The Tied Man discussion

I've just had an excellent, in-depth and insightful review of The Tied Man, and whilst the reader loved it, she mentioned that she would have appreciated some sort of warning. I actually pondered this before I put the book up on kindle - the darkness in it is the theme, rather than something tacked on as an erotic freebie, so the last thing I want is people buying it and thinking it's all silk scarves and feather dusters, but at the same time I wouldn't want to put potential readers off (naturally - I have cats to feed, after all...) because they're expecting a horror story! So, as readers of this book, would you want to see a warning? And what would it say?

Books that deal with the dark themes you dealt with really should come with some sort of a warning. Trust me, there's an audience for it, and no amount of warnings will put them off if they want to read it. As a matter of fact I already recommended it to friends that I just know will love it.

The blurb gave me no inclination just how violent and disturbing all of it will be, and I didn't go into the book prepared to read it.

On the other hand, you will find that a reader would actually be quite put off for any future work of yours if you lure them into reading this by promising a wonderful love story with a hint of spanking and then it turns out it's out of their comfort zone because of all the sexual abuse and violence.

That's just my input on the whole thing. A simple warning: graphic depictions of drug abuse, violence, sexual abuse, non-consensual sex, etc, would have done.

Thank you. I've tweaked the blurb accordingly, and I'll see what happens! It'll take a few hours for Amazon to update. xx I really appreciate your thoughts on this.

It's changed already :). I'll get rid of my offensive bolded warning :)

still hesitating..

sounds like a big read of GR but I'm not sure if it's 50 shades kind of thing... or Sempre feel or I don't know..

I'm not looking for a basic romance with kinky sex but if there is going to be all that dark and disturbing, there needs to be a point to it.
being dark and disturbing just to shock readers and make a sell isn't what I'm looking for.
I want it to make me think, reflect or there's not point..

Estelle:

The Tied Man was my first "dark" read. I had read the reviews and knew basically what the book was about but I was still shocked by the depth of depravity and evil contained in the book.

That being said, I finished the book in one day and felt that my entire reading life had been altered. The book was written so well and the characters given such depth and realism that Finn and Lilith became burned into my soul. I felt the horror as they experienced it, I rooted for them to escape and I was emboldened by the depth of their human spirit to survive their ordeal and be together. In short, at the end, I was uplifted and in awe.

And, since reading The Tied Man, I have read several other "dark" books and enjoyed them. There is a very good discussion thread under "Captive in the Dark" naming several other "dark" books to read. However, I don't think you will ever read a book that will affect you like The Tied Man (and the follow up of The Tied Man Unbound when it is published).

It is not an easy read in certain places, but I think you will be forever grateful that you did read it.

I agree Judy. There were a couple of times I had to put the book down for a bit, and find something else to do because what was happening to the characters was so horrible I couldn't take it. But I have to say that The Tied Man is one of the very best books I have ever read, and I read....a LOT!! It's been about a week since I read it, and I am still thinking about Finn and Lillith. Not about how sad their situation was, but how much I admire them. I don't think I have been affected by a book like this, in a very long time, if ever. Estelle- I promise you will not regret reading it.

One of the best books I have read this year. Been a long time since I have read it and honestly would read it all over again. Glad you have tweaked the blurb Tabitha.

Yes, thanks Tabitha for this thread, it's obviously helping me a lot! :-)

Judy, I haven't got into this genre yet... 50 shades, for me, was quite out there already (I'm not old I swear (35).. My name isn't Prue either (sorry 'Prue's... it's nothing personal, it's an expression!!)
I know I will read this because it's had such an impact on people and I can't live with the fact that it hasn't had had an impact on me!
THERE!! theres' the truth! :-)
I'm just worried on how an impact it's going to have on me..

Karen, an normal contemporay romance would leave me with that 'after feel'.. and you read a lot.... after a week!! ....
:-)

Ok I just know I will read it but I feel I need a buddy read with this one!!! a strong buddy read!!

ok..
I've got the book!!! ahahah!!
I'll report BACK!

:-)

Thanks Ladies

Estelle (E) wrote: "ok..
I've got the book!!! ahahah!!
I'll report BACK!

:-)

Thanks Ladies"
Hi, Estelle - thank you for taking a risk! I didn't intend to write a 'disturbing' book; I was bored and slightly miffed that all the books I'd read involved princesses getting rescued by princes, and that (usually) women who were basically lured into, at best, dub-con sex, ended up adoring their captor. The Tied Man was kind of a response to that. I also wanted 'real' people and conversations, and the kind of dark humour that we all use to get us through the dips in our lives.

That being said, 50% and 72% are the darkest parts of the path - please feel free to PM me, or stick a note in this thread, if you need a breather. Also feel free to press 'delete' on your e-reader, because life's too short to read a book you hate!

Also, Ladies of the Darkness - thank you for your insights above. You're all bloody fab xx

Tabitha wrote: "Estelle (E) wrote: "ok..
I've got the book!!! ahahah!!
I'll report BACK!

:-)

Thanks Ladies"
Hi, Estelle - thank you for taking a risk! I didn't intend to write a 'disturbing' book; I was bored ..."

I'm very intrigued!! :-)

Thank you!

Estelle:

We are all here for you. And, reading Tabitha's comments, I forgot to mention all the humor that is in this very dark book that also added so much to these very "real" characters. God, I loved "The Tied Man"!!

Feel free to use this thread as your "buddy read." We survived the dark parts but you should skip over them if you have to. Even if you do,I believe you will still enjoy a remarkable book.

:-) Thanks!!!

14% loving Lilith!

Yes, Lilith is so strong.

21%

'real' is the word. very refreshing, I agree!

CAN'T.STOP.READING!

61%

(view spoiler)[
Well.. been through the 50% scene and... Finn is ok! He's ok!!!
:-)

Thinking back, what disturbed me the most was the scene with the blowjob, (not good with names), when the man 'guest' forces Finn to give him one.

That was pure wickedness, revenge, that man's nasty

When Finn gets almost killed was because of idiots.

And all in all, you see people's darkest sides but also that there are some that have pure beauty in them, ie the 'nurse-doctor' giving out her jumper

Is there a way out???

Ah! Also, I've been wondering since the start: Why does Blaine invite Lilith, is it jealousy? (hide spoiler)]

Estelle (E) wrote: "CAN'T.STOP.READING!

61%


Well.. been through the 50% scene and... Finn is ok! He's ok!!!
:-)

Thinking back, what disturbed me the most was the scene with the blowjob, (not good with names), whe..."

Hi, Estelle - bloody well done for getting over the hump!

(view spoiler)[If I'm honest, I always found the little acts of random savagery to be more disturbing than the big blood n' gore pieces, probably because they're exactly as you say - just pure wickedness (and Agnes is an absolute love, even though she's only got a page or so!). And yes, there's a way out - I don't think I could have written TTM if there wasn't! I *hope* you'll find out/have already found out Blaine's reasons; I do let you know, but it's just a little further on! If it's not clear though, let me know and I'll chat some more. (hide spoiler)]

Hugs, Tabitha x

79%

*tears*

(view spoiler)[
ok, that was .... my inside chicks are hurting!
My heart is breaking

Thanks Tabitha, I got my answer... Blaine is a very complex character.
We ear about celebrities going to extreme because of money and boredom, she's taking it to a whole new level.

How much can you break someone? We 'ordinary' people go through years of therapy to understand the role a father or mother may have had on us. How can Finn ever recover from all this?

I really love this book! (hide spoiler)]

Estelle (E) wrote: "79%

*tears*


ok, that was .... my inside chicks are hurting!
My heart is breaking

Thanks Tabitha, I got my answer... Blaine is a very complex character.
We ear about celebrities going to extre..."
That's why I had to keep writing! *So* glad you're enjoying it! xx

Estelle (E):

Just got back to my computer. I'm glad Tabitha is helping you through this but it sounds like you are "getting" TTM and I am overjoyed you had the courage to tackle it. Your thoughts are bringing back my own as I read it. In fact, I read it twice and only in the second reading did I figure out why Blaine had manipulated Lilith to go to the island.

100%!

AMAZING!!
I wrote my review and I hope I have been able to describe my feelings regarding the Tied Man appropriately.
(English isn't my 1st language and if I haven't, I apologise in advance!!)

I really love this book, a solid 5 star for me.

I couldn't put it down!!

Congratulations on finishing Estelle. I'm going to find your review right now.

Estelle (E) wrote: "100%!

AMAZING!!
I wrote my review and I hope I have been able to describe my feelings regarding the Tied Man appropriately.
(English isn't my 1st language and if I haven't, I apologise in advanc..."

So glad you read it. I couldn't find your review. I think because you are set to private. I'm going to send you a friend request!! Glad you liked it!!

Thank you to Tabitha for a great read. It was dark, disturbing and impossible to put down...did I see that a sequesl is in the works??? I hope so, because I need more of Lilith & Finn!

Emily wrote: "Thank you to Tabitha for a great read. It was dark, disturbing and impossible to put down...did I see that a sequesl is in the works??? I hope so, because I need more of Lilith & Finn!"

Hi, Emily - yup, I'm working on the sequel right now! I need to see that Finn and Lili are ok before I finally let them go... :)

Tabitha:

You, of course, know that we stalkers will never be able to let Finn & Lili go, but that certainly doesn't mean we aren't anxious for TTMU and for other books you might have roaming around in your deliriously deranged mind.

Congrats on having so many readers now recognize you for the wonderful writer you are!

Tabitha wrote: "Emily wrote: "Thank you to Tabitha for a great read. It was dark, disturbing and impossible to put down...did I see that a sequesl is in the works??? I hope so, because I need more of Lilith & Fi..."

Thanks for the uodate..I'm really excited! I'll be watching for your next book!

Judy wrote: "Tabitha:

You, of course, know that we stalkers will never be able to let Finn & Lili go, but that certainly doesn't mean we aren't anxious for TTMU and for other books you might have roaming aroun..."

I have a feeling they'll always be in any contemporary universe that I write about! Thank you for the compliment - 'deliriously deranged' might well be my new official character description :) Hugs xxx

Emily wrote: "Tabitha wrote: "Emily wrote: "Thank you to Tabitha for a great read. It was dark, disturbing and impossible to put down...did I see that a sequesl is in the works??? I hope so, because I need mor..."

I'm doing my best to update through FB and my blog on here - keep looking in! :)

I am well used to dark erotica but, having been on the receiving end of sexual abuse at the hands of a group of men and suffering from the resultant PTSD, the warning was not enough for me. The depravity in this novel was more than I could stomach and of course I didn't finish it. I couldn't bear not to know if there was any hope at the end so I just skipped to the last few pages.

There was a comment from someone towards the start of this feed that said a true lover of dark fiction won't be turned off by a warning in the plot description. I agree 100%. You can put the biggest, boldest, scariest warning in the description and I will still read it.

You have written a wonderful dark fiction book with none of the boring fru-fru and frills. Unfortunately I think that 50 Shades and other softcore BDSM stories have changed the stereotype of "dark fiction" to mean "dark erotica". Therefore, my only suggestion would be to make it very clear in the description that this book is NOT dark erotica, but rather a genuine dark fiction story.