Logan Grant knew he was in trouble the moment Chandler Santell walked into his office. He agrees to her crazy deal only when she risks all and guarantees him a profit. Behind the scenes a dangerous game of love, power and greed begin to play out-a game Chandler knows nothing about. The payoff is worth millions to the man who can win Chandler’s heart.

Chandler Santell avoids men – especially the rich and powerful ones who believe more in money than people. Desperate to save her struggling Yoga & Arts Center, her last hope is the most powerful man in the finance industry, a man reputed to have a “Heart of Steel.”

I was introduced to Jennifer Probst’s books when I read “The Marriage Bargain” (  if you’re interested you can find my review here) A novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Heart of Steel was my second book by Probst and what a ride it was! A lovely romance made of passion, intrigue and discovery, a story where even a heart of steel can melt when it gets to experience  the reality of unconditional love…

Logan Grant is a handsome and powerful business man, all tall and muscular with dark hair and enchanting eyes, used to having tons of women falling  head over hills for him. His main concern  has always been business and success and his harsh exterior and manners have garnered him the nickname of “man of steel”.  He doesn’t want to be driven by emotions but only by logic and reason.  Until Chandler Santell enters his life. She challenges him in ways he’s never known before and his attraction to her becomes more and more undeniable.

Chandler is a woman who wants to stay away from business men at all costs for more than one reason…She holds her independence very dear  but she finds herself both attracted and intimidated by the powerful  and irresistibly beautiful man in front of her. While reading I could feel the sexual tension between them and I was curious to see who was going to surrender first. And when they do surrender…let me say that there’s some great loving going on Logan reveals to Chandler a side of him no other woman has witnessed before. He loves with extraordinary passion and would do everything to please the woman who conquered his heart. Yes, like in The Marriage Bargain, the love scenes are well written and there’s perfect balance between sexy and romance. I loved  the banter between the two characters and Jennifer Probst  proved once again to be able to write great dialogue–it’s very witty and entertaining and never leaves you disappointed. It’s as if you could hear the characters talking, as if they were right there with you.  In several scenes I giggled at their teasing each other, especially when sexual innuendos were used by both Chandler and Logan in order to see the other squirm, and other scenes were so tender that are worth re-reading.

There are some secrets that risk tearing apart the two lovers on more than one occasion, secrets that get slowly revealed and put their relationship to the hard test.  How far are they willing to go not to lose each other? Will they be able to forgive?

Despite it being a relatively short novel, there’s great character development and once again I want to congratulate Jennifer, because it’s not always easy to create believable characters in books that are less than 200 pages long. Both Logan and Chandler grow, discover what it means to love and strip each other of their own defenses, and to see behind one’s appearances and exterior. So kudos Jennifer, I was enchanted by your characters once again

I give this book 4 stars.

And now some of my favorite passages :

1) “He took the glass from her hand, set it behind his, then moved closer. The back of his hand caressed her face. ‘You hold yourself back, Chandler, waiting for someone who will never come; a fantasy figure who seems safer than a man of flesh and blood, a man who will probably make mistakes and possibly hurt you. But the man you deny yourself could also make your spirit soar. You’re too afraid to reach out and take him.’ He pulled her towards him with slow, deliberate movements. His warm breath penetrated her hair as his arms pressed her body into his. ‘Don’t run from me.’ His voice commanded, whispered, in her ear. Then his mouth came down to his. “

2)” ‘Did you ever stop to think I need you in my world?’ he asked. ‘Have you ever saved a man from himself? I live in the darkness, where deception and lies are at every turn. I learned to protect myself by being cold and hard, the only way I know to survive.’ Her body visibly shook as her gaze locked on his. ‘You’re like the sunlight. You radiate heat and truth and all the good things in the world.’ He paused. ‘ Save me, Chandler.’ “

3) ” ‘Did you like making me jealous?’

‘No!’ she denied hotly. ‘I just wanted to–’

‘I think you wanted to see how far you could push me.’ His fingers slowly stroked the delicate flesh of her wrist and glided up her bare arm. She tried to contain her racing pulse. ‘Maybe you wanted me to lose my temper, so I’d be forced to show you how good we are together. Hurl you over my shoulder and carry you into the bedroom. Thrust my tongue inside of you over and over–’

‘Logan!’

His hand dropped from her arm to her thigh. She fought for breath.  ‘We’ll spend hours in the bedroom because I have a long list of wants. To feel you melt beneath my fingers. Hear my name on your lips when you beg me to take you, opening yourself to me so–’

‘Please!’ She placed her fingers over his lips. ‘You win. I get the picture. You don’t–you don’t have to go on.

His eyes lit with mischief. ‘Are you sure? I was just getting to the part when you wrap your legs around my hips and–’

‘Logan!’

He chuckled and brought his hand up to touch her cheek, which was now a fiery red. ‘I can’t help it, you blush beautifully.’ “

Elena