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Steel My Heart
Emmy
I'm not a fighter. I'm a shy, curvy good girl who does what she's told. Abused, battered and beaten down by those who say they love me; I've spent my life being the perfect victim for the powerful and the cruel.
J. taught me that love is worth fighting for.
And now I am ready to fight back.
J.
Keep your head down. That's what they told me when I got out of prison and again once I finished my parole. And I meant to do that, I swear. I had my brothers, The Sons of Steel Motorcycle Club at my side. I had a mission and a sense of pride. I wasn't looking for a fight.
But meeting Emmy turned that all on its head. She's too damn beautiful not to fight for, no matter what it costs me.
Whether it's my freedom, or my life.
She's worth it.
I'm not a fighter. I'm a shy, curvy good girl who does what she's told. Abused, battered and beaten down by those who say they love me; I've spent my life being the perfect victim for the powerful and the cruel.
J. taught me that love is worth fighting for.
And now I am ready to fight back.
J.
Keep your head down. That's what they told me when I got out of prison and again once I finished my parole. And I meant to do that, I swear. I had my brothers, The Sons of Steel Motorcycle Club at my side. I had a mission and a sense of pride. I wasn't looking for a fight.
But meeting Emmy turned that all on its head. She's too damn beautiful not to fight for, no matter what it costs me.
Whether it's my freedom, or my life.
She's worth it.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2014
181 people are currently reading
750 people want to read
About the author
Vivian Lux
74 books535 followersVivian Lux is a penname for author Theresa Leigh
Theresa Leigh is a romance author whose love of reading is so intense, she sometimes injures herself by walking around with her nose in a book. She loves writing stories that have you feeling every emotion... sometimes all on the same page.
After five years of writing romance under a penname, Theresa finally decided to own up to how she was spending her all time. Her mother now knows all about the kinds of books she writes. She reacted more positively to it than Theresa expected.
Theresa lives and writes in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York State (not the city) (that distinction is important to her), where she lives with her husband, twin sons and twin orange cats, Pumpkin and Jackie O’Lantern. When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys eating too much Thai food, walking around barefoot, and cooing baby talk at her cats.
Theresa Leigh is a romance author whose love of reading is so intense, she sometimes injures herself by walking around with her nose in a book. She loves writing stories that have you feeling every emotion... sometimes all on the same page.
After five years of writing romance under a penname, Theresa finally decided to own up to how she was spending her all time. Her mother now knows all about the kinds of books she writes. She reacted more positively to it than Theresa expected.
Theresa lives and writes in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York State (not the city) (that distinction is important to her), where she lives with her husband, twin sons and twin orange cats, Pumpkin and Jackie O’Lantern. When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys eating too much Thai food, walking around barefoot, and cooing baby talk at her cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
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August 1, 2014
This book started off interesting especially the dynamics between the heroine and her asshole fiancé, but it never really went anywhere. Disappointing.
September 18, 2022
Byl to dobrý příběh, hezky plynul, postavy byly skvělé. Jen jsem zase měla pocit že se to nedořešilo.
* SPOILER*
Jak to vyřešili s tím bývalím? Šla ona na výpověď a bylo to vše vyřešené?
* SPOILER*
Jak to vyřešili s tím bývalím? Šla ona na výpověď a bylo to vše vyřešené?
October 5, 2014
This book was for the most part ok and I got it for only 99 cents so it was a deal but it was just not up to par with most of the biker romances that are available...and I have read a lot of them.
I think the cover was deceptive right off the bat...it should have shown a black man with a blonde girl and then you would know what to expect, because honestly that is the only original thing I found in this story. From the very beginning when we meet Emmy and her abusive rich BF I was thinking "This sounds so familiar"...and it was, because the idea of a waitress meeting a rich boy, being dominated by him and then running away with an outlaw rebel type has been done before...many times. When she walks into a biker bar, gets the attention of the room and then is hit on by everyone and meets the guy who will be her knight in shining armor...yes, that has also been done in so many books already.
