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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I loved this book! Steel and Kat were such an incredible couple. I adored the dynamic between these two. In my opinion it is very rare to find a pairing that consists of two characters that are both so strong and fierce. You might even think that there is no way that such a pairing could work, but it does and beautifully. As the well written, highly entertaining story unfolds you can expect plenty of sizzling sparks, sharp banter, suspense, drama, tension, passion, emotion and sprinklings of humor. A simply terrific read and another excellent book for this wonderful series.
Jeanne St James has proven to be a versital writer. This series has had me on tje edge of my seat for every book. I have seen the men of this brotherhood fall in love reluctantly each time but the women have been a stronger choice for each of them. Steel is slightly different. His woman (Kat would cringe at that reference) is the strongest physically of all of them. She is an MMA fighter and has no use for a man to tie her down. She left that life when she left home. Kat is independent more so than Steel for that matter. I adored her but wanted to shake her at the same time. Her experiences with men do not reflect all men. Steel is an interesting example of that. He is a self proclaimed…. well I can’t say the word but not a nice guy. She agrees and calls him out on it often but he takes his job and his family seriously. He doesn’t abuse women, he appreciates them all. And for those he cares about? He is the most protective, loyal and caring man out there. These two are made for each other in so many ways. They complete each other and compliment each other. If only they can get out of their own suborness and be together.
Steel is a man who can appreciate the sinewy shape of an athletic woman. In fact, he prefers a woman whose body is made of blood, sweat, and tears of hard work and dedication. While he doesn’t have an issue finding a warm body to warm his tastes, sometimes his mouth will get him into some less than appealing results.
Kat is a woman used to being judged for her looks. A fighter with bulging muscles, take no prisoners attitude, and a bit of a chip on her shoulder, she will not let anyone get close to her.
Steel is given the job of bodyguard to an athlete who has a stalker. Expecting to be guarding some prissy dancer, he is surprised to find Kat is a well known MMA fighter. The description of being a fighter fit her to a tee. Kat fights him at every turn, telling him she can protect herself and that she does not need any help from anyone else. Especially from a man judging her because of how short she cuts her hair.
As Steel and Kat settle in and learn to get along, their disdain for each other turns to interest, then to passion. Steel finds he is more and more impressed with the commitment and heart she puts into her training. Kat is training for the fight of her life against a champion fighter. But will her stalker let her fight or is he closer than she thinks? Will Steel be able to protect the woman he has come so close to or will he allow his bull headedness get in the way?
I am a huge fan of Jeanne St. James. She writes with such intensity. The passion, danger, and heat are always present in her books. Steel was all that and more. I laughed so hard at the antics of Steel. I found myself smiling at odd times while thinking about this book, which made for some interesting looks from my coworkers. While Steel is part of the Guts & Glory series, you do not have to read the other books in the series. That being said, I would be remiss if I did not reinforce the need to read all of her books as her talent is endless. I read and reviewed this book in exchange for a free ARC copy of Steel.
OMG! If there was ever a book boyfriend to fall in love with Steel would be it, but Kat would kick my ass!
Kat and Steel will keep you so locked into their story that you won’t be able to put the book down!
Hot action, funny and super sexy! Loved it!
Jeanne St James does it again!
Highly recommended!
I have been anxiously awaiting for Steel to get his own book. The real ass of the group, no filter, let’s you know exactly how he feels and has no problem getting in your face if he doesn’t like you. I have loved everyone of the books in this series and Steel doesn’t disappoint at all
From the beginning to the very end you are hooked. I could not stop reading. I laughed out loud so many times. Steel seriously met his match with Kat.
I loved, absolutely loved the interaction with the rest of shadows, as well as their fearless leader Diesel.
You must read this book, but you must start from the very beginning to truly appreciate this masterpiece.
It’s been a fantastic series. I am excited for the next installment but sad it will end this series. However, this entire world is so good I will be re-reading it several times over.
Brash, sarcastic, possessive, confident, charming and witty are some of the adjectives to describe Steel. He is content to be free and not tied down by anyone but his job as a Shadow. When Diesel picks him to be a bodyguard for a woman who is being stalked because he is single and not tied down, he is not thrilled. Steel reluctantly goes to Boulder City to meet with his client, and he is surprised in that she is nothing like he pictured. Kat is a MMA fighter who is on a mission to prove that she can protect herself. She doesn’t want or need a man in her life controlling her movements. Steel is a gym rat who loves to fight. Sparks fly when these two bullheaded, strong willed people meet. The progression of their relationship is filled with angst, uncertainty and passion. I love the camaraderie between the Shadows and how the women of the DAMC welcome Kat in her time of need. I will never tire of the poker scenes!! If you are looking for a book that is filled with romance, action, suspense, and humor, this is a must read as once Jeanne St. James has given us a book that does not disappoint!!
Kat is a MMA fighter and nothing will stop her from being the best. Steel works for Shadows Security and has been hired to protect Kat when she finds herself in danger from a stalker.
I have so been looking forward to Steel’s story. I knew from the very beginning that I was going to love his book. Steel was an outstanding character with just the right amount of alpha. The chemistry between these two continued to grow but they also had their share of bumps in the road.
Jeanne’s stories always have the right amount of romance, mystery, suspense and humor that makes her books one of the best; and what an ending for this awesome couple. This was a great addition to the Guts & Glory series and I look forward to Brick meeting his match.
I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Two pigheaded people proving that even the most stubborn people can learn to compromise and find everlasting love. Steel and Kat are an amazing powerful couple and together they can fight their battles. Jeanne has written so many books that are captivating from page 1. I highly recommend this series as well as the DAMC and brothers in blue series.
I have waited so long to see Steel fall and this book doesn’t leave me disappointed at all. Steel who we have met many times in the past books is a a**hole…no doubt about it. You just knew he would need someone strong to be by his side. Kat is just the right woman he needs. This book will take you cross county and hit all the notes for a fantastic read, I couldn’t put it down.
Don’t know how she does it but Jeanne St. James blows me away with each and every book she writes.
Steel is give a bodyguarding job of an athlete (one of which he has never heard of–an MMA champion).
Kat doesn’t believe she actually needs a bodyguard but her manager does and so does Steel after he reads the file on her and sees the undertone her stalker is taking.
Both are both strong individuals and hit heads and egos from day one.
Each are attracked to the other but fight it tooth and nail.
Kat has reservations about getting involved with any man because of past issues that Steel eventually helps her to understand.
It is a wonder the pages didn’t go up in flame while reading this hot and passionate book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I’ve been waiting for this one and the one lucky woman that would put up with Steel.
They do have somethings in common they both ate gym rats and Kat I loved the fact that she was an MMA fighter. Can this woman tame the beast that is Steel. Kat has a small problem a stalker whom she thinks she can handle herself, but her manager goes behind her back and hires her s bodyguard.
Steel and Kat have a real hard time getting along they both are a lot alike and Steel is not used to a strong and independent woman. Lol.
Steel and zoster are definitely a match made in heaven and the man stalking Kat I seriously thought it was a certain someone that was close to her it was a definite surprise at who the stalker was. I just loved everything about Steel and Kat’s story.
I voluntarily received an arc of this story from the author for my honest review.
Another great read from JSJ! Steel and Kat had amazing chemistry. Their back and forth banter was great, Kat gave it right back to him! Kat was the perfect heroine for Steel, the fact that she is a female MMA fighter added another dimension to the story. Loved it!
I absolutely love Jeanne St. James’ Guts & Glory Series, her In The Shadows guys are amazing! I’ve also been waiting, somewhat patiently, for Steel’s book and I’m happy to say he was worth the wait. Steel is the clown of the In The Shadows brotherhood. Always the first to have a sarcastic remark and to aggravate everyone in the group. He has tortured every one of his friends as they’ve fallen hard for their significant others so to see it happen to him is hilarious. Oh and he doesn’t just fall for any old woman, he falls for a MMA champion that can do a lot of damage to his pretty face. Katt has a problem. She has a stalker that is escalating from just irritating to desperate. Her manager/trainer hires In The Shadows to be her bodyguard and Diesel sends Steel and that’s when the sparks, and fists, and feet start flying. Alpha male meets alpha female…it’s a beautiful thing to see! Loved this book. Loved Steel, loved Katt, loved that we got to see members of the Shadow Valley community, this book is a welcome addition to the Guts & Glory collection. Great job Ms. St. James, another great book!
Another knockout from JSJ! Like a sucker punch to the gut this book hits you right in the feels! Humor, romance, mystery, suspense, this story has it all.
I will be the first to admit I was hesitant about an MMA fighting heroine, but Jeanne quickly proved me wrong. Kat is the perfect mix of feminine vulnerability and bada** warrior you can’t help but find yourself rooting for her.
Steel is everything you love to hate in a hero. He’s stubborn with zero filter and a huge ego, so of course I absolutely adore him. Plus there is nothing quite like seeing an alpha-hole get taken down a peg or two by love!
The mutual passion they share for fighting (in and out of the ring!) is rivaled only by the intense chemistry they develop. Watching their story and relationship progress was a treat I never wanted to stop enjoying!