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Frontiera #2
Heart of Steel
Dr. Daria Lovejoy, advice maven for the galaxy, can't talk her way out when she's kidnapped by a pirate. But then, why would she want to?
Jark Steele may be as fearsome as the space pirate on the cover of Daria’s favorite romance, but he’s also much, much more. He battled his way out of the slums of Earth I with his immense size and brawn, but this cruiser pilot has brains as well. And he’s not missing this chance to prove it to the woman of his dreams.
When Daria discovers Jark saved her from being snatched by kidnappers hired by her own fiancé, she rewards him and herself with a night of passion. She discovers this man of steel is one alpha male who knows how to make a woman feel ravished ... in the best possible way.
But despite her fame for urging others to go after their dreams, will she find the courage to grasp all that’s possible in their newfound passion … or will she retreat behind her safe, public persona?
A 36K novella in the Frontiera Series. A much shorter version of this story appeared on the Samhellion site several years ago, but the story has been extensively rewritten & edited.
Jark Steele may be as fearsome as the space pirate on the cover of Daria’s favorite romance, but he’s also much, much more. He battled his way out of the slums of Earth I with his immense size and brawn, but this cruiser pilot has brains as well. And he’s not missing this chance to prove it to the woman of his dreams.
When Daria discovers Jark saved her from being snatched by kidnappers hired by her own fiancé, she rewards him and herself with a night of passion. She discovers this man of steel is one alpha male who knows how to make a woman feel ravished ... in the best possible way.
But despite her fame for urging others to go after their dreams, will she find the courage to grasp all that’s possible in their newfound passion … or will she retreat behind her safe, public persona?
A 36K novella in the Frontiera Series. A much shorter version of this story appeared on the Samhellion site several years ago, but the story has been extensively rewritten & edited.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2010
14 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Cathryn Cade
45 books787 followersThe bigger the alpha, the harder he falls!
I write sexy contemp, contemp paranormal & sci fi romance, inviting you along on a heart-pounding ride with heroes who can only be tamed by the greatest force in the universe … love.
I live in a little town on a big lake in North Idaho, so look for the Northwest in my stories.
I write sexy contemp, contemp paranormal & sci fi romance, inviting you along on a heart-pounding ride with heroes who can only be tamed by the greatest force in the universe … love.
I live in a little town on a big lake in North Idaho, so look for the Northwest in my stories.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 2, 2023
HEART OF STEELis bk2 in CJ Cade’s Sci-fi Romance Frontiera series, published in 2014.
MY RATING GUIDE: 3 Stars. This was a light, quick reading (& quite sexy), Sci-fi Insta-love romance.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= THIS WAS OKAY; 3.5= I enjoyed this; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Late Autumn, on the newly colonized planet of Frontiera ~
Jark Steele is currently private security and pilot for entrepreneur Stone Matsterson of Masterson Enterprises. Jark’s life began in the slums of Earth I, fighting for his place. In his teens Jark was one of the many laboring dock workers, struggling to survive. When Stone Masterson invited Jark to join his forming gang, Jark’s future prospects drastically improved. Although Stone’s group began as space pirates scraping cargo together to sell, over the years they have become very successful and now they are even legit. Masterson headquarters are presently based on the pioneer planet of Frontiera, located off the galaxy’s main shipping lanes.
When Jark Steele overhears diabolical plans against holo-celebrity and advice guru Dr Daria Lovejoy, he takes immediate action. Dr Lovejoy has no qualms advising her fans about their relationships but when a promising man from Frontiera’s borders approaches her, she falters.
Comments ~
1) HEART OF STEEL is bk 2 in a 2 bk series. It ties-in very slightly with Cade’s Lodestar and Orion series.
2) HEART OF STEEL is a Proximity-Danger and an Opposites Attract trope novel. HOS read very quickly, teased of adventure, had no cliffhangers and a HEA.
3) I thought HOS had less plotting and story than bk 1, HEART OF STONE. Neither are particularly complex reads but HEART OF STEEL read more like a novella - too short for a truly satisfying story, more just a tease with plenty of sexcapades. It’s too bad because I was interested in the characters. I enjoy Sci-fi Romance/Space Operas but I appreciate novels with more plotting and depth than either book in the Frontiera series provided.
4) HEART OF STEEL would probably be best enjoyed by readers:
> looking for a quick reading, light & Sexy Space Opera Romance.
> willing to suspend credibility and simply go along for the ride.
> who are okay with (or enjoy) quick Insta-love romances.
READER CAUTION ~ Not recommended to YAs or to readers who prefer Clean fiction.
PROFANITY - Yes. Blunt, strong language is used.
VIOLENCE - Sc-fi/PG. Not dark or graphic.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. HOS does have several steamy scenes between the MCs.
MY RATING GUIDE: 3 Stars. This was a light, quick reading (& quite sexy), Sci-fi Insta-love romance.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= THIS WAS OKAY; 3.5= I enjoyed this; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Late Autumn, on the newly colonized planet of Frontiera ~
Jark Steele is currently private security and pilot for entrepreneur Stone Matsterson of Masterson Enterprises. Jark’s life began in the slums of Earth I, fighting for his place. In his teens Jark was one of the many laboring dock workers, struggling to survive. When Stone Masterson invited Jark to join his forming gang, Jark’s future prospects drastically improved. Although Stone’s group began as space pirates scraping cargo together to sell, over the years they have become very successful and now they are even legit. Masterson headquarters are presently based on the pioneer planet of Frontiera, located off the galaxy’s main shipping lanes.
When Jark Steele overhears diabolical plans against holo-celebrity and advice guru Dr Daria Lovejoy, he takes immediate action. Dr Lovejoy has no qualms advising her fans about their relationships but when a promising man from Frontiera’s borders approaches her, she falters.
Comments ~
1) HEART OF STEEL is bk 2 in a 2 bk series. It ties-in very slightly with Cade’s Lodestar and Orion series.
2) HEART OF STEEL is a Proximity-Danger and an Opposites Attract trope novel. HOS read very quickly, teased of adventure, had no cliffhangers and a HEA.
3) I thought HOS had less plotting and story than bk 1, HEART OF STONE. Neither are particularly complex reads but HEART OF STEEL read more like a novella - too short for a truly satisfying story, more just a tease with plenty of sexcapades. It’s too bad because I was interested in the characters. I enjoy Sci-fi Romance/Space Operas but I appreciate novels with more plotting and depth than either book in the Frontiera series provided.
4) HEART OF STEEL would probably be best enjoyed by readers:
> looking for a quick reading, light & Sexy Space Opera Romance.
> willing to suspend credibility and simply go along for the ride.
> who are okay with (or enjoy) quick Insta-love romances.
READER CAUTION ~ Not recommended to YAs or to readers who prefer Clean fiction.
PROFANITY - Yes. Blunt, strong language is used.
VIOLENCE - Sc-fi/PG. Not dark or graphic.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. HOS does have several steamy scenes between the MCs.
December 2, 2019
Being kidnapped (for her own good) by a man Daria thinks could be a sexy pirate is hardly the worst thing that could have happened to the good doctor. I mean, Jark could have been out to actually do the job her fiance was trying to hire someone to do. And Jark could have been a real pirate instead of just looking like one (a sexy, sexy one!). And things could have gone very badly for her from the moment she was snatched.
Instead, Daria ends up with a sexy, polite, massively muscled pilot who really only wants to help her. In other words, she hit the sexy dude jackpot.
As for Jark, he's been smitten with the lovely Daria for years and has no problem stepping in to save her from her jerk of a fiance. And if she happens to throw caution to the wind and spend a night in his arms, who is he to tell her no?
There's a little more to their relationship than that, though. For one, Daria's not one to jump into things and Jark is more than ready to call her his. As you can imagine, that causes a wee bit of friction. Then they make up and create friction in the best way and GOOD TIMES, MAN. GOOD TIMES.
A fake kidnapping, a sexy pirate, and a woman learning to let go. I like.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Instead, Daria ends up with a sexy, polite, massively muscled pilot who really only wants to help her. In other words, she hit the sexy dude jackpot.
As for Jark, he's been smitten with the lovely Daria for years and has no problem stepping in to save her from her jerk of a fiance. And if she happens to throw caution to the wind and spend a night in his arms, who is he to tell her no?
There's a little more to their relationship than that, though. For one, Daria's not one to jump into things and Jark is more than ready to call her his. As you can imagine, that causes a wee bit of friction. Then they make up and create friction in the best way and GOOD TIMES, MAN. GOOD TIMES.
A fake kidnapping, a sexy pirate, and a woman learning to let go. I like.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
June 2, 2018
Jark and Daria the insecure twits
Jark is Stone's (the H from book 1) pilot and he's a big guy. Was picked on when he was a kid for his size. Which to be honest, is hard to believe. What fool would pick on a guy who could pound him into mush???
Daria is an insecure tv?radio? star who gives advice. Which is about as nonsensical as a 6'5" guy who got bullied as a kid.
He has secretly had a star-crush on the Doc for years and when he overhears her current lover's plan to abduct her and bilk her for money... well he has to save the day.
So he abducts her instead and they basically fall into bed about 3 seconds later. A lot of sex in this one, more sex than story. Quantity over quality I'm sorry to say.
There was way too much push and pull. Neither character was good at listening.
At one point I thought Jark was unforgivable, and I don't think he ever did redeem himself. But since Daria is a twit, it hardly matters.
I usually like this author. Oh well.
Jark is Stone's (the H from book 1) pilot and he's a big guy. Was picked on when he was a kid for his size. Which to be honest, is hard to believe. What fool would pick on a guy who could pound him into mush???
Daria is an insecure tv?radio? star who gives advice. Which is about as nonsensical as a 6'5" guy who got bullied as a kid.
He has secretly had a star-crush on the Doc for years and when he overhears her current lover's plan to abduct her and bilk her for money... well he has to save the day.
So he abducts her instead and they basically fall into bed about 3 seconds later. A lot of sex in this one, more sex than story. Quantity over quality I'm sorry to say.
There was way too much push and pull. Neither character was good at listening.
At one point I thought Jark was unforgivable, and I don't think he ever did redeem himself. But since Daria is a twit, it hardly matters.
I usually like this author. Oh well.
April 11, 2020
A lot of see sawing between them but I did find humour in it.
Jark, whom we have met before as he is Stones pilot and friend, overhears a plot to have his favourite radio doctor kidnapped for ransom. Taking the real kidnappers place, he grabs Dr Daria Lovejoy and hides her as a way to protect her.
Once Daria settles down, believes Jark and realises it is her fiancé who is behind this, she spends time with her very hot, good looking pirate good Samaritan. In bed and out.
Jark, has been in lust with the voice of Dr Lovejoy for years. Meeting the real her, spending time with her and finding her to be quite shy and introverted, he falls hard.
Daria basically walks away without even a thank you, leaving Jark heartbroken and thinking he isn’t good enough for the polished Daria. They do keep linking each other
This is when it falls apart for me. Clear communication would have helped. There is too much hot cold between them for too long.
Jark is trying to slowly woo Daria but is not honest in his feelings, playing a long-range game.
This doesn’t really work as Daria’s past influences her negatively and her self-esteem is extremely poor.
When Daria finally steps up big time and decides her life is hers and she wants Jark, she does actually do a very brave thing and pursues him at a large ball, only for Jark to be extremely rude and hurtful in public.
Daria ends up feeling humiliated but understands Jark behaved as he did, due to her behaviour.
Though it all ends well as one expects, I was just a bit upset with both of them until Daria takes Jark prisoner. So cute.
We get a tiny bit of time with Rose and Stone.
Read and reviewed previously many years ago.
Reread through Kindle Unlimited
One thing the author has made a mistake in. Daria flings her mask off the balcony in the beginning of chapter 10 but has it back on further in the same chapter and Jark then removes it in chapter 11. Silly error but annoying.
Quite a few errors made it through proofreading as well.
Jark, whom we have met before as he is Stones pilot and friend, overhears a plot to have his favourite radio doctor kidnapped for ransom. Taking the real kidnappers place, he grabs Dr Daria Lovejoy and hides her as a way to protect her.
Once Daria settles down, believes Jark and realises it is her fiancé who is behind this, she spends time with her very hot, good looking pirate good Samaritan. In bed and out.
Jark, has been in lust with the voice of Dr Lovejoy for years. Meeting the real her, spending time with her and finding her to be quite shy and introverted, he falls hard.
Daria basically walks away without even a thank you, leaving Jark heartbroken and thinking he isn’t good enough for the polished Daria. They do keep linking each other
This is when it falls apart for me. Clear communication would have helped. There is too much hot cold between them for too long.
Jark is trying to slowly woo Daria but is not honest in his feelings, playing a long-range game.
This doesn’t really work as Daria’s past influences her negatively and her self-esteem is extremely poor.
When Daria finally steps up big time and decides her life is hers and she wants Jark, she does actually do a very brave thing and pursues him at a large ball, only for Jark to be extremely rude and hurtful in public.
Daria ends up feeling humiliated but understands Jark behaved as he did, due to her behaviour.
Though it all ends well as one expects, I was just a bit upset with both of them until Daria takes Jark prisoner. So cute.
We get a tiny bit of time with Rose and Stone.
Read and reviewed previously many years ago.
Reread through Kindle Unlimited
One thing the author has made a mistake in. Daria flings her mask off the balcony in the beginning of chapter 10 but has it back on further in the same chapter and Jark then removes it in chapter 11. Silly error but annoying.
Quite a few errors made it through proofreading as well.
November 3, 2015
Love this one! I fell in love with Ms. Cade's work in Heart of Stone. This next one in the series is just as good. All the things I loved in book 1, were just as present in this one. When a book makes me cry and scream out "how could you do that??" and then in the next breath "how can you just take that??" I know it's good. I'm also glad I was not in public when that happened. Great series so far and I need more of her work.
June 7, 2021
Another awesome book from Cathryn Cade. such engaging stories
January 23, 2015
Awful
This was so awful right from the start and just got worse as you got further into the story. I got threw 70% painfully and just gave up.
This was so awful right from the start and just got worse as you got further into the story. I got threw 70% painfully and just gave up.
February 6, 2017
Another good read from the new ScI fi series by Cathryn Cade
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews