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In the Shadows Security #5

Guts & Glory: Steel

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"Strength is what we gain from the madness we survive."

Former Marine Raider, Steel, has been handed a job from his boss to protect a woman in Boulder City, CO. The job should be easy-peasy. Babysit the woman until the police catch her stalker. Only he’s not expecting what a challenge he’s been handed.

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.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2020

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About the author

Jeanne St. James

100 books2,278 followers
JEANNE ST. JAMES is a USA Today and international bestselling romance author who loves an alpha male (or two). She writes steamy contemporary M/F and M/M romance, as well as M/M/F ménages, and has published over 60 books (so far). She also writes M/M paranormal romance under the name: J.J. Masters. Some of her books have been translated into French, German, Italian and Portuguese.

Want to read a sample of her work? Download a sampler book here: BookHip.com/MTQQKK

To keep up with her busy release schedule check her website at www.jeannestjames.com or sign up for her newsletter: http://www.jeannestjames.com/newslett...

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5 stars
1,234 (61%)
4 stars
533 (26%)
3 stars
195 (9%)
2 stars
33 (1%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
Profile Image for Shirl.
1,025 reviews42 followers
October 3, 2020
Being a stubborn person is not always a bad thing. When someone says you can't, you prove you can. When told you will fail you prove you will succeed. But being stubborn can always be bad thing too.
Steel was in a bad foster care system. The people who were to take care of him just barely gave him enough food to survive and enough clothes to keep him from freezing to death. A kid like that gets picked on. He learned to fight back until he ended up in juvie. He had better there so when he got out he went in the Marines and when he was told he couldn't he went all the way to the real badasses.
Kat didn't want to be like her Mother and sister with no identity of herself but instead of belonging to their husbands. Instead she learned to fight and took it all the way to the MMA level. There is when she picked up a stalker that the police couldn't get a lead on. Her manager hires Diesel's crew. Steel is the best man for the job. Two stubborn people.
When things go wrong is when they see that they fit but she won't leave CA to live at a MC housing complex where all she hears is the men saying how the women belongs to them. He can't and won't go to CA. so what happened when they can't/won't be together but are failing at being apart? Is being stubborn worth it?

Another great book in a great series. Only one more to go.
Adult content
Profile Image for Darcy.
13.2k reviews508 followers
June 17, 2022
This one was ok for me, mostly because I don't like Steel. He's been an ass so far in the series, was one in this one too. There were only a few times that Steel wasn't an ass, it made it hard to root for him, which sucked because I really liked Kat. I really hated how Steel was an ass during poker night and Kat over heard everything. It really set things in motion for what happened later and left Kat vulnerable. Even as much as I disliked Steel, I was glad to see how this one ended, glad that it was Steel that made the move to show Kat how much she meant to him and fixed things he broke.
Profile Image for  ~*~Princess Nya Cross Vasiliev~*~.
1,069 reviews7 followers
August 6, 2022
So I was not certain how this story was going to go, or even work regarding the MCs involved.
I thought Kat was going to be the typical over the top annoying, independent woman holding her own in a male dominated sport, & out to recklessly prove herself to anyone with a phallus. And don't get me wrong, she was very close to that edge. But somehow she was able to tow the line and balance this trait, that so many authors are unable to do. These type of heroines are either too much & too unreasonable to deal with or tolerate, or we the reader, are given the title of such a woman who is strong; only to find that she is a weeping willow with too much give and all too soon caves to her male in all things that she swore she would not. So to say I was pleasantly surprised with the balance of truth in this regarding Kat, is an understatement. Kat is for lack of a better word, a Badass. But her strength is balanced and inspiring. Kat can love and be vulnerable to the right male, under the right circumstances, and still remain precisely who she is in the process. I love that.

So a male like Steel was the ONLY and perfect choice for her. Because he is very much his own person. A man's man who understands all too well the demons that can haunt us. He not only understood Kat's stance in such things, he respected her for it. And he treated her accordingly. Giving her what she needed. Whether she liked it or not. Loving her properly in her love language. Now, because he loves her, there will always be that innate need to protect her in all things. As it should be. But he did this in a way that allowed her to be accountable for what was happening to and around her. Within reason of course. They both knew how to pick their battles. When to give and when not to. It was an interesting and intense dance/dynamic to watch play out between them. I loved it.

What I love the most though is that by the end, Steel and Kat were still the same folks that you meet at the beginning. It's just that now they both have something better and stronger to fight for.. each other. That balance. That give and take, is awesome..

The plot that brought them together to begin with played out nicely as well. I was so ticked at a certain turn of events, but I understood why it had to happen, so I forgive you Ms. St. James LOL..

Of course all of my fellow Shadows in this one did not disappoint either. That Poker scene towards the end of the book had me LOL in tears. These guys are a mess. *giggles* But I certainly would be more than grateful to have any one of them at my six. They do not play around with their callings in life and keeping folks safe. Gotta love it..

So I am off to dive into the final book of this spin off series, book 6, Brick's story. I hope his is another awesome read as well.

As of right now all 5 books have been good reads. But my faves in this series thus far has to be:
Hunter(Book3)
Walker(Book4)
and of course Mr Steel(Book5)

I would definitely recommend this series.
Profile Image for Alex.
94 reviews29 followers
January 11, 2020
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!
Profile Image for Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase .
4,029 reviews159 followers
January 23, 2020
Strong men love strong woman and when Steel meets Kat the sparks instantly fly when he needs to find her stalker. Filled with the perfect combination of romance, angst and suspense then add in humor and off the charts chemistry Jeanne St. James once again proves that her Alpha Men are oh so strong but yet are oh so lovable. I usually stay away from MMA romances but I am so glad I read this as it added the right amount of mystery to the series. Please write quicker!! I need more in this series.
Profile Image for LaToya (Readingbythebayou).
866 reviews41 followers
January 24, 2020
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. 💛
Profile Image for Ri.
5,090 reviews7 followers
February 2, 2020
4 stars

Normally, I devour everything and anything this author writes. I love her characters because they all feel like family. However, I struggled to connect with Kat and Steel. There were definitely parts that I loved such as having cameos from the ND or the guys but for the most part I was missing something in this one.

That being said, I still love this author and series.
Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
4,857 reviews180 followers
July 14, 2020
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.
Profile Image for Rose Belle.
726 reviews10 followers
January 24, 2023
So, yeah. I wasn't a big fan of the fifth installment of the In the Shadows Security series, and honestly, I haven't been a big fan of this whole series. Most of the books just haven't quite hit the mark. They feel like wannabe MC books instead of focusing on being military romance/romantic suspense which is what I think the author was going for? At least that was what I was assuming?

Anyhow, I've never been a huge fan of couples who go back and forth on "who has the bigger balls." The dialogue gets tiring, and in the case of this book, the banter wasn't even that great. So, I didn't even get that for entertainment. Instead, I just got annoying feisty muscle lady and alpha a-hole. Oh, boy. So much fun. Actually, I like muscle ladies. I body build, and I think it's sexy as hell. Somehow, this author made it not sexy...at all. But I digress...

Steel has to babysit a female MMA fighter. She has a stalker. They eventually do the dirty. Love ensues. Stalker hits. And so on and so forth. It's such an overdone story plot which, by the way, is totally okay with me. But if you're going to pick one of those ones that have been done to death, really make it yours by doing something special with it. There was nothing special about this book. Nope. Just a typical overdone romance book with the typical feisty female meets alpha a-hole plotline.

In the Shadows Security
-Review for Guts & Glory: Mercy (Book 1)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Ryder (Book 2)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Hunter (Book 3)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Walker (Book 4)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Steel (Book 5)
-Review for Guts & Glory: Brick (Book 6)
Profile Image for DemetraP.
4,523 reviews
September 25, 2020
I liked the hero and the heroine but I always feel like they made dumb mistakes as bodyguards. A Navy SEAL would have known this stuff. SPOILER SPOILER
S
P
O
I
LE
R
S
......................................................

1. She has a stalker who keeps finding her. The first step is to get rid of your cell phone completely.

2. He goes to the place where he owns property. He appeared publicly as her bodyguard. So anyone looking up his name would immediately know to check his house for her.

3. He leaves her alone with a motorcycle club member, all of the members of his security team go to hunt down the stalker. Gee, you are her bodyguard the first rule is NEVER LEAVE THE BODY YOU ARE GUARDING.

4. He never sets up cameras or a security system where they are staying. Really? The best bodyguard never sets up security.

I liked the hero and heroine but had a hard time with the blatant bodyguard mistakes.
Profile Image for Kari Hansen.
10.2k reviews87 followers
January 21, 2020
Steel is dreading his next assignment, which is to protect a woman from her stalker, as he thinks that she will be a privileged princess that will drive him crazy. The joke is on him when his client turns out to be a successful MMA fighter who will give him a run for his money when it comes to strength and attitude.

Kat has put all her focus into becoming the best competitor that she can. She is strong, both mentally and physically, and is unphased by what others think of her, her body and her career. She doesn’t need protection even if it comes in the form of the most aggravating yet sexy male she has ever met.

The heat between them is off the charts, the suspense part of the story will keep you intrigued until the end but it is the emotional connection between them that make them so perfect for each other.
Profile Image for Sara F..
180 reviews6 followers
January 15, 2020
Alpha alert! Steel is another super uber alpha male sucked out of the mind of Jeanne St James. He’s strong, sexy, hard headed, a little playful and falls for tough women. Jeanne St James has another great story here in Steel. Kat is an MMA fighter, but she’s not all kicks and angry punches. She has a soft side that speaks to Steel. And these two turn it on high. Loved how Steel fell so hard for Kat and wasn’t afraid to let her know it. I loved imaging their future together - perfect match, darn near perfect story.
Profile Image for domestic_godess_reads.
690 reviews23 followers
January 12, 2020
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!
Profile Image for Rachel Lynn.
9 reviews
June 16, 2020
Couldn’t like the Heroine.

I just couldn’t like the heroine. I wanted to quit this book multiple times but Steel and determination to finish the full series kept me going.
Profile Image for Patty.
4,359 reviews39 followers
July 13, 2020
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!
391 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2020
Steel & Kat

Once again, another great book in the series, Love! this series of Happily Ever Afters. What's not to love, a series of good looking, hot muscular guys that when they fall they fall Big style while all their "brothers" laugh at them because it's happened to them already.
The sisterhood accept new members in to their "family" and take 1 on take them all brothers & sisters family isn't always blood.

MMA champion Kat has had a stalker for nearly a year now H follows her leaving her notes & "gifts". Her manager keeps moving her swapping houses, cars & phones on a regular basis but H keeps finding her.
Berger, Kats manager enlists the help of In the Shadows security services - in walks Steel. He is fascinated with her, amazed by her, intrigued by her.
Of course she gets irritated by him n his cockiness but as they start working together and talking it dawns on them both how much they like each other, but of course it's not all plain sailing before they really talk and come to their senses.

Dont want to give away too much but if u do love a good HEA check out the Dirty Angels & Guts n Glory series get to know the whole family.

Cant wait to read Bricks downfall lol

Profile Image for Ferbooks.
1,703 reviews12 followers
May 1, 2020
Kitty Kat mealts Steel with her scorching heat

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.
Profile Image for Eleanor.
985 reviews30 followers
October 29, 2020
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.

https://realtastypages.com
Profile Image for Jenna.
106 reviews4 followers
August 1, 2020
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!

1,135 reviews6 followers
August 26, 2020
4 1/2 stars! Another well-written story - highly recommend

For mature readers only (18+ years old). Contains subject matter that may be a trigger or offensive to some including adult language throughout, adult intimate scenes and violence.

This is part of the spin off from the Dirty Angels MC series. While it could be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend it be read in series order for maximum reader satisfaction and to prevent spoilers as there are reoccurring characters and an overall storyline arc.

I can’t believe there is only one more story remaining in this series. Fortunately for me there is another spin off.

This is the first story in the series that I haven’t rated 5 stars. I wanted more emotions about what Kat went through with her stalker and/or her family. It just seemed as if a little something more could have been explored that would have really drawn out the angst, tension, etc. to make the character of Kat even more alive.




Profile Image for Jane.
Author 6 books83 followers
December 22, 2020
I borrowed Guts & Glory: Steel from the Kindle Unlimited Program.

In the group of ex-military men that form In the Shadows Security, Steel love to fight and has earned his nickname that way. He is sent on a bodyguard assignment to keep Kathryn "Kat" Callahan safe from a stalker. After a year of moving around to avoid the stalker she is stressed and with a big fight coming Steel takes over keeping her safe, training her and relocating her without telling her manager and trainer.

The entire team gets into the action when Kat is thought to be safe back in Pennsylvania and her stalker abducts her and takes her prisoner. The team to the rescue across two state chase and as with all Jeanne St. James books Kat and Steel find a happy ending as the perfectly matched fighting couple, as in they share that interest and can support each other. Love the two strong willed characters and how they clash to find a way to make a relationship work for each other along a bumpy path.
Profile Image for Anna-Marie Buchner.
704 reviews5 followers
August 7, 2023
Awesomesauce read for sure. Loved Steel and Kat

I totally loved Steel's book. There was just something special about him. He didn't fit the mold neither did Kat. Each hardheaded and so set in their ways. It was fun to watch them together, okay read about them together. These two were destined to be together. I have no words. But I have to admit I actually thought there would be no HEA. Steel would not beg and Kat would not bend. I was like OMG this is not going to end well. I felt bad for Steel when he basically showed his emotions and she still left. Also I honestly thought her Manager was the stalker. I don't know there was just something about him that was shady LOL. Great read and great series. I'm so glad I bought every single one of her books . Now on to Brick LOL this should be interesting. He's a swipe left kinda guy LOL.
18 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2020
Fierce man vs. fierce women!!

I waited patiently for this book, Steel had intrigued me back in Ryder’s book, he seemed like the ultimate A-hole, I needed to know more about him.

The author certainly gave Steel a run for his money with Kat, she came on strong and didn’t back down, he didn’t know what hit him. I really enjoyed their similar interests, I found it made them connect on a different level. They each had a way of jabbing each other with words and made it fun to read, lot’s of smiles and YES!! on the part of Kat when she’d get the last word in.

And of course visits from the sisterhood and other characters, love this series.

At the end of the book, there is teaser for Brick…make sure to read it!!
Profile Image for Jenny.
487 reviews5 followers
August 1, 2020
This book was AMAZING!!

Omg—I loved this book so much!! Jeanne St.James does such an amazing job writing these characters. I have just devoured the books in this series. Steele—he’s funny and insanely hot and arrogant. It seemed like he and Kay would be oil and water together. Especially when he was practically repulsed by her sort hair (it was kind of funny though). But they were explosive together. Their love story was built so brilliantly. I’m usually not into the whole MMA fighting scene, but I was riveted. And I cried at the end. It was just such a great book!!
Profile Image for Claudia, Cmarie927.
1,393 reviews23 followers
February 2, 2021
I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would....

Steel was [honestly] my favorite of all the Shadows going into this one, so it did not surprise me that he was all I could have guessed he would be...but what did surprise me is how much I liked Kat!

Her spirit was so strong as was her desire to win. I did have to get over what she chose to do for work, as it's not something I appreciate. That said, I learned a lot, and that's always a bonus!

Aww, Steel. So nice to read his HEA, but sad to say goodbye to this one...

PLEASE read this series in order - in fact, go by Jeanne's reading order - to get the most from this story.
282 reviews2 followers
April 25, 2021
Steel meets his match 🔥

Steel is the perfect name to describe Anson Jenkins, he's cold and hard hearted. That is until MMA fighter Katherine walks into his life. After Kat has been stalked by a deranged fan, Steel gets hired as her bodyguard. Of course a bodyguard is the last thing this independent woman wants. Her resistance and cockiness only fuels the fire Steel starts feeling for her. Even though his Kitty Kat starts feeling the same for him, she doesn't want to lose herself in his shadow. Can they both out aside thier pride and trust thier Guts, that they were meant to be. Loved this story. Looking foward to the next and last book in this series.
Profile Image for Ivy Blacke.
Author 14 books14 followers
April 29, 2022
Oh my God, YES!

Steel was everything I imagined him to be and so, so much more! Freaking incredible. He definitely was an asshat, but strong as steel, tough as steel and fell like a teddy bear.

What Steel needed was a kitty Kat with claws, grit, determination and moved that only he could keep up with. That's exactly what Kat the fighter brought to the table.

Incredible sparks, incredible story, you actually lose yourself in their story that you forget about the stalker then bam!
So incredible and I was anxious to read Steel and he definitely was an asshat, but I love him. Incredible!!!!
Profile Image for Tina Wallace.
334 reviews
June 13, 2020
Love me some Shadows

Finally, Steel finds a tiny powerhouse that is in every way his equal. What I love most about this series and it’s original counterpart is that each man or biker has his own flaws but also has their own version of what perfection is to them. Kat isn’t someone most men would find attractive because of her job but mostly because of her body type but to Steel she’s like a living, breathing, fighting, powerhouse beauty. That’s what makes this story great. Oh and also he kills the bad guy and the HEA
243 reviews15 followers
July 6, 2020
Guts & Glory: Steel (In the Shadows Security Book 5) WOW!

Love this story. Steel and Kat. MMA figter vs. Underground fighter. Someone is stalking Kat Callahan and leaving "presents" for each time he tracks her down. How does he find her. Can Steel keep her safe?
Jeanne St James has another great story in a compelling series. Thank you Ms. St James for sharing your alpha males and their kickass ladies with us. Brick is the next and last in the In the Shadows Security series. Can't wait to read it. Steel is a FIVE STAR read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews

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