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Tempered Steele #1
Tempered Steele: Stoking the Fire
The New Madrid Earthquake leveled seven states. Home and future destroyed, librarian Deborah Steele retreated to her isolated Indiana family farm and held on. It’s been five years of desperate choices, but she and the women under contract to her have survived.
Her cautious hopes for recovery are upended by the sight of a worker’s contract being casually used as a marker in a poker game. She’s horrified to discover it’s for the services of Joanna Davis, the love she has never forgotten. She acquires it, without hesitation.
Joanna has lost none of her attraction or fire. Too late Deborah realizes that Joanna’s intractable anger at the way contracts—including hers—are exploited in the name of survival threatens the future of the only home she has, the women who have trusted her, and especially her heart.
Her cautious hopes for recovery are upended by the sight of a worker’s contract being casually used as a marker in a poker game. She’s horrified to discover it’s for the services of Joanna Davis, the love she has never forgotten. She acquires it, without hesitation.
Joanna has lost none of her attraction or fire. Too late Deborah realizes that Joanna’s intractable anger at the way contracts—including hers—are exploited in the name of survival threatens the future of the only home she has, the women who have trusted her, and especially her heart.
266 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2014
3 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
M.E. Logan
7 books21 followersA displaced Hoosier who now lives in North Florida, I started writing at a young age. Getting published had to wait quite a few years, but was accomplished. I write strong female characters who don't always have happily ever after endings. Like strong people in real life, they pick themselves up and go on. I have four published books and am working on the continuing sage of the Tempered Steele.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 29, 2015
I really don't know where to begin. I think I'm still in a state of shock with how the book panned out.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Tempered Steele. Having said that, I certainly didn't expect major spoiler ahead
I also felt the book ended rather abruptly. I walked away with more unresolved questions than answers.
As for the rating - I'm torn. The book was well written and the storyline mostly to my satisfaction. However, I felt cheated with some of the events (spoiler above). It deserves more than my standard 3 star rating, however the letdown feeling doesn't quite put it up with my 4 star reads either. Therefore, I'm going to give Tempered Steele 3.75 (rounded up to 4 stars).
On a side note, it will be interesting to see if Ms Logan's next book Can't Buy Me Love is somehow linked to Tempered Steele. Protagonists in both books have the surname 'Steele'. It could be just a coincidence...
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Tempered Steele. Having said that, I certainly didn't expect major spoiler ahead
I also felt the book ended rather abruptly. I walked away with more unresolved questions than answers.
As for the rating - I'm torn. The book was well written and the storyline mostly to my satisfaction. However, I felt cheated with some of the events (spoiler above). It deserves more than my standard 3 star rating, however the letdown feeling doesn't quite put it up with my 4 star reads either. Therefore, I'm going to give Tempered Steele 3.75 (rounded up to 4 stars).
On a side note, it will be interesting to see if Ms Logan's next book Can't Buy Me Love is somehow linked to Tempered Steele. Protagonists in both books have the surname 'Steele'. It could be just a coincidence...
June 18, 2017
I am a fan of this post-apocalyptic style of book, which is the main reason I gave this a 4 star rating. It was an interesting plot and had good concepts with the contracting of people, but i did think it was probably a bit too long, and was at times repetitive with the details of the main characters' previous relationship.
March 8, 2015
I loved the concept for this novel. The whole post-earthquake dystopian feel to the book was done well. The MC's had interesting back stories and felt very real. Life on the farm with Deborah and her contract workers was a fascinating study in modern day slavery in a post apocalyptic setting. The author grabbed my interest and I enjoyed watching the story unfold.
Just as the story begins to reach logical expectations of potential romance and resolution of challenges faced by MC's the story drifts off in an unexpected direction. Then the book ends abruptly with no resolution to the story arcs in play. I don't know how a good read could go so quickly off the rails.
Another issue had with the book was the lack growth and insight shown by Joanna. She is is on an angry soapbox when we meet her. Many conversations with Deborah and the entire cast on the farm later, she continues to rage against the injustices she perceives.
Just as the story begins to reach logical expectations of potential romance and resolution of challenges faced by MC's the story drifts off in an unexpected direction. Then the book ends abruptly with no resolution to the story arcs in play. I don't know how a good read could go so quickly off the rails.
Another issue had with the book was the lack growth and insight shown by Joanna. She is is on an angry soapbox when we meet her. Many conversations with Deborah and the entire cast on the farm later, she continues to rage against the injustices she perceives.
November 4, 2016
I didn't think I would like this book because I'm not into stories about disasters and the collapse of our country as we know it. But I read it because I adored her other novels and I certainly am glad I did. It's well written and I could not put this book down. I have the bags under my eyes to prove it. There is not a lot of sex in this book but it is a love story of sorts. I found this novel fascinating and I loved Deborah. GREAT character that will make you question some things about yourself and what you would do in her circumstances. I give this book my highest rating.
December 29, 2016
Wow
That just ended. Lol. Oh man this was really good. Had me at page one. I wasn't sure what to make of Deborah but by the end I was on her side. As for Joanna I liked her from the start even though she has stuff to straighten out. As for all the other ladies they make the storyline. I definitely recommend this book.
That just ended. Lol. Oh man this was really good. Had me at page one. I wasn't sure what to make of Deborah but by the end I was on her side. As for Joanna I liked her from the start even though she has stuff to straighten out. As for all the other ladies they make the storyline. I definitely recommend this book.
August 3, 2015
Multiple earthquakes have struck the U.S., having a massive economic impact on eight states in the South and Midwest. If Deborah Steele had been at her job in Memphis, she would be among the thousands of casualties. As it happens, though, she was in Indiana on a family matter, and with Memphis no longer on the map, she has little choice but to stay. She has her family property, and she has women who work on the farm with her as contracts. After three years of tough times and hard work, they are at last making a go of the farm.
One night on her way back from town, she is stranded by a snowstorm at the local diner. She joins a poker game to pass the time. One of the players bets his contracted companion on a bluff, but Deborah has a better hand. The women whose contract she wins promises to be nothing but trouble, yet there’s a long-time connection that Deborah cannot ignore.
M.E. Logan gives the reader a lot to think about. How much do we sacrifice to survive? Can those who have some advantage justify unpaid labor if they are giving something of value back in return? How do you put a value on someone you once cared for as a friend and a lover? Can someone ever forgive being used as a commodity when neither party had a choice in the matter?
The story is developed just enough to leave the reader wanting more. Is there a sequel in the works?
One night on her way back from town, she is stranded by a snowstorm at the local diner. She joins a poker game to pass the time. One of the players bets his contracted companion on a bluff, but Deborah has a better hand. The women whose contract she wins promises to be nothing but trouble, yet there’s a long-time connection that Deborah cannot ignore.
M.E. Logan gives the reader a lot to think about. How much do we sacrifice to survive? Can those who have some advantage justify unpaid labor if they are giving something of value back in return? How do you put a value on someone you once cared for as a friend and a lover? Can someone ever forgive being used as a commodity when neither party had a choice in the matter?
The story is developed just enough to leave the reader wanting more. Is there a sequel in the works?
March 27, 2015
Actually most of the book I really liked, but what happened to the ending???
I actually wanted to give it a two as I finished the book, but I've cooled down a few days before scoring it, so I'm ending up on a 3,5 stars.
I actually wanted to give it a two as I finished the book, but I've cooled down a few days before scoring it, so I'm ending up on a 3,5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews