The Tied Man

The Tied Man #1

by Tabitha McGowan

Older cover edition of ASIN B00AXDNVHS


Lilith Bresson, an independent, successful young artist, is forced to travel from her home in Spain to the wild borderlands of northern England, to repay her feckless father’s latest debt by painting a portrait of the enigmatic Lady Blaine Albermarle.

On her first night at Albermarle Hall she meets Finn Strachan, Blaine’s ‘companion’, a cultured and hauntingly beautiful young man who seems to have it all. But Lilith has an artist’s eye, and a gift for seeing what lies beneath the skin. She soon discovers that Blaine is more gaoler than lover, and if the price is right, depravity has no limits.

As the weeks pass, Lilith finds that she too is drawn into the malign web that her patron has spun, yet against the odds she forges a strong friendship with the damaged, dysfunctional Finn. In a dark, modern twist to an age-old story, Lilith Bresson proves that sometimes it’s the princess who needs to become the rescuer.

Please note that this storyline contains depictions of drug abuse, violence and non-consensual sexual activity.

Genres: Dark, BDSM, Romance, Erotica, Abuse, Dark Romance, Contemporary

395 pages, ebook

First published January 5, 2013

About the author

I was born in the north of England, and apart from a brief adventure in west Wales, I’ve lived here all my life; my hobbies therefore include bear-taming, wolf-whispering and wearing sleeveless tops in temperatures of -10 degrees.
I’ve been writing professionally for nearly 30 years, predominantly as a playwright. This gives me my love of strong dialogue; even now, I tend to develop my characters by talking to them. On a good day, they answer back.
The Tied Man was my first full-length novel. I needed to create a world where the female protagonist wasn’t some passive foil just waiting to be ‘completed’ by a good (or bad) man, and I wanted to explore the darkness; after all, some of the very best stories tend to hide there…
After being widowed, remarried, and a host of other adventures, Unbound also made its way into the world.

Find me on Facebook for more whittering and ferret-updates :D

Reviews

["That's All" Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

***THIS REVIEW ISN’T FOR YOU LIGHT-HEARTERS OUT THERE. THIS IS A VERY CRUDE REVIEW. AND IT ESPECIALLY ISN’T FOR ANYONE BELOW THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN.***



♦ Such a beautiful story. ♦

This is a book that’s going to take you out of your comfort zone, guys. I’m going to tell you that right now. So before you read The Tied Man, I want you to pick out a quiet and very dark corner in your home.

Because you’re going to need it to rock yourself to sleep later.

The thing about this book that nailed me right between the eyes… was that it WAS such a beautiful story. And I couldn’t stop reading it even if I tried! And it’s built on the lesson that teaches us that sometimes… friendship between two people is far more intimate than even the most perverse sexual act.

Quintessentially, this story has three main characters. A world-famed artist, Lilith Bressen, is primarily introduced when she’s agreed to venture off to Albermarle Hall to paint the portrait of the lady of the house, Blaine Albermarle. Upon arrival, Lilith meets Blaine and her “companion”, Finn Strachan.

I had never met anyone quite like the willow-thin young man standing before me: Finn had the face of a fallen angel.

Wide, dissolute eyes the colour of moss agate gazed out from behind a long, thick fringe of muddy blond hair, and loose strands fell to frame a snub nose and sensuous cupid’s bow of a mouth that was just saved from being feminine by a square, stubborn jaw.

The very first time I met him, Finn Strachan stole my breath.



And thence, the games begin…

Right away, Lilith knows that something uncanny is afoot. She can’t quite place her finger on it, but she knows something’s not quite right when Finn gives her a sexual proposal. However… it’s not the proposal that sets up a red flag…

It’s the robotic way in which he proposes it.

♦Like it’s second nature to him.
Like he does it everyday.♦
♦With every guest.

And because Lilith has a very shrewd artistic eye… suddenly Finn’s haunted eyes, beautiful face, and a body laden with bruises begin to make sense.

Especially when Blaine gives the suspension away by telling Lilith that Finn isn’t merely her “companion”… but rather her employee she uses to entertain her guests.

And by entertainment for guests… I mean Finn is sexually exploited by her guests.



And he’s not used just for the women: he’s used for the men as well. And for the perverse. And for the sinister who have a liking for beating the living shit out of Finn while they get off.

Finn’s face contorted in agony as a clenched hand was shoved deep into him, and when Ellis pulled his fingers away blood and shit glistened across his knuckles. He must have deemed him ready, because without any further ceremony he began to fuck Finn with legal savagery.

Chester was the first to roll away from Finn's battered body, spend and happy, as Ellis brought himself to one last heaving climax above their plaything's bowed and insensible head. He grinned with obscene joy as he came, leaving viscous strings of semen to drip over Finn's hair and shoulders.

When it was all over, they embraced and raised their glasses to each other as they congratulated themselves on living out their sordid fantasy.

All of which happens just so Blaine can watch.

See, Blaine’s the villain in this story. And it would be a vast understatement to say that she’s a sociopathic villain with an affinity for voyeurism.

She’s a sick, sick, sick woman.

Let’s see… how can I drive the point home as to how menacingly malicious this woman is?

Okay.

She’s the kind of woman who would kill you while she let you listen to your favorite song. She’s the kind of woman who could strangle you with a feather. She’s the kind of woman who would inject dye into your eye with an eight-inch needle just to see if the iris would change color.

Just for shits and giggles.

And Lilith doesn’t notice it when she arrives at Albermarle Hall, but she has just fallen face-first into life-long game of sexual depravity.

And Finn is the star-player.

After she finds out what exactly Finn does, Lilith is completely appalled by both him and Blaine. But because Lilith is forced to stay until she completes the painting… she soon learns that Finn really isn’t a player in the scheme of things, but rather the victim. Because he, too, is there against his will.

And what’s truly beautiful about this story, is the relationship Lilith and Finn form. For awhile, they sort of dance around the other. Because here’s Lilith, a Fort Knox of a young woman who’s quite guarded… and then here’s Finn who has no personal security whatsoever because he’s literally had everything stripped from him. And soon they form this comradery that turns into their understanding each other that turns into their protecting each other that turns into their loving each other.

But what they don’t know… is that Blaine, the voyeur that she is… is watching all of this happen.

“Pull back, Finn. For both your sakes.”

“I can take it.”

“You might be able to...”



But can Lilith?”

***Reviewer’s Note:***

I think, essentially, what made this book so consuming for me was the fact that Tabitha McGowan *told* it so well. There’s a distinctive grace to her writing that’s so compelling. And while reading it… it’s definitely safe to say that this is a story that only she could tell. It’s hard to have such a crude basis as part of a plot design and be able to tell it with such refinement. But she did. In spades.

And I, without a question, recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Especially those who aren’t afraid to feel a LOT of impact while reading. And by that… I mean get ready to be *sucker-punched* by this story.

Now if you'll excuse me...

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Tale Of Unspeakable Depravity

For years, Finn has been the unwilling entertainment for 100s of cruel and twisted clients. Coerced into selling himself by a wealthy Englishwoman, he must submit to the perverse whims of a steady stream of strangers or else risk the safety of his two younger sisters.

However sadistic the customers may be, Finn has yet to encounter one that was crueler than his boss/owner, Blaine. She gets off on hurting him, both physically and emotionally. While she uses threats and blackmail to maintain power, she has a special interest in Finn and is constantly dreaming up ways to toy with him. His life is a living hell.

Lilith first arrives at the mysterious island "retreat" after being coerced by her father, who failed to pay his tab. Apparently, Blaine wants a portrait by Lilith, a famous painter, and demands this as payment for her father's debt.

Soon, Lilith finds herself trapped on the island. It doesn't take her long to figure out that she is a pawn in Blaine's sick games. Unable to stop Blaine's appalling abuse of Finn, she finds herself growing fonder of him and walking a dangerous line.

This story was heart-breaking, shocking and deeply emotional. My heart went out to Finn, and to a lesser extent Lilith. Blaine's cruelty knew no bounds. She was cunning, beautiful...and a total sociopath! The fear was almost palpable.

I would recommend this story to anyone that enjoys a dark romance. It was a little slow-moving at first, but once the story got going, I couldn't put it down. The ending seemed a bit rushed and I really wanted more of Finn and Lilith post-Blaire. If it weren't for the rushed ending, it probably would've been a 5-star read for me.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of my emotions while reading this story:

WOW.

This book was unlike anything I've EVER read. It was dark and disturbing to the max, but at the same time it was so eloquent and beautifully written that I ended up loving it to pieces. The topics that are addressed in this novel aren't the most conventional ones, but that's exactly what makes the story so unique. The author does not make an effort to hide the ugliest aspects of life and instead, chooses to depict those aspects in detail. But by doing that, the beautiful and peaceful moments in life suddenly seem all the more valuable and worth fighting for.

PS: the story also consists of one of the most cruel, sadistic female characters I've ever come across: Blaine Albermarle...

Oh, and Coyle O'Halloran too, for that matter...


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

At the beginning of the story we meet a young man named, Finn Strachan. with the face of a fallen angel, Finn manages to enrapture everyone upon meeting them.



But behind the beautiful facade, there's a lot of darkness and pain.

"The summer I met Lilith Bresson, I had begun to die. Not physically, you understand. I had never been that lucky. But each day a little more of my soul disappeared and Blaine sensed it.

And Blaine Albermarle never let anything escape without a fight." ~ Finn

Finn's life is in full control of the lady that rules Albermarle Hall, where he lives. A lady named Blaine Albermarle. She rules every aspect of his life and makes him entertain her numerous guests in any possible way. His life has been stripped of every sense of freedom. He's a tied man.



When famous and eccentric artist Lilith Bresson gets the assignment to leave her home and warm surroundings in Spain to visit Albermarle Hall in a cold and dreary village in England, she never expected her life to change that dramatically. Dreading a stay in her home country, she decides to make a quick job of painting the infamous Blaine Albermarle. But the moment she meets Finn Starchan, she has a feeling her life has changed for good and she realizes she might not be able to leave that soon after all.

"Control. The one thing that shaped my life, and the one that I felt I was about to lose." ~ Lilith

"But at the end of the day, everything costs me. The only question is how much." ~ Finn

As the story progresses, Finn and Lilith begin to form a close bond and friendship. And soon, they're united in their shared hatred towards the cruelties that take place in and around Albermarle Hall, most of which the same person is responsable for: Blaine. But she's not the only one who makes his life miserable...



The things Finn has to go through are downright horrible. There's just no other way to describe them. I sometimes had to take a break from reading just because it got too intense and heartbreaking and all I wanted was for him to finally find peace and be happy, but each moment of hapiness was followed by one of utter dispair.

"You're not okay, Finn. In fact, I'd say you were about as far from 'okay' as a human being could get right now, short of being dead." ~ Lilith

Lilith seems to be the only person who can make Finn feel alive again. But will her friendship and comfort be enough? Will it be enough to finally set Finn free or will he be forever bound by the cruel bonds and rules that Blaine Albermarle applies...

"The momentary discomfort was nothing at all compared to the realisation that she was finding comfort in my flawed embrace." ~ Finn

"I don't expect you to be like them. Don't want you to be. It's not them I want, it's you. From the moment we met, it's only been you." ♥♥

Overall, The Tied Man is by far one of the most unique, shocking, captivating, memorable and beautiful stories I've read and it easily deserves to be on my all time favorite list. This story might not be for everyone, but if you can manage to get past the more cruel and harsh aspects of the story, then I would highly advise you to give it a try!

I was really happy with the way the story ended, but all it did was leave me wanting more... I loved both Finn and Lilith and their beautifully flawed, yet strong personalities, so I'm already anxiously looking forward to the next part of their story in The Tied Man - Unbound.

"What did you call me?"

"Ah. A chuisle. Gaelic. 'My darling'. I prefer the proper translation, mind you."

"Which is?"

He gave a bashful smile. "My pulse."

[Giorgia Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

It took me awhile to decide what to rate this and although it will be one that will stay with me (just one of those you don’t forget), I couldn’t rate it any higher because I do think it was a bit too much at times and it emotionally exhausted me! I flinched, felt nauseated and disturbed beyond what I can explain with words.

Is there a question of whether this was good or bad? No, cause it was definitely very good. Both writing and story.

It’s more along the lines of how much dark is too much dark?

I’m not a voracious reader of dark/twisted romance. I like them but I need a balance of dark and normal. Along with that, there are certain things I cannot tolerate. But the most important thing for me when I pick a dark read is that the main romantic relationship to be a healthy one. I can’t tolerate when the MC’s are abusive to each other emotionally or in any other form. Basically the dark part of the book needs to be an external thing to the relationship.

Now, this book meets my criteria but damn... I felt nauseous, disgusted, heartbroken, angry and I can go on and on. It was one of the hardest books I’ve read, that’s not saying much since as I’ve mentioned, I don’t read a lot of dark romance but when I do I’m used to reading dark books which are less explicit, or in which the trauma/abuse is perhaps depicted but not in present time, and we are not going through it at the same time with the characters. And if that is a scenario which does happen it’s not prolonged the way it was in this.

The relationship between the leads tho, God, that was beautiful. And the way everything unfolded, the writing itself as well as the character development, it was all done very well.

To be honest I kinda knew what this was about and how it was gonna unfold because I read some reviews beforehand. Now, what those reviews didn’t really explain (ok, maybe they did, but I didn’t take it very seriously) was how hard this was going to be to read. For anyone who might wanna pick this up: Read the reviews and get all the spoilers (non-plot related) to decide if it’s for you.

[Stacia (the 2010 club) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most disturbing books I have ever read. My heart was broken over and over. I had a hard time knowing how to react other than to feel completely disturbed and lament on how I'd been put through the ringer. Could I reward a story with a high rating if it turned my stomach over and over?

Two hundred and twelve breaths.
That's how long it took me to risk moving again.

4.25 stars. Don't judge a book by its cover is an overused statement, but also completely appropriate here. The writing in The Tied Man was impressive. The style almost felt like British literary fiction, until the story suddenly decided to take a turn into the realm of something dark and twisted. My notes in the book say, "when literary fiction drives into a ditch." That's about it right there.

This is the story of one man trapped by a woman who chooses to sell him over and over to be abused in any fashion which the purchaser(s) may prefer. This is also the story of a woman who found this damaged man and lost her heart to a situation which may be broken beyond repair.

Did I say already that this book broke my heart?

I was shocked.
I was horrified.
I was disgusted.
I was moved.
I was hopeful.
I was on the edge of my seat (okay, bed...I lounge when I read).
I did not like this book.
I am already telling people to read it.

Are you confused about my "did not like" statement and how it conflicts with my rating? Let me explain : the book was depraved, yet it was an engaging read. I can't write words of joy, or exclaim love for something which made me feel horrible. Yet, I do not regret reading. As well, I do appreciate the author's ability to draw me in to the story.

I might have just lost something that wasn't mine to begin with.

This was a well-written book that I couldn't stop reading. But I won't represent it with gushing or flashy pictures because that cheapens the experience for me, and turns the book into something less serious than what it is. The reason why this book had such an effect on me is because darkness only gave way to more darkness. So a dancing hippo and pretty font headers won't truly show how this book got into my head.

An hour and a half was all I'd wanted - ninety poxy minutes with a woman who was content to share my company without leaving the kind of souvenir that required medical attention.

If you've read dark erotica before featuring rape, abuse, or slavery, be prepared to have your mind taken to another level. And that's all I will say about that.

Even though the majority of The Tied Man was full of nothing but torment, there was a small slice of hope. It wasn't pretty hope or romantic hope, but it was still a form of love in rare beauty. This is what humanized the story and turned it into something worth reading. So if you're afraid to pick up this book, let me leave you with a passage which might make you change your mind.

"What did you call me?"
"Ah. A chuisle. Gaelic. 'My darling.' I prefer the proper translation, mind you."
"Which is?"
He gave a bashful smile. "My pulse."

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Phenomenal Stars!!!!!

This is not an easy book to review... It wasn’t an easy book to read. All of the heartbreak and devastation was worth it. Such a beautiful story with characters you will fall in love with, and other characters you will despise. Here goes nothing...

This was a story about an artist named Lilith


Lilith gets stuck doing a work of art for Lady Blaine Albermarle. While there, she meets Finn Strachan.

The very first time I met him, Finn Strachan stole my breath.

“Just out of interest, what did you make of my Finn?”

“Probably the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”

Finn is living as Blaine’s ‘companion’ but thats not the whole story... Finn is trapped. He is pretty much forced to do whatever Blaine and her guests want and if he doesn’t there are consequences.



This doesn’t sit well with Lili. She and Finn develop a friendship. Blaine is not happy that Lili won’t give in to her, but she won’t take advantage of Finn. Finn only does what he does because he has to. Blaine has this way of manipulating everyone. She holds the only people dear to Finn over his head, his two sisters. She does the same to Lil with her little brother. She is so evil!!!

“Y’ know what my job is, huh? It’s to say ‘Yes’ and keep saying it until whoever’s paying decides they’ve had enough. It doesn’t matter if I’m not happy, or if it disgusts me, or even if it hurts like I’d rather fucking die. So deal with it. I have to.”


Finn will break your heart. I had to take frequent breaks while reading this, it all got to be too much for me. If you are anything like me, there will be tears and wine involved.

Lili wants nothing more than to help Finn. She develops stronger feelings for him and feels her control slipping. Soon, Blaine realizes this and uses it against her.



Lilith knows there is something special about Finn, and if he is forced to continue this life, it will break him. He deserves so much more than the hand he has been dealt.

“You deserve better.”

“Lili- no ones ever done anything like this for me. Ever. Are you hearing me? I sure as hell know I wouldn’t have taken the risks you did today just for a whore.”

“Don’t say that.”

“It’s what I am.”

“It’s what she makes you do. It’s not who you are.”

Finn is broken, but Lili gives him strength. I will never forget these two... such memorable characters. Lili is strong and independent. I really loved how she handled things, especially at the end. She never gave up on Finn. Finn was sweet, kind, and funny. He was also helpless, hopeless and depressed. Lili gave him help, hope and happiness. Such a beautiful story.