"J" was at least a kind and loving man, loyal to his "brothers" and honorable as far as not taking advantage of Emmy, who was dealing with her mistrust and fear of aggressive men. There is the usual run-ins with police, another MC and conflicts involving distant family members.
The idea of dealing with not only the prejudices of being in a biker club but also a different race has been done in other books, however this one also tackles other issues as well: a "curvier" than average woman who is made to feel low self-esteem, an African American who deals with racism everyday and not surprisingly, the rich White man portrayed as the villian/abuser.
It has an HEA "for now" ending but I'm not sure I care enough about the characters to find out what happens next.
**** 3.5 **** "some things are worth fighting for" stars
I think the cover was deceptive right off the bat...it should have shown a black man with a blonde girl and then you would know what to expect, because honestly that is the only original thing I found in this story. From the very beginning when we meet Emmy and her abusive rich BF I was thinking "This sounds so familiar"...and it was, because the idea of a waitress meeting a rich boy, being dominated by him and then running away with an outlaw rebel type has been done before...many times. When she walks into a biker bar, gets the attention of the room and then is hit on by everyone and meets the guy who will be her knight in shining armor...yes, that has also been done in so many books already.
"J" was at least a kind and loving man, loyal to his "brothers" and honorable as far as not taking advantage of Emmy, who was dealing with her mistrust and fear of aggressive men. There is the usual run-ins with police, another MC and conflicts involving distant family members.
The idea of dealing with not only the prejudices of being in a biker club but also a different race has been done in other books, however this one also tackles other issues as well: a "curvier" than average woman who is made to feel low self-esteem, an African American who deals with racism everyday and not surprisingly, the rich White man portrayed as the villian/abuser.
It has an HEA "for now" ending but I'm not sure I care enough about the characters to find out what happens next.
**** 3.5 **** "some things are worth fighting for" stars
July 28, 2014
This was an ok read. Had potential to be fab but got lost along the way.
September 7, 2014
I had to make myself finish this one. Not sure why that's the case but it is. I don't think I'll be continuing on with this series.
September 26, 2017
I found it hard to get into this book I have read many biker romance books and this one has potential to be so much better than it was. The cover was definitely misleading as the story centered around a black male instead of a white male and it come off as the author was trying at parts to point out the fact that J stood out as a black male. Interracial relationships are far from taboo and controversial but it comes off that way when she is constantly reminding readers that J is black and stands out to everyone. That isn't the case he isn't the only black male in the story so he shouldn't be the only one to stand out. I may come back later to attempt to finish this series but not sure if I will or not.
July 31, 2017
Eh...
I put it down several times, almost making it a DNF, but I hate to not at least try to finish a book. I lost the number of spelling and grammar mistakes after a while, there were a lot.
In my opinion, the story dragged a lot. I found myself skimming through chapters to get to the heart of the story. It wasn't until I was 70% done with the book, when things started to pick up ...really fast, almost too fast to try to cram in all at once.
I'll pass on any future books in this series.
I put it down several times, almost making it a DNF, but I hate to not at least try to finish a book. I lost the number of spelling and grammar mistakes after a while, there were a lot.
In my opinion, the story dragged a lot. I found myself skimming through chapters to get to the heart of the story. It wasn't until I was 70% done with the book, when things started to pick up ...really fast, almost too fast to try to cram in all at once.
I'll pass on any future books in this series.
August 3, 2017
I first got this through KU and a few months later saw it again and of course after reading, realize I read it so I finally broken down and bought so now permanent part of my collection :).
It is a great quick read. Love J and Emmy. Emmy lost her way, lost her independence and self-confidence by being with someone no worthy of her. J is just getting his life back on track. Read how these two worlds interconnect and find out will love win for these two...
A must have, I cannot wait to read more of Sons of Steel Teach, Case and Crash.
It is a great quick read. Love J and Emmy. Emmy lost her way, lost her independence and self-confidence by being with someone no worthy of her. J is just getting his life back on track. Read how these two worlds interconnect and find out will love win for these two...
A must have, I cannot wait to read more of Sons of Steel Teach, Case and Crash.
August 18, 2017
Steel My Heart is my introduction to Vivian Lux and her writing style. I found this book hits so many points in my life and some of my friends lives. It could be said that both J and Emmy were wrong place right time and right place wrong time. I think J and Emmy are perfect for each other and they seem to handle the challenges of creating a life together very well. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
July 31, 2017
This book was alright. Didn't like the POV changes, Emmy in first person but J. was in third person. Kinda weird. Good characters & story pacing, though wasn't as much action or sense of danger as you would expect in a MC romance, even with that "trigger warning" scene. Liked that this was an interracial couple. Just lacking some depth all around.
November 2, 2018
Okay
For those who love M.C romance. Emmy is in a destructive relationship with Robert. He has isolated her from friends, study and is verbally and at the end physically aggressive. I was glad to see her escape, find J and rekindle her friendship with Sammie.
For those who love M.C romance. Emmy is in a destructive relationship with Robert. He has isolated her from friends, study and is verbally and at the end physically aggressive. I was glad to see her escape, find J and rekindle her friendship with Sammie.
September 15, 2017
Awesome
A definite twist to bikers, none of the club's I knew as a girl would allow it, looking forward to the rest of the series
A definite twist to bikers, none of the club's I knew as a girl would allow it, looking forward to the rest of the series
September 12, 2018
If the book is not long than 150 pages its not a book. This was a short that left you with a left hanging ending.
September 21, 2014
MEDIOCRE
Emmy has been in abusive relationship for the past six months. But she is in denial, thinking that her fiance Robert loves her, and treats her thstw way because she deserves it. When Robert doesn't come home one night, she goes to a bar where she meets J, who is fresh off probation. They meet again by coincidence, and J is the one she runs to when she finally leaves Robert.
This book was ok. Most of the book she was still with Robert, and I was highly irritated with the way she justified all of the cruel things he did to her. I also thought that it seemed unlikely that after a rape, 2 days later she is ready to have sex again, especially after she heard something tear down there.
I was hoping that the next book would be about Sammy and and one of the other guys. I was disappointed that the next one would be a continuation of Emma and J's story, because I thought the ending could have been a HEA. But I guess things were left somewhat unresolved with Robert and the other MC. Though I will say that I am happy that there were no club whores to contend with.
Overall, decent book. Nothing special, though I will probably read the next one if it is available on Kindle Unlimited.
Emmy has been in abusive relationship for the past six months. But she is in denial, thinking that her fiance Robert loves her, and treats her thstw way because she deserves it. When Robert doesn't come home one night, she goes to a bar where she meets J, who is fresh off probation. They meet again by coincidence, and J is the one she runs to when she finally leaves Robert.
This book was ok. Most of the book she was still with Robert, and I was highly irritated with the way she justified all of the cruel things he did to her. I also thought that it seemed unlikely that after a rape, 2 days later she is ready to have sex again, especially after she heard something tear down there.
I was hoping that the next book would be about Sammy and and one of the other guys. I was disappointed that the next one would be a continuation of Emma and J's story, because I thought the ending could have been a HEA. But I guess things were left somewhat unresolved with Robert and the other MC. Though I will say that I am happy that there were no club whores to contend with.
Overall, decent book. Nothing special, though I will probably read the next one if it is available on Kindle Unlimited.
September 7, 2014
**Meh.: We don’t want to think too much about the time we spent reading this book. It was just “fine”. Nothing special that almost gets to the point that we might regret the fact that we finished it, but we did finish it.
Steel My Heart started out like maybe it would end up being really good, and then by about 20% I was struggling to even force myself to keep reading. I did finish it, but seriously?
The author gave us zero reason to care about the heroine's relationships outside of the hero or her jerk of a fiance. I just couldn't get invested no matter how hard I tried.
The character development was crap. Everything felt half done and juvenile. It didn't feel like a normal MC book, not that I'm an expert on the MC life by any means.
The one of the redeeming qualities was the black male/white female dynamic. I was taken back by it because the cover is a white dude, so that definitely threw me for a loop. Plus the grammar itself wasn't half bad.
