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Broken Cross #3

Steel Empire

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Our bond is steel.

We began to rebuild what we had,
Because I’m determined to make things right.
Someone is out to ruin me,
And they’re using Anais to do it.
Danger threatened to take her from me forever.
But what they don’t know,
Is when someone threatens what is mine,
There will be hell to pay.

Steel Empire is book three in the Broken Cross series. It is the final book in Anais and Damien’s story. Themes in this dark and sexy series may not be suitable for all readers. Steel Empire is the final book in a trilogy and is not a standalone. Read Savage Empire and Scarred Empire before reading this book.

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2021

232 people are currently reading
764 people want to read

About the author

Bri Blackwood

27 books491 followers
Bri loves a good romance, especially ones that involve a hot anti-hero. That is why she likes to turn the dial up a notch with her own writing. Her Broken Cross series is her debut dark romance series.

She spends most of her time hanging out with her family, plotting her next novel, or reading books by other romance authors.

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5 stars
436 (40%)
4 stars
347 (32%)
3 stars
233 (21%)
2 stars
52 (4%)
1 star
16 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
Profile Image for Wobilba.
876 reviews137 followers
March 13, 2024
3.5 stars
An okay read. A little far fetched but entertaining nonetheless. Really enjoyed it!

Story: 3.5 stars
Narration: 3 stars
Profile Image for 1-Click Addict Support Group.
3,749 reviews490 followers
May 13, 2021
We get to see the end Damian and Anais very tumultuous yet scorching hot relationship. This is the book that brought Damian into the light and on my good side 😉 but I also got to see his true feelings for Anais out in the open! I know that a powerful man like Damian must uphold a certain standard of “meanness”, yet I wished he would have shown Aria what she meant to him. This being the final book was very suspenseful and shocking that it left me speechless!! Thank you Bri Blackwood for such an amazing trilogy and cannot wait for what you will brings us next!! Kara~ 5 Stars
Profile Image for Sultana.
107 reviews63 followers
Read
January 9, 2022
DNF @34% it was so boring it hurt. Hated Damian with every piece of me 🤮
Profile Image for Cécile Smits .
1,481 reviews292 followers
May 2, 2021
Steel Empire is the final part of this trilogy,and i have to say it was a good story.
One that had my attention throughout,that had me rooting for Anais and Damian.
Wanting them to have them defeat Damian’s enemies,and have their HEA.
There were a couple of surprises that could’ve changed the entire outcome.
But Damian’s feelings for Anais were strong,and he finally admitted them to her.
And Anais had the brains to see the truth for what it was.
Admitting to herself,ánd Damian,how she felt,and what she wanted.
Once they’d done that,all it took was taking the threat away......before it ended their lives.

As i said a good story,and i was glad Bri Blackwood allowed me to read the ARC to the series.
Giving my honest opinion in return wasn’t difficult,i really liked it.
Profile Image for C. Gray.
1,578 reviews16 followers
January 2, 2022
WOW that was intense. I couldn’t wait to read this and the wait was definitely worth it. This took a few turns I wasn’t expecting at all and I loved every second of it. I hope to see these guys in the future. 🖤🔥🧡🔥🖤
Profile Image for Misty Schott.
4,225 reviews35 followers
December 8, 2021
The conclusion of Anais and Damien's story.

This is the third book in the Broken Cross series and the final book in Anais and Damien's story. But just a heads up this is not the final book in the Broken Cross series as this series continues with Broderick's story in Shadow Empire.

With everything that Anais and Damien have already been through, will these two get their HEA? Grab this fabulous book and find out, just be sure to read the first two books in this series before reading this book. Excellent series so far and I look forward to more from the Cross family in Broderick's book.
Profile Image for ❤️Becky .
546 reviews53 followers
February 23, 2024
So happy that Anais and Damien got their HEA. This one was full of so much suspense that it g
kept me on the edge of my seat.
204 reviews3 followers
May 3, 2021
Wow, this was one Amazing book. Totally worth waiting for it. Till a few weeks ago not a fan of the whole bad boy vibe, but these books made me do a 180. Who doesn't want a man who will do anything in his power to make you happy and keep you safe (even though he's the prime reason you are in danger in the first place)
This is the third book in the series and the 'conclusion' of Anais and Damien. But I have no doubt it's not the last we hear from them (at least I hope so,even if it's just as supporting characters in the other books)
This books starts where the last one ended with a cliffhanger. And with what a plot twist did this one start.
Loved the fact Damien finally started to show feelings and treating her more like an equal.
Can't wait to read the next story about Grace. And hopefully there will follow one about Kingston.

There's one thing I can recommend, don't think about reading just a few pages/chapters. Once you start there's no way you will put the book down before you read the entire thing.

This is the first time I review without telling anything about the story itself. Everything I would write would be a spoiler and don't want to ruin the surprise for the readers.
Profile Image for Christina.
511 reviews4 followers
May 1, 2021
Book 3 in the Cross Empire series, review based on having read books 1 and 2.

Wonderful conclusion for Damien and Anais. I love them together. The build up with books 1 and 2, not only with the danger, but the push and pull of their emotions, was so well done that this had to be written just right to do their entire story justice. This exceeded my expectations. The intensity in which Damien searched for Anais after her kidnapping in book 2 was gripping. We see how devoted Damien is, how he will do anything to find her and keep her safe. Anais let herself be taken care of and to an extent stopped fighting Damien. They are perfection in this.

The final book brought closure for the two main characters and the dangers they faced, including the issues between the two of them. We see more of the supporting characters who will lead to the future books. I am anxious and excited to see more of the Cross Boys and get more glimpses into their Empire.
Profile Image for Sheri.
131 reviews
May 1, 2021
Bri Blackwood has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Like the first two novels in this series this one does not disappoint. Don’t worry I am not going to give anything away because you HAVE to read it, and be prepared to not want to put it down.

I will say that you finally get to see acceptance from both Anais and Damien in this novel.

Anais is put in another dangerous position, and you get to see yet again how strong willed she is. Damien finally shows more of the caring loving side, but don’t worry he is normal controlling self. He will burn anything down that gets in the way of what is his.

The intensity is ever present, and questions are answered. There were twist and turns that I was not expecting at all, and I have to say at the end I was like WTF holy moly.

I absolutely love these two, and gosh darn it why does their story have to be over???

Profile Image for HaleyJo.
269 reviews10 followers
May 1, 2021
Amazing!!! I was so excited to see how Charlotte transitioned into this story and it was nothing like I expected it would be! The turmoil surrounding Anais and Damien is extreme but no matter what, they use it as a building block to come together stronger than ever, despite their unconventional beginning. Now knowing that beginning was orchestrated by someone else is mind blowing! The plot twists in this series is fantastic and keeps you on the edge of your seat craving more. Excellent read!
Profile Image for S.
1,556 reviews39 followers
May 6, 2021
4.5 Stars ⭐️

This is the final book in the trilogy. It was intense , captivating and an absolute perfection. I loved how Damien and Anais story unfolds, it was epic journey. The story was eloquently written and all the twists and turns kept me hooked. I hadn’t expected the twist and that kept me more hooked to this unputdownable story. I really enjoyed this trilogy . Definitely a must read.
Profile Image for Jamie.
2,115 reviews98 followers
May 14, 2021
This is the last book in the trilogy. I really liked Damien. I still don't really care for Anais. I'm not sure what it was with her, but I just didn't care or buy into her character. There were some twists I anticipated and others that I didn't see coming. Overall, for me, this was an ok series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
18 reviews
May 2, 2021
Wow 👏Damien and Anais journey was a wild ride. Their love for each other was pure and quite steamy. I love this couple and all the twist and turns. Can't can't wait for book 4 -Broderick and Grace's story.😍
Profile Image for Mimona Masarwa.
463 reviews33 followers
September 2, 2023
This trilogy was in fact enjoyable but the plot was a little bit off, what I mean is that it was interesting and I loved the characters but somewhere along the way it was more underwhelming and far from what I expected. I expected it to keep me on edge.

The anti-hero and the good female main character are represented very well in the book it was satisfying 👌
Profile Image for Deborah Peach.
712 reviews25 followers
January 30, 2022
Just when Damien Cross thought his life was beginning to turn around, Anais Monroe has been kidnapped by someone who truly means her harm to get back at him. Damien, along with his family members, race to save Anais not knowing how entangled Damien's past is with his future. When they succeed in rescuing Anais, it creates more questions than answers. Someone who they all thought had perished long ago actually helps saves Anais at the peril it costs herself. Damien will do whatever is necessary to protect Anais at all costs, even align himself with an adversary. Throughout all of this danger, the couple has come to find that their feelings have grown and love has flourished in the face of adversity. This is the exciting conclusion to the trilogy from the cliffhanger that Scarred Empire left off in.
Profile Image for Celine.
56 reviews16 followers
January 20, 2023
3,5⭐️
the final part of this trilogy from Damien and Anais and i have to say it was a good story.
I do have to say that sometimes it got a bit boring but all in all it was a good book. I‘m happy for them and their happy ending & can’t wait to start book number 4 of the Cross Brothers 🌝
Profile Image for Engel Manu.
1,128 reviews
June 7, 2022
Ich war echt gespannt auf den dritten Teil. Die ersten zwei Teile haben mir super gefallen. Ihr müsst auf jeden Fall die ersten beiden Teile gelesen haben. Die Bücher können nicht unabhängig voneinander gelesen werden. Nach dem Cliffhänger vom letzten Teil wollte ich unbedingt wissen wie es weitergeht. Es geht spannend weiter. Worum es im Buch geht könnt ihr im Klappentext nachlesen. Anais und Damien sind zwei wundervolle Charaktere. Beide habe ich sofort ins Herz geschlossen. Ich muss echt sagen, dass Damien in diesem Teil echt menschlicher rüber gekommen ist. Er zeigt mehr Gefühle und behandelt Anais menschlicher. Das Buch hat alles was man sich wünscht. Ich konnte das Buch nicht aus der Hand legen. Das Buch wird aus der Sicht von Anais und Damien erzählt. Durch die unterschiedlichen Perspektiven kann man sich super in die Charaktere hineinversetzen. Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist absolut fesselnd und mitreißend. Mir hat der finale Band super gefallen. Das Ende ist der Autorin super gelungen. Vielen Dank für die tollen Lesestunden. Absolute Leseempfehlung. ❤️❤️❤️
Profile Image for One Loves Reading .
1,174 reviews28 followers
May 6, 2021
Damien & Anais love is still going strong but there is someone in the way...called Charlotte. A past love and a love that dead many years ago so how is she here...

That the mystery and it drove crazy !! And we found out the whole story which I am not going to spoil !! Them scenes with Jenna got me even more excited cause they know the same person and...there is more to that name... that it no more spoilers!!

No spoilers which is really hard especially for this series.

Please read the previous 2 book before you read this one and trust me it's worth the read. Damien who is not afraid to put a bullet in someone head to protect the ones he loves. Remember this is not a mafia romance its a billionaire romance that creates his own rules which is more dangerous!

☆MUST READ☆
Ending worth the wait ❤❤❤❤❤
Profile Image for Shawna Jimenez more.books.forever.
1,858 reviews87 followers
May 6, 2021
Amazing, Crazy, Steamy, Hot AF!!! Completely perfect! Damien and Anais’s conclusion was completely epic. Full of twists and turns and things I didn’t see coming! Damien completely showed up and showed out when it came to searching for Anais and when it came to providing that he is worthy of having her stand by his side. While we still get the Alpha and demanding side to Damien we also get to see this brand new side where he is completely devoted caring and would do anything and everything for the woman that has captured his heart!!! As always the side characters and in full swing in book three and I can’t wait for us to dive deeper into their stories as well! Bri Blackwood is a new author for me and she now has a reader for life!
Profile Image for Paulina.
101 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2021
It's safe to say that the third story in the Broken Cross series is my favourite one. From the very first pages the book had me so invested that I literally couldn't put it down and had to force myself to go to work(the struggle was real). I loved the development of Anais and Damien's relationship, but what I really liked in this part was the involvement of side characters - they got more appearances in this book which was great. At the beginning, the plot was packed with action, then it was slightly more steady.
Overall, a very enjoyable read but keep in mind that you have to read books 1&2 first.
7,813 reviews65 followers
May 14, 2021
This is the conclusion to Damien and Anais storyline it is just as good if not better than the previous ones. The characters continue to delight throughout the pages.

I received a copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Profile Image for Kim Whitehead.
2,844 reviews
May 9, 2021
What an incredible journey! It had all the feels! Suspense, angst and hotness overload! Such an amazing ending!
Profile Image for Shirley.
890 reviews2 followers
September 6, 2021
The mystery element was different and engaging while the sexual portion wasn’t as dark as the description suggests.
A good read... you have several things going on in this story ....Stalker, debt repayment, fake engagement... to name a few..
twists... turns and shocks, far more emotions from the two main characters and some so-so steamy scenes between them.
Damien is ready to invest everything for Anais, unprepared for how much she has crept under his skin and how far he will go when she is in danger.
Each book seems to be better than the last .. but I still do not understand why this author much less any author has to drag out stories just write the whole thing and get it out there .... stop making so many books and ending in cliffhangers ... AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH .....
all the loose ends are wrapped up. .. butttttttttt yep you guessed it gotta get another book to complete the story .......I am hoping that we see more of these two in Shadow Empire and the rest of the series which I'm guessing will star other members of the Cross family. Cause after this one ends you are led to believe Broderick and Grace will be up next .... so Not sure I can deal with the cliffhangers again so might not bother with following up ....
Profile Image for Engel Manu.
1,128 reviews
June 7, 2022
Ich war echt gespannt auf den dritten Teil. Die ersten zwei Teile haben mir super gefallen. Ihr müsst auf jeden Fall die ersten beiden Teile gelesen haben. Die Bücher können nicht unabhängig voneinander gelesen werden. Nach dem Cliffhänger vom letzten Teil wollte ich unbedingt wissen wie es weitergeht. Es geht spannend weiter. Worum es im Buch geht könnt ihr im Klappentext nachlesen. Anais und Damien sind zwei wundervolle Charaktere. Beide habe ich sofort ins Herz geschlossen. Ich muss echt sagen, dass Damien in diesem Teil echt menschlicher rüber gekommen ist. Er zeigt mehr Gefühle und behandelt Anais menschlicher. Das Buch hat alles was man sich wünscht. Ich konnte das Buch nicht aus der Hand legen. Das Buch wird aus der Sicht von Anais und Damien erzählt. Durch die unterschiedlichen Perspektiven kann man sich super in die Charaktere hineinversetzen. Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist absolut fesselnd und mitreißend. Mir hat der finale Band super gefallen. Das Ende ist der Autorin super gelungen. Vielen Dank für die tollen Lesestunden. Absolute Leseempfehlung. ❤️❤️❤️
1,077 reviews35 followers
July 11, 2021
The final book in the trilogy brings Damien's and Anais's story full circle. Damien's character finally becomes human (taking almost three books to do so). He is still calculating and still manipulative but his feelings for Anais' are finally given a name (he's in love with the woman he only planned to use as a pawn). Book three delves deeper into their blossoming love story and provides twists and turns that keep the reader engaged while taking the reader into a fabulous love story.

It's been a long ride for these two characters but the final book makes sense out of everything that has happened in the two previous books, puts ghosts to rest and binds two unlikely characters together in a marriage, not a contract.

It was a fitting end to the series and the author did a good job at keeping the story and characters focused on the climax. Book three had little repetition making the read of the final book in this series very enjoyable.
2,988 reviews18 followers
June 6, 2022
Es bleibt auch im letzten Band spannend und da es das Abschlussband ist, auch kein Cliffhanger mehr. Die Leidenschaft kommt in diesem Band natürlich auch nicht zu kurz. Damien zeigt in diesem Band sehr viel Gefühl und zieht uns mit in seine Welt. Nicht nur als Informationen, nein wir sind dabei, wenn es zu Sachen geht. Keine Andeutungen mehr, keine Gespräche darüber, nein wir erleben wie er gewisse Sachen angeht. Anais macht hier viel durch und doch bleibt sie sich selbst treu. Sie bleibt, die Frau, die man schon vom ersten Band aus kennenlernt. Bloß, dass sie viel mehr Facetten bekommt. Ein tolles Band zum Abschluss, das mir alles offenen Fragen beantwortet und mich sehr gut unterhalten hat, sodass ich dieses Band im einen Rutsch durchgelesen habe. Diese Reihe war einfach grandios und hat Spaß gemacht sie zu lesen.
Profile Image for Karina Benedik.
976 reviews2 followers
June 18, 2022
Eine tolle Fortsetzung, schließt nahtlos an die Vorgeschichte an, also bitte nicht mit Band 3 starten.
Mir persönlich war die Entführung ein wenig zu unspektakulär. Das Geheimnis um Charlotte löst sich zwar, und wer hinter der Entführung steckt, aber der große Wow-Effekt hat mir ein bisschen gefehlt.
Damian und Anais entwickeln sich wirklich in eine gute Richtung, wobei ich auch hier sagen muss, erotisch gesehen, fehlt mir ein bisschen die Tiefe. Auch hier hätte ich mir die ein oder andere Szene etwas ausführlicher gewünscht. BDSM wird zwar immer wieder angesprochen, aber immer nur sehr oberflächlich... Ein tieferer Einblick ins Schlafzimmer hätte mir hier gut gefallen.
Toll finde ich, dass die Trilogie hier endet, und im 4. Teil noch das Augenmerk auf ein anderes Pärchen gerichtet wird - darauf bin ich schon sehr neugierig.
173 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2022
I don’t hate it

I don’t hate it but I don’t love it.

Pacing was off and a lot of the beginning timeline seemed odd. I think it was just the underlying idea that Vincent just KNEW that Damien would be interested in Anais, you know, because just look at her (implied in book). So you (Vincent) planted a spy at her work, that just so happened to have a connection with someone in their security team, and security guys JUST so happens to have been game to help you.

Look I know this book is fantasy and there is so much about this that is unrealistic (which I very much enjoy), but grounding the story in somewhat believable actions and thinking are what bring stories to life.

I’m not upset for having read this book, but I won’t read this again or finish the Broken Cross series.
Profile Image for Ally Doby (Schleicher).
1,126 reviews13 followers
December 5, 2021
What a great ending to Damien and Anais!!!

I am voluntarily leaving this review. Oh my heart!!!! I felt all the emotions in this book! I was hooked from page one! I may have even shed a tear or two!

Damien is out of his mind with worry for Anais. Anais is scared to death of what her fate will be. This was just the wake up call that they both needed! Their chemistry and love is off the charts and they will stop at nothing to prove to each other just what the other means to them!

I will definitely recommend this trilogy/series to any and everyone! You will not regret this series at all! Onto the next book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews

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