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Steele Guardians #3

Forged in Steele

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When a baby goes missing…

The ink was barely dry on the contract Bristol Steele had signed for Steele Guardians to provide security for a metro hospital when a baby is abducted from the nursery. Horrified and devastated for the family, Bristol puts everything in her life aside to find the abducted child and return her to her devastated parents. But when FBI Agent Jared Wolfe steps in and tries to shut down her efforts, Bristol isn’t prepared for the sparks that fly between them.

She’ll risk everything, even her life.

Bristol can’t back down and soon finds herself working alongside Jared. She struggles to make sure her growing feelings for him aren’t a distraction, but as she tugs at Jared’s heart and he makes his feelings clear, she’s not sure she’s succeeding. Maybe she does need to back off for the good of the missing baby, but that might leave her company’s reputation in the dirt and proving her abilities to her father has always been her driving force.

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2022

256 people are currently reading
136 people want to read

About the author

Susan Sleeman

134 books811 followers
SUSAN SLEEMAN is the bestselling author of over sixty romantic suspense and mystery novels with more than two million books sold. She writes romantic suspense novels that are clean with inspiring messages of faith. Readers love her series for the well-drawn characters and edge-of-your-seat action. She graduated from the FBI and local police citizen academies, so her research is spot-on and her characters are real.

In addition to writing, Susan also hosts The Suspense Zone. She has lived in nine states but now calls Oregon home. Her husband is a retired church music director, and they have two beautiful daughters, two special sons-in-law, and four amazing grandsons

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews274 followers
August 9, 2022
'He didn't want to go through losing a child due to leaked information. Never again.'

Once again, Susan Sleeman has proven that she is tops in the genre of Christian suspense. Her characters are always well crafted, her plots fascinating, and her execution of the written word flawless.

This time, Bristol Steele and her family of former law enforcement officers are after someone who has brazenly stolen a baby right out of a hospital room. Bristol must work with FBI agent Jared Wolfe, who still holds her heart after a many years ago ghosting of her.

Sleeman adds layer upon layer to a story that is already action-packed and we are completely entertained throughout. Well done!

My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. The opinion here is my own.
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 39 books653 followers
October 31, 2022
My thoughts: FORGED IN STEELE is a nail-biting romantic suspense where a baby is kidnapped and they are on a race of time to find the baby before its too late. The FBI and police are hot on the trail, but everything seems to lead to dead ends. Emotions are high, romance is soaring, and leads seem to lead no where. There are some twists, but this was an active and enjoyable book. Not at all creepy. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

Profile Image for Tabitha.
627 reviews9 followers
March 13, 2023
As a mom this one was rough to read with the kidnapping of a newborn. The story is told well with a great deal of suspense. Second chance romance makes an appearance and interdepartmental cooperation is essential. Clean romantic suspense, awesome grandparents make an appearance. Can't wait to read more of the series.
Profile Image for Tera Lewandowski.
57 reviews3 followers
January 5, 2023
This was so good! I love the twist, and I didn’t see some of the events coming. Kept me on my toes and I couldn’t put it down.
3,960 reviews1,764 followers
August 24, 2022
I get positively giddy when a new Susan Sleeman novel releases. I especially love the way she builds a whole series around a family. The Byrd brothers (Nighthawk Security) might have the edge but these Steele sisters/cousins are nosing in pretty close. Their agency is very much a family affair and I love the occasional assist they get from their parents and grandparents too. These older Steeles add humour and wisdom and a healthy dose of faith to these stories.

Plus there's a bunch of cameos from a previous series -- Truth Seekers -- which I haven't read yet, but I have to now! One of this author's strengths is the ability she has to create a standalone novel within a series so you could totally jump in with this third book. But she also manages to add in former heroes and heroines from earlier series without losing readers who haven't met them yet. If that makes any sense. Like, rather than feeling overwhelmed when these characters pop up, I'm so intrigued I know I have to hit her backlist and read their stories too.