I can guarantee that as much as you love Lilith and Finn (and you will LOVE Lili and Finn) you will HATE Blaine. Worst, most terribly disgusting character ever! Tabitha really knows how to right a villain!!! Coyle is a second runner up... they are both all kinds of awful!

While reading, you will have to repeat this to yourself over and over, I found myself constantly forgetting:


This one gutted me. Parts of this book, I felt destroyed. I stayed up half the night reading, then I had trouble sleeping because I couldn’t get Finn and Lilith out of my head. It was terrible. One of the most intense books I have ever read. This book made me feel... I don’t even know how to describe it.

I do know that I will be recommending it to everyone! It is a must read, and towards the top of my favorites shelf!

My favorite line in the book....



My ONLY complaint about this book has now been deemed useless... I was going to say, even though I loved the ending, I wish we would have gotten an epilogue or something, but now there is a second book coming out which is even better!!! If you haven’t picked this one up, you need to!!!

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 SOLID STARS

The summer I met Lilith Bresson, I had begun to die. Not physically, you understand. I had never been that lucky. But each day a little more of my soul disappeared, and Blaine sensed it.

Wow, this was a bit of a rollercoaster ride. But I made it! Thanks Shannon for recommending this one to me. It was dark but I think I had a fair idea that it was going to be before reading it so maybe it was not as shocking as others who read it without any hint of the storyline etc.

First off let me just say, as they might say in Ireland ….

Finn, weren't you the right


to land yourself in a load of shite like that.

"How shite was my childhood - a True Story by yet another Irish White-Trash Bastard."

Yeah, Finn's childhood was not good so maybe he thought he was going to live the life of Reilly when he met up with Lady Albermarle. Boy, was he wrong!

Albermarle Hall …

Yes, this peaceful, kind, world is set in the rolling hills of Northumberland …. NOT! … peaceful and kind, I mean.

FINN STRACHAN

The very first time I met him, Finn Strachan stole my breath

LILITH BRESSON

Lilith is a famous artist who is brought to the Hall to paint the Lady of the Manor's portrait.

"Just out of interest, what did you make of my Finn?"

"Probably the most beautiful man I've ever seen."

I usually reserve the "C" word for those totally unworthy to live in this world, the scum of the earth, the lowlifes who have no redeeming features. Was there someone like that in this book. Sure there was - Lady Blaine Albermarle - one word - "Cunt", actually two words, "Fucking Cunt"! She was a prize bitch. She had taken Finn from the streets of Dublin and was keeping him against his will.


And her friends were just as bad.

“Lady Albermarle to you isn’t it, you Paddy piece of shit.”

What a dick he was. I first visited London about 25 years ago and definitely felt a bit of an anti-Irish vibe there, in some places, pubs, not everywhere mind you. I felt so self conscious with my Irish accent. Did actually get referred to as a "Paddy" by one nice chap. At least at that stage there were no signs for job advertisements saying, "NO IRISH NEED APPLY". Thank God that day is gone. Back then the Troubles in Northern Ireland were still potent but again, that has changed for the better. Some of my best friends are British, you know who you are you Slappers!!

“It was easy to forget that other people lived in a world where rules and laws and common sense could keep you safe. A world where, if you did the right thing you were allowed to get on with your life in whichever way you chose.”

"I trust Coyle gave you a warm welcome."
"He was very professional."
"He normally receives better reports than that, especially from our female guests. Was there a problem?"
"No, no problem. It's just - well, he knows it doesn't he? That whole 'Celtic Charm' thing's a well-polished act, but reminded me of one of those theme pubs on the Dublin tourist trail. Shelves full of pitchforks and wheelbarrows, and not a native in sight."

He HAD to be Irish, hadn't he?!! Seriously what a Prick he was. He was not just mean, he was bad to the core - dickhead.


Henry, wanted to throttle you at one stage too.

"What did you call me?"

"Ah. A chuisle. Gaelic. 'My darling'. I prefer the proper translation, mind you."

"Which is?"

He gave a bashful smile. "My pulse."

Well, you learn something new every day. I studied Irish/Gaelic for 13 years - it is compulsory in Ireland - still not bloody fluent in it. Often heard the expression "chuisle" - never knew that it translated as "pulse".

The stuff that Finn had to endure was awful. He was drugged up half the time so that he could endure the suffering. But when those two arrived, seriously, they were the fucking icing on the cake. Horrible

“In a fortnight Lilith had figured out more about me than anyone had ever cared to know, and I could only hope that she would hold it gently.”

The last part of the book was a real rollercoaster - would they, could they?
I could feel my blood pressure rising wanting it all to end well. But there were still a few surprises in store.


This is a debut novel by this author. Was a bit wary as I read that she is English and wasn't sure if she would portray the Irish character as realistic. I have been burned before, reading about Ireland and Irish characters where we are made out to be living in the back arse of nowhere with accents like Tom Cruise in Far and Away. But I cannot mention any authors as we all have to be nice and friendly here on Goodreads. No author bashing allowed. But I needn't have worried. Finn was great, the real deal - had the Irish expressions down to a tee.

"feckin'"

"… thought I was the dog's bollocks"

"away with the fairies"

"Jesus, you look knackered"

"No, it was shite"

"Shut your filthy fuckin' hole"

I am not sure how much of a reputation the Irish have of using bad language. We do use it, a lot. It is not nice. I have lived outside Ireland for more than 24 years and I remember being on holiday there some years back and the oldest said to me "Why does everyone use the "F" word?" Because I grew up with it I suppose I was tuned out and did not really notice but when I did tune back in, it was all over the place, in the pub, walking down the street, at the football and hurling matches. I suppose the only place you will not hear it is at Mass. I still use bad language - I really should try not to but I just cannot help myself.

“Even at this ridiculous hour, and clad in a faded blue t-shirt and ancient pyjama pants, he looked like something Michelangelo might reject for being too beautiful”

And she got the accents right on the names and words …

Sinēad

Sláinte

I have a son called Seán and every time I see his name written by a teacher or whoever without the "sīne fada", it drives me demented. Being, Irish, I think I am entitled to nit-pick a little bit.

I did want an Epilogue - the ending was way too abrupt for me. But I guess it paves the way for a future story for Finn Strachen and Lilith Bresson.

“I can’t do this alone, Finn. I need you beside me.”
“Nobody had ever said that to me.”

[warhawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Type: Standalone book 1 of The Tied Man series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:





Lilith Bresson was a famous artist forced to return to her homeland to repay her father’s debt by doing a painting for Lady Blaine Albermarle. She was invited as a guess at Albermarle Hall not knowing the true horror hiding behind the luxurious gateway façade.

Finn Strachan was Lady Albermarle’s handsome young companion. Behind the prim and proper persona, he was a man desperate for any kind of escape he could manage. But Lilith’s arrival brought in complications he didn’t see coming.



What first caught my attention about this book was the unconventional role of the hero and heroine. It’s not something you find a lot among the chock-full of alpha heroes on bookshelves.

‘Y’know what my job is, huh? It’s to say ‘Yes’ and keep saying it until whoever’s paying decides they’ve had enough. It doesn’t matter if I’m not happy, or if it disgusts me, or even if it hurts like I’d rather fucking die. So deal with it. I have to.’

I think it’s impossible for anyone not to love Finn. He was a helpless victim but that didn’t make him weak. It took strength to endure the things he had to as long as he did.



It took me a while to warm up to Lilith. She was a fierce, independent female character, but she could also be abrasive at times. What I love about her is that she knew when to fight and when to be docile.

In my long and illustrious career I had been fucked by a procession of evil bastards, but none ever quite matched the sublime cruelty of Blaine.

I think it’s been a long time since I truly hated a character and Blaine earned her place in this one. And she hardly even lifted a finger.

‘And that means the less of this... kind of thing there is, the easier it’ll be for you. Sometimes the more you have, the more you’ll miss it when it’s gone.’

I love the secondary characters, Henry, Gabriel and Nat, each in its own way. I love Nat since the beginning and I was so angry with Lilith at how she treated him.

The story flowed at a good pace and I don’t think it’s that dark. I mean there were some horrifying scenes that would be hard for those with gentler heart/stomach to read, but the overall feel was lighter than I expected. There were also some funny bits scattered throughout the book.

“But at the end of the day, everything I do costs me. The only question is how much.”

What I love the most about this book is the friendship between Finn and Lilith. I didn’t see The Tied Man as a love story. I saw it as a story of friendship and sacrifices. And it certainly not erotic. There were explicit scenes but it wasn’t meant to titillate. Instead it was used to show the horror and the depravity of Albermarle Hall.

Personally, one thing I found to be a bit of a challenge was the writing. There were a lot of British words and slangs that I’m not familiar with and I had to constantly refer to dictionary and Google. I also wish there was more to Finn’s background.

For the ending, I might be among the very few who actually love it ended that way. I would be perfectly content with it but of course I would still read book 2 when it comes out.

The Tied Man was a story of two individuals who formed a beautiful relationship by feeding off each other’s strength to survive physical and psychological assaults. It is recommended to those looking for an unconventional story and don’t mind delving into the depraved world of sexual slavery.