I would definitely want my money back if I didn't feel that it were unethical due to the fact that I actually finished the book. I will not be reading the second.
Steel My Heart started out like maybe it would end up being really good, and then by about 20% I was struggling to even force myself to keep reading. I did finish it, but seriously?
The author gave us zero reason to care about the heroine's relationships outside of the hero or her jerk of a fiance. I just couldn't get invested no matter how hard I tried.
The character development was crap. Everything felt half done and juvenile. It didn't feel like a normal MC book, not that I'm an expert on the MC life by any means.
The one of the redeeming qualities was the black male/white female dynamic. I was taken back by it because the cover is a white dude, so that definitely threw me for a loop. Plus the grammar itself wasn't half bad.
I would definitely want my money back if I didn't feel that it were unethical due to the fact that I actually finished the book. I will not be reading the second.
January 5, 2016
This is the first book in the Sons of Steel MC series. Emmy is 22, curvy & has low self esteem thanks to her scummy fiancé, Robert. He is a rich businessman & he treats her like crap, telling her what to do & what to wear. She was going to school to be an artist & Robert made her quit telling her she wasn't talented enough. J is Road Captain for the Sons of Steel MC. He spent 6 years in Prison where he met Teach, the President of the MC who was volunteering at the prison. He just finished his year of probation & his club brothers take him out to a bar to celebrate. After Emmy smells strange perfume on Robert & he is out late she decides to go out alone. She ends up at the same bar as the MC & J is immediately attracted to her. She gets drunk, flirts with J, says she's engaged, passes out & then he drives her home. Robert does something horrible to her & she waits till he leaves for work & runs away to find J.
July 19, 2014
Lux´ “Steel My Heart” isn’t just another story about a biker and his motor cycle club. It is one of the few stories I read about an Afro-American male protagonist that issues race and racism in the US. I really liked the context of the story and the balance between the single storyline and the different background stories. Lux doesn’t stress one issue over the top. While Emmy has to deal with an abusive relationship, J has to handle his life after jail and probation. Lux´ writing style is detailed and vivid. Her choice of narration is special. While Emmy tells the story in first-person narrative, J´s point of view is written in third-person, authorial perspective. Different from other stories their narrations don’t alternate from chapter to chapter. The chapters with J´s narratives are rare but placed very smart.
19. Juli 2014
19. Juli 2014
September 7, 2014
We are introduced to Emmy and J. in this book. Emmy is in a controlling relationship with Robert and meets J. by accident when she rebels one night. J. is intrigued by Emmy but misunderstands her life. Emmy breaks free from Robert and tries to find her way with J. I had a difficult time relating to Emmy and did not care for her much. She tried to run from her problems every time and did not acknowledge that she had a part in being with Robert. J. and Emmy try to make their way but Emmy does not understand why J. won't run away and start a new life with her. It was an okay read and not overly long.
January 4, 2016
This is not going well for me. The h is a weak spineless women who is "engaged" to a wealthy man who abuses her or atleast for the past six months. Then she mets an African American biker who becomes a hero within moments.
This girl needs to learn how to stand on her own two feet before falling into another relationship. I hate that in a romance novel. Like every woman needs to be saved by a strong man. She is afraid of her boyfriend but she goes to a biker bar, gets drunk and wants to sleep with some stranger because he says something nice to her.
Really! I need to rest on this one to determine if I am going to finished this weak chick.
This girl needs to learn how to stand on her own two feet before falling into another relationship. I hate that in a romance novel. Like every woman needs to be saved by a strong man. She is afraid of her boyfriend but she goes to a biker bar, gets drunk and wants to sleep with some stranger because he says something nice to her.
Really! I need to rest on this one to determine if I am going to finished this weak chick.
July 28, 2017
Steel My Heart was a gripping MC romance - it opens with an intriguing and mysterious cry for help, and takes us through J and Emmy's story. I love how J taught Emmy to fight back for herself. She was a sweet, docile but poorly treated young woman, and he helped her find her backbone. Sweet meets steel in this sweet-hot romance !Emmy was stuck in a bad, abusive relationship, and I felt sorry for her. Robert was awful. I was glad she found J and even though it took some time for her to start trusting him, it was a good story. Drama and conflict kept things lively, but I enjoyed this very much, even through the pain I felt for Emmy. I hope to read more about the Sons of Steel.
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July 9, 2016This was a really nice story. I like the story development and how Robert and Emily's situation built up from him meeting her when she was a waitress until he had her bound to him in a controlling situation. The final straw was when he rapes her and she knows to leave. Most women in that situation have been conditioned to believe they deserve to be treated that way.
I know I spoiled it a little for you but there is much more to the story than that. J. is up there as book boyfriend of the week!!!
I know I spoiled it a little for you but there is much more to the story than that. J. is up there as book boyfriend of the week!!!
January 19, 2015
Just Excellent
This was such a roaring good story.The writing was good and the story was well thought out
This story moves at such a good pace that it eases you into one scene to the next.I love that it doesn't get bogged down to the fact that they are a interracial couple.I like the interaction between the two main characters,it seems effortless.This is the beginning of a really really good series.
This was such a roaring good story.The writing was good and the story was well thought out
This story moves at such a good pace that it eases you into one scene to the next.I love that it doesn't get bogged down to the fact that they are a interracial couple.I like the interaction between the two main characters,it seems effortless.This is the beginning of a really really good series.
August 14, 2015
Love MC series!!!
Reading MC stories has to be my favorite genre of all and this one was one of the great ones!! J was trying to get on with his life after finally being free from parole. Meeting Emmy only made the better. But could she get away from her controlling fiancé and survive. Meeting J gave her hope for the first time!!! Loved this story and now onto the next in the series!!!!
Reading MC stories has to be my favorite genre of all and this one was one of the great ones!! J was trying to get on with his life after finally being free from parole. Meeting Emmy only made the better. But could she get away from her controlling fiancé and survive. Meeting J gave her hope for the first time!!! Loved this story and now onto the next in the series!!!!
July 28, 2017
Wrong place, wrong time?
Right place, right time?
For J and Emmy, it is their journey to figure out just that. J is rough around the edges and Emmy is polished but broken. Money and prestige means nothing when your heart makes the decision for you. Steel my heart is a short read but it holds tight till the end.
Right place, right time?
For J and Emmy, it is their journey to figure out just that. J is rough around the edges and Emmy is polished but broken. Money and prestige means nothing when your heart makes the decision for you. Steel my heart is a short read but it holds tight till the end.
October 31, 2014
Not your regular rough and ready biker book to be honest but worth a read. It's not packed full of drama like some other books. Has one or two hard to swallow parts but does have a race message in there. I liked it but it didn't overwhelm me, it was well written and I will read the next I think :)Whilst enjoyable, I couldn't manage to push a 4 star rating, sorry.
April 5, 2015
The summary sounded really good, I love a good MC romance.. I liked this one but I didn't love it.. I am giving it 3 stars cause it just didn't hit me the way I thought it would. The writing was great but somethings happened too fast and there really wasnt much biker action (at least to me). I am not sure yet if I want to read the next one or not..
February 7, 2016
This is my first read by this author. I found this book hard to read. First of all it kept going from POV of J and then it felt that as if someone else was talking for J. It was very strange. Story line was okay. But I am going to try the next book in the series. Because I liked the characters Emmy, J , Cash , Sam , Teach and Crash. I am hoping book two is better.
December 1, 2014
Ok read
Would not class it as a mc read, not in book one anyway. Like that story but taught it was a little dragged out and taught Robert could have been a little more of a duck. Hated the racist card part of the story. Brought all 3 books so hope number two will be better
Would not class it as a mc read, not in book one anyway. Like that story but taught it was a little dragged out and taught Robert could have been a little more of a duck. Hated the racist card part of the story. Brought all 3 books so hope number two will be better
February 26, 2015
Sigh, I'm a huge fan of SOA and bikers. Was looking for a good romance read pertaining to the rebel biker, I could barely finish this book.. cheesy! Emmy was especially annoying. Ugh.. Will definitely not continue the series,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews