Strength is what we gain from the madness we survive.For Anson “Steel” Sterling, former Marine Raider and current bad boy of the Shadows crew, kicking a** and talking sh*t is all in a day’s work. His boxing skills make him lethal in and out of the ring and his mind is just as quick as his fists. When an assignment has him heading out to Nevada, he’s prepared for boredom. After all, how hard can … all, how hard can protecting one female athlete from a stalker be?
Katheryn “Kat” Callahan has one goal, prove to everyone, especially her judgmental father, she can be the best female MMA fighter. She’s more than capable of defending herself and doesn’t need a hulked-out alpha-hole bodyguard with a sharp tongue and a surly attitude shadowing her every move. With the biggest match of her career right around the corner, one crazy stalker’s not going to bring her down.
The pint-sized fighter fascinates Steel. With her striking amber eyes and honed physique, the attraction is immediate, but it’s her grit and determination that really gets his blood pumping. He’s ready to go a few rounds if it means seeing her worked up. But Kat needs to remain focused on her goals and Steel isn’t making that easy.
Can their mutual passion and stubborn attitudes make them the perfect team? Or will they remain in opposite corners, forever fighting alone?
Note: Steel is the fifth book of the Guts & Glory series, a six-book spin-off from my Dirty Angels MC series. While it’s recommended to read both series in order, each book can be read as a stand-alone. As with all my books, this has an HEA, no cliffhanger or cheating.
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With every book I read by JSJ I get a new favorite couple. Every. Single.Time. Kat is my new favorite female lead that I’ve read. She takes no crap from Steel and gives it back just as good. Even love her insecure, vulnerable side. Love having characters you can relate to. Steel is a tough guy and doesn’t treat her like she’s made of glass. His inner struggle to not let Kat get to him had me intrigued. Loved this book!
OMG!!!! LOVED STEEL AND KAT!!!
Steel and Kat are both strong independent fighters with a past to push them harder.
Steel is part of the in the shadows crew and a complete A**hole in everyones eyes…or is he?
Kat is a MMA fighter who has a stalker and that is what brings steel into her life.
Will these 2 fit like a glove? Well you will have to read to find out 🙂 I loved this book and didn’t wanna put it down it is intense and so hot.
Kat is a woman in a man dominated sport, but she’s good at what she does, and she makes no apologies for it. (Oh to be like her!) Steel is a bada$$ who oftens ends up with his foot in his mouth because he doesn’t think before he speaks. Both are independent and strong willed and they end up butting heads often. Steel is determined to protect her just as much as she is determined to protect herself. I love the way these two go at it with each other!! It is another brilliant read from Jeanne St James, who’s writing just draws you in and doesn’t let go!
4 Kitty Kat Stars
Steel is the fifth book in the In The Shadows Security Series by Jeaanne St. James. Steel has been waiting for a good job to land in his lap. Things have been too quiet for him recently. Little does he know what’s about to come his way.
“Strength is what we gain from the madness we survive.”
Kat has put all her focus into becoming the best MMA competitor that she can. No stalker or no man will stop her from being the best. But Kat is like a female Steel, but can she let him in or see that they would be perfect for each other.
“Scars aren’t always visible, Kat, sometimes the ones you can’t see are the worst. Words can sometimes hurt more than actions.”
If you’ve read the previous books in this series you know Steel can be hard-headed and a big Jerk at times this book is no different. If you’re looking for a great Alpha read then Steel is your man! Their back and forth banter was very entertaining and well worth a read.
I can’t lie, I didn’t want to like this book. I wasn’t a fan of Steel first off and secondly I’m not into tough woman. I usually prefer a softer heroine in my books. But OMG did I LOVE these two so much more than I expected. I should know by now to never think any different when it comes to Jeannes characters. She brings them to life from the first page and my heart is always completely wrapped up in them until the last. We always knew Steel was a jerk and he totally was in this book too but you really get to know who he truly is. He’s strong, determined, and loyal. I ended up absolutely loving him. Then there’s Kat who is a complete bad a** and such an inspiration. She’s so strong and independent and the kind of woman we need to teach younger generations of girls to be. The two of them couldn’t be more perfect for each other! This book was addicting from the start and I couldn’t recommend it more!
