Hearts of Steel

Author: Elizabeth Camden
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: The Blackstone Legacy #3
Release Date: January 17, 2023
Publisher: Bethany House

His steel empire has catapulted him to the top of the world, but loving her could cost him everything.

Maggie Molinaro survived a hardscrabble childhood in the downtrodden streets of Manhattan to become a successful businesswoman. After a decade of sacrifice, she now owns a celebrated ice cream company. But when she offends a corrupt banker, she unwittingly sets off a series of calamities that threaten to destroy her life's work.

Liam Blackstone is a charismatic steel magnate committed to overhauling factory conditions for the steelworkers of America. Standing in his way is the same villain determined to ruin Maggie. What begins as a practical alliance to defeat a common enemy soon evolves into a romance between two wounded people determined to beat the odds.

A spiraling circle of treachery grows increasingly dangerous as Liam and Maggie risk their lives and fortunes for the good of the city. It will require all their wit and ingenuity to protect everything--and everyone--they hold dear.

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Reviewer: Winnie Thomas

Talented author Elizabeth Camden has concluded her Blackstone Legacy series with yet another riveting novel featuring Liam Blackstone and Maggie Molinaro. Hearts of Steel is overflowing with rich historical history and captivating characters. Set in New York in 1902, this book has Liam and Maggie teaming together to fight corruption within the city. The main characters were colorful, engaging, and plucky, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship change and grow.  It was fun seeing some of the people from the first two books showing up to help Liam and Maggie with their quest. Liam impressed me with his determination to learn and overcome his weaknesses and his early upbringing. Maggie’s hard work and resolve to succeed was also exemplary.

I always learn much about little slices of history from Camden’s books, and this one is no exception. The historical notes from the author in the back of the book stated that the main corrupt businessman in the story, Charles W. Morse, actually existed and used extortion, threats, and bribery to force competitors and others out of business.

With plenty of suspense, action, inspiration, and romance, this book kept me turning the pages. It’s a fantastic addition to the series. Messages of faith, hope, strength through adversity, and the importance of family combine to add depth to this enthralling tale.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Billi Varela

I love Elizabeth Camden’s manner of writing. It had my attention from the beginning. You will not regret reading this book, which is the third book in The Blackstone Legacy series. 

Liam. I loved him. He was such a sweetheart. The way he would remember stuff about Maggie and show her that he did was absolutely adorable! He was so sweet with her but yet fierce with the ones that he had to be with. 

I liked how both characters changed to become better people. Liam was my absolute favorite to see. Elizabeth Camden did an amazing job with his character. 

I liked the spiritual level of this book. The characters knew that God was the only one that could help them. 

This was a clean read with just kisses. A man references another man choosing/keeping company with loose women. 

Trigger Warnings: It did mention that a young woman posed nude for a photographer. There were mentions of abuse of a child. There is a scene where a man gets beaten, but it is not graphic. 

I requested and received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

Liam's story was well-worth the wait. Beneath the tough, unschooled, impulsive exterior of a welder lies a tender, loyal heart of a gentleman who only wants acceptance, love, and good for the working class. Liam's tenacity, focused drive, and generosity make him an excellent hero though his flaws are constantly thrown in his face. His journey of finding himself and God is fraught with mishaps but his persistence and determination to overcome these setbacks are truly admirable. I loved getting to the heart of Liam with all of his broken pieces, self-awareness, and thirst for justice. 

Maggie is a worthy partner for Liam. Her hard-working, devoted, loving spirit matches him in bravery, intelligence, and fortitude. I loved how history of NYC was woven around Maggie's work and how vivid the world of steel and banking industries felt throughout the story. The author truly has a gift for elaborating on little known historical facts to create captivating and stunning historical fiction. It's an absolutely satisfying conclusion to The Blackstone Legacy! 

I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Amy Smelser

This was a story of Hearts of Steel and the backbones of courage to go with them. This story was about two people who did not give up even when all looked lost. They figured things out and did not stop until they found a way around, up, or sailed their own ship. The tenacity of these two characters made me want to stand up and cheer.

Both Maggie and Liam have had hard lives. Not only that, but they have similar scars to show for it. Maggie has pulled herself and her aunt and uncle out of poverty to chase the American dream she knows they can attain. She never wants to go back to poverty, and when her livelihood is threatened along with all those on her business street, Maggie will not give up. Even when the criminals have money and muscle and corruption on their side, she will not back down.

It helps that she has the very famous Liam Blackstone on her side. He does have money, and life has also taught him not to back down. They will fight together in business and life and maybe stop fighting their love for one another. 

This is the first I have read in this series. This being the third book, I was not lost in any way. I do want to go back and read the first two as I became very invested in this family and their trials and triumphs. 

I enjoyed this Gilded Age of America story and getting a glimpse of what doing business would have been like and going against the bullies of the power-hungry elite.

The publisher, Bethany House, provided me a copy of this novel through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review. All views and opinions are my own.

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