Note:
The Tied Man is a complete story that can be read on its own.
Books in the series:


For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Lady Gabriella of Awesomeness (SLOW) · Rating 4 out of 5]

✮✮✮✮ 4 tied stars✮✮✮✮

"Welcome to Albermarle Hall ...where all your darkest fantasies are made true..."



'The tied up man ' is a basic angst story that involves the makings and breakings of an abused escort and about the danger of falling in love with someone with a damaged soul...

“It was easy to forget that other people lived in a world where rules and laws and common sense could keep you safe. A world where, if you did the right thing you were allowed to get on with your life in whichever way you chose.”



Initially while reading the summary & 4 other star reviews ,I'm sure you would have figured out the bases of the plot while studiously raising ur expectations with every synonym of 'FANTASIC' 'MINDBLOWING' & 'OUT OF THE WORLD' present in the reviews.. Your pointer finger glides over the 'Favourite' button,ready to press down at the first indication of awesomeness before your even past the first few pages.....

A word of advice ? DONT DO THAT OK ?..Seriously..just dont.
**********************************************************************
FIRST 50% :
Honestly when I first started this book ? I swear TO GOD I thought this read was going to be my first DNF book ever ! Seriously ask my trusty GR friend, Debra, I actually told her exactly that a day ago..Every page managed to bore me more than the last one,The main characters were to harsh & snary,and the plot was absolutley wasted up to 50% of the whole book.


**********************************************************************
THE SECOND HALF:

LOL Now let's talk about the second half..The last 50% deserved every synonym of 'fantastic', 'unpredictable' & smart you can find.Finally some awesomeness ! Alleluia !




I loved how the plot twised and turned finally into a darker shade I was longing to see from the very beginning....I know some people have put this one there on the BDSM shelf ,but I don't really agree with that....This book isn't really an erotica and NO its NOT THAT dark..its more of suspense spy mission sorts actually.

*********************************************************************

RECOMMENDATION: This has been on my reading shelf for too long that I just had to pick this one and finish it off...as far as recommendation goes..Tied Man is Definatly a good read when ur in a mood for an emotional yet light.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 STARS! ★★★



Sorry guys but this is yet another less than stellar review from me. Honestly I'm trying to figure out if there's something wrong with me lately that I can't seem to shake out from this book funk. I had high hopes that this would be the one to pull me out since my fellow dark junkies rec'd me this & seeing everyone loving it. Sadly, it was not for me.

Again, this is another read that I didn't like but I didn't hate it either. Good news is that I found it to be a very refreshing read because the victim here happens to be a guy (hence, the title) and the villain is this crazy bitch who is so vile and sick to the head that I am appalled that such a human being could go to that extent of depravity. Pretty sure she ain't human honestly.

And I will say this: This book has some serious, SERIOUS messed up and totally fucked up stuffs going on that could send people running for the hills or get a seizure from cringing.



But here's the problem for me. I couldn't get into the writing style and when that happens, the book just...fails for me, no matter how much I found the story to be very well-written. I loved the premise but the execution missed the mark for me. Don't get me wrong, the writing is eloquent and it was a little refreshing to see the usage of British slang. But after a while, it became an overkill with all the flowery prose that left me feeling detached from the read. I got lost between the dialogues and couldn't feel for these characters as much as I'd like to. In a way, that sucks because I kinda feel like a cold heartless bitch reading such a depraved, tortured read.



Also, the paragraphs were so drawn out where 2 sentences would have sufficed instead of 2 full blown paragraphs. Added on with the slangs that threw me off, I ended up finding myself slowly getting bored with the read and skimming through :(

Final verdict : This really is a case of "it's not you, it's me" problem. I think the characters were well-developed, the premise was intriguing but the execution just didn't work for me. That being said, had it been written differently, I would have rated it higher.

[~IreneOust~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me ..." Psalm 23:4

I am not a religious person but, while my mind was being thoroughly fucked as I was reading this book, that's what was going through my head.

This book is a true testament that women are much better at fucking with one's head than men ... If you happen to be familiar with "Consequences" and "The Dark Duet" books and thought those were hard to get through, to quote Bachman Turner, "you ain't seen nothing yet" ...

To say this book was outstanding would be a ginormous understatement! I gave it 5 stars [because I thought "it was amazing"] when I was 60% into the story. I have to say though, I really hate myself for enjoying it because of it's subject matter but the writing is absolutely brilliant and the story, even though very hard to take, is incredible.

Surprisingly, I only managed to cry at acts of kindness in this book. I think I was too shocked to cry at other parts.

I don't think you really know evil till you meet Lady Blaine Albermarle. Books with this type of storyline don't usually get to me this much but what bothered me the most is that the villain in this case happens to be a woman who is also a mother. I am not sure why but this made her seem even more evil than she actually was (and I don't even know if that's possible!).

Tabitha McGowan, thank you for writing two of the most unforgettable characters & incredibly sad yet very beautiful story about human kindness that will always prevail over evil!

Cheers!



Get your copy:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon CA

[Lady Vigilante (Feifei) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 STARS

But I am tempted to bump it up to 3.



I am writing this review with the most peculiar look on my face; the expression is a mix of fascination, befuddlement, annoyance, and complete and utter boredom.

Fascination: I’m in awe of Blaine’s character. Yes, you heard me. I think the author has done a brilliant job of portraying an outwardly beautiful, elegant perfectionist but also a diabolical, conniving antagonist. For me, her character intrigued me the most.

The writing is very eloquent as well. I don’t think anyone can say that it’s not well-written, because it is.

Befuddlement: Sadly though, the eloquent writing was the major problem I had with the book. It felt too much and I wanted more action, less description. Some things where you just need one sentence to describe took a paragraph. Hence, I was pretty bored for a good 70% of the book. The last 30% captured my attention though, and it explains how I read the last half of the book in a day while it took me 3 days to finish just the first half.



Annoyance: I really loved the premise of the story and the beginning of the book grabbed my attention but soon after the author lost me with the sometimes too eloquent prose and slang. Then the chapter breaks were infuriating. I’d get a chapter break right between a conversation and it just made NO SENSE to why the characters couldn’t finish their conversation first. Needless to say, it broke my reading flow.

Also what is with Finn calling Lilith a “stupid cow?” I mean, the first couple of times I’m like okay, it’s an endearment when he’s frustrated but jeez, enough is enough. It's not the cow's fault.



Boredom: As for this part, I never connected with any of the characters nor was I invested in the story at all so reading the book felt like I was reading a textbook, vaguely interested but still aloof. I concede that there are a few scenes meant to be disturbing/dark, but for me I felt nothing. I mean, the heroine was getting her fingers snapped off and poor Finn was stabbed and carved and I didn’t feel a single thing.



I swear one day, nothing gruesome or heinous I read in books will scare me and that in itself is a scary thought.

__________________________________________

I also wrote a mid-book review that has more details. See spoiler.

It's taken me 3 days to read half of the book so this is a mid-book review, NOT the full review.

This is spoiler-free.



Everyone knows I'm a dark reader. I don't know what exactly about this genre that fascinates me but I know that I'm irrevocably immersed in these reads and can't get enough of them. Naturally, The Tied Man fell under this category and I couldn't wait to start it.

Except....I didn't.

You know the feeling where you have this book for the longest time, a book that has the stamp of approval from most, if not all, your close reading friends and you get it but there's just something there stopping you from opening it and reading? That kind of feeling?

Well that's what happened with The Tied Man and I just knew (without even reading the reviews) that I had to be in a certain mood for this book to click with me. It's been almost a year since I've had it and just a couple of days ago, I felt this urge to read it. I felt ready.

So I started it and this happened:



I'll admit it...I'm stumped. This is probably the first time I picked up a dark read and can't decide if my feelings are positive/negative. I don't even think I like this book. I mean, for one...the British (I think it's British) slang and dialogue threw me off course so many times I lost count. I put down the book a number of times over the last 3 days yet there's this urge (or OCD lol) that forces me to continue. I like the characters but do I love them? Feel for them? Connect with them? No. There are a few times my heart twinged and felt bad for a certain character but for the most part? I don't freaking care.

I don't care about the horses.
I don't care about the painting techniques.
I don't care what the hall looks like.
Strangely enough, I don't care about the history lessons.
And I especially don't care for the language. I feel like I'm missing words between the sentences.

From what I've read so far (around the 51% mark) nothing about the book is dark. Perhaps I hyped it up in my mind too much. And I'm constantly asking myself this question: why am I so emotionally detached from everything?

I realize there's a load of 5 star ratings but this book is definitely not for everyone and just might not be for me. Nevertheless, I can't find it in myself to DNF it so we shall see about the second half of the story.

To be continued...

[Allison ❤️Will Never Conquer Her TBR❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 DARK, GRITTY, TORTUROUS STARS!!

Great debut novel, Tabitha McGowan!!



I had to sit and digest a bit before coming to a conclusion as to whether I liked this book or not. Then I had to tell myself, my rating isn't exclusively on if I LIKED the story, but how well it was written. Well, the writing was superb. It's written by a British author and in England so I was, once again, marveled at all the British-isms. In fact, a lot of the terms or slang spoken, I had zero clue what they meant. That's always an experience- learning that even though we share a language, the meaning and slang is totally different.

The story- I really struggle to find an appropriate word for it. On the heels of a very dark read, I am very hesitant to call it simply a dark read. It wasn't necessarily dark as much as UGLY. The villains in this book were straight up monsters. This is what made me struggle to like the story. In fact, there was very little goodness at all. I'm a seasoned reader of those things BDSM, or darker books that bring forth the not so nice side of the human spirit.....this book made me cringe in parts. At the risk of bringing "other books" into a review, my idea of dark or strong BDSM scenes that borderline on a love/hate for me are Dark Duet and Original Sinners (The Prince, specifically). That being said, I still LOVED those books. I think because under all the shit was a fair share of goodness....of love. But this book didn't put much out there for me to grasp as goodness. In fact, one scene about 75% in, I almost stopped the book completely. Let it be known that Tied Man is riddled with non-consensual sex, drug abuse, extreme violence, vulgarity, and everything horrifyingly evil.

The bulk of the evil comes from Lady Blaine Albermarle. Blaine owns a private retreat on a secluded island in England. She caters to the extreme sexual fantasies of those who can afford such luxury. Unfortunately the scenes are aided by the "use" of Finn, a 24 year old Irish man who is essentially her captive. He's there as a slave and has no chance of escape due to her threats to kill his two sisters in Dublin. She's got direct links to his sisters- one call, they're dead. He won't make it to the mainland. He's tried once, and the failure cost him. The things they did to this man..... (bile enters my throat). I ached for this poor guy. He only survives this life of captivity by living in a prison cell in the cellar and being constantly doped up on drugs. Even though I felt horrible for him, the constant state of drug use and smoking made him a more empathetic character than sexually attractive.

Finn-


Enter Lilith, a famous artist in Spain who is forced to go to the island "retreat" as a payment for her dead-beat dad's lack of payment. She's to paint an erotic picture of the lady of the manor, Blaine. I liked Lilli. She had a spunk to her, an "in your face" nobody controls me attitude. It didn't take long for Blaine to take all that away. When Lilli gets an eyeful of what's done in the manor, and specifically done to Finn, she is devoted to finding a way to protect him. Even if its by entertaining his "clients" for a bit so he isn't brutalized quite so long. But she's got to find a way to get both of them out of there. But with no internet or phones, and being in an island away from all things legal, it makes it difficult. Blaine is a master at using information to blackmail and manipulate everything within her world.

Lilith-


So, the reason I didn't rate the book higher is not because of the violence and sheer ugliness of the storyline.... I was just disappointed we didn't get more romantic pull of Finn and Lili together. I know there's feelings there but I think the author could've delved more into "them" as an entity. There was just so much going against them, it would've been nice to get a better baseline as to why they'd do anything to get out of there to be together. Obviously this is not a romance whatsoever. The word love isn't in the book once, I don't believe. They're committed to getting out and the author tells you they want each other, I just didn't FEEL it.

So go forth...but consider yourself warned. I've never read a more violent, abusive, "ugly" book.......nothing against the actual book, however.... the subject matter was that.

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 Chuisle Stars

The Tied Man grabbed my attention from the start of this dark story. I was hooked and although this book came with a WARNING (please read it before starting and take it seriously) there was no turning back for me nor did I want to abandon Finn. My need to know had me reading through some of the toughest scenes I’ve come across in a novel. I found that nothing in this book was erotic nor did I find it very romantic. I did however find it extremely well written.

This story is told in alternating povs from our artist and the tied man. Lilith Bresson is a world renowned artist who has been coerced into staying at Albermarle Hall. Through a television appearance she captures Finn Strachan ’s eye and Blaine Albermarle uses this to her enjoyment.

"Finn had the face of a fallen angel."~Lilith

"It was the first time, I ever felt guilt at finding a man attractive."~Lilith

Lilith has a hell of a past and is stronger than the majority of female heroines I have read. The girl is a survivor and a damn good ally!

This reader would do anything to save Finn Strachan he is a gorgeous Irish captive and tormented man. (I had devised several plausible plans of rescue and frequently had to remind myself this is just a book.) Finn is trapped and copes with drugs to get through his existence at Albermarle Hall.

Y'know what my job is, huh? It's to say 'Yes' and keep saying it until whoever's paying decides they've had enough. It doesn't matter if I'm not happy, or if it disgusts me, or even if it hurts like I'd rather fucking die. So deal with it. I have to."~Finn

Blaine our ladyship is a sadist who runs this glorified brothel. She has had her claws into Finn for five years and sadly the level of torment she instills on him for her enjoyment escalates. She thrives off his misery and despair. Lilith finds that no one is safe around this MONSTER not even our feisty tough heroine.

My heart broke repeatedly for Finn and wished that “the plan” would have happened sooner and quicker. This book offered torture to the reader that had me desperately wishing for rainbows and unicorns.

There are two reasons I gave this book 4 1/2 stars instead of 5 stars: I needed more from Finn and Lilith’s scene in the basement. Possibly 'were in this together' or 'I want a future and I can think in futures', something along those lines. It’s not a cliffhanger but since I went through this hell I wanted an epilogue or some terrific dialogue at the end of this book. Since this didn’t happen, I was left still feeling like the wounds and scars of the torment are still visible and raw. Basically I wanted some sort of declarations...It’s the romantic in me!

From my stalking efforts of the author’s page, it would appear that there will be a sequel, so this reader will once brave through for Lilith & Finn.

I want those damn unicorns!!

[destini · Rating 5 out of 5]

... at the end of the day, everything I do cost me. The only question is how much.

We have Finn...

A nocturnal junkie, scared of needles and scared of the dark. The irony was hilarious.

Lilith...

"I see what I want to see."

And Blaine...

"... his despair arouses her beyond measure."

Don't even ask me how I survived this book. It will forever remain a mystery. I'm still sitting in shock at the events that have unfolded in The Tied Man. Let me tell you, this takes the cake for dark & disturbing reads. It makes everything else I've ever read seem like child's play... something I'd find in the Children's Literature section in Barnes & Nobles right next to Harry Potter.

Lilith is practically forced to go to Albermarle Hall to settle a debt her good-for-nothing father has put her in. As a highly accomplished artist, she's expected to paint a portrait of Lady Albermarle and leave society behind, reluctantly relinquishing all her electronic devices.
Stuck on the island for months, Lilith's only end goal is to get the hell out of there as soon as possible.
However, a simple proposition changes everything.


Where to even begin?
I almost felt guilty for loving this books so much. The actions that take place, the manipulation... it was horrible. And I mean, carry a spare barf bag in my purse just in case something became too much. And yet, I couldn't tear my eyes away. The complex characters, the story... I completely immersed myself in The Tied Man.

Lilith was one of those characters that, in real life, you'd either love her or hate her. She was a bit hard and definitely lacked a serious filter. But as I kept reading, she really grew on me. She's someone that you'd know whatever came out of her mouth was 100% bullshit free. I would even get excited to see what would fall out of her mouth next.

Lilith


My poor, beautiful boy Finn... ♥
How my heart broke for him. You haven't experienced all consuming, soul-crushing pain for a character until you've read this book. You just gravitate towards Finn. He is the true meaning of bent but not broken. I can say with all honestly that I would not have been as strong as him. The things he's experienced... it went beyond cruel. And he still fought back, in his own small ways.

Finn


If you could add up all my adoration, admiration, and respect for Finn and turn it into hatred... that would just scratch the surface of my feelings for Blaine. What a inhuman character. She made me want to just bash my head in. If she would just scream, rage, or just crack her façade for a second, maybe I wouldn't despise her as much as I do now but there wasn't a slip up, not a single thing that could, at least, make me feel good for a second. She was like a cold robot, that no matter what you did, she would take it all in stride and come up with something ten times worse.

In my long and illustrious career I had been fucked by a procession of evil bastards, but none ever quite matched the sublime cruelty of Blaine.

Blaine


Lilith and Finn's relationship was a slow burn and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. It made things real. Like it wasn't another fuck to them. They had a foundation of friendship and trust and seeing them grow, together and on their own, was beautiful.

"You're the first person in this whole fucking place who's ever asked permission to touch me, you know that?"

In the beginning, the writing took a bit of getting used to. It was British and Tabitha didn't spell everything out for you. I would find things flying completely over my head. Once you get the hang of it, though, it was seamless. I loved it. Nothing was handed to you on a platter and it enhanced the complexity of the story and characters.

I'm not going to lie and say this books if for everybody, because it's not. But if you can stomach it, The Tied Man is a heartbreaking, absolute must read.

[☆ Sammy ☆彡 · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, reading The Tied Man was like taking a tumble down the rabbit hole and ending up in a very intense, dark, & twisted place that is controlled by an evil bitch.



Before you consider reading this book, you really need to heed the author's warning: Please note that this storyline contains depictions of drug abuse, violence and non-consensual sexual activity.



If you have any issues with these topics, this may not be the book for you.

