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Courageous follows a woman tormented by the pain of her past who meets and develops feelings for two members of a Motorcycle Club while working in their tattoo shop, giving her a sense of hope for the first time. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Mental health is becoming an increasingly public topic, but there is still much more to explore. We can gain valuable insights from each other and from stories like Courageous, which highlight how individuals cope with trauma and its impact on their relationships and daily lives. This was the inspiration behind Courageous.
There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
The mindset of the main protagonist, Clark: her emotions, how she handled triggers, and her ability to communicate these feelings to her friends, family, and readers.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
I typically start with a broad concept or rough outline sketched in my mind, but more often than not, I end up going in a different direction. I allow my characters to take the lead. I try to put myself in their shoes and think, ‘What would I do?’ Naturally, I infuse the narrative with embellishments for entertainment.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
Fearless is the upcoming book in the Iconic Sons MC series, set for release in 2026. Without revealing too much, it explores the lives of Mallory, Gage, and Pen. Mallory was kidnapped as a teenager by someone she trusted, and this traumatic event has made her guard her heart against love. Gage and Pen, however, are determined not to let this happen.
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However, Clark’s life takes a significant turn when she unexpectedly meets Vin and Gun at their tattoo shop, Blood Tattoos, and starts working for them. For the first time in a while, Clark finds a newfound sense of purpose and hope that inspires her to refrain from harming herself.
Vin and Gun, the quintessential alpha males, grew up in the Iconic Sons MC, a motorcycle club known for its strict code of conduct and brotherhood. Clark’s protective nature springs to life, and she tries to shield Vin and Gun from the dangers of the MC. But Vin and Gun, determined to uphold the club’s honor and traditions, will never allow Clark to interfere in their affairs.
Despite their initial conflicts, the simmering sexual tension eventually blossoms into a complex relationship between Vin, Gun, and Clark.
There’s one problem. Vin and Gun don’t know about Clark’s self-harming. How will they react when confronted with her disfiguring scars? Will they choose to run away, or can they accept her with all her flaws and imperfections?
Courageous: She Will Not Let Fear Stop Her
Courageous tells the story of Clark, a woman whose life is shaped by loss, trauma, and the search for healing. From the pain of abandonment as a child to the heartbreak of losing Archer, the love who could not stay, she battles self-doubt, grief, and the lure of self-destruction. Her journey leads her into the orbit of Gun and Vin, two powerful, enigmatic bikers whose tattoo shop becomes not just her workplace but a crossroads for transformation. The book blends raw depictions of mental health struggles with moments of romance, danger, and resilience, painting a portrait of a woman trying to rebuild when it feels like the world has already broken her.
What I liked most about the writing is how unflinchingly it stares at darkness. Steele does not flinch from describing Clark’s scars, both physical and emotional, and I felt that weight. At times, it made me uneasy; other times, it made me ache for her. The prose is straightforward but carries an emotional punch, with certain passages almost too sharp to keep reading. I liked how the author layered the MC world with tenderness, showing that even rough men in leather can surprise you with kindness or depth.
The chemistry is palpable, and the tension between Clark, Vin, and Gun had me flipping pages with a mix of dread and thrill. Some of the power dynamics made me squirm. Commands, threats, and possessiveness are part of the MC romance formula. I couldn’t deny the intensity. It made me feel like I was on the back of a bike, hanging on tight, unsure if I’d fall but unable to let go. And I admire that Steele didn’t tie everything up neatly. Healing in this book isn’t quick or clean. It’s jagged, like the lines of a tattoo.
Reading Courageous reminded me of the emotional rawness of Tarryn Fisher’s novels mixed with the gritty, high-stakes intensity of Kristen Ashley’s MC romances, only Steele leans harder into the pain and healing side of the journey. Courageous is raw, gritty, and at times heartbreaking, but it’s also laced with hope and sparks of joy. I would recommend it to readers seeking more than surface-level romance, particularly those who can handle tough themes like grief, trauma, and self-harm, while still craving the heat and loyalty of MC love stories.
Pages: 266 | ASIN : B0F3ZKCKK7
LITERARY TITAN 