Forged in Steele has an emotionally compelling suspense plot. Who can't empathize with distraught parents over the abduction of their newborn?! The investigative process was fascinating -- I could feel the impatience of everyone involved as they meticulously attend to every tedious detail in their search for the missing child. At times it felt like they were working in slow-mo and then they'd suddenly be catapulted forward with a new lead and it see-sawed back and forth that way for the whole read. Kept me on the edge right to very end.

Come to think of it, the romance was kinda like that too. Hellooo, reunion romance angst. Nothing like a chance to mend young love gone awry! More reasons that make this book unputdownable...

...or unstoppable, because I listened to the audible edition narrated by Whitney Dykhouse and I couldn't stop listening.
Profile Image for Edward Arrington.
1,181 reviews12 followers
July 6, 2022
I enjoy the way the Steele family works together. They all are always ready to pitch in and help no matter the need. Gene Steele and his brother Hugh started Steele Guardians after their retirement as law enforcement officers. Bristol is the youngest of his three daughters, and is getting ready to join the firm after completing five years as a county deputy. She is a real go-getter who basically created the job for herself by getting a contract with the local hospital to provide security services. She is quickly thrown into the deep end with the kidnapping of a newborn baby the very day the announcement is to be made about the new contract. And within a matter of minutes, she comes face-to-face with the man who dumped her to join the Navy the summer after her sophomore year of college. The action, the twists and turns, and the suspense keep mounting throughout the book. I wanted to keep reading even when I needed to be getting other things done. Bristol was definitely no wimp when it came to taking charge of a situation and protecting others. Jared had joined the FBI after his time in the Navy, so he brought a lot of skills and knowledge to the table. The story was fast moving as they worked with others on the team to find the baby before it was too late. I enjoyed the undercurrent of romance. It was great to see their faith being rekindled rather than snuffed out as they encountered increasingly dangerous people and situations. I received an advance copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
Profile Image for Marylin.
1,311 reviews43 followers
July 18, 2022
Another great book by Susan Sleeman!
Being a new mom shouldn’t have the added fear of losing your baby in the hospital, but in this story, that’s what’s happened. And this is the event that reconnects Bristol Steele with the man who broke her heart.
Can they work together to bring this baby back before something unfortunate happens to it? Can they keep their relationship in the past, or will it cause more problems?
I have enjoyed getting to know the whole Steele family and learning how God gave each of them hearts of “steel.” They are a family who believes in service to others.
This story has many of the same suspense, drama, action, and intrigue that are in all of this author’s books, as well as a crazy twist at the end.
The momma bear feelings came out while I was reading this story. I had all the feelings of fear for a sweet baby’s life. It held me captivated from the first page to the last!
Susan Sleeman is a mastermind at bringing just the right amount of suspense to all her books. You really don’t know how it’s all going to end up until the very end! This is what makes an amazing author! When the reader gets so tangled up in the story that they don’t want to put it down.
If you love action, suspense, and intrigue, then I highly recommend you pick this book up and start reading it! However, I have to warn you, once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop! I stayed up way too late to finish this book. WOW!
I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
1,769 reviews33 followers
July 8, 2022
This series is fantastic! Each book is not the normal story of "who done it?" type action suspense that some authors choose to do. Each story has a little something different to showcase different types of cases that law enforcement deal with and it's a refreshing change! I think that's why I enjoy reading this series so much! This book centers around the kidnapping of a baby right from her room at the hospital birthing center shortly after birth. Every parent's nightmare! You'd think with today's technology, this wouldn't happen, but it still does. Bristol Steele is a law enforcement officer but she's about to leave the force and work for her family's business which is providing security for businesses. Her first contract is a large Portland hospital, and wouldn't you know, at the press conference, she finds out that a baby is stolen! She immediately goes into "cop mode" and "security mode"! She is shocked when she discovers that her first love, Jared Wolfe (FBI agent) is already there because he happens to be visiting friends at the same hospital! It was fascinating to see all the work that goes into a task force to find a baby. It wasn't easy at all! The different leads that don't pan out. The different suspects that are ruled out. The more time goes by, the more hope fades. I loved both main characters and I adore the Steele family. They are so supportive! I can't get enough of them! Another wonderful book in the series!
Profile Image for Glenda Parker.
Author 14 books22 followers
August 12, 2022
My review today is on the Romantic Suspense, Forged in Steele. This is book three in the series, Steele Guardians. I'm a huge fan of Susan's and thrilled when she releases a new book. Where she comes up with ideas and clever stories I don't know. This book is incredible. It deals with a rough subject but she handles it so well. I love her characters. They have become so real.

