What do you think?
Rate this book
Masters of the Castle #1
Holding Hannah
Welcome to The Castle.
Hannah Alder used to know who she was. She used to be strong, have confidence...then the thing happened, and suddenly Hannah seems to have lost everything… including herself.
Freshly-released from her father's hospital, she is banished from home, sent to live with an uncle who puts her to work for the summer, interning under the chief building inspector in a small Ohio town. No one knows her, yet - somehow - everyone seems to know exactly why she's there.
It's while on the job that Hannah first discovers The Castle, a massive stone structure set in the wheat fields of Ohio. It's soon-to-be THE vacation destination for the kink-inclined...if the Doms who run it can ever get it properly permitted and licensed, but Hannah's nasty boss is determined that that will never happen. While on an inspection visit, one Dom in particular catches Hannah's eye: Master Sam--strong, dark, wickedly-attractive, every inch of him the very last thing someone like Hannah needs in her life.
Sam Cooper sees Hannah coming a mile away, tripping on her high-heels in a poorly-fitted business suit, Girl Friday to the building-inspector who's determined to shut them down before they even open. Sam is experienced in the BDSM world, a partner in a major kink-friendly resort… definitely not his first rodeo. Yet what he sees in Hannah's astonished eyes as he gives her a private tour of The Castle makes him do something he can't believe: he slips her his business card.
Will Hannah call? Of course not. Not when she's working so hard to get get back everything she's lost. She's getting better after all…
Sometimes what you fight the hardest, is what you need the most.
"Holding Hannah " is the first book in Maren Smith's new Masters of the Castles series.
Hannah Alder used to know who she was. She used to be strong, have confidence...then the thing happened, and suddenly Hannah seems to have lost everything… including herself.
Freshly-released from her father's hospital, she is banished from home, sent to live with an uncle who puts her to work for the summer, interning under the chief building inspector in a small Ohio town. No one knows her, yet - somehow - everyone seems to know exactly why she's there.
It's while on the job that Hannah first discovers The Castle, a massive stone structure set in the wheat fields of Ohio. It's soon-to-be THE vacation destination for the kink-inclined...if the Doms who run it can ever get it properly permitted and licensed, but Hannah's nasty boss is determined that that will never happen. While on an inspection visit, one Dom in particular catches Hannah's eye: Master Sam--strong, dark, wickedly-attractive, every inch of him the very last thing someone like Hannah needs in her life.
Sam Cooper sees Hannah coming a mile away, tripping on her high-heels in a poorly-fitted business suit, Girl Friday to the building-inspector who's determined to shut them down before they even open. Sam is experienced in the BDSM world, a partner in a major kink-friendly resort… definitely not his first rodeo. Yet what he sees in Hannah's astonished eyes as he gives her a private tour of The Castle makes him do something he can't believe: he slips her his business card.
Will Hannah call? Of course not. Not when she's working so hard to get get back everything she's lost. She's getting better after all…
Sometimes what you fight the hardest, is what you need the most.
"Holding Hannah " is the first book in Maren Smith's new Masters of the Castles series.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2013
118 people are currently reading
609 people want to read
About the author
Maren Smith
152 books1,131 followersFortunate enough to live with my Daddy Dom, I am a Little, coffee fanatic, dog and cat mom, was an administrator for six years at my local BDSM dungeon, and have since become a Utah resident and submissive to the love of my life. An International and USA Bestselling Author several times over, I have penned more than 160 novels, novellas and short stories, and am the author of the Masters of the Castle and Daddy’s Little series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
October 9, 2019
What the hell did I just read?
I fell down the dark, kink rabbit hole with this book. It was everything and nothing that I expected. Let me explain -
When I read the blurb, I just knew that I had to read this book. It has been awhile since I have read a kink romance novel, and I loved the concept of this book. I mean, two Doms trying to open a BDSM resort castle - need I say anymore!? Yeah, well I'm going to anyway.