5 star review of Guts & Glory: Steel (In the Shadows Security #5) by Jeanne St James
Audio Review
The fifth book in the series and what a great addition to the series. I normally stay away from MMA stories, for some reason IK usually cannot get into them. However, since this is by one of my favourite authors Jeanne ST James, I decided to give it a go and I am so glad that I did.
Narrated by Aaron Shedlock and Ava Lucas who did a great job with the narration, I was engrossed in the storyline from the first to the last chapter and couldn’t wait to see what Ms. St James had in store for Anson “Steel” Sterling and the woman he is charged to protect, MMA champion Katheryn “Kat” Callahan.
The chemistry between them was off the charts and yet underneath you can feel the attraction and love that is building between them. I loved how feisty and sassy Kat is and yet their is a vulnerable side that Steel unearths.
I fell hard and fast for Steel, he intrigued me and ticked the boxes for me. The story was well written, gritty, raw and the performances by Aaron and Ava really enhanced my enjoyment. The fact that Steel and Kat are both into MMA added an additional layer to the story.
Guts & Glory: Steel
In the Shadows Security, Book 5
By: Jeanne St. James
Narrated by: Ava Lucas, Aaron Shedlock
Every time I listen, it’s like coming home. The story, the narration, all impeccable just gives me that sense of comfort. Meet Steel, the man who is on a mission to keep MMA fighter, Kat safe from a stalker. Steel is an incredibly alpha male, but when he meets Kat, he knows even with her independent strength, she is the one for him. Kat is the ultimate in female characters. I loved her. So brave, so competent and smart, I knew I was going to enjoy her journey. And what a journey these two take! It’s exciting when she is competing, it’s passionate when they are together and creepy when we hear from the stalker. The integration of the DAMC is key, bringing back all my favorite men and women, and that feel of safe being in the compound. Jeanne St James continues her smart and sexy stories and all I can say it keep them coming!!!
St James is particular when she picks her narrating team, and this one blows it out of the park! Aaron Shedlock falls into character as Steel. He is edgy and alpha, and I love it! Then he mysteriously transforms into a creepy stalker with such ease, it’s scary! Ava Lucas, I can never say enough good things. She knows how to become her characters and she gives it all as Kat. The personality she brings to Kat is full of confidence, yet at times is so vulnerable, you just want to hug her. These two are fantastic together!
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I absolutely love Steel. I found the relationship between him and Kat refreshing. It wasn’t your typical pretty girl that needs protection. It was a hard core woman that kicks ass and takes names. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for something refreshing.
Walking and Kat story is quite different from the rest of them and I love it. Kat is a real character. All her life she has had people telling her she is not good, she is making the wrong choices or she is to do this or that and it causes her to feel insecure. Words have power and that’s why parents especially, need to be careful what they say to their children because it can damage them for life. All the negative words cause Kat bill up a wall around herself and try to be the best in her career so she can prove the doubters wrong. Walker has his own wall but Kat was able to breach it in the same way he breached hers. Walker knew exactly how to make his Kitty Kat purr and Kat learnt how to mealt Steel with her scorching heat.
I like this story, it’s realistic.
As Walker’s said in the story. “Blood wasn’t always family; family wasn’t always blood” so if your blood family is a bad influence on you, you can choose your own. That’s life sometimes like the previous stories, this books is another awesome story from a brilliant writer.
Love love love
I recommend
Kat is a champion MMA fighter who has a stalker. Steel is the one assigned to make sure she stays safe.
things start to get a bit hot between them and then her stalker ups his game.
Can Steel keep her safe.
Great read (only complaint is that it was to short) LOVE this series
Steel thinks he’s found the perfect woman – badass MMA fighter who can hold her own against him. Unfortunately she has a stalker who keeps finding her despite moving around.
