when you feel the urge to write, you do it.
I do my writing in a turn-of-the-century house located in the midst of Indiana farm country. In addition to dogs, cats and lovebirds, my family keeps me company. When not writing, I read, am an enthusiastic grower of iris, and a fanatic fan of Japanese manga and anime.
Writing can be fun, frustrating, and sometimes even frightening, but it sings a siren song that entices. And whether you end up in the arms of a gorgeous muse, or wreaked on the rocks of broken thought, when you feel the urge to write, you do it.
I do my writing in a turn-of-the-century house located in the midst of Indiana farm country. In addition to dogs, cats and lovebirds, my family keeps me company. When not writing, I read, am an enthusiastic grower of iris, and a fanatic fan of Japanese manga and anime.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 20, 2011
4.5 stars
Owen needs a strong protector and Sam is the man for the job once it’s clear it will have to be the way things are. Owen made some poor choices in the first book and throughout his life as we come to see in the second book. Those choices though were based on horrific child abuse which resulted in low self-esteem, poor education, constant fear and a driving need to feel protected without any belief that he ever would be.
I admit that I expected this book to follow along common and stagnant plot lines that we have seen a hundred times. When they go to the woods something bad is going to happen to Owen. When Owen is blackmailed he is going to make the wrong choice, When Sam is faced with revealing truth to Owen there will be miscommunication that creates worse problems.
But that isn’t what happened in this story. Every time I thought I knew what was coming or how the scene would unfold it just ... didn’t. I was engrossed in Owens story from the beginning and wanted to see him happy and secure more than any other character I have read in a long time. This very easily could have turned into a “poor me” character study with an average to mundane plot and yet with skillful storytelling it was anything but that.
A great follow up to the first book "Male of the Species." It left a few open relationships that can be explored and I hope to get a chance to revisit the den again in the future. While I am waiting I am going to go scope out Kate Steele’s backlist to read everything else she has written.
Owen needs a strong protector and Sam is the man for the job once it’s clear it will have to be the way things are. Owen made some poor choices in the first book and throughout his life as we come to see in the second book. Those choices though were based on horrific child abuse which resulted in low self-esteem, poor education, constant fear and a driving need to feel protected without any belief that he ever would be.
I admit that I expected this book to follow along common and stagnant plot lines that we have seen a hundred times. When they go to the woods something bad is going to happen to Owen. When Owen is blackmailed he is going to make the wrong choice, When Sam is faced with revealing truth to Owen there will be miscommunication that creates worse problems.
But that isn’t what happened in this story. Every time I thought I knew what was coming or how the scene would unfold it just ... didn’t. I was engrossed in Owens story from the beginning and wanted to see him happy and secure more than any other character I have read in a long time. This very easily could have turned into a “poor me” character study with an average to mundane plot and yet with skillful storytelling it was anything but that.
A great follow up to the first book "Male of the Species." It left a few open relationships that can be explored and I hope to get a chance to revisit the den again in the future. While I am waiting I am going to go scope out Kate Steele’s backlist to read everything else she has written.
August 4, 2019
The characterization of Owen felt inconsistent. For someone with supposed trust issues he sure trusted easily and quickly.
"Hey this group of guys who I've been hanging out with and just betrayed, the leader specifically, trying to get into his pants... sure it sounds like a good idea to move in with one of them."
Also didn't Silas survive in the last book...I swear there was some "gonna get my revenge" type thing near the end...but you know what lets just forget about it and not even mention anything relating to it.
"Hey this group of guys who I've been hanging out with and just betrayed, the leader specifically, trying to get into his pants... sure it sounds like a good idea to move in with one of them."
Also didn't Silas survive in the last book...I swear there was some "gonna get my revenge" type thing near the end...but you know what lets just forget about it and not even mention anything relating to it.
February 28, 2017
I loved this and the book before in the series, the author said more were in the pipeline when I contacted her but seems to have been discontinued which is a real shame for the loyal reader, just had to let the author know. You have built up great characters like Nick/Eric - a brilliant duo begging to be written and nothing. I am very disappointed, seems loyalty means nothing.
September 3, 2016
While I like in medias res, I wish this would have had more of a background on what Sam and the rest of the pack were like before they met Owen. It would have maybe makes a good series, if not it needed to be longer
June 20, 2010
Not easy to read and not particularly well-written, in my humble opinion. However, it is about reclaiming a life and redeeming a human being. Not a bad set of topics.
3
October 31, 2011Sequel to Male of the Species
November 9, 2010
Loved! Would have prefered to see a bit more of Sam striving for a more dominant personality, but all in all totally enjoyed this book.
check-it-out
August 20, 2013Read Male of the Species first
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews