In Helen's Hands

by Nanisi Barrett D'Arnuk

Mickey dreams of becoming a jazz pianist but instead spends her days arranging and transcribing other people’s music. When her idol, world-renowned jazz great Helen Robins, offers her a job, Mickey goes out of her way to prove she’s capable. But there’s more to Helen than meets the eye, and Mickey soon discovers a whole new world of erotic submission.

The agreement: As her mistress, Helen pushes Mickey to her sensual limits, delivering the pleasure only a BDSM lifestyle can provide her. As Helen's submissive, Mickey serves her in any way she requires. Drawn into a seduction she never knew she needed, Mickey discovers her true identity in the thrill of passion and the test of pain. For Mickey, being in Helen’s hands is everything, but when desire gives way to something deeper, their bond is tested to the breaking point.

Genres: BDSM, Lesbian

180 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 14, 2020

About the author

Mainly known as a conductor and pianist, Nanisi holds the distinction of being the first open lesbian to conduct on the stage of D.A.R. Constitution Hall in Washinton D.C. When M.S. stopped her performing and travel, she returned to her second love: Writing.

The Cameron Andrews Mystery Series was her first endeavour. Originally planned as three books, it has grown into eight books and counting.

A second series, the String Series about cellist
Chris Anthony is also in the works. In addition to many short stories, she has just completed Shaymana, set in the twenty-fourth century.

Reviews

[Joc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mickey’s lifelong idol, jazz pianist Helen Robins, comes to Boston to perform in a venue where Mickey is part of the pit orchestra. Classically trained, Mickey longs to be able to play jazz the way Helen does and it seems like a dream come true when Helen offers her a job transcribing her music. When Mickey arrives in New York, she enters a world of BDSM that she hadn’t really conceived of before.

Written in first person from Mickey’s point of view, we are privy to her journey into total power exchange (TPE) as a 24/7 lifestyle. TPE is one aspect of BDSM that I struggle to get my head around. I can’t conceive of having no say (besides a safeword) in my life, when I can speak and when I can’t or what I’m allowed to do. Mickey falls into Helen’s hands without any real resistance or knowledge of what it means. I was a little surprised by that but at the same time it seemed to work.

Much of the content made me flinch and wince but at the same time a connection was built up between Mickey and Helen which I didn’t expect to happen in the early stages of the novel. I’m conflicted about how to rate this because even though I was uncomfortable reading it, I think it was well-written and even though I don’t understand choosing a TPE lifestyle, I found myself invested in the characters. I think the characters are going to stay in my head for a while and so is this story.

Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is definitely going to be a mixed review. In Helen’s Hands by Nanisi Barrett D’Arnuk tells the story of Mickey, a young classically trained pianist who meets her idol, Helen Robins, a world famous jazz pianist. Mickey goes to work for Helen transcribing her music, and eventually becomes Helen’s submissive. The story is told in the first person POV through Mickey’s eyes.

The technical part of this book is not bad. The story is well written and edited with a good pace. The characters are well defined and fit their roles in the tale.

Unfortunately the content of the story is where I have problems. I like reading a good erotic story as long as I can connect with the characters and there is some romance/love to go along with the explicit sex and BDSM elements. Some of my favorite authors and stories do this well. This book does not. It is an intense BDSM tale with little to no romance or real feelings between the characters other than through the dominant/submissive experience. In fact the first explicit scene seemed more forced than consensual, and came off almost as an assault in my eyes. I need some romance or love between the characters to be able to enjoy a book, and this one did not give me those feelings. There is never any mention of safe sex practices which there should have been with this story. I also did not like the ending to this book. Some folks may not mind it, but I try to avoid novels that end this way.

I’ve rated this book 2.5 stars. I considered moving it up to three on the technical merit, but in the end I decided to leave it at two stars. If you like a well written novel with intense BDSM elements and little romance to speak of, this might be a book for you. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a good one for me.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

[Bárbara Sousa · Rating 1 out of 5]

You know when you know that something bad is gonna happen and yet you can’t seem to look away? That was me with this train-wreck of a book. I just couldn’t seem to look away from this f*cked up mess... I like bdsm but this was NOT IT. This was awful and cruel and so cold. It was very disturbing. I spent the whole time screaming at my phone, yelling at Mickey to say no to all those cruel acts and to leave. Hellen was very cruel. Mickey was so in love that she couldn’t think straight, I really felt for her and I cried a little when Hellen released Mickey because she was sick and then died of cancer... This whole thing was just so messed up. I honestly wish I could go back in time and never pick this up... I do not recommend this to anyone.

[Rosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me first say that BDSM is not my favorite subject and from this, those who are more knowledgeable will not find anything interesting in my review since I will do it from my totally ignorant point of view.

This story has some interesting points and others more common. In general, the books I have read on this subject are narrated from the sub POV, as in this case. Mickey is a musician who is playing a concert with her most adored idol, Helen. After the concert, Helen offers Mickey a collaborative work, which will make Mickey discover Helen's secret life as dominant.

Mickey will enter a world she doesn't know anything about or even know she might be interested in. And the story becomes a learning path for Mickey as Helen's sub. These stories always have unpleasant scenes of pain, extreme and strenuous even for those who read them. It's normal so I won't complain about this.

From my ignorant point of view, the story has been quite bearable and interesting, although this may be an unfavorable point for those who appreciate this genre.

An advanced reading copy has been sent to me by the publisher Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley for my honest review

[The lady in Red · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Helen's hands by  is a erotica novel. Beautifully written with wonderfully layered characters, Helen and Mickey were sexually charged characters that are going to be seared in my list of best erotica list for a long time.


Central relationship- while Helen and Mickey are in a lesbian relationship, although I felt that the summary doesn't make it clear that Micky is a female character because that was something that confused me for a while. Their Relationship has a lot more to it than just the steamy scenes and the level of trust and intimacy that is portrayed in the book using BDSM as a element which is shown by both the characters to each other is inspiring. Even in the end how Helen respects Mickey and her goals and dreams and let her pursue her on journey to success is relevant to the story and characters themselves.


Central characters-helen is a character who has many layers and how Helen weaves it into a web that surrounds mickey and make her at the centre of the universe is very headstrong which also defines her personality.Mickey on the other hand as shown as new person in the in the book who does not have much experience with relationships and falls head over heels for her idol somehow which some how works well although in the start I was a little apprehensive about it.
Secondary characters-the secondary characters don't hold a lot of weight in the story do they make some appearances which are pivotal to the scenes and help us to see more text and feel of more chance of layers and those emotionally and steamy scenes


Ending- sending a very emotional charged message with the epilogue as to where mickey ended up and how Helena hold a special place in each others hearts and the relationship is something that they would both cherish for the time to come, but how sometimes what we want maybe hindering our progress to success and what we need to let go of

Steam level ️ ️ ️ ️5
️Emotional level 2
 Primary Character development⭐⭐⭐
Secondary character development ⭐⭐(2.5)
Ending🤷justifying to the story
Sex focus-1.5
Story focus-3.5
Emotional past focus-4
Writing-3
Character Development primary-3.5
Character Development secondary-3(out of 5)

[Lezfic Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was intense. The BDSM scenes. The growing relationship between the two MCs. Even some scenes between one of the MCs and side characters. I was on the edge of my seat to know what happens next. I was so disheartened by the ending. I did see it coming. The author did a good job introducing that as a possibility so I was prepared for it. I gave it a 4 star review bc some parts were hard to read...emotionally. Not in a way that was gut wrenching and provoked feelings. In a way that made me worry for her safety. There was one time, in particular, where the MC who is submissive seems so far zoned out. Seems like perhaps they should have considered stopping the scene. And the aftercare seem lacking in a few times. Otherwise, wow. If you’re looking for intense and BDSM, in one story...this is def your next read.

[Bee Sherrard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mickey Has always dreamed of, it seems, to just meet Helen Robins. Mickey also has dreams of being a jazz pianist. Helen was a well known in the jazz world, so when Mickey is asked to transcribe Helens music she thought she’d won the lottery.
I found this info while reading the first few chapters along with the fact that it also revolves around the BDSM lifestyle. I have no problem with people who enjoy BDSM but for the life of me I just don’t find it all that interesting. I got as far as the sixth chapter when I had to stop. I didn’t like the writing style of Ms D’Arnuk. I might have got passed that but I just couldn’t go any farther. Six chapters in just as many days was too much.
I’m sure there are some who will just love it, so I would suggest reading some more reviews from people who actually liked this book. Hopefully I’ll have another chance to read something by Ms D’Arnuk and hopefully it will me more to my taste.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

[Karsyn]

I marked this book DNF after 15%, and it was a struggle to make it that far.

I only recently started writing, but because of it, I now read as a writer instead of a reader. So as soon as I started this book, I had reservations about it. Extremely amateurish writing, which as a reader, I might have once looked over but as a writer, I can not.

Then, there was the BDSM and don't even get me started. I only made it to the first instance of a sex scene and didn't even get through it. It was unappealing and while wasn't forced, felt forced and definitely dub-con rather than consent. It was not sexy, not erotic, not appealing in any bit. I closed the book and deleted it off my Kindle.

I received my copy from NetGalley and sent them a review. I will not rate this as I didn't make it even a quarter of the way into the book, but I had to leave my thoughts.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Musician (pianist and arranger) Mickey has idolized jazz pianist Helen Robbens for ages. When Helen requests her services to transcribe Helen's new operatic masterpiece, Mickey jumps at the chance. Mickey moves to New York where she quickly finds that Helen is not only a musical genius but also a domme. Without any previous experience, Mickey soon finds herself swept up into a D/s, BDSM, house slave-by-contract relationship with Helen.

Told in the first person from Mickey's POV, the emotion, connection and nearly-desperate adoration she feels for Helen is so palpable. I was swept away by this story and left near tears at the end. This is not like any BDSM or D/s book you've read before.

**I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

[Best Lesfic Reviews]

Picking up a BDSM novel is uncommon for us. This is not a genre that appeals to us or even one where we can understand the characters even slightly. This one ensures that we don’t venture into that genre ever again.

Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...

[Kay read by Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Helen's Hands by Nanisi Barrett D'Arnuk: is about sadomasochistic relationships, Helen says, …it is alright to be queer as long as you do it their way.” The life is hidden deeper below ground than being just a queer. It is a style most do not comprehend let alone want to try in other than a minor "vanilla" way. Many times it is like a toy and treated as an oddity, fantasy roleplay, and so on. Oh, "let me tie your hand's sweetheart it will be fun." There is nothing wrong with that. This book is about a 24/7 365 Mistress/slave relationship. It is about being owned and losing yourself to please another no matter what. Most of us would scratch our heads and ask, "What, why?" I don't see this book as light reading. Be ready. The volume of pain and pleasure, seeking new heights of ecstasy is on a grand scale. An excellent "owned" is one who becomes selfless living only to please another. The "owned" will never question anything they are told or commanded to do, and will do anything too expand their endurance to please their Owner. This book tells that kind of story. It is about a person who Some readers may have objections to the limited use of safewords. They are explained, but in this situation are not easily used. The book is very well researched. I think this is 5 stars

[LesReview · Rating 2 out of 5]

*I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really tough read for me. I usually love BDSM or erotica books but this was so hardcore which made me really uncomfortable. If you are into some really disturbing hardcore BDSM then this book is for you. Although well written I only finished it because I wanted to give an honest review.
This book should come with a disclaimer.

I loved the Power to Rise by this author and will be open to other books she writes but it was just too much for me.

[Em Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book may not be for everyone, nothing in this story is light and fluffy. This a BDSM story told from the subs POV, who finds herself when she is fully immersed in the lifestyle.

[Ameliah Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Love Story to Remember

THIS IS A REAL BDSM NOVEL!! It is not role playing or a fantasy, this is what hardcore, real BDSM looks like!!! Ms Barrett D'Arnuk has done a THROUGH job on research.

This is an incredible tale! Beautifully written and descriptive, I was PART of the story, not just a reader. So insanely hot and sexy this drama has wonderful, hard BDSM scenes and love against a musical backdrop. Classically trained pianist and composer Mickey is doing some work for Jazz pianist Goddess Helen when she walks in on something that leaves her scared, curious and more turned on than she has ever been. She finds herself in a position she never even suspected she would ever experience. However, her insane attraction to Helen gives her the courage to go places she could not have imagined. Much to my pleasure, it doesn’t take long at all for Mickey to fall head over heels with the older woman and she finds herself willing to do anything to please her and make her happy and proud. I have to warn you that there are some hard scenes in this book. The “play” gets a bit out of hand in one spot (but Mickey ends it when she has to) and there are some places where Mickey has to be nude with males as part of her training even though there is no sexual contact. These are minor bits and while I was not happy about the man part, it DOES make the story much more realistic. This is a beautiful and endearing story that had me feeling a wide range of emotions, and in spite of the emotional pain (be prepared to cry) and the parts where Mickey had to be naked in front of men, I feel like a different and better person for having lived this book.

[Asia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely have mixed feelings about this book. In Helen's Hands has some pretty hardcore BDSM scenes that I didn't particularly care for. While I applaud the author for doing her research, I don't consider anything involving blood sexy. Also the story itself seemed outdated to me, from the cassette tapes to the phone being put back in the cradle. I almost feel like this was sitting on Ms. D'Arnuk's shelf collecting dust and she thought "what the hell" and sent it to the publisher. I did enjoy her style of writing which is what allowed me to finish this book.

*I received this book from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for an honest review*

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was quite interesting. While I do read erotica and I have come across some BDSM scenes... this book is pure hardcore "in my opinion" BDSM.
While some scenes made me fell uncomfortable or I did not quite get them, I feel like this book did a good job of showing the way of life some people chose and enjoy, and it was a way of life that I did not know much about until I read this.

So, if you like BDSM and lots of sex this is the book for you.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[KarenC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I read the reviews and noticed it's a true love/hate thing, so I had to get in on the fray. As others have said, it's definitely the most hard core look at the BDSM world that I've read, so maybe knowing that going in helped me to be a little desensitized. I thought it was well written and a fascinating story. There are parts that are tough to get through, but I definitely learned a lot from reading this. And it took me a day to recover after finishing. Don't let this book scare you.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mickey is a classically trained pianist but spends her days transcribing others music. She meets her idol; Helen and she offers her a job. Mickey does her best to prove herself but Helen has another agreement in mind and soon Mickey will be calling Helen her Mistress. Fast-paced read with lots of steam and an entertaining story. Mickey is kind of thrown into the deep end of BDSM rather quickly with makes the story very intense. I really liked it.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can see how this book might not be for everyone. We aren’t talking of soft BDMS. This one is hard core, where MC almost or really does pass out due to pain. Yet I found this book interesting. Not something I would ever want to experience by any means, however the description, feelings and loyalty was described to perfection. It is moving story, and does not end as I wish it would. It made me question things, it made me think. I truly enjoyed this one.

[Aly · Rating 1 out of 5]

No happy ending here - that’s for sure.

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I'm giving this book 5 stars even though the ending was to short. I can't wait to read more about Mickey. Hoping for a sequel.