Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Eroe
( St. Andrews: A Sabato Origin Story)
Ties of Steel Book 3

Sabato Efisto was born from an unholy union, the bastard son of a martyred saint and the Devil. At least, that's what he's believed, for most of his life.

His father is an Italian crime lord, a man so dangerous that Sabato's mother died trying to get away from him. For that tragedy, which happened on his seventh birthday, Sabato blames himself. Every year, he practices the ritual of self-punishment, flirting with death the way most boys his age flirt with girls.

Until ten years later, when he meets a sweet girl named Luciana, at St. Andrews of the Holy Cross. For the first time in his life, Sabato doesn't want to end it. The darkness in his soul is replaced by hope. But, as the priests will tell you, the sins of the father are not easily escaped.
And those who are born into darkness, must carry that cross forever....

117 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 17, 2015

129 people are currently reading
706 people want to read

About the author

M.J. Fields

195 books3,945 followers
MJ Fields is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance novels. She lives in New York with her daughter Miss A, smoochie faced Newfie, Theo and the newest member to the 'fields crew, rescue diva / holy terror Eleanor.
When she’s not locked away in the cave, she enjoys doing home improvement projects, spending time with her family, attending live music and sporting events, the theatre, singing off key, dancing to her own beat, listening to audio books, and reading of course.

Forever Steel!

Join MJ's mailing list ➜ http://bit.ly/MJFNews
Visit her website here ➜ https://mjfieldsbooks.com
Stalk her Facebook here ➜ facebook.com/MJFieldsBooks
Follow her on Twitter here ➜ @ twitter.com/mjfieldsbooks
Follow her on Instagram here ➜ @ instagram.com/mjfieldsbooks

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
420 (46%)
4 stars
274 (30%)
3 stars
156 (17%)
2 stars
42 (4%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
Profile Image for Donna Sweeney.
661 reviews15 followers
March 24, 2015
Meh ! It was ok, I actually thought he was a selfish d**k. Especially when he first met Luciana, he soooo had the WRONG attitude - he was such a whining dude all "I want sex and you better do it now or get lost".....totally loving and what a turn on. I don't care what his past was, if his "mama" raised him right he would treat a woman right !!! Can I get an AMEN ?!!!
Really I kept looking at all the 5 stars and I keep thinking I've missed something, but Nope my reading skills are ABSOLUTE !!!
I hope it turns out alright in the end, cause at the moment I don't care how "beautiful" he is, he needs a personality transplant. She didn't do herself any favor's bending to his every whim....or should I say bark.
Sorry peeps 3 stars from me and that's me being rather generous. MJ fields is a fab writer, alas Eroe was a no go for me xxx
Profile Image for Pam Nelson.
3,747 reviews118 followers
September 5, 2016
5 Eroe Stars

What a way to start a story, I am so involved I need MORE!
Sabato’s life hasn’t been easy, but he found something that is all his. Luciana is innocent but she too knows what she wants.
Umm that ending.. Thank god for book 4!!

And holy freaking awesome narration, the accents all of it top notch I can’t say enough good things.

*All my Reviews are 100% honest and my own.*
Profile Image for Ivy.
Author 20 books220 followers
March 16, 2015
This is the beginning of a beautiful story. My heart breaks for him. You watch his life evolve from when he is a young boy into a man. You see the influences of his past influence his present.

This novella was just beautiful. From the beginning you're wrapped in his world. Feeling what he feels and going through what he goes through. I cannot wait for the book.
Profile Image for Eye Candy Bookstore.
571 reviews123 followers
March 23, 2015
In this novella you get to see how Sabato grew up from a young boy loving and losing him mother. You quickly see him go through life, being him, being the mean guy that everyone fears but her, Luciana. The hate he has for his father and the lack of Human contact has Sabato's emotions in overdrive when Luciana gives him the attention he wants but at what price? You get to see the very hated and strained relationship between Sabato and his father which gets you ready for his full book.

The sex scenes were hot, but you wouldn't expect anything different from MJ, she can bring the steamy. The novella ended on a cliffy but it is needed to set you for the next book, where we will see Sabato in all his full sexy alpha glory.


5 Stars
Reviewed by Amy Davies of Eye Candy Bookstore


Profile Image for 1-Click Addict Support Group.
3,749 reviews488 followers
May 6, 2015
Eroe is the prequel to Sabato, and it helped me to see how Sabato grew up and how it affected him on all levels.

There was a time when Sabato was an Eroe (hero) to someone, yet the hate they had towards him caused the loss of that individual. From that point forward, he was no longer an Eroe to anyone...

I loved seeing that someone like him was capable of loving at one point in his life. There was so much pain and hate in Sabato's life that, at times, it was hard to read because he would only display those feelings towards those around him, especially to those who showed him love. ~ Kara, 4 stars
Profile Image for Pauline (Passionate About Books).
809 reviews15 followers
July 8, 2015
Eroe...a fallen angel...
This prequel to Sabbato literally broke my heart in two.I was saddened by the events that shaped this young beautiful man to become who he has become today...a bleeding soul.Brought up by a loving mother & torn apart by a vengeful father...this story gripped my heart and soul and attention as well.I will definitely be reading Book 4 of this spectacular series...I NEED to know how Sabbato's story will end up...I need closure! 5 heartbreaking stars for Eroe...a true hero.
Profile Image for Veronica LaRoche.
4,544 reviews65 followers
April 8, 2015
I love getting to know Sabato. What happened to him and who his father is I don't blame him for being who he is. Meeting Luciana you knew something was going to happen between them. I loved getting to know Sabato and can't wait to read more
Profile Image for Deana.
395 reviews10 followers
May 8, 2016
A rather short book that you need to read before "Sabato" by MJ Fields. Its the beginning of Sabato's life when he grew up. It helps for you to understand more about him and his life.
Profile Image for Blog_Océane.
541 reviews5 followers
November 27, 2021

Ce tome peut se lire totalement indépendamment du tome 1 et du tome 2, je l'ai lu en une heure et quelques car il est très court. Je dois dire que je trouve que ce tome n'est pas à la hauteur des autres. Je suis déçue en tant que lectrice mais il prépare l'histoire du tome 4. C'est donc la mise en bouche.
Je suis toujours aussi fan de la plume de MJ Fields ; elle est chargée en émotions et très intense.
Nous avons une intrigue belle, elle met bien en scène le premier grand amour, la jeunesse. J'aime beaucoup les thèmes abordés dans ce livre.
Nous avons donc des protagonistes jeunes, touchants. Nous nous attachons à eux immédiatement pour ce couple qui ont un obstacle : les parents.

Pour conclure, je suis un peu déçue de ce tome car il n'est pas à la hauteur des précédents. Il est néanmoins intéressant comme mise en bouche pour le tome 4. J'ai très envie de lire le tome 4 pour connaître la suite sur Sabato. MJ Fields a toujours une plume prenante et l'intrigue met en avant l'amour - le premier amour surtout - sans oublier la moralité suivante : ne jamais juger sur les apparences. Enfin, les protagonistes sont attachants.
Profile Image for Patty.
4,922 reviews50 followers
September 14, 2017
A brief introduction to Sabato, this novella is packed full of suspense, sex and history. Sabato has endured some horrible things in his life, and he blames them on his father, Salvatore. When he encounters Luciana, he sees a light that he has lost since the death of his mother. The question is, will they be able to be together? This ends on a cliffhanger, so I am ready to delve into the next book! Sabato!

Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott are such an amazing narration team. They always bring their A game, and with this one, they bring their Italian accents! Always full of energy and emotion, they bring the Steel stories to life for me!
Profile Image for Jennifer McGurk Finn.
2,101 reviews52 followers
March 27, 2018
This is the fourth book in the Ties of Steel series by M.J. Fields. I kinda went out of order with this storyline because I read Terzetto and Valentina before I read this. The original Men of Steel series is still to this day one of my all time favorites especially Jase. When Sabato Efisto was only seven years old he didn’t know a whole lot but he did know his father, Salvatore Efisto was not a good man. Sabato loved his mama dearly and his father always made her cry and then they’d hide for a while until Salvatore found them and brought them back home. On his seventh birthday he was in Florence with his mama and while they were visiting a museum there was an explosion. Glass rained down all around them and his beloved mama protected his tiny body. Unfortunately in saving him she sacrificed her own life and he was left with a monster. Salvatore was an Italian crime lord who was well known and well feared in Italy and all across Europe. After his mama died he was sent away to boarding school and every year on his birthday which was also the anniversary of her death he found new ways to punish himself. He blamed himself for her dying and did his best to try and embrace death every year. On his 17th b-day with only one year left to go in school he gets expelled for stealing and then crashing the Dean’s car. He spends his last year at St. Andrews of the Holy Cross where he meets Luciana. He doesn’t really like her at first, he’s more interested in her body because of course he’s a teenage boy. He’s been completely closed off since his mama’s death and doesn’t believe he deserves love. Luciana is very persistent and manages to whittle her way into his heart. I didn’t like Luciana so the ending didn’t bother me except that I felt horrible for Sabato because he’s been through so much already.
Profile Image for CeeJay Daisy.
692 reviews22 followers
June 4, 2020
♥️🌼I’m Gonna Love Sabato🌼♥️
EROE is a hot little novella that tells the story of the early life of Sabato Efisto...and gives us a glimpse of what made him who he is....His mother’s death, who his father is, Sabato’s father’s abuse and cruelty and the death of his first love....EROE shouldn’t be missed...♥️🌼
(I read this book in the Steel of Ties boxed set)
2,361 reviews3 followers
July 29, 2018
A quick read to introduce you to a younger Sabato. You meet him briefly in Dominic's book but you don't know much about him. In this book you get a glimpse into his relationship with his father, how he was raised, his feelings for his mother and what made him the man he turns out to be.
195 reviews
August 9, 2024
After losing his mother it was good that he found someone else that he loved and loved him back even though he tried to push her away at first...This left me with some questions that hopefully are answered in the next book.
Profile Image for Vikki The Fee.
64 reviews
May 18, 2025
Tempt audiobook - This is a very short novella that is essential for the next book in the series (Sabato). To be perfectly honest, I didn’t really care for this. BUT to understand the next book, you have to know a few facts from this short story.
172 reviews2 followers
February 10, 2018
Father...

The hate is real. What a father, he's sssoooooo mean. Loving this series, I just want more!!! Book 4, here I come!!!
Profile Image for Danielle.
642 reviews
October 12, 2020
Not relevant

Not sure why I got this book and pay for audio,, I didn’t realise it was only a short story bit of a waste of time really
8 reviews
February 27, 2021
Probably, the worst book I have ever read! I felt like I was reading a book written by a child and the main character is not even likable.
Profile Image for Milena.
413 reviews3 followers
August 19, 2022
Somewhere between a 2.5-3 star, something about him that didn't quite gel.
Profile Image for Deborah.
1,841 reviews
March 22, 2017
He Likes No One

This is a young man with a lot of anger in him. If he had a father who actually cared for him, if he could, maybe he wouldn't be so angry and hurt. Enjoy I did.
Profile Image for Books&Dreams.
575 reviews
March 30, 2015
 photo bookwormsreviewicon.jpg


This is Novella and it is book 3 in the Ties of Steel Series.
This is the beginning of Sabato's story.
I gave this book 5 stars.

We meet Sabato in book 2 of this series all grown up!

BUT this is a story about his past.
You get a background on Sabato and get to understand him a little bit more. First let me say that Sabato had a very bad attitude during his early teens and college years, but I have to say who wouldn't? He chose a way to deal with the things that happened to him in his young life and decided that acting out and being a total Di*k was the way to do it. You either loved him or you hated him.

I had a very soft spot in my heart for him and knew that all he needed was someone to show him love, someone to show him everything would be OK if he would just give it a chance.
This is a story about how Sabato grew up, how he survived and how he lived.

You don't want to miss this prequel about this amazing man. It kept me wanting more and I never lost interest. Thank you for another amazing book in this series MJ! You rock!! Can't wait to read Sabato's full story!
Profile Image for Kerry Fletcher.
583 reviews9 followers
March 30, 2015
This is a Novella about Sabato's beginnings and an insight as to how he became the man he is.

First off i'm loving the Italians in Ties of Steel holy faaark are they hot. I loved Men of Steel it's one of my favorite series but Ties of Steel is certainly living up to those Steel boys. With the Italian connection i think it might just be hotter and dirtier than they are and that's saying something!

Secondly i loved this novella because it's already grabbed my heart for Sabato. I won't give spoilers but i just wanna grab that fella and hug the shit out of him! It's quite a sad tale and i so can't wait for him to get his HEA. Although he's a tough loner you get glimpses or the real him. I'm really glad that MJ decided to do this novella and let us in on his secrets. This really sets the scene for Sabato.

I can't wait for Sabato!
Profile Image for Amy Davies.
Author 73 books515 followers
April 8, 2015
In this novella you get to see how Sabato grew up from a young boy loving and losing him mother. You quickly see him go through life, being him, being the mean guy that everyone fears but her, Luciana. The hate he has for his father and the lack of Human contact has Sabato's emotions in overdrive when Luciana gives him the attention he wants but at what price? You get to see the very hated and strained relationship between Sabato and his father which gets you ready for his full book.

The sex scenes were hot, but you wouldn't expect anything different from MJ, she can bring the steamy. The novella ended on a cliffy but it is needed to set you for the next book, where we will see Sabato in all his full sexy alpha glory.
Profile Image for Lin ( Nerdy Bookworm).
1,049 reviews4 followers
July 31, 2015
This is my first book by this author and I can tell she’s very talented, even though I didn’t connect with THIS story. To me, it takes a special kind of author to be able to wrap things up well enough to make you feel satisfied and happy yet make you crave the next book at the same time, and It was not done here!! This is a story about how Sabato growing up, how he managed to survived yet allowed his past to determine his future. Sabato is a young man with a very bad attitude during his teens and college years, which he lash out at everyone because of his past and present situation. He was ruthless and in self-destruction mode, while building so many walls around himself for protection and it made him act like an a**hole majority of the times. Overall, OK read. 
Profile Image for Amy.
32 reviews9 followers
April 11, 2015
Just the Beginning!

This story grips you fast and hard. Sabato will crawl under your skin and make you want to take away his pain. How much can one person endure and still look to the future? We are gifted with Sabato and the darkness that burns inside him. Everyone has walls but can they all be broken down or will they remain forever a part of him? Betrayal, hate, loss, love and so much more! Sabato has his demons but can he give life and love another chance or will this be ripped from him too? Young innocence and hope are just part of what forms his days, and hotness! Don't forget the hotness! Grab your copy today and share his beginning.
Profile Image for Cindy.
263 reviews
January 24, 2016
Eroe is the back story of Sabato...where he came from, how his relationship with his father evolved, and how he became the man he is. This book is filled with passion and a longing for love. It will take you on a journey through the highs of happiness and the depths of despair.

While I enjoyed this book, I didn't fully appreciate it until I read the next book, Sabato. I read it as a part of the Ties of Steel Anthology so I kind of had to read it before Sabato; if you read the books individually, I highly recommend reading Eroe before Sabato. It will give you a much better appreciation of his character.
Profile Image for Diane Holtry.
673 reviews52 followers
March 15, 2015
The depth of emotion that M.J. Fields is able to convey in her words is unbelievable. The hurt, anger, guilt & shame - not to mention the lust & love are so real you feel as though you're witnessing it first-hand. Sabato has won my heart through his pain and suffering. M.J. Field set the ending up so perfectly that while you'd like to say you'd didn't see that coming; hindsight being 20/20, you kind of did, but you're so distracted by the confessions of the heart that you're blinded to the reality of life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.