Unfortunately, the blurb is pretty much the whole novella. I am going to spoil the only thing the description doesn't give away because I feel like it is important for the readers to know. Hannah is a cutter. And while she doesn't self-harm to harm herself, she does it because that is her kink. She doesn't realize it because everyone around her thinks she is sick. However, Master Sam knows how to help Hannah. And it was actually pretty intriguing.
The weirdest part of this whole book? It's a romance novel without sex. Yep, you read that right. While there are some sexy dominating times, they never do the deed. It actually leaves me pretty puzzled. The author builds and builds on this blood kink, but we never get to see Master Sam bring that kink to life for Hannah. I am disappointed because I was curious! I wanted to see how this whole kink works, but the author leaves me hanging. Not cool...
I can't say that I recommend this book, but I think I will continue the series. Something tells me the castle holds more interesting stories. *wink*
I fell down the dark, kink rabbit hole with this book. It was everything and nothing that I expected. Let me explain -
When I read the blurb, I just knew that I had to read this book. It has been awhile since I have read a kink romance novel, and I loved the concept of this book. I mean, two Doms trying to open a BDSM resort castle - need I say anymore!? Yeah, well I'm going to anyway.
Unfortunately, the blurb is pretty much the whole novella. I am going to spoil the only thing the description doesn't give away because I feel like it is important for the readers to know. Hannah is a cutter. And while she doesn't self-harm to harm herself, she does it because that is her kink. She doesn't realize it because everyone around her thinks she is sick. However, Master Sam knows how to help Hannah. And it was actually pretty intriguing.
The weirdest part of this whole book? It's a romance novel without sex. Yep, you read that right. While there are some sexy dominating times, they never do the deed. It actually leaves me pretty puzzled. The author builds and builds on this blood kink, but we never get to see Master Sam bring that kink to life for Hannah. I am disappointed because I was curious! I wanted to see how this whole kink works, but the author leaves me hanging. Not cool...
I can't say that I recommend this book, but I think I will continue the series. Something tells me the castle holds more interesting stories. *wink*
August 11, 2013
So...I knew this was going to be short. I knew it was the prequel to the start of the series. I didn't know that the character and plot development were going to be so skimpy, and that it would be a lot edgier than I expected.
Smith does a creditable job of bringing you into the story, meeting the characters, and setting up the conflict, but after that it wobbles around a lot. After meeting Hannah, we learn that this girl has major, major issues, and it's really too complex of a problem to be handled in such a short story.
I was eager to see how Sam would handle his interest in Hannah after learning about her problems, but I felt that Smith never adequately wrapped that up. I had a WTF? moment (or two) trying to figure out what/how Sam would try to help her, but I can't tell if he ever did. Also, the "villian" in the story seems more of a jerk than a real threat -- the real story is about Hannah, but you're left hanging without any resolution.
It was almost 3 stars. Hannah sounds like a potentially compelling heroine, but I never learned enough about her or how she and Sam would team up to help her overcome her demons.
Smith does a creditable job of bringing you into the story, meeting the characters, and setting up the conflict, but after that it wobbles around a lot. After meeting Hannah, we learn that this girl has major, major issues, and it's really too complex of a problem to be handled in such a short story.
I was eager to see how Sam would handle his interest in Hannah after learning about her problems, but I felt that Smith never adequately wrapped that up. I had a WTF? moment (or two) trying to figure out what/how Sam would try to help her, but I can't tell if he ever did. Also, the "villian" in the story seems more of a jerk than a real threat -- the real story is about Hannah, but you're left hanging without any resolution.
It was almost 3 stars. Hannah sounds like a potentially compelling heroine, but I never learned enough about her or how she and Sam would team up to help her overcome her demons.
March 28, 2015
As an introduction to the Masters of the Castle series, this story worked quite well. We get the background for the amazing BDSM fantasy resort that was brought over from Scotland piece by piece and assembled in an Ohio field and an introduction to several of the central characters.
In my opinion the story was too short to deal effectively with the complex and very serious subject matter. The ending leads the reader to believe that BDSM is the solution for Hannah's problems, and I found that rather too pat and unbelievable.
In my opinion the story was too short to deal effectively with the complex and very serious subject matter. The ending leads the reader to believe that BDSM is the solution for Hannah's problems, and I found that rather too pat and unbelievable.