Kat has a big fight coming up so Steel helps with her training, and finds himself intrigued by her but she’s not ready to give up her dreams for a man, no matter how hot he is!!
Another great read in this series, already waiting for the next book!
5 out of 5 steamy stars
I love the In the Shadows Security series and Guts & Glory: Steel did not disappoint.
Anson “Steel” Sterling is a man who likes his women to look athletic, not soft or curvy. He is not ashamed to voice his opinion even if no one wants to hear it. He gets himself into more trouble with his mouth than he does any other way. Diesel chooses him for an assignment to watch over a woman athlete and he is not impressed with the job at first. Then he meets Kat and sees her in action and his interest peeks.
Kat is a woman in a man dominated sport, but she’s good at what she does, and she makes no apologies for it. She’s determined to be the best in her field and has been the top contender four years running. She’s powerful, independent, and strong and she doesn’t need a man in her way to keep her safe. Or so she believes. She’s out to prove her father wrong in his beliefs of how women should act and that she can be more in life.
These two are perfect for each other. They both feel that they have something to prove, if not to themselves then to those that believe they know what’s best for them. They are both strong, both emotionally and physically, and they are stubborn. I loved this story and found the heat between these two to be explosive. They are great together, but they need to figure that out on their own, and it will take them a while to do it. They both respect each other, but can they figure out that there is more between them than respect before it’s too late? I give this story 5 steamy stars and highly recommend that you one-click it and read it, especially if you like strong, independent women who realize that they are more with someone they love standing next to them. This entire series has been great so far and I cannot wait for Brick’s story next.
Steel’s book was just as great as all the other Guts & Glory books. You will love every surprise in this read. I loved every chapter and could not put it down. I can’t wait to read more from this series.
Amazing! Suspenseful! Once I started reading I could not stop. Strong and determined characters that have intense sexual chemistry grab you from the start. The story line is intense with mystery throughout. Love Steele and Kat!
Jeanne St. James does it again. Kat doesn’t take any crap from Steel. Steel is a very alpha man that tries to protect his heart at all costs. This book is hot fire. Loved it. It’s told in different points of view, no cheating, no cliffhanger, and a hea. I highly recommend this book.
Steel was on of the books on this series I was looking forward to, and was not disappointed. He’s a tough as nails alpha who makes no apologies for his way. I think the thing I love most about this author’s writing is she truly pulls you into the story. It has great chemistry between the couple along with amazing and steamy scenes. I’m never disappointed in this author when she releases a book.
With each book in this series I have found myself falling in love with the couple. Kat and Steel were no different. They were both tough, stubborn, and a little lost. They just “fit”. I liked Steel’s take charge, take no lip, protective vibe. The only flaw I could see is that his perfect woman is athletic toned, and muscular. This means there would be no chance for me. Haha I loved Kat’s independent determination. She was fierce but also vulnerable. They were an easy couple to root for.
I have enjoyed every book in this series. There is some push and pull interactions, a little danger, some suspense, and a whole Lotta heat. I am really excited for the last book in the series, Brick’s story. I can’t wait to see who makes Mr. “swipe right, exit left” tumble down the rabbit hole of love and a relationship. I would definitely recommend reading this one, as well as the rest in the series.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. This is my honest review.*
I have to admit I’m not a fan of MMA romance but this story I loved. I started it just knowing I was not going to like it. Steel is the Alpha with so many layers and a heart that’s big as him. I enjoyed the way Steel opened up at times I felt he was just to guarded but I love his sense of humor. Kat is a alpha female that could give Brooke a run for her money. I had a hard time liking her at first but once you get to know her and understand her you love her she holds her own but she is very feminine. The storyline is well written and not rushed it’s very much Jeanne St.James with the alpha who doesn’t take crap and loves his woman.
Another great addition to the Guts and Glory series! Loved Steel and Kat’s story. Both are strong complex characters that are relatable. The author has a way of making you identify with her characters and root for them. Full of suspense, steam, and a great storyline that’ll keep you captivated from the first page.