”Everything changes. Everything on this earth is in a continuous state of evolving, refining, improving, adapting, enhancing…changing.” – Steve Maraboli
Before I jump into the review of this book, I just have to tell y’all a couple of things. I have been so psyched about reading this book. I have heard so much about in on Facebook that I just knew it was going to be great. Well, embarrassing as it is, I hadn’t read Strength of the Pack yet! I know I know, how did I let that happen? It was basically one of those situations where the books I got for review kept jumping line in the TBR mountain on my Kindle. So, I sat down and read Strength of the Pack, and while I was buried in the book I actually received emails making sure I was okay because I had “radio silence” for longer than normal on Facebook and email. Yes, “SotP” was THAT good!
Now moving on to Strength of the Wolf. Tim Madison was introduced to us in “SotP” as a Marine officer who is very well schooled in most everything were-related. He helped Noah and Lucas get a handle on their bonding, and was there as the human counterpart to the True Alpha of the Armed Forces. In this book we get to know Tim a lot better. We get to see him promoted, we get to meet his family, and we also get to learn about him as a man and a Marine. Another thing we learn about him is that no matter how much he knows about weres, or about the Marines, he is still just a man, deep down.
One night while out celebrating Lucas’, Noah’s and Tim’s promotions, the men run into a Lone Wolf. Not only is Jeremy Wagner a civilian werewolf, but he is also a transitioning True Alpha. I don’t feel we got to know Jeremy as well as we did Tim, but that’s ok. I think we know exactly what we needed to know about him. Jeremy was a middle of the pack wolf. Jeremy’s transition was late to start and when his old Alpha realized Jeremy was going to be a strong True Alpha, he cast Jeremy out of his home pack. This left Jeremy out of sorts. He was supposed to be mentored and trained to help him reach his potential. Instead, he was alone trying to deal with all the changes happening to him. Luckily Noah realizes immediately what Jeremy needs, and he takes on the role of mentor for Jeremy.
Tim and Jeremy end up spending time together at Noah’s house, and they fall into bed pretty fast. Now, as much as Tim knows about weres, it should have been obvious to him where the relationship was leading, but he ended up having to be hit over the head to realize he and Jeremy are mates. Once they admit this to themselves, the two men work together to strengthen Jeremy both physically and mentally to get him ready to lead a pack. They have a lot of obstacles to overcome; Tim’s younger brother, the Marine Corps, Jeremy’s self control and self esteem, just to name a few. Will Tim and Jeremy be able to overcome these issues and come out the other side as a strong unit? Well, you will have to read it to find out.
Some of Tim’s time in this book is spent over in Afghanistan making sure the new regulations are being implemented for the weres serving there. It seems all the attention Tim, Noah and Lucas have been getting has gotten some pretty high ranking officials setting some pretty lofty, if not insane, goals for Noah and Lucas. I believe these will be addressed more in future books in the series, and I can’t wait to see how these men handle it.
This book is not just a story about Tim and Jeremy. This book is part of an ongoing series, so don’t be surprised when you read it that there are other aspects of the series that are given equal time along with our MCs. We get to see a lot of Noah and Lucas, which is great because they are still very pivotal to the plot. I wouldn’t have minded getting a little more info about Jeremy’s past and his family, but the lack of it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.
I truly enjoyed reading this book. Kendall McKenna has a knack for writing military books. Not only does she get the military aspects correct, but she also gets across the deep camaraderie service members share. I have to say that of all the military based stories I have read, Kendall’s have struck me as the truest to date. As a veteran myself, as well as being a military spouse, I have to say it means a lot when someone takes the time to get it right.
I am looking forward to the next story in this series as it seems Noah’s Beta, Terrell, will be finding his mate and all of our favorites should be there again to take up the fight. So, come along on a wild ride with us and witness the Strength of the Wolf.
Reviewed by: Jackie
You can buy Strength of the Wolf (Northern Shifters #2) here: 
:)