July 19, 2013
New series introduction and man was it great. There are lots of great strong characters and I can't wait to read all of their stories. Hannah is hurting and she gets exactly what she needs. A well written story that draws you in.
October 23, 2014
For not having actual intercourse this book was great... will read the next now that I found a good D/s author...
April 14, 2018
Ich muss das leider wirklich abbrechen. Ich gebe dem ganzen 2 Sterne weil es wirklich nicht so schlecht geschrieben war.
Allerdings war es ersten recht langweilig und für mich oberflächlich geschrieben und dann hatte ich ein großes Problem mit dieser ganzen Ritzen und Blutgeschichte als sexueller Kink. Erst dachte ich noch ich könnte es akzeptieren, als aber der männliche Prota die blutigen Wunden sieht und dann dabei angetörnt war, wars für mich echt vorbei. Sorry, das fand ich echt widerlich und ich kann nicht weiterlesen. Trotzdem werde ich Band 2 der Reihe noch eine Chance geben, in der Hoffnung, dass da das Blutthema keine Rolle mehr spielt.
Allerdings war es ersten recht langweilig und für mich oberflächlich geschrieben und dann hatte ich ein großes Problem mit dieser ganzen Ritzen und Blutgeschichte als sexueller Kink. Erst dachte ich noch ich könnte es akzeptieren, als aber der männliche Prota die blutigen Wunden sieht und dann dabei angetörnt war, wars für mich echt vorbei. Sorry, das fand ich echt widerlich und ich kann nicht weiterlesen. Trotzdem werde ich Band 2 der Reihe noch eine Chance geben, in der Hoffnung, dass da das Blutthema keine Rolle mehr spielt.
September 13, 2020
The Delight
An interesting concept of a Castle moved from Europe to the fields of Ohio where your medieval sexual fantasies can be fulfilled. But one problem....they need the permits to open.
Review
Hannah is a twenty-something college student who gets institutionalized when her parents catch her cutting. Cutting is when a person cuts themself to get relief or pleasure. Having a family member myself who cuts, I totally understood those around her not understanding, but I also didn't particularly like what happens in this book in regards to cutting.
Ten days after she cuts herself, she is released from the hospital as an adult and sent to live with her uncle and aunt. Given a job to help an asshole in the permits department, she goes out on a site where a real castle is being built. There she meets Sam and Marshall. They are two of six Dominants who have moved a castle from Europe and placed it in the fields of Ohio to become a vacation resort for BDSM inclined people in a fantasy setting. No real modern-day clothing or appliances are seen. Yeah, some of that can be untrue, like lights that look like lanterns but they have electricity. Or the security system, etc. But they need the permits to open and the man in charge thinks he is God and won't give them the permits.
Hannah is fascinated by all the different rooms, devices, and plans they have. Sam sees her fascination and indulges her closer looks. When she leaves, he places a card with a number on it for her to call him. With scabs still healing from her cutting incident, Hannah decides to indulge her fascination and meets Sam. The two dance around each other. Sam the hardened Master, Hannah the naive submissive confused by her need to cut and trying to deny she needs to do it again.
While there is no actual sex in this story, there is domination and even fingering with orgasms and nudity. But what upset was the feeling that Sam wasn't the person to help Hannah. We don't really get to know him more than a few times in his mind. He's 10 years older than her, part-owner of the Castle, and a sadist. Mostly, I have to trust he knows what to do with Hannah when I have no evidence that he knows what he is doing.
While the story is interesting and the idea of a fantasy resort one that made me excited to read the series, this just didn't give enough of a teaser to understand what the Castle will end of being. This is just a short story of two people dealing with an issue that can cause death at its worst and scarring at its best. I guess I just wanted more depth to the story to feel like it was more than just a titillating draw into a series when it should have been an issue that was handled with more care.
Challenges Met
About the Book
Preview
An interesting concept of a Castle moved from Europe to the fields of Ohio where your medieval sexual fantasies can be fulfilled. But one problem....they need the permits to open.
Review
Hannah is a twenty-something college student who gets institutionalized when her parents catch her cutting. Cutting is when a person cuts themself to get relief or pleasure. Having a family member myself who cuts, I totally understood those around her not understanding, but I also didn't particularly like what happens in this book in regards to cutting.
Ten days after she cuts herself, she is released from the hospital as an adult and sent to live with her uncle and aunt. Given a job to help an asshole in the permits department, she goes out on a site where a real castle is being built. There she meets Sam and Marshall. They are two of six Dominants who have moved a castle from Europe and placed it in the fields of Ohio to become a vacation resort for BDSM inclined people in a fantasy setting. No real modern-day clothing or appliances are seen. Yeah, some of that can be untrue, like lights that look like lanterns but they have electricity. Or the security system, etc. But they need the permits to open and the man in charge thinks he is God and won't give them the permits.
Hannah is fascinated by all the different rooms, devices, and plans they have. Sam sees her fascination and indulges her closer looks. When she leaves, he places a card with a number on it for her to call him. With scabs still healing from her cutting incident, Hannah decides to indulge her fascination and meets Sam. The two dance around each other. Sam the hardened Master, Hannah the naive submissive confused by her need to cut and trying to deny she needs to do it again.
While there is no actual sex in this story, there is domination and even fingering with orgasms and nudity. But what upset was the feeling that Sam wasn't the person to help Hannah. We don't really get to know him more than a few times in his mind. He's 10 years older than her, part-owner of the Castle, and a sadist. Mostly, I have to trust he knows what to do with Hannah when I have no evidence that he knows what he is doing.
While the story is interesting and the idea of a fantasy resort one that made me excited to read the series, this just didn't give enough of a teaser to understand what the Castle will end of being. This is just a short story of two people dealing with an issue that can cause death at its worst and scarring at its best. I guess I just wanted more depth to the story to feel like it was more than just a titillating draw into a series when it should have been an issue that was handled with more care.
Challenges Met
Reading Challenge #153
Review Writing Challenge #46
Bad Boys of Romance #18
Literary Pickers Challenge #42 - A couple with one of them looking away
About the Book
HOLDING HANNAH BY MAREN SMITH
Hannah Alder used to know who she was. She used to be strong, have confidence...then the thing happened, and suddenly Hannah seems to have lost everything… including herself.
Freshly-released from her father's hospital, she is banished from home, sent to live with an uncle who puts her to work for the summer, interning under the chief building inspector in a small Ohio town. No one knows her, yet - somehow - everyone seems to know exactly why she's there.
It's while on the job that Hannah first discovers The Castle, a massive stone structure set in the wheat fields of Ohio. It's soon-to-be THE vacation destination for the kink-inclined...if the Doms who run it can ever get it properly permitted and licensed, but Hannah's nasty boss is determined that that will never happen. While on an inspection visit, one Dom in particular catches Hannah's eye: Master Sam--strong, dark, wickedly-attractive, every inch of him the very last thing someone like Hannah needs in her life.
Sam Cooper sees Hannah coming a mile away, tripping on her high-heels in a poorly-fitted business suit, Girl Friday to the building-inspector who's determined to shut them down before they even open. Sam is experienced in the BDSM world, a partner in a major kink-friendly resort… definitely not his first rodeo. Yet what he sees in Hannah's astonished eyes as he gives her a private tour of The Castle makes him do something he can't believe: he slips her his business card.
Will Hannah call? Of course not. Not when she's working so hard to get get back everything she's lost. She's getting better after all…
Sometimes what you fight the hardest, is what you need the most.
"Holding Hannah " is the first book in Maren Smith's new Masters of the Castles series.
Preview
March 1, 2021
Ummm.... blood play?!!! No thank you!
This was just horrible. I feel like there should be a warning for books that contain EXTREME kink! I don’t really care that this is a spoiler, because I wish someone had warned me before I picked this up! Hannah is a cutter. Not because she wants to hurt herself or because she’s a masochist and likes extreme pain. Nope. She likes watching herself bleed. It turns her on, and of course, Sam, the great Dom that he is, accommodates her by cutting her.
