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Steel Brothers Saga #1
Craving
Your Escape Into A World of Dark Mysteries & Spicy Romance.
After being left at the altar, Jade Roberts seeks solace at her best friend’s ranch on the Colorado western slope. Her humiliation still ripe, she doesn't expect to be attracted to her friend’s reticent brother, but when the gorgeous cowboy kisses her, all bets are off.
Talon Steel is broken. Having never fully healed from a horrific childhood trauma, he simply exists, taking from women what is offered and giving nothing in return...until Jade Roberts catapults into his life. She is beautiful, sweet, and giving, and his desire for her becomes a craving he fears he'll never be able to satisfy.
Passion sizzles between the two lovers...but long-buried secrets haunt them both and may eventually tear them apart.
After being left at the altar, Jade Roberts seeks solace at her best friend’s ranch on the Colorado western slope. Her humiliation still ripe, she doesn't expect to be attracted to her friend’s reticent brother, but when the gorgeous cowboy kisses her, all bets are off.
Talon Steel is broken. Having never fully healed from a horrific childhood trauma, he simply exists, taking from women what is offered and giving nothing in return...until Jade Roberts catapults into his life. She is beautiful, sweet, and giving, and his desire for her becomes a craving he fears he'll never be able to satisfy.
Passion sizzles between the two lovers...but long-buried secrets haunt them both and may eventually tear them apart.
288 pages, ebook
First published May 3, 2016
22084 people are currently reading
42485 people want to read
About the author
Helen Hardt
202 books8,325 followers#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt's passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award winning author of contemporary and historical romance and erotica, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family.
Join my official street team on Facebook, Hardt & Soul, for exclusive excerpts and giveaways! https://www.facebook.com/groups/hardt...
Unchained (Blood Bond Saga: One) is FREE!! Get it here:
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Nook: http://bit.ly/2u5tFOc
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Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga Book 10) is AVAILABLE! Get it here👇
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NV9oa5
Nook: http://bit.ly/2zEclDb
iBooks: https://apple.co/2xWg393
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2xYJ70H
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2xKZGwJ
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GR_Breathless
Join my official street team on Facebook, Hardt & Soul, for exclusive excerpts and giveaways! https://www.facebook.com/groups/hardt...
Unchained (Blood Bond Saga: One) is FREE!! Get it here:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2OccbIv
Nook: http://bit.ly/2u5tFOc
iBooks: https://apple.co/2KZpwSi
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2N0srL2
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2u7bHe0
Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga Book 10) is AVAILABLE! Get it here👇
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NV9oa5
Nook: http://bit.ly/2zEclDb
iBooks: https://apple.co/2xWg393
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2xYJ70H
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2xKZGwJ
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GR_Breathless
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,049 reviews
April 13, 2016
An seat gripping, emotional masterpiece!
Helen has stolen my heart with this epic story of 2 broken souls. I opened this ARC with the intention of it lasting a couple of evenings of after work reading. Wow was I wrong, I started and finished this book in 4 hours. I didn't even stop for a break, I couldn't. I was drawn in from the very first chapter. I can not wait for more of the Steel Brothers.
I was blown away with the story that is Talon and Jade. They both have walls built, they both have been hurt and humiliated, one much more than the other, but they have protected their hearts to not fall in love. But will their emotions get the best of them?
Jade has just been left at the alter and decided to move in with her best friend on the Steel ranch, when she gets to the airport Marj (Jade's best friend) was not able to pick her up so she sent her brother Talon. The one Steel brother she hasn't meet. And the chemistry she felt was instant, but she was determined to not let him get to her.
Talon has served in the military and seen things he wish he hadn't. He also suffers from what appears to be a childhood trauma. He has been severely hurt and doesn't know how to show any emotion other than he is a master in the bedroom (His words, not mine.) He is the perfect Alpha Male; tall, dark, and extremely sexy. But his emotional walls are taller than the wall in China. He knows he has feelings for Jade, or at least he thinks he does. Will the 2 ever really be able to open up to one another? Oh I wish I knew.
Helen has stolen my heart with this epic story of 2 broken souls. I opened this ARC with the intention of it lasting a couple of evenings of after work reading. Wow was I wrong, I started and finished this book in 4 hours. I didn't even stop for a break, I couldn't. I was drawn in from the very first chapter. I can not wait for more of the Steel Brothers.
I was blown away with the story that is Talon and Jade. They both have walls built, they both have been hurt and humiliated, one much more than the other, but they have protected their hearts to not fall in love. But will their emotions get the best of them?
Jade has just been left at the alter and decided to move in with her best friend on the Steel ranch, when she gets to the airport Marj (Jade's best friend) was not able to pick her up so she sent her brother Talon. The one Steel brother she hasn't meet. And the chemistry she felt was instant, but she was determined to not let him get to her.
Talon has served in the military and seen things he wish he hadn't. He also suffers from what appears to be a childhood trauma. He has been severely hurt and doesn't know how to show any emotion other than he is a master in the bedroom (His words, not mine.) He is the perfect Alpha Male; tall, dark, and extremely sexy. But his emotional walls are taller than the wall in China. He knows he has feelings for Jade, or at least he thinks he does. Will the 2 ever really be able to open up to one another? Oh I wish I knew.
September 3, 2020
The angst is so frustrating it’s perfect!
This is my first Helen Hardt book and I LOVED IT!! I didn’t expect it to go so deep just from the description but Jade and Talon take you down quite a rabbit hole that leaves you wanting more and dying for the next book!
Poor sweet Jade has just been left at the alter after seven years with her boyfriend turned fiancé. With no where to go, she moves in with her college roommate while she rebuilds her life and wait for the result from her bar exam. Talon is her best friend’s brother and as soon as she lays eyes on him she instantly attracted. He feels exactly the same way, but his dark and troubled past won’t allow him to let anyone in, not even his family, and certainly Jade.
The push and pull of this book is FANTASTIC! Just when you think Jade is working her way in even so slightly, Talon pushes her away. But he wants her so bad!! He wars with himself, desperately wanting her but refusing to hurt her by being with him. It’s deliciously maddening!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one! Talon is so beautifully broken he makes the perfect book boyfriend that you just want to love and heal. And Jade and Talon are so HOT together! Excellent read!
This is my first Helen Hardt book and I LOVED IT!! I didn’t expect it to go so deep just from the description but Jade and Talon take you down quite a rabbit hole that leaves you wanting more and dying for the next book!
Poor sweet Jade has just been left at the alter after seven years with her boyfriend turned fiancé. With no where to go, she moves in with her college roommate while she rebuilds her life and wait for the result from her bar exam. Talon is her best friend’s brother and as soon as she lays eyes on him she instantly attracted. He feels exactly the same way, but his dark and troubled past won’t allow him to let anyone in, not even his family, and certainly Jade.
The push and pull of this book is FANTASTIC! Just when you think Jade is working her way in even so slightly, Talon pushes her away. But he wants her so bad!! He wars with himself, desperately wanting her but refusing to hurt her by being with him. It’s deliciously maddening!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one! Talon is so beautifully broken he makes the perfect book boyfriend that you just want to love and heal. And Jade and Talon are so HOT together! Excellent read!
March 26, 2017
How do I describe how bad a book is without sounding like I'm exaggerating? I haven't figured that one out so screw it - here's my review.
This book was hands down one of the worst books I've ever downloaded from Audible in my life. So many of the passages were so horribly written that cringing became a game of diminishing returns and I had to start flinching. I seldom talk back to a recording but this seven hour tour was peppered with so many "wth's" and "are you kidding me's" that it might as well have been a duet.
First of all Talon Steel? Talon Steel? The nice, down to earth, sane brothers have names like Ryan and Jonas so of course dark and stormy bro has to be named Talon. Because all of this was clear at birth. And of course Broody McDanger was a marine who served in Iraq because troubled. And let's not leave Jade out of the line of fire. Jade has the emotional intelligence of a pack of ramen and is about as deep as the mugs of tea she is constantly making in the microwave. She is only slightly annoyed at being left at the altar after a seven year relationship and she lets her best friend's brother degrade her every chance he gets yet use her for sex after getting something that passes for consent and we're supposed to see her as someone capable of making good choices?
And Marjorie can't think her way out of a paper bag. You can't pick your bff up from the airport so who do you send to get her instead? One of your considerate, polite, charming brothers? Lol, where's the fun in that? No, let's send the misanthropic, sexual opportunist with anger management problems instead. Let's send the character who, if this were jane Eyre, would have been locked away in Rochester's attic instead of Bertha. The author clearly didn't know what to do with her so she sleeps a lot. And in case you miss that she and everyone else will repeat it. A lot. But if I had to spend time with Talon and Jade I might stay curled up in my room in the fetal position too.
And speaking of repetition you will never be allowed to forget that Talon doesn't want anyone to get close to him because he has walls and no one can break down those walls because those walls are never coming down because walls are meant to keep people out and stuff because walls. It's not that you don't sympathize with him as a reader it's just that you get so few chances to do so because Talon is a first class jerk. I don't mind damaged or troubled but all he's giving me is Blue Steel. By chapter five I'd settle for his Le Tigre look. And Talon constantly lets us know that the countless chicks he's had sex with were so hot for it and he is not rape-y. He is not rape-y nor does he have boundary or permission issues. Are we clear?
The kitchen encounters were creepy - even as the reader I wanted to take out a restraining order on Talon. The sex scenes were creepy - this is the first romance I've ever read where I thought both partners needed a ball gag. The post-coital head-tripping wasn't interesting enough to be creepy: If I have sex with her I can finally get her out of my head. Okay, we just had sex and she's, like, totally still in my head and there's the whole walls situation so we better have sex once more and this time it is so going to work. Rinse and repeat...
The plot was paper-thin, the characters were unlikable, the dialogue was fifth grade book report hilarious, the setting apparently consisted of the kitchen table, the shower and the echo chamber that was Talon's head-space and the ending was only shocking because I didn't think the book could get any worse. The author threw in a cheap-ass cliffhanger just to remind me that it doesn't pay to dream.
I'll never get back those seven hours of my life but if I can save another reader from the fresh hell that was this book then it was worth it.
This book was hands down one of the worst books I've ever downloaded from Audible in my life. So many of the passages were so horribly written that cringing became a game of diminishing returns and I had to start flinching. I seldom talk back to a recording but this seven hour tour was peppered with so many "wth's" and "are you kidding me's" that it might as well have been a duet.
First of all Talon Steel? Talon Steel? The nice, down to earth, sane brothers have names like Ryan and Jonas so of course dark and stormy bro has to be named Talon. Because all of this was clear at birth. And of course Broody McDanger was a marine who served in Iraq because troubled. And let's not leave Jade out of the line of fire. Jade has the emotional intelligence of a pack of ramen and is about as deep as the mugs of tea she is constantly making in the microwave. She is only slightly annoyed at being left at the altar after a seven year relationship and she lets her best friend's brother degrade her every chance he gets yet use her for sex after getting something that passes for consent and we're supposed to see her as someone capable of making good choices?
And Marjorie can't think her way out of a paper bag. You can't pick your bff up from the airport so who do you send to get her instead? One of your considerate, polite, charming brothers? Lol, where's the fun in that? No, let's send the misanthropic, sexual opportunist with anger management problems instead. Let's send the character who, if this were jane Eyre, would have been locked away in Rochester's attic instead of Bertha. The author clearly didn't know what to do with her so she sleeps a lot. And in case you miss that she and everyone else will repeat it. A lot. But if I had to spend time with Talon and Jade I might stay curled up in my room in the fetal position too.
And speaking of repetition you will never be allowed to forget that Talon doesn't want anyone to get close to him because he has walls and no one can break down those walls because those walls are never coming down because walls are meant to keep people out and stuff because walls. It's not that you don't sympathize with him as a reader it's just that you get so few chances to do so because Talon is a first class jerk. I don't mind damaged or troubled but all he's giving me is Blue Steel. By chapter five I'd settle for his Le Tigre look. And Talon constantly lets us know that the countless chicks he's had sex with were so hot for it and he is not rape-y. He is not rape-y nor does he have boundary or permission issues. Are we clear?
The kitchen encounters were creepy - even as the reader I wanted to take out a restraining order on Talon. The sex scenes were creepy - this is the first romance I've ever read where I thought both partners needed a ball gag. The post-coital head-tripping wasn't interesting enough to be creepy: If I have sex with her I can finally get her out of my head. Okay, we just had sex and she's, like, totally still in my head and there's the whole walls situation so we better have sex once more and this time it is so going to work. Rinse and repeat...
The plot was paper-thin, the characters were unlikable, the dialogue was fifth grade book report hilarious, the setting apparently consisted of the kitchen table, the shower and the echo chamber that was Talon's head-space and the ending was only shocking because I didn't think the book could get any worse. The author threw in a cheap-ass cliffhanger just to remind me that it doesn't pay to dream.
I'll never get back those seven hours of my life but if I can save another reader from the fresh hell that was this book then it was worth it.
March 10, 2017
Craving 'Craving' by Helen Hardt is book One in the "Steel Brothers" Saga. This is the story of Talon and Jade. There is a cliffhanger to this book so please make note of that. I will say that even though I am not a fan of cliffhangers I understand how much another book was needed when dealing with Talon and Jade's story. In addition, please note I thought this was shadowing on a Dark Romance type theme. Not so much heart and flowers of traditional romances. Jade is uprooting herself from her hometown after being left at the alter. Her best friend Marjorie talks her into coming to stay with her and look for a job there. So Jade heads out to make a new start!Marjorie’s brother Talon picks her up at the airport. This is the first time Jade has met Talon and she is shocked by her reaction. Jade is quickly hot for him but he is not a talkative person and seems distant. Not like his brothers and sister. Talon too can't believe how much he wants Jade but he has a mind set not to get close to any women...and just take what they willing give. But that is hard to stick to around Jade...but he does tries to keep a distance. It didn't take long to fall in love with this story! "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1... https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H... https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp... https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
July 19, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Cliffhanger: Yes. But book 2 is available now!
:: 5 Pretty Little Stars ::
WOAH. I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. After all, it does end in the dreaded cliffhanger that many readers are opposed to. And in all honesty, I wasn’t sure what to expect because I haven’t read any of the authors previous books. However, this one totally ignited a flame inside me and tore me to SHREDS. It’s emotional (there are hints of sexual abuse), it’s angsty, and it downright pulls at every inch of your heart. It didn’t matter to me that it ended in a cliffy because it was that good. Plus, it helps that book two is not available! Anyway, I would certainly recommend this one. It’s pretty heartbreaking when you take in the whole story but I am hoping that once the story is finished (in book 3) that we will find that just because someone is broken doesn’t mean they can’t be fixed. I am totally crossing my fingers for Talon because I fell head over heels in love with him…
So, this book is about a broken man and a woman that would do anything to fix him. The problem though is that Talon (the stories hero) doesn’t want someone to fix him. He is seemingly content to stay on his own and live his existence in solitude. This is what his initial reaction is anyway. But for some reason, he can’t seem to stay away from Jade…
Jade is Talon’s sisters best friend. And after being left at the alter by her (now) ex fiancé, she needs and escape and going to friends small town home seems like the best option for her. When she first meets Talon she knows she is in for trouble. This man is the quiet and brooding kind, and getting close to him is difficult at best. But the two have a lot of chemistry even though they both deny it, at first…
Both Jade and Talon will quickly steal reader’s hearts. The connection, the angst, and the overall vulnerability of the characters is quite beautiful. But buried secrets and harsh realities that test this couple will leave readers gripping the edge of their books and hoping and praying for a miracle for these two. So, if you love a book that will take you on a tough journey with the characters than I strongly suggest picking this one up. Right when I was finished I bought book 2 and book 3 will be out in September (I can’t wait). With all this being said, I will seriously be looking into more of the authors work.
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Cliffhanger: Yes. But book 2 is available now!