Bristle Steele sets up a new contract for security with the hospital. The ink is hardly dry when a baby is abducted. Bristle is horrified for her family's company and the child's parents. She is determined to find the newborn. She must prove herself to her father and her family. She comes face to face with a man from her past. Can she work with him?

FBI Agent Jared Wolfe is visiting a co-worker whose wife just gave birth when a baby is stolen. He immediately tries to take control of the case but he comes face to face with his ex. They end up working together but can they keep their hearts out of the investigation?

A terrifying journey to save a baby with health issues before it's too late. God has a plan for these two, a good plan for hope and a future. God has a plan for you too, a good plan for peace and not for destruction. Give Him your heart and watch Him turn your life around even in this time of political unrest and chaos.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,370 reviews166 followers
August 13, 2022
"You get taken at gunpoint by a half-crazed woman and you come to the end of what you can do on your own. It's then you realize you have to fall back on God. "

Umm . . . . . yeah . . . a really good idea. But how did Bristol Steele find herself in such a precarious position to begin with? It's a bit of a story and a very good one.

When a newborn baby is kidnapped from the very hospital that Bristol has just contracted to protect, she is thrown into a melee of law enforcement agencies vying to return Luna back to her parents. As luck (we would rather say "providence") would have it, she comes face to face with the one man she has tried so desperately to forget, F. B. I. Agent Jared Wolfe. Clocks tick fast on kidnapping cases, so Jared and Bristol have no choice but to push their inevitable conversation to the bottom of their burgeoning list of things that have to be done. Neither of them can deny t hat it's just a matter of time before their past history invades their present circumstances.

"And you figure out that faith means finding a way, no matter what's happening, no matter how hard or tough it is, to know that God is real. That He's in control and fighting for you."

One of this author's best plots, and she has written so many good ones!
3,570 reviews40 followers
July 24, 2022
In this suspense filled Christian contemporary romance, we are back with the Steele sisters and their new security company. The youngest of them is Bristol. She is currently a deputy, but will be leaving the force soon so she too can be part of their company, Steele Guardians. In order to show her value, she’s been able to get the local hospital to contract them for their security.
What she didn’t expect was that on her first day as head of the hospital’s security, a baby would be abducted and that Jared Wolfe, the young boy, who left her behind when he went into the Navy, is now an FBI agent. More attractive than ever. 
From the moment they meet again, old feelings are stirred but first a baby must be found and returned to his parents.
Who is the culprit? The parents? A staff member? And, why was he taken?
Questions that keep on piling up, as the story takes unexpected twists and turns in the race to save the baby.
Be ready for a rollercoaster ride in which you will not only be spending time with Bristol and Jared, but also with characters from previous stories and series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Profile Image for Danielle.
Author 28 books618 followers
August 12, 2022
Forged in Steele by Susan Sleeman is book three in her Steele Guardians romantic suspense series.

Bristol is the perfect character for this story. She’s cheery, happy, and trying to prove herself as the baby of the family. When a baby goes missing from the hospital, she uses every one of her skills to find her.

With such a a heavy search, Bristol personality offset what could be a difficult read. Plus FBI Agent Jared, who fell in love with Bristol when they worked at a summer camp eons ago, brings the steady depth to fill out the story. Truly, this is a wonderfully crafted novel!

The romance is sweet, the action continuous, and the investigation has so many twist and turns. Plus, Bristol’s family is amazing!

If you enjoy who-done-its, I highly recommend giving this one a read!


I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.
935 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2022
Susan Sleeman is always a favorite when I’m in the mood for a romantic suspense. Her impeccable research and knowledge of crime solving add so much to her stories. I always learn new things when I read them, and Forged in Steele is another great example of this.

Sleeman puts much thought into the development of her characters, which is especially important in a series that follows the different characters throughout it. Bristol Steele and Jared Wolfe are the stars of this tale of second chances. They are both realistic and engaging, and I enjoyed rooting for them through the story.

With plenty of action, suspense, twists and turns, a dash of romance, and a sprinkling of inspiration and faith, this book kept me turning the pages. It’s a riveting addition to the Steele Guardians series. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Marilyn Johnson.
601 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2022
This is book three in the Steele Guardians series, However it is a stand alone book, you will miss some history of the characters but you will not be lost. If you are a fan of Susan Sleeman, as I am, this book is everything you expect it to be. It is full of mystery, suspense, family, humor, romance and so much more. We met the Steele sisters in previous book but you do not miss anything by starting in this series. If you have read the Night hawk security series and the truth seekers series, you will reconnect with characters from those books as well. I love how Sleemans books bring characters from previous series.
Bristol Steele is trying to make her mark in the Steele Guardians business, when a baby goes missing she must work with the handsome FBI Agent Jared Wolfe. Jared and Bristol have a past they must get past to be able to work together. I love this series and look forward to reading more.
I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Mary Hake.
Author 4 books412 followers
August 10, 2022
Another winner by Portland author who sets her exciting series locally in my home state. This story began with a bang and didn’t let up. When a newborn is kidnapped from a hospital, the Steele Guardians team jumps into action with some assistance from the Veritas Center, working with local law enforcement and the FBI. I enjoyed the fast-paced action and intriguing suspense, which included too many potential people who could have committed the crime so it’s hard to put the pieces together quickly. It’s also fun to see individuals from past novels by this talented author take part. If you like a clean mystery that takes your breath away, pick up this dramatic thriller. Warning, you will want to read the whole series and all the others with connections to it. They don’t disappoint and often share the latest investigation technology. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Judy.
3,303 reviews
August 29, 2022
Forged in Steele by Susan Sleeman
Steele Guardians Series Book Three
Deputy Bristol Steele will be leaving her work as a deputy and joining the family business, Steele Guardians, full-time. She’s already signed a large contract for a hospital with security issues. On their first day on the job and a PINK Alert goes out. A baby girl has been stolen on their watch.
FBI Agent Jared Wolfe was visiting with his friends who had just become new parents when he heard the alert. He’d had another experience with a missing baby and wanted to help on this one too. The one thing he didn’t expect was to see the girl he walked out on almost a decade ago. And they’d be working together on this task force.
I love seeing the characters from the previous series, like the folks from Veritas Center. These books are so well-written. Looking forward to the following three Steele women’s stories.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
945 reviews9 followers
August 20, 2022
Another riveting romantic suspense by 1 of my favorite authors! Bristol is to soon begin her new job for her family's agency. This morning she's involved in a new (& very important) client's press conference and shows up in her suit and very high heels (which she's so unused to). But, oh well, anything to look the part. But suddenly the press conference is interrupted by the kidnapping of a newborn infant, and Bristol is called to run after and solve the case (heels and all) alongside FBI Agent Jared Wolfe, a former boyfriend. Time is of the essence, so Jared and Bristol try to put past feelings aside to solve the case. Plenty of twists and turns, danger and surprises. Will they find the baby before it's too late? And what about their growing feelings for each other? An excellent series I highly recommend!
Profile Image for Debbie.
3,646 reviews88 followers
December 17, 2024
"Forged in Steele" is a romantic suspense. Though a part of a series, this worked as a standalone. Deputy Bristol and FBI Agent Jared investigated the kidnapping of a baby from the hospital where Steele Guardians provided security. They investigated together, though they were a part of a larger team effort. Jared respected Bristol and asked her to take the lead in situations where she was likely to get more information than he would. He tended to push too hard since he once wasn't able to find a missing boy in time. The suspense was created by the pressure to find the baby alive and well since he also had a medical issue.

Bristol learned to trust God even when He seemed untrustworthy, and Jared was able to forgive himself for the past failure that wasn't really his fault. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this suspenseful mystery.
Profile Image for Allyson Anthony.
1,177 reviews51 followers
September 23, 2022
This is a great but emotionally compelling story by Susan Sleeman. When a newborn baby is abducted from the hospital, Bistrol has to work with the same man (now a FBI agent) who had broken her heart when they were camp counselors one summer.
The FBI, law enforcement agencies, and the Steele Guardians worked together to bring home the newborn baby to her parents and her abductor to justice. Forged in Steele has enough suspense as well as twists and turns to keep you turning the pages until the end.
Profile Image for Honey.
2 reviews
October 8, 2023
Great book

Honestly it was a bit harder to get into than the other books in the series. It felt a bit slow at times. But I do love this author and the realness of the stories she writes. I like the trust issues in this as that hits close to home. Not having had an easy life, there are times I forget that God is Who brought me through it and not myself. So reading about her struggle to let go and let God really touched me. I love the classic happy ending. The only other thing is I wish the other books tied together more.
Profile Image for Antonetta  Secunda.
31 reviews
June 9, 2023
No matter how many books of Susan Sleeman I have read, the way she waves her plots and develops her characters still amazes me!

With all the family members she writes it's easy to get them to all read the same, but Susan definitely has a gift for creating well developed characters each with their own personalities and problems to overcome.

The story of Bristol, Jared and baby Luna is well written and keeps you on your toes!
Profile Image for Susan.
2,480 reviews13 followers
August 11, 2022
Christian suspense and romance

This is another very good mystery and romance with the very enjoyable Steele family and other characters. This one was a bit tough for me because it involved a baby abduction. But there is a happy ending. I enjoyed the way Bristol and Jared's faith grew as their relationship overcame the past. Very entertaining!
288 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2023
Clean romantic suspense

I enjoyed reading this story about a young woman police detective and the FBI man who is helping her investigate a kidnapping of an infant. The two of them had met at summer camp while teenagers and fell in love. They parted when he joined the military. Will they have their HEA?
222 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2023
Baby Steele in Baby Kidnapping

Bristol Steele is the youngest Steele. She has signed their biggest Steele Guardian contract, and she has three weeks to go before she goes to work for them. Then Baby Luna is kidnapped from the hospital that has signed with the Guardians. Jared Wolfe is the FBI agent working with Bristol to find the baby. One of Susan Sleeman's thrillers.
179 reviews
September 11, 2023
such a great Christian mystery!

I love that I’ve found this author. It’s so refreshing to read a good book with no vulgar language. The suspense of finding who stole Luna from the hospital kept my attention the whole way through!! I’m looking forward to reading the next Susan Sleeman book!!
Profile Image for Brenda.
271 reviews5 followers
July 7, 2022
Loved the good clean reads. Love the characters. Love the family working together. Love the story line. This story line was a hard one and had several twists and turns in it. Highly recommend reading all of the books.

I received an advance ebook and I am voluntarily leaving my review.
Profile Image for Erin Biernacki.
36 reviews5 followers
August 11, 2022
Susann Sleeman keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Twists and turns make for a fast paced mystery and race to save baby Luna. I enjoyed this book so much that I couldn’t put it down, ending up finishing it in one day.
515 reviews1 follower
August 12, 2022
The author is good at throwing a twist in there that one never considered.

And neither is this a "damsel in distress" book although danger is present. And then there's the element of romance... Always presence is the reliance upon God.
Profile Image for Shelia Hall.
78 reviews22 followers
September 23, 2022
Great book

Loved the book! Full of intrigue and mystery with just the right amount of romance. Loved the reference to “Fried Green Tomatoes “ at the end lol. Would highly recommend this book for all
131 reviews3 followers
October 5, 2022
Great book!

I love this series. It is well written and full of suspense, romance and faith-a great combination! This is a great book and series to settle in with and the Steele family are excellent hosts! I am looking forward to the next installment!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews

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