I feel like this is an extreme kink that most people are not into and a warning at the beginning of the book would have been appreciated! I certainly wasn’t into it.... it made me really uncomfortable and wasn’t sexy by any means, shape or form! I had to skip the cutting parts entirely, but that’s pretty much what this book is about! Sam just helps Hannah explore her kink and teaches her that it’s ok. They don’t even bone! Then the book just kind of ends. It was just awful! I won’t be continuing with the rest of the series.
This was just horrible. I feel like there should be a warning for books that contain EXTREME kink! I don’t really care that this is a spoiler, because I wish someone had warned me before I picked this up! Hannah is a cutter. Not because she wants to hurt herself or because she’s a masochist and likes extreme pain. Nope. She likes watching herself bleed. It turns her on, and of course, Sam, the great Dom that he is, accommodates her by cutting her.
I feel like this is an extreme kink that most people are not into and a warning at the beginning of the book would have been appreciated! I certainly wasn’t into it.... it made me really uncomfortable and wasn’t sexy by any means, shape or form! I had to skip the cutting parts entirely, but that’s pretty much what this book is about! Sam just helps Hannah explore her kink and teaches her that it’s ok. They don’t even bone! Then the book just kind of ends. It was just awful! I won’t be continuing with the rest of the series.
April 17, 2015
I liked the premise of this book but the execution just wasn't there. First of all this book is ridiculously short. You're introduced to Hannah who is an interesting character facing a fairly serious issue, she likes to cut herself. We never really learn much about Sam except he is a DOM opening an adult BDSM resort with 5 of his friends. Hannah and Sam meet, he introduces her to BDSM at a club out in the middle of nowhere. He takes her home and they have sex (although we are just told about her sore bottom the next day because that scene isn't in the book). Then she amazingly feels better about herself and they move in together because she is the one for him. It was ridiculous that they met in one day, introduced her to BDSM and fell for each other all within 24 hours. This could have been a good story but it was so rushed that is was unbelievable.
August 19, 2013
This was actually a 3.5 read for me. It was a short, sweet, quick read, with a little sadness mixed in for Hannah.
It would have been a solid 4 star, but where it lost that .5 rating was actually twofold. The reader is lead up to a certain point, an expected scene between the two main characters.. then.. nothing. It moves forward without even telling us what happened "while" it was happening. The other thing is, the book felt rushed. The concept for the story was good, but it was just too rushed.
However, i'm giving the author's next book
a read. So far, couple chapters in, it seems good, we'll see how things go.
It would have been a solid 4 star, but where it lost that .5 rating was actually twofold. The reader is lead up to a certain point, an expected scene between the two main characters.. then.. nothing. It moves forward without even telling us what happened "while" it was happening. The other thing is, the book felt rushed. The concept for the story was good, but it was just too rushed.
However, i'm giving the author's next book
a read. So far, couple chapters in, it seems good, we'll see how things go. 
November 5, 2013
Well, this was...different.
A story about BDSM in which no actual sex takes place.
In many ways, the majority of this novella was all build up to something that the reader doesn't even get to experience. The actual 'event' happens 'off camera' as it were and is mentioned briefly before the story is very quickly wrapped up.
I have to say, up until the last 10 or so pages, i was enthralled by this story. I loved how dark and edgy it felt and how it depicted a version of BDSM that was not as watered down as some others i have read have been. If it weren't for the ending, I would have probably given this one a 5 star rating.
A story about BDSM in which no actual sex takes place.
In many ways, the majority of this novella was all build up to something that the reader doesn't even get to experience. The actual 'event' happens 'off camera' as it were and is mentioned briefly before the story is very quickly wrapped up.
I have to say, up until the last 10 or so pages, i was enthralled by this story. I loved how dark and edgy it felt and how it depicted a version of BDSM that was not as watered down as some others i have read have been. If it weren't for the ending, I would have probably given this one a 5 star rating.
August 23, 2015
Disappointed. Short on plot, skimmed over details and character development. And the sudden ending at 65%... Shoulda been labeled as a prequel or novella. Have loved other works by this author, but this one fell woefully short.