:: 5 Pretty Little Stars ::
WOAH. I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. After all, it does end in the dreaded cliffhanger that many readers are opposed to. And in all honesty, I wasn’t sure what to expect because I haven’t read any of the authors previous books. However, this one totally ignited a flame inside me and tore me to SHREDS. It’s emotional (there are hints of sexual abuse), it’s angsty, and it downright pulls at every inch of your heart. It didn’t matter to me that it ended in a cliffy because it was that good. Plus, it helps that book two is not available! Anyway, I would certainly recommend this one. It’s pretty heartbreaking when you take in the whole story but I am hoping that once the story is finished (in book 3) that we will find that just because someone is broken doesn’t mean they can’t be fixed. I am totally crossing my fingers for Talon because I fell head over heels in love with him…
So, this book is about a broken man and a woman that would do anything to fix him. The problem though is that Talon (the stories hero) doesn’t want someone to fix him. He is seemingly content to stay on his own and live his existence in solitude. This is what his initial reaction is anyway. But for some reason, he can’t seem to stay away from Jade…
Jade is Talon’s sisters best friend. And after being left at the alter by her (now) ex fiancé, she needs and escape and going to friends small town home seems like the best option for her. When she first meets Talon she knows she is in for trouble. This man is the quiet and brooding kind, and getting close to him is difficult at best. But the two have a lot of chemistry even though they both deny it, at first…
Both Jade and Talon will quickly steal reader’s hearts. The connection, the angst, and the overall vulnerability of the characters is quite beautiful. But buried secrets and harsh realities that test this couple will leave readers gripping the edge of their books and hoping and praying for a miracle for these two. So, if you love a book that will take you on a tough journey with the characters than I strongly suggest picking this one up. Right when I was finished I bought book 2 and book 3 will be out in September (I can’t wait). With all this being said, I will seriously be looking into more of the authors work.
April 20, 2016
This was my first book by Helen Hardt and it will not be my last. This story of a man- Talon Steel- with a tortured soul trying to find his way back to the living after Jade Roberts comes colliding into his life. Jade - fresh from disaster that is her love life- takes the offer of a place for a fresh start from her best friend, Marj Steel. The tension and sparks are there from the moment that Talon and Jade met and just get stronger as time goes on. However, Talon cant let got of his past so he is hot one minute and freezing Jade out the next. I love that Jade is written as a strong women who has decided not to give up. The intense emotion in this book really kept me from putting it down. The book does end in a cliffhanger that left me immediately looking up when the next book was due out - which thankfully was not long from now. Can not wait to read Obsession. I really expect the entire Steel family series to become a favorite of mine .
April 23, 2016
This isn't your everyday erotic romance. Helen Hardt has created deeply flawed characters with recognizable demons, and turned them into masterpieces of character development. Although the erotic elements are...well...uber HOT, they are not the heart and soul of this story. What this book lives and dies on is the relationship between Jade, who just suffered the humiliation of being left at the altar, and Talon, a man whose tortured past exceeds anything you could possibly imagine. What makes the story--and the relationship--work is the incredible development of these two characters who do not resemble any I've seen in erotic romance--and as I've been an editor for over a decade and have worked with some of the top erotic romance authors in the world, that's saying a lot. You may buy this book for the sexual elements, but you'll fall in love with this book for the story. Hardt treats sensitive emotional issues with compassion--and that compassion is ultimately what fuels the plot. This is the most original, most gut-wrenching, and most incredible erotic romance I've ever put my hands on. When you read this book, you'll fall in love with it too--and rejoice that there are eight more books in the Steel Brothers Saga. Craving is a must-read novel for 2016. Bravo.
September 14, 2020
How can I put into words just how amazing this book is? Craving is book 1 in the Steel Brothers series and it focuses on the Steel family. Book 1 is the start of Talon and Jade's intense, beautiful, broken, addictive, gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and all-consuming love story.
I'll admit, at first I struggled to get into this, not much but enough to think "Well maybe this isn't for me"... Oh, how wrong was I? I am so so so glad I kept reading. At that moment, I thanked myself for being stubborn. By the 1/4 of the way through the book, I was hooked! Completely obsessed and I needed to know what happened, what was happening and what this author had in store for us readers. And she did not disappoint. Book 1 is only the beginning and let me tell you now, it is one hell of a beginning! You will be hooked, you will be intrigued, you will be obsessed and you will crave more.
Talon is a man with demons, with a dark, sordid, disturbing, torturous past that he struggles daily with. After going through a horrid and traumatic experience when he was just a boy, it has left him broken beyond belief. Demons taking over his life, his love life and his relationships with his family.
Jade was strong, not only for her but for Talon. She was going through her own issues. She believed in him when he didn't believe in himself... Even when he continued to push her away. She never went far. Something drawing her back in. Something drawing them both together, with chemistry that is off the charts. The push and pull with these two was enough to send me crazy. (In the best way possible of course) She knew there was something different about him, but she had no idea what she was about to find out would change her life completely.
Will they work whatever it is between them out? Will it be happily ever after for them?
Book 1 slayed me. absolutely slayed me, it broke me... There were some scenes in this book that were familiar to me, that hit home HARD for me. I'm not going into deep with this review, I could sit and ramble on about it and how amazing it is, or I can tell you to go and grab a copy and give it a good chance. I doubt you'll be disappointed. I believe going in blind is the best thing you can do with this book and series.
𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗳𝗳𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱. 𝗜𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.
I'll admit, at first I struggled to get into this, not much but enough to think "Well maybe this isn't for me"... Oh, how wrong was I? I am so so so glad I kept reading. At that moment, I thanked myself for being stubborn. By the 1/4 of the way through the book, I was hooked! Completely obsessed and I needed to know what happened, what was happening and what this author had in store for us readers. And she did not disappoint. Book 1 is only the beginning and let me tell you now, it is one hell of a beginning! You will be hooked, you will be intrigued, you will be obsessed and you will crave more.
Talon is a man with demons, with a dark, sordid, disturbing, torturous past that he struggles daily with. After going through a horrid and traumatic experience when he was just a boy, it has left him broken beyond belief. Demons taking over his life, his love life and his relationships with his family.
Jade was strong, not only for her but for Talon. She was going through her own issues. She believed in him when he didn't believe in himself... Even when he continued to push her away. She never went far. Something drawing her back in. Something drawing them both together, with chemistry that is off the charts. The push and pull with these two was enough to send me crazy. (In the best way possible of course) She knew there was something different about him, but she had no idea what she was about to find out would change her life completely.
Will they work whatever it is between them out? Will it be happily ever after for them?
Book 1 slayed me. absolutely slayed me, it broke me... There were some scenes in this book that were familiar to me, that hit home HARD for me. I'm not going into deep with this review, I could sit and ramble on about it and how amazing it is, or I can tell you to go and grab a copy and give it a good chance. I doubt you'll be disappointed. I believe going in blind is the best thing you can do with this book and series.
𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗳𝗳𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱. 𝗜𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.
March 10, 2017
'Craving' by Helen Hardt is book One in the "Steel Brothers" Saga. This is the story of Talon and Jade.
There is a cliffhanger to this book so please make note of that. I will say that even though I am not a fan of cliffhangers I understand how much another book was needed when dealing with Talon and Jade's story. In addition, please note I thought this was shadowing on a Dark Romance type theme. Not so much heart and flowers of traditional romances.
Jade is uprooting herself from her hometown after being left at the alter. Her best friend Marjorie talks her into coming to stay with her and look for a job there. So Jade heads out to make a new start!
Marjorie’s brother Talon picks her up at the airport. This is the first time Jade has met Talon and she is shocked by her reaction. Jade is quickly hot for him but he is not a talkative person and seems distant. Not like his brothers and sister.
Talon too can't believe how much he wants Jade but he has a mind set not to get close to any women...and just take what they willing give. But that is hard to stick to around Jade...but he does tries to keep a distance.
It didn't take long to fall in love with this story!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/17091...
http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp...
http://booklikes.com/blog
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
https://www.pinterest.com/u2soapsrus/
There is a cliffhanger to this book so please make note of that. I will say that even though I am not a fan of cliffhangers I understand how much another book was needed when dealing with Talon and Jade's story. In addition, please note I thought this was shadowing on a Dark Romance type theme. Not so much heart and flowers of traditional romances.
Jade is uprooting herself from her hometown after being left at the alter. Her best friend Marjorie talks her into coming to stay with her and look for a job there. So Jade heads out to make a new start!
Marjorie’s brother Talon picks her up at the airport. This is the first time Jade has met Talon and she is shocked by her reaction. Jade is quickly hot for him but he is not a talkative person and seems distant. Not like his brothers and sister.
Talon too can't believe how much he wants Jade but he has a mind set not to get close to any women...and just take what they willing give. But that is hard to stick to around Jade...but he does tries to keep a distance.
It didn't take long to fall in love with this story!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/17091...
http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp...
http://booklikes.com/blog
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
https://www.pinterest.com/u2soapsrus/
October 27, 2016
OMG so hot! AND ends on a cliffhanger... UGH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes you pick up a book that you know is going to be a winner from the very first page. This book is one of those.
Where to even start? The character of Talon is a deep conflicted hurting man who is desperate for release from his anguish. We get hints along the way of the depths of his issues and the only one that seems to be able to take the edge off is Jade.
Talon is afraid of hurting her and does everything he can to push her away. But emotions and feelings run deep.
The author crafted a book that gives you a major feels. You hurt when he hurts and your emotions are high and low, just like his.
As I got towards the end I kept hoping that we would get an HEA and not a cliffhanger. But I was wrong. Now that I think about it, the author could never of done justice to this man and any kind of relationship without an in-depth story that I just know will rip out guts out.
This author has created a masterpiece with her emotionally charged story and series. High sexual tension and amazing scenes of passion are off the charts. I cannot wait to dive into book two and three. This author has completely sucked me in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes you pick up a book that you know is going to be a winner from the very first page. This book is one of those.
Where to even start? The character of Talon is a deep conflicted hurting man who is desperate for release from his anguish. We get hints along the way of the depths of his issues and the only one that seems to be able to take the edge off is Jade.
Talon is afraid of hurting her and does everything he can to push her away. But emotions and feelings run deep.
The author crafted a book that gives you a major feels. You hurt when he hurts and your emotions are high and low, just like his.
As I got towards the end I kept hoping that we would get an HEA and not a cliffhanger. But I was wrong. Now that I think about it, the author could never of done justice to this man and any kind of relationship without an in-depth story that I just know will rip out guts out.
This author has created a masterpiece with her emotionally charged story and series. High sexual tension and amazing scenes of passion are off the charts. I cannot wait to dive into book two and three. This author has completely sucked me in.
January 31, 2018
Craving
Steel Brothers #1
Helen Hardt
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Excellent story!! Loved this one from the beginning to the end. And of course it left me craving for more. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
After being left at the altar, Jade Roberts seeks solace at her best friend’s ranch on the Colorado western slope. Her humiliation still ripe, she doesn't expect to be attracted to her friend’s reticent brother, but when the gorgeous cowboy kisses her, all bets are off.
Talon Steel is broken. Having never fully healed from a horrific childhood trauma, he simply exists, taking from women what is offered and giving nothing in return...until Jade Roberts catapults into his life. She is beautiful, sweet, and giving, and his desire for her becomes a craving he fears he'll never be able to satisfy.
Passion sizzles between the two lovers...but long-buried secrets haunt them both and may eventually tear them apart.
This author did an amazing job writing this story. It has so much love and angst and all the other feelings all wrapped up in one story.
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Steel Brothers #1
Helen Hardt
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Excellent story!! Loved this one from the beginning to the end. And of course it left me craving for more. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
After being left at the altar, Jade Roberts seeks solace at her best friend’s ranch on the Colorado western slope. Her humiliation still ripe, she doesn't expect to be attracted to her friend’s reticent brother, but when the gorgeous cowboy kisses her, all bets are off.
Talon Steel is broken. Having never fully healed from a horrific childhood trauma, he simply exists, taking from women what is offered and giving nothing in return...until Jade Roberts catapults into his life. She is beautiful, sweet, and giving, and his desire for her becomes a craving he fears he'll never be able to satisfy.
Passion sizzles between the two lovers...but long-buried secrets haunt them both and may eventually tear them apart.
This author did an amazing job writing this story. It has so much love and angst and all the other feelings all wrapped up in one story.
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
December 13, 2016
Have you ever agreed to buddy read a trilogy (which I just discovered has now morphed into at least a six book series) with a friend who swears up and down that you will absolutely love a book, and then you get halfway through said book and you are about to beat your head against the wall and wonder why in the hell you ever agreed to buddy read this?
Please tell me I'm not the only one to make this mistake.
And I can't really blame my friend, because she does know that I love messed up books (the more messed up, the better - usually), and the book is set on the western slope of Colorado, an area of the state for which I will always hold a fondness. So my friend really did think that I would love these books.
First off, the author gets several things wrong about the setting. Granted, I know that "Snow Creek" is a made-up town, so I can't fault her for anything there. But she does use Grand Junction as a backdrop for the first few chapters, and it pops up every so often, and there are just things wrong about Junction. Spoiler cut just because I'm probably about to go on a rant here.
But, okay, let's give the author a little leeway here. And let's judge the story on its merits and not the glaring factual errors that bug the ever living shit out of me and my OCD.
Talon is all sorts of messed up, which I usually like, but he is such a fucking asshole to Jade that I can't handle him. He totally dismisses any pain she feels about being stood up at the altar in front of all of her friends and family because it doesn't match his ~*~pain~*~ that she doesn't even know about and is a total ass about the whole thing. And, granted, his past is horrible, but that doesn't make the fact that she was humiliated any less painful to her, especially since she doesn't know anything about Talon's past except that he was in the Marines for the while.
Talon was abused; that much is made pretty clear, and the extent of his abuse is revealed as the book progresses. But he pushes hard against Jade's boundaries and does not take no for an answer. There is more than one instance in this book where Jade is not exactly into having sex with Talon, but he doesn't listen to her protests and eventually "convinces" her to go along with him, which she does in almost every instance. No. That's rapey as hell and incredibly not kosher, not heroic, and not acceptable.
Also, the sex scenes are just...so awful. The description of Jade's anatomy is hilariously bad, to the point that I was attempting not to laugh when the author went on and on about Jade's "red" labia (sounds like there's some serious chafing going on, which I wouldn't be surprised about, considering how much "shoving" organs into orifices occurs in this book). And Talon was "abrading the anterior of [her] pussy [with his fingers]" at one point (that is a direct quote). Let me say as a lesbian - fucking OUCH, use some lube or do some foreplay to get her wet or something! Someone abrading any part of my anatomy does not sound like a good time.
There's quite a bit of instalove - they have a lot of (horribly written) sex, but there doesn't seem to be anything between them except some chemistry. And Talon waxes hot and cold when it comes to Jade - he can't stop craving her, and then he's pushing her away. Once again, I can understand this as a sexual assault victim, but jesus, it got so fucking annoying watching him whipsaw back and forth like that.
Some of the descriptions seemed just...odd, as well (besides Jade's "red" labia). Talon compares her gray eyes to "tanzanite," which seems way left field to me. That's a deep blue, by the way, because I had no idea what the fuck it was - and definitely nowhere close to Jade's self-described "gray" eyes. And listening to Talon talk to his brothers comes across as very odd, stilted, and not realistic at all.
Well, the one thing I can say is that I totally agree with the author - there's no better peaches in the world than western slope peaches.
The thing is, I think that this book really had some potential, because there is an intriguing mystery going on with the Steel family. But it takes a backseat to all of the awkward sex and ridiculous drama. It's disappointing, but apparently unless I find an excellent excuse, I am stuck reading the next two books in the series. Sigh.
Please tell me I'm not the only one to make this mistake.
And I can't really blame my friend, because she does know that I love messed up books (the more messed up, the better - usually), and the book is set on the western slope of Colorado, an area of the state for which I will always hold a fondness. So my friend really did think that I would love these books.
First off, the author gets several things wrong about the setting. Granted, I know that "Snow Creek" is a made-up town, so I can't fault her for anything there. But she does use Grand Junction as a backdrop for the first few chapters, and it pops up every so often, and there are just things wrong about Junction. Spoiler cut just because I'm probably about to go on a rant here.
But, okay, let's give the author a little leeway here. And let's judge the story on its merits and not the glaring factual errors that bug the ever living shit out of me and my OCD.
Talon is all sorts of messed up, which I usually like, but he is such a fucking asshole to Jade that I can't handle him. He totally dismisses any pain she feels about being stood up at the altar in front of all of her friends and family because it doesn't match his ~*~pain~*~ that she doesn't even know about and is a total ass about the whole thing. And, granted, his past is horrible, but that doesn't make the fact that she was humiliated any less painful to her, especially since she doesn't know anything about Talon's past except that he was in the Marines for the while.
Talon was abused; that much is made pretty clear, and the extent of his abuse is revealed as the book progresses. But he pushes hard against Jade's boundaries and does not take no for an answer. There is more than one instance in this book where Jade is not exactly into having sex with Talon, but he doesn't listen to her protests and eventually "convinces" her to go along with him, which she does in almost every instance. No. That's rapey as hell and incredibly not kosher, not heroic, and not acceptable.
Also, the sex scenes are just...so awful. The description of Jade's anatomy is hilariously bad, to the point that I was attempting not to laugh when the author went on and on about Jade's "red" labia (sounds like there's some serious chafing going on, which I wouldn't be surprised about, considering how much "shoving" organs into orifices occurs in this book). And Talon was "abrading the anterior of [her] pussy [with his fingers]" at one point (that is a direct quote). Let me say as a lesbian - fucking OUCH, use some lube or do some foreplay to get her wet or something! Someone abrading any part of my anatomy does not sound like a good time.
There's quite a bit of instalove - they have a lot of (horribly written) sex, but there doesn't seem to be anything between them except some chemistry. And Talon waxes hot and cold when it comes to Jade - he can't stop craving her, and then he's pushing her away. Once again, I can understand this as a sexual assault victim, but jesus, it got so fucking annoying watching him whipsaw back and forth like that.
Some of the descriptions seemed just...odd, as well (besides Jade's "red" labia). Talon compares her gray eyes to "tanzanite," which seems way left field to me. That's a deep blue, by the way, because I had no idea what the fuck it was - and definitely nowhere close to Jade's self-described "gray" eyes. And listening to Talon talk to his brothers comes across as very odd, stilted, and not realistic at all.
Well, the one thing I can say is that I totally agree with the author - there's no better peaches in the world than western slope peaches.
The thing is, I think that this book really had some potential, because there is an intriguing mystery going on with the Steel family. But it takes a backseat to all of the awkward sex and ridiculous drama. It's disappointing, but apparently unless I find an excellent excuse, I am stuck reading the next two books in the series. Sigh.
October 13, 2016
I found this read through an ad on FB, and it basically stated that this was a series to read after Fifty Shades. I'll admit, I am one of those people that really enjoyed the Fifty Shades trilogy (I won't even discuss the book that came after the trilogy..cough...cough..."Grey" ) Anyway, I was excited to see that maybe this would be just as good; if not better...I have to be honest and say that this was just an ok read for me. It had great potential, and I am going to remain positive and hope that as the story progresses, it might fall into place...but as for book one...I was disappointed, yet intrigued to the point where I will carry on. My biggest complaint was that it was hard to connect to the main characters. Considering Talon was dealing with a crap ton of trauma from his childhood, I had a hard time empathising with him. He was an ass for the most part, and I would have liked to have seen him have a soft side to him somewhere. Maybe that will still come in the second book...I sure hope so. Then there is Jade, I found her to be a bit of a door mat at times, then she would change to a bitch...she had quite a bipolar feel to her at times!!! The sex between these two was hot...but forewarning....there is a ton of it! In fact, I'd say they spent most of their times in the sack or shower, rather than discussing what their relationship meant...Again, let's hope there is more communication in book two~!
The story starts with Jade making a move to her friends ranch in Colorado after she has been left at the alter by her husband to be. Her friend lives on a huge ranch with her brothers, and has welcomed Jade to come stay. The Steel siblings are very rich, and have split ownership of the Ranch. Talon Steel is the middle brother, and he is the mysterious and dark one. He has a ton of trauma and secrets, and is not the type to open up to anyone. When he gets a look at his sister's friend, he knows there is something different about his attraction to her. He doesn't like it, and immediately he erects his walls up very high. During their many midnight meetings in the kitchen when Jade and Talon can't sleep, sparks begin to fly, and both their lives will never be the same when the walls start crumbling down.
I am very hopeful for this series. I think it has a ton of potential, and because of this I will continue on for now. My fingers are crossed that things will pick up. It isn't the most original book out there, but it still has the sexy brooding heroes that we come to love in our romances!! Let's hope Talon will get through his many issues, and become the hero I swoon for!!!!
The story starts with Jade making a move to her friends ranch in Colorado after she has been left at the alter by her husband to be. Her friend lives on a huge ranch with her brothers, and has welcomed Jade to come stay. The Steel siblings are very rich, and have split ownership of the Ranch. Talon Steel is the middle brother, and he is the mysterious and dark one. He has a ton of trauma and secrets, and is not the type to open up to anyone. When he gets a look at his sister's friend, he knows there is something different about his attraction to her. He doesn't like it, and immediately he erects his walls up very high. During their many midnight meetings in the kitchen when Jade and Talon can't sleep, sparks begin to fly, and both their lives will never be the same when the walls start crumbling down.
I am very hopeful for this series. I think it has a ton of potential, and because of this I will continue on for now. My fingers are crossed that things will pick up. It isn't the most original book out there, but it still has the sexy brooding heroes that we come to love in our romances!! Let's hope Talon will get through his many issues, and become the hero I swoon for!!!!
January 19, 2018
This book was on Meredith Wild list to read for the summer. I can't wait to get my hands on it. So happy our book club picked this one as the first book. Wondering now what took me so long to read this. I hate that it ending on a cliffhanger now I'm need like a drug the next book.
Warning if you don't like books that deal with abuse this isn't for you. Slowly we are learning that Talon was abused as a child. This family is hiding a lot of secrets that affect him.
I was instantly hooked within a few pages. We meet Jade who was left at the altar.
Warning if you don't like books that deal with abuse this isn't for you. Slowly we are learning that Talon was abused as a child. This family is hiding a lot of secrets that affect him.
I was instantly hooked within a few pages. We meet Jade who was left at the altar.
July 10, 2016
My apologies in advance.
I have found this book on my Facebook page. A PR company promoting this book as the best thing after Fifty Shades of Grey.
First of, I would like marketing/PR/publicist and small promotion companies to stop trying to get attention through FSoG. It is just not right in so many levels....especially, if you are trying to market this book appropriately. It doesn't feel right to me when others want to take advantage. It is like "Really, is this the best marketing strategy you can come up with?" If you don't know, then this is the result....an unsatisfied potential reader, and i say potential, because i could have been reading book two right now.
The core Of this story, theme, tone, among others, fully detoured me in a geometrical shape, due to the perception that was created and implanted in me, just for merely mentioned and also comparing this book with FDoS, which by the way, it is far to be even remotely similar to Fifty.
Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations, and i should've known better.
In one word: DECEIVED.
I have found this book on my Facebook page. A PR company promoting this book as the best thing after Fifty Shades of Grey.
First of, I would like marketing/PR/publicist and small promotion companies to stop trying to get attention through FSoG. It is just not right in so many levels....especially, if you are trying to market this book appropriately. It doesn't feel right to me when others want to take advantage. It is like "Really, is this the best marketing strategy you can come up with?" If you don't know, then this is the result....an unsatisfied potential reader, and i say potential, because i could have been reading book two right now.
The core Of this story, theme, tone, among others, fully detoured me in a geometrical shape, due to the perception that was created and implanted in me, just for merely mentioned and also comparing this book with FDoS, which by the way, it is far to be even remotely similar to Fifty.
Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations, and i should've known better.
In one word: DECEIVED.
May 18, 2016
Jesus. This is one of those books that leaves you in a fog after you're done. I need to get to the conclusion and have Talon finally be at peace. I definitely didn't know that this was a cliffhanger. I'd just seen it, randomly decided to read it and was sucked in. It's so well written, I was essentially forced to read it in one sitting. Now I have to pray that the next one's already been published. If not, I'll just keep sitting here in my book haze.
July 18, 2016
I can honestly say I didn't like it. I didn't care for the characters who just seemed focused on sex and not much else. There was no depth to them. The mystery of what happened when the hero was 10 was intriguing but not enough for it to save the story.
I've been hearing about this book for quite some time so I decided to try it but it just didn't live up to expectations.
I've been hearing about this book for quite some time so I decided to try it but it just didn't live up to expectations.
June 7, 2019
O poveste intensă și fierbinte, ce te consumă emoțional. Alertă, plină de mister. Talon și Jade — protagoniștii volumului de față, sunt două personaje bine conturate, curajoase și luptătoare. Cu răni necicatrizate din trecut, cu fantome ce încă ii mai bântuie, cei doi sunt nevoiți sa lupte... Dacă rămân sau nu împreuna, asta rămâne de descoperit.
July 10, 2016
The story is great. The writing not so much. Author used such repetitive phrasing I became annoyed halfway through. It's like she didn't know any other way to describe anything.
What I disliked most is that there seemed to be no buildup. I know this is a story but everything just happened so fast it was just ridiculous.
Jade is left at the altar, literally, and it was like she hardly cared. Oh yeah, she knew that maybe she wasn't as in love as she thought but she hardly gives the whole thing a second thought. Then she's sleeping with Talon. That's actually a little believable. Stranger things have happened, I guess.
But she's on the ranch two days and already digging into his brothers on his background. The one brother never even saw the two interact and he's like, "there's something special," but the sister who has seen them together doesn't have anything to say. In fact, I think the book ends without her having any clue her best friend and brother are sleeping together.
Talon is mentally distraught from a childhood tragedy, and I like the tortured hero angle, but it all seemed contrived. I'm supposed to feel sorry for him and want to heal all his wounds but I was a little confused as to why I should care. Jade seemed whiny at times. There was very little depth to the characters.
I did very much enjoy the undercurrent of the family drama. I'd like to know more but I doubt I will seek out the rest of the series. I didn't like how the book ended on a total cliffhanger. I expected Jade and Talon to fairly resolve their issues, then book two would move on to one of the other brothers or Marj. Guess not.
This is decent enough for a long flight or the long wait at the dentist office. It wasn't completely horrible but it's certainly not something I'm anxious for the next instalment.
What I disliked most is that there seemed to be no buildup. I know this is a story but everything just happened so fast it was just ridiculous.
Jade is left at the altar, literally, and it was like she hardly cared. Oh yeah, she knew that maybe she wasn't as in love as she thought but she hardly gives the whole thing a second thought. Then she's sleeping with Talon. That's actually a little believable. Stranger things have happened, I guess.
But she's on the ranch two days and already digging into his brothers on his background. The one brother never even saw the two interact and he's like, "there's something special," but the sister who has seen them together doesn't have anything to say. In fact, I think the book ends without her having any clue her best friend and brother are sleeping together.
Talon is mentally distraught from a childhood tragedy, and I like the tortured hero angle, but it all seemed contrived. I'm supposed to feel sorry for him and want to heal all his wounds but I was a little confused as to why I should care. Jade seemed whiny at times. There was very little depth to the characters.
I did very much enjoy the undercurrent of the family drama. I'd like to know more but I doubt I will seek out the rest of the series. I didn't like how the book ended on a total cliffhanger. I expected Jade and Talon to fairly resolve their issues, then book two would move on to one of the other brothers or Marj. Guess not.
This is decent enough for a long flight or the long wait at the dentist office. It wasn't completely horrible but it's certainly not something I'm anxious for the next instalment.
March 7, 2017
In this book the love interest, Talon Steel, almost rapes the main character twice. At least. And the book seems really determined to make you believe that this is all "swoon worthy" and "romantic" but it's not. Rape will never ever EVER be romantic. It doesn't matter that Talon felt kind of sorry afterwards. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW HE FELT AFTER THE FACT.
Besides the almost rape, the relationship between Talon and Jade is just straight up abusive. I don't care that he suffered a horrific childhood trauma. That does not excuse him for his actions throughout this book. He screams at her, belittles her, at one point grabs her hard enough to bruise her (in response Jade claims that it's fine because she loves him which is plain MESSED UP), and in general relentlessly just treats her like shit. The ONLY time he's kinda nice to her is when they're having sex and I'm just??????????????????????????????????????
I could go on for a really long time about how much this book bothered me (TALON STEEL??? WTH KINDA NAME IS THAT ANY WAY), but I think I'm just going to cut it short now in order to spare my sanity. Instead, I'm going to end with a plea to New Adult authors in general: Please, please STOP romanticizing rape and abuse. It makes impressionable readers believe this is okay and normal in relationships. Please stop contributing to that culture.
Besides the almost rape, the relationship between Talon and Jade is just straight up abusive. I don't care that he suffered a horrific childhood trauma. That does not excuse him for his actions throughout this book. He screams at her, belittles her, at one point grabs her hard enough to bruise her (in response Jade claims that it's fine because she loves him which is plain MESSED UP), and in general relentlessly just treats her like shit. The ONLY time he's kinda nice to her is when they're having sex and I'm just??????????????????????????????????????
I could go on for a really long time about how much this book bothered me (TALON STEEL??? WTH KINDA NAME IS THAT ANY WAY), but I think I'm just going to cut it short now in order to spare my sanity. Instead, I'm going to end with a plea to New Adult authors in general: Please, please STOP romanticizing rape and abuse. It makes impressionable readers believe this is okay and normal in relationships. Please stop contributing to that culture.
October 27, 2016
I REALLY loved this book! After the Book 1 world building was done, it really took off for me. The character development is evocative of Gabaldon's mastery, and the settings were all so vivid. I want to move to Colorado now! The best aspect of this story, however, HAS to be the hero, Talon Steel. I love them dark and tormented, and--GAH--Talon has hit my top five list in that regard, up there next to Jamie Fraser and Gideon Cross. VERY well done! I am now into Book 2 of the series, Obsession, and loving that one just as much.
May 8, 2018
Craving is an intense drama/romance. This story is not for all but it pulled me in and kept me enthralled. Talon is fighting demons within himself that he has dealt with since he was 10 years old. Nightmares no one should have to face or live through. His brothers Jonas and Ryan are dealing with guilt from the experience Talon went through, each in their own way. Marjorie their sister and the youngest of the Steel's knows nothing of her brothers' pains and guilt. Jade, Marjorie's long time friend comes to stay with her and becomes involved in this family and with Talon in ways she never imagined. Craving is dark, dramatic and oh so sexy. It has a mystery you will follow through all nine books to find the puzzle pieces and solve the reasons for the Steel siblings torment. You will not be sorry for stating or finishing this series. Helen Hardt keeps you turning the pages.
January 21, 2021
Oh wow! This book is awesome! It is FSOG in a different level. The sex is super hot. The story of Talon, who had a traumatic past experience causing him to be reclusive and rude. He pushes everyone away until he met Jade. Somehow Jade invokes something inside of him. They have this super hot intense insta lust.
Because Talon is so lost he does not know what to make out of his attraction to Jade. My heart break for Talon. He is such intense, sexy hero. So broken with his PTSD. So lost in his own head. I got tingle all over listening to the sexual connection between him and Jade. Jade who does not understand Talon behavior, and yet she still cares for him.
At the end of this book, I want more. More and more. Some people might think this is a copy of FSOG, but in my opnion Steel series is much better.
5 stars
Because Talon is so lost he does not know what to make out of his attraction to Jade. My heart break for Talon. He is such intense, sexy hero. So broken with his PTSD. So lost in his own head. I got tingle all over listening to the sexual connection between him and Jade. Jade who does not understand Talon behavior, and yet she still cares for him.
At the end of this book, I want more. More and more. Some people might think this is a copy of FSOG, but in my opnion Steel series is much better.
5 stars
August 20, 2025
I can't in good conscience give Helen Hardt's novel "Craving" more than two stars for several reasons:
1) It's gussied up porn. In and of itself, that's not enough reason to dislike it, of course. I love porn, but porn disguised as romance is, well, silly. (Hardt's writing is not deplorable, strangely enough; it's actually decent enough to keep my interest, and her sex scenes are, well, impressive.) It's still porn.
2) The characters are not that likable. Again, not a reason to dislike the book, but the two main protagonists are both unlikable in very different ways: Jade, because she falls so easily in bed at the finger-snap and pants-drop of Talon, the bad-boy with a troubled past, who is really just a mentally screwed-up asshole who uses his (albeit tragic and horrible) past as an excuse to essentially rape her. And let's be honest: what he is doing to Jade is rape, and just because she is having multiple orgasms with his ginormous cock doesn't make it any less rapey. And I'm just going to say it: I can't stand the whole bad-boy-with-a-troubled-past-and-a-huge-cock trope, which is pretty much 98% of every romance novel I've read. You know what trope I'd love to see more of? The nerdy-nice-guy-who-is-slightly-overweight-with-an-average-size-cock. I can get behind that one.
3) The book is part of a series, which is fine, but when the author leaves every single storyline without any closure, it is not a novel anymore. It's Part One of a larger work with many other parts. Cliff-hangers are kind of a pet peeve of mine. In rare cases, they can be handled well. Not in this case. It just pissed me off. (Despite this, I will probably read the next couple books in the series just to find out what happens. Damn you, Ms. Hardt!)
All that said, the sex scenes were pretty impressive. And there were a lot of them. That's the only reason it's getting two stars from me.
1) It's gussied up porn. In and of itself, that's not enough reason to dislike it, of course. I love porn, but porn disguised as romance is, well, silly. (Hardt's writing is not deplorable, strangely enough; it's actually decent enough to keep my interest, and her sex scenes are, well, impressive.) It's still porn.
2) The characters are not that likable. Again, not a reason to dislike the book, but the two main protagonists are both unlikable in very different ways: Jade, because she falls so easily in bed at the finger-snap and pants-drop of Talon, the bad-boy with a troubled past, who is really just a mentally screwed-up asshole who uses his (albeit tragic and horrible) past as an excuse to essentially rape her. And let's be honest: what he is doing to Jade is rape, and just because she is having multiple orgasms with his ginormous cock doesn't make it any less rapey. And I'm just going to say it: I can't stand the whole bad-boy-with-a-troubled-past-and-a-huge-cock trope, which is pretty much 98% of every romance novel I've read. You know what trope I'd love to see more of? The nerdy-nice-guy-who-is-slightly-overweight-with-an-average-size-cock. I can get behind that one.
3) The book is part of a series, which is fine, but when the author leaves every single storyline without any closure, it is not a novel anymore. It's Part One of a larger work with many other parts. Cliff-hangers are kind of a pet peeve of mine. In rare cases, they can be handled well. Not in this case. It just pissed me off. (Despite this, I will probably read the next couple books in the series just to find out what happens. Damn you, Ms. Hardt!)
All that said, the sex scenes were pretty impressive. And there were a lot of them. That's the only reason it's getting two stars from me.
October 25, 2020
Loved it!! This book is about Talon Steel and Jade! It was such and intense read, before I knew it I was done reading! So many feels throughout this book for Talon as he confronts his past and we learn about his history! Broken heroes seem to be my favorite because they have the most emotional growth throughout the book/series!! This is the first book of what turns out to have been an amazing series! See I went back to check my review on this book and I only wrote that I loved it!! Well I did, but it was so much more than that!! And now I can tell you, for a fact, that this is one of the most compelling, emotional, grab ahold of your heart and never lets go kind of books!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read
February 23, 2018DNF @ 52%
Craving is the first book in the Steel Brothers Saga and follows a woman called Jade who ends up being dumped at the alter on her wedding day and moving to a ranch which is owned by her best friend. There, she meets the Steel brothers with one of them called Talon becoming instantly attracted towards her. The novel follows their relationship as well as their struggles with personal issues and feelings that they've kept hidden away from others. I purchased this on a whim during a free Kindle Books search but didn't realise how erotic the plot would be. It was a struggle to keep my interest strong and after the halfway mark, I simply decided that Craving was not for me. The sex scenes were graphic and the insta-love I found uncomfortable. I will not be continuing with the series.
Craving is the first book in the Steel Brothers Saga and follows a woman called Jade who ends up being dumped at the alter on her wedding day and moving to a ranch which is owned by her best friend. There, she meets the Steel brothers with one of them called Talon becoming instantly attracted towards her. The novel follows their relationship as well as their struggles with personal issues and feelings that they've kept hidden away from others. I purchased this on a whim during a free Kindle Books search but didn't realise how erotic the plot would be. It was a struggle to keep my interest strong and after the halfway mark, I simply decided that Craving was not for me. The sex scenes were graphic and the insta-love I found uncomfortable. I will not be continuing with the series.
February 23, 2017
Title: Craving
Author: Helen Hardt
Publisher: Waterhouse Press
Series: Steel Brother Saga # 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Craving" by Helen Hardt
My Thoughts....
Interesting series 'Steel Brothers Saga # 1' that features Talon Steel and Jade Roberts who were definitely two broken souls. This author gives the reader quite a good story and be warned it end on a cliffhanger where you will have to get the rest of the story in later series. Be ready for quite a emotional roller coaster ride and lots of twist and turns for these two. The main question is will they be able to heal each other?
After Jade is left at the alter on her wedding day she goes to stay with her friend, Marjorie Steel
at the Steele brothers ranch while she is waiting to get her results from the bar exam to become a lawyer. What will happen after Jade meets Talon Steele? Will it be something their for them especially for Talon at the first sight of her[picking her up from the airport? But as we read their is a lots that had gone on with Talon not only was he returning from the Marines but something had happen to Talon in his past during his childhood. What was Talon's childhood secret that it seemed that he was always struggling so hard with especially when he was with Jade? And then their was the question to what was it between Jade and Talon as it seems that he simply craved her..all the time? Why was it so hard for Talon to open up about what had gone on with him especially to Jade. Will he seek help? This is a very mature adult read so be aware that this story is loaded with a lots of erotica sex that will be all over the place for these two. Well, to get all of these questions answered and so much more you will have to pick up "Craving" to see just how well this author brings it out to the reader. It will be one heck of a good read.
So, I guess the reader will have to get the next series to see if these two finally get their HEA.
Author: Helen Hardt
Publisher: Waterhouse Press
Series: Steel Brother Saga # 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Craving" by Helen Hardt
My Thoughts....
Interesting series 'Steel Brothers Saga # 1' that features Talon Steel and Jade Roberts who were definitely two broken souls. This author gives the reader quite a good story and be warned it end on a cliffhanger where you will have to get the rest of the story in later series. Be ready for quite a emotional roller coaster ride and lots of twist and turns for these two. The main question is will they be able to heal each other?
After Jade is left at the alter on her wedding day she goes to stay with her friend, Marjorie Steel
at the Steele brothers ranch while she is waiting to get her results from the bar exam to become a lawyer. What will happen after Jade meets Talon Steele? Will it be something their for them especially for Talon at the first sight of her[picking her up from the airport? But as we read their is a lots that had gone on with Talon not only was he returning from the Marines but something had happen to Talon in his past during his childhood. What was Talon's childhood secret that it seemed that he was always struggling so hard with especially when he was with Jade? And then their was the question to what was it between Jade and Talon as it seems that he simply craved her..all the time? Why was it so hard for Talon to open up about what had gone on with him especially to Jade. Will he seek help? This is a very mature adult read so be aware that this story is loaded with a lots of erotica sex that will be all over the place for these two. Well, to get all of these questions answered and so much more you will have to pick up "Craving" to see just how well this author brings it out to the reader. It will be one heck of a good read.
So, I guess the reader will have to get the next series to see if these two finally get their HEA.
April 23, 2024
restarted this series only to find out this is the only one on Kindle unlimited...sucks.
May 1, 2018
Work has been really crazy for me, so I've been on the hunt for quick, mindless romances to read. I remember seeing this series all over the place—on social media, advertisements on prominent bloggers' websites. I thought with so many popular bloggers essentially endorsing this author's work with their ad space and posts, that this would be a promising pick. There was so much about this book that was eyeroll-worthy and nauseating. I've learned my lesson to not take book bloggers' ads as anything more than a paycheck. Helen Hardt's CRAVING may be one of the worst books I've picked up this year.
There wasn't anything in this book that was done well, which is why the rating is what it is. The writing was terrible. The plot was a patchwork of romantic cliches gone bad. The characters were failed attempts at being three-dimensional. To make matters worse, Talon and Jade's (yes, that's their names) story isn't over! Yes, my friends, this book ends on a cliffhanger because one book wasn't enough.
The hero's name is Talon Steele. Get it? He's a man's man, so he needs a manly man man name. Something that I hate in novels is when an author uses mental illness to create character death. You see, Talon has "the PTSD" because he's a veteran and because of that, he has all these "walls" built up around him. Talon's family talks about his "walls" over and over again. This was the shallowest depiction of PTSD I've ever seen in a novel.
Jade's fiancé left her at the alter, so she goes to live with the Steele family. She meets her best friend's brothers for the first time, including the hardened and emotionally unavailable Talon. The two are instantly attracted to each other. Right after meeting her, he says he "wasn't sure any amount of distance would ease [his] craving."
The two meet frequently at midnight while an insomniac Talon sits in the kitchen staring at a glass of water (something you learn is tied to his troubled past). It doesn't take long for poorly developed chemistry to force both of them to act on it. Of course, Jade has to agree that what they have can only ever be sex and he she can't ever love him. Of course.
There are some legal inaccuracies that really bothered me since I've been through what Jade has been through. Her bar results come in and she finds out she passes. The exact same day she gets a job doing municipal court issues with the city attorney. Without ever interning in this area of law, she's an instant expert and advising her clients on her first day what will likely happen in their case. This wouldn't happen. Even if you interned in the area of the law you practice, your boss wouldn't let you tell clients these types of things. With Jade, she hadn't ever practiced in this area, so there is no way that she would have known what she was doing. It just made no sense.
The writing in this book was atrocious. For example, in one scene, the author clues the reader in (unnecessarily) to how Jade unwraps her fast food (side note: this is right after they met for the first time). These are direct quotes:
In another scene, the author takes up several pages (I read this on my Kindle) describing in excruciating detail the sandwich that Jade makes for Talon—something that blows his mind—which is confusing because it's a grilled cheese sandwich with a tomato on it. It's nothing revolutionary.
The author's repetitious word choices were problematic. Talon describes Jade's body or breasts as lucious at least 4 times in the first half. The reader is constantly reminded of Jade's blue eyes. Over and over and over again.
The sex scenes were void of romance, chemistry, or steam. Talon's dirty talk did nothing for me. His clinical use of the word "areola" and talks of stufingf Jade's vagina with his manhood only made me want to puke. Come on, a vagina is not a turkey. It doesn't need to be stuffed.
The one good thing I can say about this book is that at 288 pages its length makes it a quick read but unfortunately not a painless one. I can't recommend this book to anyone, even lovers of erotic romances.
* I borrowed this book from my library.
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****************
★★UPCOMING BOOK RELEASES★★
****************
There wasn't anything in this book that was done well, which is why the rating is what it is. The writing was terrible. The plot was a patchwork of romantic cliches gone bad. The characters were failed attempts at being three-dimensional. To make matters worse, Talon and Jade's (yes, that's their names) story isn't over! Yes, my friends, this book ends on a cliffhanger because one book wasn't enough.
The hero's name is Talon Steele. Get it? He's a man's man, so he needs a manly man man name. Something that I hate in novels is when an author uses mental illness to create character death. You see, Talon has "the PTSD" because he's a veteran and because of that, he has all these "walls" built up around him. Talon's family talks about his "walls" over and over again. This was the shallowest depiction of PTSD I've ever seen in a novel.
Jade's fiancé left her at the alter, so she goes to live with the Steele family. She meets her best friend's brothers for the first time, including the hardened and emotionally unavailable Talon. The two are instantly attracted to each other. Right after meeting her, he says he "wasn't sure any amount of distance would ease [his] craving."
The two meet frequently at midnight while an insomniac Talon sits in the kitchen staring at a glass of water (something you learn is tied to his troubled past). It doesn't take long for poorly developed chemistry to force both of them to act on it. Of course, Jade has to agree that what they have can only ever be sex and he she can't ever love him. Of course.
There are some legal inaccuracies that really bothered me since I've been through what Jade has been through. Her bar results come in and she finds out she passes. The exact same day she gets a job doing municipal court issues with the city attorney. Without ever interning in this area of law, she's an instant expert and advising her clients on her first day what will likely happen in their case. This wouldn't happen. Even if you interned in the area of the law you practice, your boss wouldn't let you tell clients these types of things. With Jade, she hadn't ever practiced in this area, so there is no way that she would have known what she was doing. It just made no sense.
The writing in this book was atrocious. For example, in one scene, the author clues the reader in (unnecessarily) to how Jade unwraps her fast food (side note: this is right after they met for the first time). These are direct quotes:
"The paper from her burger crinkled as she wadded it up and put it in the bag. When she reached to grab mine out of my lap and her fingers grazed the inside of my thigh, my dick stiffened. Yeah, just what I didn't need—a boner in the fucking car. She wadded up my paper and tossed it in the bag as well."
In another scene, the author takes up several pages (I read this on my Kindle) describing in excruciating detail the sandwich that Jade makes for Talon—something that blows his mind—which is confusing because it's a grilled cheese sandwich with a tomato on it. It's nothing revolutionary.
The author's repetitious word choices were problematic. Talon describes Jade's body or breasts as lucious at least 4 times in the first half. The reader is constantly reminded of Jade's blue eyes. Over and over and over again.
The sex scenes were void of romance, chemistry, or steam. Talon's dirty talk did nothing for me. His clinical use of the word "areola" and talks of stufingf Jade's vagina with his manhood only made me want to puke. Come on, a vagina is not a turkey. It doesn't need to be stuffed.
The one good thing I can say about this book is that at 288 pages its length makes it a quick read but unfortunately not a painless one. I can't recommend this book to anyone, even lovers of erotic romances.
* I borrowed this book from my library.
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****************
★★UPCOMING BOOK RELEASES★★
****************
April 20, 2016
This is an emotional roller coaster that I could not get off.
This is an epic story about two broken souls that try to heal one another. I read this book in two days. I could not put it down. I can not wait for the next book of this emotional love story.
The two main characters are Jade and Talon. Jade was left at the alter on her wedding day. In order to try to start an new beginning she moves in with her best friend at the Steele brothers ranch. Jade grew up with all the brother except one Talon. They feel the chemistry between them as soon as they meet in the airport.
Talon served in the military which still haunts him. We also find out he also suffers from a childhood trauma which he relives every night. His escape is to the best in the bedroom. He knows he has some type of feelings for Jade but he does not know if it is love. Will they break each other's walls down and find the love that they both want? I surly hope so.
This is an epic story about two broken souls that try to heal one another. I read this book in two days. I could not put it down. I can not wait for the next book of this emotional love story.
The two main characters are Jade and Talon. Jade was left at the alter on her wedding day. In order to try to start an new beginning she moves in with her best friend at the Steele brothers ranch. Jade grew up with all the brother except one Talon. They feel the chemistry between them as soon as they meet in the airport.
Talon served in the military which still haunts him. We also find out he also suffers from a childhood trauma which he relives every night. His escape is to the best in the bedroom. He knows he has some type of feelings for Jade but he does not know if it is love. Will they break each other's walls down and find the love that they both want? I surly hope so.
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