Lilith Bresson is a strong, independent, and successful artist who values having control over her life. Her control, however, is tested when her father forces her to repay one of his debts by painting the portrait of Lady Blaine Albermarle. In order to complete this project, Lilith must stay at Albermarle Hall, an island estate that Blaine owns where electronic devices such as computers, phones, MP3 players, etc. are not allowed. During her stay at Albermarle Hall, Lilith learns about the horrific business being conducted on the estate and that Blaine is not the woman that she appears to be. She also meets Blaine's "companion", Finn, who is a quiet, disturbed, and very unhappy man.

I felt a whirlwind of emotions while reading this book: anger, disgust, sadness, hopelessness, a little happy, and a lot of hatred toward the villain.

I think the hardest part of this book for me was Finn's situation. His story ripped my heart out and I just wanted to whisk him away and protect him from all the horrors he had to live through.



Finn:

"I want to keep hold of just one or two poxy secrets in the car crash otherwise known as my life in vain hope that once or twice a year I can pretend to have some bloody dignity."

Finn to Lilith:

"You came back," he whispered. "You did all that, and you still came back."

Overall, I would give this book 5 dark & emotional stars. If you think that you can handle what the author mentioned in her warning, then I encourage you to read this book.

I am looking forward to seeing Finn & Lili's story continued in the second book. I did feel that the ending of the Tied Man was a little abrupt, but I can understand the author's view that an epilogue really wouldn't do this story justice. Finn and Lili both have a lot of healing to do and demons to overcome.

[Shannon The Co-Captain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread 11 years later

I reread this in preparation for the release of Unbound. This is one of my top favorite books and I was curious if it still would be 11 years later. The verdict... definitely still a favorite. It's such a heavy and disturbing book at times but yet I love these characters as if they were old friends. It wasn't really necessary to reread for the story's sake as this book is one that you don't forget. Of the 1,000+ books I've read, this one is truly the most unforgettable. I've never loved characters more and I've never hated characters more. The writing is top notch par none. After initially reading this in 2013 I went on a one woman mission to get all my friends (mostly GR) to read it. My best friend thought I was disturbed after she read it and I probably am. I just can't help but love this book even though there's some of it I could hardly stand to read. The fact is there is evil in this world and this book captures the essence of that very fact. More importantly it shows us there's some heroes and some super kickass heroines among us as well and they win sometimes.

I cannot encourage you enough to read this book. I will put a disclaimer out there is violent sexual abuse in the book. This is a love story but not a sexy time love story. It's hard to describe it honestly. I'm not a writer, just a reader but I read enough to know a good story and this is one of them. On to book two. Finn and Lili +forever

Original Review
If you can't handle sick and twisted, this book probably isn't for you.

If you love a total EMOTIONAL .....


you'll probably love this book!

I loved Lilith and Finn as much as I have any characters ever. Lilith is my favorite type of heroine; strong, smart, independent and she has a hilariously smart mouth. She is able to see Finn in a way no one else can and she's able to see more in him than he can see in himself.

Ah, Finn...poor Finn doesn't "live in a world where rules and laws and common sense could keep you safe. A world where, if you did the right thing you where allowed to get on with your life in whichever way you choose" Finn lives in HELL! A hell where at the end of the day everything cost him. The only question was how much" There is something so angelic about him it was almost impossible for me to endure his ordeal.

This is such a gut wrenching story of perseverance over the harshest of circumstances. Circumstances, where the victims were thrust because they put others first. I think we all have people or things in our life in which we would be willing to endure anything. It asks the question "Do you think everyone has a price"

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts:


✥ Very interesting start...my mind started thinking all kinds of theories!

✥ Everybody has secrets!

✥ I loved getting both Lilith and Finn's POVs.

✥ There were some very difficult scenes to read. My heart really went out to Finn and Lilith.

✥ How could Finn not win you over? And I loved their times of "just being together."



✥ I enjoyed the painting elements.

✥ I don't know who I hate more...Blaine or Coyle! I do think Blaine didn't get her just rewards!

✥ I think Henry is adorable and both Gabriel and Nat won me over.

✥ Bran :(

✥ I felt like the end result worked out a little too nicely and was easy to figure out.

✥ I can't believe it ended like that!!



...thank goodness i found out there's going to be another book, The Tied Man Unbound, but who knows when it will come out!

✥ Big thank you to Shannon for pushing me to read this! MUAH!!




Favorite quotes:

❦ "What did you call me?"

"Ah. A chuisle. Gaelic. 'My darling’. I prefer the proper translation, mind you."

"Which is?"

He gave a bashful smile. ‘My pulse.’

❦ "I don’t expect you to be like them. Don’t want you to be. It’s not them I want, it’s you. From the moment we met, it’s only been you."

[Lisa *-* GiViNg It To YoU * LoCk StOcK & TwO SmOkiNg BaRrELs · Rating 5 out of 5]

CaN I GiVe iT 10 StArS!!


Such a harrowing dark story, but god...Did I love it!!

Meet Finn



I fell in love with Finn not necessarily for his beauty, but with his being, as broken and as sad as one person could be, he was like a flame, a slow flickering flame...the merriest gentle breeze would be all it would take to blow it out, then be submerged into total darkness.




But in the darkness he shone,

He held me captive with his soul,

His story, albeit a harrowing disturbing story...was decadently rich with substance.



The writing was exquisite,

I love words,

Beautiful written words,

Words that have the power to break you or embrace you...The Tied Man did both of these to me.


A truly remarkable read - if you haven't already read it...I say go read it now while the candle still burns....

[Amy | Foxy Blogs · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE TIED MAN is a dark fairy tale where the Princess comes to save the Prince.

♦Lilith♦ is the princess in this twisted tale.

♦Finn♦ is the "Rapunzel" of Albermarle Hall.

♦Blaine♦ is the evil queen.

The Tied Man is kind of like the 'boy' version of Captive in the Dark and Escape from Paradise.

My only issue I found with the story is the foreign lingo because it kept tripping me up. The writing style made it hard for me to be fully immersed in the story because it took awhile to get use to it. Otherwise it was a good dark and twisted tale.

SERIES:

Book 1 can be read as standalone. | Book 2 will be a second story with the same protagonists, but a whole new plot.

[* Meli Mel * · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥♥♥ 5 'Destroyed Me' Stars ♥♥♥

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

"It was easy to forget that other people lived in a world where rules and laws and common sense could keep you safe. A world where, if you did the right thing you were allowed to get on with your life in whichever way you chose."

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

I have no idea how to review this book. No bloody idea. This might end up being quite brief because I just don't know what to say. A lot of it might be repetetive, so sorry in advance, but my brain just can't function at the moment. All I know is, the writing was brilliant.

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

“I don't expect you to be like them. Don't want you to be. It's not them I want, it's you. From the moment we met, it's only been you.”

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

Lilith Bresson is a renowned independent artist who lives in Spain. One day her piece of shite father, asks Lili to help him pay a debt to Lady Blaine Albermarle. She initially refuses but after her father threatens to get a restraining order to keep her from her much younger sibling, she relents. She then agrees to paint a portrait to pay the debt. Little did she know that in doing so, she would end up in hell. I loved how freaking blunt Lili was. She was herself and no one else, and of course she made no apologies for it. She was feisty and funny in a sarcastic way. She was strong and witty. I thought she was the perfect person to challenge the Mega bitch that is Blaine Albermarle. As well as the perfect person to show Finn what love is and how it feels to have someone care. I loved this character and getting to be in her mind.

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

“What did you call me?”

“Ah. A chuisle. Gaelic. 'My darling'. I prefer the proper translation, mind you.”

“Which is?”

He gave a bashful smile. “My pulse.”

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

Oh my poor beautiful Finn Strachan. How I wanted to hug him and kiss him and make it all better for him. I wanted to desperately help him escape the nightmare he was living. Finn was an Irish man that fell into the hands of Blaine Albermarle and became her "companion". What he really was, was a play thing, sex toy to be used in whatever manner you wished to use him. Even if that meant causing him bodily harm. My heart hurt so DEEPLY for him. I cried at what was done to him. I became ANGRY at those who inflicted pain upon him. It teared me up completely. My heart was chewed up piece by piece and spit out. That's how much I hurt for this beautifully wonderful man. A lot of it was quite graphic, so be aware that this is most definitely not for everyone.

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

“Lili- no ones ever done anything like this for me. Ever. Are you hearing me? I sure as hell know I wouldn’t have taken the risks you did today just for a whore.”

“Don’t say that.”

“It’s what I am.”

“It’s what she makes you do. It’s not who you are.”

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

Then there was the super MONSTER heartless bitch from hell, Blaine Albermarle. Oh, how I friggin' LOATHED her!! I'm not sure I've ever hated a character more. She was a sick sadistic twat. I seriously don't know what to say... HATE just doesn't seem enough. The things she let happen, the lies, the blackmailing, ARGH!! I get pissed off just thinking about it. I wanted a terrible end for this crazy witch, and even though I didn't get to see it, I hope she suffers for it all. Throughout the book, I was plotting bad things for this character. I am not a violent person, mind you (yeah, I know you can totally tell by this review, huh?) but she brought out the worst in me. I wanted to kill her and save my poor Finn and Henry. And that's all I'm going to say about her. BITCH!

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

“I can’t do this alone, Finn. I need you beside me.”

Nobody had ever said that to me.

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

This book has scarred me. I will never forget it. It terrifies me completely that I know stuff like this actually exists and it SICKENS me. I repeatedly kept asking myself why I chose to put myself through this and to just stop reading the damn book. But the thing is... I couldn't. As much as I wanted to, Finn and Lilith would not let me. I had to know what would become of them. From the moment I read the first page, I was hooked. I was shocked, hurt, angry, felt love, sorrow, and laughter. This book brought a wide range of emotions from me. That's what the writing did to me, it was that amazing. Yes, the story contained some HIDEOUS AND HORRIBLE content, but still the book was great. If I had to complain about anything in the book, it would probably be the ending. Not because it sucked, because in truth, it was beautiful and I LOVED that it wasn't overtly sweet. I mean it just wouldn't have felt real. But it did leave me wanting more. So, I would have liked an epilogue or something. Otherwise, a fantastic read.





Please note that this storyline contains depictions of drug abuse, violence and non-consensual sexual activity. This may not be suitable for everyone.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 EVIL STARS!!!!!

The whole bloody world, populated by monsters.

This is the hardest book I’ve ever read. I have a really dark place inside my brain, and I’ve read some dark twisted stuff, but this takes the cake. You know those dark books that give you a little hope to hold onto? This is not one of those books.







This book highlights the worst of humanity. Who do you become when you think no one’s watching?

The story is set on an island resort. The resort provides your every wish, your every dream, your deepest darkest secret desires. Only the wealthiest can afford to pay for their deepest desires.

Finn is on staff at this resort, and he is trapped. No, trapped isn’t enough. He is tortured. He is almost a ghost of a person. Finn lives the most agonizing life that you can imagine. I wanted Finn to die, to kill himself, only to give him one ounce of peace.

My Finn:



It was easy to forget that other people lived in a world where rules and laws and common sense could keep you safe. A world where, if you did the right thing you were allowed to get on with your life in whichever way you chose.

Lilith Bresson begins as a strong feminine, fucking hilarious character. She is a famous painter. Throughout the book, she is slowly broken, even more so than when she started. She is manipulated by the resort owner (satan incarnate) to come to the resort, only to be blackmailed into staying and doing the owner’s bidding, painting when and what the owner decides.

The summer I met Lilith Bresson, I had begun to die.

My Lilith:



I wouldn’t call this a love story. I would call this a survival story. These two characters come together to survive.

Additional Thoughts:

Power. I hate power. I wish I could grab it by the bullocks and squeeze until it explodes and ceases to exist. No one could ever have power over another person ever again!!!

Pride. It’s the first sin. It’s the ugliest of sins. It makes us believe we are better...better than another human being.

Manipulation. It is the weakness of the weak, the insecure, the unintelligent….the evil.



This book makes me want to stand up for every single person who was ever bullied, abused, beaten, neglected, or never loved.



I will never look at teddy bears the same. They will forever be a pathetic pile of overpriced fake fur and anthropomorphic bullshit.



Why did I give this book 4 stars?

1. I am a serial escapologist. but I couldn’t escape. I want books that allow me to escape. I don’t want to face the reality and horrors of humanity. But I didn’t have a choice with this book.

2. Yes, Tabitha McGowan is a great writer, but I’ve read better, so I just couldn’t give her that last star.

3. It feels wrong to celebrate this book.



Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.

[Vikki ~ *squee* lite ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just have to say, this book had me hooked from the beginning. The writing itself is far better than most of the books that I’ve picked up recently, it’s smart without becoming unrelatable. The dialogue is fantastic, and the descriptions are just enough paint the picture without bogging you down in extraneous details. There is a hunting, “creepy” quality to the book, and I’m not totally sure exactly how the author pulled off, but it was there, in every page.

This isn’t “dark erotica” – there is nothing erotic about most of what happens in the book, and I wouldn’t classify it as a romance either, at least not in a traditional sense.

To me, it was very much the classic story of good versus evil. It was the story of two people, cut off from the world and real human connection, one self-imposed, one trapped by a bad decision, who find salvation in connection to each other.

Lilith is a survivor. She has survived a horrible childhood, which has taught her she cannot rely on anyone but herself. She has learned not to make connections with anyone. She has people in her life, but they are kept at a careful distance. She is a famous artist, whose unique talent lies in being able to capture the people behind the façade. She has almost psychic like ability to read people, and put together small details to uncover the secrets they try to hide.

Finn is survivor. He is trapped in a horrific situation that he cannot escape from. He has endured treatment that honestly, made me sick to my stomach more than once. He has given up the idea that there will ever be salvation, and is slowly slipping away. That is, until he sees Lilli.

From the moment they meet, there is a connection. One they both try to fight for their own reasons. Together they survive Blaine, who is frankly the most evil character I have ever come across. Neither of them wants to need each other. Neither of them believes that there can be a happy ending. But they find strength in each other, in their connection, in knowing that there is another human being who would sacrifice themselves for them, and they take their happy ending.

I adored Finn and Lilli like I haven’t adored a couple in a long time. They were so beautiful, so flawed, and so perfect for each other. I’m not sure there was anyone else in the world who could have made Lilli care, or anyone else who could have seen beyond all of Finns past enough to see the real man beneath all the tragedy.

There is so much about this story that is horrific, but it is still punctuated with these moments of humor, of friendship, of connection, that keep it from just being to hard to take.
It is highly recommended. My last warning though….




*********************
Shit. That was... I don't even know what to say... Horrible and amazing all in one. Full review to come later, after I don't feel like vomiting while simultaneously doing a victory dance.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I finished reading this book, my feelings were








And yes, there was something to even smile about


But in the end, I was going



I still really loved this book though.

Finn, my poor broken Finn...

"Christ, you're and wreck, Finn." ~Lilith
"Yeah, I know." ~Finn


Lilith, you strong, persistent, sassy woman...

"You're the first person in this whole fucking place who's ever asked permission to touch me, you know that?" ~Finn

I can't do this alone, Finn. I need you beside me." ~Lilith


The situation they were in was a fucked up mess to put it bluntly.

"So," Lilith asked, "on a scale of one to ten, just how fucked would you say we were?"
"Eleven," I replied.


And finally the woman who caused the whole damn mess, Blaine.




Overall, this was an awesomely dark, messed up book. READ IT PEOPLE!

A big thank you to my awesome friend Chrystal who let me borrow this book!

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have to delete my old review, it was even criticize by a book review critic haha. Anyways, I read my review and it was cringe worthy, shaking my head. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Akanksha❤ Søren♰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘What did you call me?’
‘Ah.  A chuisle. Gaelic. ‘My darling’.  I prefer the proper translation, mind you.’
‘Which is?’
He gave a bashful smile. ‘My pulse.’

This book was.. I yet don't have many words how to describe this book. It was insane, amazing, crazy, DARK, and as frustrating as abstinent would be for a sex addict.

Loved the author's writing style and to top it all it had the whole british slag to it; totally makes me SWOON! :D
She's got humor, I'll give her that.. Amazing humor and wit! But the words she used in this novel went totally bounced.. luckily kindle has a dictionary attached or I would take forever finding meanings. They were tooo high-fi for a non SAT person like me.. LOL

This book pissed the fuck out of me at times while I read it.. I wanted to throw my laptop and drink myself to sleep which the amount of anger I was feeling while reading this book.
Being a dark book, it totally did its bit. Made me feel.. rage, love, sympathy.. made me feel insane and like a murder, because I wanted to kill people in this book.

I LOVED LILITH'S NAME. EPIC
Her character was mind blowing. I love a feisty weirdass chick..



Blaine, I seriously wish you were real so you could rott in the lowest level of hell in Dante's Inferno when I murdered you with my bare hands. YOU FUCKING PSYCHOPATHIC WHORE. Waste of space, oxygen and organs.

LOL, yes.. thats how I envisioned her to be

Finn, I love you.. I feel for you and I wanted to protect you. I would so walk onto that island to protect you from it all.
[image error]
envisioned him as this because i saw a pic of him before starting the book.. lol
Captured inside he word he doesn't want to be in, lost inside his soul.. the only thing keeping him from selling his soul, making his heart beat is





and now Lilith.

I loved Nat and Gabriel too!! :D I wish to see wayh more of them in book2!~


I am not going to give you guys much, because no one bothered giving me spoilers when I begged for it. SO BOOYA! None for anyone! haha

READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE A DARK READ.
IT IS INSANE.

Love makes people to crazy things, but then again.. LOVE IS A DRUG.

‘Almost an angel,
You took me to heaven on a scheduled flight.
Almost an angel,
Then you broke my heart in two like a creature of the night...’
‘...Warm, sweet lips and ice-cold kisses
Sucked out my soul and left me wanting more.
Pick up your mail, answer your phone,
Answer my texts, I’m so sick of being alone.
Spread your wings and fly my way,
Be the devil I know for a heavenly day.’

_____

Heard a lot about this book, so many people have told me its a MUST READ especially since I'm a fan of dark reads! ;)
Jumping onto this now~
like seriously who can guess that I have my finals on? LOL

[Aqsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

“It was easy to forget that other people lived in a world where rules and laws and common sense could keep you safe. A world where, if you did the right thing you were allowed to get on with your life in whichever way you chose.”

Alright, this is not my usual read not even close and I am already having second thoughts saving it here and I didn't know what this was until I got into it. Going in blind really stabbed me in the back.

Before you consider reading this book, you really need to heed the author's warning: Please note that this storyline contains depictions of drug abuse, violence and non-consensual sexual activity.

This was a terrible, mortifying and killer read. I couldn't put it down and as twisted as it sounds, I wanted it to end in a good way so that I could just sleep selfish!.

Lilith Bresson, an independent, successful young artist, is forced to travel from her home in Spain to the wild borderlands of northern England, to repay her feckless father’s latest debt by painting a portrait of the enigmatic Lady Blaine Albermarle.

On her first night at Albermarle Hall she meets Finn Strachan, Blaine’s ‘companion’, a cultured and hauntingly beautiful young man who seems to have it all. But Lilith has an artist’s eye, and a gift for seeing what lies beneath the skin. She soon discovers that Blaine is more gaoler than lover, and if the price is right, depravity has no limits.

Elaine was a clever character but I think we had a little less of her. The book ended too soon for that. Finn-I hated him at times but what he went through was so disgusting and so terrible and appalling that I couldn't help feel for him and read more to have it stopped.

“In a fortnight Lilith had figured out more about me than anyone had ever cared to know, and I could only hope that she would hold it gently.”

Lilith-I loved her more in the beginning but she lost her uniqueness somewhere along the way. I did love her guilty conscious which I could immensely relate to.

“It was the first time I had ever felt guilt at finding a man attractive.”

Henry- I understood him in the beginning but soon I hated him for his cowardice and his ability to save his own skin first. As for Coyle, I think he was overrated; if anything, Blaine should have been given all those words waste on him. That said, the plot itself was very good (albeit awful which made me wanna hit myself for starting this) but the end was just not enough, you know?

Anyway, this was a weird experience, one that I won't even think about repeating.

[Pam Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isolated on an frigid island, Albermarle Hall is a sanctum of depravity and the ideal setting for this shockingly cruel and intense story with superb writing. You'll find yourself shackled amidst the horrors of the enslaved man-boy, Finn, your sympathy for him holding you there, frozen in fear. You'll wonder how he was captured, how badly his next job will hurt him, and why his tormentor goes to such lengths to destroy him physically and emotionally.

TM is a master at revealing back stories, sometimes with sneaky subtleness, but always sadistic in nature. The tribulations reach the darkest, deepest places. Places you might not know exist.

The villains are inventive in their power to induce dread, rage, and paralyzing terror. The excessive rape and violence are graphic, beautifully disturbing, but in no way titillating. In fact, I would not label this erotic or romance, as those terms imply gratification and desire. Reading this stirred the same emotions in me as Jack Ketchum's horror novels. Sick curiosity.

The body of this tale is harrowing, allowing little light and warmth to leak in. The sexual cruelty takes horror in an unpredictable direction, using psychological brutality to develop a friendship between an unlikely pair.

From the slivers of blood-stained clothing and broken bones resurrects a courageous trust between the drug-addicted Finn and the guest-turned-prisoner painter, Lilith. This friendship is a fierce enough foundation to keep some of the chicken-hearted readers turning pages through the gory, topnotch tension.

This vicious, well-crafted psychological thriller might leave you scarred, but it's the soul-deep characterization of Finn and Lilith that makes this book wholly unforgettable.

[Lise *friends don't flag* · Rating 4 out of 5]

What-The-Hell-Did-I-Just-Read?

I mean wow, crazy, funny, hot, sickening, shocked, sad, hopeful and just plain ol’ WTF?

This is going to be a funky review as I just do not know how to express my feelings over what I read. I am going to use a few Disney gifs to assist in my review, but know that there really is nothing 'Disney' about this book... I think?
First off, the book is good- it will probably not be for everyone, but I love a book that can challenge my comfort zone and one that is not a cookie cutter of so many books I read.
I feel the author of this book is extremely gifted and certainly passionate regarding the subject matter of the storyline. I thought her character development was incredible; I connected with and absolutely adored Lilith from her very first line “What the fuck am I doing here?” to her last ‘Yeah.’ I kissed him as best I could, around the bloody plastic tubes covering my face. ‘This’ll do.’

“Control. The one thing that shaped my life, and the one thing I felt that I was about to lose.”-Lilith

Finn is going to be a character that I will never forget. The author had me feeling his pain, hopelessness, addiction and resignation as well as his kindness, love, humor and happiness. I could not stomach what this man at the age of 24 had endured over the past 10 years. But even with all the wretchedness in Finn’s life, Lili made him want to truly live, which was a good as well as a bad thing. The good thing was that Finn started to live again ‘Ah. A chuisle. Gaelic. ‘My darling’. I prefer the proper translation, mind you.’ ‘Which is?’ He gave a bashful smile. ‘My pulse.’

And the bad was that ‘living’ was exactly what Blaine wanted from Lilith, for Finn.


Blaine’s character was like a sadistic Cruella deville, using rentboys instead of Dalmatian puppies. She just became more evil with every page. Absolutely despicable







I loved the humor in the author’s writing and it certainly did help quell some of the awfulness that was happening while I was on this book ride; my Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.



Which certainly helps me describe the last 15% of this story…. too fast, too crazy, and ended abruptly. However, I have word that the author is writing a sequel... yay!

*Big shout out to a favorite rock-star book boyfriend, Gabriel James. He had a small role in this story, but made a big impact. Gabriel is ‘Almost an Angel’ and certainly not a bad companion on an airplane!












And just because this non-disney themed gif squicks Rebecca out, I am going to leave it for her!

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book… this effing book. Wow!

It feels so strange to say I loved it or enjoyed it because the subject matter it deals with is really extreme, dark, and sad. But I did, I was blown away by how good this book is!

Lilith Bresson is a very successful artist. The richest and most powerful people in the world covet her work. The thing is, Lilith Bresson doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to do. She is a no-nonsense, blunt to a fault realist. I instantly loved her! Her past has been somewhat shady, with a POS father and a prostitute for a mother, but there is one person she would do anything for. When her father tells her that Blaine Albermarle wants her to paint a portrait, Lilith’s initial response is, “‘Well golly fucking gosh how terribly delightful for her. Now get out.” Until she is blackmailed with the well being of her younger brother.

Control. The one thing that shaped my life, and the one thing I felt that I was about to lose.

With her fate decided for her, she makes her way to Albermarle Hall. A place where some of the most depraved, disturbing, and sick fantasies can be made a reality… with the right price of course. There are no electronics of any kind allowed on the island, all for the sake of the “experience.” Being the extremely perceptive person that she is, it doesn’t take long for Lilith to get that there is just something not right about Blaine and Albermarle Hall.

With a shiver that I hoped was more to do with the chill of the morning, I realized it would also be one hell of a place to try to leave.

Soon Lilith meets Finn, Blaine’s “companion.” He has lived at The Hall for three years and is all part of the experience that Blaine provides to her sick guests. He is basically there for them to do with as they please.

The very first time I met him, Finn Strachan stole my breath.

Lilith and Finn strike up an unlikely friendship. They are extremely open and honest with one another and given the circumstances, everything progressed at a very realistic pace. Them spending time together or being friendly at all is a huge risk, it makes it something that can be used against them.

‘Pull back, Finn. For both your sakes.’
‘I can take it.’
‘You might be able to. But can Lilith?’

I was incredibly anxious while reading this book. Just genuinely nervous for Lilith & Finn’s well being in general. There is nowhere Blaine won’t go or let someone go for her. I have never read about characters like the sadists in this book. These aren’t your sweet sadists (ha!) who have a conscience or only cause pain with consent. This is not BDSM. These are the ones who don’t stop, who have no limits, who don’t care what happens. That is what made this book so hard to read, it’s not that the acts performed are particularly shocking, they are just downright appalling and sometimes just hard to stomach because they are so gruesome. It’s degrading, demoralizing, and incredibly sad.

I cared so deeply for these characters (the good guys), that every moment of torture was hard to take. There were moments I thought that if I were in their situation, I don’t know if I’d want to live. I would understand if there spirit was completely broken. All the while though, there is this small sliver of hope. It’s not all dark and depressing and those small moments of happiness or relief were just as emotionally charged for me and those were the parts that made me cry. Then there is this cynical, dry, witty humor that just makes this even more of a win for me...

I am just in awe of how much Lilith and Finn’s story got to me. It’s a testament to how brilliant the writing is and how well developed these characters are. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to people who can handle a dark, emotional read with very detailed, disturbing subject matter. The disclaimer is legit. But if you can handle it, it’s an AMAZING book. It’s beautifully written with a storyline that not just anyone could have pulled off.

‘What did you call me?’
‘Ah. A chuisle. Gaelic. ‘My darling’. I prefer the proper translation, mind you.’
‘Which is?’ He gave a bashful smile. ‘My pulse.’