September 9, 2013
Meh. Not a big fan of HFNs that happen in one or 2 days.
June 5, 2020
I have to admit to reading a few of these books completely out of order but since they were so wonderful, I wanted to start at the beginning to get the full effect of the underlying plot I've seen throughout the books I have read. I can almost see where the problems have arisen from and REALLY dislike the "snake" that was introduced in "Holding Hannah". This was a quick, easy read that gave the introduction into several of what I'm hoping will turn out to be the main characters in the overall series. The castle is a fifteenth-century monstrosity from Scotland that had been torn down, shipped by three boats, then by train, and finally by truck until all the pieces were delivered in rural Ohio where six Doms have combined their life savings to rebuild it and turn it into a BDSM Resort. It's during this construction period when we're introduced to two of the Doms, Marshall, and Sam. John Goodson, the chief inspector of licensing and permits shows up with an assistant, both realize there will be another battle to fight but are determined to be polite throughout the ordeal. What happens during that inspection is an eye-opener to say the least and snowballs throughout the entire storyline. I'm enthralled with this series and can't wait to start the next one.
August 19, 2024
Girls YouTube Channel – Stacked with Reviews (not this book though!)
NOTE: This is a bit of a series review rather than each book in the series!)
Okay let's put my cards on the table shall we - I needed smut, I needed Alpha, I needed 'Sir's and 'Sweetheart' endearments and control. I found it in these. They are written by different authors but they keep the continuity of the whole 'Castle' really well. You have the BDSM Resort through it's early stages, through big events like disaster and Charity Auctions - and I have loved ALL of them.
I have read 10 single titles in two weeks, plus the chunk of Witness Protection books that come in one compendium - and I just realised I missed a whole other chunk so I will be back to them soon... but...
It's not high flying writing, it's mostly realistic, certainly all the BDSM play stuff is but some of the quickly falling for each other is a little squiffy. I will say that the psychological issues dealt with by the 'Masters' or 'Sir's throughout the books was really well done and quite affecting in places.
OF NOTE: Owning 'O' is deeply affecting, or at least it was to me.
PLEASE READ THE TRIGGERS - there are quite a few in there and mention of quite a full things.
Many of the books are written by authors who are in the lifestyle and I think that shines through in the writing.
P.S. Love bookmarks? Want to print them out and use them as often as you like? Love ephemera and junk journal’s and prints too? Try out my new website The Witchery Woo.IES Review
NOTE: This is a bit of a series review rather than each book in the series!)
Okay let's put my cards on the table shall we - I needed smut, I needed Alpha, I needed 'Sir's and 'Sweetheart' endearments and control. I found it in these. They are written by different authors but they keep the continuity of the whole 'Castle' really well. You have the BDSM Resort through it's early stages, through big events like disaster and Charity Auctions - and I have loved ALL of them.
I have read 10 single titles in two weeks, plus the chunk of Witness Protection books that come in one compendium - and I just realised I missed a whole other chunk so I will be back to them soon... but...
It's not high flying writing, it's mostly realistic, certainly all the BDSM play stuff is but some of the quickly falling for each other is a little squiffy. I will say that the psychological issues dealt with by the 'Masters' or 'Sir's throughout the books was really well done and quite affecting in places.
OF NOTE: Owning 'O' is deeply affecting, or at least it was to me.
PLEASE READ THE TRIGGERS - there are quite a few in there and mention of quite a full things.
Many of the books are written by authors who are in the lifestyle and I think that shines through in the writing.
P.S. Love bookmarks? Want to print them out and use them as often as you like? Love ephemera and junk journal’s and prints too? Try out my new website The Witchery Woo.IES Review
September 4, 2019
A good book is a book that can keep your attention and make you want to keep reading! A great book is one that makes you a bit uncomfortable and pushes you outside your comfort zone but you have to keep reading!
