Find the strongest man there. Give yourself to him in return for protection. It’s the only way you’ll ever survive.
Convicted of a minor crime, Riana is sentenced to a prison planet—a dark primitive hold filled with convicts vying for power. Her only chance of survival is with Cain, a mysterious loner who has won his territory in the prison through intelligence and brute strength. Sex is all she … strength. Sex is all she has to offer, so she uses it. She’s under no delusions here. No one is ever released, and no one ever escapes. Survival is all she can hope for—until Cain.
An earlier version of this book was published under the same title and a different penname. It has since been substantially revised and expanded.
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Great original characters. Kept me entertained, very original story. Look forward to reading the next one.
Good read with a different twist to romance.
Claire Kent is a new writer to me but a while back someone recommended this book on the internet. I was curious about it so I looked it up, read the blurb and I bought it. Like to many other books that I buy it landed on my TBR pile to be forgotten but then I discovered it again when I was searching for a book to read.
And I can say after reading ‘Hold’ that I really liked it! I can understand that this book isn’t for everyone but it wasn’t as dark as I thought it would be. Yes, there are some ‘sensitive’ scenes in this book but those things are unavoidable in a story where men and women are put together in a prison and especially when there are only a few women in there. You know that things will be hard for those women there.
This story is told from Riana’s POV and I liked that. That made the mystery that surrounds Cain more mysterious. Sometimes you just want a mysterious and silent man. Cain was really an alpha man that could be gentle with Riana but also very dangerous when the situation asked for it. Riana had the perfect balance between being tough and gentle. She was an independent woman before she was send to this prison planet but she was intelligent enough to know that in order to survive there she would need the help of a strong man. Although the story takes place in prison (so in one location) it certainly wasn’t boring. There were a lot of things going on. I was really happy that the writer gave us an epilogue. I found that the story really needed that (or at least I did).
This books is SEXY DIRTY. I’ve read it three times. I only wish it was longer! Everything about this hits my buttons.
Short but SO MUCH written into this story. Couldn’t put it down. GREAT
This book was compelling, I couldn’t put it down! I read so many books they often begin to blur in my memory but this one stands out, it is memorable. Loved it!
Wow! I had forgotten how unique this story was! I read this years ago and immediately fell in love with not only these characters, but this style of writing. Now, in response to a challenge, I’ve had the opportunity to reread this one and realize why it left such an impact on me.
This is a story that I’m not sure what sub-genre of romance it would be labeled under. It’s not post-apocalyptic, I don’t think. It’s definitely spicey and has an amazing romance. I guess it’s a Sci-fi erotic romance? Wherever it falls, it fell straight into my heart as it captivated me with it’s original backdrop and storyline.
Riana was one tough girl, but she was also smart enough to know that she was going to need more than just her own abilities to survive in this new life she had been sentenced to. I loved that with one look shared between her and Cain had them both recognizing that they needed or wanted each other.
Cain was one scary, awesome hero. He was alpha without ever thumping his chest to prove it to the world. His ability to control a situation came from simply stepping in and handling it in any way that was required, with the least violence he could manage. I loved how his adjustment and acceptance of Riana went from hot and steamy to sweet and caring without ever losing the sizzle and heat.
I never had the opportunity to read the next book in this series, which is a different couple, so I’ll be digging into that next!
I am such a sucker for these types of stories. It is almost like the forced proximity trope but in a twisted sci-fi setting.
As you already know by the description, Riana gets sentenced to a prison planet for committing a crime. It becomes clear that she isn’t the typical prisoner this planet is used to receiving. The guard starts to give her advice – such as shacking up with a powerful male to take care of her. She chooses the unlikely alpha, Cain, and offers herself to him for his protection. He accepts graciously. A bunch of sexy times follows until Cain decides to trust Riana and let’s her in on a secret. Now, they are working as a team to overcome this hellish planet.
I was really betting on getting Prison Planet Barbarian vibes, and I totally did. If you really enjoyed that book, then you should like this one as well.
I am still uncertain if I will continue this series, but at least it will always be there if I want to pursue it further.
This review was originally posted on Sincerely, Whitney
Most of this book is them having sex. Not much more till the last couple chapters. Those were good and why I gave 3 stars.
A futuristic prison is the setting for this story with a heroine who I think most could relate to. Riana isn’t exactly hard core so knows if she doesn’t do something to protect herself then her life will be unpleasant and probably very short. So getting the big, tough, enigmatic Cain to act as her protector might not be agreeable to every reader but I could understand her reasoning. Plus he’s not exactly repulsive and it’s quickly apparent that at heart Cain is a good and honourable man.
Yes initially their relationship is based on sex but Cains humanity and intelligence was apparent although don’t expect pages of dialogue stating undying love because that just isn’t who Cain is . Plus there’s a peripheral character called Hall with unusual abilities that features here and I’d really like to discover what happens to him after this book finishes. So yes a fairly simple idea that’s very sexy and I found it well worth a read.
This is my go-to book. I re-read this because it’s so…..awesome. The hero is silent and mysterious throughout most of the book. Which make all the times he opens up all that much more enjoyable. The heroine is strong and has to endure a lot in the underground hold. I don’t envy her, but I respect the hell out of here.
This is one of those books I would recommend to anyone who loves steamy romances.
Dark book, but wonderfully done. I personally would have died within 2 minutes of being in the heroine’s situation, but that’s part of what makes a great heroine… the ability to survive, no matter what.