Hannah and Sam's story was great! Maren Smith takes what I will call a "fringe" or "not popular" kink and gives it some love. Now I don't live a BDSM lifestyle but I do love reading about it. So in my head I have a list of what my hard limits would be. The specific kink in this book was on that list until I read this book! Maren does a phenomenal job to describing this kink was such respect and dignity! The way she describes Hannah's fascination and the complexity of the enjoyment of this specific kink through her different senses was incredible to read and so well written! I appreciate a book that can pull me out of my comfort zone but not to the point where it pulls me out of the story!
I appreciate the risk that Maren takes in writing this particular story! It is definitely a great hook to what I imagine is a wonderful series!!!
Hannah and Sam's story was great! Maren Smith takes what I will call a "fringe" or "not popular" kink and gives it some love. Now I don't live a BDSM lifestyle but I do love reading about it. So in my head I have a list of what my hard limits would be. The specific kink in this book was on that list until I read this book! Maren does a phenomenal job to describing this kink was such respect and dignity! The way she describes Hannah's fascination and the complexity of the enjoyment of this specific kink through her different senses was incredible to read and so well written! I appreciate a book that can pull me out of my comfort zone but not to the point where it pulls me out of the story!
I appreciate the risk that Maren takes in writing this particular story! It is definitely a great hook to what I imagine is a wonderful series!!!
May 28, 2021
I hope the author eventually comes back to this story to give it a bit more "flesh". Girl needs about 10 more lbs! BUT it did do the job of hooking its claws into me. I didnt have TIME to write a review because I have been fast devouring the next 2 in series.
I skimmed a couple of the reviews for this one and saw someone complain about no sex in the first book??? Its BDSM, you are aware that isn't always the end goal?? It was hot and edgy but also contained real depth. I did think the cutting situation needed a bit more, mostly because the reading audience isn't all going to be well versed in the psychology of that. A lot of times its abuse or rape that fuels the angst in a BDSM book, which is MUCH easier to understand for the average person reading. It DESERVED more in my opinion. Author did a decent enough job in a short story though.
I skimmed a couple of the reviews for this one and saw someone complain about no sex in the first book??? Its BDSM, you are aware that isn't always the end goal?? It was hot and edgy but also contained real depth. I did think the cutting situation needed a bit more, mostly because the reading audience isn't all going to be well versed in the psychology of that. A lot of times its abuse or rape that fuels the angst in a BDSM book, which is MUCH easier to understand for the average person reading. It DESERVED more in my opinion. Author did a decent enough job in a short story though.
March 26, 2018
This story does an amazing job of introducing us to The Castle. I loved learning about the why and how of its conception. My biggest problem with this novella is that it’s far too short for the complex situation the heroine finds herself in. We’re taken to a very dark place with a ton of her personal and family drama, but I never felt like it was resolved to my satisfaction. I think Hannah and Sam were amazing together and the author’s portrayal of Hannah as an intrigued novice in this world was handled brilliantly. I just wish there had been room for more story here so I could have seen more of Sam and Hannah in action.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
October 4, 2020
Very short but a great intro to the Masters of the Castle.
I have read many of the Masters of the Castle books and with how much Sam is mentioned as being Marshall's right hand man, I feel that Sam was a little slighted, as he only received this short story. Don't get me wrong, it is an absorbing tale with Hannah's background but we don't really get much on Sam (except his ponytail). But it does give a fantastic intro to the Castle's main nemesis - Goodson.
I have read many of the Masters of the Castle books and with how much Sam is mentioned as being Marshall's right hand man, I feel that Sam was a little slighted, as he only received this short story. Don't get me wrong, it is an absorbing tale with Hannah's background but we don't really get much on Sam (except his ponytail). But it does give a fantastic intro to the Castle's main nemesis - Goodson.
January 21, 2021
Liked it
Decent read but a bit too off the wall. Hannah is only 20 years old, a college student with mental issues. What else do you call it when one likes the taste of blood? Granted her own but still. What compels her to take up with a man building a BDSM castle is baffling to say the least, especially since she's practically a virgin. Sam's a dom and this little girl will know the full force of his TLC.
Decent read but a bit too off the wall. Hannah is only 20 years old, a college student with mental issues. What else do you call it when one likes the taste of blood? Granted her own but still. What compels her to take up with a man building a BDSM castle is baffling to say the least, especially since she's practically a virgin. Sam's a dom and this little girl will know the full force of his TLC.
June 8, 2022
Short novella, good into
Holding Hannah is short and sweet and to the point. It is a very nice intro to the series but feels more like a prequel with a HFN (happily for now) ending. I wanted to see more of Hannah and Sam solidifying their relationship. No cheating, no cliffhanger, can be read as a standalone.
CW/TW: cutting, involuntary hospitalization (historical), consensual piercing, discussion of blood play
Holding Hannah is short and sweet and to the point. It is a very nice intro to the series but feels more like a prequel with a HFN (happily for now) ending. I wanted to see more of Hannah and Sam solidifying their relationship. No cheating, no cliffhanger, can be read as a standalone.
CW/TW: cutting, involuntary hospitalization (historical), consensual piercing, discussion of blood play
March 4, 2018
Hannah has been exiled to Ohio in disgrace after cutting herself so much she almost died. Sam, along with four friends, has poured all they have into opening The Castle, an exclusive BDSM pleasure resort. Sam sees something in Hannah that calls to his Dominance. Her natural submissive nature is readily apparent to him and he sees past her scars and shame.
November 23, 2018
Wow. What a wake up call!!
I was advised to read this book from a friend and boy did it open my eyes to a whole different side of BDSM. Maren Smith is a very talented writer and her works help you dive into the scene with the characters as if you're right there with them. Amazing.
I was advised to read this book from a friend and boy did it open my eyes to a whole different side of BDSM. Maren Smith is a very talented writer and her works help you dive into the scene with the characters as if you're right there with them. Amazing.
September 23, 2020
Just as good 2nd time round
This is my second time reading and I have to say it’s just as good. I read this series all out of order last time but it didn’t stop them being great. So this time I’m going to read the whole series in order and get the proper chronological feeling. I can’t wait. It’s definitely one I’d recommend to anyone to read xx
This is my second time reading and I have to say it’s just as good. I read this series all out of order last time but it didn’t stop them being great. So this time I’m going to read the whole series in order and get the proper chronological feeling. I can’t wait. It’s definitely one I’d recommend to anyone to read xx
September 27, 2022
Strong romance
I love this writer and her stories. This particular one is about a girl who only cut judgement, backlash and abandonment from her close family instead of support or love. I devour it. Just a warning if you are skittish around blood or not into BDSM skip this one out: to each his own.
I love this writer and her stories. This particular one is about a girl who only cut judgement, backlash and abandonment from her close family instead of support or love. I devour it. Just a warning if you are skittish around blood or not into BDSM skip this one out: to each his own.
May 12, 2017
An emotionally charged read.
Among other things, it provided an excellent understanding of 'blood play'. What it is and what it is not. Best I have read on the subject of cutting.
Among other things, it provided an excellent understanding of 'blood play'. What it is and what it is not. Best I have read on the subject of cutting.
November 19, 2017
Honestly, I was just starting to enjoy the story then it suddenly ended. ? Apparently this is just an intro to the series but I felt like I drove an hour to a beautiful view then was dropped off a cliff and missed the journey down but felt the splat. It had a great set up then...THE END.
November 20, 2019
First line: “Shit,” Sam said as soon as he was close enough for Marshall to hear him over the cacophony of hammers, saws, coordinated shouting and all the cursing that went along with sixty workers and a fully operational re-construction site.
September 4, 2020
Short but hot!
This was a great kinky read. Well written characters and detailed storyline which had a surprising amount of detail and back story for such a short book!
I loved the characters and the chemistry between them as hot!
This was a great kinky read. Well written characters and detailed storyline which had a surprising amount of detail and back story for such a short book!
I loved the characters and the chemistry between them as hot!
September 6, 2020
Short sweet & interesting
This novella was a quick and satisfying read. It was a good intro to Masters of the castle for those who haven’t read any of the castle books and good background for those of us who have. Very enjoyable and highly recommend
This novella was a quick and satisfying read. It was a good intro to Masters of the castle for those who haven’t read any of the castle books and good background for those of us who have. Very enjoyable and highly recommend
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews